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 a...

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...

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 extra...

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...

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 o...

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...

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 cor...

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 a...

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...

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 relatio...

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...

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...

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. Conflic...

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...

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 p...

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 he...

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 b...

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 informa...

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 o...

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?...

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....

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...

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!