The purpose of this article, is to further ones understanding of the complex communication that occurs at the neuro-cellular levels of the brain so that, one might consider a personal theory of conscious awarenss and the potentialbirth of existance. As an aspiring creative neurological designer, I am interested in breaking down consciousness as a whole. Therefore, understanding the biological breakdown of the origins of ‘existence’ itself is key.

Dr. Stephen Meyer, author of Signature in the Cell”, (Meyer, 2009) breaks down the origins of existence as follows: Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), acting as the blueprints to life. Ribonucleic acid (RNA), DNA’s photocopy. “RNA is a polymeric molecule implicated in various biological roles in coding, decoding, regulation, and expression of genes. RNA and DNA are nucleic acids, and, along with proteins and carbohydrates, constitute the three major macromolecules essential for all known forms of life” (Genetic Science Learning Center, 2014). By combining these two nucleic acids, a single protein is made. These elements, in a nutshell, are the building blocks to life as we know it (Meyer, 2012).

We are made up of a conscious, complex system of proteins that create a biological language, a network of communication systems which, as conscious humans, are unconsciously aware of. I am interested in understanding this network and becoming fluent in its language in order to work symbiotically with its purpose of complete existence.

One might ask, as Bilbo Baggins once did; “Now, where to begin?” (Tolkien,1954) when considering such a complex topic, “Ah, yes…”, the brain. “The idea of a connection between the brain and consciousness allows us to build a ‘chain’ by combining seemingly different levels: neural processes in the brain, consciousness, and …sociology—social behavior” (Shkurko, 2013). “Cognitive neuroscience generally assumes that individual consciousness is a product of neural activity in the brain and that its functioning depends on the condition of the individual’s brain—particularly, which parts of the brain are activated and how. The social environment of an individual (and his/her brain) is considered as an object of observation by consciousness and a source of its activation (e.g., perception of objects in the external world and utilization of awareness mechanisms)” (Shkurko, 2013).

In order to understand neural activity, however, one must first understand a neuron, through the process of neurogenesis.

“The term neurogenesis is made up of the words ‘neuro’ meaning ‘relating to nerves’ and ‘genesis’ meaning the formation of something. The term, therefore, refers to the growth and development of neurons. This process is most active while a baby is developing in the womb and is responsible for the production of the brain’s neurons.

The development of new neurons continues during adulthood in two regions of the brain. ...the subventricular zone (SVZ) that forms the lining of the lateral ventricles and the subgranular zone that forms part of the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus area. The SVZ is the site where neuroblasts are formed, which migrate via the rostral migratory stream to the olfactory bulb. Many of these neuroblasts die shortly after they are generated. However, some go on to be functional in the tissue of the brain” (Mandal, 2014).

What is created as a result of neurogenesis, is called a neuron.

Figure 1. Pic: http://users.tamuk.edu/kfjab02/Biology/AnimalPhysi... systems%20images/neuron.png.jpg.

A neuron (figure 1) is “a cell that is specialized for receiving and transmitting a neural impulse” (AKA: messages) (Radvansky, 2014. pg. 34). A single neuron is made up of dendrites, which receive the initial information given to them at the tip of their branch-like structures. Dendrites are connected to the cell body, or soma of a neuron, which houses the inner nuclei. Attached to the soma is a long chord, called the axon. The axon is in charge of taking the initial information received by the dendrites, and transporting it to the axon terminals. Along the axon, there exists an insulator called the myelin sheath. However, It does not cover the length of the axon. In most cases, there are gaps between each piece of myelin sheath, these gaps are called nodes of Ranvier. The purpose for the myelin sheath is to speed up communication from the dendrites, to the axon terminals.The axon terminals then connect to a second neuron that repeats this process over until it reaches the brain (Radvansky, 2014. pg. 34-36). Through a ‘chain’ network of neurological language, each neuron works together to transport information to the brain, giving it the understanding it needs in order to respond accordingly.

