Posts in The Brain
133 | Prion Diseases | Why We Do What We Do
133 | Prion Diseases | Why We Do What We Do

This was a creepy discussion that maybe would have been better suited to a Halloween episode. We break down the process of brain deterioration from misfolded proteins called “prions” [pree-awnz]. Perhaps you’ve heard of Mad Cow disease, Crutzfeldt-Jakob disease. These are types of prion diseases. Unfortunately, prion diseases have no cure and cannot be prevented by heating or otherwise chemically treating food containing prions. Prion diseases have a 100% fatality rate within 2-3 years of diagnosis. Furthermore, it is unlikely to be diagnoseable until destruction is nearly complete. The only strategy we have is to try and prevent this disease by avoiding consuming things that are likely to cause it.

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The Brain, Animals, Diagnosis, GeneticsScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Shanebraham, Shane Spiker, neurons, Prions, Prion, Prion Diseases, Mad Cow Dissease, Neurology, Neurodegenerative Diseases, High Fatality, GeneticsComment
132 | The Ghosts of Limbs Past: Phantom Limb Pain | Why We Do What We Do
132 | The Ghosts of Limbs Past: Phantom Limb Pain | Why We Do What We Do

WARNING! In this episode, we discuss topics that involve severe harm to humans and animals. If this is a sensitive issue for you, consider skipping this episode. For the most part, we made attempts to avoid the description of actual physical violence. Instead, we explore what phantom limb pain is and some of the hypotheses around why we have it. Have you ever wondered whether people born without limbs would feel phantom limb pain? Or where the pain is located in the missing body part? We describe the research on how common this experience is and what researchers believe they understand about why people experience pain in missing body parts after those body parts are no longer there, sometimes long after they are gone!

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The Brain, ACT, TherapyScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Shanebraham, Shane Spiker, phantom limb pain, phantom limb, missing limbs, ghost hands, mirror therapy, mirror box therapy, deep brain stimulation, cognitive behavior therapy, therapy, physical therapy, neurology, amputation, amputee, pain, ACT, behaviorism, cues, neurons, contextual behavior scienceComment
131 | Lead Poisoning Our Brains | Why We Do What We Do
131 | Lead Poisoning Our Brains | Why We Do What We Do

Shane and Abraham summarize and highlight the history of how humans came to have a loving relationship with lead. However, like some relationships, this was doomed to fail because lead was secretly plotting to kill us all along. We discussed what was so attractive about lead. What we learned about why it was bad for us. Why we increased our use of it anyway. And how lead intrudes into our brains to poison us. What a downer! But a fun and informative downer…

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Children, Psychological History, The BrainScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Lead, Shane, Shanebraham, Shane Spiker, Lead poisoning, Poison, Poisoning, children, Conspiracy, Violence, History, Leaded Gasoline, automobiles, Cars, Lead paint, health, unhealthy, contraception, sweetener, cosmetics, metalComment
128 | Zombie Bugs | Why We Do What We Do
128 | Zombie Bugs | Why We Do What We Do

Although the idea of zombies comes from folklore and mystical traditions, there are real zombies in the world. Specifically, the cordyceps fungus that infects insects such as ants, kills them, and then drives their “reanimated” corpse around to find a place to spread spores to infect more insects. It is diabolical and creepy! But how does this brainless organism understand how to move the ant’s body? How does it know how to spread to other insects? We do our best to unpack what is understood and what might be happening.

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Spooky, The Brain, AnimalsScott Abraham MillerAbraham, October Spooky Psychology 2019, Zombies, Real-life zombies, Zombie Bugs, Zombie Ants, Zombie Spiders, Cordyceps, Creepy, Chilling, Scary, Brazil, Dementer Wasp, Fungus, Spores, Carpenter Ants, Re-animated corpseComment
125 | Why People Like Horror Movies | Why We Do What We Do
125 | Why People Like Horror Movies | Why We Do What We Do

Welcome to spooky psychology month! Shane and Abraham are choosing 5 topics in psychology that related to horror or Halloween themed topics. The next entry in the saga of creepy psychology is understanding why we like scary movies. What is it about being creeped out that keeps people coming to the movie theaters and directors making these movies? There are many different theories that we discuss, but primarily we will reveal that it is a combination of factors including our social groups. Do you love or hate scary movies or fall somewhere in between? Let us know how you feel and which theory you relate to.

ATTENTION! We are doing a special promotion! If you complete a listener survey, you will earn a WWDWWD sticker in the mail and get entered to win a free t-shirt! The survey shouldn’t take longer than 3-10 minutes and is completely private. We will NOT share your data or information with anyone else. Follow this link to receive a sticker, be entered to win a free shirt, and to help us make the best show for you!

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Spooky, The BrainScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Science, Shanebraham, October Spooky Psychology 2019, Skepticism, Scary Movies, Horror Movies, Terror, Horror, Fear, Fright, Slasher Films, Films, Movies, Entertainment, Social ReinforcementComment
123 | Seizure Disorders | Why We Do What We Do
123 | Seizure Disorders | Why We Do What We Do

Seizure disorders are when someone experiences electrochemical convulsions over repeated episodes. Seizures can impact learning, daily functioning, and quality of life. However, many people live with seizure disorders and have rich fulfilling lives. Shane and Abraham describe what seizure are, how they impact learning and development, how they affect the brain, and what to do if you are around someone who has a seizure.

