How hormone loss affects reaction to touch and sound

Hormone loss can significantly alter how the body and brain respond to sensory inputs such as touch and sound, affecting both perception and emotional reactions. Hormones act as chemical messengers that influence the nervous system, modulating sensory processing pathways and…

Why strong emotions linger longer in memory

Strong emotions tend to linger longer in memory because the brain processes and stores emotional experiences differently from neutral ones, making these memories more vivid, durable, and easily retrievable. This phenomenon arises from a complex interaction between specific brain regions…

What to do when someone talks to themselves for comfort

When someone talks to themselves for comfort, it’s important to understand that this behavior can be a natural and healthy way of managing emotions and self-regulation. Talking to oneself aloud or silently often serves as a tool for emotional support,…

How early dreams may predict cognitive patterns

Early dreams, especially those experienced in infancy and early childhood, can serve as important indicators of cognitive patterns by reflecting how the brain processes, organizes, and integrates memories and experiences. These early dream experiences form foundational templates that influence future…

Why MMSE results can vary depending on stress

The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a widely used tool to assess cognitive function, including memory, attention, orientation, and language skills. However, MMSE results can vary significantly depending on a person’s stress level. Stress impacts the brain and cognitive performance…

How caregivers can handle repetitive emotional cycles

Caregivers often face **repetitive emotional cycles**—waves of stress, frustration, guilt, sadness, and sometimes hope—that can feel exhausting and overwhelming. Handling these cycles effectively is crucial to maintaining both the caregiver’s well-being and the quality of care they provide. The key…

Why Alzheimer’s changes how we respond to kindness

Alzheimer’s disease profoundly changes how a person responds to kindness, and this transformation is rooted deeply in the way the disease alters the brain and emotions. Kindness, which usually brings comfort, warmth, and connection, can be met with confusion, mistrust,…

How the brain attaches emotions to dreams

The brain attaches emotions to dreams through complex interactions between memory, emotional processing centers, and the unique state of the brain during sleep. When we dream, especially during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, parts of the brain responsible for emotions—like…

What makes certain voices soothing in dementia care

Certain voices become soothing in dementia care because they provide emotional reassurance, reduce anxiety, and create a calming environment that helps manage the behavioral and psychological symptoms common in dementia. The qualities that make a voice soothing include its tone,…

Why someone may forget how to get out of a chair

Forgetting how to get out of a chair might sound unusual, but it can happen for several complex reasons related to the brain, body, and environment. This phenomenon is often linked to disruptions in memory, motor skills, or cognitive function…