That Neuroscience Guy: Recent Episodes
Olav Krigolson
The neuroscience of everyday life without the big words. If you are fascinated with the human brain and would like to learn something new, this is the podcast for you.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind the pros and cons of implementing AI into neuroscience.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind procrastination.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind the feeling of awe.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind our willpower and when it fails.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how your brain processes regret.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind cognitive biases that cause you to make bad decisions.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how your brain processes the passage of time.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how framing information in different ways affects your brain.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind placebo treatments.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how you get confused, and why sometimes thats good.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss our opinions on why neuroscience might be declining.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the best books to read in 2026 to learn more about neuroscience.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss Nike's new shoes designed by neuroscientists.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how emotions affect our decision making.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss some cutting edge ideas and technologies in neuroscience from the 2025 Society for Neuroscience conference.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the parts of your brain that contribute to decision-making.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind making slow, careful decisions or fast, gut-hunch decisions.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind choosing an exploratory decision, where we do something new, or sticking with what we know.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how your brain uses your values to make decisions.
In the first episode of season 11 of That Neuroscience Guy, we start a new series on decision making by discussing the neuroscience behind how we assign value to decisions.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why some people get dementia while others don't.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind being successful during your university experience.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how your brain changes throughout middle age.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind somatosensation, or our sense of touch.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we start our "Senses" series by discussing the neuroscience behind vision.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind public speaking and its' associated emotions, finishing off with some tips for better public speaking.
We often have to balance between making quick, intuitive decisions and slow, analytical decisions. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind that balance, and when to trust your emotional decisions.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind Misophonia, a disorder that causes increased sensitivity to certain sounds like loud chewing or pen clicking.
In today's epsiode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the tools that neuroscientists use to study the brain.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we wrap up Dr Krigolson's lecture, "Why we do the dumb things we do", discussing some important caveats to models of decision making. Be sure to check out Parts 1 and 2 if you haven't yet!
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we pick up where we left off last week with Dr Krigolson's lecture titled "Why we do the dumb things we do". If you haven't checked out Part 1 yet, please do!
Recently, Dr Krigolson gave an invited lecture at Indiana University titled "Why We Do the Dumb Things We Do". Now we are delivering that lecture to you in a three part series starting with basics of decision making.
We like to focus quite a bit on things you can do to improve your brain health. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how that advice might change for older individuals.
We've talked plenty about the neuroscience of learning as well as moving neuroscience into the real world. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how we can use neuroscience to improve education from elementary schools to universities.
In everyday thinking, we are making decisions that can range from intuitive, based on 'gut hunches', to analytical, based on prior experience and critical thinking. In today's epsiode, we discuss the neuroscience behind balancing analytical and intuitive decision making.
According to the WHO, more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases every year. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind different types of dementia.
Neurotransmitters are essential cellular components for neural function - and they're common targets for treatment of several psychiatric and neurological disorders. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we review all of the important neurotransmitters that underlie neural function.
Politicians are becoming increasingly eye-catching in the modern world, as is the prevalence of so-called "fake-news". In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discusss the neuroscience behind how our brains criticize, consider, and embrace modern modern politicians.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the Chiari Malformation - a unique condition that causes the brain to grow into the spinal cord.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss some cool neuroscience technology that you can gift to special people in your life this holiday season.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind addiciton to shopping on Amazon.
On today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we welcome guest Jaime ____ to discuss Autonomic, a biotech company aiming to help you improve your brain health.
What drives people to commit the ultimate atrocity? In today's epsiode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind genocide.
In today's epsiode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss a first hand account of a lifestyle change aimed at improving brain health called "Project Dad".
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we make irrational decisions.
In the information age, we are exposed to an incredible volume of lies. Unfortuantely, we tend to fall for them. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss why and how we fall for lies.
In today's epsiode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind online shopping addiction, using Amazon has a case study.
To kick off Season 9, we explore a personal angle by revisiting the neuroscience of grief.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss what's going on in your brain when you take a break and go for a walk.
What makes the Michael Jordans of the world different from the rest of us? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind ultra-competitiveness.
Why are kids more single-minded and impulsive than adults? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss executive control, the cognitive process we use to control decision-making, memory, and other high-level functions.
In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we welcome guest speaker Dr. Kent Hecker - a professor in Neuroscience at the University of Calgary. We discuss how neuroscience gives insight into how we learn and how we can better measure if someone is learning.