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The Brain, Diagnosis, EducationScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Science, Shanebraham, Siezure, Seizure Disorder, Epilepsy, CBD, Health, Medicine, Science Based MedicineComment
122 | Brain Food | Why We Do What We Do
122 | Brain Food | Why We Do What We Do

There are certain foods that can improve your cognitive performance. Or maybe not. There is evidence supporting the health benefits of some diets over others, but none that shows the neurological benefits of a specific food. Although the claims that brain-food proponents make are not totally inaccurate and are generally good advice, they wildly exaggerate the outcomes of their programs and trick you into buying their stuff. In this discussion, we review the science behind antioxidants, supplements, and other “brain foods,” which ones work and which ones don’t.

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Myth-Busting, Pseudoscience, The BrainScott Abraham MillerAbraham, Shane, Skepticism, Diet, Food, Brain Food, Supplements, Lisa Misconi, Max Lugavere, Shanebraham, Harriet Hall, Science, Quack Watch, Science Based MedicineComment
114 | A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock 'N Roll: The Psychology of Music Preference | Why We Do What We Do
114 | A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock 'N Roll: The Psychology of Music Preference | Why We Do What We Do

Why do people like the types of music that they like? Is it a reflect of your inner personality? Is it just what your friends or parents listened to? Is it hardwired in your brain? Is it some combination of all of those things? If you’ve ever wondered why people like music that seems baffling to you, or wondered why you like the music that you prefer, then this is the episode for you! If not, then we still have a really fun discussion with the classic duo Abraham and RyanO.

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Philosophy, The BrainScott Abraham MillerSkepticism, Abraham, RyanO, Music, A Little Country, A Little Rock 'N Roll, Psychology of Music, Musical Preference, Heavy Metal, Country, Rap, Hip Hop, Electronic, EDM, Personality, Theory of Musical Preference, Indie, Pop, Punk, Dubstep, Contextual Exposure HypothesisComment
110 | Diagnosing Mental Health Disorders | Why We Do What We Do
110 | Diagnosing Mental Health Disorders | Why We Do What We Do

One of the most controversial and interesting topics in psychology is understanding how we diagnose mental health disorders. Shane and Abraham explain the history of diagnosis, list some of the diagnostic systems around the world, and some of the major criticisms of these systems. Learn something new about how we diagnose mental health issues.

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Psychological History, Therapy, Diagnosis, Disorders, The BrainScott Abraham MillerHumanism, Mental Health, Mental Health Disorders, ICD, DSM, Behaviorism, Freud, BF SkinnerComment
107 | Child Development Part 2: Birth Through the First Two Years | Why We Do What We Do
107 | Child Development Part 2: Birth Through the First Two Years | Why We Do What We Do

Returning for a second discussion of the initial stages of human development, RyanO and Abraham discuss the various birthing processes. In addition, we talk about some of the basic developmental milestones of the first two years of life and raise some awareness around important issues affecting the health and well-being of infants. Do you know how to test that a baby has expected functionality immediately after birth? We will explain that too!

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Children, Genetics, The BrainScott Abraham MillerDevelopment, Child Development, Learning, Motherhood, Genetics, Infancy, Babies, Child PsychologyComment
106 | Child Development Part 1: Pregnancy | Why We Do What We Do
106 | Child Development Part 1: Pregnancy | Why We Do What We Do

Human beings go through a fascinating journey from conception throughout pregnancy. It’s kind of amazing how effectively humans reproduce given a surprising fact you may not know about how the success rates of pregnancy. RyanO and Abraham discuss the nuances of development in utero and how our experiences in the womb begin the process of learning. Tune in for details about that and more in the first part about child development.

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Children, Genetics, The BrainScott Abraham MillerPregnancy, Gestation, Conception, Development, Child Development, Learning, Motherhood, GeneticsComment
076 │What is an EEG? │ Why We Do What We Do
076 │What is an EEG? │ Why We Do What We Do

What to Expect

On this week’s episode Miranda and Abraham the electroencephalogram (EEG). What does it do? What is it for? Are the robots coming for us? Listen in and find out!

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast. 

Links for Today

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast. @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

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The BrainScott Abraham MillerComment
075 │ Perceiving the World Through Hearing Part 3: Tinnitus and Auditory Processing Disorder │ Why We Do What We Do
075 │ Perceiving the World Through Hearing Part 3: Tinnitus and Auditory Processing Disorder │ Why We Do What We Do

Ringing in the ears? Trouble understanding speech? Listen in as Abraham, RyanO, and Shane team up to wrap up our discussion about hearing with an emphasis on understanding what is known about diagnosis, treatment, and biology of tinnitus and auditory processing disorder with special guest audiologists Dr. Cathy Vance and Dr. Brandi Greenhouse

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast. @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

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Diagnosis, Genetics, Interview, Myth-Busting, The BrainScott Abraham MillerComment
074 │ Perceiving the World Through Hearing Part 2: Treating Hearing Loss │ Why We Do What We Do
074 │ Perceiving the World Through Hearing Part 2: Treating Hearing Loss │ Why We Do What We Do

How is hearing loss tested for and treated? Abraham, Shane, and RyanO return to discuss treatments for hearing loss and some other topical and controversial topics with special guest audiologists Dr. Cathy Vance and Dr. Brandi Greenhouse

Listen in, and remember that you can reach us directly at 775.525.0908, at info@wwdwwdpodcast.com, through the comments below OR on social via @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast. @wwdwwdpodcast or #wwdwwdpodcast.

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Interview, Diagnosis, The BrainScott Abraham MillerComment