Neuroscience 🔬
A Guide to Pain Relievers: How They Block Signals
Pain relievers, like ibuprofen and paracetamol, work by blocking specific chemical messengers called prostaglandins. These messengers sensitize nerve endings, amplifying pain signals sent to the brain.
Science of Why Unhealthy Relationships Can Be So Addictive
Unhealthy attachments in relationships can be perplexing. Often people form deep attachments even with those who mistreat them or remain unavailable. Understanding the psychological aspects and the science behind these dynamics is crucial to gaining awareness and personal growth.
How Sexual Abuse in Childhood Permanently Damages the Brain
A 2022 study in a South Korean university set out to determine the connection between specific types of childhood abuse and the volume of gray matter in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD). The goal was to understand how childhood abuse could affect the brain as adults.
4 Genes That Increase Suicide Risk
Over 700,000 people die each year by suicide. It is the 4th leading cause of death for those between ages 15 and 29. In an effort to prevent these tragedies, a group of researchers studied genetics as a potential cause.
Why Antidepressants May Not Work
In July of 2022, Professor Joanna Moncrieff with psychiatrists at UCL published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry saying "after a vast amount of research conducted over several decades, there is no convincing evidence that depression is caused by serotonin abnormalities."
101 Intro to "Memes"
Memes - you've heard of them. You've even forwarded them. But do you understand them? In his book The Electric Meme, Robert Aunger transports memes from "Airy-Fairy-Land" to solid ground. He compares memes with genes, explains why the brain is a meme factory, and more👇 @
20th century's greatest SciFi writer on science, luck, and more
Robert Heinlein was one of the most influential Sci-Fi writers of the 20th century. Ray Bradbury, the writer of Fahrenheit 451, said that Heinlein's influence on science fiction "cannot be measured." Here are Heinlein's 9 powerful aphorisms on science, sin, and luck👇
The dark power of the placebo effect
The idea that mental expectations can shape physical outcomes is considered laughable, but it has been scientifically demonstrated in many experiments. Commonly known as the placebo, this effect has a dark side too - the nocebo.
Cocaine's Alchemy on the Brain Unveiled
Cocaine rewires the brain's reward system, hijacking pleasure points and resculpting them into conduits of dependency.
How Music Can Heal Your Brain
Aging brains undergo natural gray matter decline, impacting cognition and memory. Risk of brain atrophy and reduced working memory arises in older adults due to thinning gray matter.
Zombie-Creating Fungi: The Science Behind HBO's The Last of Us
HBO's hit show The Last of Us has a simple scientific premise. In real life, scientists have known for years that certain fungi can take over certain insects and manipulate them into helping the fungus grow - even at the expense of the insect's life.
Study shows just 1-2 alcoholic drinks per day damage your brain
For many years the science has been clear that heavy drinking is associated with many negative outcomes including damaged brain cells. However, in 2022, 36,000 adults in the UK were studied to see if light/moderate drinking had similar effects.
What is aphasia and how is it so debilitating?
After Bruce Willis' unexpected retirement announcement due to being diagnosed with aphasia, it caused many people to wonder what the debilitating condition is and learn about it for the first time. Aphasia is a type of brain damage that can be caused by stroke or head trauma. @
Eight ingredients of genius
Introduction. Hans Eysenck was one of the most cited, most discussed, and most controversial psychologists of the 20th century. His lifelong interest in creativity culminated in his book Genius. Today, discover 8 traits that add up to produce genius in arts, sciences, and more👇
Neuroscience of Love
Love can be seen in various forms, obsession, infatuation, companionship, joy and excitement, deep connection, what appears as a cocktail of potent emotions has a profound impact on our bodies, lives, culture and society since millennia.
How We Misunderstand Dogs And More
Dogs are all around us, and yet they’re not very well-understood. In Great Thinkers on Dogs by Julie Hetch, experts from fields like psychology, animal behavior, and zoology come together to share their insights on our lovable but sometimes mysterious fri
Genetic Breakthrough on Bipolar Disorder
A genetic study conducted by the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard has identified a gene called AKAP11 as a strong risk factor for both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
Neuroplasticity: how to improve it for learning
Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change & reorganize itself throughout a person's life, including in response to new experiences & learning. While plasticity declines with age, research shows it is possible to enhance neuroplasticity and promote better learning outcomes.
How Autism Can Now Be Detected in Infants
Scientist Dr. Devon N. Gangi with a UC Davis MIND Institute research team released a study showing that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) can now be detected in children under 12 months of age using behavioral observations.
Do this to boost your brain health: Dr. Damian Bailey’
There is no current cure for neurogenerative diseases like dementia or Alzheimers. One very powerful way to counter neurodegeneration is through exercise.
9 psychological effects you MUST know
Introduction. The human mind is a complex, mysterious machine. But the machine has an underlying logic - internal rules which have been discovered via ingenious psychological experiments. Discover nine effects that will help you understand yourself and other people better👇 @
Why creative people are also (lowkey) crazy
Introduction. Hans Eysenck, a 20th century psychologist, explores the relationship between creativity and mental illness in his book Genius. He writes: "In Latin there is no linguistic distinction between madness and inspiration." Learn about the link between genius and madness👇
A short history of Neuroscience
1700 B.C: The Edwin Smith Papyrus, is the earliest known medical text human history. The papyrus discusses the brain, the meninges, the spinal cord and cerebrospinal fluid. It contains details of 48 medical cases, including seven that deal directly with the brain.
The reason people act like they’re never going to die
Our brains are wired to view death as something that only happens to other people. According to research at Bar Ilan University in Israel, this is to protect us from existential threats and keep us living in the present.