Mixing
Adrenaline-fueled cognition
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
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So, I'm currently toying around with the idea of a hypercarnivorous sapient race on a planet in my universe, and I'd like to make them scary, but without abiding only by the "rule of cool". (Also note that the science, especially biology, involved in building this world is more important, to me, than the story)
A recent idea of mine regarding these sophonts is to have increased adrenaline (or an alien analogue of adrenaline) production dramatically speed up the transmission of signals inside the brain, and therefore (If I assume correctly), increase the creature's intelligence.
So, my question is: could an increase in adrenaline production cause a wholly noticeable change in the perceived "intelligence" of a species, and if so, how would this work? When I say "intelligence", I'm not really obeying any strict scientific definition; what I mean is that the creature would seem more intelligent in its behavior.
If I recall correctly, during intense moments (such as car crashes), and therefore times when you'd get an adrenaline rush, you take in much more details about the environment. Obviously, the sensory feedback would have to be processed, so perhaps something analogous to this does occur in reality; however, I'm looking for a noticeable difference, perhaps even as drastic as a chimpanzee suddenly thinking like a human.
I'm not (currently) asking if this kind of system could evolve naturally, but that's something I'll definitely be looking into in a future question.
science-based biology xenobiology brain
asked 1 hour ago
SealBoi
4,4051750
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
So, I'm currently toying around with the idea of a hypercarnivorous sapient race on a planet in my universe, and I'd like to make them scary, but without abiding only by the "rule of cool". (Also note that the science, especially biology, involved in building this world is more important, to me, than the story)
A recent idea of mine regarding these sophonts is to have increased adrenaline (or an alien analogue of adrenaline) production dramatically speed up the transmission of signals inside the brain, and therefore (If I assume correctly), increase the creature's intelligence.
So, my question is: could an increase in adrenaline production cause a wholly noticeable change in the perceived "intelligence" of a species, and if so, how would this work? When I say "intelligence", I'm not really obeying any strict scientific definition; what I mean is that the creature would seem more intelligent in its behavior.
If I recall correctly, during intense moments (such as car crashes), and therefore times when you'd get an adrenaline rush, you take in much more details about the environment. Obviously, the sensory feedback would have to be processed, so perhaps something analogous to this does occur in reality; however, I'm looking for a noticeable difference, perhaps even as drastic as a chimpanzee suddenly thinking like a human.
I'm not (currently) asking if this kind of system could evolve naturally, but that's something I'll definitely be looking into in a future question.
science-based biology xenobiology brain
asked 1 hour ago
SealBoi
4,4051750
2
What you're really asking, I think, is whether the "car crash rush" can be extended for many minutes, and encompass cognition as well as awareness. Correct?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
@RonJohn A good summary.
– SealBoi
1 hour ago
Since you aren't asking for a strict scientific definition of intelligence, can you just assert that this alien adrenaline makes these carnivores seem more intelligent for X amount of time?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
So, I'm currently toying around with the idea of a hypercarnivorous sapient race on a planet in my universe, and I'd like to make them scary, but without abiding only by the "rule of cool". (Also note that the science, especially biology, involved in building this world is more important, to me, than the story)
A recent idea of mine regarding these sophonts is to have increased adrenaline (or an alien analogue of adrenaline) production dramatically speed up the transmission of signals inside the brain, and therefore (If I assume correctly), increase the creature's intelligence.
So, my question is: could an increase in adrenaline production cause a wholly noticeable change in the perceived "intelligence" of a species, and if so, how would this work? When I say "intelligence", I'm not really obeying any strict scientific definition; what I mean is that the creature would seem more intelligent in its behavior.
If I recall correctly, during intense moments (such as car crashes), and therefore times when you'd get an adrenaline rush, you take in much more details about the environment. Obviously, the sensory feedback would have to be processed, so perhaps something analogous to this does occur in reality; however, I'm looking for a noticeable difference, perhaps even as drastic as a chimpanzee suddenly thinking like a human.
I'm not (currently) asking if this kind of system could evolve naturally, but that's something I'll definitely be looking into in a future question.
science-based biology xenobiology brain
asked 1 hour ago
SealBoi
4,4051750
So, I'm currently toying around with the idea of a hypercarnivorous sapient race on a planet in my universe, and I'd like to make them scary, but without abiding only by the "rule of cool". (Also note that the science, especially biology, involved in building this world is more important, to me, than the story)
A recent idea of mine regarding these sophonts is to have increased adrenaline (or an alien analogue of adrenaline) production dramatically speed up the transmission of signals inside the brain, and therefore (If I assume correctly), increase the creature's intelligence.
