SOL: Stanzas of Life

As I concluded my undergraduate studies at Saint Louis University this past May, I have entered the “real-world” arena. Confronted with adult decisions, challenged at-home living in unison with my parents, and faced with bioethical considerations while at work in early therapeutic Phase 1 clinical trials, I have learned to adapt to chaos. As a Neuroscience major with minor concentrations in Public Health and Biology, I continue to wrestle with questions like; What is the interplay between Neuroscience and Public Health? How do we [society] revolutionize medicine to alter the standard of care treatments for those with mental health problems? The mind is a fascinating organ, commonly misunderstood and underappreciated.

Neuroscience is the study of the cognitive patterns and changes in one’s neural circuit. It is essentially the study of “the circuitboard of the human body.” Each individual has the ability to think and interpret the world around them based on their past and present encounters with their environment. In the sphere of Neuroscience and Philosophy, a heated debate continues to ensue about whether human behavior is the product of one’s genetics or their environment- nature vs. nurture. I have studied the frameworks of both arguments and have concluded that we [humans] are a byproduct of both our genetics and our environment. The interplay between our biological composition and our cultural upbringing impact our behavior and outlook on our society. Humans are susceptible to being molded and reshaped throughout their early life due to the neurological plasticity, which crystalizes over time into concrete knowledge. The field of neuroscience continues to shift directions from identifying complex neural networks to the creation of artificial intelligence. Often referred as the “black box” of the human body, the human mind continues to captivate scientists, medical professionals, and students who invest and propel research on human behavior, thoughts, and actions.

Humans are intrinsically neurotic beings. We are gifted with the ability to decide between choices with our use of free will, yet we often make irrational decisions which creates instability. In order to counteract such deviations, the human body has an incredible power to maintain homeostatic balance when we drift farther to such extremes. Each of us has the capability to craft our own life and chose what we want to pursue. The beauty of our existence lies in our capacity to think critically, predict outcomes, and determine our next course of action. Therefore, we are distinctly human due to sensation, perception, reasoning, emotion and motivation.

The human mind has limitations though. It struggles to cope with various stressors and emotionally turmoil. A broken heart is often the result of a disconnect between what the mind and the heart desire. Furthermore, many psychological disorders are the outcome of prior traumatic experiences, heredity, and environmental stress. Our minds can run haywire and are easily distracted by external stimuli. Thus, it is difficult for the modern brain to focus and center itself on one objective. In this regard, humans struggle to self-audit themselves and find clarity in their work without reflection. Mental health continues to be placed on the back-burner of our modern healthcare system in America. We need to start to prioritize and emphasize mental health care in our nation to curb this epidemic and change our society’s neuroticism.

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On another note: I encourage you to take a moment and close your eyes. Inhale and hold for three seconds. Now, exhale. Repeat three times. Take this moment to highlight one positive thing that occurred today. Afterwards, give someone a hug, and let someone else know you love them. We need more positivity and unity in this world! Love always, Dawson!