The feeling of a brain depends heavily on its condition. A freshly excised human brain is surprisingly delicate and soft, possessing a consistency similar to jello: soft and squishy. Without preservation techniques like chemical hardening, it is too fragile to be easily handled.
However, the experience of one's own brain is quite different. We don't directly feel our brains in the same way we feel our skin or muscles. Instead, we perceive its function through various sensations and cognitive experiences.
Subjective Experiences of Brain Function
The feeling of a brain is often described through symptoms related to its function or dysfunction:
- Brain tumor headaches: These headaches are often described as constant, worse at night or early morning, and feel like a dull, pressure-type pain. Some people report them as similar to tension headaches or migraines. [Source: Mayo Clinic, Roswell Park]
- Brain fog: This describes a collection of symptoms including difficulty concentrating, confusion, fatigue, forgetfulness, losing train of thought, and mental exhaustion. [Source: Cleveland Clinic, Thyroid.org]
- COVID-19 brain fog: Similar to general brain fog, but linked to a COVID-19 infection. [Source: Harvard Health]
It's important to note that these are subjective experiences, varying widely among individuals. The sensation of a headache associated with a brain tumor, for example, is entirely different from the subjective experience of "brain fog" caused by hypothyroidism or post-COVID-19.
Objective Observations of Brain Tissue
Scientific examination provides objective descriptions:
- Fresh brain tissue: A soft, squishy consistency similar to jello. Requires preservation for handling. [Source: Slate.com]
Experiments also utilize models to simulate brain tissue consistency and structure for educational purposes, using hydrogels to create realistic representations. [Source: Journal of Chemical Education]
In summary, while a freshly removed brain feels soft and squishy, like jello, the experience of one's own brain is perceived through its function. This perception manifests differently depending on various conditions and circumstances.
