WHEW! Nothing like drawing inspiration from some late-night Youtube videos! Especially when my editor has to: 1) Make sure that this post is indeed relative to neuroscience 2) Verify that I’ve used proper grammar 3) Make media changes such as share links etc. 4) And have all of this done within a few hours during which I’ve procrastinated until the midnight hours of the new work week. Apologies to my editor…but man, am I pumped for what I’ve got in store with this post! Let’s get started shall we?

The cream of the awkward crop

Who doesn’t love awkward situations? Well, actually, most people probably don’t like awkward situations. But why…I tend to find it hilarious when there is so much discomfort in a room that it can be cut with a knife. In my opinion, that’s what makes “awkward” so exciting. It’s a moment where everyone is out of their comfort zone, nobody is safe, nobody can run and hide, and often nobody knows what to do. For example, consider the harmonious situation when the distraught, balling girlfriend confronts her cheating boyfriend.

Prior to the confrontation, everyone is trying to enjoy themselves, stirring up social conversation via the flow of cheap beer and mixed cocktails. The music is playing, the light machine is making a twenty dollar attempt at adding ambiance, and the owner of the apartment is wondering how their casual get together turned into “GET OUT, I don’t know you!” Suddenly, the cord connecting the Ipod to the speakers is ripped out, the lights are turned on, and the fun begins. The balling girlfriend confronts her cheating boyfriend in the middle of the dance floor, screeching “HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO ME!” Flabbergasted, the seemingly soon to be ex-boyfriend pushes the girl he is currently talking to away, bracing himself for the wrath of a broken heart. Meanwhile, everyone in the room has now entered ‘awkward,’ that unknown gap in time where indecision meets emotional response. Should we feel bad for her? Shouldn’t we look at his side of the story? Flashback to reality, where all of this is going on in everyone’s heads, leaving a dance floor filled with blank stares and no sudden movements. Everyone at the beer pong table has now focused their attention on the dynamic duo, while the ping pong ball continues its final bounces, having rolled onto the floor. And then, there is me. I’m in the corner of the room, literally dying of laughter inside, desperately trying to hold back tears of utter joy for this moment of awkward has once again proved itself to be entertainment gold!

Now where were we? Ahhh yes, awkward and neuroscience. There is an emotional response that is tied to any situation, and in return, this response directly effects our decision-making processes. In the initial moment before making a choice, we consider the risk and rewards associated with both options. For example, if I decide to study for an exam, my reward will be a good grade. What is so beautiful about awkward situations is that they stress the internal conflict of risk and reward to a higher degree due to emotional responses. In coordination with the basic neural circuitry that is active when making a decision, awkward situations bring to light the competing emotional responses that are associated with both social norms and self-subjective response. Consider the brilliance of Andrew Hales in this video:

Genius, right? The scientific breakdown behind most of the responses seen within the video is simple. When Andrew approaches the individual, as if he is going to high-five them, basic social cues are signaling neural circuity to respond, thus they accept Andrew’s social behavior and attempt to high-five him back. However, Andrew adds the awkward element into the situation by having his friend (the individual he actually wants to interact with) approach at the last minute, and more importantly, out of the view of the ‘random’ person. The coolest part about this is the reaction of the random person after they’ve found out that they were not suppose to be involved at all. The application of the cognitive strategies seen during this awkward emotion generation process is known as emotion regulation, which results in an alteration in the affective experience of emotional stimuli. Broken down, the competing emotional responses: wanting to satisfy the salient cues of Andrew (by reciprocating the high five) vs. emotional indecision (attempting to play it off as a joke) demonstrate the risk and rewards of social behavior. Pretty cool huh?

If you’d like to see more videos, definitely check out Andrew’s Youtube channel where you can see more awkward scenarios, like cutting people in line to loudly complimenting people. A personal favorite of mine is the Almost Picking Up Chicks video.

Sources:

The Influence of Emotional Regulation and Decision Making – PMC

What kind of day would you rather have?

