Think Twice Podcast

Ever wonder what’s really happening when your brain ‘fires’? In this episode, we explore neurotransmission, the rapid electrochemical messaging system that lets your neurons talk to each other and to the rest of your body, to allow you to plan, think, move, perceive, etc. We unpack neurotransmitters, receptors, and the multiple layers of complexity in which neurotransmitters shape mood, memory, movement, and more. Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Varsity athletes face hundreds of head impacts each season, some big enough to cause a concussion, others so small they barely register. But science is suggesting that even these quiet hits that don't cause concussions may quietly reshape the brain. In this episode, we dive into the neuroscience of concussive and subconcussive impacts. We unpack what science is revealing about how the athlete brain changes and what this means for the future of sport, safety, and long-term brain health. Coljae Berry is a second-year MSc student in the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen's University, working under the supervision of Dr. Cook. In collaboration with the Queen's Varsity Football Team, his research investigates how repeated non-concussive impacts affect white matter microstructure and sensorimotor function in collegiate football players. He hopes to raise awareness for player safety and educate the public about the potential risks and long-term effects of playing football. Outside of his research, Coljae is passionate about rehabilitation for neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic brain injuries. He is also an active advocate for Black student voices on campus. Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

What if the key to healing the brain wasn’t in a pill or a surgery, but in a headset? By stepping into immersive digital worlds with virtual reality (VR), scientists are discovering new ways to enhance neuroplasticity. But with such power to reshape the mind, VR also raises big questions: how real should “virtual” therapy get, and who can access this kind of therapeutic strategy? Join us as we journey through the science, the promise, and the ethical puzzles of healing in a virtual world. This episode is sponsored by the Connected Minds program. Connected Minds, funded by the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund, is a 7-year collaborative program between York University and Queen’s University that focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, and socially responsible research and technology development. The program offers funding for trainees, researchers, and artists. To learn more and get involved, visit the Connected Minds website. Website: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/a Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Beware! The ghosts are closer than you think... In this episode, we explore how the brain creates paranormal experiences—from sensing a mysterious presence to hearing whispers in silence, it is all a product of the brain. This episode uncovers how fear circuits, prediction glitches, and evolved survival instincts create paranormal experiences—from “presences” to shadowy figures in the dark. Authors: Dure Khan, Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Santiago Ramón y Cajal, awarded the 1906 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, is often called the “father of modern neuroscience.” Using only a microscope and his extraordinary artistic skills, he revealed that the brain is made up of individual neurons that communicate across tiny gaps. This discovery, known as the “neuron doctrine,” transformed how we understand the brain and laid the foundation for all of modern neuroscience. Cajal’s detailed drawings of a wide variety of neurons and neuroanatomical circuits are still admired today, both as scientific breakthroughs and works of art. Join us as we talk with an AI interpretation of Santiago Ramón y Cajal about his scientific findings, his disagreements with other neuroscientists and his advice to junior scientists. This episode is sponsored by the Connected Minds program. Connected Minds, funded by the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund, is a 7-year collaborative program between York University and Queen’s University that focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, and socially responsible research and technology development. The program offers funding for trainees, researchers, and artists. To learn more and get involved, visit the Connected Minds website. Website: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/a Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.