Music has always wielded a disconcerting power over me. In times of overwhelming emotions, listening to a sad song or playing Chopin’s Nocturne in E-flat on the piano has propelled me into cathartic fits of sobbing. Songs with escalating intensity and complexity (such as San Fermin’s Parasites) have made me feel as if a wave […]
September
10
Remembering Oliver Sacks
posted by socogal42
To celebrate the life and work of Dr. Oliver Sacks, the man who inspired many of us to study the brain, some of the members of NeuWriteSD have chosen a favorite piece or two to share and speak about. Though I’ve been reading his words for over a decade now, Oliver Sacks’ final piece […]
September
03
Who wants to be an astronaut?
posted by stephnelli
Sensory deprivation. Cultural isolation. Physical confinement. Throw in relearning every menial task for microgravity, the lack of privacy and the disturbed sleep-wake cycle, and you can be sure your life will never be the same (1,2). Yeah, the job description for being an astronaut is a little intense. Especially since you also need to be intelligent, physically fit, and, […]
August
27
Two brains in one head?: The story of the split-brain phenomenon
posted by Catie Profaci
The idea that a person is right-brained or left-brained is a myth […] However, the brain is indeed split into a right and left hemisphere, and the two are connected by a structure called the “corpus callosum”, a bundle of nerves through which information can be shared.
August
13
Things that go Bump in the Night: the Perils of Misplaced Paralysis
posted by nkoblesky
Sleep is a beautiful thing. As soon as your head hits your pillow, your brain and body kick a number of essential processes into gear. Growth hormone is released, making you taller(1). The immune system is bolstered, protecting you from disease and infection(1). Memories are consolidated, making damn sure that you remember every word of […]
August
06
The Appeal of a Limitless Mind
posted by Melissa Lau
Editor’s Note: With the much-anticipated debut of the Limitless TV show closing in, it’s clear that cameos of Bradley Cooper (and animated sequences of NEURONS FIRING!!!) will be spicing up the Fall TV lineup. From the trailer, it looks like the show will be just as exciting and scientifically questionable as the movie—giving NeuWrite the perfect opportunity to re-post our original musings on Limitless, […]
July
30
To Sleep, Perchance to Swim
posted by Xi Jiang
Humans sleep, for hours or minutes, alone or in company, with or without dreams. As universal and important as sleep is for us, not all our animal kin share our daily indulgence in inactivity, despite the likely immunological and cognitive benefits/roles of human sleep (discussed in a previous NeuWriteSD post). Many species do, however, experience […]
July
16
Truly Blissful Brains
posted by Ashley Juavinett
[En Español] It’s not uncommon for beverage advertisements to make far-fetched claims. Coca Cola “calms jumpy nerves,” Vitamin Water is “nutritious,” and Gatorade will turn you into Michael Jordan. Within the past few years, a new brain-branded league of products has entered the beverages aisle, creating conflict within a neuroscientist like me. While I’m excited […]
July
10
Got a computer? We have data. Let’s do neuroscience!
posted by Ben Cipollini
Now, everything you need to do mind reading–and your own neuroscience data analysis–is freely available online. This post points you to data, software, and examples to get you started–even if you don’t have a Ph.D.
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