The Mind of a Collector

Philosophy

Painting With Blood: Who Does It and Who Collects It

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on April 12, 2026

Blood art has moved from the margins of contemporary practice into the mainstream of serious collecting and institutional recognition.

Blood art has moved from the margins of contemporary practice into the mainstream of serious collecting and institutional recognition.

Hoarding

The Hoarding Brain: Executive Dysfunction Without Dementia

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on April 1, 2026

Research shows that hoarding stems from executive-function struggles, where emotion overpowers decision-making.

Research shows that hoarding stems from executive-function struggles, where emotion overpowers decision-making.

Compulsive Behaviors

Neuroimaging the Effects of Smartphone Use and Overuse

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on March 11, 2026

So far, the brain patterns associated with cell phone use are broadly consistent with those found in behavioral addictions.

So far, the brain patterns associated with cell phone use are broadly consistent with those found in behavioral addictions.

Neuroscience

Rewired: How the Digital World Reshapes the Human Brain

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on February 24, 2026

Digital engagement is neither inherently benign nor uniformly harmful among young people. Later in life, it can fortify specific cognitive skills through intentional practice.

Digital engagement is neither inherently benign nor uniformly harmful among young people. Later in life, it can fortify specific cognitive skills through intentional practice.

Artificial Intelligence

How AI Is Rewiring Winemaking and Wine Collecting

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on February 19, 2026

According to recent research on artificial intelligence in the wine industry, the future of wine production is beginning to change.

According to recent research on artificial intelligence in the wine industry, the future of wine production is beginning to change.

Deception

How Collectors Deceive Their Partners

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on February 11, 2026

Men and women disguise their spending in different ways.

Men and women disguise their spending in different ways.

Cognitive Reappraisal

Virtual Museums: A Closer Look at This Exit Strategy

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on February 5, 2026

As digital tools continue to improve, the challenge will be to keep virtual projects as thoughtfully curated as the best physical exhibitions.

As digital tools continue to improve, the challenge will be to keep virtual projects as thoughtfully curated as the best physical exhibitions.

Media

Your Life's Work Preserved: Why Collectors Are Going Virtual

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on January 23, 2026

Virtual exhibitions give curators and collectors greater flexibility than physical objects do. Also, they provide easy access and are cost-effective, among other advantages.

Virtual exhibitions give curators and collectors greater flexibility than physical objects do. Also, they provide easy access and are cost-effective, among other advantages.

Sex

Does Red Wine Actually Improve Women’s Sex Lives?

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on January 18, 2026

Recent evidence suggests alcohol's relationship with women's sexual health is complex and dose-dependent, with the risk of overconsumption outweighing the potential benefits.

Recent evidence suggests alcohol's relationship with women's sexual health is complex and dose-dependent, with the risk of overconsumption outweighing the potential benefits.

Positive Psychology

Art, Antiques, and the Meaning of Giving in December

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on December 17, 2025

During December, when excess is easy and meaning can feel diluted, art and antiques offer a counterweight.

During December, when excess is easy and meaning can feel diluted, art and antiques offer a counterweight.

Evolutionary Psychology

What the Heart Remembers: Photo Collectors

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on December 6, 2025

Photo collecting is a deeply psychological pursuit that gathers together essential human drives.

Photo collecting is a deeply psychological pursuit that gathers together essential human drives.

Hoarding

Animal Hoarding: When Love Becomes Delusional

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on November 22, 2025

Research suggests that animal hoarders operate differently from those who collect objects. They often experience clinical dissociation, leading them to perceive neglect as care.

Research suggests that animal hoarders operate differently from those who collect objects. They often experience clinical dissociation, leading them to perceive neglect as care.

Hoarding

Compassion for People Living in Hoarding or Squalid Conditions

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on November 17, 2025

Evidence for treating severe squalor remains limited. For hoarding disorder, the evidence is stronger. Cognitive behavioral therapy tailored for hoarding has shown the best results.

Evidence for treating severe squalor remains limited. For hoarding disorder, the evidence is stronger. Cognitive behavioral therapy tailored for hoarding has shown the best results.

Memory

Monsters in the Mind: The Frankenstein Collector

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on October 31, 2025

Frankenstein has inspired collectors to seek out artifacts of the monster and his maker. This group illustrates the neuropsychology of collecting.

Frankenstein has inspired collectors to seek out artifacts of the monster and his maker. This group illustrates the neuropsychology of collecting.

Hoarding

What Hoarding Tells Us About Connection and Isolation

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on October 21, 2025

Hoarding may represent a misfiring of one of the brain’s oldest imperatives: to seek safety in connection. Where human bonds fail, the brain improvises by clinging to objects.

Hoarding may represent a misfiring of one of the brain’s oldest imperatives: to seek safety in connection. Where human bonds fail, the brain improvises by clinging to objects.

Alcoholism

Collecting Myths: Wine, Health, and Desire

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on October 13, 2025

To collect responsibly is to know not just the flavor and finish of what we drink, but its cost to body, brain, and culture.

To collect responsibly is to know not just the flavor and finish of what we drink, but its cost to body, brain, and culture.

Gender

The Psychology of Wine Labels: The Feminine Pour

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on October 9, 2025

Gendered cues that shape participants’ expectations of a wine mirror the kinds of signals collectors respond to: texture, balance, design, and the stories implied by presentation.

Gendered cues that shape participants’ expectations of a wine mirror the kinds of signals collectors respond to: texture, balance, design, and the stories implied by presentation.

Identity

Curating the Cellar: Women, Wine, and the Art of Collecting

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on October 3, 2025

Just as drinking wine allows women to "consume place,"collecting wine enables them to preserve and display those places, effectively bottling belonging, imagination, and memory.

Just as drinking wine allows women to "consume place,"collecting wine enables them to preserve and display those places, effectively bottling belonging, imagination, and memory.

Artificial Intelligence

Museums of the Future: What Collectors Need to Know

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on August 30, 2025

A conversation between human creativity and technology is playing out within museum walls.

A conversation between human creativity and technology is playing out within museum walls.

Hoarding

The Psychology Behind Money Hoarding

Shirley M. Mueller M.D. on August 14, 2025

Money hoarding is influenced by a range of factors, including genetic predisposition and altered neural responses to reward and loss, that imbue money with a sense of safety.

Money hoarding is influenced by a range of factors, including genetic predisposition and altered neural responses to reward and loss, that imbue money with a sense of safety.