How the brain works: The parts of the brain that engage in communication and behavior

Our brain is a sophisticated organ that regulates several body and mind functions. It is composed of billions of nerve cells, known as neurons, that interact by electrical and chemical signals. These signals enable the brain to analyze sensory data, govern our motions, affect our mood and regulate our body processes.

Scientific research through the years has uncovered that the brain is divided into various “control-centers”, different parts-areas-systems and is full of brain hormones that facilitate its functioning. The brain also has the ability to change and adapt over time, a process known as neuroplasticity.

This means that our experiences, environment, and behavior can shape the connections between neurons and alter how the brain works. We will be analyzing the different parts of the brain - “control-centers”, mainly focusing on the thinking process, to provide you with the first step of understanding the decision-making process.

After all, participants in our training programs are always eager to learn more on how the brain works and describe the process as fascinating since it helps them construct the proper foundation to enable new ideas to fuel their brain.

The different parts of the brain: How do they contribute to communication and thinking processes?

Each of our brain's interconnected parts plays a unique role in our communication and cognitive capabilities and a key role to how brain works.

Below are 7 of the most important parts of the brain and their functions:

1. Fontal lobe
   Involved in decision-making, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Plays a role in controlling movement and regulating behavior.
2. Temporal Lobe
   Takes part in processing auditory information, language comprehension, memory formation and retrieval.
3. Parietal lobe
   Processes sensory information from our environment, such as temperature and plays a role in spatial awareness and perception.
4. Occipital lobe
   Is responsible for visual processing and perception.
5. Broca's area
   Is located in the left hemisphere of the brain and is involved in language production and speech.
6. Wernicke's area
   This area, also located in the left hemisphere of the brain, is involved in language comprehension.
7. Limbic System
   This group of structures is involved in regulating emotions, memory, and motivation. The amygdala, part of the limbic system, plays a key role in processing emotional information.
   

All of these parts of the brain work together to support our communication, thinking abilities and decision-making. As stated before, in order to understand and answer how the brain works we first need to come in peace with the fact that the brain is a highly interconnected and complex organ.

For example, although the frontal lobe helps us make decisions and dictates our behavior during social interactions, it is the limbic system that first regulates our emotional responses in order to make a decision.

The brain hormones: 5 important hormones and their contribution to how the brain works?

There are several hormones that play important roles in how brain works. We gathered for you the 5 most important hormones and their contributions:

• Dopamine
Is involved in regulating motivation, pleasure, and reward. It plays a key role in the brain's reward system, which reinforces behaviors that are beneficial for our survival, such as eating and socializing.

• Serotonin
This hormone takes part in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep. It is also involved in social behavior, such as aggression and cooperation.

• Oxytocin
Often called the "love hormone" or “trust molecule” because it is involved in social bonding, trust, and intimacy. It is released during social interactions such as hugging or cuddling and plays a key role in parent-child bonding.

• Cortisol
Released in response to stress, helps our body prepare for fight or flight responses. Note: High levels of cortisol can lead to health problems such as anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment.

• Endorphins
Regulating pain and pleasure. They are released in response to stress, pain, and exercise, and can produce feelings of euphoria and well-being.

These hormones and many more play important roles in regulating our mood, motivation, social behavior, and stress responses. They are released in response to specific stimuli, such as social interactions, stressors, or exercise, and can affect our brain function and behavior.

Why get involved in all of this and understand how the brain works?

Comprehending how the brain works and how it affects human processing, and then figuring out how you can modify your own behavior and utilize it to inspire people around you to achieve their maximum potential is exactly what we do at Business Pathways.

It is important to understand basic functions and parts of the brain, being able to identify certain patterns in order to make the best out of every interaction you have and get in the driver's seat of your daily and business life. It is a fascinating process isn't it?