Think Twice Podcast

Self-driving cars are often presented as the future of transportation ; we're making them safer, smarter... and fully autonomous. But how close are we really to achieving a reality where we can turn our brains off and let our vehicles take us to everywhere we want to go? Is the artificial intelligence used in these vehicles truly advanced enough that they can replicate brain functions like percept...

What if learning didn’t just depend on how hard you study or how good your teachers are, but also on how your study tools adapt to you? Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, turning old school classroom learning into personalized, dynamic experiences that evolve with every question you ask and with every new skill you acquire. From real-time feedback to tailored study strategies, AI isn’...

The link between sleep and epilepsy is powerful, complex, and often overlooked. We know that sleep loss and disruptions can trigger seizures in epileptic patients. We also know that repeated seizures during sleep can fragment sleep and reduce the brain's ability to recover. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Shukla, a neurologist specializing in Epilepsy and Sleep, and discuss the intersection o...

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) has long been dismissed, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood. For a long time, we thought PMDD was just a heigthened version of PMS and was simply another consequence of hormonal imbalances associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. But neuroscience is finally catching up! In this episode, we unpack what’s actually happening in the brain during PMDD, from hormone...

What really goes on in your brain when you dodge someone on a crowded sidewalk or adjust your step without thinking? From everyday actions like walking and driving to split-second changes in unpredictable environments, our brain is constantly choosing, predicting, and adapting in real time. In this episode, we sit down with Cesar, a PhD student studying how the brain makes complex decisions in the...

How pain would you be willing to endure for 20$? How much money would you be willing to spend to avoid feeling pain? Why does spending money sometimes feel so painful? From the sting of a high price tag to the relief of a good deal, your brain is constantly weighing costs and rewards beneath the surface. In this episode, we dive into the world of neuroeconomics to explore how the brain processes f...

Let's explore the concept of the entropic brain, a framework that describes how the brain can shift between organized and disorganized or chaotic states. We know that psylocibin temporarily increases this entropy, allowing the brain to break out of rigid activity patterns to access new ways of perceiving and processing information. In this episode, we talk about how brain entropy reflects the vari...

A concussion isn't just a bump on the head; it disrupts entire networks and can have long term implications when ignored. Unfortunately, even with advances in modern neuroscience, recovery is difficult and sometimes ineffective. In this episode, we discuss how psychedelics may enhance neuroplasticity and what that could mean for concussion recovery with Dylan, a graduate student studying the inter...

Let's dive into the surprising world of social robots! Recent research tells us that they have a very real impact on our emotions, habits, and health. Some robots soothe anxiety, boost motivation, or help people regain movement, while others simply offer a non-judgmental presence that humans sometimes struggle to match. In this episode, we explore why some people warm up to robots while others pre...

Nostalgia isn’t just a warm, fuzzy feeling; it’s your brain revisiting the past in order to shape your future. In this episode, we explore how memories, emotion, personality and our senses work together to create nostalgia, and why certain songs, smells, or moments can instantly transport us back in time. We discuss how the brain uses nostalgia to regulate emotion, motivate us and even cope with s...

The human brain doesn't mature in a straight line like we historically thought. A 2025 paper that looked at brains of thousands of individuals suggested that the brain actually rewires itself differently in 5 different stages of life. In this journal club episode, we break down fascinating results that show us that our brains are never truly done maturing! Join us in a journal club episode of this...

Ever wonder what’s really happening when your brain ‘fires’? In this episode, we explore neurotransmission, the rapid electrochemical messaging system that lets your neurons talk to each other and to the rest of your body, to allow you to plan, think, move, perceive, etc. We unpack neurotransmitters, receptors, and the multiple layers of complexity in which neurotransmitters shape mood, memory, mo...

Varsity athletes face hundreds of head impacts each season, some big enough to cause a concussion, others so small they barely register. But science is suggesting that even these quiet hits that don't cause concussions may quietly reshape the brain. In this episode, we dive into the neuroscience of concussive and subconcussive impacts. We unpack what science is revealing about how the athlete brai...

What if the key to healing the brain wasn’t in a pill or a surgery, but in a headset? By stepping into immersive digital worlds with virtual reality (VR), scientists are discovering new ways to enhance neuroplasticity. But with such power to reshape the mind, VR also raises big questions: how real should “virtual” therapy get, and who can access this kind of therapeutic strategy? Join us as we jou...

Beware! The ghosts are closer than you think... In this episode, we explore how the brain creates paranormal experiences—from sensing a mysterious presence to hearing whispers in silence, it is all a product of the brain. This episode uncovers how fear circuits, prediction glitches, and evolved survival instincts create paranormal experiences—from “presences” to shadowy figures in the dark. Author...

Santiago Ramón y Cajal, awarded the 1906 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, is often called the “father of modern neuroscience.” Using only a microscope and his extraordinary artistic skills, he revealed that the brain is made up of individual neurons that communicate across tiny gaps. This discovery, known as the “neuron doctrine,” transformed how we understand the brain and laid the foundati...

Humans are unique in the way we use language; we share ideas, tell stories, and pass down culture. And we do all of this using very complex communication tools like intonations, contextual clues, slang, etc. In this episode, we explore how complex communication evolved from the Neanderthals, and what changes in the brain made complex communication possible. Join us in this journal club episode whe...

Why do teenagers think, feel, and see the world so differently from kids or adults? In this episode, we unpack the science of the teenage brain ; a brain rewiring itself for adulthood. From risk-taking and to self-discovery, we’ll explore how changes in the brain during teenage years shape perception, decision-making, and identity. Get ready to see adolescence not as chaos, but as one of the most...

What happens when you hand the mic to artificial intelligence and ask it to run a journal club? Can it replace us, scientific podcasters, in our efforts to make scientific papers more accessible? In this episode, we explore how AI breaks down a neuroscience paper. We’ll see how it summarizes the research, points out the big takeaways, and even tries to critique the study. Can a computer really cap...

Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in human cognitive functioning, encompassing different neurological profiles like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc. Rather than thinking of these differences as medical conditions in need of treatment, the idea of neurodiversity shifts this ideology to think about these differences as a form of natural human diversity, each offering distinct perspectives a...

When you eat very few carbs or go for a while without eating, your body can change its main energy source. Instead of running on sugar from food, your body starts burning fat, producing another source of energy in the process: ketones. For many years now, ketones have been investigated for multiple health benefits, such as weight loss, but also for boosting energy, improving focus, and supporting...

Grad school defenses are the ultimate test of a researcher’s expertise, challenging students to defend their work (sometimes years worth of it!) before a panel of experts. But why are they so important? In this episode, we break down the purpose of various types of defenses, what makes them so nerve-wracking, and how they shape the next generation of scientists. Authors: Eve Racette, Elena Koning,...

In neuroscience research, very small details can make a big difference in the results and in the way they are interpreted. If research conditions aren’t carefully optimized, studies can produce inconsistent or unreliable findings, and can stall research in specific fields for months, sometimes even years. By fine-tuning their research parameters, scientists can get clearer, more accurate insights...

Memory gives meaning to our lives. It shapes the way we think, feel, act and helps us navigate through our lives. Science fiction in literature and cinema have exploited the idea of memory manipulation with fascinating stories. A neuroscience understanding of memory has great clinical implications. Understanding how emotion is linked to memory may help find ways to treat PTSD. Join us on this epis...

Love is a focal point of our favourite movies, music, and most cherished memories. But what really happens in the brain when we fall in love? Is "love at first sight" real? Does the media get it right, or are we being fed myths about what romance really looks like? In this special Valentine's Day episode, we break down the neuroscience of love, attraction, and attachment. From synapses to soulmate...