A new systematic review of scientific literature on Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) reveals it as a clearly defined phenomenon that elicits a consistent experience, characterized by a tingling sensation triggered by specific auditory or visual stimuli. The review identifies whispering, personal attention, tapping, and natural sounds as common triggers and highlights potential therapeutic applications of ASMR, including stress relief and relaxation. However, the review also points out methodological constraints in current research and the need for more rigorous studies to validate initial findings and explore the full impact of ASMR.
Our brains are designed to forget the majority of what we experience in a day, and this is actually beneficial. Episodic memory, the ability to recall past events, allows us to mentally time travel, relive past experiences, and consider the future. As we age, episodic memory declines, but this may be a natural part of our brain's evolution, with younger adults needing sharper memory for survival and elders focusing on passing down wisdom. Understanding the purpose of forgetfulness can provide comfort, as it suggests that our brains are functioning as they evolved to do.
A new study suggests that "eldest daughter syndrome" may have scientific backing, as first-born daughters tend to mature earlier, potentially due to their mothers experiencing high levels of prenatal stress. This early maturation may enable them to help rear younger siblings. The study tracked families for 15 years and found a correlation between prenatal stress and early signs of adrenal puberty in first-born daughters. The findings contribute to the understanding of fetal programming and shed light on the long-term effects of maternal stress during pregnancy on children's development.
Lucid dreaming is the state of being aware in a dream that you are dreaming, and it can be learned as a skill. It occurs during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and is associated with increased central nervous system activation. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine seems to be involved, and a drug called galantamine has been found to stimulate more lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming can be a source of creative inspiration and is also used to treat recurring nightmares. Techniques for achieving lucid dreams include keeping a dream diary, identifying dream themes, performing reality checks, and setting the intention to lucid dream.
In his book "Why We Remember," Charan Ranganath discusses the limitations of human memory and the concept of chunking, which allows people to compress large amounts of data into manageable information. He explores how expertise changes the way we learn and remember, demonstrating that experts can bypass memory limitations by focusing on the most important information. Research on chess grand masters and a study involving alien shapes show that expertise enables individuals to extract useful information and overcome memory constraints by leveraging their knowledge.
Memories are far from perfect, with many people recalling implausible childhood memories and even forming false memories. Studies have shown that it's easy to create false memories in others, and even our first impressions can be flawed. The infamous Satanic Panic of the 1980s and 1990s was fueled by repressed and recovered traumatic childhood memories. However, there are ways to reverse false memories and boost memory, such as the "method of loci." Animals, including bats and even simple lifeforms like roundworms, also exhibit memory capabilities, with both cats and dogs able to recall events from their lives.
A study reveals that facial features such as eyebrows, mouth, face shape, and jawline can convey hidden details of a person's personality. Raised eyebrows are associated with trustworthiness and warmth, while down-turned mouths are perceived as cold and untrustworthy. Facial width-to-height ratio is linked to dominance and aggression, and eye movements can indicate optimism or neuroticism. These findings suggest that our faces play a significant role in shaping how we are perceived by others.
Late-night conversations often feel profound due to heightened emotional intimacy, greater honesty and vulnerability, philosophical depth, and a sense of timelessness and freedom. Science suggests that the surge in dopamine during late hours, combined with the effects of sleep deprivation, creates a unique cognitive environment where our brains are more receptive to new ideas, emotions, and perspectives. While these conversations offer enriching experiences, it's important to balance them with the need for sleep to maintain overall well-being.
In 1931, psychologist parents Winthrop and Luella Kellogg attempted to raise their son alongside a chimpanzee named Gua in a nature versus nurture experiment, but abandoned it after nine months due to chilling changes in their son's behavior. The experiment involved cruel tests and attempts to teach Gua human behaviors, but ultimately failed to humanize her. The study concluded that there are limits to the humanization of non-human species. Tragically, their son Donald later took his own life at the age of 43, and Gua died in captivity after contracting pneumonia.
The concept of Blue Monday, supposedly the most depressing day of the year, is based on a hoax equation and has been widely criticized as pseudoscience. Originally created as a marketing ploy, the idea has been debunked by mental health experts, who emphasize the importance of addressing depression and mental well-being with evidence-based approaches rather than relying on arbitrary calculations.
A leading biologist, Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, explains the phenomenon of sensing when someone is looking at you, a sensation experienced by over 80% of women and nearly three-quarters of men. Through experiments and case studies, Dr. Sheldrake suggests that the sense of being watched is directional, indicating that it may be related to the weak electromagnetic field around our bodies. He proposes that our own electromagnetic field registers a disturbance when someone looks at us, and this information is subconsciously picked up by our "biofield." Additionally, Dr. Sheldrake explores the extramission theory of vision, which suggests that we project visual images outward, potentially explaining how we can sense when we're being observed. The scientific evidence for this phenomenon is growing, and further research is needed to fully understand how humans and animals know when they are being watched.
Hypnagogia, the transitional state between sleep and wakefulness, often involves experiencing hallucinations such as visual, auditory, and sensory perceptions. Approximately 70% of the population experiences hypnagogic hallucinations, with visual hallucinations being the most common. Hypnagogia is distinct from dreaming, parasomnia, or sleep paralysis and is considered a normal form of hallucination. Certain individuals, particularly those with poor sleep quality or mood/anxiety disorders, are more prone to hypnagogia. However, hypnagogia also offers a unique opportunity for enhanced creativity and problem-solving. It can be intentionally induced through techniques like hypnosis, providing a controlled way to explore the mind's uncharted realms.
Duncan Clarke explores the phenomenon of Pareidolia, specifically why the human brain often sees faces in inanimate objects. He explains that our early exposure to faces and our innate social nature have trained our brains to be adept at recognizing and interpreting facial expressions. Clarke also discusses the psychology behind this phenomenon and offers amusing historical examples of how our cognitive systems automatically pattern match onto emotional states and identities of facial subjects.
Doctors explain that fear can be enjoyable because it stimulates the same brain centers as happiness and is positively reinforced by social bonding. The body's fight-flight-or-freeze response releases stress hormones and neurotransmitters like adrenaline and dopamine. Seeking out scary experiences for fun is not abnormal, as the same part of the brain that reacts to fear also responds to pleasurable experiences. Once the immediate stressor is recognized as non-threatening, the adrenaline subsides, leaving a rush of dopamine and serotonin. Socialization enhances the fun of frightening experiences, as it triggers the release of oxytocin, making people feel closer to one another. However, not everyone enjoys thrill-seeking, and there are variations in the level of enjoyment experienced.
University of Chicago psychology professor David Gallo suggests that thinking in a foreign language can improve critical thinking, decision-making skills, and memory. Speaking a second language exercises the brain in a way that monolinguals don't experience, leading to more rational and logical decision-making. Processing information in a secondary language can also enhance memory and reduce susceptibility to false memories and misinformation. Gallo recommends leveraging this brain hack by thinking in a different language when faced with tough decisions or trying to remember information. Learning multiple languages, especially from a young age, can have long-term cognitive benefits.
