The Mysteries of the Brain
The brain is the nerve center of the human body. It is the point where all information from the body and its environment is collected and processed into reactions and memories. Everything we think, say or do is controlled by the brain, as are processes that occur without our conscious input, such as understanding what we are seeing or hearing, feeling joy or fear, or recognizing danger. Researching the workings of the human brain is an even greater scientific challenge than Decoding the human genome.
Order number 264762 (027-029),
Documentary, 03 x 30 min., Arabic, English, Spanish
(15 additional eps. available)
Episode synopses:
027
When We First Meet
The ability to interpret facial expressions and vocal signals in the people we meet is one of our brain’s oldest developmental skills. Within milliseconds, it delivers an initial impression of whom we might be dealing with. Various areas of the brain are involved in this highly complex process – which also draws on learned stereotypes.
028
How Music Changes Our Brain
Can music strengthen our brain, or even heal it? A range of neuroscientific studies are exploring this theory with astonishing results, made visible in brain scans: Both elderly people and babies in the initial phase of life, healthy individuals and those with neurological diseases like Parkinson’s appear to gain sustainable benefits from the profound power of music.
029
Decoding the Poker Brain
Poker is more than just a card game: random cards, cash stakes and perpetually calculating the odds give it a psychological dimension. What feats does the brain have to perform? A neuroscientist is joined by two other experts to decode the poker brain during a tournament between professional and amateur players. And renowned research Institutes perform external studies with the same card sharks.
