That Neuroscience Guy

In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we take a high-level (pun intended) look at how your brain biases basic functions like attention and perception based on previous experience, otherwise known as top-down processing. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the biological factors that explain why we sleep. 

We frequently tell you that getting better sleep improves your brain health - but how can you get better sleep? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss 21 tips informed by neuroscience that you can use to improve your sleep. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - a disorder that affects children whose mothers consumed alcohol during pregnancy. 

Previously on the podcast, we've discussed how a strong diet can improve brain health. But what happens to our brain when our diet is bad, or when we skip eating altogether? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss foods that are bad for your brain and why they're bad. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how our brain shapes behaviour when we're talking to strangers compared to people we know. 

Remember when the sun was blue? Or what about that time bugs took over the world? Sometimes, our brain creates memories out of events that never happened which can cause drastic changes in behaviour. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how our brain creates false memories and how that process compares to making real memories. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss Tinnitus - where hearing is impaired and replaced by noises with no external source. 

Do we really only learn from our mistakes? Are lectures the best method of education? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss common myths about how we learn and what neuroscience research tells us about the truth. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss why your brain can be more active when its cold versus when its hot. 

Do you ever feel like so much is going on that you just can't handle anymore? In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we finish our discussion on brain overload by discussing cognitive overload.

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the Pineal Gland - a gland in your brain that is important for regulating sleep. 

Do you ever feel like so much is going on that you just can't handle anymore? In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we begin our discussion on brain overload by discussing sensory overload.

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the thyroid gland - an important body part for regulating hormones and metabolism. 

Some scientists spend years trying to figure out what is going through someone's mind when they are doing something they know is wrong. What happens when these scientists test that immorality? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss Unethical Neuroscience through the example of the Milgram experiments. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the Pituitary Gland - the body part responsible for releasing hormones throughout your body. 

Sometimes we talk about "going with your gut" when making decisions that feel right. As it turns out, our intestines are actually highly linked to our brain in more ways than just an expression. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the Gut-Brain Axis - a system linking our digestive system to our nervous system. 

In todays episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss whats going on in your brain when you're pregnant. 

Can people remember pictures forever after seeing them once? Are you able to recall entire pages of text you read years ago? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the evidence, or lack thereof, for photographic and eidetic memory. 

In today's Neuroscience bite, we discuss Aphantasia - the inability to visually imagine things. 

What makes a genuis brain different from ours? Are they bigger? Do they have more brain cells? Did they just win the gene lottery? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss what makes a smarter brain different. 

In this week's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how oversleeeping affects your brain, for better or worse. 

To kick off season 7 of That Neuroscience Guy, we're discussing the neuroscience behind binge-watching your favourite shows. 

Game theory is a popular mode of thinking, especially in economics, that describes how systems in our environment use game-like rules and directions to recommend certain choices and predict if we'll make them. Whether its businesses offering sales at certain times or even offering platinum memberships to high-paying customers, our environment is designed to access the game-playing parts of our brains. In the season 6 finale of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how game theory can be used to trick your brain into making certain decisions. 

In this week's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the Mendi - a new way to measure your brain while meditating at home.  

Have you ever wondered why some people are so selfish? Or maybe you've even thought this about yourself? As it turns out your brain is hardwired to be selfish. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how our brain particularly loves items, people, memories, and many other things related to our sense of self. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss what Bayesian Thinking is, and what it means for your brain. 

You'll often see lie detector tests in modern media, where large machines are used to determine if someone is telling the truth. But does that actually work? And is there a better way to look into someones mind and see what they're thinking? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind reading someone's mind. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss some examples of TED Talks that are great for people who want to learn more about the brain (without the formality of a class or degree). 

Have you ever wondered why you can't tickle yourself? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how the brain's motor system prevents you from being able to tickle yourself. 

In today's neuroscience bite, we discuss how you can track your sleep at home to improve brain health. 

Its not uncommon for long periods of effort and/or stress to impact our brain, leaving us thinking less clearly and at a much slower rate. In Today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind brain fog. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how our brain recreates memories when we need them. 

Do we really "rewire" our brains? Does studying animals help us understand the human brain? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss more common neuroscience myths. 

In today's Neurosciene Bite, we discuss what might have made Albert Einstein's brain different from the average person. 

Do we really only use 10% of your brain? Are creative people more 'right-brained' than everyone else? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we parse through common neuroscience myths and discuss how mythical they might be. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how scary movies affect people, whether they love or hate them. 

Vision is more than just your eyes - you need your brain to intake visual information and process it. However, optometric care has largely focused on treating just your eyes. But what if we started trying to change your brain instead of your eyes?  In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we invite Dr. Cameron McCrodan to discuss how targeting visual processing and control in the brain can markedly improve treatments for patients with concussions, migraines, balance issues, and more. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we review "Don't Be Such a Scientist" by Randy Olson and discuss some problems with modern science. 

