Questions tagged [physiology]
For questions about the interaction of the brain/mind with function and structure of the rest of the body. If your question is specifically about the physiology of the central (or peripheral) nervous system then use the tag neurobiology.
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What is it called when manipulating the body, such as with a smile, triggers emotion?
Normally we smile as a consequence of being happy, but psychologists have, over the years investigated the idea that smiling itself can cause happiness.
So, we have the concept of a physical act ...
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What is Cortisols role in a chronically activated fight-flight-freeze response?
It is my current understanding that cortisol is released 20-30 minutes after the initial release of adrenaline to a stressor if the stressor has not been dealt with. (Source: '20 - 30 minutes' and 'a ...
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why structural studies of the cerebellum (atrophy, segmentation, etc.) always reports LEFT and RIGHT even when laterality is absent from the study?
I have noticed that structural studies of the cerebellum, regardless of the focus of the study (neurodegenerative, autism, alcoholism, drummers) usually report left-sided and right-sided results. Even ...
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What is the medullary bulb transition?
Does "medullary bulb transition" make sense in neuroanatomy internattionally or is it a Brazilian invention and there is no term like that in English? What is then the difference of the &...
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Do bodily manifestations (e.g. jerking) and intense euphoric sensations (e.g. "heat", "electricity") always co-occur in spiritual experiences?
After analyzing multiple reports of spiritual experiences, I've identified two general categories:
Bodily manifestations: shaking, jerking, trembling, contorting, etc. (see this related question for ...
user25376
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Is there a way that an infection could target a specific area of the brain?
My question is in regards to a fungal infection, but I am open to learning about viral or bacterial infections. That being said, is it possible that a fungus/virus/etc could target a specific area of ...
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EDA explorer - artifact detection vs artifact correction
my question is related to this post -> Open-source software for analyzing Electrodermal activity
The eda explorer, especially the online version, is quite nice and handy. However, it does not provide ...
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Percent change of a biophysical signal
To calculate percent change the formula is: $\frac{Amount \, ofchanges} {Original \, amount}100=\frac{New−Old}{Old}100$
because we want to see how it changes compared to where it was before, now if ...
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Can signals from the prefrontal cortex alone trigger a readiness potential in the pre-supplementary motor area?
Background
In Haggard, Patrick. "Human volition: towards a neuroscience of will." Nature Reviews Neuroscience 9.12 (2008): 934., the author states in the caption of Figure 1 (pg. 4):
The ...
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Does anyone have R code for analyzing skin conductance data?
Similar question here Open-source software for analyzing Electrodermal activity
But with no R code answers provided, and the online EDA explorer appears to be unavailable now.
I am looking for code ...
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What's the difference between the neuroendocrine system vs endocrine system?
No one in the Biology site seems to be answering this, so I thought I'd post it here as a last resort. I would really appreciate if you guys can take a look at it.
This is what I have understood so ...
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Would non-neural physiological insights be considered to be in the field of neuroscience?
For example, would e.g. SCR (skin conductance response) or hormone level be considered to be "neuroscientific measures" according to general definition of neuroscience?
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Are reaction time and memory physiological measure or behavioral observation?
I think that the choice made by a subject in a choice task should be behavioral observation. But I am not sure about reaction time and memory, which is more about ability instead of intention.
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How is the term "physiological measurement" defined?
Does the measurement have to be subconscious?
Can measurement such as eye-tracking be counted as physiological measurement? (I thought it is because of its relatively subconscious nature until I saw ...
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Does anybody know a source having multi-electrode (several channels) recorded data of multiple Neurons (I prefer real data not artificial)?
I mean recorded data of multiple Neurons with multi-electrode. I need this data as the input for my experiment.
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Can you get sad by sniffing onions, just like you can get happy by forcing yourself to smile?
I've read about a study where they found that people who were forced to keep a smile-like face were reportedly happier than those who were forced to stay in a frown-like a face. Similarly, could ...
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Is Maslow's hierarchy of needs really accurate at labeling sex as a physiological "need"?
Is Maslow's hierarchy of needs really accurate at labeling sex as a physiological "need"? If so, would that mean that single/celibate people cannot live self-actualized lives unless they have some ...
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Is there any negative social or psychological implication of the current “slime” preoccupation of teenagers (mostly girls)? [closed]
This may not be the right place for this question. If you think it belongs on another forum, please point me there.
My daughter has been into the “slime” craze for the past two years or so (she is ...
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How does emotional stress cause skeletal muscle rigidity?
It is believed that when we are under stress our skeletal muscles tense up. However I am unable to explain why.Emotional stress is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system which has effects only ...
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Why pale when we fear and red when we are angry
I find it hard to explain why we turn pale when we fear but red when we are angry. In both emotions adrenaline is released which if I am not mistaken cause vasoconstriction in vessels going to the ...
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Is a more specific breathing technique better than just slow, deep breathing for calming oneself?
We're told by a Big Think Mind Hack video (carried by some tabloids) that 1:2 inhale:exhale breathing technique is better than just slow, deep breathing for calming yourself. Is there systematic ...
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What causes muscle stiffness contraction and tension during stress
What causes muscle contraction in times of stress? People say it's caused because of fight or flight response is activated, but this not exact. I am looking to find the direct cause, i.e is it a ...
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Physiologically speaking is anxiety and adrenaline the same?
I am wondering from a physiological perspective what is anxiety. From my experience anxiety feels like muscle tension and lots of suppressed energy. For what I know the only thing that can make the ...
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Why does tactile stimulation such as massage sometimes trigger repressed memories or emotions?