The two basic components neurons use in order to communicate are, electrical, which occurs in the interior of the neuron, and chemical, which occurs between each neuron. The electrical part of neuronal communication is called action potential, this indicates a change in the electrical charge of the neuron. When this occurs, it does not change the entire electoral charge of a neuron. Instead, the charge moves through the neuron like a wave, this process is called propagation (Radvansky, 2014. pg. 37). The electrical charge “flows down the axon, with sodium ions entering the interior of the cell as the ion gates on the cell membrane open in sequence” (Radvansky, 2014. pg.37). This action creates a positive electrical charge to the neuron. Similarly, this process occurs with potassium, as a positive charge to the neuron. Due to the output of each axon terminal however, each dendrite of a neuron concludes with a negative charge. This, I would consider to be its resting heart rate, at a charge of -70mV (millivolts) (Radvansky, 2014pg. 36).

Chemically speaking, each neuron communicates to the next by an event called synapses, through the synapse, a ten-thousandth of a millimeter gap between one neuron and another (Radvansky, 2014. pg. 37). This process releases a chemical transmitter substance, i.e. Neurotransmitter from sacs in the axon terminals. These neurotransmitters fit into specific receptor sites on the next neurological dendrite, in the line of communication. You can think of I t much like a “lock and key system in which different chemicals bond only with certain receptor sites” (Radvansky, 2014. Pg. 38). There are two general effects that can come as a result of this chemical synopsis communication, excitation and inhibit action. “That is, the effect can be excitatory, in which the neurotransmitters encourage the next neuron to fire, or they can be inhibitory, in which the neurotransmitters encourage the post synaptic neuron not to fire” (Radvansky, 2014. pg. 38). Excitation and inhibit function much like the words of the alphabet. While certain excitations are positively activated, other inhibitors are not. Consider this process of activation and deactivation as choosing particular words from the alphabet to create a legible word. If the entire alphabet were to be activated, it would make no sense in the context of a coherent sentence. In order to make words and sentences, one must activate only certain letters (excitations) of the alphabet. Similarly, this is how the activation and deactivation process works with excitation and inhibit actions.

Now, keep this knowledge of a neuron in mind when considering the theory below.

Imagine 100 billion quarters flipping around in space, completely randomized, having no order to them what so ever. Then, all of the sudden, at a single moment, they all flip in sync with one another, to the same side. Then, they continue to be randomized once more, seemingly as though nothing had happened. For that single moment However, as they were all on the same side, the entire vibrational frequency of the atmosphere changed. They were in sync, and the potential for consciousness was raised. William Walker Atkinson Said in his book Thought Vibration that we can trace our vibrational frequencies back to the origins of existence, according to the laws of heredity (Atkinson, 2014). Impulses that are “transmitted from generation to generation from the time of the original vibratory impulse imparted by the Primal Cause--which impulses gradually unfold, and unsheathed, when the proper state of evolutionary development is reached” (Atkinson, 2014). What if the act of the quarters flipping to the same side was a kind of evolutionary development? What if the quarters were the origins of conscious thought? Now, think of the quarters as matter, which make up a single protein, the origin of all living things on earth, including our brains. What if consciousness is the persistent observational process of activation and decoding of neurogenesis, excitation and inhibit actions?

“The actual function of adult neurogenesis has not yet been clearly determined. Some evidence suggests that the process is key to functions such as learning and memory [which are linked to consciousness]. Studies have shown that new neurons increase memory capacity, reduce the overlap between different memories and also add information regarding time to memories. Other studies have shown that the learning process itself is also linked to the survival of neurons” (Mandal, 2014).

What if we consciously learned how to interact with the biological process of neurogenesis, in order to form a symbiotic relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind? Would we then be creating consciousness as much as it is creating us?

In the practice of meditation, one only needs a single moment of silence in the midst of an endless chattering mind to begin to alter ones conscious state. Why should the origins of conscious creation, a single protein, or neurogenesis be any different? After all, what is creation if not an endless series of chaotic thoughts, learning to organize themselves into a cohesive language of conscious awareness.

“How can a three-pound mass of jelly that you can hold in your palm imagine Angels, contemplate the meaning of infinity, and even question its own place in the cosmos? Especially awe inspiring is the fact that any single brain, including yours, is made up of atoms that were forged in the hearts of countless, far-flung Stars billions of years ago. These particles drifted for eons and light-years until gravity and change brought them together here, now. These atoms now form a conglomerate---your brain--- that can not only ponder the very stars that gave it birth but can also think about its own ability to think and wonder about its own ability to wonder. With the arrival of humans, it has been said, the universe has suddenly become conscious of itself. This, truly, is the greatest mystery of all” (Ramachandran, 2011, pp. 4-5).

