Sunday, August 30, 2009
The Revolution that gives us hope
After listening to Norman Dodge in the youtube listed below I marvel at the incredible hope he presents from working with people who have learning disorders to people who have anxiety disorders. Scientists over the last four hundred years have believed that our brain circuits are pre-determined and that we are left to live with what we are born with or with the results of traumatic injuries or experiences. Neuroplasticity is revolutionizing our understanding of the brain and it's plasticity such that it effects all human activities. Our thoughts can change the structure and therefore the functioning of our brain. The implications seem to be boundless in influencing how we perceive the world, our response to action and our imagination capabilities. Norman talks about how our thoughts can turn on genes to make new connections. Our thoughts lead to changes in the brain. He ends his speech with the question "If the brain is plastic how did we miss it?" My response to his question--Is to be thankful with this new understanding. My desire is to focus on learning more about how people are using this new knowledge and to gain a better understanding about the brains resilience and vulnerabilities such that we can all be inspired with this new hope and understanding.
Memory Works Website & youtube
Find the website listed below about neuroplasticity.
http://www.memoryzine.com/neuroplasticity.htm
And then read my comments.
It seems that neuro-scientists are on the edge of learning about the capacity of our brains to create new pathways (neuroplasticity) to aid in activities that range from sports to developing a high level of compassion. So it seems that social workers and anyone who works in professions with people may be drastically changing approaches and practices with this new understanding.
What is overwhelming to consider is the possibility of the degree of changes in approaches working with people who have "traumatic injury, stroke, age-related cognitive decline, or any number of degenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cerebral palsy, among many others). Plasticity also offers hope to people suffering from cognitive disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, and Down Syndrome; it may possibly lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of depression, anorexia, and other behavioral and emotional disorders as well. Some scientists have even ventured to suggest that, one day, neuroplasticity could be used in short-circuiting the brain’s racist, sexist, or otherwise culturally unacceptable thinking patterns; even the body’s ability to perform intricate sequences of activities necessary for sports and other highly complex physical processes might eventually be perfected through the power of neuroplasticity"( http://www.memoryzine.com/neuroplasticity.htm).
In my class this week, my professor at Humboldt State University (Michael Yellow Bird) had us use some of his knowledge about opening neuro-pathways by doing simple exercises that helped us to stay engaged and make strong connections, (or wake up), engaging both sides of our brain. So it seems essential to take time out on a regular basis to actively train our brains to enhance brain functioning even in every day life. According to the web-site listed above, scientists once thought about the brains ability to create new brain cells stopped at age 3 or 4 now it is believed that we have the capacity to do this into the latest stages of life-age 70 and beyond! The old saying can't teach a old dog new tricks is now a big lie.
Buddhists have been working with scientists for some time researching the brains plasticity and findings show that the brains ability to transform through meditation is significant.
If your interested, more information is available at these youtube sites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFbm3jL7CDI&feature=PlayList&p=8A044B2F88677F08&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkXtz72hjDI&feature=related
I plan on working with disadvantaged students at the college level when I graduate and will be thinking and learning how I can use research on neuroplasticity to find practical ways to teach students how to use this information to their advantage and when working with individuals and out in their community.
http://www.memoryzine.com/neuroplasticity.htm
And then read my comments.
It seems that neuro-scientists are on the edge of learning about the capacity of our brains to create new pathways (neuroplasticity) to aid in activities that range from sports to developing a high level of compassion. So it seems that social workers and anyone who works in professions with people may be drastically changing approaches and practices with this new understanding.
What is overwhelming to consider is the possibility of the degree of changes in approaches working with people who have "traumatic injury, stroke, age-related cognitive decline, or any number of degenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cerebral palsy, among many others). Plasticity also offers hope to people suffering from cognitive disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, and Down Syndrome; it may possibly lead to breakthroughs in the treatment of depression, anorexia, and other behavioral and emotional disorders as well. Some scientists have even ventured to suggest that, one day, neuroplasticity could be used in short-circuiting the brain’s racist, sexist, or otherwise culturally unacceptable thinking patterns; even the body’s ability to perform intricate sequences of activities necessary for sports and other highly complex physical processes might eventually be perfected through the power of neuroplasticity"( http://www.memoryzine.com/neuroplasticity.htm).
