The vast majority of living things on this earth have a central point of control. One of its main functions in organisms involves the intake of energy, gas exchanges, chemical reactions etc. In animals with higher consciousness (see below for who is included in this), their central point is called the brain and has reached “and advanced stage in development” (Oxford Learning Dictionary, 2025). This brain uses oxygen, blood cells, energy, chemical processes and electrical signals that then all cascade through it and the animal’s organs. It’s systems group various cells, DNA strings, cerebral fluids and neurons that instruct the body to grow, mature and give life to an otherwise lifeless ‘soul’.

These higher animals include amongst others: 

• Apes
• Cats
• Dogs
• Some Bird Species such as Ravens
• Aquatic life such as Dolphins and Octopus
• Humans

The Human Brain

The picture you see as the background image is a human brain. Some liken it to a supercomputer in how it processes, controls and stores vast amounts of information. However, I believe this to be a grossly inadequate and basic description or illustration of this awe-inspiring organ. No matter who we are, our age or where we come from – we all have one (I promise) which is uses to some degree or other. Its an organ we take for granted, expecting it to preform everything we ask of it no matter the consequences may be to it. So for a few minutes, lets go on a journey of discovery and wonder and explore this much forgotten terrain. We will see what it is made of, how it can adapt to challenges and disease, why youths enjoy taking risks and finally why we feel emotions and have memories.

First stop – The goo that makes you!
 

Some scientists believe that the human brain consists of three different levels or stage that have evolved over thousands of years. A phrase that was once used to describe the oldest part or stem area of our brain was the “Lizard brain”. This theory came from a scientist in the 1960’s called Dr Paul MacLean (BBC Science Magazine, 2024). As the figure one shows, it consists of the brain stem (which connects to the spinal cord), the basal ganglia (which helps to co-ordinate voluntary movement and behaviour) and the cerebellum (helps with maintaining our posture, equilibrium and balance as well as allowing us to have fine motor controls such as picking things up and ensuring the correct pressure is applied etc). The second or middle brain is the part of us that controls and creates our emotions and behaviors and is known as the Limbic System. Finally, what scientists call the part that has evolved in modern humans or the mammalian brain – the Cortex.

When we are alive, our brain is like a crushed ball of paper – containing many folds with peaks and troughs and maintains a pinky colour due to the amount of oxygenated blood constantly being pumped around it. Tucked safely inside your skull, this remarkable organ weighs about three pounds and is the size approximately of a melon or large grapefruit (Shepherd, 2018). While incredibly complex, we can break down its main jobs and parts into simpler terms. Think of it as a highly specialized team, with different members handling different tasks to keep the organisation profitable. (VeryWell Mind, 2023). Our brain has two sides that are split and joined in the middle with cells that are like a web called the Corpus Callosum that allow both sides to communicate and act as one organ (Ramachadran, 2005) .

The left and right sides are called hemispheres. Scientists have found that we have a conscious and unconscious part of the brain. Psychiatrists and psychologists believe this unconscious part of our brain is a major part of what we call our mind. For many years it was believed that our mind was separate to our biological brain. However, this has been proven untrue but it still lingers in societies and medicines consciousness with the mythical distinction between mental health and biological health. Our subconscious brain is responsible for what we call the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. They control our involuntary movements, breathing, the bodies stress response system, heart rate, blood pressure, how our organs work, sex, digestion and excretion (pooping & urinating), movement of fluids etc. (The Cleveland Clinic, 2025). 

The Cerebrum Cortex

This is the largest part of your brain, making up about 85% of its weight. It's the wrinkly, outer layer that you typically picture when you think of a brain. The cerebrum is responsible for all your conscious thoughts, memories, language, and voluntary movements. It's where you plan your day, solve problems, and appreciate a good joke. It has areas that not only have primary responsibility for certain functions but can step in to assist with others too. This is called plasticity. These areas are:
 

1. Frontal Lobe: Located at the front, behind your forehead. This is your brain's "executive" area. It handles planning, decision-making, problem-solving, personality, and initiating voluntary movements like walking or raising your hand. It's also crucial for focusing attention and understanding the consequences of your actions.
2. Parietal Lobe: Situated behind the frontal lobe. This area processes sensory information from your body – things like touch, temperature, pain, and pressure. It also helps you understand where your body is in space, allowing you to navigate your surroundings without bumping into things.
3. Temporal Lobe: Found on the sides of your head, near your temples. This lobe is vital for processing what you hear, understanding language, and forming and retrieving memories. It also plays a role in recognizing faces and objects.
4. Occipital Lobe: Located at the very back of your head. This is your brain's visual processing center. Every image you see – from the words on this page to a beautiful sunset – is interpreted here.

