PreFrontal Nudity

Forgiveness

Why Our Smiles Look Fake in Pictures

Alex Korb Ph.D. on October 13, 2022

There's a trick to changing a fake smile.

There's a trick to changing a fake smile.

Bias

Why Your Brain Only Cares About People Who Look Like You

Alex Korb Ph.D. on March 5, 2021

Racism is so insidious and pervasive partly because of how your brain processes empathy for people of other races. Here's how you can understand your biases and deal with them.

Racism is so insidious and pervasive partly because of how your brain processes empathy for people of other races. Here's how you can understand your biases and deal with them.

Stress

Dealing With Technostress

Alex Korb Ph.D. on August 22, 2017

Humans shape technologies, but our lives are then shaped by the technologies we create - for better or worse. Here's how to protect your mind and brain.

Humans shape technologies, but our lives are then shaped by the technologies we create - for better or worse. Here's how to protect your mind and brain.

Dopamine

Expectations, Dopamine and Louis CK

Alex Korb Ph.D. on March 3, 2016

According to the comedian Louis CK, “everything is amazing right now and nobody’s happy.” And it's because of dopamine signaling in a particularly important brain region.

According to the comedian Louis CK, “everything is amazing right now and nobody’s happy.” And it's because of dopamine signaling in a particularly important brain region.

Anxiety

The Stress of Uncontrollability

Alex Korb Ph.D. on February 10, 2016

Feeling out of control amps up the brain's anxiety circuit. Understanding your own brain's response to uncontrollability can put you in the driver's seat.

Feeling out of control amps up the brain's anxiety circuit. Understanding your own brain's response to uncontrollability can put you in the driver's seat.

Self-Control

What’s Right With You?

Alex Korb Ph.D. on December 31, 2015

It’s time to put your brain in the right mode for the New Year. Here are some simple tricks.

It’s time to put your brain in the right mode for the New Year. Here are some simple tricks.

Happiness

How to Strengthen Your Brain's Happiness Circuitry

Alex Korb Ph.D. on November 4, 2015

I used to think that being happier was all about teaching yourself to think more positively. But often the most powerful path to increasing happiness is to strengthen the right brain circuits by using these five simple neuroscience tips.

I used to think that being happier was all about teaching yourself to think more positively. But often the most powerful path to increasing happiness is to strengthen the right brain circuits by using these five simple neuroscience tips.

Cognition

Stop Thinking Positively

Alex Korb Ph.D. on October 19, 2015

These days we're inundated with messages about the power of positive thinking, but sometimes positive thinking actually interferes with success. Fortunately, there is another way.

These days we're inundated with messages about the power of positive thinking, but sometimes positive thinking actually interferes with success. Fortunately, there is another way.

Motivation

Getting Lost in the Noise

Alex Korb Ph.D. on July 31, 2015

When trying to accomplish something great, if you check in too often with your progress, then you can be getting in your own way. I had to learn this the hard way, but, fortunately, there is a way out.

When trying to accomplish something great, if you check in too often with your progress, then you can be getting in your own way. I had to learn this the hard way, but, fortunately, there is a way out.

Memory

4 Observations on Memory and Emotion

Alex Korb Ph.D. on June 30, 2015

Watching Pixar's Inside-Out, I was moved through a full range of emotions, but also, as a neuroscientist, I was impressed with the nuanced depiction of complex brain functions that the movie depicted. Understanding these can help you better understand yourself:

Watching Pixar's Inside-Out, I was moved through a full range of emotions, but also, as a neuroscientist, I was impressed with the nuanced depiction of complex brain functions that the movie depicted. Understanding these can help you better understand yourself:

Once when I got sick after eating ice cream, I learned something about how the brain deals with trauma. We often tell ourselves that our anxieties are all mental, and other people will often tell us the same, but it's not always true. There is usually something deeper at play.

Stress

The Powerful Pull of Repeating Old Routines

Alex Korb Ph.D. on May 1, 2015

When the seatbelt broke in my car, I got a lesson in how the brain controls habits, and how those habits can control your life.

When the seatbelt broke in my car, I got a lesson in how the brain controls habits, and how those habits can control your life.

Sleep

The Shot Clock and the Body Clock

Alex Korb Ph.D. on March 27, 2015

During March Madness most people overlook important aspects of neuroscience that contribute to peak athletic performance.

During March Madness most people overlook important aspects of neuroscience that contribute to peak athletic performance.

Depression

Empty Man Syndrome

Alex Korb Ph.D. on March 1, 2015

For some people, depression is a hole they can't ever seem to climb out of. Often, there are several factors conspiring against them.

For some people, depression is a hole they can't ever seem to climb out of. Often, there are several factors conspiring against them.

Positive Psychology

The Mystery of Fatigue

Alex Korb Ph.D. on February 1, 2015

Everyone knows what fatigue feels like, but it’s hard to know what fatigue actually is. New research has uncovered a secret beyond just physical fitness and positive psychology.

Everyone knows what fatigue feels like, but it’s hard to know what fatigue actually is. New research has uncovered a secret beyond just physical fitness and positive psychology.

Depression

New Year’s Compassion

Alex Korb Ph.D. on December 31, 2014

While many people have high hopes for their New Year's Resolutions, the way that they interact with themselves sabotages their chance for success. It has to do with the way the brain controls habits, and the effect of self-critcism on the habit circuit. Fortunately, there's something you can do about it.

While many people have high hopes for their New Year's Resolutions, the way that they interact with themselves sabotages their chance for success. It has to do with the way the brain controls habits, and the effect of self-critcism on the habit circuit. Fortunately, there's something you can do about it.

Life often presents us with uncomfortable situations where we don't like any of the obvious choices, and the only acceptable solution is none-of-the-above.

Fear

Predictable Fear

Alex Korb Ph.D. on October 31, 2014

In the brain, fear and excitement are closely intertwined. The neuroscience of behind these emotions can explain why we like axe-wielding murders in our movies, but not in our apartments.

In the brain, fear and excitement are closely intertwined. The neuroscience of behind these emotions can explain why we like axe-wielding murders in our movies, but not in our apartments.

Yoga offers a multitude of neural benefits, but it's usefulness is limited when it's confined to the mat. To get the most out of yoga there's something you need to understand about how the brain deals with stress and habits.

Working long hours at a computer takes its toll on your back, neck and hips, not to mention your stress levels, but fortunately ninety seconds of yoga may be the answer.