It is true this kind of idea is more philosophical than scientific but, I believe science is on the cutting edge of neurobiological research. Because of this, scientists are beginning to understand what it is to be conscious and are able to pin point it in the brain.

“Consciousness is an active process with multiple components. The ascending reticular activating system has multiple anatomical and neurochemical components in the rostral brainstem tegmentum, thalamus, and cortex, and is responsible for alertness, a prerequisite for maximal awareness. Awareness also has multiple facets. Sensations, after initial reception in the cortex, are further selected and processed in connected regions. Perception involves the abstraction of selected sensory information, allowing a limited concept of what is happening in the external world and within the body” (Young, 1999).

Bryan Young has put it best in the midst of my research by stating;

“A fusion of neurophysiological, philosophical, and psychological concepts may lead to a closer understanding of consciousness. In any case, a scientific revolution with a shift of paradigms (accepted models) may be necessary before the riddle of consciousness can be completely solved.

From a clinical neurologic perspective, one should consider first alertness or erasability as a prerequisite for most other aspects of consciousness. Alertness depends on the ascending reticular formation's activating role for functions of the rostral structures that perform tasks associated with and without conscious awareness. Next, we should consider awareness a multicomponent function that depends on an infrastructure of attention, allowing focusing of mental activity. Awareness of the outside world (for all but olfaction) requires the parietal cortex for sensory processing and interpretation, after initial reception in the primary sensory areas. For sensory processing to be meaningful, it must be channeled into the limbic system through the temporal lobes, especially the amygdala. Connections with memory stores allow for appreciation of the relevance or importance of contemporary experiences. Motivation, self-awareness, and communications with the motor system relate to widespread integration of various cortical and subcortical regions. The frontal lobes serve an essential executive role in directing and maintaining attention and in planning behavior” (Young, 1999).

I believe within these complex systems of the brain, there lyes the potential for answers to our origins. I believe we have the neurological capacity to understand, and bring consciousness to the next level. By accessing portions of the brain discussed in these writings, I believe we can begin to calculatedly work with our neurobiology to bring a symbiotic relationship between mind, body, and sole. By actively thinking, learning, and attempting to interact with the process of neurogenesis, I believe one can begin to consciously create, and exist in an entirely new way. Are you ready?

Works Cited

Atkinson, William Walker. Thought Vibration: or the Law of Attraction in the Thought World. Sublime Books, 2014.

Genetic Science Learning Center (2014, June 22) RNA: The Versatile Molecule. Learn.Genetics. Retrieved March 16, 2016, from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/molecules

/rnamolecule/.

Mandal, Dr. Ananda, MD. News Medical: Life sciences and Medicine. What is Neurogenesis? October 8, 2014. http://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Neurogenesis.aspx.

Meyer, Dr. Stephen. Genetics Proves Design and Disproves Evolution PT 1 of 2. January 26, 2012.

Meyer, Dr. Stephen. Signature in the Cell. Harpercollins. June 23, 2009.

Radvansky, Gabriel A., Mark H. Ashcraft. Cognition sixth edition. CH.2: Cognitive Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, pg’s. 31-40. Pearson Education Inc, 2014.

Ramachandran, V.S. (2011). The Tell-Tail Brain: A Neuroscientist’s quest for what make us human. New York: Norton.

Shkurko, Y. (2013). The Compatibility Between Sociological and Cognitive Neuroscientific Ideas on Consciousness: Is a Neurosociology of Consciousness Possible?. Integrative Psychological & Behavioral Science, 47(1), 123-141.

Structure of a Neuron. http://users.tamuk.edu/kfjab02/Biology/AnimalPhysiology/B3408%20

Systems/systems%20images/neuron.png.jpg

Tolkien, J.R.R.. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. July 29, 1954.

Young G, Pigott SE. Neurobiological Basis of Consciousness. Arch Neurol. 1999;56(2):153-157. doi:10.1001/archneur.56.2.153.