Tag: neuroscience

Why Keeping New Year’s Resolutions Is All in the Mind: A Neuroscientific Perspective

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As the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, millions around the world set ambitious resolutions to transform their lives. Yet, research shows that most resolutions fail within a few weeks. Why is it so difficult to stick to our goals? Let’s turn to the workings of the brain for some possible answers.

The Burden of Cognitive Load

The prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for decision-making, planning, and self-control, has limited cognitive resources. Think of it as a battery that can be depleted with overuse. Every time we make a decision, resist a temptation, or even remember something trivial, we drain these resources. This phenomenon is known as cognitive load.

When cognitive resources are stretched thin, such as after a long day of work or when juggling multiple tasks, the brain struggles to exert self-control. Stress hormones like cortisol exacerbate this effect. High cortisol levels impair the prefrontal cortex’s function, making it harder to resist temptations or make rational decisions. This is why people often abandon their resolutions in moments of stress or fatigue.

Willpower and the Dopamine Connection

Willpower is not just a matter of grit; it’s deeply rooted in the brain’s reward system. The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a pivotal role in motivation and self-control. Engaging in self-disciplined behavior—such as sticking to a resolution—releases dopamine, which reinforces the behavior and provides a sense of accomplishment.

However, dopamine levels fluctuate based on our physical and emotional state. When we’re tired or stressed, dopamine levels drop, weakening our resolve and making it harder to resist temptations. This is why maintaining energy and managing stress are crucial for sustaining willpower.

Habits: The Brain’s Shortcut

Habits are automated behaviors that bypass the prefrontal cortex, conserving cognitive resources. They rely on established neural pathways in the brain. Forming new habits involves creating and strengthening these pathways, which makes desired behaviors more automatic over time.

For instance, brushing your teeth every morning doesn’t require conscious effort because it’s a well-formed habit. Similarly, turning your resolutions into habits reduces reliance on willpower and increases the likelihood of long-term success.

Practical Strategies for Success

To harness the power of neuroscience in achieving your New Year’s resolutions, consider these strategies:

1. “Exercise” Willpower in Small Ways

Willpower, like a muscle, can be strengthened with practice. Here are some simple ways to build it:

  • Resist the urge to check your phone during a meeting.
  • Complete a challenging task without procrastination.
  • Skip a sugary snack in favor of a healthier option.

Each small victory trains your brain to exert self-control, making it easier to tackle bigger challenges over time.

2. Leverage the Power of Habits

Building habits is key to reducing cognitive load and sustaining resolutions. Try these techniques:

  • Habit stacking: Link a new habit to an existing one. For example, “After I brush my teeth, I will meditate for 5 minutes.”
  • Use cues and triggers: Set up reminders or environmental prompts. For example, place a water bottle on your desk to encourage hydration.

3. Focus on Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation, driven by genuine personal desires, is more sustainable than external rewards. Reflect on why your resolution matters to you. For example:

  • If your goal is to exercise more, focus on how it boosts your mood and energy levels rather than just losing weight.

Engaging in activities that align with your values and bring you joy releases dopamine, reinforcing positive behavior and making it easier to stay motivated.

The “Why” Behind Resolutions

Understanding the underlying motivations for your resolutions can make all the difference. Ask yourself:

  • Are you pursuing this goal because of external pressures or because it aligns with your genuine aspirations?

For example, resolving to eat healthier might stem from a desire to feel more energetic and vibrant rather than societal expectations. Connecting with the deeper “why” increases intrinsic motivation and improves the likelihood of success.

Keeping New Year’s resolutions is not just about willpower; it’s about working with your brain’s natural tendencies. By managing cognitive load, leveraging dopamine, and building habits, you can turn fleeting resolutions into lasting changes. Remember, the path to success lies not in perfection but in persistence. With small, consistent steps, you can rewire your brain and make your goals a reality.

The Neurobiology of Kindness #WorldKindnessDay

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If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change. – The Buddha (c. 563 BCE) 

Look deeply into nature to understand the secrets of the Universe.

Until recently, the task of applying what we know about the brain to the bigger question of personal human experience has been avoided by scientists. However, the emergence of the new discipline of neuroscience – the scientific study of the nervous system—is helping us to bridge this gap by providing new ways to answer such age-old questions as why does kindness exist, and why is it important? To answer these questions we first need to consider an important property of nerve cells (neurons) in the human brain.

