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Explorations of the Mind

A conscious journey.

Health
Can Someone Actually Die of a Broken Heart?

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on February 19, 2024

Expressions and metaphors about the heart reflect centuries of folk wisdom and are surprisingly closer to recent discoveries in cardiac function than science previously assumed.

Expressions and metaphors about the heart reflect centuries of folk wisdom and are surprisingly closer to recent discoveries in cardiac function than science previously assumed.

Male and Female Brains
Gender
A Short Journey Into Male and Female Brains

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on January 12, 2024

Men and women think and act differently. Many factors contribute to these differences, in particular these five major neuroanatomical ones.

Men and women think and act differently. Many factors contribute to these differences, in particular these five major neuroanatomical ones.

Savant
Cognition
The Puzzle of the Savant Mind

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on October 16, 2023

Savants possess unexpected and sometimes prodigious abilities, commonly in music, art, mathematics, and calendar calculating. Savants clearly “know things they never learned.”

Savants possess unexpected and sometimes prodigious abilities, commonly in music, art, mathematics, and calendar calculating. Savants clearly “know things they never learned.”

Health
How Wildfire Smoke Alters the Brain

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on September 3, 2023

Emerging research suggests that wildfire smoke can affect brain health and trigger inflammation in the central nervous system.

Emerging research suggests that wildfire smoke can affect brain health and trigger inflammation in the central nervous system.

Diet
The Scourge of Obesity

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on July 7, 2023

New weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Moujaro are having their moment. But there are healthier ways to combat unwanted weight.

New weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Moujaro are having their moment. But there are healthier ways to combat unwanted weight.

Head think
Fantasies
An Embodied Mind Can Help Fight Cancer

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on June 20, 2023

Mental imagery plays a core role in many health disorders and plays an increasingly important role in their treatment. The healing power of mental imagery can be considerable.

Mental imagery plays a core role in many health disorders and plays an increasingly important role in their treatment. The healing power of mental imagery can be considerable.

Entrepreneur Digital Marketing
Media
The Post-Secular Society, Influencers, and Misinformation

Thomas R. Verny M.D. on June 7, 2023

We live in this post-secular society, dominated by a new breed of lifestyle and wellness influencers with no expertise, no medical training, and millions of loyal followers.

We live in this post-secular society, dominated by a new breed of lifestyle and wellness influencers with no expertise, no medical training, and millions of loyal followers.