Today in Part 3 of our series on the gut-brain axis, Drs Amy Reichelt and Sarah McKay discuss mind-altering microbes and the emerging field of psychobiotics. The gut microbiome is a key node in the gut-brain axis. Scientists are only just uncovering how microbes in the gut influence physical, brain and even mental health. In 2004, a pivotal… Continue Reading
This is the second post in a series exploring the neurobiology of the gut-brain connection published in partnership with neuroscientist Dr Amy Reichelt. Our intestines are home to an ecosystem of trillions of microbes including bacteria, viruses, phages, fungi, protists, and nematodes. Dominant are bacteria from the families Firmicutes and Bacteriodetes. As I talked about in… Continue Reading
I’ve written a book! Just one book. It may appear that I’ve written two, but, we’re publishing the same book under two different titles in Australia and the UK. In Australia and New Zealand, the book will be published by Hachette Australia under the title The Women’s Brain Book. The neuroscience of health, hormones… Continue Reading
We tend to think of our emotions such as anger, sadness or guilt, as something to avoid at all costs. But research finds that negative emotions, anger in particular, also have an upside. Putting your negative emotions to good use. All emotions are useful, even the ones we tend to think of as negative… Continue Reading
Knowledge is power. So learning about the brain lays strong foundations for emotional intelligence. Wise words from clinical psychologist Dr Hazel Harrington the author of this week’s blog post. When children understand what’s happening in the brain, it can be the first step to having the power to make choices. Knowledge can be equally… Continue Reading
10,000 steps. That is the magic number of steps we should walk every day to improve our physical health and wellbeing. I love to walk at the beach, and one of my favourite walks to do is from Queenscliff to Shelly Beach along Manly Beach seafront – I calculated this to be about 6,500 steps! Walking. … Continue Reading
Health Check: four key ways to improve your brain health Anthony Hannan, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health The human brain is the most extraordinary and complex object in the known universe, a kilogram and a half of soft tissue that, at its peak, leaves computers behind with its endless capacity for problem solving,… Continue Reading
Neuroscience is seductive. We have studies proving that the presence of irrelevant neuroscience information makes explanations of psychological phenomena more appealing! And throwing in fMRI pictures further increases that allure. Neuromyths are abound and understandably there are numerous neuroscientists, bloggers and others lining up to sneer and throw rocks at people who believe them or who continue to… Continue Reading
We used to believe our brains couldn’t be changed. Now we believe they can – if we want it enough. But is that true? In this piece, Will Storr (with thanks to Creative Commons), wades through the hype, hope, brain plasticity facts and neuro-fiction. This is a LONG read, download as a PDF here For years she had… Continue Reading
The Exchange TV says their show is a little is like meeting with your friends in a coffee shop and discussing the everyday stuff that affects us all. And after spending the morning filming with them I agree! It’s a half hour chat show that aims to share ideas on relationships, parenting, finance, wellbeing… Continue Reading
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