A decision is a fact of life. Both the good and the bad, the wrong and the right, one seemingly unjust turn waiting to happen amid the uncertain crossroads of life. Lets be honest, making a decision will always provide the answer, that is the ideal outcome, nothing goes wrong, everything is perfect, happily ever after. On the contrary, there is the undesirable result, which you would rather keep trapped in a cage and have thrown into a river in order to prevent ‘it’ from ruining your party. Now with making a decision comes the possibility for his arch-nemesis “regret” to appear in the equation. Lets look at it this way, if your friend ‘decision’ calls and asks if you want to see this movie which you assume is going to be terrible, you’d probably say “No,” thereby rejecting ‘decision.’ A week later ‘regret’ sends you a letter saying ‘decision’ went to the movie that day, saw your partner, they both hit it off, ‘decision’ slept with them, and now your partner never wants to see you again. See why you should have gone to the movie! That my friends is exactly, to a tee, the comic strip you will see when you look up decision in the dictionary.

Long ramble short, the art of making a decision occurs too many times to count each and every day. Should I hit the snooze button once or twice? How will this effect the amount of time it takes me to get swagged out? If I don’t proceed with the normal swag process, will my 8 a.m. classmates think any less of me than they already do? Who knows, but that is why we are here, right? Yes. For I am the storyteller, the sandman who makes you sleep so soundly at night, and the keeper of the secrets as to why you may or may not be indecisive. So without further adieu, hop on the magic school bus children as we begin our journey to the…(suspense)….build up…bum bum buh…the LAND BEFORE TIME!!! Well maybe, but in the meantime, lets take a look at how Neuroscientists have caught a glimpse of how the brain decides what to believe.

Everyday struggles can be life-threatening

A sense of what we know and don’t know is a universal human experience often associated with how confident we are with the decisions we make. Ultimately, the more confident we are with a decision, the more difficulty we may have breaking away from that choice. However, new research being completed by Neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory suggests that the estimation of confidence that underlies these daily decisions may be a product of information processing within the brain. To solve this ongoing debate, researchers began trials using rats and their heightened olfactory senses to test their levels of uncertainty. Translated to English, scientists knew that rats sense of smell is extremely sensitive. With this knowledge, they produced mixtures containing varying strengths of smells and gave rewards to the rats who were able to distinguish which component of the mixture was stronger within that specific mixture. In essence, if a rat is able to relay back to a scientist that there was more snozberry than b-a-n-a-n-a-s in the mixture, he or she was given an incredibly delicious reward.

While undergoing these trials, scientists recorded signals from individual neurons in the rodents’ brains. They found that neurons in a part of the brain known as the orbitofrontal cortex (an area of the brain found in both rats and humans) signal the uncertainty of the decisions, “firing” much more vigorously in difficult tests compared with easier tests. Coupled with a follow-up study that was designed specifically to test the confidence of the rats, scientists were able to learn further information pertaining to the neuronal sequences that correlated with confidence. Unlike the first study, in which the rats were given a reward immediately should their decision be correct, this study created a significant delay period between the end of the trial and reward. During this period of time, the rats were given the option to abort the trial and begin again, prior to learning the fate of their decisions. Ultimately, rats often chose to abort the current trial, depicting how they could not only calculate their levels of confidence with their decisions, but translate that response into behavior. Pretty cool huh?

So what have we learned today. Rats may be able to distinguish between various smells, but can they spell b-a-n-a-n-a? Confidence in relation to decision making is not a complex process only associated with humans, but rather a core component of decision making that is found throughout the animal kingdom. And finally, there is always a right way to make the wrong decision and vice versa (Yeah, try and play that one out in your head) lol.

Confidence plays a role in Decision-making – Science Daily
Single Neurons – Science Daily

Yes, I know it’s a little bit early to be bringing this up. While the holiday itself may have already passed, many of you are probably still recovering from the hangover that the entire country was forced to endure. I mean really, this isn’t even a good feeling to wake up from this hangover, not that a hangover is something you should usually look forward to. But lets be honest, there is more damage done than overall achievement. This isn’t the morning after where you reminisce about the absolutely stupendous series of events that took place hours ago. This isn’t one of those mornings where you are left in shambles in a downright disgusting alley looking around for your best friend who was lost the day of a wedding. Plain and simple, this is not a good time.

