The New Brain

Sport and Competition

The Psychological Trauma of the Olympics

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on August 16, 2024

Personal Perspective: Athletes are protected from physical injury, while psychological trauma is neglected.

Personal Perspective: Athletes are protected from physical injury, while psychological trauma is neglected.

Genetics

Viral Infections May Change DNA and Promote Inherited Mental Illness

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on June 4, 2024

New research is revealing that inherited mental illnesses are promoted by alterations in DNA that were caused by viral infection of our ancestors over a million years ago.

New research is revealing that inherited mental illnesses are promoted by alterations in DNA that were caused by viral infection of our ancestors over a million years ago.

Evolutionary Psychology

A Link Between War, Altruism, and Sex

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on January 24, 2024

Evolutionary psychology explains the interrelation between war, altruism, and sex. Without altruism, there would be no war. Men and women give and receive altruism differently.

Evolutionary psychology explains the interrelation between war, altruism, and sex. Without altruism, there would be no war. Men and women give and receive altruism differently.

Genetics

How Early Trauma Can Pass Through the Generations

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on October 30, 2023

New experimental research on mice finds that mental health problems can be a legacy of a past generation’s early life trauma, inherited by future generations.

New experimental research on mice finds that mental health problems can be a legacy of a past generation’s early life trauma, inherited by future generations.

Depression

COVID-19 School Closures Harmed Children's Mental Health

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on August 18, 2023

A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, provides convincing evidence that mental health of school children was impaired by school closures during the pandemic.

A new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, provides convincing evidence that mental health of school children was impaired by school closures during the pandemic.

Guilt

Understanding Survivor Guilt

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on October 3, 2022

Survivor guilt will afflict thousands who recover from COVID-19 while loved ones do not. Why do people suffer survivor guilt after traumatic events?

Survivor guilt will afflict thousands who recover from COVID-19 while loved ones do not. Why do people suffer survivor guilt after traumatic events?

Memory

Using Electricity, Researchers Find Surprising Memory Results

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on August 23, 2022

Neuroscientists announced a new approach to improve memory in elderly people—electrical stimulation applied to the scalp to boost brainwaves.

Neuroscientists announced a new approach to improve memory in elderly people—electrical stimulation applied to the scalp to boost brainwaves.

Persuasion

Will You Quit Your Job? A Surprising Factor May Help Decide

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on March 14, 2022

New research suggests that whether you tend to live in the present, past, or future can help determine whether you will quit your job.

New research suggests that whether you tend to live in the present, past, or future can help determine whether you will quit your job.

Relationships

Why Smell Is So Important in Intimate Relationships

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on January 19, 2022

Many people lose their sense of smell after COVID-19 infection. Not often discussed are the psychological effects on sexual and interpersonal relations.

Many people lose their sense of smell after COVID-19 infection. Not often discussed are the psychological effects on sexual and interpersonal relations.

Gratitude

Cellphone Data Reveals Health Benefits of Gratitude

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on November 22, 2021

Last year, family and friends could not gather safely for Thanksgiving. This year we can. New research shows that gratitude promotes mental and physical health.

Last year, family and friends could not gather safely for Thanksgiving. This year we can. New research shows that gratitude promotes mental and physical health.

Depression

Treating Depression by Brain-Implanted Electrodes

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on October 4, 2021

Researchers recently implanted electrodes in a depressed patient's brain to identify the faulty neural circuits causing her depression and then restored normal activity by stimulating electrodes. What should we take away from this study?

Researchers recently implanted electrodes in a depressed patient's brain to identify the faulty neural circuits causing her depression and then restored normal activity by stimulating electrodes. What should we take away from this study?

Education

How Does "Muscle Memory" Work?

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on June 24, 2021

Researchers report that mental “instant replay” after each performance is critical to perfecting a new skill.

Researchers report that mental “instant replay” after each performance is critical to perfecting a new skill.

Empathy

Can Animals Feel Empathy?

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on March 26, 2021

Empathy is vital for human relations. Now, new research suggests that this ability is shared with other animals—and the same brain circuits are responsible.

Empathy is vital for human relations. Now, new research suggests that this ability is shared with other animals—and the same brain circuits are responsible.

Smoking

Risky Brains: Brain Structure Promotes Smoking, Drinking, Sex

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on February 1, 2021

Our survival requires balancing risk against reward, but some people take risks with abandon whereas others cower. Why? Here are new answers from brain imaging and DNA analysis.

Our survival requires balancing risk against reward, but some people take risks with abandon whereas others cower. Why? Here are new answers from brain imaging and DNA analysis.

Stress

How Stress Can Reawaken Dormant Cancer

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on December 4, 2020

Studies to date have provided mixed evidence that stress can cause cancer to return. Now, a new study offers proof and may even pinpoint how it works.

Studies to date have provided mixed evidence that stress can cause cancer to return. Now, a new study offers proof and may even pinpoint how it works.

President Donald Trump

Contrast Between Trump’s COVID Care and Everyone Else

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on October 4, 2020

From personal experience, I know that the president's treatment for COVID as seen on TV is not representative of the psychological and medical experience others with COVID face.

From personal experience, I know that the president's treatment for COVID as seen on TV is not representative of the psychological and medical experience others with COVID face.

Stress

Gaining Weight During the Pandemic?

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on August 13, 2020

If your belly is suddenly growing soft and fatty and you are gaining weight, chronic stress may be responsible, but it depends on your sex.

If your belly is suddenly growing soft and fatty and you are gaining weight, chronic stress may be responsible, but it depends on your sex.

Gender

Gender in the Central Park 911 Call

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on May 30, 2020

Beyond racism, the incident provides deeper insight into aggression and gender.

Beyond racism, the incident provides deeper insight into aggression and gender.

Neuroscience

Nabbing Criminals by Using Brainwave Analysis

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on April 27, 2020

Upon seeing the blood-stained gloves, O.J. Simpson may have had electrical activity in his brain that showed recognition, and guilt.

Upon seeing the blood-stained gloves, O.J. Simpson may have had electrical activity in his brain that showed recognition, and guilt.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Neurological Implications of COVID-19 Raise Concerns

R. Douglas Fields Ph.D. on April 9, 2020

The ability of coronaviruses to enter the brain through the nasal cavity is raising concern that brain infection could contribute to respiratory failure in COVID-19.

The ability of coronaviruses to enter the brain through the nasal cavity is raising concern that brain infection could contribute to respiratory failure in COVID-19.