In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we welcome guest speaker Jeff Hopkins - the principal of the Pacific School of Innovation and Inquiry. We discuss how neuroscience fits into education, and specifically how new educational methods can leverage neuroscience to improve education.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we welcome Doron Meir, the CEO of Float VR, to discuss how his company combines neuroscience with virtual reality to complete unique therapeutic experiences.
Humanity has long debated whether the circumstances of our birth, our Nature, or our development, our Nurture, are more influential on our lives. While this discussion is often discussed through biology or social psychology, what might neuroscience tell us about which is more important? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how our genes and experiences influence our brains.
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence assistant that is growing in popularity in daily life. It can generate answers to your questions faster than anyone could've previously imagined, but is it actually thinking about those questions? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of ChatGPT and similar AI models.
What happens to your brain when you die? Perhaps the more important question is why might your brain cause death? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how your brain deteriorates over time eventually causing death, and how your brain might process the moment of your death.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss Charles Bonnet syndrome - a rare disorder where people suffer extreme hallucinations related to top-down control over a damaged visual system.
In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we take a high-level (pun intended) look at how your brain biases basic functions like attention and perception based on previous experience, otherwise known as top-down processing.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the biological factors that explain why we sleep.
We frequently tell you that getting better sleep improves your brain health - but how can you get better sleep? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss 21 tips informed by neuroscience that you can use to improve your sleep.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - a disorder that affects children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy.
Previously on the podcast, we've discussed how a strong diet can improve brain health. But what happens to our brain when our diet is bad, or when we skip eating altogether? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss foods that are bad for your brain and why they're bad.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how our brain shapes behaviour when we're talking to strangers compared to people we know.
Remember when the sun was blue? Or what about that time bugs took over the world? Sometimes, our brain creates memories out of events that never happened which can cause drastic changes in behaviour. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how our brain creates false memories and how that process compares to making real memories.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss Tinnitus - where hearing is impaired and replaced by noises with no external source.
Do we really only learn from our mistakes? Are lectures the best method of education? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss common myths about how we learn and what neuroscience research tells us about the truth.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss why your brain can be more active when its cold versus when its hot.
Do you ever feel like so much is going on that you just can't handle anymore? In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we finish our discussion on brain overload by discussing cognitive overload.
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In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the Pineal Gland - a gland in your brain that is important for regulating sleep.
Do you ever feel like so much is going on that you just can't handle anymore? In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we begin our discussion on brain overload by discussing sensory overload.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the thyroid gland - an important body part for regulating hormones and metabolism.
Some scientists spend years trying to figure out what is going through someone's mind when they are doing something they know is wrong. What happens when these scientists test that immorality? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss Unethical Neuroscience through the example of the Milgram experiments.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the Pituitary Gland - the body part responsible for releasing hormones throughout your body.
Sometimes we talk about "going with your gut" when making decisions that feel right. As it turns out, our intestines are actually highly linked to our brain in more ways than just an expression. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the Gut-Brain Axis - a system linking our digestive system to our nervous system.
In todays episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss whats going on in your brain when you're pregnant.
Can people remember pictures forever after seeing them once? Are you able to recall entire pages of text you read years ago? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the evidence, or lack thereof, for photographic and eidetic memory.
In today's Neuroscience bite, we discuss Aphantasia - the inability to visually imagine things.
What makes a genuis brain different from ours? Are they bigger? Do they have more brain cells? Did they just win the gene lottery? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss what makes a smarter brain different.
In this week's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how oversleeeping affects your brain, for better or worse.
To kick off season 7 of That Neuroscience Guy, we're discussing the neuroscience behind binge-watching your favourite shows.
Game theory is a popular mode of thinking, especially in economics, that describes how systems in our environment use game-like rules and directions to recommend certain choices and predict if we'll make them. Whether its businesses offering sales at certain times or even offering platinum memberships to high-paying customers, our environment is designed to access the game-playing parts of our brains. In the season 6 finale of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how game theory can be used to trick your brain into making certain decisions.
In this week's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the Mendi - a new way to measure your brain while meditating at home.
Have you ever wondered why some people are so selfish? Or maybe you've even thought this about yourself? As it turns out your brain is hardwired to be selfish. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how our brain particularly loves items, people, memories, and many other things related to our sense of self.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss what Bayesian Thinking is, and what it means for your brain.
