Yes, chewing food slowly may support mental processing by enhancing blood flow to the brain, improving vagal...
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.
Yes, research suggests that fidgeting – small, unconscious physical movements – can help the brain sustain attention...
You’ve heard it before: “Just meditate.” Stressed? Meditate. Anxious? Meditate. Brain fog? Yep – more meditation. Mindfulness...
Yes, boredom can actually boost brain function by encouraging mind-wandering, sparking creativity, and allowing the brain time...
Yes, chewing gum may enhance focus and mental performance by increasing alertness, improving short-term memory, and reducing...
The idea that we need to “feel like it” before we take action has become a silent...
No, you cannot truly train your brain to need less sleep – while you may feel like...
Yes, visual clutter can drain your brain’s processing power by overwhelming your attentional system, reducing working memory...
Major life transitions don’t just rearrange your schedule – they rewire your brain’s demands. Whether it’s starting...
There’s a certain thrill in the hum of a great brainstorming session. Ideas start flying, connections spark,...