0:00:07.377,0:00:12.365
The question is, is it necessary [br]and possible to improve the brain?

0:00:12.744,0:00:14.225
Indeed. [br]

0:00:14.743,0:00:20.983
The brain's an incredibly efficient organ [br]which serves to survive, not to think.

0:00:21.070,0:00:25.810
But thinking is very helpful for survival,

0:00:25.810,0:00:29.198
that's why the brain thinks too.

0:00:29.198,0:00:30.025
(Applause)

0:00:30.025,0:00:35.716
Throughout 400 million years, [br]the brain has been evolving,

0:00:35.776,0:00:38.820
from a big shark with a small brain,

0:00:38.874,0:00:40.352
to the human brain. [br]

0:00:40.352,0:00:44.077
In the last 3 million years, a transition [br]from ape to human took place.

0:00:44.077,0:00:51.649
In the last 2 years, a Brazilian scientist[br]Suzana Herculano-Houzel,

0:00:51.881,0:00:57.979
has revolutionized what we know[br]about the brain.

0:00:58.189,0:01:03.353
The primate's brain is more organized[br]than that of other animals,

0:01:03.446,0:01:08.009
including rodents or ungulates, [br]which means we have great features.

0:01:08.050,0:01:10.001
Our brain is very good,

0:01:10.001,0:01:15.743
and now the human brain [br]has begun to evolve even more.

0:01:15.903,0:01:19.920
The bigger the brain, the greater[br]the possibilites of thinking, learning

0:01:20.000,0:01:22.702
and ruling the world.

0:01:22.751,0:01:25.834
From the brain of Australopithecus,

0:01:25.834,0:01:29.935
through the upright man who knew fire,

0:01:29.935,0:01:33.984
a Neanderthal who was already religious,

0:01:34.096,0:01:36.315
to the brain of a caveman,

0:01:36.316,0:01:37.543
a man from Cro-Magnon,

0:01:37.543,0:01:39.777
language, culture, everything.[br]

0:01:39.777,0:01:42.774
Is that all? I guess not.

0:01:42.774,0:01:44.855
The world is constantly changing,

0:01:45.080,0:01:46.664
we ourselves change the world.

0:01:46.780,0:01:51.144
That's why our brain [br]works on the edge of efficiency.

0:01:51.320,0:01:53.330
So the question is:

0:01:53.444,0:01:57.073
Can we improve our brain more?[br]

0:01:57.539,0:02:01.586
Evolution didn't stop[br]with the caveman, for sure.

0:02:01.799,0:02:06.256
Anatomic and genetic research proves [br]that brain evolution is still in progress.

0:02:06.517,0:02:09.131
Let's not get into details,

0:02:09.131,0:02:10.688
but where does it come from?

0:02:10.688,0:02:14.792
A hundred years ago, [br]a farmer following a plow,

0:02:14.792,0:02:18.777
I mean how much information [br]did his brain process?

0:02:18.812,0:02:26.434
Today, when traveling in a great[br]traffic jam, we have a lot of information.

0:02:26.474,0:02:30.173
Nowadays, the brain has to process[br]an enormous amount of information

0:02:30.173,0:02:31.648
and it has to do it in a flash.

0:02:31.648,0:02:34.127
It's not a problem whether[br]a crow flies over a horse,

0:02:34.127,0:02:36.859
but whether or not [br]a motocyclist crashes into us.

0:02:37.911,0:02:44.180
I won't describe it in great detail,[br]but there's a gene

0:02:44.332,0:02:48.955
whose one form changes in a way [br]that indicates the speed of evolution.

0:02:49.027,0:02:52.888
We can see that the evolution[br]of the brain evolves all over the world.

0:02:53.258,0:02:57.042
However, depending on the region, [br]it is stronger or slower.

0:02:57.103,0:03:00.294
The darker those black circles are, [br]the faster the evolution is.

0:03:00.294,0:03:02.549
Where was this evolution rapid?

0:03:02.585,0:03:05.936
In places where races and cultures merged.

0:03:05.966,0:03:08.636
The evolution in Latin America [br]was progressing fast.

0:03:08.636,0:03:11.922
In places where the environment [br]was stable and where nothing changed,

0:03:11.922,0:03:13.373
the brain didn't have to grow.

0:03:13.373,0:03:18.190
In Sub-Saharan Africa, [br]the evolution is slower.

0:03:18.312,0:03:20.799
But it doesn't mean [br]that it can't accelerate,

0:03:20.799,0:03:24.758
because the brain evolution speeds up [br]all over the world, and we know it.

0:03:24.758,0:03:29.899
A New Zealander scientist, James Flynn,

0:03:29.969,0:03:32.619
noticed that human intelligence,[br]

0:03:32.619,0:03:39.437
if measured by IQ tests, [br]now and back in time,

0:03:39.437,0:03:43.276
seemed to have been rising

0:03:43.301,0:03:45.392
from generation[br]to generation, very much so.

