Giants Shoulder

Donate to my Paypal. Thank you so much!https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=L38HCUYY5TDTGSadie Dingfelder, also known online as the Faceblind Journalist is a Scientific Communicator and lives with one of the most severe cases of prosopagnosia ever recorded. Sadie lived for 38 years without any idea she was born with this remarkable brain until she came across prosopagnosia at her work.

02:13 Introduction to Sadie and Prosopagnosia
03:15 The Neuroscience of Facial Processing
10:18 Learning to See in 3D
15:59 The Journey of Training and Progress
19:59 Funny Mistakes and Bizarre Incidents
31:49 Loneliness and Coping Strategies
38:26 Discovering Face Blindness and Humorous Moments
41:38 Living in the Present: Mental Time Travel and Cognitive Differences
45:15 The Experience of Aphantasia: Inability to Visualize
48:43 Understanding Different Types of Thinking: Inner Monologue and Abstract Relations
51:36 Diagnosing Prosopagnosia: Face Memory Tests and Behavioral Observations
55:01 Accepting the Diagnosis: Coming to Terms with Cognitive Differences
59:51 Emotional Impact: Processing the Diagnosis and Its Implications
01:05:07 Neurodiversity and Individuality: Recognizing the Spectrum of Cognitive Differences
01:11:34 Steve Wozniak's Journey: Acquired Prosopagnosia and Pursuit of Neuroscience
01:17:08 Creating an Inclusive Society: Empathy and Acceptance of Neurodiversity

In this episode Sadie brilliantly educates me on the underlying Neuroscience of facial recognition. She goes deep on the difficulties she faced growing up, unable to make any friends as she couldn't recognise anyone. Her story is truly remarkable and this was without a doubt one of the most amazing episodes I've ever recorded. If you enjoyed please remember to Subscribe to the Channel. It really helps me out. To Support the Channel- Get 56% off your first subscription to MAGIC MIND. The health shot to help you enter flow - https://www.magicmind.com/evanmc Follow My Neuroscience Podcast - The Giants Shoulder Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5m3Gta5MtIYdk59pb2GJ7M?si=b33232eae67b4126Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/brief-enquiry-to-the-brain/id1752486249My Startupweeve - https://www.weeve.ie/My Socials X - https://twitter.com/evan_mcglLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-mcgloughlin/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/evan_mcgloughlin/

Dr. Kevin Smith studies the biology and psychology of individual-level differences in political attitudes and behaviour. In this conversation, Dr. Kevin Smith discusses the intersection of psychophysiology and political behavior, exploring how individuals respond to political stimuli and the physiological and psychological impacts of political stress.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

