public boolean isValid() {
		//check for valid number of states
		if (brainInstructions.size() > 10000) {
			return false;
		}
		//check that instructions use correct syntax
		int i = 0;
		int j = 0;
		boolean valid = true;
		boolean match = false;
		//iterate through each instruction and check for a match in 
		//the list of valid instruction formats
		while (valid && i < brainInstructions.size()) {
			match = false;
			while (!match && j < syntax.size()) {
				match = brainInstructions.get(i).toLowerCase().matches(syntax.get(j).toLowerCase());
				j++;
			}
			valid = match;
			j = 0;
			i++;
		}
		return valid;
	}