We owe the brain a lot. The brain is always looking out for us. It’s wired to help us survive – alerting us to threats and ramping up our amygdala to help us take action. But that same survival trigger makes healing from trauma difficult, says Pat Ogden, PhD. In fact, the very systems that […]
Brain health: You don’t need to be a neuroscientist to make it possible
You don’t need to be a neuroscientist to make brain change possible. When we set out to put together the New Brain Science series, that was our “big idea.” We wanted to prove that anyone can unlock the brain’s potential to change. And it’s because of my friends Joan Borysenko, PhD and Ron Siegel, PsyD […]
Rewiring the brain after stroke
How far does neuroplasticity go? We’ve talked before about improving the brain’s abilities over time. On this blog, we’ve looked at how neuroplasticity allows for boosts in memory, thinking skills, and emotional regulation. But what about recovery after a major trauma – like stroke? Researchers at Johns Hopkins University, led by Steven Zeiler, MD, PhD, […]
How the Brain Works with the Vagus: Empathy and More
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. […]
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. […]