So, my question is: could an increase in adrenaline production cause a wholly noticeable change in the perceived "intelligence" of a species, and if so, how would this work? When I say "intelligence", I'm not really obeying any strict scientific definition; what I mean is that the creature would seem more intelligent in its behavior.
If I recall correctly, during intense moments (such as car crashes), and therefore times when you'd get an adrenaline rush, you take in much more details about the environment. Obviously, the sensory feedback would have to be processed, so perhaps something analogous to this does occur in reality; however, I'm looking for a noticeable difference, perhaps even as drastic as a chimpanzee suddenly thinking like a human.
I'm not (currently) asking if this kind of system could evolve naturally, but that's something I'll definitely be looking into in a future question.
science-based biology xenobiology brain
science-based biology xenobiology brain
asked 1 hour ago
SealBoi
4,4051750
asked 1 hour ago
SealBoi
4,4051750
asked 1 hour ago
SealBoi
4,4051750
asked 1 hour ago
SealBoi
4,4051750
asked 1 hour ago
SealBoi
4,4051750
4,4051750
2
What you're really asking, I think, is whether the "car crash rush" can be extended for many minutes, and encompass cognition as well as awareness. Correct?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
@RonJohn A good summary.
– SealBoi
1 hour ago
Since you aren't asking for a strict scientific definition of intelligence, can you just assert that this alien adrenaline makes these carnivores seem more intelligent for X amount of time?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
2
What you're really asking, I think, is whether the "car crash rush" can be extended for many minutes, and encompass cognition as well as awareness. Correct?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
@RonJohn A good summary.
– SealBoi
1 hour ago
Since you aren't asking for a strict scientific definition of intelligence, can you just assert that this alien adrenaline makes these carnivores seem more intelligent for X amount of time?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
2
2
What you're really asking, I think, is whether the "car crash rush" can be extended for many minutes, and encompass cognition as well as awareness. Correct?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
What you're really asking, I think, is whether the "car crash rush" can be extended for many minutes, and encompass cognition as well as awareness. Correct?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
@RonJohn A good summary.
– SealBoi
1 hour ago
@RonJohn A good summary.
– SealBoi
1 hour ago
Since you aren't asking for a strict scientific definition of intelligence, can you just assert that this alien adrenaline makes these carnivores seem more intelligent for X amount of time?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
Since you aren't asking for a strict scientific definition of intelligence, can you just assert that this alien adrenaline makes these carnivores seem more intelligent for X amount of time?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Adrenaline does help the brain function, but it is more about faster reactions (i.e. faster information processing), not about improving reasoning capacity.
Moreover, adrenaline triggers fight-or-flight mode in the brain, which is not exactly helpful for things like developing new tools, or planning hunting strategy, since they require calm and slow thinking. Still, adrenaline can help a creature find a crafty way to escape, or attack a vulnerable spot.
Moreover, adrenaline turbo-charges entire body, and continuous elevated level of adrenaline will wear it out. Kind of like how Nitrox makes a car go faster, but wears out the engine.
edited 53 mins ago
Frostfyre
17.5k962123
answered 1 hour ago
Bald Bear
3,878514
You beat me to it! Here is the paper I was about to use as the basis for an answer for part 1. Specifically, the "Perceptual Distortions" section
– Punintended
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would expect the exact opposite to occur, actually.
If you think about what the purpose of such a neurotransmitter would be, its job is to help you operate in environments where rapid decisions and adaptation is vital. This is the opposite of what we want for intelligent thinking, where we want time to mull over complex interactions.
If you wanted a creature to appear to be more intelligent in these adrenaline-pumping situations, make the creature hide its intelligence. Make it even more intelligent than it appears, but have it intentionally hide that intelligence. Then, in adrenaline-governed situations, it falls back on these intelligently created mental structures to make decisions. This would make it appear to be less intelligent in normal situations (when, in fact, it was far more intelligent), but in rapid shifting environments it reveals its intelligence. This makes it appear more intelligent in these adrenaline-junkie situations, when, in fact, it was actually less intelligent in them.
The effect would be like playing a Chess game calmly until move 24, in a position that looks dead drawn, when things suddenly get exciting and they make rapid moves, responding to you almost as fast as you can move the pieces. By move 30, you're in checkmate. It looks like they got smarter when they started moving faster. In reality, they had already checkmated you by move 24 (or perhaps even move 20), you just didn't know it.
answered 52 mins ago
Cort Ammon
100k15177358
add a comment |Â
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Adrenaline does help the brain function, but it is more about faster reactions (i.e. faster information processing), not about improving reasoning capacity.
