Mind Reading and Mind Control Technologies Are Coming

The ability to detect electrical activity in the brain through the scalp, and to control it, will soon transform medicine and change society in profound ways. Patterns of electrical activity in the brain can reveal a person's cognition—normal and abnormal. New methods to stimulate specific brain circuits can treat neurological and mental illnesses and control behavior. In crossing this threshold of great promise, difficult ethical quandaries confront us.

MIND READING

The ability to interrogate and manipulate electrical activity in the human brain promises to do for the brain what biochemistry did for the body. When you go to the doctor, a chemical analysis of your blood is used to detect your body's health and potential disease. Forewarned that your cholesterol level is high, and you are at risk of having a stroke, you can take action to avoid suffering one. 

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Studying 'Split-Brain' Patients Taught Scientists Strange Things About the Brain

Some of the most amazing discoveries in neuroscience have come out of unusual brain conditions. For instance, Phineas Gage's devastating railway accident showed 19th-century scientists that the brain …

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Psychology Around the Net: December 7, 2019

This week's Psychology Around the Net takes a look at what to do if you think your child is at risk for mental illness, why self-regulation is so important for people with ADHD, the symptoms of problematic smartphone use, and the mental and physical fatigue that often accompanies chronic illness, and more. 

 Does Mental Illness Run in Families?: What should you do if you suspect your child is at risk of developing a mental disorder — especially when mental illness runs in your family? According to psychologist Scott Bea PsyD, an important first step is helping your child build resilience, a personality trait that helps children deal with the emotions caused by their thoughts. He goes on to suggest simple steps parents can do to help their child be emotionally strong before any real symptoms emerge. 

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A Mental Sign Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Up to one-in-eight people may have a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vitamin B12 is crucial to the production of red blood cells and the healthy functioning of brain cells.

Its effect on mental processes is likely down to its involvement in the production of myelin.

Myelin is a material that surrounds neurons (brain cells) and also the connections between them, known as axons.

Fortunately, vitamin B12 deficiency is easy to correct either with supplementation or a change in diet.

Foods high in vitamin B12 include dairy, beef, salmon, eggs and low-fat milk.

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How to Expand Your Possibilities

"Who you are tomorrow begins with what you do today." – Tim Fargo

If you feel a bit stagnated in life at this point and want to do something proactive to expand your possibilities, what can you realistically do? Here are some suggestions to consider:

Start with an open mindset.

You'll never know what you don't know if you automatically close yourself off to possibilities. Telling yourself that you lack the experience or education or background, or that you're from the wrong neighborhood, aren't outgoing enough, or possess various and sundry supposed character flaws is more an excuse than legitimate. Even if some of the negatives are true, a little resistance didn't stop many successful individuals, so why characterize yourself as incompetent, unlikely to succeed or undeserving of achievement.

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8 Things Autistic People Wished You Knew about April

Every April, autism takes a center stage in global awareness. All around the world, well-meaning, good-hearted people "Light it up blue" for Autism Awareness Month, and they decorate their social media with the puzzle piece frames and the jigsaw rainbow awareness ribbons.

And, every March, autistic adults are already dreading April. Many of them report feeling traumatized by previous Aprils. They begin to mentally prepare for what is ahead, feeling powerless to stop it. They're bracing themselves for what is on the horizon.

What autistic people wish their neurotypical allies knew going into April

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Raw fruit and vegetables provide better mental health outcomes

That is the simple message from University of Otago researchers who have discovered raw fruit and vegetables may be better for your mental health than cooked, canned and processed fruit and vegetables.

Dr Tamlin Conner, Psychology Senior Lecturer and lead author, says public health campaigns have historically focused on aspects of quantity for the consumption of fruit and vegetables (such as 5+ a day).

However, the study, just published in Frontiers in Psychology, found that for mental health in particular, it may also be important to consider the way in which produce was prepared and consumed.

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Are You Crippled by the Fear of Leaving No Legacy Behind?

Often the biggest existential distress that we carry is the idea that no-one will remember us when we are gone. Initially, we know that our friends and family will hold who we are, but after a generation, these people are likely gone too.

At the end of life, the pressure to leave an unquestionably relevant legacy can be crippling for people, particularly for young people. When coupled with the limited energy that people have when they are unwell, the very nature of what people expect to achieve in the world shrinks, and the really important pieces come into focus.

When time is seen to be limited, every moment can take on a weight that has never before been experienced.

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Possible Cures for Narcissistic Personalities and Behaviors

Recently there was a rare request from an honest reader who felt they have narcissistic tendencies but couldn't find any guidelines on how to reduce these habits.|

 I commend this reader for being aware enough to realize this and also for taking steps to ask for help!

There isn't any behavioral malady that can't be corrected, especially if you are aware of it. One can usually integrate opposite behaviors to remedy the imbalance.

In the case of narcissism, when someone feels like they are operating with self-serving behaviors more often than not, it's good to check your motives before you act. If you find that the motive is to get something without giving something back, you will experience problems in your relationships. Becoming aware of these motives will help you re-direct to ask yourself questions and over time to be able to self-correct to act less selfish.

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Spur Your Creativity With This One Daily Activity

With only ten minutes and a little practice, you can develop a habit that can drastically improve your life. Technology and digital media have made it extraordinarily easy for all of us to stay connected and informed. In addition to a regular stream of news, we have podcasts and audio books to oc...