Your Internet Brain

Artificial Intelligence

Think ChatGPT Is Smart? Ask It to Do Arithmetic

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on March 14, 2023

Chatbot AI has advanced, but it won't be reliable soon—or perhaps ever.

Chatbot AI has advanced, but it won't be reliable soon—or perhaps ever.

Stress

The Psychological Risks of Cancer Screening

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on February 6, 2023

Cancer is a major killer, despite much progress in treatment. Just receiving a diagnosis can cause depression and stress, which may lead to death before the cancer itself can kill.

Cancer is a major killer, despite much progress in treatment. Just receiving a diagnosis can cause depression and stress, which may lead to death before the cancer itself can kill.

Stress

If You Need a Break, Just Blink

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on January 9, 2023

The neuronal changes triggered by blinking might just be a way to escape the pressures of the world, however briefly.

The neuronal changes triggered by blinking might just be a way to escape the pressures of the world, however briefly.

Anger

What Psychology Means for the Future of Self-Driving Cars

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on December 14, 2022

Even if technical challenges can be overcome, the feeling of autonomy granted by driving may prove to be something we don’t want to give up.

Even if technical challenges can be overcome, the feeling of autonomy granted by driving may prove to be something we don’t want to give up.

Relationships

Why Do Humans Make War?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on December 6, 2022

No other species wages large-scale war the way we do. Why do we kill our kind so frequently, and how does our species yet survive?

No other species wages large-scale war the way we do. Why do we kill our kind so frequently, and how does our species yet survive?

Scent

How Dogs “See” Smells

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on October 20, 2022

Dogs are famous for their noses. Not only do they inspect almost everything with their noses, their heads have a special design geared toward smell.

Dogs are famous for their noses. Not only do they inspect almost everything with their noses, their heads have a special design geared toward smell.

Attention

How Cannabis Can Affect Vision

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on August 17, 2022

Cannabis does not enhance vision, but neither does it impose a gauzy veil over our eyes.

Cannabis does not enhance vision, but neither does it impose a gauzy veil over our eyes.

Sleep

Do Animals Have Dreams?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on July 22, 2022

Mammals have long bouts of REM sleep. This is when vivid dreams are most likely. So in the animal kingdom, we and our furry relatives are probably the most prolific dreamers.

Mammals have long bouts of REM sleep. This is when vivid dreams are most likely. So in the animal kingdom, we and our furry relatives are probably the most prolific dreamers.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Dreams Are Even Weirder Than You Think

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on July 14, 2022

It seems like anything can happen in a dream, and this invites creative interpretations. But if dreams were totally random, analysis wouldn't be very meaningful.

It seems like anything can happen in a dream, and this invites creative interpretations. But if dreams were totally random, analysis wouldn't be very meaningful.

Genetics

Is the Female Brain Superior?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on March 8, 2022

To celebrate International Women's Day, we consider the remarkable but mysterious genetic diversity that exists in the bodies of genetic females, especially in their brains.

To celebrate International Women's Day, we consider the remarkable but mysterious genetic diversity that exists in the bodies of genetic females, especially in their brains.

Relationships

How Cats See the World

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on February 22, 2022

For millennia, humans have invited cats into our homes, yet they remain mysterious. Understanding how they perceive the world can bring us closer.

For millennia, humans have invited cats into our homes, yet they remain mysterious. Understanding how they perceive the world can bring us closer.

Attention

The Neuroscience of Light Therapy

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on November 17, 2021

As we approach the winter solstice, you are probably aware that decreasing daylight can have a substantial impact on mood and mental health. Here's what we know.

As we approach the winter solstice, you are probably aware that decreasing daylight can have a substantial impact on mood and mental health. Here's what we know.

Child Development

What Do You See Just Before You Are Born?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on October 13, 2021

Think back to your earliest memory. It probably comes from early childhood, probably around age three. Maybe it’s a hazy image or a vague feeling.

Think back to your earliest memory. It probably comes from early childhood, probably around age three. Maybe it’s a hazy image or a vague feeling.

Attention

To Avoid Thinking Hard, We Will Endure Anything—Even Pain

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on September 21, 2021

Scientists have known for some time that focusing your mind consumes considerable metabolic resources. Still, we discount the effort of thinking and attention.

Scientists have known for some time that focusing your mind consumes considerable metabolic resources. Still, we discount the effort of thinking and attention.

Personality

What Acting Can Tell Us About Our Minds

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on September 8, 2021

Psychologists and artists are increasingly breaking down barriers between their disciplines. Yet science still has much to learn from actors and theater.

Psychologists and artists are increasingly breaking down barriers between their disciplines. Yet science still has much to learn from actors and theater.

Intelligence

Can a Bigger Brain Be Engineered?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on July 29, 2021

In Part 3 of a series on brain size and intelligence, we look at research on animals that have been artificially selected to have bigger-than-normal brains.

In Part 3 of a series on brain size and intelligence, we look at research on animals that have been artificially selected to have bigger-than-normal brains.

Intelligence

Why the Brain Is Shrinking, and What It Means for Us

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on June 17, 2021

Bigger brains don’t necessarily confer greater intelligence. Our species has lost millions of neurons over the past 30,000 years.

Bigger brains don’t necessarily confer greater intelligence. Our species has lost millions of neurons over the past 30,000 years.

Attention

How to Tell If People Are Paying Attention on Zoom

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on May 10, 2021

We’ve all been there: you’re on a long Zoom meeting with several other people, and your attention starts to wander.

We’ve all been there: you’re on a long Zoom meeting with several other people, and your attention starts to wander.

Neuroscience

Are We Prisoners of Habit or Are We Fundamentally Flexible?

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on May 4, 2021

Though other species employ habit and flexibility, there is for us a heightened interplay between the two. Perhaps the way we balance habit and flexibility is what makes us human.

Though other species employ habit and flexibility, there is for us a heightened interplay between the two. Perhaps the way we balance habit and flexibility is what makes us human.

Friends

6 Degrees of Your Brain

Daniel Graham, Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

How well connected are the different parts of your brain? Answer: very. And the way the brain is connected allows us to do amazing things.

How well connected are the different parts of your brain? Answer: very. And the way the brain is connected allows us to do amazing things.