We spend almost one-third of our lives asleep, being disconnected from the world and seemingly 'inactive'. But sleeping is not a waste of time – it is essential for maintaining both our body and mind in good shape. Indeed, sleep is an exceptionally complex biological... click to read more

We continuously learn about the consequences of our actions and change our behaviour accordingly so we can in future repeat a response that produced the desired outcome and hold back learned behaviours that are no longer appropriate. Imagine you are hungry and go to the... click to read more

There is nothing subtle about the immune system. T cells, potent immune cells found in the blood, can kill just about anything. In response to a viral infection, T cells move in, kill any of your cells that have a virus inside them, coordinate a... click to read more

It's easy to see how certain traits can be linked back to your genetics, such as your hair color or height. It's also undeniable that some mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, have a strong genetic link. More recently, substance use disorder - a category... click to read more

When feeling stressed or nervous, you notice the pounding heart, pale face, and dry mouth – fundamental autonomic responses to psychological stress.  Stress responses are conserved in many mammalian species and thought to be beneficial for wild animals, such as when they encounter their enemies. ... click to read more