7 differences between the brain and the mind

We see one, the other is completely intangible. The brain and the mind have differences, but both are part of that amazing building made up of more than 69,000 million neurons.. Although scientists point out that we almost know more information about the universe than about this fascinating organ, we increasingly have new answers to its mysteries.

An important point that we know from psychology is that what we think changes the brain.. Psychological therapies can reduce the hyperactivity of the amygdala and even increase neuronal connection. Although for a long time it was assumed that the brain governed all behavior and thought, the truth is that the mental has more power than we believe.

Knowing the differences between one entity and another will be as revealing as it is interesting. Go deeper into it, below.

Are brain and mind the same?

Aristotle was, perhaps, the first figure to begin this attempt to understand the phenomena of the mind, separating them from the biological. In his work About the Soul, 350 BC C, wrote this remarkable treatise that, although it addressed the soul as its central theme, laid out the foundations of biopsychology itself. The mind, he said, is everything that is thinkable.

Now, what is obvious is that The mind requires the brain to exist. This makes the first seen as an epiphany of the second, leading to a certain reductionism.

It is assumed that all psychological phenomena are restricted to the neurological; when that is not always the case. Understanding the differences between the brain and the mind allows us to have a broader vision of who we are and how we act.

In this way, works such as those published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science allege something interesting. It is true that psychology and neuroscience are obliged to work together. But not everything is explained by the biological or neurological.

Cognitions, emotions, memories, self-esteem or beliefs are more complex than we think. Let’s detail the distinctions below.

1. Biological vs. phenomenological

The mind is a phenomenon of the brain, an abstract entity that integrates consciousness and an infinite number of cognitive processes.. The brain, for its part, is part of the central nervous system (CNS) and constitutes the largest area of ​​the brain. It is a complex organ that arises as the result of thousands of years of evolution.

So, While the latter is made up of tangible and observable areas such as tissues, cells or neural networks, what happens in the mind is not seen. All its processes, subjectivities and operating mechanics are addressed by psychology, while neuroscience deals with the brain.

2. Hardware vs. software

We can see the brain as the structure, the components (hardware) and the mind like the software that runs on it. Thus, it is important to understand that, although they are closely linked, the brain and mind have differences in their functions. Let’s understand, below, those processes that each one carries out.

Brain

Memory.Language.Emotions.Breathing.Self-control.Personality.Heart rate.Sleep cycles.Motor activity.Balance and coordination.Processes sensory information.It is responsible for homeostatic functions.Regulates functions of the different organs.Regulates endocrine and hormonal functions. Creates the foundations for cognitive and emotional processes.

Mind

It regulates emotions. It shapes our identity. It gives meaning to what we see and what happens to us. It carries out all cognitive processes (thoughts). The mind works on three levels: conscious, subconscious. and unconscious. Processes and shapes beliefs, self-esteem, emotions, judgments and memory.Consciousness is part of the mind, because thanks to it we make sense of the person we are, what surrounds us and each experience.

Although we still do not know exactly the functions of the mind, works such as those published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience indicate that we are entering an era of great advances, in which the science of neurophenomenology will allow you to know more information.

3. Location vs. distribution

At present, science still cannot answer how the brain creates the mind or consciousness.. That is one of the biggest mysteries to solve. We understand, of course, each region, function and process of the brain. We know that it is housed in the cranial cavity, which is distributed in two cerebral hemispheres interconnected by the corpus callosum and which also contains the cerebellum.

Now, the mind is not in a specific physical place, but rather it manifests itself thanks to neurological networks, the world of experience and is linked to our body.

4. The brain and the mind, the biological and the psychological

The brain is a biological organ, the result of our evolution, which follows the principles of neurobiology, physiology, anatomy and neurobiology. It is governed by biological processes, while the mind is governed by psychological processes.

While neuroscience addresses the understanding of the brain and its processes, psychology has been trying to understand the functioning of the mind for decades. On the other hand, it should be noted that cognitive psychology is the most complete approach to respond to all those phenomena that occur in the mental universe.

Research such as those published in the Journal of Rational-emotive & Cognitive-behavior Therapy review all this work and its historical perspective to this end.

5. Brain Diseases vs. disorders of the mind

The brain can develop diseases, alterations and suffer trauma, all of which are easily diagnosed. The same does not happen with the mind. Any alteration in it cannot be labeled as a “disease,” because it is not observable with an x-ray, MRI, or an ordinary medical history.. In these cases we talk about psychological disorders.

There are common elements to highlight. Any disease, brain problem or alteration in neurotransmitters affects mental health. An example of this is having a serotonin deficiency, which would affect our mood. However, this can be reversed if we take care of our mental focus and go to therapy; because The mind also modifies the brain.

6. The brain controls physiology; the mind, what you think and feel

The brain and mind are two wonderfully interconnected dimensions. The first configures a building and we would be the mind, that entity that gives it life, decorates it and inhabits it. So, While the brain structures every physiological process, the mind is the intangible expression of each thought, emotion, processed experience, constructed belief or overcome fear.

7. Reductionist vs. holistic

It is interesting to know that the study of the brain often takes a reductionist approach. Neuroscience focuses on studying the smallest processes, to understand the mechanisms that orchestrate each function. It is an analytical, experimental and very objective task.

The mind, for its part, is holistic, phenomenological and integrates processes of all types to try to understand it. We can see it from a cognitive, emotional, philosophical and even spiritual perspective. Because While the brain is a set of tissues and nerve cells, the mind is like the cosmos: something unfathomable and infinite, full of possibilities.

Although they have differences, the brain and mind are interconnected dimensions

To conclude, we only have to point out a small aspect. Although we list those most notable differences between the brain and the mind, Both dimensions are interconnected and, to understand them, it is impossible to separate one from the other.

Because of this, it is important that neuroscience and psychology work together. Let’s avoid reductionism and broaden our view.

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