Neuroscience + Art

Before we had the means and technology to really research the brain and its functions, Aristotle proposed that the brain was a cooling mechanism for the blood and all our thinking came from the heart (Vesna). It is so fascinating to see all the advancements made and how far we have come with neuroscience and the research and findings still occurring today. Though we have made massive amounts of progress with research over the years, there are still many unanswered questions regarding this unique and very complicated organ and how neuro functions work. 

One of Cajals influential illustrations

The brain is a true work of art that has been vastly studied with high appeal to understand how this complex organ works, and just like the body itself, artists have used this organ as an influence for their art. The merge between art and neuroscience is shown through artist and scientist, Ramon Cajal who claimed that, “only artist are attracted to science” (Vesna). With his research and knowledge he composed iconic pictures that contributed greatly to the complicated field of neuroscience. He was the first person to create illustrations that accurately portrayed the neurological system. Cajal is a great example of the merge between art and science because without the means of technology, his artistic ability allowed him to share his findings to the public.

Representation of the brain on LSD

What I found most interesting this week was the popularity and role that mind altering and psychedelic drugs had in early history, in particular cocaine and LSD. It is shocking that these highly illegal drugs were once widely available and so normal and common to use and even considered “wonder drugs.” Cocaine was initially used for medical purposes until it became highly abused resulting in masses of addicts who in turn needed medical care. The brain has tremendous depth with so many interesting possibilities and with early research science desired to understand and explore the different ways in which we can utilize this complex organ. Exploring the use of chemicals and neuron reactions was one common way used to discover aspects of the human mind and how it can be altered and affected. Albert Hofman experimented with LSD for medical purposes to later find out the hallucinogenic side effects that allowed us to explore a part of the mind that would have never been discovered and experienced otherwise. This naturally poses curiosity and how substances can affect our mind and offer understanding to the endless capacity of the brain. It is a very controversial drug, especially in early history when it was popular, that ultimately opened the door to countless research and fascinating findings in attempt to explore and make sense of the complex yet fascinating field of neuroscience. 

Works Cited:
 

Cohen, Mark. "Lecture by Mark Cohen." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

Sabbatini, Renato. "The Neuron Doctrine." Brain and Mind. N.p., 23 Feb. 2003. Web.

"Unravelling the Effects of Acid in the Brain." Research & Development. N.p., 21 May 2012. Web.

Vensa, Victoria. Neuroscience + Art Lectures I-III. UC Online. N.p., n.d. Web.