Brain Science with Ginger Campbell, MD: Neuroscience for Everyone

Latest Episodes:

BS 186 Mark Humphries author of "The Spike: An Epic Journey Through the Brain in 2.1 Seconds" Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

This month's episode features Mark Humphries, author of "The Spike: An Epic Journey Through the Brain in 2.1 Seconds." We explore how the brain uses electrical signaling in surprising ways, beginning with a look at how an action potential (aka. "the spike") is produced. Then we consider what Humphries calls "the dark neurons," which are neurons that rarely generate spikes. We explore their role and also how it relates to the brain's spontaneous activity. One of the more surprising recent discoveries in neuroscience is that most of the brain's activity does not appear to be caused by external stimuli. It is not a passive receiver of information and this has profound implications for our understanding of things like how the brain generates conscious experience.

This episode is for listeners of all backgrounds.

Links and References:

The Spike: An Epic Journey Through the Brain in 2.1 Seconds by Mark Humphries
Humphries Lab at the University of Nottingham
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

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Announcements:

Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
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BS 185 Stephen Fleming on "the neuroscience of self-awareness" Jun 25, 2021

Show notes

This month's episode of Brain Science is an interview with Dr. Stephen Fleming, author of "Know Thyself: The Science of Self-Awareness." We explore the concept of metacognition and learn that while explicit metacognition (thinking about thinking) may be unique to humans, it is built on building blocks shared with other species. We also explore what can go wrong and why it matters.

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Links and References:

Know Thyself: The Science of Self-Awareness by Stephen M Fleming
Making up the Mind: How the Brain Creates Our Mental World by Chris Frith (2007). Frith was interviewed in BSP 57
Cognitive Gadgets: The Cultural Evolution of Thinking by Cecilia Heyes (2018). Heyes was interviewed in BS 168.
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

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Announcements:

Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available)
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.)
Send email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com

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BS 184 Mark Solms, author of "The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness" May 28, 2021

Show notes

In this month's episode of Brain Science, neuroscientist Mark Solms talks about his new book "The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Origins of Consciousness." Solms was inspired by the pioneering work of Jaak Panksepp who argued that the origins of consciousness can be traced to the brainstem. In his new book Solms presents the evidence for this viewpoint and explains how the work of computational neuroscientist Karl Friston has provided additional support. We consider the implications for our understanding of both human consciousness and our appreciation for the consciousness of other animals.

Links and References:

The Hidden Spring: A Journey to the Source of Consciousness by Mark Solms
- Mark Solms: University of Cape Town, South Africa
Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions by Jaak Panksepp (BS 134)
The Archaeology of Mind: Neuroevolutionary Origins of Human Emotions by Jaak Panksepp and Lucy Biven (BSP 91)
Solms, M; Friston, K; (2018) How and why consciousness arises: Some considerations from physics and physiology. Journal of Consciousness Studies , 25 (5-6) pp. 202-238. (Download PDF)
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

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Announcements:

Email Dr. Campbell if you want to help with improving the Brain Science website or request new features.
Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available)
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
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BS 183 Jeff Hawkins shares his new theory of Intelligence Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

Jeff Hawkins has spent nearly twenty years on a quest to discover how the brain's cortex generates intelligence. In this episode he talks about his new book A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence, which describes some of his most recent research in a way that is accessible to readers of all backgrounds.

Links and References:

A Thousand Brains: A New Theory of Intelligence by Jeff Hawkins
Detailed References on Numenta website
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

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Announcements:

Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available)
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
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BS 182 Iris Berent author of "The Blind Storyteller" Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

This month's episode of Brain Science features Iris Berent, author of "The Blind Storyteller: How We Reason About Human Nature." We explore how our deeply entrenched biases toward dualism and essentialism impact our attitudes toward neuroscience and toward problems like mental illness.