In my class this week, my professor at Humboldt State University (Michael Yellow Bird) had us use some of his knowledge about opening neuro-pathways by doing simple exercises that helped us to stay engaged and make strong connections, (or wake up), engaging both sides of our brain. So it seems essential to take time out on a regular basis to actively train our brains to enhance brain functioning even in every day life. According to the web-site listed above, scientists once thought about the brains ability to create new brain cells stopped at age 3 or 4 now it is believed that we have the capacity to do this into the latest stages of life-age 70 and beyond! The old saying can't teach a old dog new tricks is now a big lie.
Buddhists have been working with scientists for some time researching the brains plasticity and findings show that the brains ability to transform through meditation is significant.
If your interested, more information is available at these youtube sites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFbm3jL7CDI&feature=PlayList&p=8A044B2F88677F08&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkXtz72hjDI&feature=related
I plan on working with disadvantaged students at the college level when I graduate and will be thinking and learning how I can use research on neuroplasticity to find practical ways to teach students how to use this information to their advantage and when working with individuals and out in their community.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Politics of drug use
I'm in the Master's Social Work Advanced standing program at Humboldt State University. I'm reading about substance abuse today. I read an article by Melissa Raven.
In her article, The politics of drug use, she talks about drug issues and their complexities and how they are highly political. According to Raven "the two drugs (alcohol and tobacco) that cause the most harm and damage in the world today-are both legal in most countries ..." (Raven, The politics of drug use) Interesting...I was once again reminded how much we are socialized to respond the way we do. How we respond to people has a lot to do with what is accecpted across society. Common beliefs are continuously reinforced regardless of scientific proof or reality. I am reminded to think critically and question much of the time, especially when ideas or beliefs can cause harm. What if heroin was legal? Would we have an entirely different attitude towards people who use heroin? What if drugs were neither judged as good or bad. To quote Raven "Virtually all drugs have both positive and negative effects."
In her article, The politics of drug use, she talks about drug issues and their complexities and how they are highly political. According to Raven "the two drugs (alcohol and tobacco) that cause the most harm and damage in the world today-are both legal in most countries ..." (Raven, The politics of drug use) Interesting...I was once again reminded how much we are socialized to respond the way we do. How we respond to people has a lot to do with what is accecpted across society. Common beliefs are continuously reinforced regardless of scientific proof or reality. I am reminded to think critically and question much of the time, especially when ideas or beliefs can cause harm. What if heroin was legal? Would we have an entirely different attitude towards people who use heroin? What if drugs were neither judged as good or bad. To quote Raven "Virtually all drugs have both positive and negative effects."
Quote of mine and one of my Professors
My Professor said "Life is not a series of problems to be fixed, instead it is to be lived" As a social worker it is not my job to fix others lives, rather it is my job is to be a witness and share my compassion on their journey.
He inspired me to write my own quote "A heart doesn't know limiting boundaries and expects beauty" What if we expected beauty in every moment? Isn't that the only truth that exists?
He inspired me to write my own quote "A heart doesn't know limiting boundaries and expects beauty" What if we expected beauty in every moment? Isn't that the only truth that exists?
Beth Budesheim's healing mandalas
On this web-site of Mandalas I found a perfect mandala for Social Workers. In our work it is essential to work and practice from our authentic selfs so I thought that my fellow social workers might injoy this one. Check out the rest of Beth's healing attunements!
Mandalas
Click on this ulr to be inspired and if you are interested in Mandalas. http://www.mandalas.com/Multimedia/PAUL128.html
Open the Heart of Your Mind
Training the mind to be compassionate is attainable through meditation and practice. Scientists and Buddhists have been working in collaboration to study this phenomenon. The brain holds the abilty to be pliable and transformative, known as neuroplasticity. We can train our minds to be happy, alive, and passionate!
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