Believe it or not, people used to think that bilingualism (speaking two languages) was bad for the brain. Up through the 90s, there were fears that bilingualism would exacerbate dementia symptoms as people aged. In this article, I will discuss how, not only is this not true (thank goodness!), …

Have you ever heard that we only use 10% of our brains? The first time I heard this myth I was 10 years old. Somehow, in 2023, this myth is still going around. Or, how about the myth that people are either left-brained or right-brained? …

fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) and EEG (electroencephalography) are both frontrunners in the neurofeedback field. So why does Mendi use fNIRS? Here are some benefits of fNIRS: Forgives movement While it’s ideal that you stay relatively still during your neurofeedback sessions for the best signal, fNIRS is fairly robust to movement. If a group of scientists were…

This article is your permission to go take a nap right now. Some of the best advice I ever got was that any time you feel dysregulated in any respect (grumpy, irritable, distractible, or the day just seems to be going wrong), the first thing you should check is your…

“I just can’t focus today.” “If only I could focus, I would be done with this already.” “I want to get this done, but I can’t focus!” Do you ever find yourself struggling to concentrate on a task, even though there is technically nothing stopping you from doing it? …

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that begins with loss of memory for recent events and progressively worsens, causing a host of disruptions including problems with language, emotional regulation, disorientation, and ultimately leads to death. Watching a loved one go through Alzheimer’s disease can be tragic and heartbreaking. …

As a cognitive neuroscientist, I’ve noticed that dopamine has been getting a bad rap in the media lately. It is often oversimplified as a molecule whose only function is to bring us pleasure, especially when we do things that are bad for us (like drugs or social media). While it…

Have you ever wondered how you’re able to ride a bike, play a musical instrument, or drive a car without really thinking about it? These activities are examples of skills that are acquired through a process known as procedural learning. Procedural learning is acquiring and automating skills involving motor movements…

Do you find yourself craving sugary and greasy foods when you're feeling stressed? This is what's known as "stress eating" or "emotional eating," and it's your body's way of coping with negative emotions like stress, anger, fear, boredom, sadness, and loneliness. Emotional eating can be triggered by everyday stressors or…