The Secrets of the Brain Were Discussed at BAÜN Science Cafe: “Are We Really Using Our Brains?”

The Science Communication Office of the Press and Public Relations Directorate at Balıkesir University, which aims to promote science not only in academic circles but also across all segments of society, once again brought science enthusiasts together with its Science Café Meetings series. 1. As part of the Balıkesir Book Fair, the event titled “Use Your Brain,” organized in collaboration with the Balıkesir Metropolitan Municipality and the Balıkesir City Council, presented fascinating insights into the mysterious workings of the human brain, taking science beyond campus boundaries and bringing it to the community.

The event, held at the Avlu Congress and Culture Center, featured Prof. Dr. Şükrü Hakan Atalgın, an academic from Balıkesir University's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, as a speaker. Balıkesir University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Fatih Satıl and science enthusiasts attended the event.

Prof. Dr. Şükrü Hakan Atalgın gave a comprehensive presentation covering topics ranging from the biological structure of the brain to decision-making mechanisms, from the management of emotions to learning processes, emphasizing that the brain is an organ that is active not only in thinking but also in feeling, creating, and imagining.

Prof. Dr. Şükrü Hakan Atalgın stated, “While the upper brain manages thinking and decision-making functions, the lower brain seeks comfort and triggers procrastination.”

Professor Dr. Şükrü Hakan Atalgın gave a comprehensive presentation covering everything from the biological structure of the brain to decision-making mechanisms, from the management of emotions to learning processes. He stated that the brain consists of two parts, explaining that the upper brain manages the processes of reason, judgment, and will, while the lower brain manages basic emotions, motivation, and long-term memory.

Emphasizing that the upper brain contains the neural circuits that control our behavior in society, as well as planning, logic, and problem-solving abilities, Atalgın said that the lower brain prefers comfort zones, routines, and habits, and that procrastination and some anxieties originate here. Pointing out that the upper brain is not fully developed in adolescents, Atalgın stated that this is why young people sometimes struggle to make rational decisions.

Prof. Dr. Atalgın: “Social media constantly stimulates our brain, making it difficult to focus and learn in the long term.”

In his speech, Atalgın also touched on the effects of social media and technology on brain development, stating that short videos and fast-paced content constantly stimulate the brain's dopamine system, making long-term learning and concentration difficult. He emphasized the importance of paying attention to sleep patterns, doing mental exercises, and stepping outside one's comfort zone for brain health and development.

The event concluded with the presentation of a gift to Prof. Dr. Şükrü Hakan Atalgın.