About.com Health: Your Brain's Got Rhythm

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Health From Heather Watkins, your About Health Editor Just how much do you really know about how your brain works, anyway? If, like me, you're not a brain surgeon, you probably take it for granted. But delving into the mysteries of the mind offers a fascinating look at just what makes us so uniquely human. Your Musical Mind Picture it: You're driving to work, and all of a sudden, your favorite song from high school comes on the radio. You're flooded with memories and feel-good sensations. What is it about music -- essentially just waves of compressed air -- that can make us happy or sad? Why might one person love a song while another considers it an abomination to the music industry? See More About:  music  mind  neuroscience What Causes Seizures? Right now, electricity is flowing throughout your brain in patterns and rhythms that adjust to things in your environment. Picture it as though a stream of people are making their way throughout a busy city plaza -- it probably looks a bit random, but it's a sign of healthy activity. A seizure happens when part of the brain starts firing abnormally, akin to a person suddenly starting to yell in the middle of that crowded plaza. See More About:  seizure  epilepsy  A Knee-Jerk Reaction You've undoubtedly had your patellar reflex checked -- you know, when the doctor taps your knee with a little hammer and your leg jerks out uncontrollably. As a kid, I always thought that was such a cool trick. Your body undergoes so many reflexes throughout the day to keep you alive and well, all without any conscious input from you. See More About:  reflex  knee jerk  Feeling Numb Numbness and tingling are among the most common reasons why people visit a neurologist. Your nerves can be very sensitive to toxins, nutritional deficiencies, and certain infections. People with diabetes should be especially aware of a set of conditions known as diabetic neuropathy. See More About:  numbness  tingling  numb Health Ads Heart Health Brain Health Good Health Health Problems Health News Featured Articles Why Fibromyalgia Isn't Autoimmune Gum Disease = Heart Disease? Creatine for Muscle Strength Changes to Sunscreen Labels Are You Allergic to Sex? Itchy Feet   More from About.com Bake Sale Bestsellers Make your next bake sale a profitable one with these irresistible recipes. More> Macaroni and Cheese Oodles of delicious macaroni and cheese recipes, from old fashioned classics to spiced-up versions. More>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Health newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2012 About.com   Follow us on: Twitter Facebook Advertisement