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You’ve seen the “This is Your Brain on Drugs” ads, but what does your (healthy, drug-free) mind look like during the day?
Here are the general areas of the brain that are activated during common activities, via fMRI scans. You’ll notice that the areas are similar for each activity, but a whole lot more is going on.
Keep in mind, “Two people doing the same activity may have activation in different areas of the brain, due to anatomical differences and other triggers, such as handedness,” says Braden Nago, M.D., and neurologist at the Polyclinic in Seattle.
Driving to work
“The hippocampus is activated, which is involved in converting short-term memory to long-term memory,” says Dr. Nago. “It’s also needed for spatial navigation.” During navigation, short-term memories must be formed, as well as awareness of your environment, which is why the hippocampus is highlighted, he says. Fun fact: Alzheimer’s targets this area of the brain, which is why people with the disease often become disoriented.
Ah, the open road
When you’re stressed
“This involves the emotional lobe of the brain, especially the limbic lobe,” says Dr. Nago. “When it recognizes an emotional trigger such as stress or fear, it tells the nervous system to release the stress hormones and trigger the fight/flight response.”
Normal activity while watching Paranormal Activity
Your meditation break
“This person is doing mindful meditation, with a focus on insight and reflection,” says Dr. Nago. “You can tell because the pre-frontal cortex is highlighted, meaning that the brain is planning and analyzing.” This is similar to a person deep in thought or taking a test, he says.
Say "ohm."
Listening to Pandora
“Soothing sounds like running water and classical music suppress activity in the frontal lobes, which promotes relaxation,” says Dr. Nago. “More stimulating music, such as heavy metal, can activate the frontal lobes, leading to increased stimulation,” he says.
Music is either stimulating or relaxing. Unless you're listening to Tom Waits, then it's just confusing.
Here are the general areas of the brain that are activated during common activities, via fMRI scans. You’ll notice that the areas are similar for each activity, but a whole lot more is going on.
Keep in mind, “Two people doing the same activity may have activation in different areas of the brain, due to anatomical differences and other triggers, such as handedness,” says Braden Nago, M.D., and neurologist at the Polyclinic in Seattle.
Driving to work
“The hippocampus is activated, which is involved in converting short-term memory to long-term memory,” says Dr. Nago. “It’s also needed for spatial navigation.” During navigation, short-term memories must be formed, as well as awareness of your environment, which is why the hippocampus is highlighted, he says. Fun fact: Alzheimer’s targets this area of the brain, which is why people with the disease often become disoriented.
Ah, the open road
When you’re stressed
“This involves the emotional lobe of the brain, especially the limbic lobe,” says Dr. Nago. “When it recognizes an emotional trigger such as stress or fear, it tells the nervous system to release the stress hormones and trigger the fight/flight response.”
Normal activity while watching Paranormal Activity
Your meditation break
“This person is doing mindful meditation, with a focus on insight and reflection,” says Dr. Nago. “You can tell because the pre-frontal cortex is highlighted, meaning that the brain is planning and analyzing.” This is similar to a person deep in thought or taking a test, he says.
Say "ohm."
Listening to Pandora
“Soothing sounds like running water and classical music suppress activity in the frontal lobes, which promotes relaxation,” says Dr. Nago. “More stimulating music, such as heavy metal, can activate the frontal lobes, leading to increased stimulation,” he says.
Music is either stimulating or relaxing. Unless you're listening to Tom Waits, then it's just confusing.