Learn about your brain in this unique Nagpur museum

09 October, 2012

Not only does this museum help people in understanding the functioning of brain, it also makes an attempt to do away with social stigma attached to mental check-ups in India.

THE HUMAN brain, which is one of the most extraordinary creations of nature, is a world in its own. People often find its functioning too cryptic to understand and aberrations in it too confusing. Keeping this in mind, Dr Avinash Joshi, MBBS, MD, Psychiatry decided to come up with a unique Brain and Mind Museum, which will help to educate people about the most important organ of one's body.

In this unique museum one gets to know about some interesting facts. The journey of evolution of the brain has been elaborated with graphical inputs. Therefore, after moving around in the museum, understanding the complex functioning of the brain will appear much more simple. The museum has specimen of the brains of the ox, dog and human brain.

Dr Joshi has also explained the various ways to keep the mind fit. Ashthang yoga and vipashana prayers are among some things recommended to keep the human brain healthy. Even in today's world, people shy away from accepting their mental problems - big or small. Owing to social stigma people still don't consider mental check-up as important as health check-up. Blind faith adds to the mess when neurological disorders are termed influence of 'evil spirit'.

Therefore, to unfold the myth behind such beliefs, Dr Joshi has thoughtfully explained the functioning of the brain in a simple manner. Moreover, the medium of explanation is Hindi with an aim to reach out to more people. The must watch section in Dr Joshi's museum is 'Food for brain' section. After going through it one will have to agree with the saying that 'one cannot think well, love well or sleep well if one has not dined well'. Here people are told what should be the right amount of intake of proteins, Omega 3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, etc and to keep the brain healthy.

Physical exercise has also been recommended to keep the brain sound. Dr Joshi says that he wants to create awareness about mental health and wishes to remove misconceptions about psychiatry treatment among people. In the stressful life it is important to be fit and healthy, both mentally as well as physically. A small effort to understand importance of mental fitness will lead life towards happiness because a simple chemical 'locha' in the brain not only troubles the person but also his/ her dear ones.