Your groggy, you must resume your daily routine, you have to be at work in an hour, the clock already says your going to be 30 minutes late with the estimated travel time, and you probably gained a minimum of 5 lbs considering how many potatoes you’ve consumed. Hell, you nearly re-enacted the exact opposite of the Irish potato famine in your dining room, not to mention the 20 loafs of bread consumed in ‘this that and another’ stuffing. And then to add insult to injury, you have to open the fridge and think to yourself, “Hmm what the hell am I gonna have for lunch today” right? Wrong! What your really saying to yourself is, “How the hell am I supposed to make turkey or thanksgiving leftovers of any sort sound appetizing again?” And while this may be true, that should be the least of your problems. What your primary worry should be is, “How am I going to stay awake for this crucial late afternoon presentation my boss conveniently scheduled the day after this lovely thanksgiving massacre, when I’m stuffing (pun intended) down marshmallow covered sweet potatoes, [explicit] turkey sandwiches, and some classic Campbell’s green bean casserole at the 2 o’clock lunch break?” Tie all these delightful dishes together and you yourself have found the ultimate thanksgiving myth: Are turkey and all the other thanksgiving fixings responsible for your holiday hangover? Let us find out shall we…

Now let me first jump in and suggest that Thanksgiving isn’t all that bad. It’s a holiday where you have the green light to gorge until you either throw up or the food disappears. Your granted the opportunity to catch up with family that you quite honestly may have never met in your life. And how could you forget that lovely early morning workout known as ‘Black Friday’ in which case as long as your readily equipped with a can of pepper spray and a riot-level baton, you can subconsciously lose the few pounds you may have gained by dropping stacks of money on bargains you may or may not need to take advantage of. Nevertheless this hangover is about the one thing and one thing only: the food.

The Breakdown

Turkey is in most cases the first victim to be accused of causing lethargy during the post-meal recovery, however, is equally to blame as anything else on the dining table. Sure turkey contains L-Tryptophan, an essential amino acid with critical sleep inducing effects, but other foods contain as much if not more of this amino acid. Nevertheless, tryptophan can be metabolized into seratonin and melatonin; the feel good + sleep regulating neurotransmitters that result in the perfect combination to knock you out for a few hours. However, L-Tryptophan must be taken on an empty stomach for drowsiness to occur and the last thing you’d expect to have on Thanksgiving is an empty stomach. So does this make turkey solely responsible for your poultry induced hangover? Not exactly! A carbohydrate-rich meal is what really increases levels of L-Tryptophan and leads to serotonin synthesis in the brain. Breaking it down scientifically, carbohydrates cause the pancreas to secrete insulin. This then leads to higher levels of Tryptophan in the bloodstream which ultimately triggers the synthesis of serotonin; producing that relaxed and drowsy sensation.

But let us consider everything else on the dining table, for example fats. Fats account for the most strain on the digestive system, so your body is going to require that excess energy to break all that down. This loss of energy in other areas of the body is yet another reason you may feel sluggish. Throw in some spiked apple cider or other forms of alcohol for additional nap-factor. Combine it all with excessive over-eating in order to please your crazed relatives who seemingly slaved over the kitchen for each of their homemade delicacies, and you have comatose. Moreover: a big meal + blood being directed to break down the intake = hibernation :)

So what have we learned today. Don’t blame the turkey when you need an excuse for being late to work or your black Friday destination of choice, seeing as all foods play their part in what is the Thanksgiving Day Hangover. Yes, two cans of pepper spray is always better than one when it comes to fending off children for an Xbox 360. Pumpkin pie is a classic and should always be a dessert option, but apple pie cheesecake is better. Fortunately, if you pass out with your shoes on during Thanksgiving, you don’t have to worry about waking up with certain drawings on your face. Finally, turkey leftovers have no limits…seriously! #gettingcreative

Sources:

Myths about Thanksgiving – Scientific American

Turkey makes you sleepy? – About.com

The Tryptophan Effect – TLC

As I’ve struggled to think of a topic to kick off my sophomore year blog series, I’ve scanned over practically every YouTube video and online article trying to find some sort of inspiration to come up with the next hot topic. While pop culture is at a stand still at this point with the media hiding under every surface because of the heat from “Occupy this, that, and the next big city,” I’ve decided that I’m going to switch up my role as a writer.

