A new wave of neuroscience research likens the workings of the human brain to the mesmerizing murmurations of starlings—those vast flocks in which thousands of birds seem to move as one, creating shifting, coordinated patterns across the sky. In the same way, researchers are increasingly arguing that mental functions—such as emotions, thoughts, and actions—emerge not from isolated brain regions working alone, but from the ever-changing cooperation of vast interconnected neural networks. This “entangled brain” perspective challenges long-standing ideas about the modularity of the mind and suggests fresh approaches to understanding everything from learning and creativity to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression (aeon.co).
Why does this matter for Thai readers? For decades, both neuroscience textbooks and public understanding held that the brain could be divided into dedicated compartments—one area for vision, another for movement, another for emotion, and so on. This “modular” vision has shaped everything from how Thai physicians assess brain injuries to the structure of psychology curricula in Thai universities, and even public ideas about “left-” and “right-brain” personalities. But the most current research, including dynamical imaging studies and groundbreaking theoretical work, now points toward a far more interconnected and flexible brain architecture—a finding with wide-ranging educational, medical, and cultural implications in Thailand and beyond.
The biological roots of the modular theory stretch back to the early 20th-century work of European neuroscientists such as the Vogts and Brodmann, whose maps of the cerebral cortex subdivided the brain based on cellular architecture. For years, Brodmann’s famous “areas” have remained in textbooks and lectures from Bangkok to Berlin, essentially ascribed to particular functions: visual cortex in the back, motor cortex in the front, and so on (Wikipedia). However, as the current essay by neuroscientist Luiz Pessoa explains, new technologies such as fMRI enable researchers to observe the brain in action, revealing that groups of neurons in different regions fire together during specific tasks. These patterns change fluidly with what a person is thinking or feeling, much like the starling murmuration’s constantly changing shape. “It’s not about a fixed map but about dynamic, context-dependent coalitions,” Pessoa writes.
Central to the entangled brain theory is the concept of “emergence”—the idea that complex phenomena arise from simple interactions without any region or individual dictating the outcome. Just as no single starling leads a flock, no single neuronal group exclusively controls a function. Signals sweep across densely interconnected highways linking various brain regions and subregions; any given mental experience—be it a memory, a movement, or an emotion—depends not on a single node, but a shifting, context-driven ensemble of regions working in tandem (aeon.co).
Recent studies, including work on the brain’s “salience network,” show these assemblies span far-flung parts of the cortex and deep subcortical regions, constantly assembling and reassembling based on current needs (PubMed). For example, networks responsible for attention or emotional salience may consist of entirely different combinations of regions when triggered by hunger, stress, or social interaction—emphasizing the brain’s adaptability and resilience. According to Pessoa, this explains why it’s nearly impossible to assign a single “cause” for many mental disorders. Instead, conditions like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or depression emerge from disturbances rippling across multiple interconnected brain circuits, not just from an overactive amygdala or one faulty transmitter system.
Health professionals in Thailand are beginning to take note. A leading neurologist at a prominent Bangkok hospital recently described the “entangled brain” theory as “a paradigm shift that will affect everything from how we diagnose to how we design rehabilitation programs.” According to a senior researcher at a Thai neuroscience institute, “Traditional thinking led us to treat stroke and traumatic brain injury according to which region was damaged. But with the network view, we now know that rehabilitation should engage whole-brain activities—music therapy, group problem-solving, and mindfulness—not just isolated exercises. This matches with practices already favored in traditional Thai holistic healing approaches, which recognize the interdependence of mind, body, and community.”
Such a shift in perspective resonates with Thailand’s own medical and cultural traditions. Buddhist teachings, widely practiced across the country, emphasize the interconnectedness of all phenomena and the importance of context in shaping thoughts and feelings. Just as a murmuration arises from simultaneous local interactions, so too does mindfulness training encourage individuals to observe the changing, interconnected nature of thoughts, rather than seeing them as fixed attributes or personality flaws. This scientific narrative may therefore serve to bridge Western neuroscience and Eastern philosophy, suggesting fruitful new approaches for mental health treatment in Thailand.
In Thai education, the “entangled brain” model could help overhaul how learning and intelligence are understood. Today’s curricula, both in mainstream schools and elite universities, often split “academic” and “creative” skills, or prioritize rote memorization over dynamic problem-solving. Understanding that the brain functions as a flexible, interactive network could inspire new forms of teaching—moving away from compartmentalized lessons (“math brain,” “art brain”) toward collaborative, multidisciplinary projects and real-life challenges that engage whole-brain networks. A Thai neuroscience educator recently remarked, “We can now teach students that intelligence isn’t just about being good at one thing, but about the brain’s capacity to assemble networks that adapt to new situations—much like the starlings.”
This dynamic paradigm also helps explain why mental illnesses are so difficult to treat with “one-size-fits-all” solutions. Thai psychiatrists increasingly observe the limitations of focusing treatments on individual neurotransmitters or isolated brain regions. Brain imaging studies conducted at a Thai university hospital show that many psychiatric symptoms reflect malfunctions across multiple circuits, varying from person to person and moment to moment. “The network model may help us personalize treatments—combining talk therapy, exercise, traditional Thai herbal medicine, and social support—to address the individual’s shifting needs,” notes a psychiatrist working on integrative treatments.
From a public health perspective, this research encourages Thai readers to move away from simplistic views of mental health and illness. It cautions against the search for “magic bullet” explanations or cures, and instead recognizes that human minds and experiences are far more intricate and context-dependent than previously assumed. Such ideas may also guide government policies, encouraging greater investment in prevention, holistic care, and community-based supports that strengthen the social “networks” so important in Thai villages and urban communities.
Looking ahead, the future impact of the entangled brain model could be profound—not only for neurology and psychiatry, but also for artificial intelligence and social policy. Thai scientists and policymakers may find inspiration in international efforts to develop “network-based” AI, or to use social network theory to model everything from disease outbreaks to school performance. Thai biomedical engineers are already collaborating with global teams to map the Thai connectome—the vast web of brain connections unique to the nation’s population and genetic background. Such research could lead to new diagnostic technologies or culturally tailored interventions that reflect the unique patterning of Thai brains and minds.
Of course, this evolving perspective on the brain can itself be a source of wonder for all readers. The starling murmuration metaphor reminds us that our mental lives are not rigidly pre-destined by the function or structure of one particular brain region. Instead, each experience is a “flight” composed from countless, shifting interactions across the vast landscape of the brain—a living system attuned to its context, its body, and its environment.
For everyday Thai readers, the practical takeaway is to resist oversimplification—whether in self-diagnosis, judgments about others’ abilities, or popular science news. Instead, nurture habits that support flexible, context-sensitive thinking: maintain strong social connections; practice mindfulness or meditation; engage in varied, whole-brain activities such as music, art, and exercise; and consult medical and educational professionals who see health and intelligence as dynamic, adaptive processes rather than static traits.
For further reading, see resources at Aeon, Wikipedia: Emergence, and current neuroscience research via PubMed.