You'll often see lie detector tests in modern media, where large machines are used to determine if someone is telling the truth. But does that actually work? And is there a better way to look into someones mind and see what they're thinking? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind reading someone's mind.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss some examples of TED Talks that are great for people who want to learn more about the brain (without the formality of a class or degree).
Have you ever wondered why you can't tickle yourself? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how the brain's motor system prevents you from being able to tickle yourself.
In today's neuroscience bite, we discuss how you can track your sleep at home to improve brain health.
Its not uncommon for long periods of effort and/or stress to impact our brain, leaving us thinking less clearly and at a much slower rate. In Today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind brain fog.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how our brain recreates memories when we need them.
Do we really "rewire" our brains? Does studying animals help us understand the human brain? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss more common neuroscience myths.
In today's Neurosciene Bite, we discuss what might have made Albert Einstein's brain different from the average person.
Do we really only use 10% of your brain? Are creative people more 'right-brained' than everyone else? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we parse through common neuroscience myths and discuss how mythical they might be.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how scary movies affect people, whether they love or hate them.
Vision is more than just your eyes - you need your brain to intake visual information and process it. However, optometric care has largely focused on treating just your eyes. But what if we started trying to change your brain instead of your eyes? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we invite Dr. Cameron McCrodan to discuss how targeting visual processing and control in the brain can markedly improve treatments for patients with concussions, migraines, balance issues, and more.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we review "Don't Be Such a Scientist" by Randy Olson and discuss some problems with modern science.
Whether pushing through people at a shopping mall or standing shoulder to shoulder at a concert, being in crowds is a common experience. For some of us, that experience is overwhelmingly negative. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy we discuss the neuroscience behind our behaviour in crowds, and how our brain changes when surrounded by others.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss a great book that dives into impulsive decision making.
Legwarmers. Socks and Sandles. Skinny jeans. Goretex puffer jackets. Fashion is an ever-evolving aspect of culture, representing people's opinions on clothing, footwear, and accessories. But how do our brains process this complex form of expression? In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind our fashion sense.
In today's Neuroscience Bite we discuss Deliberate Play, an activity that builds intrinsic motivation.
We all have things that motivate us. Whether its a coach or teacher encouraging you to do better or an inner drive to get things done, we need motivation to complete goals. But how does our brain respond to motivation? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind motivation.
For many of us, it's hard to go a day without being on our phones. This can come in the form of urges to pick up your phone when you're not doing anything, or even shutting out the rest of your environment when you're on your phone. But why are we so addicted to our screens, and how does that affect our brains? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind smartphone and screen addictions.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind our relationships with our pets.
A prevalent problem in virtually all modern science is the disproportionately low number of women in the field. This lack of representation of women in science starts at a young age, and persists into later stages of many STEM professions. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we invite Katherine Boere, a PhD student in the Krigolson Lab and leader in the Women in STEM movement at the University of Victoria, to discuss the barriers for women in the field, where they come from, and how we can take them down.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the current state of neuroscientific evidence for the 4-day work week.
For everyone, food is essential for life. For most people, food is an avenue to enhance life. But how do food and taste impact our brain? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind eating food.
It's common for quiet times in our mind to be invaded by intensly emotional memories. Whether reminiscing about happy moments or dreading the bad ones, we tend to ruminate on the past. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we dig into the neuroscience behind how and why we ruminate.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss why a large portion of what we know about neuroscience is learned in the lab versus out in the real world.
Whether it is in the classroom, in the office, or even at the dinner table, it's common for our minds to wander from the current setting. But why do we let our minds get away from the task at hand? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind mind wandering.
How does imposter syndrome affect your brain? Is there a limit to how much you can learn? In today's episode, we do a rapid-fire Q&A session using questions listeners have asked recently.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind a popular film called the Matrix.
For a lot of us, flying is not a comfortable experience. However, even after the lineups, the expensive goods, and dealing with delays and cancellations, some people are still anxious about the flight itself. Why is that? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we become afraid when flying.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind why walking outside is better for your brain than walking inside or not at all.
Virtually every form of modern media comes with some degree of advertising attached. From commercials on TV to product promotions on social media, we are constantly told what to buy. But how does this affect our brain? I
In today's neuroscience bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind the patellar tendon tap, a common test used by doctors.