Links and References:

The Blind Storyteller: How We Reason About Human Nature by Iris Berent
A Skeptic's Guide to the Mind: What Neuroscience Can and Cannot Tell Us About Ourselves by Robert Burton
In BS 96 Dr. Burton raised similar issues to those mentioned in this episode
Iris Berent at Northeastern University: publications
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

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Announcements:

Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available)
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.)
Send email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com or post voice feedback at http://speakpipe.com/docartemis.

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Twitter: @docartemis
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Contact Dr. Campbell:

Email: brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com
Voicemail: http://speakpipe.com/docartemis

BS 181 Sir Simon Baron-Cohen Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

This month's episode of Brain Science features Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, one of the world's leading researchers on the neuroscience of autism. We discuss his latest book "The Pattern Seekers: How Autism Drives Human Invention." This book reminds us that many different kinds of science can enrich our lives and our understanding of what it means to be human.

Sir Baron-Cohen explores the overlap between the human ability to invent and experiment and the condition that is currently called autism. Autism is often seen as a deficit in social cognition or empathy, but Baron-Cohen shows convincingly that there is a significant overlap between autism and what he calls extreme systemizing. Because systemizing or pattern recognition drives the human ability to constantly invent new technologies, it appears to compliment social skills such as empathy. Sir Baron-Cohen share the evidence that people tend to be stronger in one area or the other. Most importantly, he emphasizes that autism is not necessarily a disabling condition because those with extremely strong pattern recognition skills can make many valuable contributions.

Links and References:

The Pattern Seekers: How Autism Drives Human Invention by Simon Baron-Cohen
Greenberg DM, Warrier V, Allison C, Baron-Cohen S. Testing the Empathizing-Systemizing theory of sex differences and the Extreme Male Brain theory of autism in half a million people. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 Nov 27;115(48):12152-12157. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1811032115. Epub 2018 Nov 12. PMID: 30420503; PMCID: PMC6275492.
Sir Simon Baron-Cohen, PhD. University of Cambridge (UK)
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

Bonus Content:

Listen to BS 99 with Temple Grandin via the free Brain Science mobile app. Download the app from your favorite App Store.

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Announcements:

Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available)
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.)
Send email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com or post voice feedback at http://speakpipe.com/docartemis.
Please check out Dr. Campbell's other podcasts: Books and Ideas and Graying Rainbows where ever you get your favorite audio.

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Contact Dr. Campbell:

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BS 180 E Bruce Goldstein Jan 22, 2021

Show notes

This month's episode of Brain Science is an interview with neuroscientists E. Bruce Goldstein, author of "The Mind: Consciousness, Prediction, and the Brain."

We review some key ideas about how the brain creates the Mind, the important role of unconscious processes and prediction. It is a great starter episode for new listeners and a concise review for longtime fans.

Links and References:

The Mind: Consciousness, Prediction, and the Brain by E. Bruce Goldstein
Author website
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

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Announcements:

Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (Autographed copies are available)
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.)
Send email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com

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Twitter: @docartemis
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Contact Dr. Campbell:

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BS 179 14th Annual Review Episode Dec 25, 2020

Show notes

It's time for our 14th Annual Review Episode! Despite the challenges of 2020, it has been an outstanding year for Brain Science: the show passed 11 million downloads and Dr. Campbell released of second edition of Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty.

This episode is also a great introduction for new listeners. It can be enjoyed even if you haven't listened to the episodes being discussed. A free transcript is also available for this episode.

