The Social Brain

Something fascinating is happening as you watch this video. You are effortlessly converting a series of sounds into meaningful thoughts. To do that, your brain has to take a sound wave–a collection of frequencies streaming into your ears–and somehow extract from it a specific message that I'm trying to convey to you right now. Just as mysteriously, you could mute this video and turn on subtitles and get the same message. As a literate person, you effortlessly take in strings of visual shapes and decode them into meaningful information. As humans, we take language for granted and it's an indispensable part of our daily lives. We rarely stop to think about how weird it is that we spend a huge amount of our time listening to other people make sounds or staring at symbols on a page. It's even rarer that we ask ourselves how we do any of that. In this episode, we'll talk about all this while exploring some of the neuroscience of language.

If you're reading this, then you're listening to the public version of this video, so if you want to watch the second half, go to: https://www.patreon.com/thesocialbrain and sign up for the “Premium” tier. You'll get access to every exclusive Patreon-only episode of The Social Brain!In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience of time, music, free will, emotions, memory, the self, and what we've learned from our research on these topics.

Imagine a world without music—a world devoid of melody, rhythm, and harmony. Music is not just a form of entertainment; it's a profound element of human existence that transcends cultural boundaries and historical epochs. From the ancient flutes carved by our ancestors to the digital symphonies of today, music has been a constant companion in our journey as a species. But what makes music so extraordinary?The answer lies within the intricate pathways of our brain. Music has a unique ability to evoke powerful emotions, bring back distant memories, and even heal our bodies. It connects the auditory regions of our brain with those responsible for movement, allowing us to dance, play instruments, and sing in harmony. This connection is so profound that even animals like songbirds and dolphins exhibit remarkable musical abilities, hinting at the deep evolutionary roots of our musicality.Moreover, music's impact on our brains goes beyond mere enjoyment. It enhances our cognitive functions, improves our language skills, and strengthens our social bonds. Group music-making activities, from drum circles to choirs, synchronize our brain waves, fostering a sense of unity and belonging. Music therapy has shown incredible promise in treating neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, offering hope and comfort where traditional medicine often falls short.

Time is a limited resource and, in some ways, it's our only resource in life. But what is time and why does it seem to flow at the rate it does? Why is it that our subjective sense of time can change so dramatically depending on the situation and our state of mind? How does the brain measure and experience time? In this episode, we will explore these questions from a neuroscientific angle and come to some mind-boggling conclusions both about the nature of time and how our brains work.

The narrative surrounding adolescence often paints a picture of turmoil and defiance, suggesting a stage of life fraught with challenges and rebellion. It's a portrayal that resonates deeply in our cultural consciousness, framing these formative years as something to be merely survived rather than embraced. Yet, beneath this surface of stereotypes lies a profound transformation—a critical period of brain development that sets the stage for adulthood. Today, we delve into the complex world of the adolescent brain, a subject that, despite its common portrayal, is far more nuanced and significant than often appreciated. Adolescence is not merely about hormonal surges or social struggles; it's a time when the brain undergoes extensive optimization and specialization. It's a phase marked by intense learning, self-discovery, and the blossoming of passions, preparing our young minds for the challenges and opportunities of adult life. This period of growth is not unique to humans. Across the animal kingdom, adolescence is a crucial transition from dependency to independence, characterized by increased novelty-seeking, heightened emotional states, and a surge in social and creative explorations. These changes reflect a universal process of maturation and adaptation that is vital for survival and thriving in a complex world. Our discussion today challenges the simplistic view of adolescence as a time of mere rebellion and seeks to highlight the importance of supporting our youth during this transformative stage. By nurturing their growth and understanding the intricacies of their development, we not only honor their journey but also contribute to the well-rounded adults they will become. Join us as we explore the incredible dynamism of the adolescent brain, debunk myths, and celebrate the profound impact of this pivotal life stage.

Right now, you are in possession of the most complex thing in the known universe: Your brain. The question is, how could this amazingly advanced biological computer have come about through natural forces? In this episode of The Social Brain, we're traveling hundreds of millions of years into the past to answer that question. We'll describe in broad strokes the evolution of single celled organisms all the way to the most intelligent creatures on the planet.