As humans have evolved, we have relied more and more on clothing. From long sleeve shirts to thick-soled shoes, the modern human is very dependent on clothes. But what if that isn't good for us? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind clothing coverage, and how more sensory exposure can help our brains.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind consuming energy drinks.
Sometimes you wake up and your brain feels foggy. Maybe, halfway through the day you hit a wall and lose the motivation to get things done. But why does our brain get tired? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we feel mental fatigue, how it affects the brain, and how to prevent it best.
Long bouts of stressful work, problems at home, and countless other things can leave you feeling exhausted and distressed. Burnout, the state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, is becoming more prominent. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how we become burnt out and how it affects the brain.
For this week's neuroscience bite, we discuss the primary sensory cortex, a brain area important for how integrate sensory information from our environment.
Have you ever had a friend exhibit harmful or toxic behaviour? Maybe you have been in a romantic relationship where your partner consistently manipulates or makes you feel unsafe. Either way, it can be difficult for us to get out of these unhealthy situations. To kick off season 5 of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind staying in toxic relationships.
Sex is a complicated topic: it's a mix of libido, attraction, social interaction and motivation. To cap off season 4, we're diving into the neuroscience of sex, why we want to have it and what's going on in the brain while we have it.
When we discussed schizophrenia in the last episode, we mentioned Phineas Gage. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss why this individual is so highly discussed in the neuroscience of personality and self-control.
Schizophrenia is a common brain disorder that causes delusions, hallucinations and disconnection from the world around you. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind schizophrenia, and how brain dysfunction leads to the aforementioned symptoms.
One of the most important parts of science is peer review. In today's neuroscience bite, we discuss how new science is critiqued and reviewed by experts in the field.
Did man reallywalk on the moon? Did Kramer really fight off a mugger while driving a bus to save someone's pinky toe? Sometimes people tend to believe things that are likely untrue, even if there is little or no evidence to support them. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind gullibility, and what makes us vulnerable to conspiracy theories.
When we talk about neuroscience, we usually mention our brain regions activating or firing. In today's neuroscience bite, we discuss what we mean by this, and how it helps us explain brain activity in general.
Someone cuts you off in traffic and you lay on the horn. Maybe your internet cut out for the 3rd time today during an important meeting. It's inevitable that we will experience things that make us angry. But how does our brain handle anger compared to other emotions? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind anger and how it changes our behaviour.
It's becoming increasingly common in some professional settings to avoid giving negative feedback. In today's neuroscience bite, we discuss how negative feedback is actually important for helping us learn.
Often in our lives, we face pressure from our peers to do things we probably shouldn't do. Why do we succumb to that pressure even when we know it's wrong? Today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy discusses the neuroscience behind peer pressure.
In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss what happens to your brain when you're dehydrated.
Humans are great at learning by watching. How do we transform watching something into doing it so well? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss mirror neurons, cells in your brain that help you mimic other people's behaviour.
Do you find yourself drifting off and daydreaming more often than your peers? Do you feel like you have trouble maintaining attention to something for a long time? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind attention spans.
For this week's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss some good book recommendations if you want to learn about interesting neuroscience topics.
Last week, we discussed the neuroscience behind spatial neglect. This week, we discuss an extreme case of neglect called Anasagnosia, where patients can't process anything on the left side of their visual field.
Previously, we discussed the neuroscience behind the dumber decisions we make. While it's fun to talk about what happens when things go wrong, how can we use neuroscience to make things go right? Today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy discusses the neuroscience behind making better decisions.
Sometimes, after a stroke or head trauma, patients experience deficits in perception of things in one side of their vision. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind neglect.
Find it hard to get off the couch? Maybe you've been putting off a task for longer than you should have. Why do we have trouble getting active when we need to? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of laziness.
Some people with missing limbs report sensations of that limb still being there, which we have termed Phantom Limb Syndrome. As it turns out, this is an excellent example of how our brain processes our body image. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind phantom limbs and body image.
Have you ever thought fondly about your past? In this week's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind Nostalgia.
We've talked about how both exercise and complex tasks can be beneficial for your brain. But what happens when you combine them? In today's episode of That Neuroscience guy, we have guest Paul McCarthy on to talk about cognitive Kali, his program for using a Filipino martial arts style to enhance your brain.
It's becoming increasingly popular to build Lego sets well into adulthood. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how simple engaging tasks like this are actually great for your brain.
