Think about your brain like a great city at night. Billions of neurons are in communication with each other, yet not all are engaged simultaneously. Information is processed by certain networks involved in perception, memory, emotions, attention, and self-perception. This allows the brain to form its perception of reality in a consistent way. But what
While reading a book passage, you suddenly realise that you do not understand it. Therefore, you pause, decide to re-read it and then adjust your strategy to read it. This act of structuring or strategising indicates metacognition, which is defined as the awareness and regulation of an individual’s cognitive processes (Flavell, 1979). It includes metacognitive
The group of neurodegenerative disorders that initially affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are known as frontotemporal dementia (FTD). For example a loved one who suddenly begins acting in ways that feel unrecognizable and doing inappropriate acts at inappropriate moments, struggling to act and express to find simple words. It often presents
How about getting into bed at 10 p.m. because that is when you think you should sleep? Instead, you spend your nights tossing and turning, looking at the clock, browsing your mobile, and wondering why you do not sleep. Then comes the morning, but the period spent lying in bed has been much longer than the
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a field of study in psychology that is interdisciplinary in nature, as it involves the understanding of the relationship between the brain, the nervous system, the immune system and behaviour. It tries to understand the bidirectional relationship of these aspects and their impact and effect on mental and physical health. The initial
“This psychological connection provides an important basis for understanding the potential role of Cognitive Bias Modification in treating sleep disorders.” Sleep disorders are prevalent psychological and medical issues that can impact mood, focus, day-to-day functioning, and general well-being. While biological and environmental factors have an impact on sleep difficulties, psychological processes like attention, expectations, and
Picture an infant brain as a large, bustling town made up of thousands of neural cells that are constantly on the move, growing, dividing, pushing and pulling to reach their right place. Just as the physical forces shape buildings and roads in cities, the process of brain development involves mechanical forces which influence how the
When meditating, do you feel completely tranquil? At prayer, do you get a sense of connection with a power greater than yourself, or do you experience a moment when your ordinary worries disappear? Whatever else these experiences might be spiritual, religious, meditative, or a deep psychological state you’ve probably wondered how they appear to the
Epigenetics refers to processes that alter gene activity without changing the DNA sequence. The DNA sequence remains the same, while some processes can change gene activity in the DNA. Today, several serious illnesses have links with epigenetic mechanisms, linking with almost all types of cancer, cognitive dysfunction, respiratory illness, and cardiovascular illness. Behind this rigid process
Have you ever felt like you’re just moments away from sleeping when your name is called? Perhaps you saw a flash or shadow, experienced a feeling as you were about to fall, felt like someone else was in the room with you, only to become fully aware and realise nobody was actually there. Situations like