Memory Helps Us Make ‘In the Moment’ Decisions
Razi Berry Scientists have long known the brain’s hippocampus is crucial for long-term memory. Now a new Northwestern Medicine study has found the hippocampus also plays a role in short-term memory and helps guide decision-making. The findings shed light on how the hippocampus contributes to memory and exploration, potentially leading to therapies that restore hippocampal […]
Decision Making to Keep From Harming Others Different Than Harming Ourselves
Razi Berry The processes our brains use to avoid harming other people are automatic and reflexive — and quite different from those used when avoiding harm to ourselves, according to new research. Different approaches to avoiding pain investigated for the first time A team based in the Universities of Birmingham and Oxford in the UK […]
Brain Changes From Cannabis Use
Razi Berry A once understudied topic now shows a clear link between cannabis use and brain alterations, whereby chronic use may lead to poor conflict resolution skills. Development of neural circuits in youth The development of neural circuits in youth, at a particularly important time in their lives, can be heavily influenced by external factors—specifically […]
Adolescent Cannabis Use and Long-term Effects on Brain
Razi Berry About one in five Canadian adolescents uses cannabis (19% of Canadians aged 15-19), and its recent legalization across the country warrants investigation into the consequence of this use on the developing brain. Recent cannabis legalization in Canada warrants investigation into the consequence of use on the developing brain Adolescence is associated with the […]
Study: Effect of LSD on Communication Patterns Between Brain Regions
Razi Berry A recent study led by researchers from the University of Zurich and Yale University has shown that LSD changes the patterns of communication between various regions of the brain.1 This research may provide insights into how mental health conditions develop as well as how psychedelic medicines may provide treatment for these disorders. LSD […]