: ...AND THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON COSMIC CONSCIOUSNESS.

: http://www.viewzone.com/amygdala/index.html
: (Be sure to visit Neil's pages directly. With pictures and
: all, they are well worth it! E.)
: ---------------------------
: POPPING YOUR AMYGDALA
: By Neil Slade

Not sure if I speak the Lingo, but I have always liked almonds.

AMYGDALA

In contrast to the primitive hypothalamus, the more recently developed amygdala (the "almond") is preeminent in the control and mediation of all higher order emotional and motivational activities. Via it's rich interconnections with various neocortical and subcortical regions, amygdaloid neurons are able to monitor and abstract from the sensory array stimuli that are of motivational significance to the organism (Gaffan 1992; Gloor 1960, 1992, 1997; LeDoux 1992; Morris et al., 1996; Rolls, 1984, 1992 Steklis & Kling, 1985; Kling & Brothers 1992; Ursin & Kaada 1960).

This includes the ability to discern and express even subtle social-emotional nuances such as friendliness, fear, love, affection, distruct, anger, etc., and at a more basic level, determine if something might be good to eat.

In fact, amygdaloid neurons respond selectively to the flavor of certain preferred foods, as well as to the sight or sound of something that might be especially desirable to eat (Fukuda et al. 1987; Gaffan et al. 1992; O'Keefe & Bouma, 1969; Ono et al. 1980; Ono & Nishijo, 1992) including even the sight of drugs that induce extreme pleasure.

For example, it has been shown, using positron emission tomography, that detoxified cocaine users not only respond to a cocaine video with cocaine craving, but with increased amygdala (and anterior cingulate) activity (Childress, et al., 1999).

Belying its involvement in emotion, including the pleasure associated with cocaine usage, is the unique chemical anatomy of the amygdala, which is rich in a variety of neuropetides including enkephalins and beta-endorphins as well as opiate receptors (Atweh & Kuhar, 1977; Fallon & Ciofi, 1992; Uhl et al. 1978). In fact, of all brain regions, the greatest concentration of opiate receptors is found within the human amygdala. Other chemical systems include lutenizing hormone, vasopressin, somatostatin, and corticotropin releasing factor (Fallon & Ciofi, 1992) --indications of its involvement in stress and sexuality, especially female sexuality.

Queen "Amidala"