reward system

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reward system

This shows two white rats. One is trapped in a box, the other looks as though he is trying to help the other rat get out of the box

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·July 14, 2021·3 min read

Empathy May Drive Rats and Other Mammals to Help Friends Over Strangers

When a rat helps another within its social group, brain areas associated with reward and motivation become more active. This does not occur when a rat is faced with the prospect of helping another rat outside its social group. Researchers say the findings may provide a better understanding of similar social biases in humans.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 30, 2021·6 min read

Eating Disorder Behaviors Alter Reward Response in the Brain

Eating disorder behaviors are reinforced due to changes in the brain's reward response processes and alterations in the food intake control network.

Featured Neuroscience

·June 23, 2021·5 min read

Flavored E-Cigarettes May Affect the Brain Differently Than Non-Flavored

Flavored e-cigarette tobacco engages the taste system, while non-flavored vaped nicotine triggers the brain's reward system in a similar way observed when people smoke traditional cigarettes.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·June 11, 2021·6 min read

Brain Areas Involved in Seeking Information About Bad Possibilities Identified

Study reveals specific neurons in the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex that become active when people are faced with the decision to learn or hide from information about an adverse event the person is not able to prevent.

This is an image of the brain and an explanation of what happens when people collaborate on musical pieces

Featured Neuroscience

·June 10, 2021·5 min read

What Happens in the Brain When People Make Music Together?

A new study reveals what goes on in the brain when a person embarks on a musical collaboration project.

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Neuroscience Neurotech

·March 29, 2021·3 min read

Why the Brain Enjoys Music

Interaction between auditory areas of the brain and the reward system drive pleasure when we listen to music.

Featured Psychology

·February 27, 2021·7 min read

Psychological ‘Signature’ for the Extremist Mind Uncovered

Researchers conclude the mind of an extremist is marked by a mixture of conservative and dogmatic psychological signatures. Extremists tend to be cognitively cautious, slower at perceptual processing, and have weaker working memory. This is compounded by impulsive personality traits that seek sensation and risky experiences.

This shows a photo of a person looking at Instagram on their phone

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·February 26, 2021·4 min read

Social Media Use Driven by Search for Reward, Akin to Animals Seeking Food

The use of social media, specifically to drive "likes" to our content, follows a pattern of "reward learning", much like when an animal is trained to seek food rewards.

This shows an apple with a tape measure around it

Featured Neuroscience

·February 18, 2021·4 min read

How the Brains of Obese People Function Differently From Those of Healthy Weight

People who suffer from obesity have stronger connections between brain areas associated with the motivation to eat and the rewarding effect of food consumption. Additionally, researchers found noted differences in the thickness of the cerebral cortex of obese test subjects.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 14, 2021·3 min read

The Science Behind Why Hobbies Can Improve Our Mental Health

From helping to reduce depression to boosting dopamine in the reward system, researchers review how taking up a hobby can have positive effects on mental health.

Featured Neurology Pain Psychology

·December 30, 2020·3 min read

Why Opioids Cannot Fix Chronic Pain

Study explores the role the reward system plays in chronic pain, finding emotional and physical pain are bidirectional. Opioids, researchers report, ultimately make things worse.