Neuroconservation -- your brain on nature: Wallace J. Nichols at TEDxSantaCruz

Summary

The speaker shares a personal journey of falling in love with nature, focusing on their passion for turtles, which led to a career in marine biology. Through this passion, they discuss the importance of emotional connections with nature and introduce 'neuroconservation,' the idea that neuroscience can help repair ecosystems. They argue that nature is a form of medicine that can heal us emotionally, reduce stress, and foster creativity. The talk emphasizes the deep bond between humans and nature, advocating for a greater appreciation of the environment and its role in our well-being.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The speaker reflects on when they first fell in love with nature, specifically in Wyoming near Deep Lake.
• 🐢 The speaker had a childhood obsession with turtles, which inspired their career as a marine biologist.
• 🧠 The emotional connection to nature is the driving force behind their scientific work, especially in marine conservation.
• 🌊 Nature provides emotional and mental healing, with nature walks or time outdoors offering therapeutic benefits.
• 💡 Neuroscience now allows us to better understand the brain and its reactions, helping us deepen our connection with nature.
• 💞 Oxytocin, known for promoting connection between people, plays a key role in bonding with nature and the environment.
• 🐺 Ecological conservation, like protecting predators, creates trophic cascades that benefit entire ecosystems.
• 🔄 The speaker proposes 'neuroconservation,' applying neuroscience to strengthen human-nature connections and environmental conservation.
• 👥 Personal transformation stories, like that of Chuy Lucero, show how direct experiences with nature can shift perspectives and inspire conservation efforts.
• 🔵 The concept of 'Blue Mind' is introduced, encouraging people to embrace water and nature as part of their personal and collective healing journey.

Q & A

Where did the speaker fall in love with nature?

The speaker fell in love with nature in Wyoming, in the Snowy Range, near Deep Lake.

What memory does the speaker have from the day they fell in love with nature?

The speaker remembers feeling the grass between their toes, smelling the air, hearing wolves howling at night, and tasting the trout they caught from the lake.

What animal was the speaker obsessed with as a child?

The speaker was obsessed with turtles as a child.

How did the speaker’s childhood obsession with turtles influence their career?

The speaker turned their passion for turtles into a career as a marine biologist and earned a PhD, meeting many others around the world who shared the same interest.

What is the core belief the speaker has about the emotional connection to nature?

The speaker believes that the emotional connection to nature is a vital part of science and will be key in addressing environmental challenges, including saving endangered species like sea turtles.

How has neuroscience advanced our understanding of the human brain, according to the speaker?

Neuroscience, through technologies like functional MRIs and EEGs, allows us to map brain activity and understand neurochemistry, providing insights into how humans connect with nature and each other.

What term does the speaker use to describe the application of neuroscience to nature conservation?

The speaker uses the term 'neuroconservation' to describe the application of neuroscience to nature conservation.

How does the speaker compare the effect of nature on the human brain?

The speaker believes that being in nature lights up the human brain similarly to seeing the faces of loved ones, providing a deep emotional connection and sense of peace.

What transformation did the speaker’s friend, Chuy Lucero, experience through nature?

Chuy Lucero, who grew up hunting sea turtles, was transformed when he released a baby sea turtle for the first time. This experience inspired him to work towards helping save sea turtles from extinction.

What does the speaker mean by the term 'blue mind'?

The 'blue mind' refers to the state of calm and clarity that people experience when they are near or in water, which the speaker believes is essential for reconnecting with nature and ourselves.