I Got a Mind to Tell You

Straight talk about the tangled workings of our brains

Philosophy
Is Consciousness Mysterious?

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on February 14, 2024

Some say consciousness is mysterious, a hard problem that science cannot solve. Until we accept that consciousness is a brain function, what it is will continue to mystify.

Some say consciousness is mysterious, a hard problem that science cannot solve. Until we accept that consciousness is a brain function, what it is will continue to mystify.

Cognition
Heating, Eating, and Thinking

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on February 7, 2024

Parallel evolution of complex capacities for planning, decision-making, and risk-assessment may have evolved in mammals and select birds in conjunction with warm-bloodedness.

Parallel evolution of complex capacities for planning, decision-making, and risk-assessment may have evolved in mammals and select birds in conjunction with warm-bloodedness.

Cognition
Rethinking Dual Process Models of Thought

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on January 17, 2024

I propose revising the two-system view of thought, redistributing the processes across three systems related to different evolutionary-derived realms of existence in the brain.

I propose revising the two-system view of thought, redistributing the processes across three systems related to different evolutionary-derived realms of existence in the brain.

Consciousness
Our Four Realms of Existence

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on October 22, 2023

A human being can be characterized as a composite of four fundamental, parallel, entwined realms of existence: biological, neurobiological, cognitive, and conscious.

A human being can be characterized as a composite of four fundamental, parallel, entwined realms of existence: biological, neurobiological, cognitive, and conscious.

Career
Heavy Mental

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on September 12, 2023

Personal Perspective: How a boy who loved music became a neuroscientist. His research inspired his music, resulting in a documentary about his life, as well as a musical.

Personal Perspective: How a boy who loved music became a neuroscientist. His research inspired his music, resulting in a documentary about his life, as well as a musical.

Anxiety
Human Fear and Anxiety

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on December 10, 2019

Rats and mice are not little people; their brains differ in important ways from ours. We can learn a lot, but not everything, about human fear and anxiety from them.

Rats and mice are not little people; their brains differ in important ways from ours. We can learn a lot, but not everything, about human fear and anxiety from them.

Fear
An Emotion Is...

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on November 11, 2019

Emotions are personal. They are about something that is happening to YOU.

Emotions are personal. They are about something that is happening to YOU.

Fear
Have We Misunderstood Our Emotions?

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on October 28, 2019

Emotions are conscious experiences made by cortical networks. They don't bubble up out of ancient subcortical circuits.

Emotions are conscious experiences made by cortical networks. They don't bubble up out of ancient subcortical circuits.

Memory
Psychotherapy as a Learning Experience

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on August 25, 2015

Therapy is a learning experience. Perhaps findings from the neuroscience of learning and memory can suggest ways to improve the storage of memories that are formed during a therapy session.

Therapy is a learning experience. Perhaps findings from the neuroscience of learning and memory can suggest ways to improve the storage of memories that are formed during a therapy session.

Anxiety
What's Wrong with Antianxiety Drugs?

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on August 16, 2015

Recognition of the multiplicity of the brain systems that contribute to fear and anxiety disorders is the first step towards the development of better treatments.

Recognition of the multiplicity of the brain systems that contribute to fear and anxiety disorders is the first step towards the development of better treatments.

Fear
The Amygdala Is Not the Brain's Fear Center

Joseph E LeDoux Ph.D. on August 10, 2015

"Fear" is a cognitively assembled conscious experience that is based on threat detection, arousal, attention, perception, memory, and other neural processes.

"Fear" is a cognitively assembled conscious experience that is based on threat detection, arousal, attention, perception, memory, and other neural processes.

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Magazine
March 2026 magazine cover
March 2026
The Friend Effect: 23 Surprising Ways Other People Shape You

Having friends protects you in multiple ways, from slowing cellular aging to deterring bullies to bolstering your self-esteem.

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Self Tests
Self Tests

Self Tests are all about you. Are you outgoing or introverted? Are you a narcissist? Does perfectionism hold you back? Find out the answers to these questions and more with Psychology Today.

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