- Eminent neuroscientist and Nobel laureate Eric Kandel in a recorded livestream from Big Think, interviewed about creativity and the brain, the challenges facing neuroscience research, differences between the brain and computers, imaging, and questions from viewers. “Understanding the human brain is the most important task that confronts us, both from an intellectual point of view and a medical point of view. We’re now at the verge of a major advance,” he says. Check out his new book, The Age of Insight. Click the image above or this link to view video.
- After her awesome 2010 TEDxHouston talk on vulnerability went viral, with close to 4 million views, Brown was invited to speak at the main TED conference in Long Beach this year. With warm humour she describes what happened in her life after becoming famous, while quick to point out she must “dance with the one you came with” and continue to talk about her research on shame, which led to conclusions on vulnerability, authenticity, and courage. A very quotable talk filled with nuggets of wisdom. For example: “Vulnerability is not weakness, and that myth is profoundly dangerous.” “Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage.” Features an interactive transcript, and English subtitles.
A well-acted exaggerated dysfunctional exchange between a mother and a son in their home, in front of a group of his colleague psychiatrists. Scene from a sitcom that’s yet to be released, from the second episode titled “Zsa Zsa and the Wooden Dummy.” The indie sitcom has not settled on a title but is considering “All My Shrinks” and “Freudian Quips” among others. We look forward to seeing a full episode soon.
Producer: Jackson Upperco Productions
Featuring: Dakota Bush, Megan Ellis, Michael Gunn, Margaret Hunsicker, Veronica Kelly, Carlos Santiago
Using fMRI to investigate the effects of psilocybin on brain activation and blood flow
- A neuropsychologist talks about neuroimaging studies of psychedelic drugs including psylocybin and ketamine. The merger of psychoanalysis and neuropsychology using neuroimaging to map key constructs is part of the work involving psychedelic drugs. Carhart-Harris completed a pilot study using intravenous psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) in an fMRI scanner. He shares details of how the experiment was set up, and data from the initial study, and others, to investigate how the drugs affect the brain. Mo Costandi discusses the implications of his talk in a great blog post at Neurophilosophy.
Producer: Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, Teal Sievers
- A simple, light-hearted prank by college students using a cognitive illusion. Two men appear to be holding a rope above the ground. People move around them, jump the rope, and even stop their cars to avoid it. But is it real? Set to an energetic soundtrack, this is an easy-to-view video for all ages.
Producer: buckshotbrad
Featuring: Trevin Bare, Kyle Press, Tanner Ryan, Andrew Walters, unidentified
- A project featuring three stories of recovery from depression. Here, Deanna talks about noticing signs of recovery from depression and what did and didn’t help her. With family support and advocacy she worked with clinicians and her workplace. Now she says, “Feeling better is noticing the beautiful things in life.” Useful inspiration for those who wonder if there is hope for recovery, along with giving information about what to look for, from the perspective of a person with lived experience of depression. Watch all three videos and learn more about recovery here.
Dr. Pamela Collins on Global Mental Health Challenges
Dr. Collins discusses the Grand Challenges meeting to prioritize research needs from countries around the globe, as well as emerging ways of delivering mental health services with mobile phones, and modeling other successful health care models. She describes one solution, task shifting, as extending the reach of specialists into the hands of communities in need of basic care. She also talks about opportunities with the World Health Organization and other global agencies joining together. Video accompanied by a full transcript.
Producer: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
How do you take public education about a serious medical emergency and turn it into a funny video? With health care professionals wearing neon leggings, goofy dancing, and a preamble depicting a doctor on the street trying to teach uninterested passersby the medical mechanics and warning signs of a stroke. Managing a perfect balance between funny and serious, this educational video teaches the FAST method of early stroke detection (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) in a quick and painless way. Laugh and learn! Another video in the new series Funny Fridays, taking a lighthearted look at all things to do with the brain and behaviour.
Demonstrating the adage “power in numbers,” the National Database for Autism Research pools valuable data collected from 169,846+ sources. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders have participated in many types of clinical and basic research, in studies ranging from molecules to genes, to behavioral, social, and environmental factors, and this database aggregates the results to make their contributions even more relevant to a larger group of scientists. If you would like to contribute to the database as a person with ASD (or parent of one), you can start by connecting with a researcher in your area. Video features a full transcript, useful for people who are hearing impaired.
Producer: National Institute of Mental Health
Featuring: Ed Cook, Portia Iversen, Paul Law, Nancy Minshew, Gretchen Navidi
Animation of an imaginary conversation between a psychology professor and a student who wants to follow in his footsteps. Want to help people? Study the human condition? Make lots of money? Apparently academia is not the right career choice. This cute, short video points out some of the potential drawbacks of working in the field.
This is the first in my new series, Funny Fridays. I’ll be featuring amusing videos about the brain and behaviour every week. Sit back and relax, have a laugh, and feel free to share links to your favourites in the comments.
