Sense of Mind

If you’re reading this, then you’re watching 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 topics like ADHD and the major functional networks of the brain (like the default mode netwo...

Too often, we put off important tasks even though we know we'll be worse of for it. In other words, we procrastinate and we end up suffering in our professional and personal lives. Yet, in this video, we'll see that there are several neuroscience-based ways to stop yourself from procrastinating. Link to Patreon only video #1: "Mind the Gap": https://www.patreon.com/posts/mind-gai...

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. But what really is ADHD? In this episode, we're diving deep into the neuroscience of ADHD. We'll explore the latest research that sheds lig...

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 other set of networks comes online. In this episode, we’ll explain what these networks do, and why they’re so im...

Cognitive control and flexibility is the key to changing when you feel stuck in unhealthy patterns of behavior. This video explains how this brain function works using a common health challenge you may have faced in the past. In my experience, one of the most powerful ways of keeping up with your personal growth is to keep learning about your brain, how it works, and how to influence it to help yo...

Solving problems often forces us to juggle lots of information and quickly adapt to new circumstances. In this video, I’ll give an overview of one brain function that is critical to this ability: cognitive flexibility. This livestream was originally aired live only for Patreon supporters of Sense of Mind. If you'd like to get access to future livestreams as well as exclusive blog posts, go to...

Feel that heartbeat rush, that quickened breath? That's stress, a staple of modern life. Our bodies react to today's pressures as though facing ancient threats. Stress, often mentioned casually, shows up in many forms: relationship tensions, financial worries, or deadline panics. Once key for survival, this response now springs from our thoughts and lifestyle, linking our physical and ment...

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...

Pain is a blend of the physical and emotional. Neuroscience shows that when you can control the emotional part, it becomes much easier to manage the physical part. In this video, I'll discuss how pain works in the brain, the placebo effect, the overlap between physical and emotional pain, and some psychological methods for relieving pain. This livestream was originally aired live only for Patr...

What does neuroscience have to say about free will? Is free will in conflict with the laws of physics or observations from neuroscience? What does "free will" even mean? These are ancient philosophical questions, but they have important implications for our daily lives, from how we make choices to how we can improve ourselves. In this episode of The Social Brain, we'll discuss the fa...

When you can’t control your emotions, life quickly becomes unbearable. But this video will describe a few simple techniques that can help you to rewire your brain to find emotional stability and, eventually, true happiness. Patreon Link: https://www.patreon.com/senseofmind #neuroscience #emotionregulation #brain -- Sources: - Sezer, I., Pizzagalli, D. A., & Sacchet, M. D. (2022). Resting-state...

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. In this episode, we'll talk about the neuroscience of consciousness and the various theories that have been proposed to explain it in physical...

Anxiety is the fear of things yet to come. It's what happens when the brain predicts a bad outcome and then prepares for it. It's a mechanism by which the brain prepares the body to face potential threats. So anxiety is actually often a good thing. Wait, really? Yes, it's just that, thanks to the complexities of the human brain, it's very easy for good, adaptive anxiety to transfor...

Have you ever brushed relationship conflict under the rug, hoping it would just vanish? We've all been there. However, this episode sheds light on why conflict doesn't have to be purely negative , as we often make it out to be. ⏬ ⏬ ⏬ Help us keep this show alive by going to: https://www.patreon.com/thesocialbrain 🧠 👕 ☕Want cool neuroscience gear? Check out our coffee mugs, t-shirts,...

In this episode, we delve into 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. ⏬ ⏬ ⏬ Help us keep this show alive by going to: https://www.patreon.com/thesocialbrain 🧠 👕 ☕Want cool neuroscience gear? Check out our coffee mugs, t-shirts, sti...

Your decisions rule your life. Your brain is the source of your decisions. So, if you can understand the neuroscience of decision making, then you should be able to make better decisions that improve your life in the future. One key component of decision making, as emphasized by the field known as “neuroeconomics,” is the process of valuation, or how your brain determines how much you value someth...

How does the brain persuade and how does it become persuaded? Can you use neuroscience to persuade others? In this episode, we unravel the neuroscience and psychology of persuasion. We draw on the work of Drs. Robert Cialdini, Emily Falk, and John Cacioppo to explore the science behind influencing behavior and facilitating positive social interactions. ⏬ ⏬ ⏬ Help us keep this show alive by goin...

Empathy is powerful. It’s like neural mimicry, a way for our brains to synchronize and understand each other emotionally. This is what makes empathy such a powerful social force binding people together and allowing us to care for others. But what is empathy? How does empathy work in the brain? What is the difference between cognitive empathy, affective empathy, sympathy, theory of mind and compass...

Sleep repairs your brain, enhances your memory and cognition, improves your immune system, and generally makes you feel better. But how does sleep do all this? Throughout this episode, we’ll dive into the neuroscience of sleep to answer these questions and more. Support The Social Brain on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesocialbrain Prefer to listen? Check out the podcast version of The Social...

Groundbreaking research in neuroscience has revolutionized our understanding of memory. Join us on this episode of The Social Brain as we unpack some of the latest theories and research on the how the brain learns and remembers. Support The Social Brain on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesocialbrain Prefer to listen? Check out the podcast version of The Social Brain: https://rss.com/podcasts/t...

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. Be sure to join in and leave any questions you have for future #AMA episodes in the comments or the live chat! Support The Social Brain on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thesocialbrain Prefer to listen? Check out the podc...

Discover how your brain combats stress and enhances resilience. In this video, I unpack some of the most important findings in the neuroscience of resilience, including the role of the prefrontal cortex, as well as the serotonin and dopamine systems. I also share and inspiring real-life story of resilience. Finally, I’ll explain how you can rewire your brain for greater resilience. Watch the video...

Dive deep into the science and beauty of the emotion known as awe. ⚠️ Hey! I need your help. This channel used to be supported by a charitable foundation, but that is no longer the case. Sense of Mind is now 100% dependent on viewers like you, so please consider supporting this channel by signing up for Sense of Mind's Patreon and get bonus content every month: https://www.patreon.com/senseofm...

In this episode, we unravel how our brains evolved to foster an "us vs them" mentality, often leading to biases and conflicts in today's interconnected society. We dive into the neuroscience behind these behaviors, the role of hormones, and how different types of 'thems' emerge based on the stereotype content model. This discussion also presents strategies to override these u...

In this episode, we'll delve into the power of intrinsic motivation and explore how it can positively impact our lives. Discover the underlying neuroscience behind intrinsic motivation, including the role of dopamine and the involvement of brain networks such as the default mode network, salience network, and central executive network. We'll uncover the benefits of intrinsic motivation and...