Evolution of the Brain - Reptilian → Paleomammalian → Neomammalian

• Parts of the Brain -

  • Thalamus - relays messages, the brains sensory switchboard, on top of the brainstem

  • Cerebellum - coordination voluntary movement and balance

  • Brainstem - heart rate and breathing, responsible for automatic survival functions

  • Medulla - controls heartbeat and breathing

• The Limbic System -

  • Hypothalamus, pituitary, amygdala, and hippocampus all deals with basic drives, emotions, and memory.

    • Hippocampus - memory processing

    • Amygdala - agression (fight) and fear (flight)

    • Hypothalamus - Below the thalamus, helps govern the endocrine system via the pituitary gland

      • linked to emotion

      • hunger, thirst, body temp., pleasure; regulates pituitary gland (horomones)

  • Navy Seals -

    • 1. Micro Goals

    • 2. Visualization

    • 3. Positive Self-Talk

    • 4. Arousal Control

      • Breath Control

• Brain Plasticity - The ability of the brain to recognize neural pathways based on new experiences.