Brain Psychology

One thing I am especially interested in is the psychology of the brain. The brain is organized into 3 layers: the central core, limbic system, and cerebral cortex, and they all contain structures that regulate everyday life! The central core is where breathing, pulse, arousal, movement, balance, and sleep are regulated. The limbic system is where body temperature, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels are regulated. It mediates motivated behaviors, emotional states, and memory processes. The cerebral cortex is the most interesting. It directs the brain's higher cognitive and emotional functions and is divided into 2 cerebral hemispheres (like 2 halves). Each hemisphere has 4 lobes and this is where we have perception, emotion, thought, and planning, as well as many unconscious processes.
Those are the basic (and pretty boring) facts.
There are some pretty interesting facts though about how the brain affect what we experience. Some of these cool facts are:
1. You can't tickle yourself because your brain distinguishes between unexpected external touch and your own touch.
I always wondered why I couldn't tickle myself...
2.  There is a class of people who not only have more taste buds on their tongue, but whose brain is more sensitive to the tastes of foods and drinks. They can even detect some flavors that others can't! These people are titled "supertasters"
I'm not sure if its possible to just "become" a supertaster, but when I was on steroids I definitely felt like a supertaster...



These are two of the more random facts but there are so many others that are even more interesting. Most of the others have to do with memory, dreams and sleep, personality, intelligence, and categories like these. I find all of it so interesting and I think it's important to motivate others to explore the brain.
You can find more interesting facts right here!
Hopefully some other people find this stuff interesting. If so, that person will probably talk about it with another person who may then talk about it with someone else. I believe one of these people will become curious and want to do more research. It is instinctive for humans to want to learn more about something they are interested in. This person could then make a huge contribution to science, either by studying and becoming a scientist, by actively supporting science and helping it grow, or even by more passive support like blogging and spreading awareness.
I am taking the more passive approach right now but next summer I will be interning a Children's Hospital in DC to actively support the advancement of science.