0:03:45.392,0:03:47.165
Take a look at the data about Europe.

0:03:47.165,0:03:54.074
Half a century ago, in 1942, [br]the average Britisher

0:03:54.244,0:03:58.442
had IQ 73, so he was a complete fool.

0:03:58.712,0:04:02.662
Look how everything is growing right now.

0:04:02.785,0:04:05.445
And what was actually going on[br]with the mankind?

0:04:05.505,0:04:06.604
It's terrifying.

0:04:06.644,0:04:10.339
All those fantastic pyramid builders

0:04:10.339,0:04:12.877
had IQ 50, or so.

0:04:13.047,0:04:16.720
Rome, the Renaissance...

0:04:16.813,0:04:22.120
It wasn't until the industrial revolution [br]that intelligence started to speed up.

0:04:22.263,0:04:27.273
So intelligence speeds up, [br]perhaps a bit slower now.

0:04:27.547,0:04:32.888
But there are still differences [br]between social groups and races.

0:04:33.082,0:04:35.914
A lot depends on education.

0:04:36.013,0:04:40.407
In the USA there are two groups whose IQ [br]is much higher than that of the rest.

0:04:40.657,0:04:45.717
The Ashkenazi Jews, raised in schools[br]in the Talmudu base,

0:04:45.857,0:04:50.818
and The Oriental Japanese and the Chinese [br]with Confucian tradition.

0:04:50.857,0:04:55.020
So the way we are taught may greatly[br]increase our learning abilities.

0:04:55.020,0:04:57.679
Just like reading and writing skills

0:04:57.679,0:05:00.634
improve connection [br]between two cerebral hemispheres.

0:05:00.996,0:05:06.605
Are we able to speed up the natural [br]evolution progress even more?

0:05:06.793,0:05:12.976
Some say, the brain is such a great organ[br]that nothing more can be done.

0:05:13.910,0:05:18.538
However, if we take a closer look, [br]we can see that the process of cognition

0:05:18.538,0:05:21.070
is composed of other smaller processes.

0:05:21.070,0:05:24.936
There are biochemical reactions [br]in each of them,

0:05:25.036,0:05:27.901
which enable us to make them work faster.

0:05:27.981,0:05:32.664
This in turn makes the brain work faster.

0:05:32.736,0:05:34.852
What can we currently do about it?

0:05:35.045,0:05:38.317
We can surely speed up mental processes

0:05:38.317,0:05:40.474
of people with mental retardation.

0:05:40.474,0:05:43.874
For example in schizophrenia or hebetude.

0:05:43.874,0:05:46.567
We can do something, [br]we have good medicaments.

0:05:46.605,0:05:49.018
The question is, [br]can therapeutic treatments,

0:05:49.018,0:05:50.721
which help the damaged brain,

0:05:50.721,0:05:53.061
help the normal brain as well?

0:05:53.061,0:05:55.493
It seems so.

0:05:56.715,0:06:01.041
We apply many kinds [br]of non-therapeutic technologies.

0:06:01.041,0:06:07.275
We want to improve our memory, [br]concentration, scope of attention

0:06:07.625,0:06:10.730
and decision-making.

0:06:11.041,0:06:16.216
When we look at this, there are two goals.

0:06:16.285,0:06:18.875
First, we want to improve [br]the brain permanently,

0:06:18.875,0:06:21.971
meaning slowly, methodically,[br]to make it better and better,

0:06:21.971,0:06:23.859
so we can be more and more inteligent.

0:06:24.049,0:06:28.698
Secondly, there are sudden challenges, [br]exams, TED lectures.

0:06:28.815,0:06:32.166
I want to do something quickly,[br]so I take a pill before the lecture

0:06:32.166,0:06:36.997
to face the new challenge [br]that suddenly emerges.

0:06:36.997,0:06:41.933
A long-term brain improvement [br]is commonly accepted.

0:06:42.245,0:06:46.501
On one hand, it is supposed [br]to be a mind training.

0:06:46.570,0:06:51.260
On the other, it is a healthy lifestyle, [br]crucial for a good brain work.

0:06:51.454,0:06:54.836
Furthermore, we increase[br]some areas of the cortex.

0:06:54.836,0:06:58.345
For instance, meditation increases[br]the volume of the cortex

0:06:58.345,0:07:02.876
in areas where thoughts [br]and decisions are made.

0:07:03.032,0:07:07.583
Finally, different types [br]of vitamins and supplements.

0:07:07.583,0:07:11.128
There has been a lot of talk [br]about the role of the vitamin D3.

0:07:11.450,0:07:15.264
Therefore, there are non-pharmacological[br]methods that enhance the brain.

