A new study reports that the same brain region used to put yourself in someone else's shoes and practice theory of mind also improves self-control by overcoming self-centeredness.
Do you need a source of motivation that inspires you to exercise more and at a higher intensity? If so, a new study confirms that listening to music makes exercise more enjoyable.
A new study from Dartmouth pinpoints the brain mechanisms linked to risk-taking and impulse control during adolescence. This discovery explains why teenagers are often reckless.
Positive and negative memories may be housed in specific regions of the amygdala, according to a new mice study. These findings offer many clues for overcoming negativity and fear.
America was ranked no. 7 in a first-of-its-kind global survey on empathy. But, not all Americans are equally empathic. Why are some Americans more empathetic to others' suffering?
Neuroscientists have found a correlation between finger length ratios and brain function. A new study reports that having a shorter index finger may indicate athletic potential.
Aerobic exercise triggers the production of a molecule that can repair some types of brain damage and speeds up communication between brain regions, new study finds.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered that various Alzheimer's disease symptoms are linked to a combination of atrophy factors in three different brain regions.
A new study reports that the exercise-induced hormone irisin can reduce the number of mature fat cells by 20 to 60 percent. If you want to lose weight, irisin production can help.
A new global survey has identified a strong correlation between rest, relaxation, and well-being. The researchers also conducted a survey that ranks the top 10 restful activities.
A new study from Yale University reports that staying moderately physically active is key to maintaining mobility and a state of independence as people get older.
How do sex differences play a role in the development of our social brain? A new study on specific neurons in the cerebellum (Latin for "little brain") offers some valuable clues.
A groundbreaking new study reports that aerobic endurance training can alter 3,400 RNA variants, associated with 2,600 genes. These findings have widespread health implications.
A new study found that financial traders who trust their gut feelings and have grace under pressure are more successful. What is the physiological explanation for this phenomenon?
We all know the gut-wrenching feeling of making a tough emotional decision. Recently, MIT neuroscientists pinpointed the brain mechanics behind emotional decision-making.
Of four basic personality types, a new study reports that "Envious" was the most common. How is envy linked to the epidemic of entitlement? What can we do to break this cycle?
William James once said, "We don't laugh because we're happy, we're happy because we laugh." New research confirms that laughter improves psychological and physical well-being.
Traditionally, the cerebellum has been considered a "non-thinking" part of our brain. However, a new study reports that specific cerebellar brain regions are involved in cognition.
A new study pinpoints how a sense of entitlement leads to malcontent, distress, and anger. What can we do to break the cycle of entitlement? Pop music and poetry offer some clues.
Do you have trouble sticking with an exercise routine? If so, a new study has identified a simple one-two punch that improves your odds of making exercise a daily habit you enjoy.
National Suicide Prevention Week is September 5-11, 2016. The International Association for Suicide Prevention has pinpointed three core tenets at the heart of suicide prevention.
Do you hate to exercise? If so, I have good news. A new study reports that you do not have to be an exercise fanatic to reap the neuroprotective benefits of physical activity.
Overplayed songs become blasé. But, tracking down forgotten music of your youth—and reconnecting with rare nostalgic songs—can take you back in time and make you feel young again.
A groundbreaking initiative in the UK is using smartphone technology and citizen science to identify whether damp and gray weather really does cause stiffness in your joints
How well do you adapt to stress? A new review deconstructs the underpinnings of resilience and offers clues for ways to make your brain more resilient to distress.
Next week in Vienna, neuroscientists will meet for the 2016 Dopamine Conference. In this blog post, I reflect on what I've learned about dopamine through both sport and life.
We all know that texting while driving creates life-threatening hazards. But, a new study reports that walking and using a smartphone can be very unsafe, especially for children.