The rise in depression diagnoses in recent decades is staggering. It's estimated that 1 in 7 in US alone have turned to antidepressants in their quest for relief. This journey often begins with a narrative many of us are familiar with: the theory of a chemical imbalance in our brains. The idea that our brains are somehow "broken" and that these medications can correct that imbalance has been a cornerstone of psychiatric treatment for over 30 years. However, this theory is not without its challenges. Recent studies have questioned the simplicity of the chemical imbalance narrative, suggesting that depression cannot be pinned down to just serotonin levels. This has sparked a heated debate within the scientific community, with some researchers defending the theory and others calling for a reevaluation of our understanding of depression and its treatment. Our discussion today is not an indictment of these treatments but a call to broaden our perspective. Depression is a multifaceted condition, influenced by a myriad of factors, including our environment, personal experiences, and yes, our biology. But to reduce it solely to a matter of chemical imbalances does a disservice to the complexity of human emotions and experiences. The narratives of "broken brains" needing "chemical corrections" may overlook the resilience of the human mind and the capacity of our brains to adapt and find strategies to cope with stress.

Psychedelics powerfully alter the brain by tapping into the serotonin system. In this episode, we'll discuss how psychedelics affect the brain and what the existing literature suggests about their therapeutic potential.

You've noticed it—the drift of your attention, the challenge of staying on task. We all experience this but for some of us this can reach extremes and fall under the category of ADHD, a complex neurological condition that's often misunderstood. We're not just talking about a child who can't sit still in class; this is about a diverse spectrum of experiences affecting people of all ages, in every aspect of life. But what really is ADHD? It's a term that's become common in our dialogue, yet it encompasses a vast range of symptoms: the impulsivity, the disorganization, the extraordinary bursts of creativity, and the struggle to keep up with life's everyday demands.This intricate dance of cognition and behavior, once simply labeled as a lack of willpower, is now recognized as a unique wiring of the brain, influenced by genetics, environment, and even societal expectations. It's intriguing and vital to understand how ADHD brains navigate the world differently, how they are not just a challenge to be managed, but also a reservoir of untapped potential and insight.In this episode, we're diving deep into the neuroscience of ADHD. We'll explore the latest research that sheds light on how ADHD brains work, the innovations in treatment and management, and most importantly, how those with ADHD can leverage their unique strengths. It's not just about diagnosing or coping with ADHD; it's about redefining our understanding of this condition and recognizing the value of neurodiversity in our lives. Let's embark on this journey together and uncover the full spectrum of what it means to live with ADHD.

Have you ever noticed that when you aren't doing anything specific, you often start thinking about yourself, your past, other people, or maybe your future? That's your brain's default mode network in action. And when your attention gets pulled back to the task you're working on, a whole another set of networks comes online. In this episode, we'll explain what these networks do, and why they're so important for optimizing cognition.

You've felt it—the rush of your heartbeat, the quickening of your breath. It's stress, an integral part of our modern lives. We're not fleeing from predators on the savannah, yet our bodies react as if we are, triggered by the challenges and pressures of today's world. But what really is stress? It's a term we toss around daily, but it manifests in countless ways: the tension in a strained relationship, the worry over unpaid bills, the panic of a looming deadline. This powerful response, once a survival mechanism, is now activated by our thoughts, our environment, our lifestyle. It's fascinating and somewhat alarming how our physiology, a system designed for physical survival, is now so intricately tied to our psychological experiences. How is this affecting our health, our brain function, and our overall well-being? In this episode, we're diving deep into the science and the mystery of stress. We'll explore how this ancient response is operating in a modern context and, most crucially, how we can harness the power of our minds to manage and mitigate the impact of stress on our lives. It's not just about understanding stress; it's about empowering ourselves to maintain health and well-being in a world where stress is seemingly ubiquitous. Let's unravel these questions together, and find out just how much control we really have.

