Topic Progress:

The brains “Flow producing” physical interactions:

As I said in the beginning of this course, the physical interactions of the brain are both electrical and chemical. These physical interactions occur between the stuff that our brain is made up of.

The brain is made up of cells, specifically, these cells are called neurons. In other words, neurons physically interact with each other via electrical and chemical signals. When your neurons interact with each other in a particular way, you experience Flow. Check out these diagrams:

Types Of NeuronsNeuron Diagram

 

 

 

 

Credit: http://www.interactive-biology.com/3247/the-neuron-external-structure-and-classification/

There are three general types of neurons, “sensory neurons”, “motor neurons”, and “interneurons”. As you might have guessed, sensory neurons are responsible for your senses, motor neurons responsible for your movement, and interneurons responsible for integrating all that information together. However, that’s a REALLY basic explanation, really there are over 10,000 types of specific neurons and the story is WAY more complicated than can be covered within the scope of this course. Please feel free to dive into the sea of neuroscience literature after this course, your brain will thank you! ? ? (Source: http://www.mind.ilstu.edu/curriculum/neurons_intro/neurons_intro.php).

The arrangement of the neurons in your skull is special. Indeed, using brain activity measuring instruments, certain areas of the brain, that is, certain clusters of neurons, have been associated with certain behaviors, feelings and thoughts. We use the word “Neuroanatomy” to refer to the study of the arrangement of these neurons. Here’s another simplified diagram:

Brain Areas Diagram

Credit: https://humananatomyly.com/internal-human-brain-picture/internal-human-brain-picture-internal-parts-human-brain-anatomy-chart-body/

The terms “Neuroelectricity” and “Neurochemistry” are used to describe the electrical and chemical ways in which the neurons “speak” to, or interact with, to each other. Check out the diagram below!

Connected Neurons

(Source: https://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/webversions/BrainAddiction/guide/lesson2-1.html)

Neurochemicals hit the “Dendrites” of one neuron, which sends an electrical impulse called an “action potential” down that neurons “axon” to the “axon terminals” which releases more neurochemicals that will hit the dendrites of the next neuron. This causes a chain reaction in which the electrical impulse moves down a long line of neurons!

Again, the story here is MUCH more complicated. Just to give you an idea of how complicated… each neuron is on average connected to 1,000 other neurons, the neurochemicals vary widely, and the electrical impulse needs to be of a particular voltage. Still not the whole story, just a taste.

However, we don’t need to know ALLLL that just to get a good idea of the neurophysiology of Flow. All we need is a basic understanding of Neuroanatomy, Neuroelectricity and Neurochemistry to get started on some Flow hacking! When I say Flow hacking that just means doing certain things in order to get yourself to experience Flow. It’s a term you’ll likely hear outside of our so-called “Flow Arts” world. Like say, in the worlds of action sports, business or science.

So, let’s have at it then! Flow Science 101!

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