Neuroscientifically Challenged
Neuroscience made simpler.
The brain, explained — reference entries and stories, written and reviewed by people who study it.
In focus
Older people who pause to find the right word usually aren’t losing their sharpness. Research suggests they know far more words than they did at 25, and a brain holding a lifetime of knowledge has much more to search through
People who write a to-do list before bed aren’t just being organised — in a Baylor sleep lab, young adults who spent five minutes listing upcoming tasks fell asleep in about 16 minutes on average, compared with 25 for those who listed what they’d already done
The people still sharp at 85 usually aren’t the ones doing crosswords every morning. They’re the ones who still have someone to call, and research on “SuperAgers” suggests warm friendships may matter more to an ageing brain than any puzzle
People who feel closer to their dog than to most humans aren’t cold or antisocial. Research suggests that when a dog and its owner look into each other’s eyes, both brains release the same bonding hormone that ties a mother to her baby
Start here
Your brain in 12 lessons
Twelve short lessons that start where you do — with what you see, feel, remember and forget — and show you the brain behind it. No background needed.
Know Your Brain
Explore all entries →Explore the structures of the brain, one entry at a time.
