In this month's episode of Brain Science, neuroscientist Mark Solms talks about his new book "The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Origins of Consciousness." Solms was inspired by the pioneering work of Jaak Panksepp who argued that the origins of consciousness can be traced to the brainstem. In his new book Solms presents the evidence for this viewpoint and explains how the work of computational neuroscientist Karl Friston has provided additional support. We consider the implications for our understanding of both human consciousness and our appreciation for the consciousness of other animals. Links and References: The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness by Mark Solms Mark Solms: University of Cape Town, South Africa Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions by Jaak Panksepp (BS 134) The Archaeology of Mind: Neuroevolutionary Origins of Human Emotions by Jaak Panksepp and Lucy Biven (BSP 91) Solms, M; Friston, K; (2018) How and why consciousness arises: Some considerations from physics and physiology. Journal of Consciousness Studies , 25 (5-6) pp. 202-238. (Download PDF) Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.     Please Visit Our Sponsors: GreenChef TextExpander Announcements: Email Dr. Campbell if you want to help with improving the Brain Science website or request new features. Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month. Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available) Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up. Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.) Send email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com Connect on Social Media: Twitter: @docartemis Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/brainsciencepodcast Contact Dr. Campbell: Email: brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com Voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/docartemis

Embark on a profound exploration of consciousness with neuroscientists Mark Solms and Anil Seth, psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist, and cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman. They discuss consciousness emergence, the brain as a predictive engine, perception, time, emotions, the interplay between matter and consciousness, creativity, resistance, and the deep connections between life, intelligence, and consciousness.

Prof. Mark Solms, a pioneering neuroscientist and psychoanalyst, challenges traditional views on consciousness by emphasizing the brainstem's vital role. He explores the limitations of vision-centric approaches and shares evidence from decorticated animals that supports his theories. The conversation delves into the significance of affect in consciousness, critiques behaviorism, and highlights the interplay between emotions and cognitive processes. Solms also discusses the implications of his findings for AI development and the connections between neuroscience, psychoanalysis, and philosophy.

Mark Solms, author of The Hidden Spring, discusses the Free Energy Principle, Homeostasis, and the neuroscience of innovation. Topics include Markov Blankets, maintaining organization against entropy, predictive models, and self-organization in nature.

Author Mark Solms discusses the source of consciousness, exploring topics like arousal anatomy, volitional feelings, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters, and the role of the PAG in regulating consciousness and behavior. The podcast delves into the impact of dopamine on emotional states, psychiatric treatments, and the brain's internal model for adaptability.

Neuroscientist Mark Solms discusses the importance of feelings in understanding consciousness. He explores the roles of seeking, play, and fear in the brain, highlighting how dopamine drives seeking behavior and influences emotions. The podcast covers the neurological basis of emotions, the impact of seeking systems on behavior and addiction, the universality of play among mammals, and the dynamics of fear, play, and conditioning in shaping behavior and perceptions.

Psychoanalyst and neuropsychologist Mark Solms discusses affect, consciousness, dreams, interoception, and more. Topics include subjective nature of affect, prioritization in consciousness, semantics of feelings, and the role of consciousness in adaptive behavior. The conversation also touches on Markovian monism, precision optimization, affect perception, and the complex relationship between dreaming and REM sleep.

Mark Solms, a renowned South African psychoanalyst and neuropsychologist, delves into the intricate connections between consciousness, emotions, and dreaming. He shares his personal journey sparked by childhood trauma, revealing how his brother’s brain injury shaped his fascination with the mind-body connection. Solms emphasizes the importance of feelings in understanding consciousness and challenges traditional views by highlighting the brainstem's vital role. Their discussion critiques conventional psychology's neglect of emotional depth, urging a more subjective approach to human experience.

Author Mark Solms discusses the brain's predictive system, emotions connecting us to ancestors, brain's attempt to contain environmental effects, innate predictions like fear, brain as organization of predictions and errors, and emotional needs and scripts in the podcast.

Neuroscientist Mark Solms discusses consciousness and dreaming, challenging traditional views. Topics include REM sleep research, dopamine's role in motivation and psychosis, fabrications in memory recall, bridging psychoanalysis and neuroscience, the importance of language in psychology, and insights into consciousness and autobiographical elements.