The Weight of Words: How Therapy Rewires the Brain
We tend to treat the mind and the brain as two different things. But modern neuroscience proved otherwise: Every meaningful conversation actually physically rewires us.
Research
Why art becomes more beautiful when image and music align
Don’t play random music while viewing art because what you hear may just change how beautiful the artwork is.
Is there really an off switch for fear?
Researchers in Nijmegen found a way to influence a key brain region involved in fear. The headlines soon announced an ‘off switch for fear’, which sounds rather spectacular. But the real story may be even more interesting. We are beginning to understand why fear switches on so quickly—and why it is so difficult to switch off again.
Persistent pigeonholes in the brain
People are crazy about categories. They make the world clear and manageable: this is this, that is that. Such categorisation is useful for organising thoughts, making decisions, and tackling complex matters. But there is a downside to it. The moment we squeeze reality too tightly into boxes, we sacrifice nuance. The world does not resemble grid paper, it is a multi-layered canvas—and our brains are no different.
Can I learn from a text by listening to it while I sleep?
As many of our readers are enjoying a well-deserved summer break, Donders Wonders writers will
Crossing the threshold of forgetting: The Doorway Effect
You’re scrolling through social media when you realize that your phone is at 3%. You need your charger. Now! So, you get up, march to the kitchen with purpose, and… freeze. You’re standing in the middle of the room, staring at the fridge, wondering why you walked in there in the first place. What was I doing here?
The Invisibility of Women’s Health in Neuroscience
From the design of seatbelts to the symptoms of a heart attack, the average male body has long served as the default model for research and development across society. Fortunately, efforts are now underway to better represent others, including women. But where do we currently stand in neuroscience?
The Hidden Factors That Shape Our Sense of Fairness
Imagine someone offers to split €10 with you but keeps €8 for themselves and gives you only €2. Most people would see that as unfair. Now imagine two different people making this offer. One person is usually generous. The other person is known for being selfish. Even though they both offer the same split, it feels different, doesn’t it?
Why can’t you remember your first birthday?
Your brain was recording, but it lost the remote.
How your brain turns fragments into a film
You see a car – wait… it’s not just a car. It’s red, it has a particular shape, and it’s moving fast. You hear the engine as it races past you. Maybe you even catch the smell of exhaust. Your amazing brain is able to combine all these different signals into a single red car, but how does it do that?