Whether pushing through people at a shopping mall or standing shoulder to shoulder at a concert, being in crowds is a common experience. For some of us, that experience is overwhelmingly negative. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy we discuss the neuroscience behind our behaviour in crowds, and how our brain changes when surrounded by others. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss a great book that dives into impulsive decision making. 

Legwarmers. Socks and Sandles. Skinny jeans. Goretex puffer jackets. Fashion is an ever-evolving aspect of culture, representing people's opinions on clothing, footwear, and accessories. But how do our brains process this complex form of expression? In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind our fashion sense. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite we discuss Deliberate Play, an activity that builds intrinsic motivation. 

We all have things that motivate us. Whether its a coach or teacher encouraging you to do better or an inner drive to get things done, we need motivation to complete goals. But how does our brain respond to motivation? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind motivation. 

For many of us, it's hard to go a day without being on our phones. This can come in the form of urges to pick up your phone when you're not doing anything, or even shutting out the rest of your environment when you're on your phone. But why are we so addicted to our screens, and how does that affect our brains? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind smartphone and screen addictions. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind our relationships with our pets. 

A prevalent problem in virtually all modern science is the disproportionately low number of women in the field. This lack of representation of women in science starts at a young age, and persists into later stages of many STEM professions. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we invite Katherine Boere, a PhD student in the Krigolson Lab and leader in the Women in STEM movement at the University of Victoria, to discuss the barriers for women in the field, where they come from, and how we can take them down. 

Edit: Audio now fixed. Sorry for the problem!

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the current state of neuroscientific evidence for the 4-day work week.

For everyone, food is essential for life. For most people, food is an avenue to enhance life. But how do food and taste impact our brain? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind eating food. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss how to become a neuroscientist. 

It's common for quiet times in our mind to be invaded by intensly emotional memories. Whether reminiscing about happy moments or dreading the bad ones, we tend to ruminate on the past. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we dig into the neuroscience behind how and why we ruminate.

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss why a large portion of what we know about neuroscience is learned in the lab versus out in the real world. 

Whether it is in the classroom, in the office, or even at the dinner table, it's common for our minds to wander from the current setting. But why do we let our minds get away from the task at hand? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind mind wandering. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss what its like to be a professor. 

How does imposter syndrome affect your brain? Is there a limit to how much you can learn? In today's episode, we do a rapid-fire Q&A session using questions listeners have asked recently. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind a popular film called the Matrix.

For a lot of us, flying is not a comfortable experience. However, even after the lineups, the expensive goods, and dealing with delays and cancellations, some people are still anxious about the flight itself. Why is that? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we become afraid when flying. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind why walking outside is better for your brain than walking inside or not at all. 

Virtually every form of modern media comes with some degree of advertising attached. From commercials on TV to product promotions on social media, we are constantly told what to buy. But how does this affect our brain? In this episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind advertising. 

In today's neuroscience bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind the patellar tendon tap, a common test used by doctors. 

As humans have evolved, we have relied more and more on clothing. From long sleeve shirts to thick-soled shoes, the modern human is very dependent on clothes. But what if that isn't good for us? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind clothing coverage, and how more sensory exposure can help our brains. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind consuming energy drinks. 

Sometimes you wake up and your brain feels foggy. Maybe, halfway through the day you hit a wall and lose the motivation to get things done. But why does our brain get tired? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind why we feel mental fatigue, how it affects the brain, and how to prevent it best. 

In today's Neuroscience Bite, we discuss the neuroscience behind patience. 

Long bouts of stressful work, problems at home, and countless other things can leave you feeling exhausted and distressed. Burnout, the state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion, is becoming more prominent. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how we become burnt out and how it affects the brain. 

For this week's neuroscience bite, we discuss the primary sensory cortex, a brain area important for how integrate sensory information from our environment. 

Have you ever had a friend exhibit harmful or toxic behaviour? Maybe you have been in a romantic relationship where your partner consistently manipulates or makes you feel unsafe. Either way, it can be difficult for us to get out of these unhealthy situations. To kick off season 5 of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind staying in toxic relationships. 

A quick preview of whats coming in season 5, premiering this June. 

We have had the privilege to talk Neuroscience on the podcast for the past year. But how did we get to the point where we can study Neuroscience, and educate others about it? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how to become a neuroscientist, including the education we needed to start and the work we do on a daily basis. 

Are you curious about using neurotechnology to improve your brain health? Not sure where to start? In a special episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we kick off the holiday season by going over our opinions on popular neurotech, its scientific validity, and which devices can help you. 

