I understand that sensory detectors (on our hands, tongue, etc.) can send signals to our brain, and neurons in our brain send signals to our muscles and organs. However, if you were thinking without any sensory input/output, like trying to solve a math problem, what would happen in the brain?
In: Biology
Thoughts, at the most basic level, are just movements ions through neurons. Unlike most somatic cells, neurons have an interesting composition. They are round at one end (the soma), then stretch long and thin (the axon), where they then get very close to other axon bodies without actually touching them. They also have long, thin dendrites that stretch all over the place.
The most important ions are sodium (Na), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca). The process is long & convoluted, but basically these ions move through ion channels, known as gates, which are mediated by voltage, molecules, and various other mechanism. These ions enter the soma, then travel down the axon in what is known as an action potential. Once this AP reaches the end of the axon, it triggers the neurons to release neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine/epinephrine/etc., which then cause an influx of ions in the next neuron.
This process repeats until you reach a muscle or the brain. Even if you’re just thinking, this is usually promoted by another sensory inputs, i.e. seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, or tasting.
Apparently your mind is constructing sensory input whether you want to or not.
Notwithstanding, nobody really knows what a thought is, let alone a mathematical thought. These vids are as good as it gets.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwsft6tmvBA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwsft6tmvBA)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8m7lFQ3njk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8m7lFQ3njk)
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