In very simple terms, because I need as many one syllable words as possible to understand science-y stuff, here’s how the brain forms neural pathways.

(I borrowed all of this information from the link below, because they did such an amazing job of putting this in terms even my non-math/science brain was able to understand.)

A Choice to Live: Neurons, Neural Networks and Neural Pathways.

If you were to look at brain tissue under a very powerful microscope, you would see it consists of billions of tiny cells that reach out and touch each other. These cells are called neurons. (Nerve cells.)

Clusters of neurons that connect to each other can be referred to as biological neural networks, with different networks connecting to each other by neural pathways.

The Neuron.

The neuron is a cellular structure that processes information both electronically and chemically. Neurons are typically categorized into three different classes. Motor Neurons, Sensory Neurons and Inter-Neurons.

Motor Neurons.

These neurons exist in the Central Nervous System and typically control muscles throughout the body.

Sensory Neurons.

These neurons are typically stimulated by physical mediums such as light, sound and touch. They send information back to the Central Nervous System, where it can be processed by the brain.

Inter-Neurons.

These neurons make up the majority of neurons in the brain. They are neurons that connect to other neurons. Inter-neurons are what we will typically  be referring to from here onwards.

A Neuron’s Basic Anatomy.

The basic structure of a neuron can be broken down into the following elements:

SOMA

The main cell body containing its nucleus which assists in maintaining the cells structure.

DENDRITE

A dendrite extends from the soma and receives information from other neurons. Multiple dendrites branch out from the main cell body and form what is typically referred to as Dendritic Tree.

AXON

The axon is a cable like structure that extends from the soma and connects to the dendrites of other neurons. Information is passed down the axon electronically to the Axon Terminal.

AXON TERMINAL

The axon terminal is where the axon branches out and forms a connection to the dendrites of another neuron, via something referred to as a synapse.

SYNAPSE

A structure where chemicals, referred to as neurotransmitters, are transferred to receptors on another neuron’s dendrite, and bind.

RECEPTOR

Receptors are molecular “keyholes” that exist on a neurons’ dendrites, they bind with chemicals (Neurotransmitters) that have been passed to it from other neurons.

The image above illustrates the basic anatomy of a neuron and the direction information travels from the dendrites to the synapse, where information is then transferred to another neuron.

Neural Networks and Neural Pathways.

The brain consists of billions of connected neurons, forming neural networks. These networks, process and control information flow.

They allow you to feel and interact with the physical world around you. They allow you to feel emotions such as anger and euphoria, or sensations such as hunger and thirst. They also allow you to form memories and learn new skills.

Whenever you see an image, for example, a yellow flower, the information is carried from the eye via neural pathways that link to multiple neural networks.

One of those networks would hold information that helps you to identify and describe the color as yellow. Another network would hold information that allows you to identify the shape as a flower.

At some point, a pathway is triggered by you identifying the flower and the information is sent to a network containing specific memories of that flower.

Those memories might trigger another pathway that leads to the reward center of your brain, which in turn release chemicals that make you feel good. You don’t just see a flower, you see a beautiful one!

I’m figuring out that, while there are a lot more issues involved, like insufficient white and grey matter in different areas of the brain in a person with trichotillomania, basically my brain and body automatically turns to hair-pulling when triggered by stress/anxiety/boredom, etc .  When I’m feeling anxious or stressed, I simply zone out, and when I regain a sense of present, I realize I’m pulling out my hair.  My brain starts down the oh-so-familiar  trail to find that ever elusive peace when those neural transmitters start sweet-talking each other,, and they all work together like a well-oiled machine to achieve that momentary serenity my spirit constantly craves.  And yet my inner tranquility is gone in the time it takes  a single hair to drift lazily  to the floor.

After so many years of sticking to the familiar path, I think its high time I start bushwhacking my way into uncharted territory, create some new pathways, and, as women are so apt to do:

Change my mind!!!!!