02:23 Introduction to Psychophysiology and Political Responses

05:22 The Impact of Political Stimuli on Mental Health

08:19 The Role of Social Media in Political Stress

11:23 Political Stress Across Different Countries

14:17 Evolutionary Perspectives on Political Stress

17:27 Differences in Stress Responses: Left vs. Right

20:15 Physiological Measurements in Political Psychology

23:21 Genetics and Political Ideology

26:24 The Neuroscience of Emotion in Politics

29:23 Causality: Genetics vs. Environment in Political Beliefs

45:03 The Connection Between Olfaction and Political Orientation

47:51 Biological Markers and Political Engagement

54:57 Neuro-Politics: Brain Differences in Ideology

01:43 Understanding Polarization and Tribalism

01:11:50 Changing Minds: The Psychology of Belief

01:20:21 Politics as a Process: A Perspective on Stress

_Follow My Neuroscience Podcast - The Giants Shoulder_

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Dr. Tony Zador is a neuroscientist at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, known for pioneering work on the connectome and computational neuroscience.In this episode, we dive into one of the most urgent frontiers of science — the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence. As AI races ahead, what can the brain teach us about building better machines? And could the secrets of our neural circuits unlock the next revolution in AI?Expect to learn why our current understanding of the brain might be as limited as understanding a city by staring at blueprints, why it’s essential to create a new generation of ‘bilingual’ scientists fluent in both neuroscience and AI, how the brain’s sparse firing patterns and spike-based computation could shape the next era of machine learning, and why fundamental research into worms and flies could hold the key to curing depression. We also explore how the failure to communicate science may threaten its future, what scares Zador most about AI, why we still don’t teach coding in neuroscience, and how science communication could be our best hope — plus so much more....00:00 Intro01:36 - Introduction to Connectomics05:00- The Ambitious Goal of Mapping Neural Circuits11:20 - Insights into the Human Brain from Connectomics27:58 - Delivery of Barcoded Viruses to Neurons34:11 - Output and Findings of Connectomics Research41:24 - Discovering the Randomness of Brain Wiring47:35 - Randomness in Brain Development52:18 - The Third Component in the Nature-Nurture Debate57:06 - The Impact of Language Deprivation01:07:15 - Understanding Emotions as Persistent States01:16:13 - Exploring the Intersection of Neuroscience and AI01:20:44 - The Challenge of Energy Efficiency in AI Systems01:31:23 - Unraveling the Principles of Neural Circuits01:34:45 - Key Differences between Biological and Artificial Neural Networks01:38:39 - The Limitations of Data and Compute01:42:36 - The Answer Isn't More Data01:44:55 - The Exciting Potential of Neuroscience and AI Collaboration01:48:23 - The Importance of Making the Same Mistakes01:55:18 - The Evolutionary Curriculum Approach...Follow My Neuroscience Podcast - The Giants Shoulder Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5m3Gta5MtIYdk59pb2GJ7M?si=b33232eae67b4126Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/brief-enquiry-to-the-brain/id1752486249Get the Comfiest Sleep Mask on the Planet at https://bit.ly/4ilzfBL (use Code GIANTSMANTA10)

Dr Tara Spires Jones is one of the leading Alzheimers disease researchers in the entire world and is the current president of the British Neuroscience Association and Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro04:15 Understanding Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

08:52 The Role of Amyloid and Tau Pathology

10:46 Advancements in Alzheimer's Research

23:43 Promoting Brain Resilience through a Healthy Lifestyle

30:21 The Influence of Genetics on Alzheimer's Risk

35:07 Genome-wide Association Studies and Alzheimer's Risk Genes

42:44 The Role of Tau in Alzheimer's Pathology

47:51 Early Detection and Intervention in Alzheimer's

53:22 Current Treatments and the Need for Funding

Robert Plomin is a prominent behavioural geneticist known for his pioneering work in the field of psychology and genetics. His research has significantly advanced our understanding of how genetic and environmental factors contribute to individual differences in behaviour, personality, and cognitive abilities.

Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction to Behavioral Genetics

