HuffPost’s original series explores how various events, actions and emotions impact the brain. Each episode features an expert in psychology and/or neuroscience guiding you through the inner workings of the mind, with my specially created motion graphics illustrating and breaking down the complex mechanics involved.
Neurologist Dr Randall Wright says our brain can react to binge watching television the same way as it does becoming addicted to drugs. By tapping into the brain's pleasure circuit, our brains can physically rewire to want more of the digital stimuli. But, by making sure it doesn’t interfere with our sleep and making it social, we can still enjoy online content.
Sleep has remained a mystery throughout the history of neuroscience and it isn’t until recently that technology enabled us to see what’s occurring in the brain when we sleep. In this episode of HuffPost’s original series on the inner workings of the mind, neuroscientist Professor Jeff Iliff explains why it’s important to get a good night’s sleep and how it helps the brain function better.
Exercise causes profound changes in brain structure and function and these changes can have really important effects, both in the short and the long term, on our mood and our mental abilities. In this episode cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Tom Bullock explains how exercise supercharges our decision making, the surprising possibility of why we get an exercise ‘high’ and how it can help restore the brain as we age.
Grief is something we all encounter. Whether it's losing a loved one, a friend, a job and everything else, loss can have a profound effect on us and our brains. Dr Lisa Shulman has delved into the notion of loss and grief and their impacts upon the brain in her book Before and After Loss: A Neurologist's Perspective on Loss, Grief and the Brain.
From the loss of a family member to a breakup, many of us have experienced some level of trauma. Clinical psychologist Jennifer Sweeton explains how traumatic events affect your mind and brain. Sweeton also highlights that trauma does not mean you are damaged forever and there are ways you can overcome.
Throughout history we have seen love shape our lives, our societies and our economies. It may be assumed that our hearts drive this emotion, but in reality it is our brains. In this episode of HuffPost’s original series on the inner workings of the mind, biological anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher, explains what exactly is happening when the brain is in love.