This atlas maps out the area of the brain associated with substance disorders
As we have reiterated many times at The Optimist Daily, the brain is an extremely complex organ shrouded in mystery. Incredible and interesting breakthroughs are always being made on this front, including how our brains interpret smell, how they communicate with our organs, and the regions involved Read More...
Honey: the sweet solution for brain-like computers
It turns out that honey is much more than just a tasty addition to your tea. Engineers from Washington State University have reimagined the use of the sticky substance in brain-like neuromorphic computers. These systems are designed to mimic the human brain, where biological structures are replaced Read More...
Composing a smellscape: how your brain interprets scents
Scent is the sense most commonly associated with memory. We all have a great, or a gross, smell that brings us right back to childhood and all the feelings that come with it. How does that happen, though? How does the brain interpret smells and link them to good, bad, or nuanced feelings? A Read More...
Is this the age of "digital drugs?"
A lot of us love a change in perspective. Whether that’s an adrenaline surge from risky behavior or someone taking a trip with magic mushrooms to explore their deeper selves, people are always coming up with new ways to shift their state of mind. The latest trend in mind-shifting isn't in taking Read More...
Could caffeine be used to treat ADHD?
An estimated 4.4 percent of adults are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, a neurological condition where people find it hard to pay attention or control their behavior and experience hyperactivity. Diagnoses of this condition have increased exponentially over the Read More...
Scientists discover decision-making brain cells
Our most complex organ, the brain, is a puzzle that scientists are still trying to piece together. Here at The Optimist Daily we like to keep our readers up to date with the latest discoveries on the neurological front, like pinpointing the singing regions of the brain or how zebrafish brains Read More...
How does LSD help an anxious brain?
Here at The Optimist Daily, we’ve commonly discussed how psychedelics potentially treat mental illnesses. With their power to alter our brains in miraculous ways, researchers are racing to understand their power. Scientists don’t fully understand the human brain itself yet, therefore lots of Read More...
The secrets of body-to-brain communication
There are so many types of communication that occur in our world, some of which you’ve probably never even considered. Having a chat over coffee, fungal networks sending each other signals underground, or even plant-to-farmer communication, there are so many types of relationships that rely on Read More...
Headgear gives people with paralysis control of their devices
For individuals living with paralysis, everyday activities can be a challenge. Scientists across the globe are constantly innovating to improve the quality of life for those with impaired mobility, like this implant that can turn people’s brain signals into words we’ve previously reported Read More...
Bust out of your creative block quickly with these 4 exercises
When the creative part of your brain just can’t come up with new ideas, sometimes it’s effective to try a new approach. With that in mind, here are four exercises that can help you get rid of the creative block in less than 10 minutes. Shadowing When you get stuck, think of a creative hero Read More...