How blind people's brains rewire to improve other senses

Breaking research shows how the brains of blind people are naturally rewired to compensate for the lack of visual input, boosting the remaining senses.

Anatomy of the Brain

Researchers in Bonn have identified neural circuits in the brains of mice that are pivotal for movement and navigation in space. These nerve cells that are presumed to exist in a similar form in humans, give the start signal for locomotion and also supply the brain with speed-related information. The cells in question are located in the "medial septum," a part of the brain directly connected to the hippocampus. They make up a relatively small group comprising a few thousand cells. "They gather information from sensory and locomotor systems, determine the speed of movement and transmit this information to the hippocampus. In this way, they tune the spatial memory systems for optimized processing of sensory stimuli during locomotion," explains Remy. However, these circuits have even more functions. "We have found that they also give the start signal for locomotion and that they actively control its speed. Until now, this control function was almost exclusively ascribed to the motor cerebral cortex."

A nerve cell in the thalamus (blue) sends its axon (red) into cerebral cortex

Probiotics change brain activity. DID YOU KNOW that 90% of our SEROTONIN (the neurotransmitter that makes us happy) is located in our gut?! Many of our neurotransmitters are in fact located in the digestive tract.

UCLA researchers divided 36 healthy women into three groups and did pre-test brain MRIs. One group was given milk fermented with probiotics 2x daily. Another group had milk with no probiotics, and the control group had no milk at all. After four weeks, women who drank the probiotic milk had significantly different brain changes. Their task-related responses increased, and their activity within the sensory cortex regions changed, which was dramatically illustrated during rest periods. Their midbrain connectivity even increased, which explains their heightened ability to complete tasks. The brains also showed changes in pathways for emotional responses! Source

Each of the species of bacteria contained in the milk they drank had also been shown in other clinical studies to improve health among other organs and tissue regions of the body.

Probiotics are one “supplement” I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT! They change everything, in my opinion, from my digestion to my mood to my focus. It’s incredibly important to have a good probiotic and keep up with it daily – our gut bacteria has been destroyed from years of SUGAR, GMOs, prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, antibiotics, and even antibiotics in our meat. Eating meat that has been raised with antibiotics creates antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria in our bodies that are incredibly hard to kill.

There are 100 trillion bacteria, or about three pounds worth, that line your intestines. This system protects your body from invaders, pathogens, etc. Most importantly, this system is responsible for delivering nutrients for the rest of the body, specifically to your brain! It has been proven that children with autism ALWAYS have an imbalance of gut flora.

Ancient cultures have always eaten fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles. Somewhere along the way, we lost that knowledge, and many people would shudder at the idea of eating cultured vegetables that have been stinking up a mason jar for weeks. In reality, fermented food should be a staple of every diet.

Every morning upon waking, I not only take a probiotic, but drink Kombucha, a yeast/bacteria fermented drink that has fizz and a kick. It’s actually my #1 cure for a stomach ache, virus, or nausea. I woke up the other morning at 6am about to hurl, drank one of these babies and was good to go.

What else do probiotics do?

• Increase bioavailability and production of minerals, neurochemicals, and fatty acids.
• They produce methylfolate, an activated form of folate required for the brain to complete methylation, a process that allows the brain to synthesize chemicals, detox, and express genes.
• Improve glycemic control.
• Stimulate bowel movements.
• Limit small intestine bacterial overgrowth.
• Reduce toxic burden.
• Have analgesic properties.
• Activate neural pathways between the gut and brain.

Source: Selhub et al.

Perictione, Plato and Socrates

Perictione was no ordinary woman. She is a descendant of Solon, the greatest Athenian lawmaker who replaced the actual Draconian laws with more humane ones. She is the sister of Charmides and the niece of Critias - two prominent personalities of the infamous Thirty Tyrants who ruled Athens for nearly a year following its defeat in the Peloponnesian War. 

Further, Perictione is one of the unsung teachers of Socrates and the mother of his greatest student, Plato. She was not the first ancient Greek woman who wrote about marital or female psychology. Yet her works are unique since they preach austerity and unflinching devotion to the husband, albeit in stark paradox to her wealthy upbringing and two marriages.

That Perictione was highly educated is apparent from her works and her demeanour, which has been broadly described as regal yet simple, benevolent and virtuous. Her first husband was Ariston of Collytus- a descendant of King Codrus of the ruling family of Athens, whom she married after a couple of years of courtship. Legends claim, Ariston either molested or attempted to force Perictione into physical intimacy but some supernatural occurrence deterred him, though this account is dubious.

Perictione and Ariston bore three children, which included three sons, Plato, Adeimantus and Glaucon, and a daughter named Potone. However, Ariston passed away when Plato was rather young.

Perictione and Plato

Perictione realized that Plato was exceptionally talented. Other than regular education, she also began teaching him some doctrines she had theorized by attending debates between thinkers and aristocrats. She also attended some of the public meetings held by Socrates and was impressed by his eccentric mannerisms.

The unique teachings of Socrates enamoured Perictione, leading her to believe her son Plato would study well under this great thinker. Further, she also felt it would in some ways, compensate for the lack of parental attention to Plato, since her husband Pyrilempes, due to his official duties, was unable to give him vital fatherly guidance.

As mother, Perictione had a great influence upon Plato’s thoughts as well, which were shaped mainly from Socratic teachings. Many historians credit Perictione for encouraging Plato to permit women to join the school he later founded- the Academy- a unique distinction at the time and acclaimed to date.

Perictione and Socrates

Young Plato, who was already enchanted by Socratic doctrines, began studying under the great thinker. Perictione would visit Socrates often or invite the eccentric teacher to their palatial home in Athens. The two often debated among themselves, their diverse doctrines and thoughts. The renowned ancient Greek historian and chronicler, Diogenes Laertius mentions that Perictione influenced some Socratic thoughts.

A famous Socratic quote: “A system of morality which is based on relative emotional values is a mere illusion, a thoroughly vulgar conception which has nothing sound in it and nothing true,” is said to be inspired by Perictione, who believed that morals based on perceived emotions, are fallacious unless they culminate into befitting action. 

The friendship between Perictione and Socrates thrived over the years. To an extent, Perictione visited Socrates when he was incarcerated on charges of sedition against Athens by turning a blind eye to the atrocities committed by the Thirty Tyrants and openly praising the Spartans- their archenemies. She tried to use the good offices of her husband Pyrilempes to get Socrates condoned and spared of the death sentence.  Perictione also met Socrates on the day he was executed by Hemlock, while some records claim she was present till he breathed his last.

School of Pythagoras (6ht-5th century BC)

Themistoclean

Themistoclean was a priestess of Delphi and teacher of Pythagoras.

She managed to instill him  moral principles and values as well as introduced him to the authorities of numbers wisdom and geometry.

Keywords: Priestess of Delphi, mathematicians

Ionia's School (6th-5th century BC)

Polygnotos (Πολυγνώτη)

Polygnotos was student and lover of Thales. According to the author Boethius (5th century AD).

Polygnotos knew many geometric theorems and also she introduced the principle of acrophonic at the symbolism of arithmetic characters.

These symbols are called "Herodianus".  According to Vitruvius, Polygnotos was the first person who wrote and proved that "each registered angle going in semicircle is right".