Here is a list of this year's episodes:

BS 165 (encore) Stephen L. Macknik and Susana Martinez-Conde, authors of Sleights of Mind: What the Neuroscience of Magic Reveals about Our Everyday Deceptions
BS 166 Stephen Macknik describes new a visual prosthesis
BS 167 Stanislas Dehaene, author of How We Learn: Why Brains Learn Better Than Any Machine . . . for Now
BS 168 Cecelia Heyes, author of Cognitive Gadgets: The Cultural Evolution of Thinking
BS 169 (encore) R. Douglas Fields The Other Brain
BS 170 Andreas Nieder, author of The Number Instinct
BS 171 Matthew Cobb, author of The Idea of the Brain: The Past and Future of Neuroscience
BS 172 György Buzsáki, author of The Brain from Inside Out
BS 173 Excerpt from Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell
BS 174 Georg Northoff, author of The Spontaneous Brain: From the Mind–Body to the World–Brain Problem
BS 175 Carol Tavris, co-author of Mistakes Were Made (but not by me)- an exploration of cognitive dissonance
BS 176 Seth Grant explains synapse complexity
BS 177 Bernard Baars and David Edelman talk about consciousness
BS 178 Peter Sterling, author of What Is Health?: Allostasis and the Evolution of Human Design

Note: the transcript for this episode is Free. Additional show notes and more episode transcripts are available at brainsciencepodcast.com.

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Announcements:

Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. (autographed copies are available)
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.)

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Contact Dr. Campbell:

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BS 178 Peter Sterling Nov 27, 2020

Show notes

This month's episode of Brain Science features neuroscientist Peter Sterling sharing the key ideas for his new book What Is Health? Allostasis and the Evolution of Human Design. In recent years neuroscientists have developed a growing appreciation of the predictive functions of the brain. Sterling takes this principle to the next level by asking what this means for human health. He argues that medicine's traditional focus on homeostasis ignores the much larger role of what he calls allostasis, which is a word he actually coined many years ago to capture the idea that the brain's predictive function is critical to health.

His book explores the ancient origins of both allostasis and homeostasis with an emphasis on why recent changes in the human life style contribute to the health problems of modern life.

One goal of this episode is to remind listeners that understanding how the brain works may be the key to our future survival.

Links and References:

What Is Health? Allostasis and the Evolution of Human Design by Peter Sterling
Principles of Neural Design by Peter Sterling and Simon Laughlin
Peter Sterling (University of Pennsylvania)
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

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Announcements:

Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD. Autographed copies are now available.
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.)
Send email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com or post voice feedback at http://speakpipe.com/docartemis.

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Contact Dr. Campbell:

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BS 177 Bernard Baars with David Edelman Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

Bernard Baars is a pioneer in the neuroscience of consciousness. He first proposed Global Workspace Theory back in 1980, which was before consciousness was considered an acceptable topic of scientific research. His approach inspired others including the current Global Neuronal Workspace Theory, which I discussed briefly in episode 160. This episode is an interview with Dr. Baars that focuses on his most recent book On Consciousness. He is joined by his colleague David Edelman.

Links and References:

ON CONSCIOUSNESS: Science & Subjectivity - Updated Works on Global Workspace Theory by Bernard J. Baars
On Consciousness podcast: on YouTube
The Ancient Origins of Consciousness: How the Brain Created Experience by Todd E. Feinberg and Jon M. Mallatt (Dr. Mallatt was interviewed in BS 128.)
Consciousness and the Brain: Deciphering How the Brain Codes Our Thoughts by Stanislas Dehaene (BS 160 and BS 167)
Please visit http://brainsciencepodcast.com for additonal references and episode transcripts.

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Announcements:

November 17, 2020 at 4PM Eastern Time: Join Dr. Campbell for a special webinar entitled Embracing Uncertainty: How to Thrive in Uncertain Times. Click here to learn more.
Brain Science comes out on 4th Friday each month.
Support Brain Science by buying Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty by Virginia "Ginger" Campbell, MD
Learn more ways to support Brain Science at http://brainsciencepodcast.com/donations
Sign up for the free Brain Science Newsletter to get show notes automatically every month. You can also text brainscience to 55444 to sign up.
Check out the free Brain Science Mobile app for iOS, Android, and Windows. (It's a great way to get both new episodes and premium content.)
Send email to brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com or post voice feedback at http://speakpipe.com/docartemis.