Emotions in Science?

This is an important area of study. When my colleagues injected some chemicals in the brain, they were able to simulate aggressive behaviour. When they injected their antagonists, they were able to reverse the behaviour. The basis for this phenomenon is the role of Serotonin and GABA. I confirmed this finding by studying the synaptosomal neurotransmitter function. Serotonin and Gamma Amino Butyric acid(GABA) antagonized the behavioural function. We also observe that those who have nutritional deficiencies of Vitamin B6 exhibit some behavioural problems. What is the relation between emotions and behaviour? Emotions are reflected in behaviour. Serotonin plays a significant role in controlling emotions and mood.There are nearly 15 chemicals in brain which are known as Neuro transmitter substances.Dr. Candace Pert has written a fascinating book entitled "Molecules and Emotions". In my personal communications with her, she strongly believes that emotions go beyond chemicals.There is aspiritual component to this. I will give 2 examples and leave it for discussion: We see lots of hard core drug addicts, porno addicts etc. turn around and this is reflected in altered behaviour. Once upon a time, they all had emotional outbursts of rage and anger. After they experienced Salvation through Jesus Christ, their emotions came under control. It is a total transformation. Yes, these changes correspond to intense Chemical activities and Electrical activities. It even goes beyond. This is a spiritual influence fromk God. This produces, Love, joy, patience, peace etc. Before this life changing experience, they were all experiencing uncontrolled anger, rage and bitterness. The spirit influences the heart. Then the heart influences Brain through Electrochemical activities. If you talk ot a Psychologist, he will laugh at you. Yet, this is the reality. Another example is in Exorcism.This message has been edited by inkorrekt, 02-13-2006 12:46 PM

I am a strong believer that we are far superior to animals. IF so, why did i compare animals to human behaviour? The basic molecular mechanisms in brain are common to man and animals. Therefore, study of animals regarding the brain function should be identical to humans.

Drew, this is a very interesting question. The functions of the brain are regulated by 10-15 chemicals. These are not found in the food. Brain has to synthesize them. Brain takes the raw materials from food and by the action of few enzymes, converts them into active chemicals. What triggers them? Whenever an electrical impulse reaches the end of anerve, then at the nerve endings, these chemicals are actively synthesized and released. Amount synthesized and the amount released depend on the the length and intensity of the signal. After these chemoicals are released, then they simulate the electrical implse and this process id repeated till the signal reaches the destination. This may involve millions of such cells. Dr. Candace Pert first identified the structures known as opiate receptors that respond to pleasure and pain. You may read her book,"Molecules and emotions"There are some clinical conditions in which the formation, release and reuptake of these chemicals are impaired. Transmission of signal by the brain cells is mediated by these chemicals. I hope I have given you the answer.

It is so sad that God has been reduced to a stimulus- response system.This happens in animals all the time. Some one reported that there is a center in the brain which when stimulated produces religious experience. This means, those who experience God had some sort of stimulations at this center in brain. In any case, personal encounter with God cannot equal the electrical stimulation or for that matter experience with drugs. Chemcials or electrical stimulation cannot substitute for the real thing i.e: God. Do not go for the 2nd best. Go for the real.

This is otherwise knwn as Self awareness. This is an important function that allows the animals to react and respond to the environment. In other words it is like stimulus >>>>> response. The way the animal percieves the stimulus (external temperature, toxic chemical, electrical stimulation, drug stimulation etc) The animal becomes aware of the surroundings. In animals, it stops here. Wehreas in humans, it goes much beyond.

Thank you for the suggestion. I am sure this new topic on the role of religion in addiction will haelp many in the forum. I will plan on starting a new thread.

Your ancestor Monkey does not design computers. Does it?????

Yes, they can laugh at me.They will. It does not matter. For your kind information, Psychology is not an empirical science. Yes, Psychologists do not believe in the spirit. They only believe in the physical body. To them, when the body dies, it is all over. May I ask you to answer this? How do you define life? What is life? Not all Psychologists believe what I wrote. The exception is with the Christian psychologists who believe that There is a Soul which makes lot of sense.This message has been edited by inkorrekt, 03-03-2006 06:30 PM

Yes, I have few friends who are practising Clincial Psychologists. they believe in the spirit. Then there is another group which only believes in the physical body and nothing else.

I have only experienced God. I can talk about this. My brain has not been electrically or therapeutically stimulated. The atheistic neurophysiologist wants to prove that whatever anyone calls as God experience is not really thatone. But is nothing but electircal stimulation of brain. Chances are that after I had experienced God, if I subject myself to electrical stimuation, I may be devastated. I am not intending to do this either. I do not need drugs( I have already been devastated by prescription drugs) anymore.

I am glad that at least you had defined the characteristics of living organisms. Many biologists can't even do this. At this time, we can only define life. Anyway, our definitions of life stop here. We do not know what it is. But, we can only speculate it. I am going to give an example. I am not sure if I had already posted it elewhere.Let us imagine that I was in the twin otwer on 911. When the alarms went off, I ran out and fell down. I was clinically declared dead. Before this event, I had a thinking mind. After this event ( the ambulance has not yert arrived) did I still have thinking mind? No certainly not. When I was clinically declared dead, I lost something. My mind was no longer the mind. It became a dead piece of brain tissue. Question: is mind ,the brain? OR Is mind the brain? Answer is: brain + something = mind. Could this "Something" be the life?

I was wrong I SHOULD HAVE SAID,"At this time, we can only define the characteristcs of the living organisms. but, we cannot define life.something = biological metabolism/activity? No, it is not these two."There is no real separation of mind and body. If you want to speculate on an eternal spirit/soul, fair enough but it won't be science".Wilder Penfield electrically stimulated the brains of epilepsy patients and he found that they could move their arms and legs. The patient would say,I did not do. You did it" Penfield believes that the patient thinks of himself as having an existence separate from the body. No matter how much of stimulation the patient received, there is no place where electrical stimulation will cause a patient to believe or not to decide. Because, these functions originate in the conscious self, not brain.Some of the thought processes have the attributes of being true and others false. No neurophysiologist will say that a particular of brain state is true and the other state is false.This is not the function of the brain. but, this is afunction of the conscious state."Does bacteria have a soul? It has that 'something'"""... I do not think so.

There is something beyond stimulus response. Animals do have a soul. About bacteria, I have to work on. Very good question.

Where is the evidence for reincarnation? Have you met anyone who has reincarnated? Do you think that Reincarnation is science? Our scientists have not even defined what is life.

Is it alright to use embryonic stem cells and ban all animal research? Why is it that use of animal experiments is wrong and Abortion is right?