The Biochemistry of Life

Maslow’s Theory of Needs comes in very handy every time we have to visualize the hierarchical order of human needs.

 

 

As humans, it is good to know and recognize emotions.

 

Neurotransmitters – the body’s special chemicals that influence our moods or emotions. Understanding them gives further insights into emotions.

 

Key Insights.

  1. 8 to 15%* of the time, we are not in charge of our moods/actions. We can thank our Autonomic Nervous System for that. For example, you have little control over your body’s flight-or-fight response – the mood your body puts you in when it senses danger.
  2. 30 to 55%* of the time, our moods/actions are being dictated by overtly or covertly programmed instincts or habits. Culture, peers, societies play a major role here. Certain actions and decisions are controlled by these – for eg. moving into a town after being “persuaded” to do so by a friend.
  3. What we do the rest of the 30 to 65%* of the time depends on our cerebral cortex. Actions and decisions that result after careful, objective analysis of events. Be careful though – the forces from 2 above, have their way of sneaking up here.
    *figures are based on hypothesis.