I have a different view of the brain to most people, not least because back in the 1980s I trained as a neurosurgeon (brain surgery). When you see the impact of brain damage at close quarters, get to know people before and after their surgery, and see how the brain and person recovers from brain damage you have a different perspective of the brain. For example, there are times when people make a spectacular recovery from terrible injuries and other times, when nothing seems to have gone wrong but you are left with a disaster.
I have continued my interest in neuroscience, qualified as a psychologist and have continued to be a keen observer of how the mind and body interact. Thus I have reached very different conclusions about the brain, and personality from the majority of neuroscientists. I know from experience that it is never wise to give up hope and equally, unwise to think you can predict an outcome from the facts you have available to you.
My major point of difference with orthodox neuroscience is in what is important. There are two main types of cell in the brain, along with blood vessels. These are neurones – which we all know about, and the glial cells, which are make up 90% of the substance of the brain and are the padding around them.
The vast majority of research on the brain has been on neurones – the AI guys have gone wild about them, and neuroscientists everywhere have spent their lives studying them and they are seen as the centre of life inside the head.
My case is simple: the neurones are not the only game in town. Equally, if not more important are the glial cells. Glial cells come in various types but this is good general name to start the debate with. I am going to start with some questions and then answer them
3 – Why is it important to know how the brain works?
The brain is the most important organ in the body and until we understand how it works, we cannot begin to understand ourselves. You can’t race Formula 1 cars without a clear understanding to the combustion engine, so it is with the mind
1 – Why does it matter what I think?
It doesn’t, however if I am right and we are to make real progress in improving and repairing the damage we have done to the planet, move into different worlds we need to know who we are, how we came to be here, our potential and our flaws, and this depends upon accurate knowledge about ourselves.
2 – Why do I think I am right and 1,000s of experts and trillions of dollars have got it wrong?
The present model is not delivering – we are no further forward in understanding and explaining the different illnesses of the brain, repairing damage and improving human potential overall
Because my experience is unique – I am an outsider but as bright as anyone who has climbed the heady heights of academia.
I have a unique team around me, with people who are equally as bright with different perspectives across a wide range of disciplines
More than any other organ in the body, the brain is dependent on a continuous supply of oxygenated blood. After only 4 or 5 minutes without blood, the brain can be damaged. This is the reason that Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) needs to begin as soon as possible, and a person having a stroke, where a blood vessel blocks needs to get to hospital urgently.
On each side of the There are three main arteries to the