Moreover, adrenaline triggers fight-or-flight mode in the brain, which is not exactly helpful for things like developing new tools, or planning hunting strategy, since they require calm and slow thinking. Still, adrenaline can help a creature find a crafty way to escape, or attack a vulnerable spot.
Moreover, adrenaline turbo-charges entire body, and continuous elevated level of adrenaline will wear it out. Kind of like how Nitrox makes a car go faster, but wears out the engine.
edited 53 mins ago
Frostfyre
17.5k962123
answered 1 hour ago
Bald Bear
3,878514
You beat me to it! Here is the paper I was about to use as the basis for an answer for part 1. Specifically, the "Perceptual Distortions" section
– Punintended
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Adrenaline does help the brain function, but it is more about faster reactions (i.e. faster information processing), not about improving reasoning capacity.
Moreover, adrenaline triggers fight-or-flight mode in the brain, which is not exactly helpful for things like developing new tools, or planning hunting strategy, since they require calm and slow thinking. Still, adrenaline can help a creature find a crafty way to escape, or attack a vulnerable spot.
Moreover, adrenaline turbo-charges entire body, and continuous elevated level of adrenaline will wear it out. Kind of like how Nitrox makes a car go faster, but wears out the engine.
edited 53 mins ago
Frostfyre
17.5k962123
answered 1 hour ago
Bald Bear
3,878514
You beat me to it! Here is the paper I was about to use as the basis for an answer for part 1. Specifically, the "Perceptual Distortions" section
– Punintended
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Adrenaline does help the brain function, but it is more about faster reactions (i.e. faster information processing), not about improving reasoning capacity.
Moreover, adrenaline triggers fight-or-flight mode in the brain, which is not exactly helpful for things like developing new tools, or planning hunting strategy, since they require calm and slow thinking. Still, adrenaline can help a creature find a crafty way to escape, or attack a vulnerable spot.
Moreover, adrenaline turbo-charges entire body, and continuous elevated level of adrenaline will wear it out. Kind of like how Nitrox makes a car go faster, but wears out the engine.
edited 53 mins ago
Frostfyre
17.5k962123
answered 1 hour ago
Bald Bear
3,878514
Adrenaline does help the brain function, but it is more about faster reactions (i.e. faster information processing), not about improving reasoning capacity.
Moreover, adrenaline triggers fight-or-flight mode in the brain, which is not exactly helpful for things like developing new tools, or planning hunting strategy, since they require calm and slow thinking. Still, adrenaline can help a creature find a crafty way to escape, or attack a vulnerable spot.
Moreover, adrenaline turbo-charges entire body, and continuous elevated level of adrenaline will wear it out. Kind of like how Nitrox makes a car go faster, but wears out the engine.
edited 53 mins ago
Frostfyre
17.5k962123
answered 1 hour ago
Bald Bear
3,878514
edited 53 mins ago
Frostfyre
17.5k962123
edited 53 mins ago
Frostfyre
17.5k962123
edited 53 mins ago
Frostfyre
17.5k962123
17.5k962123
answered 1 hour ago
Bald Bear
3,878514
answered 1 hour ago
Bald Bear
3,878514
answered 1 hour ago
Bald Bear
3,878514
3,878514
You beat me to it! Here is the paper I was about to use as the basis for an answer for part 1. Specifically, the "Perceptual Distortions" section
– Punintended
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
You beat me to it! Here is the paper I was about to use as the basis for an answer for part 1. Specifically, the "Perceptual Distortions" section
– Punintended
1 hour ago
You beat me to it! Here is the paper I was about to use as the basis for an answer for part 1. Specifically, the "Perceptual Distortions" section
– Punintended
1 hour ago
You beat me to it! Here is the paper I was about to use as the basis for an answer for part 1. Specifically, the "Perceptual Distortions" section
– Punintended
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would expect the exact opposite to occur, actually.
If you think about what the purpose of such a neurotransmitter would be, its job is to help you operate in environments where rapid decisions and adaptation is vital. This is the opposite of what we want for intelligent thinking, where we want time to mull over complex interactions.
If you wanted a creature to appear to be more intelligent in these adrenaline-pumping situations, make the creature hide its intelligence. Make it even more intelligent than it appears, but have it intentionally hide that intelligence. Then, in adrenaline-governed situations, it falls back on these intelligently created mental structures to make decisions. This would make it appear to be less intelligent in normal situations (when, in fact, it was far more intelligent), but in rapid shifting environments it reveals its intelligence. This makes it appear more intelligent in these adrenaline-junkie situations, when, in fact, it was actually less intelligent in them.