08:47 The DNA Revolution: Studying Genetic Influence

18:57 The Nature of Nurture: Non-Shared Environment

30:34 Recognizing the Biological Component

39:36 Predicting Behavior with DNA

44:40 The Interaction of Genetics and Environment

53:23 Cultural Variations in Heritability

01:01:17 The Development of Similarity in Twins

01:14:03 The Overlap of Genetic Factors in Psychiatric Disorders

01:20:34 Understanding Traits as Quantitative Rather Than Qualitative

01:54:16 The Influence of Parents in Child Development

01:59:35 The Limited Control of Parents

02:08:23 DNA Dating and DNA Augmentation

02:16:59 Concerns about Data Breaches and Genetic Caste Systems

02:32:27 Equal Opportunity and Social Mobility in Genetics

Dr. Mark Humphries is a computational neuroscientist, researcher, and author exploring the fascinating world of how our brain cells communicate and how reality itself can be rewired.Your brain isn't fixed—it's a flexible, powerful learning machine. Understanding how your neurons adapt, how sensory substitution can unlock entirely new perceptions, and the profound ethical implications of brain-machine interfaces like Neuralink could redefine what it means to be human. So, what happens when we hack our neural code and expand our sensory horizons?Expect to learn why your brain can be trained to experience entirely new senses, how Neuralink’s plans might cross dangerous ethical lines, what happens to your neurons when they’re deprived of stimulus, how sensory substitution can help blind people "see," why reality is far more hackable than you think, how your brain can literally adapt to see through vibrations, why each neuron acts like a tiny computer, how to protect your brain from cognitive decline, what dark neurons could tell us about hidden brain potential, and much more…...00:00 Why Neuroscientists Are Obsessed with Brain "Spikes"07:43 How Do Neurons Understand Language? (We Have No Clue!)13:39 What Happens if Your Brain Gets No Stimulus?17:00 Sensory Substitution: Seeing Through Your Skin20:28 Neuralink: The Scary Future of Brain Augmentation31:33 Could Your Brain Learn to Feel Twitter Notifications?34:07 Rewarding the Brain: How to Train Humans Like Monkeys38:16 The Romanian Orphanage Tragedy: Brains Without Love48:09 How Your Environment Physically Rewires Your Brain56:21 Designing the Ultimate Retirement Home (According to Neuroscience)1:00:23 Your Neurons Are Tiny Computers (How They Compute Logic)1:05:45 The Dark Side of Neural Augmentation (Why Neuroscientists Worry)1:09:13 Could Humans Echolocate and Gain New Super-Senses?1:13:25 Sensory Augmentation: Can We See Infrared Like Snakes?1:25:40 Why Neuroscientists Still Don’t Understand Consciousness1:29:08 The Mystery of Dark Neurons: Your Brain’s Hidden Wiring...Follow My Neuroscience Podcast - The Giants Shoulder Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5m3Gta5MtIYdk59pb2GJ7M?si=b33232eae67b4126Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/brief-enquiry-to-the-brain/id1752486249Get the Comfiest Sleep Mask on the Planet at https://bit.ly/4ilzfBL (use Code GIANTSMANTA10)

Luke O'Neill is a renowned Irish immunologist whose groundbreaking research and charismatic public engagement have made significant contributions to the field of immunology and science communication. Born in Dublin, Ireland, O'Neill has become a prominent figure in both the academic world and the public eye, known for his expertise in inflammation, infectious diseases, and innate immunity.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

04:13 - The Role of Scientific Communication During the Global Pandemic

07:25 - Providing Hope and Reassurance in Times of Fear and Uncertainty

17:39 - Lessons Learned: Ventilation, Masks, and Vaccines in Controlling Pandemics

22:49 - Bridging the Gap: Communicating Research Papers to a General Audience

29:26 - The Importance of Education in Science Communication

34:06 - Country Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

36:21 - The Impact of the Pandemic on Mental Health

43:13 - Understanding Long COVID

46:21 - The Success Story of Inflazome

54:36 - The Fascinating World of Scientific Communication and Origins of Life

...

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Humanology: A Scientist's Guide to our Amazing Existence: https://amzn.to/3SyAenA

Never Mind the B#ll*cks, Here's the Science: https://amzn.to/3SXOTZZ

Keep Calm and Trust the Science: An Extraordinary Year in the Life of an Immunologist: https://amzn.to/3WOReIL

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Dr Laura Andreae is a Developmental Neuroscientist from King’s College London. She has conducted pioneering research into how our synaptic circuits are laid down during development, basically how we are wired from childhood how our neuron’s link up in specific critical ways at critical times to make us, us. She is also a world foremost expert in the development of autism and intellectual disorders at a synapse level.

00:00:00 Intro00:04:17 Understanding Brain Development and Wiring00:09:31 Debunking Misconceptions about Autism00:12:30 The Uncertain Impact of Social Media on Brain Development00:16:41 Exploring the Differences in Male and Female Brain Development00:28:00 Identifying Specific Circuits and Pathways in Autism00:38:06 The Importance of Collaboration in Autism Research00:50:48 The Manifestation of Autism in Males and Females00:58:23 The Role of Genetic Changes in Autism01:01:12 Improving Integration and Support for Individuals with Autism01:08:52 Understanding the Link Between Genetic Changes and Behavior01:12:42 The Potential of Brain-Machine Interfaces and Gene Therapy01:17:56 Concerns about AI and Employment01:23:27 The Need for Collaboration and Understanding in Neuroscience

In this podcast we discuss the neural mechanisms of autism, how autism is a superpower in many and what our society can do better to support people with developmental disorders, and how we can best leverage their brilliance for the benefit of humanity.

