The brain's primary life function is to act as the central command center for the entire body, controlling essential biological processes and enabling higher-level cognitive functions. It receives sensory information, processes it, and directs actions, shaping who we are.
Core Functions:
The brain performs a multitude of crucial functions, including:
- Regulation of Vital Processes: The brain, particularly the brainstem (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21598-brainstem), controls essential functions such as breathing and temperature regulation. These are critical for survival. Maintaining brain health helps prevent age-related decline and protects against chronic conditions like diabetes.
- Sensory Processing and Motor Control: It receives input from our senses (sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell) and interprets this information, coordinating our movements and actions. (https://nida.nih.gov/videos/human-brain-major-structures-functions)
- Cognitive Functions: This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, enabling thought, learning, memory, and language. (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/public-education/brain-basics/brain-basics-know-your-brain)
- Major Bodily Functions: The brain is involved in many major bodily functions including immune system functions, cell growth, and the digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, and reproductive systems. (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/faqs/americans-with-disabilities-act-amendments, https://adata.org/faq/what-are-major-life-activities)
Impact of Brain Health:
Brain health significantly impacts overall well-being. Factors like concussions can negatively affect brain function later in life. (https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-01-31-three-or-more-concussions-linked-worse-brain-function-later-life) Adverse life experiences can also alter brain reactivity. (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2811174) Maintaining cognitive health throughout life is important for preserving brain function in older adults. (https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/brain-health/cognitive-health-and-older-adults)