0:07:15.264,0:07:19.686
For example, glucose improves memory [br]and makes it easier to memorize.

0:07:19.856,0:07:24.960
Caffeine, coffee with sugar[br]and espresso work really great.

0:07:25.460,0:07:28.456
Physical exercise is essential, [br]

0:07:28.456,0:07:34.153
as it releases the substance[br]nourishing the nerves,

0:07:34.193,0:07:35.902
BDNF neurothrophins.

0:07:36.072,0:07:40.202
A sleep or a nap after studying[br]increases consolidation

0:07:40.202,0:07:45.913
and transition from [br]the short-term to the long-term memory.

0:07:46.037,0:07:50.586
Meditation, mnemonics, computer training,[br]electrical brain stimulation...

0:07:50.622,0:07:53.205
All of these things are essential.

0:07:53.248,0:07:57.691
On the other hand, we work hard [br]and we are exhausted.

0:07:57.691,0:08:00.996
We need to wake up quickly somehow.

0:08:00.996,0:08:04.161
We usually use pharmacological[br]methods to do so.

0:08:04.205,0:08:08.147
There are so-called [br]promnestic medicaments.

0:08:08.394,0:08:12.525
These medicaments affect[br]the biochemistry of our brain,

0:08:12.541,0:08:15.289
which makes these processes faster.

0:08:15.306,0:08:17.447
These medicaments become[br]more and more common.

0:08:17.447,0:08:22.278
Some politicians or ethicists[br]have concerns, other people less so.

0:08:22.467,0:08:26.015
When improving the brain, we can observe [br]something that happens in sports.

0:08:26.015,0:08:28.075
We appreciate sportsmen,

0:08:28.075,0:08:30.849
the effort they put into training.

0:08:30.869,0:08:36.986
But we don't like those who use doping[br]before the competition.

0:08:37.086,0:08:40.053
So, how is it?

0:08:40.064,0:08:45.318
We want to stimulate our brain to work

0:08:45.365,0:08:49.216
and we have medicaments for that,

0:08:49.266,0:08:54.756
like caffeine in coffee or energy drinks.

0:08:54.861,0:08:57.062
We also have three [br]very precious stimulants,

0:08:57.062,0:09:00.495
like amphetamine, [br]methylphenidate and modafinil.

0:09:00.593,0:09:04.342
Only coffeine is available [br]without limits.

0:09:06.712,0:09:11.491
After all, energy drinks have saved lives [br]of plenty of passerbys,

0:09:11.604,0:09:15.021
as they'd prevent the drivers[br]from falling asleep at the wheel.

0:09:15.409,0:09:17.318
These are different types of stimulants.

0:09:17.318,0:09:21.942
They are used for illness treatments,

0:09:22.084,0:09:24.322
most often in ADHD.

0:09:24.380,0:09:30.026
For example, Adderall, [br]a mixture of amphetamine salts,

0:09:30.196,0:09:32.557
used to be sold in Poland as amphetamine.

0:09:32.557,0:09:36.488
When I was a student, we'd go to a doctor.

0:09:36.488,0:09:40.023
She would prescribe us[br]two pills of amphetamine.

0:09:40.073,0:09:42.082
I would have never passed maths...

0:09:42.120,0:09:45.322
(Applause)

0:09:47.270,0:09:50.271
Or I would have had to study much more.

0:09:50.271,0:09:52.756
It's dangerous, [br]because it may be addictive.

0:09:52.816,0:09:57.629
In ADHD and narcolepsy, [br]methylphenidate is used.

0:09:57.629,0:09:59.314
It is known as Ritalin,

0:09:59.314,0:10:04.884
which is now promoted for children.

0:10:04.884,0:10:09.535
Take a look at this[br]marvellous powder with Ritalin.

0:10:09.646,0:10:15.611
It may be an exaggeration, [br]but it does improve the child's brain.

0:10:15.611,0:10:19.955
Modafinil, more and more popular, [br]is less addictive.

0:10:19.991,0:10:23.263
It improves accuracy of performed tasks [br]

0:10:23.263,0:10:25.593
and decision-making.

0:10:25.655,0:10:29.675
Four years ago, the market for Modafinil

0:10:29.675,0:10:33.971
reached 700 million dollars.

0:10:33.971,0:10:40.000
Interestingly, 90% of the world production[br]is used for non-medical purposes.

0:10:40.155,0:10:44.922
In the USA, it is good to have [br]a younger sibling suffering from ADHD.

0:10:44.962,0:10:48.322
You can pilfer their medicaments [br]and pass your exams easily.

0:10:48.322,0:10:50.443
(Applause)

0:10:51.083,0:10:54.494
[br]This is atomoxetine, a new medicament.

0:10:54.547,0:10:58.328
It can be treated as a lifestyle.

