Being excluded hurts. Whether it’s being the last pick for dodgeball in recess or missing an important social gathering, being left out can cause substantial emotional pain. But what can you do about it? It’s just part of life, right? That answer wasn’t good enough for Dr. Paolo Riva and his colleagues at the University […]
Archives for January 2013
Why Optimism Is Good for Your Brain
Focusing on positive experiences is a reflex for some, but it’s a skill that all of us would be wise to adopt. Because not only can it be just plain enjoyable to mentally relive good experiences, it can actually rewire your brain. New findings keep showing us that everything we do affects our brain. But […]
Brain Science and Meditation: How to Improve the Brain
Stress is no joke. Aside from the sleepless nights and lots of tension, stress can also have a range of negative health effects. So how do you reduce stress? A team of researchers at the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine started looking for answers. They gathered 18 patients who had received diagnoses of breast […]
Everyday Neuroplasticity – Can Simply Paying Attention Change Our Brain?
It’s brain science – not rocket science. Although they’re built from complex mixtures of chemicals and nerve cells, our brains aren’t that difficult to change. Our everyday habits, interactions with other people, and even our diets can potentially rewire the brain. In fact, just by focusing on the words on this site, you could be […]
Can empathy change the brain’s response to pain?
As a psychologist, empathy is obviously important. When people feel like they’re getting compassion and understanding, they are much more likely to make the changes that up until now have felt all too scary. But can empathy change our experience of pain? Does it have any impact upon how the brain responds to pain? Researchers […]