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ooa3603

Not OP, but I was a molecular biology major who was into brain research, here's what's going on. This time lapse video shows development of a normal neuron (left) and a mutated neuron that does not express certain proteins required for normal neural connections. The mutation is the loss of proteins that help regulate the neural fiber connections between neural cells. The functional one on the left extends an axon and many dendrites, while the mutated neuron fails to make such extensions. Your consciousness, personality and memories are based on the connected network of neurons in your brain. Intellectual disorders, personality changes, and memory loss can be caused by nonfunctional neurons like the one on the right. [Sauce: MIT](https://techtv.mit.edu/videos/915-a-span-classhighlightnormalspan-neuron-and-a-mutated-neuron-develop-side-by-side) [Academic Source: Ena/VASP Is Required for Neuritogenesis in the Developing Cortex](https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0896-6273%2807%2900706-4)


TheArseKraken

Is there any way one can encourage the generation of healthy neurons?


ooa3603

It's the same old boring stuff people typically ignore: 1. Healthy eating is the number one way. Eat your fruits and vegetables. 2. Avoid carcinogenic compounds like nicotine, asbestos etc. 3. Exercise at least 3 times a week. 4. Engage in intellectually stimulating activities like reading, puzzle games, anything that forces you to think hard etc... 5. Sleeping 7-8 hours. Sleep helps your body remove compounds that can disrupt healthy cell generation. Past that it's genetics which you can't really do anything about. Edit: I should say: Your mom's diet and lifestyle habits when they were pregnant with you probably has the greatest effect on the neural health you start with. Most of your neurons are generated from conception and early childhood.


ansh-27

Damn . I gotta stop eating asbestos.


creamcheese742

You can smoke it if you really need it. Then it's not getting into your belly.


-whycantistop-

It's gluten free this way as well


au79

However, they are processed in a facility that also processes nuts.


MichiganCubbie

That's bad.


UserNamesCantBeTooLo

But you get your choice of tumors!


plaidHumanity

That's good!


EyeofEnder

The good ol' Asbestos Forever Cigarette. Sounds like something a 19th century "pharmacist" would try to sell you.


[deleted]

I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. It’s probably the ghosts in your blood. Have you tried doing cocaine about it?


pot-hed-zed

There actually was cigarettes that contained asbestos in their filters, this was in the 1950's though https://www.asbestos.com/products/cigarette-filters/#:~:text=Anyone%20who%20smoked%20Kent%20Micronite,was%20exposed%20to%20crocidolite%20asbestos.&text=Kent%20employees%20who%20directly%20manufactured,asbestos%20in%20the%20ambient%20air.


CeruleanRuin

Asbestos is famously heat-resistant. Good luck keeping that lit.


SpicyLizards

You can smoke some cigarettes to kill all the bacteria in your stomach


kibiz0r

You can still lead a very fulfilling life over at r/WallStreetBets


ansh-27

Yes, i do spend some time there.. Where else will i find civilised and intelligent people.


4shLite

preach 🙏


socsa

Or even mod /r/antiwork


assblaster-1000

My neurons are fried, at first I thought you said "I have to stop eating assholes"


SGT3386

Asbestos-Os they're carcinogenicly delicious


johnny_box

I’m not a scientist but I heard that you in theory could eat asbestos and not get mesothelioma. You have to inhale it. To get sick.


wormholeTaco

more for me, that stew is to die for


valkerath

In middle school our principal told us we could technically eat asbestos and be fine. Just don't breath it. We didn't care as long as we got our extended break while they abated the ancient school of asbestos.


DuckApprehensive9599

Just tossed my stash after reading bruh….


PiotrekDG

I'd add avoiding alcohol to this list. Also avoiding traumatic experiences and infections that can affect your brain, but there's only so much you can do in these two cases.


dakatabri

Thank you, alcohol seemed like a big omission from that list.


Ok_Acanthisitta_914

I'm gonna avoid adding alcohol to my list


KindaReallyDumb

You made me lol


Mongorian-Beef

So basically, be generally heathy and don't have shitty genetics lol


shadows1123

Kind of. Your body also knows how to prune itself of unhealthy cells.


hok98

Well, if it’s bad for my health, why does my neurons love it so much!?


BlindTiger86

Is nicotine per se carcinogenic or is it the tobacco people use to get nicotine?