0:10:58.373,0:11:01.301
It becomes and more popular among people

0:11:01.301,0:11:05.512
who are forced to hard brainwork.[br]

0:11:05.575,0:11:08.614
That's what students and teachers do.

0:11:08.694,0:11:10.488
They take mainly methylphenidate.

0:11:10.561,0:11:12.682
It looks differently [br]in different countries.

0:11:12.682,0:11:14.094
For example, you can see here

0:11:14.094,0:11:19.333
how academic staff in the USA [br]and Great Britain do it.

0:11:20.278,0:11:23.029
An American takes it [br]when he suffers from "jet lag,"

0:11:23.029,0:11:25.879
An Englishwoman admits she takes it[br]once every two weeks

0:11:25.879,0:11:27.041
to keep her spirits up

0:11:27.041,0:11:29.305
and when she has to write[br]a grant application.

0:11:29.305,0:11:32.767
Where do they get it from? The American[br]gets it from a family doctor.

0:11:32.797,0:11:36.457
The Englishwoman buys it online, [br]which is possible in Poland too.

0:11:36.537,0:11:39.415
And they both claim [br]it gives certain effects,

0:11:39.445,0:11:42.024
which are not stunning, [br]but very desirable.

0:11:42.233,0:11:45.148
But there are neuroethic issues.

0:11:45.241,0:11:46.545
Can we really do that?[br]

0:11:46.545,0:11:48.554
Some compare it to doping in sports.

0:11:48.564,0:11:50.487
For me, that's really not the case.

0:11:50.487,0:11:52.117
In sports we want to know [br]

0:11:52.117,0:11:53.875
if somebody equally strong will win.

0:11:53.875,0:11:55.544
But here, it's not about competing.

0:11:55.544,0:11:59.014
If I want my students to learn[br]a new language faster,

0:11:59.014,0:12:03.920
then why not let them take something [br]that will let them achieve that?

0:12:03.988,0:12:06.148
(Applause)

0:12:08.052,0:12:12.272
It's worse with the exam sessions,[br]or competitive examination.

0:12:12.300,0:12:14.947
Can we consider it as doping?

0:12:15.042,0:12:18.260
This is really pretty.

0:12:18.415,0:12:25.319
It says: "I'm confident [br]you'll succeed at any job

0:12:25.319,0:12:27.227
that requires no urine drug tests.

0:12:27.227,0:12:30.476
Because if they run the tests,[br]those drugs will be revealed.

0:12:30.521,0:12:33.206
I think we won't avoid [br]using these medicaments.

0:12:33.216,0:12:37.479
But we shouldn't overdo it, [br]we should be reasonable.[br]

0:12:37.538,0:12:40.523
Thinking about future technologies, [br]there's still a lot to do.

0:12:40.543,0:12:44.569
There will be target gene therapies, [br]magnetic stimulation through the skull.

0:12:44.649,0:12:47.439
Interface between the brain [br]and the computer.

0:12:47.539,0:12:50.879
Implanted neurochips, [br]hippocampus prosthesis.

0:12:50.895,0:12:52.040
And new medicaments.

0:12:52.040,0:12:56.085
I want to add what experts say about it.

0:12:56.204,0:13:02.475
Nora Volkow, the head of NIDA, [br]the drug-combating organization.

0:13:02.505,0:13:06.007
She should be against it, but she claims[br]that if a drug can be created,

0:13:06.007,0:13:09.703
one which has no side effects, [br]then it shouldn't be banned.

0:13:09.723,0:13:12.240
The human brain has come [br]to the stage of evolution

0:13:12.240,0:13:15.262
where it can improve[br]the evolution by itself.

0:13:15.352,0:13:20.848
David Nutt, a controversial figure, [br]was fired from the British Drug Council

0:13:20.848,0:13:27.200
after he said that horse riding accidents[br]were 30 times as frequent as

0:13:27.200,0:13:28.777
those after taking ecstasy.

0:13:28.847,0:13:30.779
That's why he was given the sack.

0:13:30.848,0:13:36.078
He claims that the discovery of these[br]boosters is a milestone in the evolution.

0:13:36.268,0:13:43.201
We no longer have to rely [br]on the random story about genes,

0:13:43.251,0:13:46.540
This is my humble opinion.

0:13:46.560,0:13:50.704
I think those pharmacological resources,[br]used to improve the mind,

0:13:50.774,0:13:54.824
are disapproved of by dumb people [br]whom nothing will help.

0:13:54.854,0:13:55.704
[br](Laughter)

0:13:55.704,0:13:57.850
[br](Applause)

0:14:01.559,0:14:09.377
Chemistry itself is not enough[br]for success, but it can help a lot.

0:14:09.450,0:14:10.552
[br]Thank you very much.[br]

0:14:10.592,0:14:13.209
(Applause)