Knowing Neurons

Culture

Culture

An Eternal Search For a “Cure”: How Real-World Diseases May Have Led to the Modern Vampire

By Anastasiia Gryshyna and Ayushe Sharma Vampires have been a source of fascination for centuries. Whether portrayed as bloodthirsty killers, immortality-seeking psychopaths, or misunderstood romantics, these creatures of the night… Read More
PhilosophyBig IdeasCultureSensation and Perception

Understanding Visual Illusions Can Make Us More Empathetic

Philosophers and neuroscientists agree that if there is an objective reality, human beings can’t perceive it: philosophers refer to objective reality as a perception independent of any conscious awareness. Neuroscientists… Read More
Big IdeasBrain BasicsBrain DevelopmentCulture

Brain, Healthy Fats, and the Importance of Fitting Into Your Genes

Our brains are extremely rich in fat. Indeed, about two thirds of the human brain is composed of fat, 35% of which consists of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids. What are… Read More
CultureNeurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Does Cannabidiol (CBD) Actually Help Anxiety?

Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating compound of the Cannabis plant, has exploded in popularity in recent times, touted as a medical “cure-all”. Retailers promise their products will heal cancer, stop dementia… Read More
CultureBig IdeasNeurological and Psychiatric DisordersSensation and Perception

Are Foods Addictive or Just Delicious?

We are surrounded by an abundance of delicious food. Throughout the developed world, cooking shows saturate our televisions and streaming video feeds advertise greasy burgers and decadent chocolates. Our addiction… Read More
AgingCultureNeurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Food for Your Brain: Mediterranean Diet May Help Your Neurons Live Longer

Historians consider it one of the ‘cradles of civilization,’ but for many scientists today the real value of the Mediterranean basin does not lie in its contribution to history. Home… Read More
VideosBig IdeasCultureLearning and Memory

Video: Can Neuroscience Explain the Mandela Effect? 

Last year, our post “Can Neuroscience Explain the Mandela Effect?” by Caitlin Aamodt soaked up attention like a sponge and was resyndicated widely across the web, landing on pages such as… Read More
Brain DevelopmentCulture

What Were You Thinking!?: Teenagers show different processing of positive and negative consequences across adolescence

Anyone who has spent time around teenagers knows they don’t always consider the full consequences of their actions. Just consider the dozens of YouTube videos involving falling dressers or fireworks… Read More
LanguageBrain DevelopmentCulture

The Bilingual Brain: Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All

Over the past few years, you might have noticed a surfeit of articles covering current research on bilingualism. Some of them suggest that it sharpens the mind, while others are… Read More