The Role of Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemical compounds released by neurons that travel from one neural synapse to another to cause a specific reaction. Once the neurotransmitter completes the designated task, they are deactivated, moved away from the receptor or reabsorbed by the...
Tips for Coping with Seasonal Affective Disorder
With the ending of daylight saving time, a bonus hour of sleep is gained, but something precious is lost: sunlight. When daylight ends earlier in the evening, there is an increase in the diagnosis of depression, according to a study in 2016. Roughly 5% of Americans...
Things You Probably Didn’t Know About the Brain
The brain is the body's central control unit. This marvelous mass is the repository of emotions and memories; philosophers even have believed throughout history that the brain may house the soul. The nervous system's main organ, the brain handles most of the body's...
Neuroscience vs. Psychology
At first glance, the neuroscience and psychology seem like very similar disciplines. In essence, they both deal with the brain...but what sets them apart? As it turns out, there is a lot of nuance between the two, and the differences lie in which questions we want to...
Children as Diagnostic Patients
When children need diagnostic testing, their special needs as patients can complicate treatment. Depending on the age of a child, parents and doctors may face a lack of linguistic or cognitive skills, emotional stages that need to be addressed, and the ever-shifting nature of a child’s understanding as they move through growth stages. Compassionate caregivers can take time to explain procedures on a level the child can grasp. Parents and guardians can provide doctor and nurse themed toys to explore some medical procedures through play. Adults can provide facts in a calm voice so that the child can experience a sense of control during a difficult time.
How Technology is Changing Neuroscience
The brain is by far the most complicated puzzle in the human body. It's always been very mysterious. Aristotle, for example, thought the brain helps cool the heart. Over time, of course, doctors have come to know much more about the brain. Some very recent innovations...
Stigma of Mental Illness
A stigma is a negative connotation towards a certain characteristic or trait. There are stigmas associated with mental health problems which cause some people to veer away from seeking help. Stigmas can lead to discrimination against people with a mental illness or...
The Best Brain Foods
Whether you are suffering from a concussion, improving your memory, or just want to have a healthier brain, there are certain foods to eat to improve its function. These “superfoods” help maintain the health of your brain if added into your diet. They add vitamins,...
How PTS and PTSD Differ: Part 2
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a commonly known mental illness diagnoses. It is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the criteria is constantly changing. You can be diagnosed with PTSD if you have experienced or witnessed a...
Effects of a Concussion
Concussions can be minor or can be traumatic injuries to the brain. Concussions occur when there is a blow to the head that causes the brain to move quickly back and forth. The sudden movement results in the brain bouncing against the skull and can damage cells and...