Interesting research. The definitive book on this topic remains Thinking, Fast and Slow, by Daniel Kahneman, although his system I and system II distinction is slightly different than what is being discussed here. The current study is looking at developmental learning skills, but it too is distinguishing between explicit (more conscious) and implicit learning (less … Read more
This is too good not to share. As I read this, the word “whack-a-doodle” popped into my mind. Now why could that be? Nearly 50% in US Believe in Medical Conspiracy Theories By Rachael Rettner, Senior Writer | March 17, 2014 About half of Americans agree with at least one medical conspiracy theory, a new … Read more
In a new article in the journal Social, Cognitive, Affective Neuroscience has identified the mechanism by which we tend to feel pain when we empathize with those who have been socially excluded. Here is a brief summary of the research: [A]n ecologically valid experience of social exclusion recruits areas coding the somatosensory components of … Read more
This is an interesting article that analyzes, with a qualitative model, the intersubjective aspects of schizophrenia. This may be too geeky for some readers, but I am finding more psychosis in my counseling work, and this helps me understand better what the client is experiencing. Here is an explanation of the paper’s agenda: The processes … Read more
In this paper that appeared in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience toward the end of 2013, researchers found that there is a significant correlation between plasma omega-3 fatty acids and the maintenance of executive function in aging adults (mean age = 86). Each 100 μg/ml increase in plasma O3PUFA associated with 4 s less change in … Read more
Family problems are now recognized as a contributing factor for mental illness – and there is brain imaging research to support what many therapists have known for decades. Using brain imaging technology to scan teenagers aged 17-19, the researchers in this study found that those who experienced mild to moderate family difficulties between birth … Read more
In comparing long-term meditators, short-term meditators, and a control group, the researchers found no difference in the groups on a measure of interoception sensitivity (heartbeat detection). This might be equivalent to asking a plumber to find electrical current leakage in your house – wrong person for the job. On the other hand, if they … Read more
New research from Richard Davidson’s team at the U of Wisconsin has identified gene expression changes in meditation. After eight hours of mindfulness practice, the meditators showed a range of genetic and molecular differences, including altered levels of gene-regulating machinery and reduced levels of pro-inflammatory genes, which in turn correlated with faster physical recovery from … Read more
Another new study is out demonstrating the quick and effective benefits of ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression (i.e., the usual serotonin-based medications do not produce enough of a high to offset the depression). Here are some of the previous studies: How Ketamine Defeats Chronic Depression, Ketamine Improved Bipolar Depression Within Minutes, Secrets of ‘Magic’ Antidepressant Revealed, Ketamine … Read more