At first glance, it seems silly to fear things that haven't happened or may never happen. What is the point of getting worked up over something you may have no control over? Odd as it seems, the truth is, most of us do this on a regular basis. It's a normal process that occurs in the brain and one you are probably deeply familiar with: anxiety.In this episode, we'll see that while not all anxiety is bad, it very often causes us to suffer unnecessarily. We'll see how this occurs in the brain and how we can take control of this response and live more peaceful lives.

Are we the architects of our destiny, or merely puppets dancing on the strings of unseen forces? This tantalizing question lies at the heart of the free will debate, a realm where philosophy and science intertwine in a complex dance of possibilities and perspectives. Imagine a world where every decision you believe you make freely is actually the end product of a prewritten script, directed by the subconscious mechanisms of your brain. The notion that freewill might be an illusion, a narrative crafted by our neural circuits, shakes the very foundations of our belief in personal autonomy. Yet, this deterministic view is being increasingly challenged by a convergence of emerging scientific pursuits. Compatibilism offers a middle ground, suggesting that free will coexists within deterministic processes, reframing our agency while acknowledging the influence of various factors. Evolutionary perspectives shed light on how decision-making abilities may have developed as adaptive functions, hinting at a complexity in human cognition that transcends mere deterministic reactions. Additionally, quantum mechanics introduces elements of unpredictability and indeterminism at a fundamental level, opening new avenues for the existence of free will in a not entirely predetermined universe. As we ponder these evolving theories, they invite us to reconsider our views on ethics, responsibility, and personal growth, challenging our understanding of human agency and decision-making. This intellectual journey into the landscape where science and philosophy converge not only unravels mysteries of the human will but also prompts us to rediscover our role in shaping our destinies.

Consciousness is probably the most perplexing mystery in all of science, and right now there is no consensus among neuroscientists about how the brain produces it. Yet, it appears that the solution may soon emerge, and it's possible that it already has.

Have you ever noticed that conflict is an unavoidable part of our lives? It seems that regardless of where we are or what we do, conflict has a way of finding us. Our initial instincts may be to avoid it at all costs, to brush it under the rug and pretend like it doesn't exist. But conflict is not something to be feared or avoided. It is instead a powerful source of growth and development. Conflict is like a signal. It's a signal that something is not quite aligned, that there is a disconnect between our goals, our values, and the structures that govern our lives. It's a signal that our current way of doing things needs to be readjusted to accommodate the needs of everyone involved. In essence, conflict is a catalyst for change. When we are all on the same page, when our goals are aligned and our values are in harmony, there is no conflict. We are able to work together, to cooperate, and to build something greater than ourselves. But when our goals become out of balance, when our perspectives clash, we enter into a competitive stance. This shift triggers threat responses in our bodies and brains, fundamentally changing the way we process information and how we perceive others. This is why conflict often feels impossible to resolve. In the heat of the moment, we misperceive each other's intentions, inferring malice where none exists. We believe that we have completely different goals when, in reality, it's just a matter of perspective. We even take things personally when someone is simply concerned with the process rather than attacking us as individuals. Think about it - some of the greatest advancements in history have stemmed from conflicts. Innovations, breakthroughs, and progress have all arisen as a result of people challenging the existing norms and pushing boundaries. Conflict, when approached with open-mindedness and a willingness to listen, can be a catalyst for positive change and growth. So, how do we embrace conflict as a positive force in our lives? It starts with a shift in mindset. We must recognize that conflict is not something to be avoided or feared. We need effective communication to resolve conflicts. It is important to create a safe and respectful space where all parties are able to express their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or retribution.Listening actively, seeking to understand, and practicing empathy can go a long way in finding common ground and reaching resolution.