Dr Hugo Spiers is a cognitive Neuroscientist from University College London. He has spent over 25 years studying our spatial navigation system and memory. He has published over 160 research papers on whats actually happening in the brain when we are moving from one place to another, something we all take for granted but is quite remarkable brain system that we all use every day.

I learned personal things in this podcast about what my awful sense of direction means for me, why I should try to improve and just an incredible amount about the incredible brain systems we employ to navigate around our world.

00:00 Intro03:44 Introduction to Spatial Navigation and Brain Structure06:19 The London Taxi Driver Study and Brain Structure11:13 The Relationship Between Hippocampus Size and Navigation16:34 The Role of Different Brain Regions in Spatial Memory19:50 Habits and Autopilot Behavior in Spatial Memory35:19 Genetic Factors and Spatial Navigation39:11 Visualization and Motor Cortex Interaction43:21 Genetic Components of Spatial Navigation48:37 The Health Benefits of Challenging Spatial Navigation Skills54:10 The Future of Neuroscience and Technology

Dr. Hugo Spears discusses the neuroscience of spatial navigation and the correlation between brain structure and spatial navigation abilities. While there is still much we don't know, studies have shown that individuals with larger hippocampi tend to be better navigators. The famous London taxi driver study demonstrated that licensed taxi drivers have larger posterior hippocampi, suggesting that training and experience can impact brain structure. However, there is still debate about the extent to which brain structure influences spatial navigation abilities. Additionally, the brain's spatial memory system involves the parietal cortex for organizing the structure of the world, the hippocampus for allocentric processing, and the striatum for forming habits and autopilot behavior. The conversation explores the topic of spatial navigation and its neural mechanisms. It discusses how the brain maps space and the role of the hippocampus in creating a map of our surroundings. The conversation also touches on the genetic components of spatial navigation and the potential health benefits of actively improving our navigation skills. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of neuroscience and technology, highlighting the potential dangers of automated drones and the exciting possibilities of simulating environments for research and design purposes.

Andrew Cooper Sansone otherwise known as SenseofMind on his popular youtube channel is a prolific Neuroscience content creator and communicator. He runs the social brain podcast where he delves into fascinating topics like the Evolution of the brain the Neuroscience of emotions and everything in between. With a biochemistry background he’s incredibly knowledgable about different brain systems and current Neuroscience research that help you improve your life. This knowledge made for a fascinating conversation which I really enjoyed.

00:00 Intro03:30 Unraveling the Mystery of the Brain13:13 The Challenges of Neuroscience Communication36:11 Finding Peace and Perspective through Gratitude38:19 The Challenges of Meditation40:18 Cultivating Awe in Nature42:32 The Impact of Social Media53:27 The Psychology of Intrinsic Motivation58:51 The Potential and Ethical Considerations of Neurotechnology01:10:38 The Exciting and Uncertain Future of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology

In this conversation, Andrew, a neuroscience communicator, discusses his most interesting findings about the brain and the challenges of understanding it. He highlights the mystery of consciousness and the difficulty in explaining emotions. The conversation then shifts to the importance of neuroscience communication and Andrew's goal of providing accurate information to help people live better lives. They discuss the complexity of neuroscience and the challenges of simplifying it for a general audience. Andrew shares practical takeaways from neuroscience, including strategies for emotion regulation, enhancing positive emotions, and taking care of physical health. The conversation explores the topics of meditation, the psychology of awe, the impact of social media on mental health, the rewiring of Gen Z, intrinsic motivation, and the future of neuroscience and neurotechnology. The guests discuss their personal experiences with meditation and how it can be challenging to maintain a consistent practice. They also delve into the benefits of experiencing awe in nature and the negative effects of constant social media exposure. The conversation touches on the potential impact of social media and mobile phones on future generations, particularly in terms of their development and well-being. They explore the neuroscience of intrinsic motivation and how it can be cultivated. The guests also discuss the potential of neurotechnology, such as brain-computer interfaces, and the ethical considerations surrounding its development. They express both excitement and concern about the future of neuroscience and neurotechnology, highlighting the potential for positive advancements as well as the risks and trade-offs involved.

Be sure to follow the podcast on spotify and check out the channel on Youtube!