An increasing number of people are talking about neuroscience these days. And it is easy to understand why. Despite the fact that the field is relatively young, there are new breakthroughs and discoveries being reported each year. In this article we will cover what neuroscience is and look at several reasons the scientific community is so excited about this particular branch of science.
What is Neuroscience?
The field of neuroscience aims to understand the biology of the mind. It seeks to uncover the various roles of genes, neurons, proteins, and neural circuits in the development of consciousness and behavior. To help accomplish this goal, neuroscientists make good use of a wide array of cutting edge technologies. Some of these tools and techniques include positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), deep brain stimulation (DBS), transcranial direct (or alternate) current stimulation (tDCS/tACS), brain computer interfaces (BCIs), and lasers.
Neuroscience has been instrumental in man’s current understanding of cognitive development. It has been particularly helpful in demonstrating that a person’s biology does not determine his or her destiny. Neuroscience has highlighted the fact that the brain has a high degree of plasticity and is able to adapt to changes in circumstances. This shows that while biology is important, the environment can do much to shape a person’s thinking and behavior.
Developmental psychologists have offered a variety of theories of cognitive development based on their observations. Neuroscientists, however, provide insight on the mechanisms that may underlie these observations. One of the main reasons for the rapid rise of neuroscience is the community’s supportive culture. It is not uncommon for neuroscience labs in different parts of the world to collaborate on groundbreaking research.
The Advantages of Neuroscience
There are several factors that set neuroscience research apart from research conducted in other scientific fields. A few of these factors are mentioned below:
- Neuroscience research is objective. Study participants in other scientific fields may lie about their experiences or choose not to share their experiences at all. Subjects who participate in neuroscience research have their physiological activity measured directly.
- Neuroscience research is comprehensive. The activity of the whole brain is measured.
- Neuroscience research is sensitive. The tools used in neuroscience research can measure physiological changes down to the millisecond.
What is Neuroscience Used for?
One of the primary applications of neuroscience is to improve human health. When a person’s brain is not functioning correctly, it may lead to negative emotional and behavioral changes. By revealing how changes in the nervous system may trigger a particular response, health professionals may be able to prevent some medical and psychological issues from developing. Neuroscience has provided valuable insight into many common brain issues such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Neuroscience is also used to help enhance human performance. For example, neuroscientists have designed equipment that helps athletes to improve their decision-making skills, concentration, and resilience to pain. It is clear that neuroscience is improving the quality of human life with each passing day. If you would like to gain more insights on this incredible and rapidly emerging field, we recommend that you read this article at BetterHelp.com.