Have you ever stopped to consider the power dynamics at play in your daily life? Think about it for a moment. From the moment we wake up, we find ourselves navigating through a web of power and status. It's there in our relationships, both personal and professional, guiding our interactions and shaping our behavior. It's even present in our own minds, influencing our thoughts and decisions without us even realizing it. It's a word that may evoke images of dominance, control, and oppression, but power is so much more than that. It's a force that intricately weaves its way into the tapestry of our lives, shaping our experiences and impacting our well-being, both mentally and physically. Think about the goals you set for yourself. The pursuit of power, in its various forms, often lies at the heart of those aspirations. Whether it's striving for a promotion at work, seeking recognition from our peers, or even vying for the upper hand in a disagreement with a friend, our desire to wield power often drives us forward. But power isn't solely about competition and dominance. There is also a cooperative side to power - a force that enables us to work together, to create, and to build meaningful connections. It can be the catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and positive change and it can empower us to lift others up. Yet, so much of this power goes unnoticed, operating in the background of our everyday lives. We often act on autopilot, unaware of the subtle power dynamics at play. Our brains, wired to perceive and respond to power, are constantly processing information about status and hierarchy, shaping our behavior and reactions. In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of power dynamics and explore the ways in which power and status affect our brain and our health. We uncover the hidden influences that hold sway over our relationships, our decisions, and our well-being. From the unconscious biases that dictate our perceptions to the impact of power on our physical and mental health, we unravel the complexities of power and its far-reaching consequences.

There are two options for getting anyone to do anything: You can violently force them oryou can peacefully persuade them. The first option is almost always unethical. So, if you're an ethical person, your only option for changing people's behavior is persuasion. Persuasion tends to get a bad wrap, as it's commonly seen as a tool used only for psychological manipulation. Of course, people can use persuasion for unethical purposes, but the ability to use something for evil is true for all useful tools. Persuasion, or the ability to convince or change someone's mind, is one of the most important tools in modern life. To get a job, you have to persuade your potential employer to hire you. To sell a product, get more clients, or otherwise increase your business, you have to persuade potential customers to buy from you. If you're a therapist or coach, you have to persuade your clients to change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. To create any kind of meaningful change in society, you have to persuade large numbers of people to see the world as you do.

In a world where our lives are becoming increasingly fast-paced and technology-driven, the importance of empathy cannot be overstated. It is the glue that holds our communities together, the bridge that connects us to one another's experiences, and the foundation on which we build meaningful relationships. Empathy is the heartbeat of society, and without it, we risk losing our very essence.But here's the troubling truth – empathy, it seems, is on the decline. As we go about our days, isolated in our own bubbles despite being surrounded by people, we miss out on the opportunities for genuine connection. Instead, we find ourselves engaging in anonymous interactions online, where emotions are often reduced to pixels on a screen.This digital distance creates a chasm that hinders the exchange of empathy, leaving us devoid of the emotional resonance that can only be felt in person.Furthermore, our world is becoming increasingly polarized and tribal. Our empathy, once reserved for those within our immediate community, is increasingly limited to thosein our own ideological bubble. We struggle to bridge the empathy gap between different groups, leading to a rise in hostility, misunderstanding, and even violence. The consequences of this decline in empathy are far-reaching, not just for our mental well-being, but also for our physical health.But fear not! Neuroscience has provided us with insights into the neural mechanisms underlying empathy. In this episode, we dive into the neuroscience behind these empathy circuits, exploring how they operate and intertwine with our memory systems. We delve into the ways in which our brains model the minds of others, enabling us to predict their intentions, assess potential threats, and navigate social interactions. We unpack the intricate dance between cognitive and affective empathy, shedding light on the profound impact they have on our lives and relationships and also acknowledge the darker side of low empathy. Conditions such as antisocial personality disorder and autism highlight the consequences of impaired empathy, where individuals struggle to connect with and understand the emotions and experiences of others. These conditions remind us of the vital role empathy plays in our social fabric and the potential consequences when it is compromised. So, join us on this fascinating exploration of the neuroscience of empathy and theory of mind. Together, we can cultivate and nurture empathy, reigniting the flame of compassion that will guide us towards a future filled with understanding, connection, and harmony.