It's prevalent for people to start a new year with some resolutions: commitments to improving certain behaviours. Whether it's working out, reading more, or maybe spending less time on screens, failing to keep up with those resolutions is almost as common as making them. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we want to improve our behaviour, and why we often fail.
For this week's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the Neuroscience of belief, using Santa Claus as a prominent example.
Have you ever made a decision you utterly regret and are left wondering why on earth you would do that? We all make mistakes, it's part of being human, but what's going on in the brain when this happens? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind making bad decisions.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss the Premotor Cortex: a brain area important for movement planning.
In the last episode, we discussed the neuroscience behind hitting a tennis ball. However, we missed what happens when we learn new motor skills (like hitting a tennis ball). In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind learning complex sports skills.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss the Supplementary Area: a brain area important for movement planning.
Previously on the podcast, we talked about the neuroscience of grabbing an apple. While this is great for explaining movement when you're at home or in the office, what happens when the environment is a bit more intense? As it turns out, in high-paced sports your brain is working overtime to get your body moving. in today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind complex motor control, like when we are hitting a tennis ball.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss the Ventral Tegmental Area: a brain area important for processing rewards in the brain.
ADHD is a prevalent neurodevelopment disorder that typically involves enhanced impulsivity, trouble with paying attention, and/or general hyperactivity. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind what causes ADHD, and how it affects the brain.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss the Reticular Activating System: a brain area important for perception and motor control.
Some individuals may have told you to "do your own research" when discussing current events, especially those related to scientific findings. But what is the correct way to do that research and understand modern science? Today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy provides a primer on finding, reading, and understanding scientific research.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss the Substantia Nigra Pars compacta: a brain area important for dopamine function in the brain.
The world has recently seen a widespread focus on mental health. It's necessary to understand what good mental health is, what happens when we don't achieve it, and how to improve it. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of mental health.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss the Primary Motor Cortex: a brain area important for controlling muscles all over the body.
Brain-Computer Interfaces, or BCIs, are designed to connect our brains to technology with varying uses. It may seem like science fiction, but BCIs allow us to control robot arms, use a computer, or even fly drones all with our brains. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how BCIs work, and all their potential uses.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss Broca's Area: a brain area important for controlling the muscles that produce speech.
For a lot of us, driving a vehicle is a part of everyday life. It is an incredibly complex skill that requires rapid reaction time, decision-making, and action. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of driving.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss Wernicke's Area: a brain area important for producing and understanding speech.
Before a big game or important meeting, you might rehearse in your head how you think it's going to go. As it turns out, imagining yourself doing something can make you better at it. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss mental imagery and how it improves performance.
Next in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss the hypothalamus; a brain area important for autonomic functions like sleep and hormones.
Around 75,000,000 people, or roughly 1% of the world's population, have autism. Autism is a broad term for individuals with a variety of atypical behaviours, such as social interaction and communication. But where might those differences come from? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind Autism.
Next up in our series of Neuroscience Bites, we discuss the Thalamus; a brain area essential for a range of senses, consciousness, and even memory.
We've spent a lot of time discussing different brain areas and what they do, but that's not the whole picture. How do these areas communicate and work together to create what we experience as brain function? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how our brains actually work.
In this week's Neuroscience Bite, we continue our series of discussions on different brain areas with the Brainstem.
Marijuana has seen increased support, and even legalisation, around the world in recent years. But how does Marijuana use affect the brain? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how using Marijuana affects the brain.
In this week's Neuroscience Bite, we narrow in on the Hippocampus and discuss its structure and functions.
Sometimes, the area responsible for vision in a blind person's brain changes over time to complete different functions, like hearing. This extreme example of change in brain tissue is called Neuroplasticity, and it happens in all our brains at different levels. In the season 4 premiere of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how our brain tissue changes over time and how that affects cognition.
A sneak peek at what's coming in Season 4 of That Neuroscience Guy, which will premiere on September 18th.
It's challenging to deal with the loss of a loved one. The grieving process is long and complicated, but what in the brain is causing this? In the season 3 finale of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of how we process loss and the ensuing grief.
You've probably been warned about the potential of too much "Blue Light" being harmful, especially for sleep. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss why and how Blue Light actually affects your brain activity.
We've all experienced those hot and humid days when our brains seem to work slower. Some people, like firefighters, face extreme heat regularly but still have to act rapidly in dangerous situations. How does extreme heat affect our brain, and what can we do to prevent that? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we invite a special guest Dr. Cory Coehoorn to tell us about the impact of heat on the brain.
