Yes – Tibetan sky-gazing meditation, a Dzogchen practice emphasizing open awareness, can reduce activity in the brain’s...
Oscar Forrester
Very Big Brain is written by Oscar Forrester, a researcher and writer with a long-standing fascination with how the brain works. Oscar spent several years working in hospital IT, including on infection control systems, and grew up in a household shaped by medicine — his father was a physician and his mother a registered nurse. He is not a clinician himself, and nothing on this site should be taken as medical advice. What he brings instead is a rigorous, source-first approach to research, honed over two decades of writing (he’s authored numerous published books, primarily on software development), and a genuine curiosity about the science of cognition. Mr. Forrester strives to present complex topics in a clear and engaging manner, making it easy for you to understand and apply the knowledge to your daily life.
Possibly – switching the ear you favor can modestly influence attention and recall for some listening tasks....
Many people who seek wellness support have already tried to improve their habits. They have followed programs,...
Yes – calm, positive interactions with animals can strengthen stress-resilience pathways. They lower physiological arousal, increase oxytocin,...
Imagine your brain as a busy city that never sleeps. Thoughts are like cars, emotions are like...
Yes – performing the Maori haka, with its coordinated movement, rhythm, and shared emotional intensity, can synchronize...
Anyone who works in nutrition has heard this confession more than once. A client leaves your office...
Staying mentally sharp is not about winning a memory contest. It is about feeling present during conversations,...
The human brain is mysterious, powerful, and, frankly, a bit dramatic. It is no surprise that a...
Yes – consistent acts of kindness can enhance cognitive empathy, the ability to understand what others think...