Sleep presents a paradox. It seems both perfectly natural and utterly mysterious. We love sleep and often can't get enough of it, yet most of us have no idea what it is. But the paradoxes don't stop there. All living creatures evolved to survive and avoid danger. Yet, animals of all kinds seem to simply shut down for several hours at a time, leaving themselves vulnerable to predation. What could be so important about sleep that animals evolved such a vulnerability? Not only that, but while we're asleep we inhabit impossible worlds. They're logically inconsistent, yet also perfectly understandable. While we're dreaming, we rarely know that we're dreaming. Yet, once we wake up, it's immediately obvious that what we were experiencing just moments ago was completely absurd and couldn't possibly be real. Nevertheless, during dreams it's not uncommon to solve complex problems that would seem to require our (otherwise absent) powers of rationality. Other times, however, we seem not to dream at all or at least to not remember our dreams. How is it that our brains seem to effortlessly switch between these strange states of cognition back to normal waking cognition? What is sleep? What is its evolutionary function? What are dreams? Why do we only sometimes remember them?

Much of the groundbreaking research in neuroscience has revolutionized our understanding of memory. Contrary to previous beliefs, memory is not stored in a specific location within the brain but rather in the intricate circuits that processed the original experience. In essence, memory is not just a system but a memory of systems. This discovery highlights how memory is an integral part of information processing, allowing for both generalization and specificity, and enabling us to make predictions about the future. Our brains are not solely devoted to comprehending the world around us; instead, they actively seek to navigate through it. Our memory serves as a fundamental tool in this endeavor, ensuring our survival and guiding our actions. This new understanding of memory prompts us to explore its implications in the context of human interactions. As social beings, we constantly engage with others and our brains have evolved to predict what the others around us are going to do next. These prediction circuits, which are deeply ingrained in our neural wiring, allow us to assess their intentions, potential threats, assistance, and even mating prospects. In this episode, we delve into the neuroscience to examine the mechanisms behind these prediction circuits and we try to unravel how they manifest in the behaviors we witness in our complex world. Most importantly, we explore strategies and techniques to take advantage of the ways in which our brains learn to navigate the world.

We're back with another Ask Us Anything! On this episode of The Social Brain, we will be addressing questions about all things #neuroscience sent to us by viewers like you.I want to know the difference between the limbic brain and the reptilian brain. Are they the same or [do they] operate differently?Can you discuss the interplay between the desire circuitry and pleasure circuits, is there an overlap? Could you discuss the nuclei? What circuits act in opposition to these circuits?About to go on a 10-day vipassana meditation silent retreat. Was wondering what the likely effects are of spending 10 days meditating / making the most of it?Why do I have intrusive thoughts?Where in the brain would you go on the magic school bus and why?What are some resources for learning about neuroscience?

As humans, we are constantly interacting with others, both in person and online. In order to make snap decisions about how to interact with these people, our brains have evolved to create mental shortcuts that allow us to quickly categorize them. Our brain is wired to predict, and we put these prediction circuits to work every time we engage in one of these interactions. What are their intentions? Are they a threat? Can they help me? Are they a potential mate? This can be incredibly adaptive and helpful in some circumstances, but it can also lead to bias and misattribution. At its extreme, this can result in disgust, hatred, and even violence. The us vs them mentality served us great as a tribal species but in today's interconnected complex world we must put in work to overcome these unconscious categorization processes. In this episode, we will explore the neuroscience and biology of these mechanisms. We will look at how they manifest in the behaviors we see in the divided world we live in. And most importantly, we will explore how to overcome and override these behaviors so that we can encourage the emergence of a more accepting and heterogeneous world.

We spend a lot of time inside our own heads–thinking, reminiscing, ruminating, predicting, and imagining. All of this is occurring as a result of brain activity, and we can learn to direct our inner experience to help reshape our brains, hone our abilities, and become the best versions of ourselves. There are limitations to the power of mental practice and visualization, which we will talk about. But the truth is that most people aren't using this ability to its full potential, either because they don't believe in it or they use it sub-optimally. Consider the fact that all of your behaviors, thoughts, and abilities are only possible because of your brain's pattern of wiring and activation at any given moment. By deliberately activating certain patterns of activity while suppressing others, you can enhance your abilities, get better at setting and achieving goals, and even become a happier person. In this episode, we'll dive into the science of mental imagery and visualization, the best practices for using it in daily life, and how to avoid the potential pitfalls.

