Comments on: Brain Scientist Fascinated by Own Stroke

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 02:26:06 +0000

I read her book ("My Stroke of Insight"), and while it was fascinating and inspirational, it had one comment that was really uncalled for, I think. Because she was given Dilantin after the stroke and didn't like its effects, she said that she now understood why patients diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illnesses would and should refuse medication.That one made me want to pull out my hair, because she's a scientist and she KNOWS better than to make such an irresponsible comment. I work ALL DAY LONG with people who have SPMI's and just flat-out won't take desperately, desperately needed psych meds. The whole world of psychiatric drgus has changed so drastically since old-school anticonvulsants like Dilantin (or old typical antipsychotics like Thorazine, for that matter), that older drugs absolutely cannot be compared to newer ones that comparatively have so few side effects and work 1000% better. If people with SPMI's don't take meds, they won't get better. If anyone fools themselves into thinking differently, they have clearly never worked for a mental health provider (or taken the meds, either.)I am sick and tired of the ridiculous nonsense so prevalent these days that says severe and persistent mental illnesses can be treated without psychiatric medication. THEY CAN'T-- meds aren't the whole solution by any means, but they're the foundation, and they are just plain necessary, not optional. I hate to see this kind of thing in a book that is otherwise so well written and so useful.

Well, anyway, that was my rant for the day. It's good to get these things off our chests.

By: Kang

Kang — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:45:28 +0000

I believe she experienced an over production of Endogenous Dimethyltryptamine due to her stroke which thus caused her visuals and feeling of the seperation of mind and body. DMT is known as the "Spirit Molecule." It's easy to see why.

By: AM

AM — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:35:16 +0000

That brain made me feel hungry.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 02:12:58 +0000

I'm so happy to see this video posted! My cousin introduced this to me a couple of month back and I have referred many people to it. It is simply astonishing and really makes you think of those questions that go unanswered...

By: heather

heather — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:52:51 +0000

Haha, that's a true scientist for you; "I'm having a stroke? COOL! I wonder what'll happen when I do this..." It's a pretty unique opportunity, though, to be able to study the effects of a stroke from a completely new angle. With the information she has at her disposal through her field, she has can see an event like this in a completely different way.

By: Brandy

Brandy — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:35:50 +0000

Thanks for posting the video! I think she does a great job talking about the brain in simple terms from an eye opening, refreshing perspective.

By: Shervin

Shervin — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 21:38:53 +0000

Wow, what a fascinating talk. I think the brain is where science and religion meet.

By: JC

JC — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 19:33:09 +0000

The subject is fascinating.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:27:55 +0000

That sounds like what my reaction would be. I love science.

By: Rosi

Rosi — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:09:04 +0000

Yewch... brains.... a little warning beforehand would have been nice... eurrgh.
I'm alright with anything else gory, but brains are a real problem for me. Ick.

By: Justin

Justin — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:17:33 +0000

Well I guess it is true that there is a silver lining to any catastrophe.

By: Ali S.

Ali S. — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 02:08:04 +0000

I'm highly interested in this kind of information. The brain is a fascinating organ and to think that a slight hitch in it could have such drastic and long term effects is scary. I think the best comparison to a human brain are the super computers being built. They maybe fast and powerful but they don't have the capacity or adaptability of the brain.

Because of this I always try to stimulate my brain with all kinds of information. Sudoku is a personal addiction of mine along with crosswords.