This week at SOSL I taught on brain science. I used a number of books, videos and research articles in generating the teaching and some of the students asked for links to the videos and books. Figuring this may be of interest to a wider audience, I've posted those resources here!
Books
There are a ton of books about the brain, here are the ones I referenced this week (links are to iBookstore).
Videos
I showed clips from several of the videos below.
The brain uses a quarter of the body's entire energy supply, yet only accounts for about two percent of the body's mass. So how does this unique organ receive and, perhaps more importantly, rid itself of vital nutrients? New research suggests it has to do with sleep. Link to YouTube.
Stress isn't always a bad thing; it can be handy for a burst of extra energy and focus, like when you're playing a competitive sport or have to speak in public. But when it's continuous, it actually begins to change your brain. (Great intro to epigenetics.) Link to YouTube.
Video that demonstrates the son's basil ganglia works just fine. Link to YouTube.
Buddy (Will Ferrell) insults the diminutive Miles (Peter Dinklage) when he calls him an elf. Over and over again. Thus demonstrating poor prefrontal cortex function. Link to YouTube.
Your brain on social media. Link to YouTube.
Ever wonder how your brain processes information? These brain tricks and illusions help to demonstrate the two main systems of Fast and Slow Thinking in your brain. Link to YouTube.
Video on perception and visual processing. Link to YouTube.
We don't know much about the human brain on music. Do people instinctively know the sound patterns of the pentatonic scale? Is there a base level of musical knowledge in all of us, just waiting to be tapped? Link to YouTube.
What happened to her emotions when she went through this? What happens to your emotions when you watch this? Your temporal lobes are doing their job! Link to YouTube.
Barbara Arrowsmith-Young is the author of the international best-selling book The Woman Who Changed Her Brain. Link to YouTube.
Here's a good summary of some of the SPECT brain scanning. I didn't get to show this video, but it's a good overview nevertheless. Link to YouTube.
Update (11/7/17): Not mentioned in my teaching, but interesting never the less, is this video about making your brain happy.