Brain Stopping: Evolution & Universe Connection

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of electromagnetic stimulation on neuronal activity, particularly whether such stimulation can halt brain function. Participants also explore evolutionary hypotheses regarding brain development and the potential connections between brain activity and the universe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if heavy electromagnetic stimulation can completely stop neuronal communication, linking this to evolutionary aspects of brain function.
  • Another mentions transcranial magnetic stimulation and raises a question about the spatial relationship between NMR magnets and navigable space.
  • A participant asserts that stopping all neuronal signaling would result in brain death, indicating a critical threshold for neuronal activity.
  • Discussion includes the functionality of MRI imaging, with a participant noting that MRI does not impair brain function and citing safety considerations related to magnetic fields.
  • Clarification is made regarding the distinction between NMR and MRI, with a participant emphasizing the strength of NMR magnets.
  • Further contributions mention the capabilities of labs to achieve significantly higher magnetic fields than previously noted.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of electromagnetic fields on neuronal activity, with some asserting that complete cessation of neuronal signaling equates to death, while others focus on the technical aspects of MRI and NMR without reaching consensus on the initial question.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the mechanisms of electromagnetic stimulation and its effects on brain function, as well as the evolutionary implications of brain structure and activity.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in neuroscience, electromagnetic fields, brain imaging technologies, and evolutionary biology may find this discussion relevant.

heartless
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Hello,
I'm wondering whether heavy electromagnetic stimulations of neurons can cause our brain to stop working at all, in sense that all the neurons stop receiving the messages from any other. Are there any known hypothesis how our brain could be possibly made during an evolution? And Does the brain, working upon the electric field connect us in some way into the deep roots of the universe?

Thanks,
 
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This is called transcranial magnetic stimulation, and I don't know if you can stop neurons from working, but intense magnetic fields have been walked about before. How much space is between an NMR magnet and navigable space?
 
If you stop all neurons from signalling each other, you've just killed the person...lack of all neuronal activity would mean brain death.
 
MRI imaging of the brain does not affect the brain's functionality. Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses powerful electric magnets to create images of the brain. To my knowledge, there haven't been any reported side-affects of MRI or FMRI (Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

Most basic explanations of NMR and MRI will say that the nuclei align parallel or anti-parallel with the static magnetic field; however, because of quantum mechanical reasons beyond the scope of this article, the individual nuclei are actually set off at an angle from the direction of the static magnetic field, although the bulk collection of nuclei can be partitioned into a set whose sum spin are aligned parallel and a set whose sum spin are anti-parallel.

and...

Guidance
Safety issues, including the potential for biostimulation device interference, movement of ferromagnetic bodies and incidental localized heating have been addressed in the American College of Radiology's 'White Paper on MR Safety' which was originally published in 2002 and expanded in 2004.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging

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Not to be confused with nuclear magnetic resonance magnetic field generation techniques. NMR magnets are the strongest on Earth produced so far, with the record right now being 4-5 Tesla. Wow. strong.
 
Oh, MRI utilizes NMR.
 
Actually labs get up to 40T+ sustained, and 850+ pulsed.
 

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