The Uniqueness of Human

Neurobiologist, primatologist and stress expert Sapolsky talks about what makes humans different from animals, at the 2009 Stanford commencement. Excellent, entertaining speaker. Lecture via Open Culture. See also: Stress-related Neurodegeneration, Sapolsky on Depression, and the podcast Sapolsky on Stress.

[Image by martinhoward.]

Prosopagnosia

Face blindness (the inability to recognize people based on their faces) and its effects on those affected is the topic of this interview, one of a series of three with the researcher.

M.T.D.

Is madness an issue of public space? Andrea Bertini stars in this brief video showing the dramatic effect of context. The Mind the Difference foundation in Italy is holding a video contest on this theme, open to anyone internationally, with prizes of $3,000 and presentation in the Milan Film Festival. Send them your 03:00 submissions before April 29, 2010.

There Oughta be a Law, episode 1

The devastating effects of abusive bosses on mental health, and lobbying for a law against workplace harassment. Episode one in a documentary series by director Beverly Peterson, keep watching for more. If you are struggling with depression and anxiety at work (for any reason) also check out these free self-help workbooks, Antidepressant Skills at Work: Dealing with Mood Problems in the Workplace.

[Image by looking glass]

Alcohol: A women’s health issue

Seven women recount their experiences with alcoholism. Close captioned.

Smile or Die

Barbara Ehrenreich, an acclaimed author, cellular immunologist and cancer survivor, talks about the worst tendencies of delusionally positive attitudes and cultures. “It’s cruel to tell people who are having great difficulties [i.e. cancer, unemployment] in their lives and tell them it’s all in their head and they only have to change their attitudes … the author of The Secret … was asked about the tsunami of ’06 and how this could happen, and she said, I’m kind of paraphrasing it, those people must have sent tsunami-like vibrations into the universe to attract this because nothing like this happens to us that we don’t attract, and I think that’s beyond amorality,” she says. Produced by the RSA, an mp3 and video are also available on FORA.tv.

Power of Networks

Social networks (not social media): how we shape our personal networks and how they shape us – literally, in clusters of obesity. Your behavioural choices influence other people. See also: a 2008 Health Matters interview with James Fowler and Michael Gottschalk about their book Connected, on social contagion and obesity.

A Longitudinal Investigation of the Neural Correlates of Recovery from PTSD

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), described as both a psychiatric and memory issue, was investigated using fMRI neuroimaging. Why do some people recover after a trauma while others have persistent symptoms and seek treatment? Study participants were examined soon after a trauma and then 6 to 9 months later, looking at early neural predictors of recovery and later neural correlates of recovery after cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Grey matter volume in areas of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex appeared to be predictors of recovery. Slightly confusing talk, not for beginners, but interesting findings.

Lust, Romance & Attachment: The Science of Love and Whom We Choose

As part of the Girls Night Out series at the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS), neuroanthropologist Fisher talks about romantic love, misconceptions about love, its effects on the brain, and why we choose one mate over another. She discusses her early research as well as recent work with Chemistry.com. Slides are not visible, but still a fascinating lecture with 27 minutes of Q&A. A Valentine’s fave here at Channel N, see also this Stonybrook lecture, another 2006 lecture, an interview, and a New York Times interview.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

A no-nonsense video that combines Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) narration with ambient, peaceful images. Promotes relaxation and sleep. A good coping technique, proven effective for stress and anxiety.