Brain

"Brain and brain! What is brain?"

– Kara, 2268 ("Spock's Brain")

The brain is the part of the central nervous system that is the center for regulation and control of the body.

The workings of the brain

The brain is made up of neurons that make use of chemical reaction and electricity by way of neurotransmitters to function. Each brain has a unique circuitry pattern.

The mind is also the house of consciousness, subconscious, metaconscious, thought, memory, emotion, the ability to dream and the powers of extrasensory perception by way of psionic energy.

See: Emergent property

According to Doctor Leonard McCoy, by the 23rd century, medicine had learned to tie into every Human organ except for the brain, which was what life was all about. (TOS: "The Menagerie, Part I")

According to Doctor Beverly Crusher in the 24th century, headaches were once quite common in the days before the brain was charted and the nature of pain was understood. (TNG: "The Battle")

The brain can have extremely powerful effects on a person's body. Under certain circumstances, medical patients have been known to alter their own blood pressure, lower their body temperature and even manifest a tumor in response to psychological stimuli. The Clown, an artificial being which depended on input from living brains, used this to his advantage in keeping several members of Viorsa's species, and later Harry Kim and B'Elanna Torres, captive. When an individual tried to leave the Clown's artificial environment, he would begin to raise their noradrenaline levels by pretending to cut off their heads with his guillotine. With enough stress, he could induce a heart attack and literally scare the individuals to death. (DS9: "Things Past"; VOY: "The Thaw")

A hard blow to the neck from an opponent in a boxing match will collapse the carotid artery and stop the flow of blood to the brain. (VOY: "The Fight")

Dopterians, Breen and Ferengi have a four lobed brain structure, which can not be read by telepathic species. (TNG: "Ménage à Troi", "The Loss"; DS9: "The Forsaken")

In many, but not all species, hallucination is a sign that the brain is malfunctioning. Many cultures purposely alter their perceptions of reality for spiritual or recreational reasons. The Denobulans, for example, hallucinate to reduce stress. Some Native American cultures self-induce hallucinations to experience a vision quest.

The Banea have the ability to place memory engrams inside a person's brain. This method is incompatible with Human brain physiology. (VOY: "Ex Post Facto")

Parts of the brain

See Parts of the brain

Energies of the mind

Brain technologies

Brain scanners and probes

Mind control technology

Technologies of repair

Interface and communication technology

Procedures for the brain

In 2253, Leonard McCoy developed a medical procedure involving brain tissue engrafting. (VOY: "Lifesigns")

Spock's brain was surgically removed by the Eymorg in 2268. Every nerve ending in the brain had been neatly sealed; nothing ripped nor torn, and no bleeding, which Doctor Leonard McCoy considered a medical miracle. (TOS: "Spock's Brain")

Julian Bashir performed brain surgery on Bareil Antos in 2371. Parts of his brain were replaced artificially. It allowed Bareil to live long enough to help Winn Adami sign the Bajoran-Cardassian Treaty. (DS9: "Life Support")

Mental Hospitals and Institutes

See: Mental Hospitals and Institutes

Disorders of the brain

Psychological disorders

Neurological trauma and disorders

See: Neurological trauma and disorders

Mind altering substances and phenomenon

Many cultures purposely alter their perceptions of reality for spiritual or recreational reasons. Religious examples include Bajorans, Nechani, Vulcans and Human cultures such as Native Americans.

Other brains

External links

Brain at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
Brain at Wikipedia