The Mystery

Lisa Feldman Barrett's theory of constructed emotion proposes that emotions are not innate, fixed responses but rather dynamic constructions that the brain creates based on various inputs. According to Barrett, emotions are not hardwired into our brains; instead, they are constructed in the moment based on sensory input, past experiences, and contextual information. Barrett's theory is rooted in predictive coding, a concept from neuroscience that suggests that the brain is constantly making predictions about what is happening in the world and updating these predictions based on new information. In this framework, emotions are predictions that the brain constructs to make sense of sensory inputs and prepare the body for action. Core Concepts of Constructed Emotion 1. Conceptual Act Theory: Barrett's theory is often referred to as the Conceptual Act Theory. It posits that emotions are constructed through the interplay of core affect (basic feelings of pleasure or displeasure,...

People are often surprised that a brain surgeon, who spent time growing neurons in a lab, would have an opinion on lucid dreaming. Initially, I too thought the concept might be fringe or 'woo-woo'—more metaphysical than neuroscientific. However, as I delved deeper, dedicating two of the nine chapters in my book to this subject, I discovered many of my assumptions about dreams were incorrect. Indeed, some aspects of dreaming are surprisingly well-supported by science, while others remain as elusive as dreams themselves should be. Lucid dreaming has been discussed for millennia, even by Aristotle about 2000 years ago. The topic gained significant traction in the neuroscience community in the 1970s and 80s when it was first proven to be possible. How was this proven? Let me walk you through the experiment because the details are crucial. We use electrodes to detect brain activity, including the specific patterns known as sleep spindles. Initially, I was skeptical, suspecting peopl...

Throughout human history, dreams have been a source of fascination, wonder, and sometimes fear. They have inspired myths, religious interpretations, and artistic masterpieces, yet their true purpose has remained elusive. In 'This Is Why You Dream', Rahul Jandial seeks to demystify this universal human experience, drawing upon his expertise as a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist. He combines scientific research, historical perspectives, and personal observations to provide a compelling exploration of how and why we dream. Jandial argues that while dreaming is often dismissed as a random by-product of sleep, it actually serves critical functions that shape our cognitive and emotional lives. Dreaming is not merely a passive activity; it is a product of a highly active and dynamic brain state. Jandial explains the complex neurological processes that take place during sleep, particularly during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, the phase most closely associated with vivid dreams. During...

Dr. Rahul Jandial spends a great deal of time delving into the human brain—both literally, as a neurosurgeon, and figuratively, as a researcher, professor and author of the international bestseller 'Life Lessons From a Brain Surgeon' and the memoir, 'Life on a Knife’s Edge'. In his engaging and information-packed new book, 'This Is Why You Dream: What Your Sleeping Brain Reveals About Your Waking Life', Jandial enthusiastically explores the slumberous state, offering tips to help readers use dreams to reach their full potential around the clock. “By interpreting your dreams,” he asserts, “you can make sense of your experience and explore your emotional life in new and profound ways.” Understanding the sleeping brain’s whimsy isn’t as simple as consulting a dream dictionary—which, by the way, Jandial does not recommend. That’s because dream dictionaries 'cleverly offer a mix of vagueness and specificity that make it easy to shape your personal circumstances t...

Have you ever wondered if there’s life beyond our little blue planet? What if I told you that possibility might be encoded deep within our genes? Welcome to a scientific journey with extraterrestrial twists as we unravel the mystery of DNA and its potential relationship with aliens. Get ready for an intergalactic adventure of knowledge and fun! DNA, the Recipe for Terrestrial Life… and Beyond?  Ever since scientists discovered the DNA double helix, we realized it was the essential ingredient behind all forms of life on Earth. But what if there’s something more intriguing at play? Imagine for a moment that our DNA isn’t just a genetic code, but also a cosmic letter connecting us to alien civilizations. Yes, you read that right! This is where science meets science fiction. Extraterrestrial DNA: A Cosmic Puzzle  Remember those tales of alien abductions involving medical experiments? Well, they might have more basis than we thought. Scientists have found that human DNA contains my...

There’s a swirling, kaleidoscopic, free-associative experience on the edge of your mind. You’ll find it in the space right between awake and asleep, where your meandering consciousness mixes memory and thought with visionary imagery. I call this experience liminal dreaming. 'Liminal' refers to the spaces in between things, the transitional condition of thresholds or boundaries. There are two dream states that, together, make up liminal dreaming: hypnagogia and hypnopompia. These constantly morphing states cling to the edges of sleep. You’re probably familiar with both, but you may never have given them much thought. Liminal dreams happen during flux periods in the nervous system, when brain waves jump around from one settled state (Alpha, Theta, REM) to another as we fall asleep or wake up. Betwixt settled states lies the liminal dream. Although generally the shortest lasting mind states, hypnagogia and hypnopompia contain more than twice as many brainwave forms than any other ...