The Neuroscience of Reality
Reality is constructed by the brain, and no two brains are exactly alike
Reality is constructed by the brain, and no two brains are exactly alike
Philosopher Peter Carruthers insists that conscious thought, judgment and volition are illusions. They arise from processes of which we are forever unaware
Freud’s notion of a dark, libidinous unconscious is obsolete. A new theory holds that the brain produces a continuous stream of unconscious predictions
A machine learning algorithm uses EEG traces to find a patient’s odds of waking
A detailed picture of cell types in some areas of the mouse cortex is put to the test
Decoding the puzzle of human consciousness
Neurologist Steven Laureys looks for signs of consciousness in unresponsive patients
Zapping the brain with magnetic pulses while measuring its electrical activity is proving to be a reliable way to detect consciousness
In mouse experiments, scientists bring back the “critical period” of early in life, in which the ability to process sounds emerges
Becoming aware of your sleeping self could relieve anxiety or tap the creative unconscious
New research shows brain function associated with attention peaks during the summer and dips in winter
What are the physical determinants of thought and consciousness? An interactive feature on the luminary Carla Shatz and the new neuroscience explores some answers.
Consciousness is an enigmatic beast. It’s more than mere awareness – it’s how we experience the world.
Although we rarely remember our nighttime reveries, they may hold the key to consciousness
Support science journalism.
Thanks for reading Scientific American. Knowledge awaits.
Already a subscriber? Sign in.
Thanks for reading Scientific American. Create your free account or Sign in to continue.
Create Account