The Amazing Human Brain

The human brain is the body's computer. Find out everything there is to know about your brain and stay updated on the latest news with the comprehensive articles and images of the brain at LiveScience.com. Learn more about this vital organ as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about your brain.

Explore Mind

Latest about Mind

A photo of a blonde woman holding a young child. Colorful zigzags are shown around the child's head, indicating that she's experiencing a migraine with aura

'This is what drives the migraine headache': Scientists uncover 'missing link' in why some migraines happen

By Michael Schubert published

A new mouse study uncovered a previously unknown route between the brain and peripheral nerves that could explain the link between aura symptoms and migraine headaches.

Neuroscience
Two boxes of Xanax lying side-by-side, pointing towards the camera. They appear to be positioned on top of a wooden table. The box on the left is open and packets of pills are sliding out of it towards the camera.

Benzos like Xanax may shrink the brain in the long term, study hints

By Emily Cooke published

A new study involving almost 5,500 people suggests that long-term benzodiazepine use may shrink parts of the brain involved in memory and mood regulation.

Neuroscience
A black and white photo collage of a man and woman clutching their heads in pain

Do women have a higher pain tolerance than men?

By Patience Asanga published

Does a person's sex dictate how they respond to pain? To a certain degree, yes, but there's a lot scientists don't know.

Neuroscience
Two rows of three multi-colored blobs are shown against a black background. The blobs appear to contain different types of cells that are different fluorescent colors.

Scientists just grew the 1st-ever 'minibrains' from multiple people's cells

By Emily Cooke published

Hybrid brain organoids could be used to test how people respond differently to drugs before clinical trials begin, researchers say.

Neuroscience
A close up on a diagram of the bottom of the human brain with a yellow circle highlighting the location of the pituitary gland

Predator or prey? This 'switch' in the brain toggles when you're hunting or being hunted

By Stephanie Pappas published

The hypothalamus, a brain region that helps control our hormones and sleep cycles, is also responsible for our ability to switch between predator- and prey-like behavior.

Neuroscience
3D illustration of two neurons (in a burnt orange color) facing each other with a small gap. Within the gap, there are lots of yellow bubbles. The background of the image is black with a yellow halo around the gap between the two neurons and specks of cream dotted around.

Secret to lifelong memories sticking is molecular 'glue'

By Emily Cooke published

A new study has uncovered the role that a specific molecule in the brain plays in maintaining long-term memory.

Neuroscience
Scientist wearing a blue surgical mask is shown holding up a lab dish containing size circles which contain a clear fluid with what appears to be small white bubbles in it. The scientist is looking at the lab dish and is wearing a blue lab coat and gloves. The scientist is slightly blurred while the dish is clear.

Lab-grown 'minibrains' may have just confirmed a leading theory about autism

By Emily Cooke published

Excessive brain growth in the womb has been directly tied to autism in toddlers in new research involving lab-grown "minibrains."

Neuroscience
Lots of light blue/grey-colored lines connected to form the shape of a brain against a black background.

6 distinct forms of depression identified by AI in brain study

By Emily Cooke published

A new analysis of the brains of 800 people has revealed that there may be six distinct types of depression, with potential implications for treatment.

Mind
A close up on a brain scan with one portion highlighted in red, indicating the location of an implant

Scientists inserted a window in a man's skull to read his brain with ultrasound

By Emily Cooke published

New research shows it's possible to use ultrasound waves to monitor activity in the human brain.

Neuroscience
photo shows a silouetted figure standing at the edge of a wood at night and pointing a lit flashlight toward one clump of trees

Why can't we see colors well in the dark?

By Skyler Ware published

In the dark, vivid colors seem to fade to gray and they're hard to tell apart. Why is that?

Neuroscience
123456789Archives