Seeing Red out of the Blue
We like to believe that we are in control of our actions, but sometimes we are not. A sudden incident can overtake conscious will and launch us into violent action that risks our life and limb in an instant. I know, because it happened to me. I am a neuroscientist, and after witnessing…
Read MoreThe Inevitable Violent Outcome of the Oregon Militia Stand-Off
The tragic violent death this week of LaVoy Finicum, one of the Militia of Ranchers occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon illustrates the LIFEMORTS triggers of rage in action. The difficult situation is an example of the type of violence that I hope an understanding of the neuroscience of aggression can help to…
Read MoreThe Explosive Mix of Sex and Violence
The roving gangs of men who sexually assaulted women during the New Year’s Eve celebration in Cologne, Germany, have ignited outrage across Europe and around the world. (1) The political implications have been much discussed, but how was this violence triggered in these individuals? These assaults illuminate a dark side of human nature: how sex and violence are…
Read MoreThis is Your Brain on This Election
Rhetoric in this year’s election is triggering something deep and dangerous in voters’ rage circuits—and neuroscience shows how they’re exploiting our primal fears.
Read MoreThe Taste of Thanksgiving
I took a sip of sugary Coke and was struck by a hideous intense blast of aluminum. I rushed to the sink and spit out the tainted drink. Poison! What’s wrong with this Coke! I took another tentative sip. I was slammed again by the overwhelming metallic taste. I spat out the poison by rapid…
Read MoreToxin in Dungeness Crab Causes Brain Damage
Commercial Crab Fishermen, Pillar Point, CA The California Fish and Game Commission has banned crab fishing until further notice after detecting high levels of a neurotoxin in Dungeness and rock crabs. The toxin, domoic acid, is produced by certain types of planktonic algae, and it becomes concentrated in tissue of crabs and other marine organisms…
Read More“You Don’t Have Time to Think.” Heroic Veteran Capt. Florent Groberg’s Selfless Action
Today it was announced that Army Capt. Florent Groberg will receive the Medal of Honor for instantly tackling a suicide bomber in a split-second reaction of self-sacrifice to save the lives of his comrades. “You don’t have time to think. You react,” he explains. But how is that possible? As we honor Capt. Groberg with…
Read MoreThe Neuroscience of Witches
Toads, spells, potions, flying brooms, and witch’s brews–witchcraft is all about neuroscience.
Read MoreNew discovery explains why binge drinking leads to alcohol dependence and suggests new treatments
“Why can’t you stop drinking?” This week at the Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in Chicago, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago announced a new finding that provides a fresh answer to this persistent question that plagues people addicted to alcohol. The discovery offers an entirely new approach to treatment. Neuroscientist,…
Read MoreWhat’s in Your Nightmares? The Top 5 Recurring Dreams of Adults and Kids
Dreams that reoccur are especially disturbing, and nearly everyone has experienced them.
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