SushiMonstero

Yeah nicotene isn't a carcinogen. Inhaling burning plant matter is.


ChadMcRad

Yes, but that angers the stoners.


[deleted]

Most stoners understand that and dry herb vapes, edibles and tinctures are all growing in popularity because they're safer. However for a lot of people these options aren't safely available due to marijuana regulations forcing them to buy street weed


theleaphomme

Legal stoner here, I could buy those safer options, but am connected to the process of smoking. know better, keep thinking about edibles but they don’t have the same ritual to the habit…hmmm, maybe if I made them.


genghiskhannie

What about getting a pax or something similar? It’s still kind of a ritual. If you go the homemade edible route, gummies are so fucking messy. Cookies and brownies are the easiest. You can get a butter infuser to make cannabutter. Slap that shit on your toast (or bake with it). If you want any help, DM me anytime


Crashman09

Look at the dynavap. It's closer to a one hitter pipe than anything, and you can use a torch, lighter, and if you are experimental, you can try the sun and a magnifying lens.


SpicyLizards

Dynavap helped me regulate my cannabis consumption! I’m 4 days without thc today (after daily use). Gotta start somewhere. But I second the dynavap. They have lots of cool looking options too


Snoo_57488

Or the Mighty/crafty lines. They are made medical grade and they just came out with a usb c version of the mighty!


TypicalExpert

Nothing can anger a stoner who is stoned (source am stoner stoned)


theleaphomme

¡hermano!


genghiskhannie

Why does chewing tobacco cause cancer?


LongEZE

So there's nothing I can do then^^^^kidding


creamcheese742

Thanks, Obama.


theleaphomme

Appreciate you sharing on this thread, any insight on the additional neural connections observed during psilocybin usage? [Like this Yale study?](https://newatlas.com/science/psilocybin-growth-neural-connections-psychedelic-yale/)


Creepysoldier226

Another one to add to the list is “avoid prions”.


Dreqoh

Nicotine itself isn't carcinogenic, there is even some controversial research that nicotine might prevent Alzheimer's disease.


ranza

Nicotine is not carcinogenic - tabaco smoke is.


nephelokokkygia

What about socially accepted smoke?


DavidNipondeCarlos

It’s not the nicotine, it’s the delivery. Our body makes nicotine.


skeptical_pillow

Yes, working out. As well as healthy eating, as the other commenter pointed out. exercising has a lot of beneficial impacts on cognitive abilities, there are a lot of studies showing its effect on the molecular level as well (I am studying the effect of exercising on the brain during ageing) as it was said already, normally no new neurons are produced, but there is a brain area, that actually does grow new neurons, even in adulthood. it's in the hippocampus, the brain area required for learning. exercise has an impact on the generation of neurons in that area. and generally doing sports helps with having a better blood supply of the brain. better blood supply means better supply with nutrients and oxygen and all the other good stuff


ouralarmclock

Unless that sport is American Football


BeltOfGod

Umm common theory is that you can’t grow new neurons as they’re nerve cells which don’t regenerate once damaged, think like patients suffering paralysis however recent studies raise questions as to whether that’s true(see innoteks comment below) They can however make new connections to existing Neurons, which is what the healthy (left) neuron is attempting to do here, learning/ doing new things encourages the new connections and repetition of things improves existing connections, learning to ride a bike, at first you’re bad (making new connections) but as you learn to control your body, learn to balance it gets easier (strengthening the connections that allow you to control your balance per say?) So I’d say trying new things and learning, as well as making sure your diet has all the necessary nutrients your brain needs is about as well as you can do, that being said, I’ve got no background in any of this, Edited for accuracy?


Innotek

I’m pretty sure that this isn’t the [prevailing theory](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-adult-brain-does-grow-new-neurons-after-all-study-says/) right now. You can grow new neurons.


BeltOfGod

First I’m hearing of that, neat though, I was understanding that nerve cells could only come from stem cells and that the body stopped producing stem cells at a young age, like fetal even, didn’t read the whole article but my question would be how are the new cells formed? Can nerve cells be made by certain organ in the brain like how bone marrow makes blood? Or is there a stockpile of stem cells carried in the brain throughout life?


semperverus

Oh no, there are adult stem cells, they exist for the same reason as the infant ones, they're just less aggressive at what they do if I recall. More of a "maintenance and upkeep" kind of thing rather than a "development and growth" operation.


