conciousness ( figures and experiments)

René Descartes (1596–1650)

Proposed that the mind and body interact in the pineal gland, which he called the “seat of the soul.” His idea was later proven incorrect.

Alan Turing (1950)

Pioneered artificial intelligence and explored whether machines could exhibit conscious behavior.

Mason et al. (2007)

fMRI study showing that the brain’s default network is active during daydreaming and self-referential thinking.

Wegner et al. (1987)

Found that trying not to think about something (like a white bear) causes the rebound effect, where the thought returns more often.

Daniel Wegner (1994)

Developed the theory of ironic processes of mental control, explaining why suppressing thoughts can make them stronger.

Sigmund Freud (1900)

Proposed the concept of the dynamic unconscious and repression; believed dreams have manifest and latent content.

Daniel Kahneman (2011)

Outlined dual-process theory with System 1 (fast, automatic) and System 2 (slow, deliberate) thinking.

George & Koob (2017)

Showed that addiction often shifts from positive reinforcement (seeking pleasure) to negative reinforcement (avoiding withdrawal).

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (2014)

Developed the Cannabis Policy Framework advocating for legalization and regulation for public health.

Canadian Cannabis Act (2018)

Legalized recreational cannabis in Canada, enabling new scientific research and regulation.

Mason, Raichle, & Colleagues (Default Network Research)

Identified a network of brain regions active during rest and self-reflective thought, supporting imagination and daydreaming.

Freud’s Dream Research

Proposed dreams express unconscious desires and conflicts; introduced manifest and latent dream content.

Hobson & McCarley (1977)

Created the Activation–Synthesis Model suggesting dreams result from the brain’s attempt to make sense of random neural activity.

Revonsuo (2000)

Proposed Threat-Simulation Theory: dreams evolved to let people rehearse escape and avoidance behaviors in threatening situations.

Mason et al. (Default Network fMRI Study)

Demonstrated widespread activation during daydreaming even without external tasks.

Lucid Dreaming Studies (Voss et al.)

Showed increased prefrontal cortex connectivity during lucid dreaming, allowing awareness while dreaming.

PET Imaging Studies of Hypnosis

Revealed that hypnotic hallucinations activate the same brain areas as real perceptions.

Prohibition Movement (1800s–1920s)

Historical case showing that cultural definitions of “addiction” and “drug use” can shift over time; prohibition laws were eventually repealed.

Descartes’ 1662 Brain Diagram

Illustrated his belief that the pineal gland was the seat of the soul, central to consciousness.

EEG and EOG Sleep Research

Showed characteristic wave patterns (beta, alpha, theta, delta) corresponding to sleep stages and REM cycles.