Deeper Inside: Key Internal Structures

Beyond these major regions, there are many smaller, specialized structures deep within the brain that perform critical roles and are part of our limbic system include:

• Thalamus: Often called the brain's "relay station." Almost all sensory information (except smell) passes through the thalamus before being sent to the correct areas of the cerebrum for processing. It helps filter out unimportant information so your brain isn't overwhelmed.
• Hypothalamus: A tiny but mighty structure located below the thalamus. It's the control center for many vital bodily functions, including regulating body temperature, hunger, thirst, sleep cycles, and controlling the release of hormones from various glands.
• Rest of the Limbic System: This is a group of structures (including the hippocampus and amygdala, among others) that work together to process emotions, memory, and motivation. It's why certain smells can trigger old memories, or why you feel fear in a dangerous situation.

The brain works by sending electrical and chemical signals through a vast network of specialized cells called neurons. These neurons communicate with each other at incredible speeds, forming intricate pathways that allow for complex thought and action. Every time you learn something new or have an experience, these connections can change and strengthen, highlighting the brain's incredible ability to adapt and rewire itself – a concept known as "plasticity." From the simplest reflex to the most profound thought, your brain is tirelessly working behind the scenes. It's a testament to nature's engineering, constantly learning, adapting, and orchestrating the symphony of your life.

Next stop – the human memory system

Our memories are a large part of the human experience. It helps us decent who we really are – the true self, were we belong, were we come from, who we love and were we are going (Beliavsky, 2023, p.47-56). It keeps us safe and protected from things that would harm us. All this and much much more start all the way back to when we are 6 weeks old inside or mothers. An unborn baby that is only 8 weeks old can start to have emotions and recognise sounds such as voices. We never stop making new memories – it’s true that learning is a life long pursuit! 

Yes, I know I said I dislike the analogy of the brain being a computer but the ‘individual’ memory system is like a huge unrivalled database with advanced AI that can predict our every want and need, receive input, gives output and adapts all within less than a second. The diagram below gives a very basic outline of how we receive and store memories.

Neurologists and psychologists have learned much about our capacity to memorize and retrieve information by learning from those that have been effected by disease or been born without this function. Oliver Sacks’ book The Man Who Mistook His Wife For a Hat (1981 & 2015) highlights patients who could not remember what happened to them whether it was "3 seconds or 30 years ago" (Sacks, 1983/2015). Some patients could not recognise themselves, others or body parts in the mirror. Science has much to be grateful for when it comes to patients who participate in research to help others.

Our memory is not controlled by just one area of our brain but a mixture of various areas in both hemispheres. We also do not record things in our minds the same as a video recorder would. For example, the spoken words and background sounds are saved in different areas as are the smells, colours, textures, time, context etc. So when we tell someone a story of something that happened, our brain becomes alive with electrical and chemical stimulation in areas such as Prefrontal Cortex, Neo Cortex, Basal Ganglia, Cerebellum, Hypocampus and Amygdala (University of Queensland, 2025). 

Road maps to the human brain

The human brain also contains a map of our body. Like a typical treasure map, it highlights the most important areas by increasing in size the area of most importance.  For example, areas that have many nerve endings in them due to the need for increased sensitivity like the genitals, tounge and hands.  This map is located on the surface of the brain called the Cortex.

Conclusion

This article explores the extraordinary complexity of the human brain, tracing its evolution from primitive structures to the advanced cortex that governs thought, emotion, and memory. It highlights the brain’s layered anatomy, its role in regulating bodily functions, and its capacity for plasticity—adapting to change and experience. Through vivid analogies and scientific insights, the piece emphasizes how the brain shapes identity, behavior, and consciousness, while challenging outdated distinctions between mental and physical health. Ultimately, it invites readers to appreciate the brain not just as a biological organ, but as the seat of human wonder, resilience, and lifelong learning.  And this is only scratching the surface of our knowledge on the human brain.  

Why not go searching yourself for many more hidden treasures and explore the deep unknown.....

To help with this, you could have a look at these books which I highly recommend reading.  There is also a review of these publications under my tab at the top of the site: 

Phantom of the brain. Written by Dr V.S Ramachadran & S. Blakeslee. Published in 2005 by Harper Perennial, UK.

The human mind – A brief tour of everything we know. Written by Dr P. Bloom. Published in 2024 by Vintage, UK.

The pyramid mind. Written by Dr V. Beliavsky. Published in 2023 by Shuster, UK.

Behave – The biology of humans at our best and worst. Written by Prof R. Sapolsky. Published in 2017 by Vintage, UK.

Unnatural causes – The life and many deaths of Britain’s top forensic pathologist. Written by Dr R. Shepherd. Published in 2018 by Penguin Random House, UK.

For a children and the young at heart 

The secret life of the brain – Unlocking the mysteries of the mind. Written by Alfred David. Published in 2019 by Hatchet, UK.