Rather than informing you, my lovely audience, about some irrelevant pop culture icon or explaining random biological processes, I’m going to create my own rant about success. However, this wouldn’t belong in the nerve blog if it was just some college student rambling about his own opinions that nobody cares to listen to, so for that reason, I’ll tie in a norepinephrine reference to make it real ‘neuroscience-y.’ So if you’ve made it through my introduction and are interested in seeing what I have to say, please continue. But, if your already making disgruntled looks at your computer screen after the first two paragraphs, now is the time for you to return to Facebook or whatever else you may be doing…

Now lets face the music here. What is life measured on? Is it your ability to obtain materialistic interests, or perhaps your ability to raise your own self-worth by making those around you with different interests feel less deserving or respectable? The question is always going to be biased, but I find this unanswerable question so very apparent in the college setting.

The Crossroads

Thrust into the hustle and bustle of Boston University, students always come up with wonderful and eccentric mnemonic devices for what each school’s acronym stands for. For example, you have the College of General Studies (CGS) here at BU. This lovely school is often the first to be thrown under the bus considering anyone who gets into “Crayons, Glue, and Scissors” is paying full tuition and is presumably not the greatest student. Why? I don’t know, but when your school has nicknames that I can’t even put in this article, I think there’s a problem. Long story short, predisposed ideas of what success should be, how it should take form, and how it should present itself following achievement, are completely skewed.

Consider a day in my life as a pre-medical student. Why am I doing this? Is it because I have a sick desire to ruin my social life, when I could have easily chosen a less demanding path toward my ultimate goal? Not exactly, but my point is right there in the previous line. If success can present itself in any shape or form, am I pursuing a medical career because I’ve been brain-washed my entire life to do so, or am I doing it because it’s a passion of mine? What I’m trying to discuss here is probably made more clear in this video below:

So you see, success is really about finding the balance between your innate talents and how you can apply them to a job setting. Whether that be through choice a, b, or c, success lacks the boundaries which often prevent people from even attempting to pursue their dreams. Coupled with a healthy dose of norepinephrine (see I told you), the neurotransmitter that is responsible for both energy and drive, and a tablespoon of serotonin for emotional stability, I encourage anyone and everyone to go out there and do what they do best. As the old saying goes, live today as if it were tomorrow…

Understanding Neurotransmitters – International Health Supplement Education Foundation

My average morning: My alarm clock blasts the stereotypical sound associated with 7 a.m. mornings. I awake from what I wouldn’t even call sleep, and I stare at the ceiling wondering how I’m going to survive today’s chemistry exam when even the TA insists that this is his “cherry on the top.” Glancing over at my roommate as he snores louder than Yawkey Way on opening day at Fenway Park, I think to myself why couldn’t you just close your mouth and breath through your nose? Looking back at the clock, I guesstimate how much time I have left to savor the comfort of my own bed before jumping up to begin my whole routine. Well, at least this isn’t the worst day I’ve ever had…LOSING.

Charlie Sheen’s average morning: Lounging in bed with his porn star girlfriend strewn across his body and a model in the other arm, the text message of his personal trainer awakens the beast from his multi-million dollar master bedroom. Its 5 a.m. and Charlie is sweating bullets in his household gym, while his trainer continues to sculpt the comedian’s six pack. Following the extreme workout, Charlie offers his trainer or anyone for that matter, a cigar from his conveniently located hidden vault as opposed to the traditional “would you like to stay for breakfast?” Standing in the kitchen looking out over his extravagant backyard pool with a cup of Folgers, he smiles….WINNING.

This may seem long overdue, but it has taken me until at least this point to really understand this whole fiasco surrounding Charlie Sheen. From the male perspective who wouldn’t want to be Charlie Sheen for one day? The guy wakes up with a porn star and model draped over him, and not to mention, he is swimming in money regardless of whether Two and a Half Men ever comes back on the air. Although Sheen may come off as vulgar and inconsiderate, especially when looking at his past relationships, he is living the life right now. Not to mention the fact that all of these recent interviews have only increased his popularity and wealth! However, I’m not saying what he did is right, but there is more than what meets the eye with Charlie Sheen.