What actually is emotion?

Emotion feels so natural and seems so normal, but what if emotion is not there? What if emotion is an emergent phenomenon and only something we experience as macroscopic beings? This might sound strange, but we know that we are sandwiched within the Universe. For example, we do not feel the cosmological expansion that dominates the large scale of the Universe nor do we feel the very small scale where individual atoms inside us collide with our skin. Instead, we have a collective term – temperature – to describe what is happening. Perhaps emotion is the same. This may feel uncomfortable when you ask just where is the ‘you’ and how you feel in all of this.  

Understanding emotion

Perhaps it is best to think of it like this—most of us have come to terms with the fact that we are physically a collection of atoms. We, and our consciousness somehow emerge and we seem to be able to live with this illusion of our being. Maybe all we need to do is the same for how we feel, as we play out our short existence.

Mirror neurons

The discovery of mirror neurons,  a cluster of neurons in the brain that help connect us emotionally to other people, respond sympathetically towards others, and allow us to anticipate others’ intentions, is now believed to be the basis of human empathy. Mirror neurons were first discovered by neuroscientists in the 1990s while recording the activity of neurons in the brain where it was noticed that certain populations of neurons remain silent (observation) and active (imitation) when we watch others perform the same action, hence the name mirror neurons [1,2]. Scientists have extended this finding in the human brain to show that nerve activity in mirror neurons also behaves in the same way when we see another person expressing an emotion, and this nerve activity is not observed in disorders of empathy [3].

Our behaviour mirrors our environment

Each person is a mirror of their environment, which is then in turn mirrored by their own behaviour. This underlies the powerful phenomenon of social contagion – that information, ideas, and behaviours including kindness can spread through networks of people the way that infectious diseases do. For this reason, giving and receiving kindness can have a contagious effect.  Research also shows that optimal learning takes place in an environment that is creative, inclusive, rewarding, and bolstered by firm, healthy boundaries, in an environment that is kind.  Even those in deep distress due to imprisonment, addiction, financial worries, and high anxiety also benefit greatly from an environment that is creative, inclusive and boundaried.

Unkindness

What to do when we encounter unkindness? Behaviours including anxiety, anger, and rudeness can also spread through networks of people the way that infectious diseases do. The antidote to becoming infected with these miserable states is to be aware that every action must be consciously chosen, and not an emotional response.

Kindness is the key to our survival

Why is kindness so important? This question can be answered in the context that every single human being is unique because we each possess a uniquely complex brain, so complex that in all of human history, no two human brains can be identical. This is because the unique combination of about 100 trillion tiny brain connections (synapses) that grow and change throughout life is an ongoing work in progress from conception to death. In this way, each one of us ‘evolves’ as true individuals as we each make our journey through life. Kindness is the green light to keep going. If you are not open to giving and receiving kindness, then you may not be growing. In the same way, humankind will only evolve by making room for each and every individual to express their intellectual and spiritual evolution to the full.  In this way, the evolution of the human race has everything to do with being open to giving and receiving kindness. 

References

[1] Mirror Neurons.  Society for Neuroscience (2013) 

[2] Kraskov A, Dancause N, Quallo MM, Shepherd S and Lemon RN.  (2009) Corticospinal neurons in macaque ventral premotor cortex with mirror properties: A potential mechanism for action suppression? Neuron 64, 922-930.

[3] Corradini A, Antonietti A. (2013) Mirror neurons and their function in cognitively understood empathy. Consciousness and Cognition. 22, 1152–1161.

Harnessing the Power of Neuroplasticity #TrainYour BrainDay

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Ever wonder what makes our brains so remarkable? Neuroplasticity is your brain’s ability to change and adapt throughout your entire life. Your brain is not a static, unchanging organ – it’s more like a dynamic, ever-evolving landscape.  Today, in honour of #TrainYourBrainDay, let’s explore the science behind this process and how we can harness it to improve our cognitive abilities.

How Does Neuroplasticity Work?