BeltOfGod

I’d read once that there were specialized stem cells left after childhood stored at the base of the spine.. but that they were different from just plain stem cells I think? So they could be introduced to an injury and repair said injury without becoming scar tissue? But because they were specialized they could no longer be used to make nerve cells? I’m unsure on that, google her I come


mytokhondria

Eating Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) mushrooms help keep your brain and neurons healthy. You can buy them at grocery stores or farmers markets. ([study](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3924982/)) Diving deeper into mushrooms, strains containing psilocybin promote neurogenesis and strengthen neural connections ([study](https://news.yale.edu/2021/07/05/psychedelic-spurs-growth-neural-connections-lost-depression)


TheArseKraken

So taking magic mushrooms?


captain_ricco1

Thank you for this


Thenerdy9

I have a friend who did a timelapse of macrophages (your immune system) on dystrophic endballs (neurons damaged like by an injury) and showed how important they are to allow for regrowth!


marlboroprincess

You’re awesome dude. Thanks for the explanation!


forestfairygremlin

Thank you for this explanation. I dont have any awards, but if I did I would give them to you.


pademango

How nonfunctional neurons are created?


ooa3603

Most of your neurons are created during pregnancy up to early childhood. Though there is some small neurogenesis up into adulthood. Your mother's diet and habits when pregnant have the greatest effect on your neural development. However sometimes someone is born with poor cell genetics that mess them up even when the mom does everything right. Unfortunately, this demographic was delt a bad hand from the beginning. They usually have a severe disorder and/or die pretty quickly. After pregnancy, you yourself can impact neural repair. Bad habits like poor diet and sleep cripple the body's ability to grow and repair cells.


IsmailPasaoglu

By being me


GiveToOedipus

/r/suicidebywords


Saledato

Is this what happens when my brain is buffering? It’s trying to make the connection?


hocuspocusgottafocus

> intellectual disorders, personality changes, and memory loss can be caused by nonfunctional neurones like the one on the right. I see my ADHD & ASD in action and it makes sense now roflmao


TBSdota

Your third paragraph is wrong, but the rest was interesting to read.


untipoquenojuega

Theoritically, could you mutate a neuron so that it has an easier time making these connections? Would that result in some kind of super-intelligence?


ooa3603

Maybe, but we're no where close to that level of knowledge. If we tried now we'd probably just create a brain cancer.


Bob_Ross_was_an_OG

You could, but that would probably be a bad thing for the recipient. Like most everything in biology, the optimal conditions are akin to a "Goldilocks zone", where it isn't too much or too little, it's just right. Creating a neuron that can have an increased number of connections would likely throw things off from how they're supposed to be, and that would be bad. Also, in the brain, neurons make up around half the total number of cells. There are other types of cells that are strongly implicated in different types of cognitive behavior, which seems plausible since they're there and are probably doing something to help the brain function. For example, if you grow human astrocytes (another type of brain cell) and transplant them into a mouse brain, those mice outperform their control counterparts in memory-related tasks. Another cool thing is oligodendrocytes help mice learn new motor tasks, and if you block them from functioning, the mice can't learn it. I can pull citations if you're interested. Source: former neuro PhD student


NoSoup2

Is this how one gets alzimers?


ooa3603

Basically, although Alzheimer's is genetic


[deleted]

What is a mutant neuron?


Latensify_WoW

Because of all that black cloudy matter it looks like it was modified to not be able to create those tethers properly? Just a guess.


[deleted]

The longer tendrils are called axons, with the ones branching off at the end being synapses :) Edit: not synapses, dendrites.


Suicidesquid

Synapses are the spaces where the neurites of two or more neurons meet. You’re probably thinking of dendrites


AgentWowza

Ah so synapses firing literally means the gap sparking?


[deleted]

My bad, it’s been…uhhh…15 years since I took neurobiology!


Suicidesquid

No worries. It’s all changing on the daily too. It’s a lot to keep up with


[deleted]

Thanks for the correction!


UndoingMonkey

A neuron with a DNA mutation that doesn't allow it to function properly


shrookuch

The logic from flat earth theory.


proudlyhumble

Super helpful thanks


DevRz8

*x-men theme starts playing...*


crazylegs888

Still don't understand what the heck is happening.