You're only as old as you feel. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the brain benefits of feeling younger than you are.
When was the last time you remembered a friend's phone number or did math without a calculator? It's increasingly common for us to rely on technology for many different day-to-day functions, but how does that affect our brain? Today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy discusses how relying on technology can impact our brain function.
Across social media and in day-to-day life, we spend a lot of time obsessing over cute animals. But what makes us enjoy them so much? Today's Neuroscience Bite discusses the neuroscience behind our love for cute animals.
How about this weather? The game was crazy last night! We often find ourselves repeating conversations like this with a wide range of people, it's what we call small talk. Today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy discusses the neuroscience behind small talk.
Ataxia is another neuromotor disorder that negatively impacts coordination and overall motor function. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind Ataxia.
Last week, we discussed how artificial intelligence is designed to learn how human brains. But, when AI learns , how exactly does it use that knowledge to make decisions? In today's episode of that neuroscience guy, we discussed the neuroscience of artificial intelligence decision-making.
Apraxia is a neural disorder that causes serious deficits in various motor functions. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind Apraxia.
Whether you know it or not, artificial intelligence is probably a part of your daily life. It may be the face recognition in your phone, or vacuum that learns the layout of your house on its own. But how does an artificial brain compare to a human brain? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind creating artificial intelligence.
Have you ever heard of Arepa, a drink designed to improve your brain health? Or maybe you've heard of other "superfoods" designed to improve your brain function. IN today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind brain foods.
We have spent a lot of time discussing how we learn, and what happens in the brain when we do it. But we can also improve that learning! In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind different methods we know to improve our learning.
Many people, including us on the podcast, will tell you that exercise is good for the brain. But why is exercise good for our brain? In today;'s neuroscience bite, we explain how exercise benefits the brain.
Our upbringing is based on where we're born, who we're born to, and a considerable amount of other things. We have an umbrella term for this, socioeconomic status. But does your socioeconomic status affect your brain? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how our background has profound effects on the development of our brains.
Previously, we discussed how aging negatively impacts your brain. But is there something we can to do help prevent, or at least ameliorate, those effects? Today's Neuroscience Bite discusses tips for improving your brain's long-term health.
In the last episode, we discussed how the brain changes as we grow from babies to young adults. But what about the other side of the spectrum; what happens to our brain as we age? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of the aging brain.
Have you ever been jealous of someone? Do you wonder why we feel envious of those around us? In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind jealousy.
You've probably noticed that children and teenagers tend to behave much differently than adults. A lot of this can actually be attributed to how the brain grows and changes as we develop. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how the growing brain develops over time and affects behaviour.
Sometimes we don't know what will happen to us, like when the pandemic hit. Many of us had never experienced this before, so how do we behave in these uncertain conditions? In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind handling uncertainty when we make decisions.
Have you ever been bored? Have you ever experienced mind wandering? On this week's episode, we will discuss why boredom occurs, what's going on in the brain when it happens, and even what you can do to help prevent becoming bored!
While we discussed migraines in-depth last week, we didn't get a chance to talk about simple headaches fully. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we circle back and examine the neuroscience of headaches.
Have you ever woken up with a pounding headache? Maybe you suffer from frequent migraines that can make it harder to function day-to-day. But what is going on in the brain to cause these things, and what can we do to prevent them? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we enlist the help of Dr Marla Mickleborough from the University of Saskatchewan to discuss the neuroscience of headaches.
Last week, we talked about the neuroscience of taste. But, the taste is also affected by our sense of smell, which itself has an intriguing connection to our brains. In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind our sense of smell.
We all have a decent idea of the intense physical training professional athletes go through. But what makes the brains of these elite players different? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind elite sports performance.
Everyone has that one favourite food that always tastes better than anything else. But what goes into our perception of taste? In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience of our sense of taste.
A lot of us can't go a day without needing to walk somewhere. Most of the time, we don't even have to think about it. But what's actually going on in the nervous system when you're walking? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind walking.
Diamonds are highly valuable because they're thought to be very rare. But why do we humans love rare things? In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience of rarity.
During sleep, we can replay a combination of memories and images that we seemingly imagined out of nowhere. Dreaming can be different for everyone. But why do we dream, and why can our dreams be so different? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we dream and, as a bonus, sleepwalking.
