If you ever have come across Chris Gethard, through the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, his “Beautiful Stories from Anonymous People” podcast, or his self-titled television show, you know that he embraces the unconventional, unexpected, and unplanned in his comedy. [ … ]
Most writers forget that our brains have anything to do with the words we write — that writer’s block, passion and creativity are not solely the property of our suspicious unconscious. So how do we process language? And how does that neural activity translate into the art of writing? [ … ]
In 2016, the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts reported the proportion of American adults who read at least one novel in 2015 had dropped to 43.1% from 56.9% in 1982. In 2018, a U.S. academic reported that in 1980, 60% of 18-year-old school students read [ … ]
Once again the Olympics are upon us, displaying excellence in mind, body, and spirit. As a neuroscientist, neuropsychiatrist, and author in the field of human potential, I am always riveted, watching all the nations of the world come together to push the envelope of human physical and mental potential. How strong can we become? How fast can we go? [ … ]
You want a better, more loving relationship with your spouse. You wish your friends visited more often, your children stayed in touch more frequently. You wonder if it weren’t possible to have better relationships at work and in the community. What can you do to build long-term, perhaps life-long relationships [ … ]
Without even realizing it, most leaders do and say things that send employees into their “critter state,” where every decision they make is driven by fear. Here I reveal some of the subtle yet damaging mistakes we make — and how to fix them. Many leaders know that “command and control” is dead and that fear [ … ]
Our culture teaches that if you work hard enough at anything, you’ll be successful. Recent studies, however, suggest that hard work may not be enough when it comes to weight loss.
At a time when obesity is a national — and increasingly an international — epidemic, scientists are [ … ]
One of my scientific heroes, positive psychology researcher Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, published a study showing that the largest variable in determining our level of life satisfaction is “resilience” — the ability to bounce back quickly from life’s small and large upsets. It wasn’t having a great boss or a happy family [ … ]
Dr. Joseph Frascella, director of NIDA’s Clinical Neuroscience and Behavioral Research Division, heads a broad drug abuse and addiction program of translational research and research training in clinical neuroscience, human development and behavioral treatment. He discusses how drug addiction changes the brain [ … ]
Lying is natural. It’s actually pretty necessary for our survival. Can you imagine always having to tell the truth? “How old do you think I am?” or “Do you like my cooking?” are questions we don’t always want to answer honestly, and so we don’t. While additional inquires are often suspended after [ … ]
The scientific term for kissing is “osculation,” while the science of studying kissing is “philematology.” Osculologists (these are the scientists who study kissing) tell us that we use no less than 34 of our facial muscles, and perhaps up to 146 total body muscles, when we kiss. Most important is the orbicularis oris [ … ]
It may sound surprising, but studies show that workaholics have distinct neurological and psychiatric profiles similar to those addicted to narcotics. In the United States, people tend to see workaholism as a good thing. A man dedicated to his family. A woman determined to reach the top. But scientists are increasingly finding that [ … ]
Gamification in learning can be understood as the process of introducing game-based mechanics and features into the learning systems of your organization to create real-life experiences that are similar to those of playing games. It has been known to motivate learners — resulting in increased user engagement and interaction. [ … ]
Research show that indeed, a few days after birth, changes occur in the brains of both daddy and baby. According to research, not only do men get better at hearing a baby’s cry as the due date of their child approaches, but a baby’s smile activates the same circuits in the brain that are involved [ … ]
The number of people worldwide affected with autism is estimated to be 62.2 million, and the precise cause is not yet understood. However, over the last several years, researchers have identified a number of risk factors closely associated with the prevalence and severity of symptoms. [ … ]
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