Neuroplasticity involves both structural and functional changes in the brain:

  • Structural changes: These involve altering the physical connections between brain cells (neurons). This can happen through:
    • Neurogenesis: The birth of new neurons, primarily in the hippocampus, a region crucial for learning and memory.
    • Synaptic plasticity: Strengthening or weakening existing connections (synapses), making communication between neurons more or less efficient. This can also involve eliminating unused connections (synaptic pruning).
  • Functional changes: These changes affect how different brain regions work together. This can involve:
    • Developing new neural pathways: When you learn a new skill, your brain creates new pathways to process and store that information.
    • Reorganizing existing networks: If one area of the brain is damaged, other areas can sometimes take over its function, as seen in stroke recovery.

Factors that influence neuroplasticity

Several factors can influence how adaptable your brain is:

  • Age: While plasticity is greatest in childhood, it continues throughout life.
  • Genetics: Your genes play a role in how your brain develops and adapts.
  • Environment: A stimulating environment with opportunities for learning and social interaction enhances plasticity.
  • Lifestyle: Factors like sleep, nutrition, stress, and exercise all impact brain health and plasticity.

How Can You Encourage Neuroplasticity?

The great news is that you can actively influence your brain’s plasticity. Here are some ways to encourage it.

  • Embrace lifelong learning: Continually challenge your brain with new skills, languages, and information.
  • Engage in mental exercises: Puzzles, brain games, and critical thinking activities keep your mind sharp.
  • Stay physically active: Exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, promoting neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity.
  • Get enough sleep: Sleep is crucial for consolidating memories and allowing your brain to reorganize.
  • Reduce stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact brain plasticity.

Further Reading

  1. “Neurogenesis in the Adult Human Hippocampus,” Nature Medicine, 1998.
  2. “Physical Exercise and Brain Plasticity,” Brain Sciences, 2020.
  3. “Mindfulness Practices and Brain Structure,” Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 2017.

World Teacher’s Day: What Can Neuroscience Teach Us About Teaching?

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What if we could unlock the secrets of the human brain to revolutionize how we teach and learn?

A new science of learning is emerging, fueled by converging insights from fields like developmental psychology, machine learning, and neuroscience. This field is uncovering the biological, cognitive, and social factors that influence how we learn, paving the way for more effective teaching practices and improved learning outcomes. For instance, we now understand the importance of active learning, where students are engaged and challenged to construct their own knowledge rather than passively absorbing information. We also recognize the powerful role emotions play in learning. Positive emotions enhance learning while negative emotions like stress can hinder it, highlighting the need for supportive and engaging learning environments. Furthermore, this new science emphasizes the importance of personalized learning, recognizing that each student learns in their own unique way.

Optimizing Learning by Targeting Different Memory Systems

Neuroscience has shown us that memory is more complex than we once thought. It’s not just one thing, but a system of different types, each with its own job and connected to different parts of the brain.

Episodic memory is like a mental scrapbook. It helps us remember past experiences, like a fun school trip or a birthday party. Teachers can tap into this by using techniques that emphasize narrative construction, real-world applications, and the establishment of personal connections with the subject matter.

Semantic memory is our storehouse of facts and concepts. It’s how we remember things like state capitals or the rules of gravity. Teachers can help students build this type of memory by using visuals, diagrams, and clear explanations.

Procedural memory is all about skills. It’s how we learn to ride a bike or play an instrument. To get better at these things, we need practice, feedback, and to learn skills step-by-step.

Understanding these different memory systems can really change how we teach. When teachers know which type of memory is involved in a lesson, they can plan activities that make it easier for students to learn, remember, and use information.

The Adolescent Brain: A Period of Continued Development

Contrary to earlier assumptions, brain development is not confined to childhood. The prefrontal cortex, the brain’s executive control center responsible for planning, decision-making, and impulse inhibition, continues to mature well into early adulthood, typically around 20-25 years of age. This protracted developmental trajectory explains why adolescents often grapple with impulse control, risk assessment, and delaying gratification. They may engage in actions without fully considering the consequences, undertake risks without a complete understanding of potential dangers, or encounter difficulties prioritizing long-term goals over immediate rewards.

This understanding holds significant implications for educators. It underscores the necessity for patience and support as adolescents navigate the complexities of this developmental period. By providing structured environments, clear expectations, and opportunities to cultivate self-regulation techniques such as mindfulness or organizational strategies, educators can facilitate the strengthening of the prefrontal cortex and the development of essential life skills.

