Introduction: The Hidden World of Social Cognition in Anorexia Imagine a world where understanding others seems intuitive, yet truly connecting on an emotional level feels like deciphering an impossible code. This is the reality for many living with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), a complex eating disorder not just about food, but how individuals perceive and interact […]
Tag: Head
The Emotional Compass of a Monkey’s Mind: Understanding Social Attention
Introduction Imagine walking into a crowded room. Instinctively, your eyes dart towards someone scowling or expressing joy. Ever wondered why certain faces capture our attention more than others? This captivating dance between emotion and attention extends beyond humans, as revealed by a recent research paper titled Evidence That Emotion Mediates Social Attention in Rhesus Macaques. […]
Emotionally Unplugged: Understanding Alexithymia’s Impact on Our Ability to Read Faces
Introduction: Faces Speak Volumes, but Are We Listening? Imagine staring at a friend’s face and drawing a blank slate, unable to decipher whether they’re joyful, angry, or sad. This might sound like a rare dilemma, yet for those with alexithymia, it’s a daily reality. This condition, often brushed aside as a minor quirk, holds significant […]
Rethinking the Brain’s Role in Self-Awareness: Uncharted Territories of Consciousness
Introduction Imagine waking up one morning, looking in the mirror, and seeing a stranger—a frightening scenario highlighting the intricate dance between our brains and our sense of self. At the heart of self-awareness lies an understanding of who we are, both in the present moment and across time. Conventional wisdom suggests that this self-awareness is […]
The Emotional Balancing Act: How Contrast Effects Stabilize Our Feelings in Loss Decisions
Introduction: Emotions on a Tightrope Imagine making a decision about which of two cherished possessions to part with. No matter the choice, you stand to lose something important—a scenario that’s almost guaranteed to stir up a whirlwind of negative emotions. This disheartening dilemma mirrors experiences we all face, whether in relationships, our careers, or just […]
Faces and Feelings: Exploring Brain Waves in Young People with Autism
Unlocking the Secrets of the Mind Imagine walking into a room and seeing someone smile at you. For most, this simple gesture might automatically trigger feelings of warmth or friendliness. However, for some, recognizing and processing this expression isn’t as straightforward. Picture how exhausting everyday interactions could become if the subtle emotions conveyed by a […]
The Unseen Power of Faces: How We Detect Emotions Instinctively
Introduction Imagine walking into a room filled with people you don’t know. Immediately, even before exchanging words, you can sense who might be in a good mood, who seems upset, and who is indifferent. How do we perform this seemingly magical feat that allows us to decode expressions and understand the emotional states of others? […]
Sounds of the Spectrum: Exploring Auditory Cortex Responses in Children with Autism
Introduction: Unraveling the Mystery of Sound Sensitivity in Autism Imagine yourself at a bustling carnival. The sounds of joyful laughter, music blaring from speakers, and the clinking of game booths are a normal part of the experience for most people. Now, picture every sound turned up to an almost unbearable level—not through volume, but through […]
Exploring the Equine Mind: Horses as Ethological Models of Depression
Introduction: Bridging the Emotional Gap Between Species Imagine standing in a pastoral meadow, observing as a group of horses graze peacefully. Among them, one horse catches your eye—not because of its grace but due to a different kind of stillness, almost as if time has paused just for it. What you might not realize at […]
The Brain’s Unseen Patterns: Understanding Autism’s Electrical Signature
Introduction Have you ever wondered what goes on inside the mind of someone with autism? How early does the brain start showing signs that differentiate someone with autism from those without? Recent research is beginning to unlock these mysteries by looking at resting EEG power, a measure of the brain’s electrical activity. Think of it […]