Health and Human Behavior Discussion Topic- The Mind-Body Connection Since the age of antiquity, scholars have debated if the mind and body are truly connected (meaning tha

Health and Human Behavior

Discussion Topic- The Mind-Body Connection

Since the age of antiquity, scholars have debated if the mind and body are truly connected (meaning that one affects the other), or if the two are separate entities that just happen to co-exist in the same body. In this discussion, we will consider this issue as it relates to your own experiences. Respond to the following questions/statements:

Provide one (1) example of a situation where your mind had an impact on your body and one (1) example of a situation where your body impacted your mind (thinking). Describe the situations and their impact in as much detail as possible.

Do you think it is possible for people to experience physical symptoms without actually having anything physically wrong with them? What would explain this? Provide an example of this to support your position.

"The body achieves what the mind believes" is a popular quote in some motivational circles. Do you agree with this statement? Explain your thinking.

(I worked in healthcare for over 16 years clinical and now clerical for the past 4 years. I work as a senior Admin assistant for the Emergency Medicine Department currently. I work fulltime and school fulltime and family fulltime)

APA Format, At least 300 words.

Required Texts:Sarafino, E.P. & Smith, T.W. (2017). Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial Interactions, 9th ed.Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons

Major Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitter Functions

Acetylcholine

· Important in activating muscles.

· Too much acetylcholine causes a decreased heart rate and increased production of saliva.

· It can also cause convulsions and tremors.

· Too little acetylcholine can contribute to motor dysfunction.

· Patients with Alzheimer’s disease make less acetylcholine, causing personality changes, memory loss and mental deterioration.

Norepinephrine

· Found mostly in the hypothalamus and limbic system.

· Norepinephrine is a hormone released when the brain perceives danger or is stressed.

· Increases heart rate and blood pressure.

· Relaxes bronchial muscles to open up air passages to the lungs.

· Also important in mood.

· Too much norepinephrine can cause excitability/mania.

· Too little epinephrine may cause depression.

Dopamine

· Important in regulating movement, walking and balance, sleep, mood, attention, learning and thinking.

· Patients with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease do not have enough dopamine.

· Dopamine is released in response to pleasure-inducing activities such as sex, food, gambling and drugs.

· Causes feelings of pleasure (euphoria), agitation and paranoia.

Serotonin

· Responsible for inhibiting anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, sleep, vomiting, sexuality, and appetite.

· Low levels of serotonin are believed to cause clinical depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), migraine headaches, bipolar disorder and anxiety disorders.

Gamma amniobutyric acid (GABA)

· Produced in the brain which inhibits (slows down) nerves and many of the activities of the brain.

· Drugs can enhance the effects of GABA and thereby reduce activity in the brain.

· GABA can promote sleep, anxiety and mood disorders.

· It can also produce seizures.

Glutamate

· Is considered an “excitatory” neurotransmitter because it makes cells more excitable.

· Assists in metabolism.

· Involved in cognitive functions like learning and memory.

Endorphins

· Natural painkillers that are produced by the brain.

· Are very similar to morphine in composition.

· Produce a feeling of well-being.

· The release of endorphins lowers blood pressure.

· Released when strenuous exercise is done.

· Workouts like running, aerobics, weightlifting, which require endurance, produces the release of endorphins.

· Sometimes referred to as the “runner’s high.”

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The Body’s Physical Systems

Week 2

PH 255- Health and Human Behavior

Prof. Sol Velazquez, LMSW

Organ Systems

The human body has 11 major organ systems.
The organs in each system work together to perform certain functions necessary for human life.
Example:
Cardiovascular system is composed of the heart, blood and blood vessels.
Together they work to circulate blood to vital organs.

Organ Systems

When people experience problems with physical systems, it can impact their psychological well being.
It can also affect their ability to interact with their social environment in an effective minor.
The following are some of the major organ systems of the body:

Nervous System

Primary functions:

1)Receive information about the environment from the sensory organs (ex. nose, eyes, ears).

The senses give the brain information which then gets translated into responses and reactions by the body.

2) Store information:

Memories.
Allows us to think, reason and create.

Nervous System

Neurons-
Are specialized nerve cells in the brain that receive and send information.
The average human brain has about 86 billion neurons.
They form a network that allow messages to go back and forth between the brain and other vital organs.

Neuron

Nervous System

Neurons release chemicals called neurotransmitters.
They allow cells to communicate with one another.
Neurotransmitters travel from cell to cell via electrical impulses.
There are dozens of different neurotransmitters.

(See Handout)

Nervous System

As we grow, our network of neurons grows as well.
However, malnutrition can inhibit the growth of neurons, resulting in long-lasting deficits in motor performance and intelligence.

Neurons at Different Ages

Nervous System

As we age, the brain slowly loses weight.
The brain’s ability to send electrical impulses also slows, which explains why people experience declining mental functioning with age.

Nervous System

The nervous system has two major divisions:

Central Nervous System (CNS)

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

Central Nervous System

Brain:
Receives nerve impulses from the spinal cord and cranial nerves.

Spinal cord:
Processes and stores sensory and motor information.
Controls consciousness.
Contains the nerves that carry messages between the body and the brain.

CNS and the Brain

The brain is divided into three parts:

1) Forebrain:

Takes up the top part of the brain.
Controls our perceptions, conceptual, motor, and learning activities, and language.