What's going on in a doctor's brain when they make decisions? In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience of medical decision making.
After a night out, we can experience strange dizziness that tricks us into thinking we're spinning when we're not. But why do we get these bed spins, and is it similar to how we get seasickness and other forms of dizziness? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of Bed Spins and dizziness with the special help of neuroscientist Dr Gordon Binsted.
Long flights over time zones can cause serious jet lag; general mind and body fatigue. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we get jet lagged.
The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrimage routes through Portugal and northwestern Spain that over 200,000 people travel every year. But why is such a trip so desirable? Why do we often find these trips can have huge benefits for our mental well being? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we use the Camino de Santiago as a model to discuss why pilgrimages and other long walking trips have benefits for your brain.
Virtual reality experiences are becoming increasingly common. How does your brain react to being in a realistic, immersive alternate reality? In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience of virtual reality.
Pizza or Sushi? Buy or sell? Stay or go? For some of us, indecision is a serious crutch in our daily life. But why are we so indecisive, and can we change that? In today's episode of That Neuroscience guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind indecision.
Most of us start our day with a cup of coffee or any other caffeinated beverage. But why do we all feel like we need it? And is it actually hurting our brain more than it's helping? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how caffeine benefits and impairs our brain.
Do you consider yourself an adrenaline junkie, or do you prefer to avoid dangerous hobbies? In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience of Thrill-seeking.
Whether it's watching your favourite comedian, or just joking around with your friends, we all experience humour in our daily lives. But why do we laugh so much, and why do we tend to laugh at different things than others? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind our sense of humour, and why laughter is actually good medicine.
In the first instalment of our Neuroscience Bites series, we take a few minutes to dive into the neuroscience of break-ups.
What goes through your head the first time you meet someone? Is it how they look or act? Is it how they talk or smell? Or are you just wondering what they think about you? To kick off season 3 of That Neuroscience Guy, we're discussing the neuroscience of first impressions: how we make them and why they matter.
Season 3 of That Neuroscience Guy is coming soon! Here are some updates on what to expect in the next batch of episodes.
In previous episodes, we typically focus on certain brain areas as they relate to our everyday life. But how do all these brain areas fit together? For the season 2 finale of That Neuroscience Guy, we're giving you a tour of the human brain.
We all feel entitled to certain things, but some people take it too far. Why do some of us have such a huge ego, and believe we're entitled to more than everyone else? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we dive into the neuroscience of ego and entitlement.
We have all cut corners when making healthy changes. For a lot of us, that might mean eating something forbidden by a diet or skipping a workout. But why do we lose willpower when we need it most? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind maintaining our diets, and where our willpower comes from.
Scientific research is a detailed process we use to answer important questions, and it's our best method for understanding the world around us. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how scientific research is done, why we trust it, and how you can know the difference between good and bad research.
We've all been sick before, and that usually leads to a foggy, emotional, and fatigued state of mind. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss why and how being sick changes your brain.
Many of us will enter the new year with resolutions. Usually, these resolutions involve either forming new habits or breaking old ones. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we form habits, and how to shake the bad ones.
It's been a tough year for most of us, both mentally and physically. We thought it would be a good way to wrap up 2021 by going over all the ways you can improve your mental wellbeing and brain health. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind achieving optimal brain function.
The Holidays are here. Every year, plenty of us exchange gifts, wait for Santa Claus and spend time with family. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind common holiday traditions and how we experience them.
We have had the privilege to talk Neuroscience on the podcast for the past year. But how did we get to the point where we can study Neuroscience, and educate others about it? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how to become a neuroscientist, including the education we needed to start and the work we do on a daily basis.
Are you curious about using neurotechnology to improve your brain health? Not sure where to start? In a special episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we kick off the holiday season by going over our opinions on popular neurotech, its scientific validity, and which devices can help you.
Humans both love and hate fear. Whether it's hiding under the covers during a scary movie or jumping out of a plane headfirst, we all experience fear. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how our brains process fear and how it affects our behaviour.
Everyone handles it differently, but we all feel lonely sometimes. What you may not know is that loneliness can have a severe negative impact on your brain. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss what loneliness does to your brain.
Alcohol consumption makes us feel and behave much differently than usual, and can often be addictive. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how alcohol impacts your brain and why you become addicted to it.
Humans accomplish amazing things through creativity. In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss what's going on in your brain while you're being creative, and what we can do to improve that process.
