Perceptual illusions are not only great fun, they also remind us of a basic truth: Our perceptions are more than projections of the world into our brain. As our brains assemble sensory inputs they construct our perceptions, based partly on…
Posts published in March 2018
A Genomics Workgroup of the National Advisory Mental Health Council has issued a report with recommendations for NIMH’s ongoing support of genomics research. Dr. Gordon offers highlights of the report with his reflections. Source: NIH
People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) tend to fall back on maladaptive coping strategies such as rumination and thought suppression, according to new research; even though adaptive coping skills such as acceptance and problem-solving could improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, many…
Long ago, I read a jest that most people believe in the shaping power of environmental nurture—until they have their second child. That pretty well sums up the results of a not-yet-published survey of 1000 Americans by an Emily…
Often the biggest existential distress that we carry is the idea that no-one will remember us when we are gone—initially we know that our friends and family will hold who we are, but after a generation, these people are likely…
“Live life to the fullest.” “Celebrate life.” “Carpe diem.” I’ve heard them all. But what if I don’t feel like it? What if I’m having a lousy brain day, restricted to a darkened room with a blinding headache, and seizing…
In an earlier post, I offered my nominee for psychology’s most misunderstood concept: negative reinforcement (which is not a punishing, but a rewarding event—withdrawing or reducing something aversive, as when taking ibuprofen leads to relief from a headache). Second…
Three NIMH-funded collaborative research hubs are exploring the factors behind the high suicide rates among American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) youth and designing and testing approaches to preventing suicide. Source: NIH
The human brain depends on a constant energy supply, which is needed for proper functioning. Energy supply impairments can jeopardize brain function and even lead to the pathogenesis or progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Chronic disruption of energy causes degradation of cellular…
Every February, we host “I Love My Job” to highlight the positive aspects of work. We received submissions from people across the country who told us the reasons they love their job. We feature our favorite submissions here, on Facebook,…
Every February, we host “I Love My Job” to highlight the positive aspects of work. We received submissions from people all across the country who told us the reasons they love their job. We feature the best submissions here, on Facebook,…
Have you ever wondered about how an alien’s brain works? What kind of information-processing system they may have and how it may differ from ours? There is no need to look any further. The answers to these questions can be…
Neurobotany: A Drastically Different Approach To Information Processing And Communication In Plants?
Can plants think? We would have confidently said “No!” just a few decades back. But now we know that even plants have specific information-processing abilities, and this comes in the absence of any neurons at all. In fact, some scientific…
The NIMH Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) unit holds monthly virtual “office hours” via video conference. Discussion topics may include the basic principles of the initiative, general queries about designing and applying for grants based on RDoC ideas, and the role…
On most subjective and socially desirable dimensions, we tend to exhibit self-serving bias. We perceive ourselves as more moral than most others, healthier than others, more productive at work, better able to get along with others, and even better drivers.…
My colleague, Lindsay Root Luna, has new data showing that virtues correlate. People’s scores intercorrelate on scales assessing humility, justice, wisdom, forgiveness, gratitude, hope, and patience. Show her a forgiving person and she will likely show you a humble, grateful…
Omega fatty acids are well known to be important for the normal functioning of our body. These fatty acids are essential for the formation of the cell membrane. They play a critical role in brain health. In addition, they are…
In the aftermath of the mass murder at a Florida high school, gun safety advocates reminded us that countries and states with the most guns (which are also the places with the most “good guys with guns”) have the most…
Depression, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder share some of the same patterns of suspect gene expression – molecular signatures. Source: NIH