Neuroeducation: Bridging Neuroscience and Education

For much of recent history, the fields of neuroscience and education operated in distinct domains, with limited interaction between researchers. However, this began to shift in the 1990s with the growing recognition of the brain’s remarkable plasticity—its capacity to reorganize and adapt throughout the lifespan in response to experiences. This discovery, coupled with advancements in neuroimaging techniques, fueled increasing interest in how insights from neuroscience could inform and enhance educational practices, ultimately leading to the emergence of neuroeducation.

Neuroeducation is an interdisciplinary field that strives to bridge the gap between neuroscience and education. It investigates how the brain learns, remembers, and processes information, and applies these findings to develop more effective pedagogical approaches. By understanding the neural mechanisms underlying learning and cognition, educators can create learning environments that optimize brain function and promote deeper understanding. For instance, incorporating movement breaks into lessons can capitalize on the benefits of physical activity for cognitive function, while integrating mindfulness practices can assist students in managing stress and enhancing focus.  

Neuroeducation emphasizes that learning is not a passive process of absorption but rather an active process that induces physical changes in the brain. Every new experience, every acquired skill, every learned fact—all leave their imprint on the brain’s intricate neural networks. This knowledge empowers educators to design learning experiences that leverage the brain’s inherent learning processes. Examples include incorporating spaced repetition into lesson plans to enhance memory consolidation or utilizing storytelling to engage the emotional dimensions of learning.  

The goals of neuroeducation are far-reaching. It aims to improve educational outcomes for all learners, address learning challenges and disabilities such as dyslexia or ADHD, promote creativity and innovation in educational settings, and foster a lifelong love of learning. While a relatively nascent field, neuroeducation holds immense potential to transform educational practices and positively impact learners of all ages.  

Neuroeducation: Integrating Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence in Educational Practice

Augmenting the progress of neuroeducation is the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), which presents transformative potential for educational practices. Imagine AI systems functioning as personalized learning guides, identifying each student’s unique learning style, strengths, and areas for improvement. With this insight, AI can create custom-tailored learning plans, perfectly suited to each student’s needs. AI tutors can then step in, providing real-time support, feedback, and challenges that adapt to the student’s progress—keeping them both engaged and motivated. AI-powered games and simulations also turn learning into an immersive experience, designed to match each student’s pace and interests.

AI is also changing how we assess learning. By analyzing work products like essays or problem-solving exercises, AI can pinpoint areas that need further attention and deliver targeted, constructive feedback. It can even assess a learner’s emotional state and engagement during lessons, enabling teachers to adjust their instructional methods for optimal impact.

Looking ahead, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) could allow our brains to interact directly with computers. This technology could be life-changing for students with disabilities, giving them new ways to control devices and communicate. BCIs could also provide real-time feedback on brain activity during learning, helping students improve their focus and self-regulation.

Despite these exciting possibilities, the integration of AI in neuroeducation comes with significant ethical and practical challenges. Protecting student data must be a top priority, necessitating AI systems that are built with privacy at their core. Equitable access to AI tools is also crucial to prevent exacerbating existing achievement gaps. Furthermore, teachers will need comprehensive training to effectively incorporate AI technologies into their classrooms. Striking a balance between technological innovation and human interaction is essential to maintaining the critical role of educators in fostering well-rounded student development.

Curiosity, interest, joy, and motivation—these are the cornerstones of effective learning. Neuroeducation, with its focus on understanding the brain’s role in learning, combined with AI’s innovative potential, offers a path toward a more personalized, engaging, and inclusive educational future.

Further Reading: What can neuroscience teach us about teaching?

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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Variant definition, splitting and classification as border or ectopic. Credit: Nature Neuroscience (2024)

A new study has revealed brain differences that may explain why humans demonstrate a variety of cognitive abilities and behaviors. The research shows that two forms of individual differences may predict cognitive abilities, explain behavioral differences and even pinpoint biomarkers of brain disease.

A team of neuroscientists has found that so-called superagers maintain memory as they grow older because they do not experience a decline in the integrity of their white brain matter.

