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risk taking

·February 9, 2023·5 min read

Putting the Brake on Risky Behaviors

A newly discovered neural circuit in the thalamus prevented reward-seeking behaviors when activated in a preclinical model. When blocked, this circuit increases high-risk reward-seeking behaviors. The findings could lead to new therapies for addiction and other disorders associated with high-risk reward-seeking behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·January 23, 2023·3 min read

Young Chimpanzees and Human Teens Share Risk-Taking Behaviors

While adolescent chimpanzees may share similar risk-taking behaviors as human teens, they tend to be less impulsive than their human counterparts.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·October 30, 2022·5 min read

Teenage Brains: What Is Happening and Why It Leads to More Risky Behaviors

Decision-making requires two different brain areas that mature at different times during the teenage years. This may help parents understand why their teens are more prone to making risky decisions.

This shows a child sneaking a macaroon from a plate

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·September 30, 2022·5 min read

Why Do Some Kids Take Bigger Risks Than Others?

A parent's wealth and social status can influence a child's risk-taking behaviors.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·July 24, 2022·6 min read

What Makes People Willing to Risk Their Lives to Save Others?

Study examines why some people are more inclined to put themselves in harm's way to help others while others are less inclined to help, even when the risk is part of their profession.

Featured Neuroscience

·April 19, 2022·5 min read

Risky Driving Behaviors Increase as Common Sleep Disorder Worsens

Obstructive sleep apnea may impact your behavior when driving, a new study reports. People with sleep apnea who experienced eight additional disruptions in breathing per hour had a 27% increased risk of making dangerous driving moves, such as speeding, hard breaking , or accelerating suddenly.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 24, 2022·4 min read

Brain Waves During Sleep Can Determine Risk Taking Behaviors

The fewer slow brain waves that occur in the right prefrontal cortex during sleep, the more likely a person is to indulge in risk-taking behaviors.

This is a cartoon of a woman and a speech bubble

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·March 24, 2022·3 min read

Swearing Can Increase Self-Confidence, Physical Strength and Risky Behavior

Usually frowned upon, researchers say swearing can increase a person's self-confidence and boost their physical strength. However, the use of profanity can also increase risk-taking behaviors.

This shows a head made of cogwheels and a lightbulb

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 4, 2022·4 min read

Brain Shortcuts May Be Partially to Blame for Vaccine and Mask Non-Compliance

Cognitive shortcuts could explain why some people fail to adhere to recommendations to mask up and get vaccinated to protect against COVID infection.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 30, 2021·6 min read

Genetic Risks for Nicotine Dependence Span a Range of Traits and Diseases

Higher polygenetic risk scores for schizophrenia, depression, neuroticism, and alcohol use disorder are indicators for higher risk of nicotine dependence.

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·June 1, 2021·4 min read

Why Moms Take Risks to Protect Their Infants

A mother's overwhelming desire to take risks in the face of danger to protect her child, and other nurturing behaviors, are driven by neurons in the cMPOA region of the hypothalamus which contains a protein called the calcitonin receptor.