Neuroscience in Everyday Life

Domestic Violence

Racism and the Brain

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on June 4, 2020

Neuroimaging studies suggest that the brain code that signals “threat” is automatically activated to a greater degree by encountering black people.

Neuroimaging studies suggest that the brain code that signals “threat” is automatically activated to a greater degree by encountering black people.

Parenting

Parenting During COVID-19: Hands-On Recommendations

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on April 28, 2020

During times of confinement to our homes, every person becomes a mirror for everyone else in their family.

During times of confinement to our homes, every person becomes a mirror for everyone else in their family.

Anxiety

10 Necessary Cognitive Changes During a Pandemic

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on April 2, 2020

The human brain has an enormous ability to imagine. Anxiety and worry are byproducts of this imaginary system. Worry is a creative story that is based on some true occurrences.

The human brain has an enormous ability to imagine. Anxiety and worry are byproducts of this imaginary system. Worry is a creative story that is based on some true occurrences.

What is absolutely needed is physical distancing—not social distancing—at the first suspicion of a pandemic.

Anxiety

10 Things the Brain Does in Response to Pandemic

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on March 13, 2020

One way to distract ourselves from a colossal problem is to create other solvable ones.

One way to distract ourselves from a colossal problem is to create other solvable ones.

Anxiety

Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Real?

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on December 20, 2019

Studies have noted several differences in the biology of women who suffer from PMDD and those who do not—most notably, differences in emotion regulation networks in the brain.

Studies have noted several differences in the biology of women who suffer from PMDD and those who do not—most notably, differences in emotion regulation networks in the brain.

According to the National Poison Data System, there were 13 deaths between 2016-2017 as a result of the misuse of the anti-diarrhea medication loperamide.

Depression

Winter Brain: Why Do We Feel Sad and Tired in Winter?

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on November 17, 2019

Winter blues are a result of complicated biochemical changes in the brain that cause changes in our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors depending on the season.

Winter blues are a result of complicated biochemical changes in the brain that cause changes in our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors depending on the season.

Dementia

Your Gut Might Influence Whether or Not You Get Alzheimer's Disease

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on November 8, 2019

Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease appear to have a less diverse gut microbiome compared to age- and sex-matched controls.

Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease appear to have a less diverse gut microbiome compared to age- and sex-matched controls.

Anxiety

Parents' Anxiety Affects How They Talk to Their Children

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on October 2, 2019

Anxious mothers might not maximally benefit from parenting because of their excessive uncontrollable worries. They often miss out on the present.

Anxious mothers might not maximally benefit from parenting because of their excessive uncontrollable worries. They often miss out on the present.

ADHD

A Non-Medicinal Treatment for ADHD and Why It Works

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on September 8, 2019

Among other benefits, exercise increases chemicals known as brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF), which are crucially involved in learning and memory.

Among other benefits, exercise increases chemicals known as brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF), which are crucially involved in learning and memory.

Stress

Is Midlife Stress the Cause of Dementia in Aging Women?

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on August 23, 2019

Stress prevention and management during mid-life may significantly reduce women's risk of dementia and related disorders.

Stress prevention and management during mid-life may significantly reduce women's risk of dementia and related disorders.

Depression

Gut Bacteria Can Influence Your Mood, Thoughts, and Brain

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on August 7, 2019

Patients with psychiatric disorders such as depression have different populations of gut microbes compared to healthy individuals.

Patients with psychiatric disorders such as depression have different populations of gut microbes compared to healthy individuals.

Self-Control

Doughnuts or Broccoli?: Why Dieters Fail and How to Succeed

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on July 17, 2019

There are differences in the brains of people who reject tasty unhealthy foods and those who succumb. But you can change that.

There are differences in the brains of people who reject tasty unhealthy foods and those who succumb. But you can change that.

Relationships

Love Is a Healthy Addiction Needed for Long Relationships

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on April 24, 2019

Romantic love is a key ingredient in healthy marriages. When It is achieved, it creates an addictive need that sustains a connection for decades.

Romantic love is a key ingredient in healthy marriages. When It is achieved, it creates an addictive need that sustains a connection for decades.

Depression

Can Religion Help with Depression?

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on April 5, 2019

The brains of those at high risk for depression become more similar to low-risk brains when they strongly value religious beliefs.

The brains of those at high risk for depression become more similar to low-risk brains when they strongly value religious beliefs.

Estrogen

Do Women Age Slower Than Men?

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on February 12, 2019

The data suggests that throughout the adult life span, normal female brains are more youthful than men's. In this study, female brains were on average 4 years younger than men's.

The data suggests that throughout the adult life span, normal female brains are more youthful than men's. In this study, female brains were on average 4 years younger than men's.

Stress

Can Stress Kill You? What Doesn't Kill You, Kills You Slowly

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on January 26, 2019

There are stressful situations that promote strength. The criteria: Stress you can tolerate, manage successfully, and have control over. Anything short of that can cause damage.

There are stressful situations that promote strength. The criteria: Stress you can tolerate, manage successfully, and have control over. Anything short of that can cause damage.

Stress

Is Stress Bad or Good for Memory?

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on December 19, 2018

High levels of glucocorticoids that accompany chronic stress activate forgetting circuits, inhibit the birth of new neurons, and eventually kill hippocampal cells.

High levels of glucocorticoids that accompany chronic stress activate forgetting circuits, inhibit the birth of new neurons, and eventually kill hippocampal cells.

Anxiety

The Pain of Worry: The Anxious Brain

Marwa Azab Ph.D. on November 29, 2018

Anxiety compels the sufferer to keep running from an invisible monster to an unknown destination.

Anxiety compels the sufferer to keep running from an invisible monster to an unknown destination.