Humans both love and hate fear. Whether it's hiding under the covers during a scary movie or jumping out of a plane headfirst, we all experience fear.  In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how our brains process fear and how it affects our behaviour. 

Everyone handles it differently, but we all feel lonely sometimes. What you may not know is that loneliness can have a severe negative impact on your brain. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss what loneliness does to your brain. 

Alcohol consumption makes us feel and behave much differently than usual, and can often be addictive. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how alcohol impacts your brain and why you become addicted to it. 

Humans accomplish amazing things through creativity. In this week's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss what's going on in your brain while you're being creative, and what we can do to improve that process. 

Going out for a hike or walking through the park can instantly improve your mood. But why does simply being outside make us feel better? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we get outdoors and discuss why being in nature is beneficial for your brain. 

We tell plenty of lies every day. Sometimes we lie to other people to spare their feelings or make ourselves look better. We even lie to ourselves when we remember things differently than how they happened. But why? In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience of how and why we lie. 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or MRI, is an essential clinical tool for diagnosing injuries of both the brain and body. As it turns out, it's also incredibly important for scientific research on the brain. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss how MRI works, and why it's so well-suited for studying the brain. 

Have you ever wondered why music moves us so profoundly? Maybe you've questioned how we are able to create such powerful songs. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the neuroscience behind how we experience and make music. 

There is a myriad of technical hurdles we'll have to jump through to get humans on Mars, but what about psychological hurdles? As it turns out, long-duration space travel can wreak havoc on your brain. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, we discuss the psychological problems astronauts will face when travelling to Mars, and how we're trying to solve them. 

Have you ever wondered if meditation can actually improve your health? As it turns out, practising mindfulness and meditation improves various brain functions, and alleviates some negative mental health symptoms. In today's episode of That Neuroscience Guy, I explain the neuroscience of how meditation changes your brain for the better. 

Season 2 of That Neuroscience Guy is here! We kick off the season by discussing the neuroscience of why and how humans trust each other. 

Here's a sneak peek of what's coming up in Season 2 of the That Neuroscience Guy podcast, premiering in early September 2021. 

Love is an essential part of the human experience, just as much as heartbreak is. In the season 1 finale of That Neuroscience Guy, I discuss the neuroscience of how we experience love, and the lack thereof. 

It's a simple question: why do people do bad things? In today's episode, I discuss the neuroscience behind evilness. 

Have you ever had someone tell you they are more left- or right-brained? Its commonly thought that we can have a more active left or right side of our brain, which leads to us being more creative or analytical. In today's episode, I discuss the neuroscience of hemispheric specialization, and how it affects our behaviour. 

Have you ever wondered what consciousness actually is? What separates conscious beings from artificial intelligence? As it turns out, not much. In a special Q&A episode, I discuss the neuroscience of consciousness. 

Why does your heart race when you hear horror movie music? How does being sad lead to craving ice cream? In today's episode, I discuss the neuroscience of emotion. 

You may have heard of a unique phenomenon where some people have intense religious experiences following a seizure. In some cases, these people may even believe they are God. In today's episode, I discuss the neuroscience behind the "God Spot", a proposed brain area for religious experience. 

In a special That Neuroscience Guy Q&A, I discuss various types of nervous system disorders and injuries, and how they affect your brain. 

Sight is one of our most detailed sensations. To finalize our two-part series, I'm going to discuss the basics of how we process visual information for the perception of the world around us. 

Sight is one of our most detailed sensations. In a two-part series, I'm going to discuss the basics of how we process visual information about the world. First, we talk about the neuroscience behind vision for action: determining where things are and how we use them. 

Dementia and Alzheimer's disease are prevalent and devastating conditions. In today's episode, we discuss the neuroscience of Alzheimer's and Dementia as it relates to their symptoms, causes, and prevalence. 

Do tall people perceive time differently? What does alcohol actually do to your brain? In the second That Neuroscience Guy Q&A, I answer your burning questions about neuroscience. 

Depression is a prevalent yet complex condition, and there are multiple ways it can affect the brain. In today's episode, we discuss the neuroscience of Depression. 

Am I Neurotypical? Does Artificial Intelligence really think like me? In the first That Neuroscience Guy Q&A, I answer your burning questions about neuroscience. 

"Brainwaves" help us explain how the brain works, which is why I study them all the time. But what is a brainwave? In today's episode, I discuss what EEG is and how we use it to understand the brain. 

You've probably heard that 10,000 hours of practice makes us an expert at something. But why is this the case? In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience of becoming an expert. 

We are often told we have to "pay" attention, but what does that really mean? In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience of Attention. 

Your brain does not shut down when you are sleeping. Instead, there is a lot of cool stuff going on - and I am not even talking about your dreams! In this episode, I talk about the neuroscience of sleep.