Grey Matters

Editor’s note

The human brain is endlessly fascinating. The control centres of all living beings, brains are able to process vast amounts of information in milliseconds. But we still don’t fully understand how they work.

Brains conjure thoughts, generate emotions, unearth memories and enable creativity, with the human brain unlike any other on Earth. Humans are capable of abstract reasoning, language and self-awareness, all due to a complex network of neurons and synapses that, despite huge advances, scientists and researchers are still diligently working to unravel all the mysteries of. Brains constantly adapt and rewire themselves, a trait known as neuroplasticity that allows people to recover from serious brain injuries. Even while we sleep, brains remain active, consolidating the day’s happenings to be stored away (and found again), and often dreaming up incomprehensibly complex subject matter. The brain is intriguing, powerful and remarkably resilient.

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