Sedona, AZ –There are some conditions of mind that may as well be described as problems of not having the mind—at certain aspects—moving.
The thoughts that deter certain behaviors or actions, are often relays in the mind, to acquire consequences, in the moment or before. The thought of alternatives [or counter arguments] to a situation are often relays as well—from an initial destination.
There are many fateful, spontaneous decisions that have resulted from some mental states because of the lack of further relays. The human mind shapes too many experiences with the world by relays. What should be a scary sound may not be, if there is the sight of what is responsible, or the thought of it occurring in a different time [suggesting relays other than the initial]. There are often initial perceptions of situations that are different from the actual situation that only becomes obvious, momentarily [by relays].
There are several approaches to mental health care, like cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT] that places alternatives, to shape relays in the mind—or cognitive reframing and restructuring from cognitive distortions. AI Chatbots therapists have also been applied similarly. There are also suggestions of activities, especially physical, which may get the mind relaying away from problematic spots.
The difficulty, however, is that too many situations are heavier [or recurrent] than the lightness of a single alternative relay, to bring ease. This, for example, has resulted in problems like suicide from depression, or the intrusive thoughts of life as a burden, extending into substance use disorder.
There are psychotropic medications that are prescribed in major cases. There are techniques like deep brain stimulation and others, towards mental health. What remains missing is an architecture of mind, which could become a vital first step, to know what goes on in the mind [conceptually] per situation, to know states better, for the affected and loved ones.
Brain science has associated functions with neurons. Yet, neurons, billions of them, have been almost impossible to model for functions. Although, neural communication signals [electrical and chemical] are also involved, providing a window for what can be modeled.
It is theorized that the collection of all electrical and chemical signals of neurons, with their interactions and features in sets is the human mind. There is no information function [memory, emotions, feelings, modulations], conceptually, that exceeds electrical and chemical signals of neurons, in sets. Neuroscience established that there are often clusters of neurons across circuits in the brain. It is postulated that sets of signals are obtained in those clusters. Features include attention, intent, the self and the principal spot [prominent in intrusive thoughts and depression].
LLMs [Large Language Models] can be used to provide a conceptual relay of the signals, especially for how they mechanize all the conditions in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision [DSM-5-TR]. So, that it is possible to see [a conceptual parallel of] where the mind is, and understand what further relays might be necessary, or how heavy [or repetitive] a situation, towards a better insight into the mind, regardless of how tough the situation is. Relays can also be provided on mobile, smart watches and virtual reality headsets.
Two important observations with the model of mind would be, first, to see when a situation is getting too much, by plotting parallels in the mind. Second, to explore what the effects or consequences might be, if the solution that comes to mind could be harmful or problematic.
Editor’s Note: David Stephen does research in conceptual brain science, centered on the electrical and chemical impulses of nerve cells, for a model of the human mind, applicable to mental health, consciousness, neurotechnology and artificial intelligence. He was a visiting scholar in medical entomology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, UIUC, IL. He did computer vision research at Rovira i Virgili University, URV, Tarragona.