"The Plastics of the brain"– the dynamics - is the change of shape, strength, and the birth of new synopses as we learn new things.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reward_system. In short, a cell is born. DNA tells that cell its function (brain cell, nerve cell, skin cell, blood cell, …). RNA controls gene expression, or sensing and communicating responses to cellular signals. Active processes are protein synthesis, whereby RNA molecules direct the assembly of proteins on the ribosomes. If the communication between DNA and RNA are given misguided instructions, then the RNA's work is out of whack. If the RNA is out of whack, then the electrical chemistry communications along the nervous system is out of whack. This in turn can cause a chemical imbalance confusing additional RNA functions. Many things can disrupt the communications in RNA or the orders it passes on, which in turn causes the ‘disorders’ we suffer from. You will understand as we get into the workings of CBT.
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We need new expressions, new RNAs, new proteins to change the number and structure of synapses. The more changes over a period of time the longer that lasting change can accrue (long term memory). The memory is stored by the number of synopses!
Experiences change what and how genes are expressed. Neurons will express a set of genes which makes them neurons as opposed to other cells. In addition, experience is the stimuli. Any learning, emotional, or environmental event has an effect on genes that are expressed. Neurons have same DNA as every cell in body. DNA gets expressed into RNA, then into proteins - the building blocks of the cell.
If the synapse is disrupted a signal is relayed back to the nucleus the DNA of the gene. This can be a long way away! Neurons are specialized in this - they undergo electrical/chemical signaling rapidly from the synapse back to the nucleus.
"The Opiate Circuitry" – the reward system of the brain. In neuroscience, the reward system is a collection of brain structures that are responsible for reward-related cognition, including positive reinforcement of both desire and pleasure. The reward system changes markedly in a pain state. Opioids are good analgesics. However, pain changes how the opiates change their reward. Thousands of circuits change as well.
We Can "RETRAIN THE BRAIN"!
We suffer from many afflictions.
The degree of our afflictions depends on how we handle them.
Our life faces trauma from the moment we are conceived.
What we encounter from that moment is who we are.
We are sponges, to say, we absorb everything we encounter.
We only know what we are taught in what we are exposed to.
Our comprehension is based on the mannerism of the way we are taught.
It is impossible to “Cookie Cut” every person the same way.
Yet, we are able to align the same like attitude of thinking.
We will act as everyone around us.
We don’t like what we don’t understand.
We don’t like what we haven’t been taught to like; or taught what not to like.