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence technique that can effectively estimate an individual’s brain age based on electroencephalogram (EEG) brain scans. The technology could help to make early, regular screening for degenerative brain diseases more accessible.

A simple blood test could allow doctors to determine whether a person may be at higher risk for stroke or cognitive decline during their lifetime, according to a new study.

A brief episode of anger triggered by remembering past experiences may negatively impact the blood vessels’ ability to relax, which is essential for proper blood flow, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Using neuroimaging, researchers have identified a brain network crucial to human consciousness. 

An individual’s experience of pain from medical treatment can be heightened by witnessing other people’s responses to the same treatment, with this negative experience subsequently spreading to others, scientists have discovered.

Listening to music benefits older adults’ cognitive health, even if it’s music they haven’t heard before or don’t enjoy very much, according to a new study.

Researchers have found a way to better control the preclinical generation of key neurons depleted in Parkinson’s disease, pointing toward a new approach for a disease with no cure and few effective treatments.

An international research team led by Karolinska Institutet has mapped the early genetic development of the brain and can now present an atlas of embryonic development between weeks 6 and 13.

Researchers have identified a key mechanism in brain stem cells that prevents identity conflicts during gene expression. This mechanism allows the cells to retain stemness while being primed for neuronal differentiation. The discovery includes finding that keeping neuronal gene messengers within the nucleus, while allowing stem cell gene messengers to be translated, avoids premature differentiation.

A new study demonstrates the potential of virtual reality in treating major depressive disorder.

Exercise prompts muscles to release molecular cargo that boosts brain cell function and connection, but the process is not well understood. Now new research has found that the nerves that tell muscles to move also prompt them to release more of the brain-boosting factors.

A pattern of brain activity that helps prevent us from getting lost has been identified in a new study, published in Nature Human Behaviour.

A new study highlights a novel mechanism of brain plasticity involving chondroitin sulfate clusters outside nerve cells. Researchers identified these cartilage-like structures as crucial for the brain’s ability to adapt and store information.

Finally this week, a new computer model may have cracked the code on helpful memory cues.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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Credit: eLife (2024)

Exposure to higher levels of light can help people feel more awake and increase cognitive performance, probably by influencing the activity of parts of a brain region called the hypothalamus, according to new research.

Researchers have developed a new tool to better understand how chemicals like dopamine and epinephrine interact with neurons.

Bursts of brain rhythms with “beta” frequencies control where and when neurons in the cortex process sensory information and plan responses. Studying these bursts would improve understanding of cognition and clinical disorders, researchers argue in a new review.

Why do we move slower the older we get? A new study delivers answers.

People with a history of cognitively stimulating occupations during their 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s had a lower risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia after age 70, according to a new study. The findings highlight the importance of cognitive stimulation during midlife for maintaining cognitive function in old age.

An inpatient, epilepsy-related rehabilitation program shows lasting effects on several aspects of adaptation to epilepsy and quality of life, according to a study published in the journal Epilepsia.

A recent study reveals that high body mass index (BMI) is associated with changes in physiological brain pulsations. These pulsations play a crucial role in maintaining brain fluid circulation and the clearance of metabolic waste from the brain.

Researchers have discovered that a high single dose of dietary supplement creatine can temporarily improve cognitive performance that is reduced by sleep deprivation.

Engaging in conversation with others can activate various brain functions in socially isolated older adults, even if the interactions occur via the internet. This finding comes from a recent clinical trial conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital, with the results published in The Gerontologist.

A new study suggests a common brain network exists between heart rate deceleration and depression.

Neuroscientists have revealed that recency bias in working memory naturally leads to central tendency bias, the phenomenon where people’s (and animals’) judgements are biased towards the average of previous observations. Their findings may hint at why the phenomenon is so ubiquitous.

A new study has found that a brain network condition called “explosive synchronization” could be the cause of extreme pain crises in people with sickle cell disease.

Researchers have developed tiny, flexible devices that can wrap around individual nerve fibers without damaging them. These devices could be used for the diagnosis and treatment of a range of disorders, including epilepsy and chronic pain, or the control of prosthetic limbs.

Scientists have discovered the mechanism that allows adult brain stem cells to express genes that maintain their identity and those for neuronal differentiation without conflicts in cellular activity.

