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Your Internet Brain

How the internet's architecture illuminates the workings of our brains.

Stress

If You Need a Break, Just Blink

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

The neuronal changes triggered by blinking might just be a way to escape the pressures of the world, however briefly.

The neuronal changes triggered by blinking might just be a way to escape the pressures of the world, however briefly.

Relationships

Why Do Humans Make War?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

No other species wages large-scale war the way we do. Why do we kill our kind so frequently, and how does our species yet survive?

No other species wages large-scale war the way we do. Why do we kill our kind so frequently, and how does our species yet survive?

Scent

How Dogs “See” Smells

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on October 20, 2022

Dogs are famous for their noses. Not only do they inspect almost everything with their noses, their heads have a special design geared toward smell.

Dogs are famous for their noses. Not only do they inspect almost everything with their noses, their heads have a special design geared toward smell.

Sleep

Do Animals Have Dreams?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on July 22, 2022

Mammals have long bouts of REM sleep. This is when vivid dreams are most likely. So in the animal kingdom, we and our furry relatives are probably the most prolific dreamers.

Mammals have long bouts of REM sleep. This is when vivid dreams are most likely. So in the animal kingdom, we and our furry relatives are probably the most prolific dreamers.

Genetics

Is the Female Brain Superior?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on March 8, 2022

To celebrate International Women's Day, we consider the remarkable but mysterious genetic diversity that exists in the bodies of genetic females, especially in their brains.

To celebrate International Women's Day, we consider the remarkable but mysterious genetic diversity that exists in the bodies of genetic females, especially in their brains.

Relationships

How Cats See the World

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on February 22, 2022

For millennia, humans have invited cats into our homes, yet they remain mysterious. Understanding how they perceive the world can bring us closer.

For millennia, humans have invited cats into our homes, yet they remain mysterious. Understanding how they perceive the world can bring us closer.

Attention

The Neuroscience of Light Therapy

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on November 17, 2021

As we approach the winter solstice, you are probably aware that decreasing daylight can have a substantial impact on mood and mental health. Here's what we know.

As we approach the winter solstice, you are probably aware that decreasing daylight can have a substantial impact on mood and mental health. Here's what we know.

Child Development

What Do You See Just Before You Are Born?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on October 13, 2021

Think back to your earliest memory. It probably comes from early childhood, probably around age three. Maybe it’s a hazy image or a vague feeling.

Think back to your earliest memory. It probably comes from early childhood, probably around age three. Maybe it’s a hazy image or a vague feeling.

Personality

What Acting Can Tell Us About Our Minds

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on September 8, 2021

Psychologists and artists are increasingly breaking down barriers between their disciplines. Yet science still has much to learn from actors and theater.

Psychologists and artists are increasingly breaking down barriers between their disciplines. Yet science still has much to learn from actors and theater.

Intelligence

Can a Bigger Brain Be Engineered?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on July 29, 2021

In Part 3 of a series on brain size and intelligence, we look at research on animals that have been artificially selected to have bigger-than-normal brains.

In Part 3 of a series on brain size and intelligence, we look at research on animals that have been artificially selected to have bigger-than-normal brains.

Neuroscience

Are We Prisoners of Habit or Are We Fundamentally Flexible?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on May 4, 2021

Though other species employ habit and flexibility, there is for us a heightened interplay between the two. Perhaps the way we balance habit and flexibility is what makes us human.

Though other species employ habit and flexibility, there is for us a heightened interplay between the two. Perhaps the way we balance habit and flexibility is what makes us human.

Friends

6 Degrees of Your Brain

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

How well connected are the different parts of your brain? Answer: very. And the way the brain is connected allows us to do amazing things.

How well connected are the different parts of your brain? Answer: very. And the way the brain is connected allows us to do amazing things.

Intelligence

A Bigger Brain is Not Necessarily Better

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on March 9, 2021

We assume a big brain means high intelligence, and vice versa. But there is little evidence for this. A smaller brain can be just as powerful—if not more so.

We assume a big brain means high intelligence, and vice versa. But there is little evidence for this. A smaller brain can be just as powerful—if not more so.

Neuroscience

You Can't Use 100% of Your Brain and That’s a Good Thing

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on February 21, 2021

The brain has limitations on how many neurons can be active at once. It is now clear that the brain shows what is called sparseness. The 10% myth serves as a good reference point.

The brain has limitations on how many neurons can be active at once. It is now clear that the brain shows what is called sparseness. The 10% myth serves as a good reference point.