Going out for a hike or walking through the park can instantly improve your mood. But why does simply being outside make us feel better? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we get outdoors and discuss why being in nature is beneficial for your brain.
We tell plenty of lies every day. Sometimes we lie to other people to spare their feelings or make ourselves look better. We even lie to ourselves when we remember things differently than how they happened. But why? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of how and why we lie.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is an essential clinical tool for diagnosing injuries of both the brain and body. As it turns out, it's also incredibly important for scientific research on the brain. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how MRI works, and why it's so well-suited for studying the brain.
Have you ever wondered why music moves us so profoundly? Maybe you've questioned how we are able to create such powerful songs. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how we experience and make music.
There is a myriad of technical hurdles we'll have to jump through to get humans on Mars, but what about psychological hurdles? As it turns out, long-duration space travel can wreak havoc on your brain. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the psychological problems astronauts will face when travelling to Mars, and how we're trying to solve them.
Have you ever wondered if meditation can actually improve your health? As it turns out, practising mindfulness and meditation improves various brain functions, and alleviates some negative mental health symptoms. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, I explain the neuroscience of how meditation changes your brain for the better.
Season 2 of That Neuroscience Guy is here! We kick off the season by discussing the neuroscience of why and how humans trust each other.
Here's a sneak peek of what's coming up in Season 2 of the That Neuroscience Guy podcast, premiering in early September 2021.
Love is an essential part of the human experience, just as much as heartbreak is. In the season 1 finale of That Neuroscience Guy, I discuss the neuroscience of how we experience love, and the lack thereof.
It's a simple question: why do people do bad things? In today's episode, I discuss the neuroscience behind evilness.
Have you ever had someone tell you they are more left- or right-brained? Its commonly thought that we can have a more active left or right side of our brain, which leads to us being more creative or analytical. In today's episode, I discuss the neuroscience of hemispheric specialization, and how it affects our behaviour.
Have you ever wondered what consciousness actually is? What separates conscious beings from artificial intelligence? As it turns out, not much. In a special Q&A episode, I discuss the neuroscience of consciousness.
Why does your heart race when you hear horror movie music? How does being sad lead to craving ice cream? In today's episode, I discuss the neuroscience of emotion.
You may have heard of a unique phenomenon where some people have intense religious experiences following a seizure. In some cases, these people may even believe they are God. In today's episode, I discuss the neuroscience behind the "God Spot", a proposed brain area for religious experience.
In a special That Neuroscience Guy Q&A, I discuss various types of nervous system disorders and injuries, and how they affect your brain.
Sight is one of our most detailed sensations. To finalize our two-part series, I'm going to discuss the basics of how we process visual information for the perception of the world around us.
Sight is one of our most detailed sensations. In a two-part series, I'm going to discuss the basics of how we process visual information about the world. First, we talk about the neuroscience behind vision for action: determining where things are and how we use them.
Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are prevalent and devastating conditions. In today's episode, we discuss the neuroscience of Alzheimer's and Dementia as it relates to their symptoms, causes, and prevalence.
Do tall people perceive time differently? What does alcohol actually do to your brain? In the second That Neuroscience Guy Q&A, I answer your burning questions about neuroscience.
Depression is a prevalent yet complex condition, and there are multiple ways it can affect the brain. In today's episode, we discuss the neuroscience of Depression.
Am I Neurotypical? Does Artificial Intelligence really think like me? In the first That Neuroscience Guy Q&A, I answer your burning questions about neuroscience.
"Brainwaves" help us explain how the brain works, which is why I study them all the time. But what is a brainwave? In today's episode, I discuss what EEG is and how we use it to understand the brain.
You've probably heard that 10,000 hours of practice makes us an expert at something. But why is this the case? In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience of becoming an expert.
We are often told we have to "pay" attention, but what does that really mean? In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience of Attention.
Your brain does not shut down when you are sleeping. Instead, there is a lot of cool stuff going on - and I am not even talking about your dreams! In this episode, I talk about the neuroscience of sleep.
Seems simple right? Wrong. Grabbing an apple pushes your brain to the max. In today's episode, we will discuss the neuroscience of human movement.
On this episode I discuss why social media is so addictive - the neuroscience behind why we keep going back to see if someone has liked our post.
Have you ever wondered why you impulse shop - what causes you to add something to your Amazon cart and buy it? In this episode Dr. K will review the neuroscience that explains why we impulse shop.