A new study aims to examine the role of napping in brain development among infants and preschoolers. By tracking changes in the hippocampus, the research aims to prove how critical naps are for memory retention and brain growth in young children.

Finally this week, neuroscientists have confirmed that different strategies are employed when choosing between primary and secondary rewards, with impulsivity being a key factor.

Decoding Social Behaviour: The Neurotransmitter Perspective

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This video examines the vital role of dopamine and serotonin in influencing our social behavior, featuring a groundbreaking study with Parkinson’s disease patients undergoing awake brain surgery.

Directed by computational neuroscientist Read Montague and a global team, the study reveals the complex interplay of neurotransmitters that shape our decision-making in social situations. By studying the role of dopamine and serotonin, we can gain a deeper understanding of the biochemical processes that influence our social behavior.

The insights gained from this study could lead to advancements in the treatment of neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. For instance, understanding how these neurotransmitters affect decision-making could help in developing more targeted therapies.

The research could also have significant implications for psychiatric conditions. Many psychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, are linked to imbalances in neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. A better understanding of these processes could lead to improved treatments.

Weekly Neuroscience Update

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Vertex-wise comparisons between ADHD (N = 60) and controls (N = 23), and between ADHD responders (N = 42) and non-responders (N = 18). Credit: Nature Mental Health (2024).

New research has found that the effectiveness of ADHD medication may be associated with an individual’s neuroanatomy.

Although there are still some aspects pending confirmation for its use in the clinical setting, and its resolution needs to be improved slightly, a new study has shown that a method routinely used to carry out ophthalmological tests can also be used to monitor the neurodegeneration that occurs in Parkinson’s patients.

Scientists have uncovered a mechanism in the brain that allows cocaine and morphine to take over natural reward processing systems.

New research has identified a specific pattern of autoantibodies in the blood that precedes the clinical onset of multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially paving the way for early diagnosis and treatment. Their study found that 10% of MS patients displayed a unique set of autoantibodies against both human proteins and common pathogens like the Epstein-Barr Virus years before showing symptoms.

Researchers have identified a promising new approach to treating persistent neurological symptoms associated with Lyme disease.

A new study investigates why everyday actions like locking a door are often forgotten. The study revealed that while emotionally charged or unique events are initially memorable, even these can fade within 24 hours, particularly positive experiences. This research provides insight into the selective nature of memory and suggests that our brains prioritize and even forget information to manage cognitive load.

Managing a stroke patient’s blood sugar levels after they receive powerful clot-busting drugs might help them survive their health crisis, a new trial finds.

Researchers have created a thin film that combines an electrode grid and LEDs that can both track and produce a visual representation of the brain’s activity in real time during surgery. The device is designed to provide neurosurgeons with visual information about a patient’s brain to monitor brain states during surgical interventions to remove brain lesions including tumors and epileptic tissue.

A new study identifies a new metric for diagnosing autism.

New research has found a significant association between participating in low to moderate intensity exercise and reduced rates of depression.  However, this was not strongly observed for high-intensity exercise. Physical activity was also significantly associated with reduced risk of severe mental health conditions, including a reduction in psychosis/schizophrenia by 27%.

An international collaborative research team has discovered a novel mechanism underlying memory involving rapid changes in a specific DNA structure.

People who take acid-reducing drugs may have a higher risk of migraine and other severe headache than people who do not take these medications, according to a study published in the online issue of Neurology Clinical Practice. 

Finally this week, new research has highlighted the profound link between dietary choices and brain health.

Inside The Meditative Brain

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This video delves into a groundbreaking study revealing how experienced meditators can voluntarily enter states of deep unconsciousness and reawaken with heightened mental clarity.

These states are sometimes called “cessations” or “nirvana with remainder” in Buddhist terminology. Cessation refers to the temporary suspension of the ordinary flow of consciousness. It is considered a deep state of tranquility where the usual mental activities come to a temporary halt. This is often described as a profound stillness or emptiness.

After experiencing cessation, practitioners often report a profound sense of clarity, heightened awareness, and a deep understanding of the nature of the mind and reality. This clarity is said to result from the temporary suspension of normal cognitive processes, allowing for a direct, unmediated perception of reality.