‘Thinking about the brain’ asks: How do we even begin to contemplate our own thoughts? Thinking about the brain creates a self-referential paradox — we need to use our brain to think about our brain. The brain is in the background of everything we do, from essential respiratory processes to the generation of conscious thought and free choice. It comprises not just the organ in your skull, but the whole nervous system. For instance, reading utilizes muscular movement and retinal photoreceptors, as well as central brain neurons. The brain can store information in short term or long term memory, which must be represented by physical brain changes.