The Science of Self

Autism

Can Autism Unlock Hidden Mental Powers?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on November 21, 2025

Neuroscience may shed light on where these abilities sit in the brain.

Neuroscience may shed light on where these abilities sit in the brain.

Neuroscience

'The Secret of Secrets': Is the Science Accurate?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on October 2, 2025

In Dan Brown's latest novel, lower levels of GABA are the key to expanding our consciousness. But are they really?

In Dan Brown's latest novel, lower levels of GABA are the key to expanding our consciousness. But are they really?

Synchronicity

Is Synchrony a Missing Piece of Mental Health Treatment?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on September 22, 2025

When we are stuck in negative spirals in our heads, we often feel the need to isolate. To feel better, we should try synchronous activities with others instead.

When we are stuck in negative spirals in our heads, we often feel the need to isolate. To feel better, we should try synchronous activities with others instead.

Default Mode Network

Break Free from Fitting In

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on August 18, 2025

How can we stop fitting in and start living authentically?

How can we stop fitting in and start living authentically?

Nostalgia

5 Tips to Transform Nostalgia From Yearning to Hope

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on July 18, 2025

Nostalgia can be a painful emotion, yet it rises out of love. Here’s how to step into the best parts of nostalgia while letting go of the worst.

Nostalgia can be a painful emotion, yet it rises out of love. Here’s how to step into the best parts of nostalgia while letting go of the worst.

Creativity

How to Boost Your Creativity

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on June 13, 2025

Creativity is a whole-brain activity that we can foster through open, loose attention.

Creativity is a whole-brain activity that we can foster through open, loose attention.

Sleep

If Sleep Is Good For Us, Why Is It So Hard to Get?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on May 20, 2025

Sleep plays a critical role in healthy thinking, yet thinking is what makes sleep elude us. How can we break the cycle?

Sleep plays a critical role in healthy thinking, yet thinking is what makes sleep elude us. How can we break the cycle?

Adolescence

The Radical New Science of Teen Mental Health

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on April 18, 2025

Brain science shows a revolutionary new paradigm to understand teenage mental health, empowering parents and kids alike.

Brain science shows a revolutionary new paradigm to understand teenage mental health, empowering parents and kids alike.

Default Mode Network

How to Be Kind to Yourself

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on March 13, 2025

It can feel really challenging to be kind to ourselves. Here is how the latest neuroscience and therapy techniques can help.

It can feel really challenging to be kind to ourselves. Here is how the latest neuroscience and therapy techniques can help.

Default Mode Network

What’s an Intrusive Thought, and What’s Me?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on February 20, 2025

Believing intrusive thoughts leads us to feel sad and worthless. Here’s how to separate from those thoughts and see the beauty in you.

Believing intrusive thoughts leads us to feel sad and worthless. Here’s how to separate from those thoughts and see the beauty in you.

Narcissism

How to Handle Narcissistic Fragility

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on January 21, 2025

Narcissists lash out when they feel threatened or hurt. If you are on the receiving end, it can feel excruciating. Here are six things to keep in mind to stay centered.

Narcissists lash out when they feel threatened or hurt. If you are on the receiving end, it can feel excruciating. Here are six things to keep in mind to stay centered.

Adolescence

Why Youth Culture Is Toxic for Teens and Young Adults

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on December 9, 2024

Youth culture makes adults feel insecure about their aging appearance, but it has a far more devastating effect on young adults and their mental health.

Youth culture makes adults feel insecure about their aging appearance, but it has a far more devastating effect on young adults and their mental health.

Stress

What Is Your Default Stress Mode?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on November 13, 2024

Learning the origin of our stress responses can help us heal ourselves and our nervous systems.

Learning the origin of our stress responses can help us heal ourselves and our nervous systems.

Boundaries

Establishing Boundaries When You Have Young Kids

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on October 10, 2024

Here is a new framework for defining boundaries when you have small children.

Here is a new framework for defining boundaries when you have small children.

Emotion Regulation

Do You Have a Regulation Partner?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on September 27, 2024

Everyone needs mental health support in the form of regulation partners—people with whom we can share our deepest experiences. Men especially so.

Everyone needs mental health support in the form of regulation partners—people with whom we can share our deepest experiences. Men especially so.

Adolescence

Why Does Time Move Faster as We Get Older?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on August 23, 2024

Why time feels faster as we get older.

Why time feels faster as we get older.

Default Mode Network

Is Mental Flexibility the Key to Mental Health?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on July 23, 2024

Rigid thinking may be a key driver of mental health conditions—and a key intervention point for treatment.

Rigid thinking may be a key driver of mental health conditions—and a key intervention point for treatment.

Depression

How to Stop Judging Yourself for Your Feelings

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on June 26, 2024

We can stop judging ourselves for our negative thoughts.

We can stop judging ourselves for our negative thoughts.

Narcissism

Inside the Narcissist's Brain

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on May 23, 2024

While most people's inner monologue is self-focused, narcissists' thoughts are externally-focused.

While most people's inner monologue is self-focused, narcissists' thoughts are externally-focused.

Depression

Does Emotional Health Predict Heart Health?

Betsy Holmberg Ph.D. on April 12, 2024

Heart health and emotional health are integrally linked.

Heart health and emotional health are integrally linked.