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fear

·October 29, 2018·5 min read

Why Haunted Houses Creep Us Out

Psychologists examine why haunted houses make us feel creeped out, concluding they give us the creeps not because of the threat they pose, but because it is unclear whether or not they pose a real threat.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 13, 2018·5 min read

Why It’s Fun to Be Frightened

With Halloween just around the corner, researchers look at why many of us find enjoyment out of being scared.

Featured Neuroscience

·September 4, 2018·3 min read

Eye Movements Take Edge off Traumatic Memories

Researchers report EMDR, a widely used but controversial psychotherapy technique, can help suppress fear related amygdala activity during the recall of traumatic memories.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 21, 2018·4 min read

It’s All in the Eyes: Amygdala’s Role in the Experience and Perception of Fear

A new study reveals a new hypothesis about the role the amygdala plays in the experience and perception of fear. Researchers say, instead of directly mediating fear, the amygdala is involved in a person's ability to attend to the whites of another person's widening eyes, something that is more generally important to social functioning.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 27, 2018·4 min read

Dopamine’s Role in Unlearning Fearful Association

Researchers report dopamine neurons may play a role in fear extinction. The study suggests targeting dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area could be of therapeutic benefit to reduce the impact of learned fear in PTSD and anxiety disorders.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 24, 2018·6 min read

Why Our Brains See the World As “Us” Versus “Them”

Researchers say our neural circuits could be responsible for why we find comfort in those who are similar to us and why we are often uneasy with those who might differ from us.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology Visual Neuroscience

·June 20, 2018·3 min read

Dogs Understand What’s Written All Over Your Face

A new study reports dogs use different parts of their brains to process negative and positive emotional cues in human facial expressions.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 10, 2018·4 min read

Brain Circuits Behind Putting Up a Fight or Freezing in Place Identified

Researchers have identified two brain pathways that appear to be critical in determining how mice react to visual threats. The findings could have implications for treating PTSD and phobias in humans.

Featured Neuroscience

·May 2, 2018·6 min read

Researchers Find Fear and Courage Switches in Brain

Researchers have identified a cluster of neurons in mouse brains that encourage fear response to perceived threats. When an adjacent cluster of neurons is activated, boldness and courage behaviors are exhibited.