Health
The Brain
Acclaimed authors and experts Annie Murphy Paul, Sheena Iyengar, and Keith Sawyer explore the multifaceted nature of decision-making, choice, and creativity. Through their unique perspectives, this trio delves into the intersection of psychology, neuroscience, and social dynamics, shedding light on how our choices and creative processes shape our lives and the world around...
From anxiety to focus to memory to joy, physical activity has a truly astounding number of benefits on our brain’s anatomy, physiology, and function. In this interactive session, come prepared to experience real brain change, and walk away with science-based tools you can use every day to improve your brain function.
Forget quick fixes or gimmicks, Drs. Dean and Ayesha Sherzai teach evidence-based lifestyle modifications and cognitive strategies that have shown profound real-world impact. Drawing from their extensive experience in neurology, research, lifestyle medicine, and behavioral neuroscience, they share practical, science-backed tools and strategies for staving off cognitive d...
From revolutionary advancements aiding paralysis patients to the therapeutic treatment of PTSD, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) possess boundless potential for merging human biology with cutting-edge technology in unprecedented ways. Three visionaries in this field demonstrate what’s possible now and offer insights into the future trajectory of this technology.
We are entering a world in which tracking and hacking our brains will become commonplace, A.I. can increasingly decode what we’re thinking and imagining, and our brain waves will become the universal controller for the rest of our interactions with technology. This can benefit humanity greatly, but without the right safeguards in place, it also may threaten our last bastio...
The mysteries of brain health are hidden deep within the ridges and grooves of the cerebral cortex. Join Mount Sinai Health System neuroscientists in this discussion of new techniques, innovative therapies, and lifestyle changes that unlock the brain’s secrets and boost your performance and longevity. Presented by Mount Sinai
The world has renewed hope that impactful treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias may finally be on the horizon. While previous therapies have modestly improved memory and cognition, none has altered the fundamental biology of the disease. Now, we have clinical trial results from monoclonal antibodies that appear to do just that by removing the amyloid-bet...
As the nation’s top doctor, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy helps to advance the health and well-being of all Americans. He has described the growing youth mental health crisis in America as the “defining public health crisis of our time” and warned that social media carries a “profound risk of harm to the mental health of children and adolescents.” Murthy has also highlig...
The arts are not a luxury or an escape, but a vital tool for thriving physically, mentally, and spiritually. Neuroscience explains how art changes the body, brain, and behavior and practitioners are demonstrating its role in advancing health and wellbeing. Learn about the cutting-edge field of neuroarts from the authors of the New York Times bestseller, Your Brain on Art:...
The trauma associated with natural disasters, refugee flight, teenage bullying, or gun violence can endure for a lifetime if appropriate mental health services are not provided. Just as we don’t wait for a wound to become infected before providing treatment, so too we must act quickly to curb emotional damage before it festers. Models of mental health first aid training sh...
It is easy to take for granted the remarkable human ability to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. Yet engaging fully with these remarkable tools of perception deepens our understanding of the world and paves the way to more mindful living. In her new book, Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World, author Gretchen Rubin draws o...
Aromas can trigger memories more forcefully than any other sense. The ability to smell allows us to enjoy nature’s riches, protects us from food gone bad, warns of gas leaks, and provides the perfume of intimacy. It is also the primary communication tool that animals use in the wild. Yet the superpower of smell has historically been under appreciated, the sense people gene...
Philosophers debate the nature of beauty, and poets write tributes to it, but how does science answer the age-old question of whether beauty is in the eye of the beholder? The growing field of neuroaesthetics seeks to illuminate our understanding of how our brains respond to people, places, and things we find beautiful. Designers and architects are now using what science t...
When voices rise together in song, dancers tango across the floor, or a painter takes to a canvas, they may be engaging in a hobby, a passion, or a career. Most likely, they aren’t thinking about their brain circuitry or the cascading biochemical responses being sparked by their artistic pursuits. But we now have imaging technology and wearable sensors that can capture tha...
Reproductive health, critical though it is, is not the sum of women’s health. The distinctive development of female bodies across the lifespan requires targeted study to uncover the pathways of acute and chronic conditions and the treatments that will control or cure them. Women generally live longer than men, but are at greater risk of osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, a...
The recent leaps of science—sequencing the human genome, advancing the world-changing technology of CRISPR, deepening knowledge of the brain—owe much to Francis Collins’s brilliant mind and steady hand. Who better, then, to talk about what transformative discoveries come next? Genomics, immunotherapy, precision medicine, new uses for mRNA technology, and other interdiscipl...
Our children are in crisis. Globally, one in seven children, ages 10-19, has some kind of mental illness, notably depression, anxiety, or behavioral disorders. Horrifically, almost 19% of US high school students have given serious thought to suicide and an astonishing 9% have actually tried to kill themselves. To turn back that kind of despair, we need to listen to young p...
Living until age 100 may soon be routine, but for most people that will not be enough—we also want to remain vigorous and engaged in both body and mind. To thrive, we need to start thinking early about the “map of life” that can guide us through the many stages of a century-long journey. Finding our way means making the right personal choices but also requires a shift in s...
Gazing up at the stars, watching the acrobatics of Cirque de Soleil, or experiencing a moment of religious rapture connects us to something that feels larger than ourselves. Seeking out a regular dose of awe can strengthen the immune system, increase feelings of gratitude and compassion, lift up people who have experienced trauma, and change our perception of the world aro...
While researching an article on the US Memory Championships, writer Joshua Foer was equally dubious and intrigued by one contestant’s claim that even an average memory, if used properly, could win the contest. After a year of memory training, under the tutelage of the world’s top memory athletes, he won the competition. Foer uses a live demonstration to show that there’s m...