A complex illness that is characterized by dramatic and unpredictable mood swings, you could say bipolar disorder is the perfect disorder for a successful actor to have. More importantly, it is clear now that this was also handed down to Charlie through his bipolar father, Martin Sheen. Studies at Stanford University, which explored the genetic connection of bipolar disorder found that children with one biological parent with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder have an increased likelihood of having the condition. In this study researchers reported that 51% of children are likely to obtain a disorder ranging from bipolar disorder to something such as ADHD.

There are several types of bipolar disorders, all of which involve episodes of depression and mania to a degree. Mainly though, we can break down bipolar disorder into bipolar-depression and bipolar-mania. Experts believe bipolar disorder is partly caused by an underlying problem with the balance of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. Three brain chemicals, norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine are involved in both brain and bodily functions. The disruption of these systems in various balances is what leads to various mental illnesses. During the most recent interviews depicting his radical conversations with various reporters, Charlie demonstrated bipolar-mania related symptoms including everything from excessive happiness and excitement to restlessness and racing thoughts. But we must remember, genetics wasn’t the sole source of Charlie’s problem, for he invited cocaine to the party.

Deep in the brain there are centers that provide feelings of euphoria and pleasure also know as reward centers. An event that is “rewarding” is accompanied by the release of a chemical known as dopamine. Dopamine allows feelings of pleasure and euphoria. Normally, the dopamine is released into small gaps between neurons in the brain where it binds with proteins in the gaps and sends the appropriate signals to the brain. The dopamine then leaves the gap. Cocaine substance abuse disrupts this process. Cocaine actually blocks the dopamine from leaving the gaps between the brain’s neurons leading to a buildup of dopamine, which continually stimulates the brain. Now when we put all of the puzzle pieces together, at least we can understand why Charlie was sweating to death with his pupils dilated, consumed by his feelings of being “alive.”

In short, Charlie and I live completely different lives. I’m a college student trying to work my way up the ladder of success on the east coast, while Charlie is lounging in bed with his porn star girlfriend. Although I could tell him certain combinations of counseling and medication are available to him, at least to stabilize his mood over time, at this point, I don’t think he would consider my suggestion a WINNING option…

Bipolar Disorder – WebMD

Cocaine Abuse – Drug Rehab 101

Fatigue comes in all shapes and sizes, and sometimes it can appear in the case of the college student. Menacingly staring at the computer, eyes fixated on making sure the final paper meets the suggested word count, the college student desperately tries to block out the urge and addiction of distractions. Yet as the night sky soon turns bright with the rising sun, the college student’s attention shifts more and more from the task at hand, to the preparation of the pick-me-up beverage of choice, caffeine. With only minutes before the first morning class, the college student is faced with the harsh reality of selecting his weapon of choice. Will he run across the street, bracing the brutal winds to grab a caffe mocha with a double shot of espresso, or play it conservative, and go for it with the 5 hour energy shot or name brand energy drink?

Soda, coffee, and energy drinks are the three main drinks that come to mind when thinking about caffeine. But besides these  drinks, caffeine has shown to be increasingly prevalent in different foods covering multiple food groups. While most people concede to the negative attention these beverages receive, caffeine is a three – headed monster that yields both positive and negative effects. Thus the real question should be, do you want the good or the bad news first?

Starting with the good: caffeine can increase your short-term memory and alertness while also altering your overall mood. The caffeine in one cup of coffee can stimulate the central system as it simultaneously lowers blood sugar, thus creating a temporary lift. Further research conducted by the Journal of Sports Medicine showed how “caffeine taken two hours before exercise enhanced the performance of athletes in marathon running.” Yet another study published in the Journal of the American Medical Associated indicated that “people who drink coffee on a regular basis have up to 80% lower risks of developing Parkinson’s disease.”

