Brain Babble

Testosterone

When It Comes to Color, Men & Women Aren't Seeing Eye to Eye

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on April 8, 2015

How does the brain's wiring affect men and women's perception of color?

How does the brain's wiring affect men and women's perception of color?

Sleep

The House of Cards Characters Have Terrible Sleep Hygiene

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on March 6, 2015

If Frank Underwood has trouble sleeping, it's not because of his conscience. Here's why the House of Cards characters have terrible sleep hygiene.

If Frank Underwood has trouble sleeping, it's not because of his conscience. Here's why the House of Cards characters have terrible sleep hygiene.

Dopamine

This is Your Brain When You Give Up Sugar For Lent

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on February 18, 2015

Did you decide to give up sweets for Lent? Here's what your brain will experience over the next 40 days.

Did you decide to give up sweets for Lent? Here's what your brain will experience over the next 40 days.

Neuroscience

This Is How the Brain Filters Out Unimportant Details

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on February 11, 2015

At any given moment, we are constantly bombarded by signals from at least four of the five senses. With this onslaught of input, how do we manage to not go completely insane?

At any given moment, we are constantly bombarded by signals from at least four of the five senses. With this onslaught of input, how do we manage to not go completely insane?

Depression

Reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder: SAD in the Summer

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on January 14, 2015

While many of us are familiar with SAD, there are, in fact, people who get SAD in reverse.

While many of us are familiar with SAD, there are, in fact, people who get SAD in reverse.

Addiction

Painkillers and the NFL: Why the Players Sued

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on January 13, 2015

The legalities of the claim that the NFL got their players addicted to painkillers will likely be argued for a long time.

The legalities of the claim that the NFL got their players addicted to painkillers will likely be argued for a long time.

Memory

Smells Ring Bells: How Smell Triggers Memories and Emotions

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on January 12, 2015

Why do smells sometimes conjure such vivid memories and emotions? The answer may come down to our brain's anatomy.

Why do smells sometimes conjure such vivid memories and emotions? The answer may come down to our brain's anatomy.

Bias

Why We're So Easily Fooled, and Why It Matters

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on December 8, 2014

Many of us would like to believe that our decision-making is based in logic and objectivity. However, our preferences are not always based on inherent qualities.

Many of us would like to believe that our decision-making is based in logic and objectivity. However, our preferences are not always based on inherent qualities.

Depression

The Psychology Behind the Song "Christmas Shoes"

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on November 30, 2014

Was the man sad when he bought "Christmas Shoes" for the boy's mother? If so, he may have spent more for them.

Was the man sad when he bought "Christmas Shoes" for the boy's mother? If so, he may have spent more for them.

Stress

This Is Why There Are So Many Defibrillators in Casinos

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on October 29, 2014

This is how a lifetime of poor health can be deadly when faced with acute stress, whether it be a $5,000 win or $5,000 loss.

This is how a lifetime of poor health can be deadly when faced with acute stress, whether it be a $5,000 win or $5,000 loss.

Procrastination

Why Do We Find It So Hard to Write About Ourselves?

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on October 16, 2014

When it comes to cover letters and personal statements, why do we find it so hard to write about ourselves?

When it comes to cover letters and personal statements, why do we find it so hard to write about ourselves?

Neuroscience

Why We Perceive Hershey's New Logo as the Poo Emoji

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on September 5, 2014

A specific neural pathway explains why we perceive the new Hershey's logo to look like the poop emoji.

A specific neural pathway explains why we perceive the new Hershey's logo to look like the poop emoji.

Sleep

What's All That Stuff They Put on Me During a Sleep Study?

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on August 26, 2014

What's all that stuff they put on you when you get a sleep study done? Here's an explanation.

What's all that stuff they put on you when you get a sleep study done? Here's an explanation.

Neuroscience

We Use Way More Than 10 Percent of Our Brains

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on July 17, 2014

One of the biggest misconceptions in neuroscience is that we only use 10 percent of our brains. As ludicrous as the claim is, however, many still believe it to be true.

One of the biggest misconceptions in neuroscience is that we only use 10 percent of our brains. As ludicrous as the claim is, however, many still believe it to be true.

Sleep

Dangers of Drowsy Driving in Light of Tracy Morgan Accident

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on June 12, 2014

Sleep loss does nasty things to our bodies.

Sleep loss does nasty things to our bodies.

Child Development

Did Harry Potter Have Psychosocial Short Stature?

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on May 28, 2014

Harry Potter was emotionally-deprived during his childhood with the Dursleys. But did this affect more than just his psychological state before he entered Hogwarts?

Harry Potter was emotionally-deprived during his childhood with the Dursleys. But did this affect more than just his psychological state before he entered Hogwarts?

We love him. We hate him. Mostly, we don't understand him. Who is Don Draper, and why is he the way he is?

Empathy

Why We're Wired to Binge-Watch TV

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on March 11, 2014

Neuroscience can explain the phenomenon of binge-watching TV.

Neuroscience can explain the phenomenon of binge-watching TV.

Neuroscience

Love, Love Medulla: The Neuroscience of Beatlemania

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on February 6, 2014

To most, “Beatlemania” incites a vivid image of frenzied fans looking as though they’ve just witnessed a murder. As it turns out, neuroscience can partially explain the phenomenon.

To most, “Beatlemania” incites a vivid image of frenzied fans looking as though they’ve just witnessed a murder. As it turns out, neuroscience can partially explain the phenomenon.

Memory

Brain-training Apps Won't Make You Smarter

Jordan Gaines Lewis, Ph.D. on January 28, 2014

Despite the growing popularity of brain-training apps and programs like Lumosity, CogniFit, CogMed, and Jungle Memory, I’m not going to see any improvement in cognition or memory.

Despite the growing popularity of brain-training apps and programs like Lumosity, CogniFit, CogMed, and Jungle Memory, I’m not going to see any improvement in cognition or memory.