As many parents like to advise, “Do as I say, not as I do.” This seems pretty simple, but the brain actually works directly against this expression — we are all wired to mimic what we observe. Mirror neurons are brain cells that fire in identical patterns when watching a behavior and performing that behavior. […]
Mirror, mirror, in the brain Read More »
The brain is constantly processing stimuli from our surroundings — sights, smells, sounds, and more — through organized structures designed particularly for their specific function. But what happens when the brain is at rest? When focus is not directed at a specific task or stimuli, the brain does not just shut down. Instead, it diverts
Decoding the DMN: The brain’s mysterious “resting-state” network Read More »
Dismissed and criminalized for decades, psychedelics were thought to offer nothing beyond mind-bending hallucinations. However, as times change, scientists are beginning to re-explore the medicinal benefits of psychedelics for treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Research has shown that drugs such as psilocybin and MDMA can be effective for treating a range of psychiatric conditions, including depression,
Four years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic stole millions of childhoods. Scientists raised concerns about the pandemic’s effects on development, education, and socialization, but the outcomes remain vastly evasive. Now, a new study has revealed that the adolescent brain experienced unusually fast maturation during lockdown — particularly in females. “Female brains aged significantly faster than male
Watching swarms of tiny insects dive into burning fires can be fascinating, but what drives them to this fiery death? From the first man-made fire to modern light fixtures, artificial illumination has drawn insects in, often to their deaths. Until now, it has been widely theorized that insects are attracted to light, even when it
Like a moth to a flame: Why insects are attracted to light Read More »