On the contrary, caffeine does have a dark side. Caffeinated foods can contribute to a person’s struggle with either weight gain or hunger. The stimulant itself is known to increase appetite, to increase cortisol levels, and to increase levels of insulin. Any of these factors may combine with a caffeine-induced stress that often affects the results of dieters, being that caffeine is a natural diuretic which can lead to water retention. Caffeinism, as it is often referred to, can come in waves of migraine headaches and sickness, which in turn can cause nervousness and a rapid heartbeat. So does this mean that you shouldn’t have a cup of coffee in the morning? My response is no.

Ahhh coffee, such a misunderstood luxury. Caffeine, within coffee beans, has shown to be a leading source of both brain and body health benefits, specifically playing the role of your average American’s number one source of antioxidants. In fact, regular coffee consumption has shown to dramatically reduce the chance of mental heath risks including Alzheimer’s and Dementia. However, coffee is one of those things that is always looked down upon as if it induces the same affects as alcohol. The real problem lies not with the coffee, but with all the other unhealthy ingredients that it can be mixed with. For example, which sounds healthier, a strait shot of Espresso or a Cinnamon-Dulce-White-Mocha-Frappucino, cream based. Now when you compare the carb, chemical, and fat information of the two with the purity of the first, the controversy over coffee is plain and simple.

In essence, caffeine is one of those things that must be taken in moderation. While caffeine contains both positive and negative extremes, a balanced consumption of caffeine through artificial drinks or coffee in its purest form, seems to be just fine, especially with the college students.

Caffeine – K. Cossaboon

Foods Containing Caffeine – Ella Rain

Brain Healthy Foods – Brain Ready

Lets face it, coaching is just a part of our everyday lives. Whether or not we accept the advice or let our alter-egos consume us with pride remains in question, but ultimately learning is the number one goal. A major topic of research at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management since 1990, coaching has withstood the test of time as research continues to be conducted to prove “effective coaching can lead to smoothly functioning organizations, better productivity and potentially more profit.”

However, there is still  little understanding as to what kind of interactions can contribute to or detract from coaching’s effectiveness. Ways of coaching can and do vary widely, due to a lack of understanding of the psycho-physiological mechanisms which react to positive or negative stimulus. Internal Research done by the university has since compared varying coaching styles, from the kind and compassionate vs. the rugged and raw. The results can then be used to reveal the psychological methods by which learning can be enhanced or reduced, depending on the style of coaching in question. ”We’re trying to activate the parts of the brain that would lead a person to consider possibilities,” said Richard Boyatzis, distinguished university professor, and professor of organizational behavior, cognitive science and psychology. “We believe that would lead to more learning. By considering these possibilities we facilitate learning.”

The Coaching Triangle of "Positivity"

Boyatzi believes that coaches attempt to arouse a Positive Emotional Attractor (PEA), which causes positive emotion and arouses neuroendocrine systems that stimulate better cognitive functioning and increased perceptual accuracy and openness in the person being coached, taught or advised. On the flip side, emphasizing negativity through weaknesses and flaws, yields an opposite result. “You would activate the Negative Emotional Attractor (NEA), which causes people to defend themselves, and as a result they close down,” Boyatzis says. “One of the major reasons people work is for the chance to learn and grow. So at every managerial relationship, and every boss-subordinate relationship, people are more willing to use their talents if they feel they have an opportunity to learn and grow.”

Boyatzi demonstrated his ideas, when two academic coaches with contrasting styles were each assigned to a volunteer undergraduate student. Following a series of questions, Boyatzi found that “people respond much better to a coach they find inspiring and who shows compassion for them, rather than one who they perceive to be judging them. Sure enough, we found a trend in the same direction even for the neutral questions. Students tended to activate the areas associated with visioning more with the compassionate coach, even when the topics they were thinking about weren’t so positive,” Jack said (Boyatzi’s assistant).

All and all,  everyone has a few weaknesses whether the’yre willing to admit it or not, but often the focus is so much on the bottom line that we worry ourselves into the ground. Rather it is more important to focus on what gets you going in the morning and gets you wanting to work hard and stay late that truly embodies ones character.

Sources:

Coaching With Compassion Can ‘Light Up’ Human Thoughts – Science Daily