As modern humans, we often get stuck ruminating on abstract cognitive thoughts and thereby neglect our relationship with our bodies. In doing so, we forget that the brain evolved to take care of its body. The only reason that neurons and “you” exist is because all of the other cells that pump your blood and move you through the world needed help coordinating their actions. None of this is done in English, but instead through heat, pressure, sensation and perception. We need a new way of thinking about the ways in which our body speaks, and we listen. In this episode, we will delve into the cybernetic approach of control, understanding how biology has evolved so that all of our cells -- from the tiniest single-celled creature to the most complex multi-celled organism – behave according to overarching goals. We as the “mind” are simply at the top of this control hierarchy, balancing the forces of each cell striving to achieve its own goal, as well as the emergent collective goals that arise as these cells work together. By understanding this, we learn to respect the massive potential of our minds to regulate and care for the many biological systems that make us up.

You asked, we're here to answer! On this episode of The Social Brain, we will be addressing questions about all things neuroscience sent to us by viewers like you. Be sure to join in and leave any questions you have for future AMA episodes in the comments or the live chat!

We have all sought to become the best versions of ourselves, understanding who we are and what we want to become. But how do humans have such a strong sense of self? Philosophers have deliberated on this topic for centuries, yet recent advances in cognitive science and neuroimaging have enabled us to glimpse into the brain's role in creating this representation. We understand how the brain develops through adolescenceand starts to specialize as we move into adulthood, placing a strong emphasis on self-relevant information. With this knowledge, we can use identity to bring about meaningful changes to our lives and ultimately become more self-aware. In this episode, we will dive into the neuroscience of the self, exploring how the brain processes self-referent information, the role of identity in our evolution and development, and how identity can be used to make significant changes. Join us on this journey to uncover the neuroscience of the self, and its relationship with identity and identity development.

One of the most empowering things you can do for yourself is to become more hopeful. To many people, this can sound trite. It can sound a lot like the idea that you should just have faith that things will work out, regardless of the reality of your situation. That makes sense because many people use the word “hope” as a synonym for “wish”. We say things like “I hope it all works out for you!” or “I hope that candidate doesn't win the election.” In other words, we use “hope” to express our preferences for the future, without any reference to our role in bringing those preferred outcomes to fruition. But hope, as an emotion, is much more than mere wishful thinking or faith. Hope is the state of mind where we express not only what kind of future we want, but also the belief that we are capable of achieving that future. It is fundamentally about growing into a better life. In recent years, the psychology of hope has been scientifically studied, along with its many benefits for health and wellbeing. But even more recently, the neuroscience of hope has begun to emerge. In this episode, we will explore the psychology and neuroscience of hope, starting in an unlikely place: the science of learned helplessness and depression.

Probably the most important question we can ask is “how can I be happier?” Some people might find this question overly self-centered, but becoming happier is not only good for us, but everyone we come into contact with as well. Others, while agreeing that individual happiness is important, may nevertheless think it is impossible to be any happier than one's genes or childhood determine. That is a myth. In fact, over the last fifty years, an entire field of psychological science (and more recently, neuroscience) has been created in order to understand and maximize individual human flourishing—positive psychology. In this episode, we will focus on some of the science behind positive psychology, but we will spend a lot of the time talking about how you can use this knowledge to create more happiness for yourself. We will also talk about some of the emerging neuroscientific literature, but we will go much deeper into this topic on a future episode.

We all want to be able to do more, achieve more, and become more successful. But how do we do that? It turns out that the answer lies in the psychology and neuroscience behind willpower and self-control. Many of us probably believe that our will power is limited and that when we're tired or depleted that we are incapable of staying motivated. The science is showing though that this is far from the truth and is highlighting that this belief that you hold may be the main reason why you feel this way. If we can change our beliefs about what is possible and about how much we are capable of then we can start to take advantage of one of the most exciting things about being human – the power to see the future. We need to learn how our brain creates and tracks long term goals and how we can use these mechanisms to motivate our behavior and to regulate our impulses and bad habits. We will be exploring these different brain mechanisms that influence our ability to exert effort and stay focused on our goals, the role of our beliefs in how much effort we put in, and the various value judgements that help us make decisions. We will explore how to be passionate and how this can help us to persevere so that we can truly acquire the change that we all seek in our lives. Join us as we dive into the fascinating realm of psychology and neuroscience of willpower and self-control.

