The brain is the most complex organ in the human body, and the most remarkable. It is the hub of your nervous system, and is made up of 100 billion nerve cells – equivalent to the number of trees in the Amazon rainforest. Each cell is connected to around 10,000 others. So the number of connections in your brain is the same as the number of leaves in the rainforest – about 1000 trillion – wow! Isn’t this incredible?
This phenomenal organ is home to your mind and personality. It houses your cherished memories and future hopes. It orchestrates the symphony of consciousness that gives you purpose and passion, motion and emotion.
Every animal you can think of… mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians … has a brain. But the human brain is unique. Although it’s not the largest, it gives us the power to speak, imagine and problem solve. It is truly an amazing organ. The brain performs an incredible number of tasks including the following:
It controls body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
It absorbs a flood of information about the world around you thanks to your various senses (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching).
It handles your physical movement when walking, talking, standing or sitting.
It gives you the power to think, dream, reason and experience emotions.
All of these tasks are coordinated, controlled and regulated by an organ that is approximately the size of a small head of cauliflower.
Your brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves make up a harmonious, interrelated information-processing system known as your central nervous system. In tandem, they regulate all the conscious and unconscious facets of your life.
You have been entrusted with the care and feeding of the most exceptional and complex creation in the whole of the universe… the Human Brain… so you must be special!