The effect would be like playing a Chess game calmly until move 24, in a position that looks dead drawn, when things suddenly get exciting and they make rapid moves, responding to you almost as fast as you can move the pieces. By move 30, you're in checkmate. It looks like they got smarter when they started moving faster. In reality, they had already checkmated you by move 24 (or perhaps even move 20), you just didn't know it.
answered 52 mins ago
Cort Ammon
100k15177358
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I would expect the exact opposite to occur, actually.
If you think about what the purpose of such a neurotransmitter would be, its job is to help you operate in environments where rapid decisions and adaptation is vital. This is the opposite of what we want for intelligent thinking, where we want time to mull over complex interactions.
If you wanted a creature to appear to be more intelligent in these adrenaline-pumping situations, make the creature hide its intelligence. Make it even more intelligent than it appears, but have it intentionally hide that intelligence. Then, in adrenaline-governed situations, it falls back on these intelligently created mental structures to make decisions. This would make it appear to be less intelligent in normal situations (when, in fact, it was far more intelligent), but in rapid shifting environments it reveals its intelligence. This makes it appear more intelligent in these adrenaline-junkie situations, when, in fact, it was actually less intelligent in them.
The effect would be like playing a Chess game calmly until move 24, in a position that looks dead drawn, when things suddenly get exciting and they make rapid moves, responding to you almost as fast as you can move the pieces. By move 30, you're in checkmate. It looks like they got smarter when they started moving faster. In reality, they had already checkmated you by move 24 (or perhaps even move 20), you just didn't know it.
answered 52 mins ago
Cort Ammon
100k15177358
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I would expect the exact opposite to occur, actually.
If you think about what the purpose of such a neurotransmitter would be, its job is to help you operate in environments where rapid decisions and adaptation is vital. This is the opposite of what we want for intelligent thinking, where we want time to mull over complex interactions.
If you wanted a creature to appear to be more intelligent in these adrenaline-pumping situations, make the creature hide its intelligence. Make it even more intelligent than it appears, but have it intentionally hide that intelligence. Then, in adrenaline-governed situations, it falls back on these intelligently created mental structures to make decisions. This would make it appear to be less intelligent in normal situations (when, in fact, it was far more intelligent), but in rapid shifting environments it reveals its intelligence. This makes it appear more intelligent in these adrenaline-junkie situations, when, in fact, it was actually less intelligent in them.
The effect would be like playing a Chess game calmly until move 24, in a position that looks dead drawn, when things suddenly get exciting and they make rapid moves, responding to you almost as fast as you can move the pieces. By move 30, you're in checkmate. It looks like they got smarter when they started moving faster. In reality, they had already checkmated you by move 24 (or perhaps even move 20), you just didn't know it.
answered 52 mins ago
Cort Ammon
100k15177358
I would expect the exact opposite to occur, actually.
If you think about what the purpose of such a neurotransmitter would be, its job is to help you operate in environments where rapid decisions and adaptation is vital. This is the opposite of what we want for intelligent thinking, where we want time to mull over complex interactions.
If you wanted a creature to appear to be more intelligent in these adrenaline-pumping situations, make the creature hide its intelligence. Make it even more intelligent than it appears, but have it intentionally hide that intelligence. Then, in adrenaline-governed situations, it falls back on these intelligently created mental structures to make decisions. This would make it appear to be less intelligent in normal situations (when, in fact, it was far more intelligent), but in rapid shifting environments it reveals its intelligence. This makes it appear more intelligent in these adrenaline-junkie situations, when, in fact, it was actually less intelligent in them.
The effect would be like playing a Chess game calmly until move 24, in a position that looks dead drawn, when things suddenly get exciting and they make rapid moves, responding to you almost as fast as you can move the pieces. By move 30, you're in checkmate. It looks like they got smarter when they started moving faster. In reality, they had already checkmated you by move 24 (or perhaps even move 20), you just didn't know it.
answered 52 mins ago
Cort Ammon
100k15177358
answered 52 mins ago
Cort Ammon
100k15177358
answered 52 mins ago
Cort Ammon
100k15177358
answered 52 mins ago
Cort Ammon
100k15177358
100k15177358
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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2
What you're really asking, I think, is whether the "car crash rush" can be extended for many minutes, and encompass cognition as well as awareness. Correct?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago
@RonJohn A good summary.
– SealBoi
1 hour ago
Since you aren't asking for a strict scientific definition of intelligence, can you just assert that this alien adrenaline makes these carnivores seem more intelligent for X amount of time?
– RonJohn
1 hour ago