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Basic neuroscience

Do amphetamines boost brainpower when used in obesity treatment?

Do amphetamines boost brainpower when used in obesity treatment?

Amphetamines are a category of drugs that are known for their ability to increase dopamine levels in the brain, particularly in areas related to reward and executive function. Executive function is the brain's ability to plan, make decisions, and control impulses to reach goals. This increased dopamine activity

The development of our spine: Growing a tail, then losing it again

The development of our spine: Growing a tail, then losing it again

In the earliest weeks of human development, we grow a tail. The tail’s growth and disappearance is a glimpse into the delicate balance of growth and regression during our creation in the womb. This process, called neurulation, forms the spinal cord and surrounding tissues. Researchers found that the process

Interoception: How brain-body awareness impacts female orgasm

Interoception: How brain-body awareness impacts female orgasm

The orgasm is among the most powerful natural experiences for humans, involving the release of feel-good chemicals in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin. While once debated as irrelevant to women's sexual functioning, new research reveals its importance. Beyond pleasure, orgasms enhance satisfaction, strengthen relationships, and contribute

Do fat levels influence our memory?

Do fat levels influence our memory?

High levels of LDL cholesterol, often called "bad cholesterol," are a well-known risk factor for heart disease. Given the connections between heart health and brain health, it seems logical that cholesterol may also influence memory and thinking skills. While some studies support this idea, the evidence is mixed

How the brain makes shopping decisions

How the brain makes shopping decisions

Online shopping has become a central part of modern life, but the hidden processes that drive our choices remain largely unexplored. But how does the brain help us decide when shopping online? And how is the brain subject to marketing strategies with us brain-owners not even realizing it? This study

The hormonal clock: Sex differences in sleep cycles

The hormonal clock: Sex differences in sleep cycles

Men and women experience sleep differently, and these variations stem from biological differences rather than lifestyle or environment alone. Sleep disorders such as insomnia, hypersomnia, and sleep phase disorders appear more frequently in one sex than the other, with women often reporting greater sleep disturbances. These differences are partly due

The science behind tattoo aesthetics: Beauty perception

The science behind tattoo aesthetics: Beauty perception

Tattoos, long a subject of cultural and artistic debate, have recently gained attention from scientists studying how people perceive beauty. This research investigates how tattoos affect our judgment of physical attractiveness. By manipulating images of male and female models to display varying degrees of tattoo coverage, researchers analyzed the responses