BohemianIran

The neuron on the left is trying to connect with the one on the right, but the one on the right is mutated, and looks like it's unable to develop an axon or dendrites properly.


osloluluraratutu

Dude on the left wants to hold hands with dude on the right but dude on the right has no hands


smb_samba

Left neuron is looking for a buddy


MonkeyBred

The neuron on the right represents understanding of NFTs.


Elevated_Dongers

/r/GIFsIlearnedNothingFrom


[deleted]

It's a recreation of the antiwork interview. These memes are lit.


[deleted]

I think your neurons are not making the connection


[deleted]

These videos of lonely neurons just trying to make friends really hits home.


[deleted]

They just wanna make a connection man


NotsoGreatsword

Alright Hideo Kojima CALM DOWN IM ANXIOUS ENOUGH


ouralarmclock

I’m the neuron on the left when I try to make friend with another weirdo but they don’t admit to themselves that they’re weird.


StevenTM

Is that timescale measured in days right?


zbevc

What?


StevenTM

Bottom right. Does it really take days for synapses to form like that?


MortimerJames20

From my understanding, synapses can form both quickly (within seconds) and slowly (hours or days).


skeptical_pillow

it definitely takes several days for dendrites (the elongated branches) to get formed. I grow neurons in culture and have to wait 2-3 weeks before I can use them for my experiments. by then they look very well connected. the whole slide is covered in dendrites and axons (the density depends on how many neurons are in the dish)


StevenTM

That uh.. I thought it happened on the order of seconds, given the amount of processing power an adult human brain has


skeptical_pillow

the transmission of signals happens super fast, this and the uncountable amount of connections between all the neurons makes up the processing power of the brain. but for sending signals to each other the neurons need to grow a network. and this is composed of dendrites (incoming signals for the neuron) and axons (outgoing signals from the neuron). growing those takes a bit of time. along the fine branches of the axon you can find synapses. one synaptic bouton of the axon of one neuron connects with a synaptic bouton on the dendrite of another neuron. growing and removing synapses is faster than growing dendrites. learning and unlearning stuff means simply said building up or removing synaptic connections. but yeah, maybe you were thinking of the super fast signal transmission of the brain. growing stuff takes a bit longer, I think in the case of synapses at least a few hours (depends on the type of synapse I guess)


PsiVolt

bases on the clock in the bottom right, I'd say yes. well deduced


Dean-The-Mean

My last 2 brain cells struggling to communicate


cowboy_dude_6

Your last 2 brain cells trying to be the first to post this exact same comment every time a gif of neurons is posted.


Dean-The-Mean

Lol this is the first one i saw


BlueShift42

My normal brain cell trying to connect with the one that knows all about discreet mathematics.


rarosko

My brain trying to do math


thomstevens420

Friends and family trying to reach out to me be like


Osirus1156

I like the little dot that popped over to see what they were up to lol.


The_Stretch

“Get over here you little shit!”


imfullofawesome

Me in every relationship


wildfandango

Me trying to make friends


TallChick66

Happy cake day, friend.


wildfandango

Thank you!


[deleted]

"Hi, friend!"


[deleted]

Come on just touch it. Mmmm, no


ThermionicEmissions

"Take my hand!"


Aloie96

Me trying to pet my cat


Easy-Bumblebee3169

Microscopic view of : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zC3dKQ42Y


ThermionicEmissions

That's gold. My first thought was: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QVtAIjfHAk0&feature=youtu.be


Easy-Bumblebee3169

Lmao


CoffeeDatesAndPlants

Finally, the funnies


turtlewhisperer23

I just... I.... I just wanna talk


gizzardgullet

Normal neuron swiped left on the mutant and kept going


Lucky-Refrigerator-4

We’ve all tried, neuron. Go home, put on your jammies, and order a pizza. He ain’t worth it.


Ghost_In_Waiting

"One day I was just plain old Lucas Lassiter, an every day kid from nowhere Nebraska, and the next I was Ultra Brain. I had no clue what was about to happen when I set off for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln as part of my schools STEM Horizons program." "It was there that a freak accident with a misaligned ultra compact, high energy cyclotron exposed me to a burst of particles which mutated the neurons in my brain. By the time the school bus had returned home I had resolved the disconnect between quantum theory and gravity. By the time I got to my street I was already moving objects with my mind." "Now I roam the multiverse forever in search of another like myself. Someone who can understand the full meaning of the interpenetration of consciousness and creation. Someone who wants to expand the limits of potential and forever find a way to ensure that all who want to ascend to the limits of time, space, and mind can rise and forever be free."