In this episode, we will explain how neuroplasticity works and how you can use it to improve your life. Throughout life, you are continually changing, shifting, adapting, learning, and becoming who you are. Another way of saying that is that your mind is continually changing, because you are your mind. Of course, your brain is the physical substrate of your mind–the brain is what makes you you. So every change you have ever experienced is a result of your brain changing. Your memories, your sense of who you are, your ability to do even the simplest tasks–all of it is stored as patterns of connections among cells in your brain. And whenever you remember some experience or fact, that is only possible because a certain pattern of neural activity occurs. If the connections weren't stored as they are, your memories would disappear. Your personality and sense of self also depend on the details of how the cells of your brain communicate with each other and the fact that you are approximately the same person (psychologically speaking) throughout life is a result of connections among neurons and the resulting patterns of neural activity. Your ability to sense and perceive the world and various objects within it is also the result of these connections and their activity. The upshot of all of this is that you are malleable. More accurately, your mind is malleable because your brain is malleable. It is not infinitely malleable and none of us are blank slates at birth or any other time, but all of us can become better, happier, smarter versions of ourselves.

We've all experienced it at one point or another: that feeling of effortless, almost magical engagement with a task, where time seems to stand still and the world around us fades away. It's the state of flow, and it's been described as the ultimate form of happiness and productivity. Flow is a state that can be experienced in many different activities, from sports to art to work. It's a feeling of being completely immersed in the task at hand, feeling a sense of ease and effortlessness in your actions. It's a powerful state of being, and one that can help us to unlock our full potential and achieve our goals. With the right strategies, anyone can learn to tap into flow and experience its many benefits. On this podcast, we'll be exploring the neuroscience behind flow and how it can be achieved. We'll talk about the brain chemistry involved, what happens in the brain when we're in flow, and how to get into flow. We'll also discuss the many benefits of flow, including heightened motivation and creativity, improved performance, and greater satisfaction with work.

Do you feel exhausted by work or life in general? More specifically, do you lack a feeling of motivation and drive that you used to have? If so, you might be experiencing burnout. Burnout is incredibly common, with a 2018 Gallup poll reporting that 23% of employees in the US say they feel burned out at work all or most of the time (and I would guess this is higher post-Covid). While motivation naturally ebbs and flows, when you have an ongoing lack of motivation combined with exhaustion, depression, and other negative emotions, it might mean that you are burned out and need to revitalize your motivation. Part of this might entail simple changes to your behaviors and habits. But it might also involve setting goals with the right level of challenge and, most importantly, goals that are deeply important to you. In this episode, we'll talk about motivation, including the role of dopamine and related brain systems; intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation; the role of personal autonomy, confidence, and connection with others (Self-Determination Theory); how our emotional state can affect motivation; and the impact of your environment on motivation.

These days, it's easy to take for granted the incredible complexity of motion, the way we are able to move through the world with such ease. We don't often think about the countless hours of practice, the countless micro-adjustments, and the countless neurons firing in our brain to make it all happen. Yet, motion is a form of intelligence, and understanding the neuroscience of motor learning can give us a tremendous power to master skills. We'll be talking about the simple to implement principles from modern neuroscience that will revolutionize the way that you engage with the world and approach skill acquisition in your life. Most importantly, we'll look at the process of automatization and how “thinking” can often get in the way when you start getting better at the motor skills that you are passionate about.

