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Initially in class during the discussion on the independence of the brain and mind, I was indecisive of how to link the two entities together---or are they one? In my opinion, they are two entities yet their purpose and function and are dependent upon each other. The brain’s ability to process information chemically is what determines the mind or consciousness of one’s being (i.e. serotonin levels that effect mood, sleep, appetite, etc.) Contrastingly, the brain is certainly affected by consciousness levels as scientists have observed in certain illnesses such as Seasonal Affective Disorder where mood variations are believed to be attributed to the amount of light that an individual is exposed to. Depressed-like symptoms occur when the amount of light exposure is low, and treatments for this kind of disorder include light therapy.

For some it may be easy to simply say that the brain and mind are one for the brains processing is the actual manifestation of consciousness. How can this explain persistent vegetative states where brain activity is still present yet consciousness has reached a minimal low?

This interdependency, or loop between the brain and mind is what makes it the most intriguing and complex organ of the body. No dualistic character can be associated with any other organ of the body, except the brain.