The Mystery of the Brain and Mind

4-25-2025

By Dr. Howard Friedman, MD | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps | Internal Medicine | HHOM LLC

Where thought ignites, the mind expands—imagination is not escape, but creation.

ot wires alone, nor flesh confined,

The truth runs deeper in the mind.

A whisper felt, a thought unspun,

Where dreams and memory intertwine as one.

No map can hold what we become—

For thought begins where words are done.

Dr. Howard Friedman MD

There’s much to ponder when it comes to the mind—and if we’re being honest, the “truth” here comes with a lowercase t. No absolute answer has ever been agreed upon. Is the mind simply a product of our neural connections? Or is it something more—something that transcends the physical and reaches into the unseen?

Our brains have a hierarchical structure that seems to echo the arc of evolution. At its base, the brain governs vital bodily functions—heartbeat, respiration, digestion. As we move upward, the structures become increasingly complex. The higher brain, with its intricate network of connections, supports thoughts, memories, creativity, and emotions. Many scientists believe this is where the mind lives—within the dense folds of the cerebral cortex, where consciousness arises. The frontal lobes handle our decision-making, problem-solving, and higher learning. The brain stem, meanwhile, keeps us alive.

One theory, outlined in this article, suggests the mind is a direct product of the brain’s activity—its electrical impulses and its chemical dances. In this view, consciousness itself is an emergent phenomenon: something that arises when the brain reaches a certain level of complexity.

But not everyone agrees.

Other thinkers—and traditions both ancient and modern—propose something different. They argue the mind is not confined to the brain at all. That it stretches beyond the limits of our skulls and bodies, encompassing our emotions, our intentions, even the ineffable sense of self. Psychoanalysis introduced the idea of the unconscious mind—vast mental processes that exist outside of conscious awareness, yet guide much of what we think, feel, and do. It leads us to deeper questions: What makes us who we are? Why are we here?

Wherever the mind resides—whether in gray matter or the space beyond—it remains one of the most astonishing aspects of human existence. It gives rise to language and laughter, to memory and meaning. It allows for grief, and for healing. It fuels imagination, compassion, and creativity.

I write these blogs not just with my brain, but with my mind—with my memories, my language, and my love. Each post is an attempt to reach someone out there who might need it. A way to connect through the shared experience of being human. A step toward healing, understanding, and—maybe—something like truth.

—Dr. Howard Friedman, MD

Board-Certified | Internal Medicine | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps

Founder of Howard’s House of Medicine (HHOM LLC)

https://www.hhomllc.com

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Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: What’s the difference between the brain and the mind?

Answer: The brain is the physical organ—made of neurons, synapses, and structures that control bodily functions and thought processes. The mind, on the other hand, is often viewed as the seat of consciousness, emotion, and self-awareness. Some see it as a product of brain activity; others believe it transcends biology.

Question: Is the mind just a result of brain function?

Answer: Many scientists believe the mind is an emergent property of brain complexity—arising from electrical and chemical processes in neural networks. However, other perspectives, including ancient traditions and modern psychoanalysis, argue the mind extends beyond the brain, encompassing unconscious processes and even spiritual dimensions.

Question: Why is exploring the mind important to healing?

Answer: Understanding the mind helps us connect with our emotions, behaviors, and sense of self. It opens the door to compassion, imagination, and growth. For Dr. Howard Friedman, writing about the mind is an act of connection—a way to help others reflect, heal, and find meaning in their own experiences.