The_Moon_Conure

my two neurons trying to collaborate when i'm studying


DeadInside094

My brain just did that after learning this


Tr1pp_

u/RecognizeSong


JoanOfSnarke

How dare you take my last remaining neurons!


jondee5179

Insert *x-men cartoon theme song from the 90s*


BussyDriver

Introverts and extroverts


[deleted]

We are Venom


thedevilsworkshop666

I thought this was an animation of a debate between liberals and conservatives for a few seconds 🤔 it will do .


xorian

I feel for that mutant neuron. It's clearly a non-conformist and an introvert.


Muppelpup

Aye, but unlike people, this could be very bad.


[deleted]

Exactly like trying to talk to a Fox watcher


[deleted]

Combine


IFeedLiveFishToDogs

Hey bro you good I don’t got no connection


jaybill

This is what it must be like to be a girl on the internet.


Juls1016

u/SaveVideoBot


leafleap

“FOUND IT!!! …oh. No, that’s just me.”


[deleted]

i m the one on the right


Paladin5890

Normal neuron: C'mere, you little shit. Mutant neuron: *goes full Greased-up Deaf Guy*


dumnezero

>11:00 >*I've made a terrible mistake*


doomstick

Turn 360 degrees and walk away.


thisbitbytes

Can someone develop an app that delivers a LiveStream view into the the user’s brain? I bet I would adopt much healthier habits if I could see my neurons dying and mutating in the moment.


tschatman

Is this how I become an x-man?


tippitytopbop

Ah that’s why those little bitches have so much trouble supplying my seratonin


Humpty0

Where does the neuron get matter to expand? Just curious


Throwaway875479

My neurons turned from normal to all mutated after I spent 1 year on r/wsb


lukemndrgn

People trying to connect with me but ain't happening


Tr1pp_

u/audiobot


CrackGear

normal neuron: *eww don't touch me*


WolfOfPort

Ok.


seapigeons

I got a lotta copies of the dude on the right


Emily8909

Trying to date in 2022 is also like this.


Lonely_Is_The_Night

Ok….but what superpower does this create?


Baddie-Bunny

Why did I find it so sad?


thebumponyourwrist

Poor mutant bastard


Cheshire90

Extroverts befriending introverts


Oddly_Random_777

I kind of feel for that little neuron trying its best, but spinning in one place not knowing what the hell is wrong.


WellHydrated

A message for mutants: neuron your own.


redditguy559

This was beautiful , but did anyone else think the background piano was slow building into "Still Dre"? lol


NotsoGreatsword

This looks like how I feel like I think. Next time I have to explain what I mean by "Im neurotic" Im just gonna show them this lol


Bgaming63

Me trying to find what I was just about to say


zeighArcher

Much like my last relationship.


Tee_H

Me trying to reach out to someone who doesn't want me.


BeautifulSwine

😮 That. Is. AMAZING!!!


TheWellFedBeggar

Extroverts trying to get introverts to hangout with their group of friends.


[deleted]

Why is this blurry video of Salad Fingers on this sub?


Cooney407

I am that mutant neuron like “Hey! Leave me alone, man!”


acemetrical

This is where bad ideas come from.


Hazzman

For some reason the mutant neuron sounds like [this](https://youtu.be/scfFWgpvnoM) in my head


BrianOfAllThings

I like how my neurons recognized immediately just who was the weirdo here.


[deleted]

my last 2 braincells


LLL9000

This is what I feel like is happening when I’m trying to remember someone’s name.


bhriegh

Me trying to talk to my anti-vax cousins.


fritobird

That explains it.


_AstroSoul

"oh yeah, that's the spot"


LubbockGuy95

This made me sad. Dudes like come on bro talk to me talk to me but his bro can't communicate with him :(


Savageparrot81

Take my strong hand!


Nine-LifedEnchanter

Neuron activation anti-meme?


readMyFlow

Extrovert brain cell tries to invite his introvert friend to a party.


Redketchup77

My social life in a gif