I have anecdotal evidence from multiple massage therapists claiming that they have triggered some form of mental / emotional response in a patient, due to physical stimulation (one case citing a ...
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Can subliminal affirmations really use the subconscious mind to naturally reshape your nose? [closed]
My reflexive response to this is no, however, I have noticed two different phenomenon which begs to re-assess.
(Please see and read video description and some comments: https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
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Why does the tempo tend to get faster?
Suppose you're learning to sing or play an instrument, and you'd start playing some piece of music. If you are not experienced enough, the tempo would be unstable, usually getting faster until the end....
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Is there any research which compares the bond between biological siblings vs. non-biological siblings or half-siblings? [closed]
A research like: “of 100 families that we studied we found: biological siblings had stronger/weaker bond vs. half-siblings vs non-biological and 40 years later their relationship was found stronger/...
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Which personality traits are proved to correlate with any facial features?
I pretty certain I have read somewhere about certain personality traits that correlate with certain facial features, but I can't remember just what or where I read. I think the personality traits may ...
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What happens in the brain during mid-life crisis?
I was just told by an elder that midlife crisis occurs during an adult stage and it is a time whereby an adult starts having several thoughts concerning his/her life. After my research, I found out ...
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Is there a relationship between the amount of time spent awake/asleep, and interstitial waste removal in the brain?
With regard to the glymphatic system, is here a relationship between:
The amount of time spent awake and the amount of interstitial waste accumulated in the brain?
The amount of time spent asleep and ...
user13613
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Psychophysiological indicators of relationship/collaboration/alignment
I'm working on a question about whether psychophysiological data--EDA, EEG, pupillometry, HRV/IBI, etc--can indicate within-group (non-romantic!) relationships or collaboration. My own background is ...
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Do we know what is happening inside the brain when a person is hit in the head?
For the purposes of this question, I will use the example of a legally sanctioned athletic contest (i.e., a boxing match), rather than criminal activity or accidents, but the question certainly ...
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Is there a disorder that causes one to feel heat from an inanimate object? [closed]
We just met a woman that feels heat (literally, hot enough for her to say she was burned) from inanimate objects. She says it is mainly the floors and chairs in her home, and she is unable to walk in ...
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Why can some people not cry on demand? [closed]
Why is it, when we need to cry, it sometimes doesn't work?
Is there any psychology explanation for this?
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Physiological mapping of frustration
What physiological changes are seen in the brain when a person is experiencing frustration? What effects do these changes have on learning?
Optional background:
I'm trying to figure out an ...
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Does the heart play a role in the occurrence of emotions?
It is a common belief that the heart is somehow related to emotions. When we are nervous,our heartbeat is effected (increased heart rate) and when we are happy, another pattern in heart function can ...
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What happens inside our body, when we experience betrayal and infidelity?
I guess many of us have experienced it. The moment that you understand that "the person you love, in whom you've trusted, is now with someone else, enjoying every moment with him/her".
It's so ...
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Why is it easier to fall asleep in the dark?
I'm curious if there is any neurological mechanism that explains why falling asleep is easier in the dark.
I recognize that this isn't true universally -- a phobia of darkness might make it easier to ...
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What keeps the cerebrospinal fluid circulating? Is it pumped by something?
What keeps the cerebrospinal fluid circulating? Is it pumped by something?
This picture from wikipedia seems to indicate that it pulsates as though it is pumped:
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Can anxiety cause a heart attack, black-out or insanity?
David Burns in his self-help book about overcoming depression, anxiety and interpersonal problems called The Feeling Good Handbook¹ states:
...neurotic anxiety results from distorted thoughts that ...
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Does taking a deep breath reduce the experience of stress and negative emotions?
Sometimes when I have negative feelings, it seems that a deep breath resets these feelings. Does that really happen? Is there any research on the effect of taking a deep breath on reducing the ...
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Are there recent theories on physiognomy?
What are recent theories on the relation between personality and facial or body shape, and are there studies to support them?
See Wikipedia on physiognomy and somatotypes & constitutional ...
user3116
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The effect of proper food intake on emotions and brain function
Recently I wasn't eating at the proper time and I often skipped meals. I was angry, stressed before taking my meal, and suddenly, I felt good after having my dinner. I have felt the same way many ...
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Is there a psychological basis for getting hiccups? [closed]
Is getting the hiccups sometimes related to our mental condition, i.e., stress level, etc?
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Is it possible to gain strength by imagining working out? [duplicate]
Is it possible to still gain muscle strength by performing exercises but without load? Is there some kind of memory mechanism that would allow this?
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Muscle tone and default heart rate - psychological conclusions? [closed]
I know that muscle tension and heart rate goes up as we get stressed, but what if in normal conditions some have a lower heart rate and muscle tension while others higher?
Does this say something ...
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Can short-term hunger influence anger?
We know that hunger, whether short-lived or prolonged, causes physiological changes in our bodies. These may have psychological effects too as brain functions are slowed down and can have an impact on ...
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Does looking into a mirror relieve eye strain in a similar way to looking at distant objects?
Sometimes when having an eye exam the eye chart is viewed through a mirror to increase the distance between the person and the chart.
When using consoles, it is recommended to look away from the ...
user10932
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Why does being in a natural environment induce some kind of "peace" state while mecha/tech ones induce the opposite?
Usually, natural environments (being out in "nature") tend to induce a happy and peaceful state, while mechanical and technological ones tend to induce stress and sadness.
Why does this happen?
Are ...
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Why do people laugh in serious situations?
I've seen people (including myself) that laugh for no apparent reason in really serious situations, such as in an argument or when receiving bad news. Although the other party is clearly very upset, ...
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