Fictional characters intrigue us not only because of their stories, but also because they reflect deep truths about human nature. In this series, we dive into the minds of iconic characters from movies and series and analyze their behavior through the lens of cognitive neuroscience and psychology. In this blog, it’s Gollum from Lord of the Rings.
Our memory consists of fascinating and complex processes that play a central role in shaping our identity and daily life. Yet, there are many misconceptions about how our memory works. In this post, I will debunk some of these myths with the help of science.
Today we have tools to change and manipulate DNA, the fundamental instruction manual that makes up who we are. What would happen if we fast forward in our imagination a little bit, and contemplate the future of genetics in the healthy and diseased brain?
Research into the therapeutic use of psychedelics is getting more and more attention. The first substances have already been approved for American and European markets. But what’s the current situation? Can we already ask the general practitioner for shrooms on prescription?
On March 14, the world-famous primatologist Frans de Waal passed away. His primate research not only expanded our knowledge of chimpanzees and bonobos, but also revealed fascinating insights about the most peculiar of apes: humans. Here, we show three lessons we learned from Frans de Waal.
Despite the frequent use of the term, there is much uncertainty about what a burnout is, where it comes from, and what we can do about it. Researchers wonder if we should banish this term altogether.
We tend to underestimate to what extend luck plays a role in our successes. Consequently, we are more motivated and tend to perform better in our endeavors. But might this common bias have a downside?
We don’t have to do everything ourselves. Although true as a broad comment on life, this is particularly true about what parts of our body and mind we consciously control. Here is how it works!