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The adult brain is more malleable than previously thought, according to researchers from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. They trained a 50-year-old man, blind from birth, to ‘see’ by ear, and found that neural circuits in his brain formed so-called topographic maps—a type of brain organization previously thought to emerge only in infancy. This finding reported […]
It’s not unusual for a fictional character to ring such a chord that their story shapes your life. Think of educators inspired by Robin Williams’ character in “Dead Poets Society,” lawyers drawn to the profession by Perry Mason or Atticus Finch, or health professionals motivated by the doctors on “ER” or “Grey’s Anatomy.” Now researchers […]
About a century ago, Egon Schiele — Expressionist artist of the human form, patron saint of a "send nudes" aesthetic — considered why he was so drawn to painting self-portraits. "I have it in me to record," he noted. "So I am constantly creating more, seemingly endless new works out of myself…. I am so […]
Daydream for five minutes to ease anxiety: Paul McKenna reveals his favourite mind tricks to beat stress Life throws tough experiences at us all: bereavement, divorce, redundancy and serious illness are the kind of challenging events that create huge stress. This manifests in our bodies and our minds. Stress makes us feel miserable and unwell: […]
I attend a biweekly memoir writing group, my “Woo Woo” meetup, which includes women from all backgrounds. At 32, I am the second-youngest member; the eldest member is in her 70s. In the years that we’ve been gathering to laugh, cry, and sip wine, our writing has often forced us to unpack the trauma of […]
In the time of COVID, greetings are no longer by handshakes, hugs or kisses on the cheek. An “elbow bump” is the preferred pandemic greeting. Although COVID transmission in Australia is now minimal and restrictions are easing, keeping 1.5 meters apart from people outside your household is still strongly encouraged—meaning hugging is therefore discouraged. Some […]
“In these uncertain times” might be the catchphrase right now. From the macro level of the pandemic, climate change, social and political unrest to the personal level of job uncertainty, illnesses within families and various levels of social isolation—any and all of these contribute to a sense of uncertainty. But what is uncertainty? What’s going […]
DR MAX THE MIND DOCTOR: The best medicine is walkies and a waggy tail As a psychiatrist I can prescribe all sorts of medication and therapies. But there is one ‘treatment’ I know of that transforms patients’ lives more than any other. Sadly, it isn’t available on the NHS. It isn’t a magic pill or […]
Do you feel relaxed after having a drink? Does smoking marijuana calm your nerves? Well, if you have ever wondered why it happens, read on. The drugs we normally use affect our body and mind in some amazing but unnatural ways. The chemicals in substances like alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and even prescription drugs affect us […]
There's no doubt we're an overworked bunch, although we wear our busyness as a badge of honour nowadays, frantically checking emails until all hours or scoffing down lunch while chained to our desks. And while our screensavers may sport the blue and white vistas of glittering Greek islands, we're far more likely to daydream about […]