When someone’s frowning, or beaming, or gaping in surprise, they’re wearing their heart on their face. That’s because the muscles that control facial expression are linked to the smart vagus, says Stephen Porges, PhD. Thanks to the vagus nerve, the emotions we feel are displayed on our faces and in the sound of our voices. […]
The brain science of fear: Scaring the "fearless"?
Ever known someone who was totally fearless? Justin Feinstein, a clinical neuropsychologist at the University of Iowa, studied a woman who never felt fear. This woman had Urbach-Wiethe disease, a condition that causes the amygdala to calcify – it hardens and shrivels up. Now, we know that the amygdala is responsible for processing stimuli related […]
Rewiring the brain for health – with computers?
You’ve probably heard of the benefits of “brain training” as we age. Whether it’s simple puzzles like crossword or sudoku, or a more involved intellectual hobby, lots of people want to do whatever we can. But brain training isn’t just a folk theory, and a group of researchers from Aix-Marseille University in France wanted to […]
Neuroplasticity: Powerful possibilities . . . with a dark side
We often see neuroplasticity as one of our brain’s greatest assets. The neuroplastic potential to restore function after trauma, resist the deterioration that comes with aging, and bolster core capabilities borders on miraculous. But there’s another side to neuroplasticity . . . In fact, many of the things that bother us about ourselves – our […]
Is There a Willpower Miracle Cure? Practical Brain Science from Kelly McGonigal, PhD
Is there such a thing as a “willpower miracle cure”? Kelly McGonigal, PhD shared a surprising “willpower miracle” in this week’s webinar. And judging from the comments we received, many of you found it pretty remarkable, too. So we wanted to share it with you one more time – I think you’ll find it inspiring. […]
Brain health boosted by exercise: True or false?
“Exercise is good for your brain.” You’ve probably heard that a couple times before. But what kind of exercise is best? Should you do some light jogging, or lift weights? What effect do different kinds of exercises have on your brain? Led by graduate student Lindsay Nagamatsu, a team of researchers at the University of […]
What Healthy Brains Sound Like: How Brain Music Therapy is Helping First Responders
What does your brain sound like? Does it have its own soundtrack? Why are these important questions? Your brain’s internal soundtrack could help you cope with stress, fall asleep more quickly, and give you more energy throughout the day. Here’s a little background: In the 90’s, brain researchers from Russia teamed up with musicians and […]
Rewiring the Brain for Willpower
The burger or the salad? The treadmill or the sofa? Spend or save? Throughout the course of a single day, choices like these test our willpower repeatedly . . . and sometimes the choices we make can leave us feeling like a failure. If you’ve ever made a vow to practice better self-control, you know […]
Tara Brach shares one way to find true refuge
Think about the last time you had a stressful day. Maybe you snapped at someone you love. Or you rushed yourself and made a critical mistake. Our knee-jerk responses to stress and difficulties often turn into reactions we regret . . . . . . and that only compounds the problem. But here’s one strategy […]
How Brain Training Helps Regulate Emotions
What if your doctor’s brain felt your pain – from being pricked with a needle all the way to surgery? It might be tough for them to get anything done, huh? Jean Decety, PhD, and his colleagues from the University of Chicago wanted to see whether physicians empathized with pain differently from the general population. […]