Neuroscience of the Future May Look at the “Collective Brain”
Razi Berry In a new paper, scientists suggest that efforts to understand human cognition should expand beyond the study of individual brains. They call on neuroscientists to incorporate evidence from social science disciplines to better understand how people think. “Accumulating evidence indicates that memory, reasoning, decision-making and other higher-level functions take place across people,” the […]
Taking Breaks Help Improve Memory
Razi Berry Many of us have experienced the following: the day before an exam, we try to cram a huge amount of information into our brain. But just as quickly as we acquired it, the knowledge we have painstakingly gained is gone again. The good news is that we can counteract this forgetting. With expanded […]
Training the Brain to Overcome ADHD
Razi Berry Scientists explored a technique called ‘neurofeedback,’ which enables ADHD patients to train their attention, based on instant feedback from the level of their brain activity. The team of neuroscientists found that not only did the training have a positive effect on patients’ concentration abilities, but also that the attention improvement was closely linked […]
Developmental Delay Arising from Physical Discipline and Cognitive Deprivation
Razi Berry A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (JAACAP), published by Elsevier, reports that in a diverse, cross-national sample of youth, physical discipline and cognitive deprivation had distinct associations with specific domains of developmental delay. The findings are based on the Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys, which is […]
New Studies on Light and Circadian Rhythm
Razi Berry Researchers said the wavelengths at sunrise and sunset have the biggest impact on brain centers that regulate our circadian clock and our mood and alertness. Wavelengths at sunrise and sunset have the biggest impact on brain centers that regulate our circadian clock Their study, “A color vision circuit for non-image-forming vision in the […]
Mysterious Group of Neurons Responsible for Mood Develop During Teen Years
Razi Berry Researchers have discovered a mysterious group of neurons in the amygdala — a key center for emotional processing in the brain — that stay in an immature, prenatal developmental state throughout childhood. Most of these cells mature rapidly during adolescence, suggesting a key role in the brain’s emotional development, but some stay immature […]
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 […]
Hypnosis may Offer Genuine Alternative to Painkillers
Razi Berry A project led by psychologist Dr Trevor Thompson of the University of Greenwich found that hypnosis is more effective with people who are especially amenable to suggestion. But it also found that those who are moderately suggestible – essentially most people – saw a 29% drop in pain. New research shows that hypnosis […]
Common Mental State Test Lacks Clear Perspective
Razi Berry The test is deeply flawed How do clinicians rate how well a patient understands what other people are thinking and feeling? That is to say—how does the patient assess another person’s mental state? An accurate tool is key for measuring treatment outcomes and carries profound consequences for the patient’s mental and physical well-being. […]
Signing Off… Jumping off the Grid
Dr. Katy Nelson, ND Most of us want comfort. No matter one’s situation, from bored silly to fighting for one’s life, the human organism is designed around a core of seeking comfort, happiness, a sense of wellness, like warm sunshine after a night of dark clouds and gloom or surging, uncontrollable surprises. Comfort seeking is […]