Mind vs. Brain: Understanding the Difference [Poll]

The human brain is an intricate thing. The medical community, scientific researchers, and philosophers alike continue to study it to this day as there are many questions to which we still do not have answers. For example, why do we dream and is there a difference between the mind, brain, and human consciousness?

We’re here today to dive into the difference between the human mind and the brain, to see what experts have to say on the matter, and to gain a better understanding of what, quite literally, goes on inside our heads.

First, let us know if you believe there is a difference between the mind and the brain, and then keep reading to see what research says.

The Human Mind

The first thing to note, and perhaps the most significant difference between the mind and the brain, is that the mind is not something tangible. We can spot the brain on medical scans, surgeons can operate when there are tumors and so forth.

However, the mind cannot be seen. No one can hold the human mind in their hands. While the field of psychology works to help individuals understand their minds, medications prescribed to treat mental conditions work with the physical part of the brain–the chemical receptors.

Additionally, the human mind is where your thoughts are. These again are things that cannot be held in the hands of others or seen under a microscope. While no one doubts that the mind exists, it is essentially invisible.

The Human Brain

Since we know the human brain is something tangible that can be both seen and touched, we can examine it more thoroughly than the mind. We can look at the brain as an engine of sorts.

There are parts of the brain that work together to ensure the rest of our body functions properly. It has an anatomy, which the mind does not. Our brains control activities such as breathing, it conveys sensory elements such as texture and taste, and more. It is also the 

The Brain and Mind Come Together

Now with all these differences between the brain and the mind, it may seem logical that they are two separate things. However, researchers are still not sure of precisely how the two interact.

For example, the brain controls the release of chemicals that can make us feel good or bad. These include neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, cortisol, and many others. Having too much or too little of a chemical can affect our emotions and cause mental health disorders, which in turn impacts the way we think. And since researchers believe that thoughts are part of the human mind, it gets tricky.

That’s why we’re asking you, GR8NESS readers, what you believe about the brain and mind. Are they one and the same or are they two separate things that work together?