University of South Alabama
ES492: Science in the Movies
Lecture 13: Patch Adams (1998)
Presented by: Ashley Joellenbeck
Today’s Agenda
1) Human Brain 101
2) What happens when something
goes wrong?
3) Is laughter the best medicine?
The Human Brain
The Cerebrum
The Cerebellum
The Pons
The Medulla
Neurons
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We have billions, but they
cannot be replaced once
lost
Our brains store 100 times
that of the Library of
Congress
Pulses travel to the brain
for processing
The brain remembers
certain events
Neurotransmitters: carry
impulses across junctions
What are emotions?
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How we feel and how we process our
feelings
The body reacts in ways to protect itself
Common neurotransmitters:
norepinephrine, seratonin, dopamine
Depression
https://youtu.be/GOK1tKFFIQI
Schizophrenia
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Schizophrenic brain = loss of tissue
Hallucinations, delusions, etc.
Many babies with this disease result
from pregnant women who get viral
sicknesses
Childhood
Abuse
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Childhood abuse carries over into adulthood
Causes unnecessary sensitivity
The brain forgets how to balance chemicals
Abuse victims remember more bad than
good
Abuse leads to serious diseases and
complications
Cancer
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Being stressed often may lead to
cancer
How a physician handles cancer
patients affects their success rate and
emotional state of being
Side effects of chemotherapy: No
wonder Mr. Davis was angry
Old Age
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The brain shrinks as it
ages
Communication
becomes less effective
Blood flow is reduced;
inflammation occurs
Suicide & Murder
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Depression can lead to suicide
GABA receptors do not function
properly in those who are depressed
Suicide due to depression is not a
genetic mutation
Psychopathic people have dulled
emotions
Empathy is a choice
Alzheimer’s
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Neurons are destroyed
The way electrical charges travel within
cells and the activity of neurotransmitters
is changed
Things get kind of crowded up there
Possibly genetic?
Eating Disorders
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The structure of the brain changes
Reduced heart rest = limited
oxygen flow
Affects nervous system
Leads to other diseases
OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
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Involves communication issues between parts
of the brain
Obsessions lead to compulsions
Diagnosis comes only from observation
Only two ways to manage/treat
PTSD
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Reduction of the volume of the
hippocampus
Inability to distinguish between the past
and present; sometimes they get it
wrong
PTSD can lead to other psychological
problems
Substance Abuse
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Long-term drug
abuse impairs brain
functioning
Rewards brain so
that it continues to
use/abuse, until it
can no longer feel
pleasure
Tourette’s
Syndrome
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Symptoms usually appear
between the ages of 4-8
Motor and vocal tics
Problems with learning
Autism
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Communication
issues
The brain grows
too quickly
Learning is
hindered
Dyslexia
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Dyslexia is
strictly
biological
Left vs. Right
brain
Is there a cure?
Insomnia
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Insomnia can be
caused by psychiatric
and medical
conditions, unhealthy
sleep habits, specific
substances, and/or
certain biological
factors
GABA
How Mood Affects Behavior
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Poor mood results in poor decision making
Long-term exposure to negative environments
can have medical consequences
Positive mood results in enhanced quality of life
Moods (good and bad) are contagious
Can laughter really make us feel better?
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Laughter relaxes the body
It boosts the immune system
Endorphins are released
The heart benefits from
laughter
Humor changes perspective
Sources
http://www.allaboutdepression.com/cau_02.html
http://www.schizophrenia.com/research/schiz.brain.htm
http://coloradorecovery.com/what-is-schizophrenia-subpage
http://www.human-memory.net/brain_neurons.html
http://keepkidssafe.org/effects-of-child-abuse/
https://liveto110.com/the-emotional-causes-of-cancer/
http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/chemotherapy/side-effects-chemotherapy
https://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/part-1-basics-healthy-brain/changing-brain-healthy-aging
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-origins-of-suicidal-brains/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-empathic-brain/201307/inside-the-mind-psychopath-empathicnot-always
https://www.emilyprogram.com/blog/how-eating-disorders-affect-the-neurobiology-of-the-brain
https://bbrfoundation.org/frequently-asked-questions-about-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd
http://brainblogger.com/2015/01/24/how-does-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-change-the-brain/
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain
http://www.brainfacts.org/diseases-disorders/psychiatric-disorders/articles/2012/tourette-syndrome/
http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/autism/autism3.htm
http://www.ldonline.org/article/14907/
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/researchers_identify_brain_differences_linked_to_ins
omnia
http://www.dana.org/News/Details.aspx?id=42895
https://www.boundless.com/management/textbooks/boundless-management-textbook/organizationalbehavior-5/drivers-of-behavior-44/how-emotion-and-mood-influence-behavior-233-7047/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/high-octane-women/201210/emotions-are-contagious-choose-yourcompany-wisely