Take a moment to feel what's going on inside your body. Maybe your stomach is starting to feel hungry, or maybe it feels pleasantly full and satisfied. Maybe you don't feel any specific area, but instead you sense a hum of life within you–your breath gently moving in and out and subtle tingles throughout your body. What's amazing is that, while those feelings seem like they're happening in your body, it's not your body that's actually feeling them! Instead, your brain is creating your experience of your body. Your brain can produce a feeling in your body, even when there is no stimulation of any part of your body. This happens, for example, when you experience butterflies in your stomach when you're anxious or stressed. Additionally, your brain can not only make you feel something in your body when it's not really happening (such as stomach butterflies), but it can also interpret real feelings coming from your body in emotional terms. All of this depends on your brain's ability to sense, perceive, and model the internal physiological conditions of your body, also known as “interoception.” Understanding interoception can help you to regulate your emotions and experience less stress.

These days, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and distracted by the barrage of notifications, emails, and tasks that vie for our attention. It can be hard to stay focused and give our undivided attention to the things that truly matter. Rather than reflexively reacting to the chaos, we must take the time to pause, reflect, and make intentional decisions about how to use the power of our attention. We often take for granted our ability to take control of our attention, forgetting that the brain's attention system is limited and requires us to be mindful and intentional in how we use it. Attention is the cornerstone of our ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn, and each of us is the product of the information and experiences we've chosen to pay attention to throughout our lives. In this episode, we'll be exploring the neuroscience of attention, the strategies we can use to maximize our attention, and the potential impact of attention on our lives.

We spend a lot of time thinking about the future or the past, often at the expense of living in the present. As we talked about in the last episode, this kind of cognition is completely natural: it's built into the brain's default mode network. And while planning for the future, reviewing the past, and mind wandering are all important and healthy aspects of being human, they can also make us unhappy when they're constantly taking us away from the present moment. Fortunately, there is a simple, research-backed method of countering the default mode, bringing us back to the present, and providing several other distinct cognitive benefits at the same time: mindfulness meditation.

What makes human cognition so much different from that of other animals? The short answer has to do with a single brain network: the default mode network (DMN). Humans are deliberative, able to flexibly combine the current moment with the past so that we can simulate and predict the future. We can remember things that occurred years and even decades ago and we can plan for life events that won't happen until well into our future. This allows us to build meaning and to develop identity and a sense of self. It allows us to build and navigate complex social environments and to maintain complicated long-term relationships. Modern neuroscience is showing that all of these incredible abilities are due to the expansion of a particular group of brain regions in humans that together make up what's collectively called the default mode network.

How does the human brain develop an addiction? The extremely high prevalence rates for disorders such as alcohol use disorder or drug use disorder (1 in 3 AUD lifetime prevalence, 1 in 10 DUD lifetime prevalence) suggests that addiction is not simply a disease but is instead a natural brain process that each and every one of us is susceptible to. The fascinating thing that is unraveling in the research is that the brain processes that lead to addiction are not drug or alcohol specific but instead are involved in every form of addiction (gambling, sex, shopping, technology... etc).

Everyone knows what an emotion is.. until they are asked to explain it. We all have a sense that we are living emotional lives and that these emotional drives have immense control of our behavior but it's hard to say what that emotion actually is. Is it the physiology? Is it the brain activity? Can single cells have feelings or emotions without nervous systems? Are there such things as basic emotions (happiness, fear, anger, surprise.. etc) and are there dedicated brain systems for them?

Neuroscientists are on the cusp of cracking the neural code. Just by looking at the brain data, computer algorithms are reading out and recreating what people saw and listened to. Learn how we got there and what the future has in store.

We all know the feeling of being in sync with one another or feeling like we're understood by those around us. Is there something actually going on in our brains during these moments? Do our brains get in sync with one another and get "on the same wavelength"? Does the strength of our social relationships affect this whole process? We'll dig into all of this and so much more in this episode of The Social Brain! Sorry in advance for the sound quality.. there were technical issues during the live cast.

Neuroscience has a fascinating and at times funny history but it is an extremely new scientific discipline. Explore with us how neuroscience got it's start and how this led to the rise of fields like social and cognitive neuroscience.

From single cells within an organism to individuals within a society, all living things engage in social processes. Join us and explore how these dynamic social interactions shaped evolution and made our brains what they are today.