CNS and the Brain

The major structures of the forebrain include:

Cerebrum	Controls complex motor and mental activity
Limbic system	Controls emotions (ex. fear, anger, pleasure)
Thalamus	Relays sensory messages to other parts of the brain
Hypothalamus	Plays a role in emotions, appetite, thirst and sexual activity

CNS and the Brain

Forebrain

CNS and the Brain

2) Cerebellum:

Lies at the back of the brain, below the cerebrum
Important in maintaining balance and coordinates movement
Injury to this area of the brain can result in uncoordinated movement

CNS and the Brain

3) Brainstem:

The lowest portion of the brain and at the top of the spinal cord.
Controls muscle movement, sleep, arousal, attention, seizures, breathing, heartbeat rate, eye movements, facial expressions and chewing.

Peripheral Nervous System

Consists of neurons that are outside of the brain and spinal cord:

Cranial nerves-branch from the brain.

– Spinal nerves- branch out from the spinal cord.

Peripheral Nervous System

Function:
Transmits information back and forth between the central nervous system and the body.

– Allows behavioral response to take place.

Peripheral Nervous System

The peripheral nervous system is further divided into two parts:
Sympathetic- reacts in response to stress or perception of danger
Parasympathetic- returns body to normal state following stressful events

Peripheral Nervous System

Organ	Sympathetic: Controls bodily changes that deal with stressful or emergency situations	Parasympathetic: Restores normal body state
Pupils	Dilate (to allow in more light)	Constrict
Lungs	Relax (breathing becomes more rapid)	Constricts (breathing becomes less rapid)
Heart	Accelerates (helps body respond)	Slows down
Digestive Tract	Inhibits digestion	Stimulates digestion
Sex Organs	Inhibits arousal	Stimulates arousal

Week 2: 9/14/11

Endocrine System

Consists of glands that produces chemicals called hormones.

Hormones are secreted directly into the bloodstream and play a major role in regulating various bodily functions.

Endocrine System

Major Glands:
Pituitary Gland:
Located in the brain behind the optic nerve.
It is about the size of a raisin.
Called the “master gland” because it regulates the functions of the other glands.
Secrete hormones that control sexual function (ex. testosterone and estrogen), breast development and milk secretion in females, pigmentation of the skin, and menstruation.

Endocrine System

Adrenal glands:
Two small glands located above each kidney.
Secrete 26 different hormones.
Epinephrine and norepinephrine- released when we are under stress or in an emergency situation.
Cortisol (a steroid)- released when we are injured and controls swelling.
Androgen, estrogen, progestin- important to sexual development.

Endocrine System

Thyroid gland:
Located in the neck just below the larynx.
Releases hormones that control metabolism.
Low levels of these hormones (hypothyroidism) leads to low levels of activity and weight gain.
High levels of these hormones (hyperthyroidism) leads to high activity level, short attention span and weight loss.

Digestive System

Function:
Breaks down what we eat and converts food into substances that the body can use.
The rest is excreted.
This is the process called digestion.
Enzymes are chemicals that help break down foods.
Absorption= process by which nutrients in food are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Digestive System

Path of Food Through
Digestive System

Mouth: where food enters
Esophagus: a tube that pushes food down
Stomach: Produces gastric juices to break down food
Small intestine: where most food is absorbed into the blood stream
Large intestine: final stage of digestion. Bacteria converts non used food into feces and moves into the rectum for excretion.

Disorders of the Digestive System

Peptic ulcers:
Open sores in the lining of the stomach or intestines.
Occur as a result of excessive gastric juices that corrode the lining of stomach or intestines.

Disorders of the Digestive System

Cancer:
Usually occurs in the colon and rectum.
Most prevalent in people over the age of 40.
Liver disorders:
Hepatitis- inflammation of the liver.
Cirrhosis- scarring of the liver.

Respiratory System

Function: Provides oxygen to the body.
Respiration= the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between atmosphere, blood and cells.
Path of air through the respiratory system:
Nose/mouth
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchial tubes
Lungs

Respiratory System

Breathing Process

The breathing process involves:
diaphragm and muscles contract
pressure decreases in lungs – air rushes in
diaphragm and muscles relax
pressure increases in lungs – air rushes out

Respiratory Function

Our blood vessels control how much oxygen the body needs.
Messages sent to the brain cause us to either inhale or exhale.
Foreign matter that enters the respiratory tract is expelled either through sneezing or coughing.
Other foreign matter is trapped by mucus that lines the respiratory system.

Disorders of the Respiratory System

Cystic fibrosis:
Build up of mucus in the lungs that clogs the airways.
Often fatal.
Emphysema:
Damage to the air sacs, causing them to lose elasticity and the inability to take in oxygen.

Disorders of the Respiratory System

Pneumoconiosis:
Damage to the lungs due to inhalation of toxic materials
Asthma:
Narrowing of bronchial airways due to inflammation
Lung cancer

Cardiovascular System

Includes the heart, blood and blood vessels.
The heart is the center of the cardiovascular system.
About the size of a fist.
Myocardium = cardiac muscle
Makes up bulk of heart
Provides force to pump blood
Function: Circulates blood throughout the body

The Heart

The heart is divided into 4 chambers.
Upper chambers
Right and left atrium
Lower chambers
Right and left ventricles
Blood vessels of the heart:
Arteries-carry blood away from the heart
Veins- carry blood to the heart

Blood Pressure

The force exerted by blood on the artery walls is called blood pressure.
It is measured with two numbers:
Systolic pressure = the upper number
The maximum force exerted when the heart contracts
Diastolic pressure = the lower number
The pressure when the heart relaxes
Blood pressure of 120/80 is considered normal.
Blood pressure changes with time of day, level of activity and emotional state.

Problems with Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
Can lead to rupturing of blood vessels, particularly in the brain.
Pre-hypertension (borderline high blood pressure)
When blood pressure measures above 120/80
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
When blood pressure measures 140/90 or higher

Cardiovascular Disorders

Atherosclerosis
Accumulation of fatty deposits (plaque) causing hardening of the arteries
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Death of heart tissue due to lack of blood

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