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: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com 
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. 

49:  Experiencing the Paranormal: Your Brain is Haunted

HEY YO LISTEN UP! (PSY TRANCE 137)" is engineered to be a pure sensory hyperdrive. The song narrative is a simple, universal command: "Switch off the stress, turn on the bass."

This is a cinematic sonic journey that starts with the multi-lingual streets of India (reflected in the initial lyrical hooks) before the sound system overloads and launches the listener into a chaotic, futuristic party dimension. The core message, "Light-u Pōtta Life-u" (Turn on the light, turn on the life), is the ignition sequence for the track, built to resonate instantly with the global dance floor while retaining a unique local flavor. Every element, from the sharp, sampled South Indian flute runs to the heavy vocal echoes, is designed to build anticipation for the final, overwhelming release.

This isn't just a song; it's a Techno-Cultural statement. The track’s massive 137 BPM Psytrance rhythm is the engine driving the sensory experience. This pulse is visualized in the mind-bending visualizer, where the music literally creates reality: razor-sharp sparks and electric energy erupt from the Infinite Speaker Tunnel, perfectly synchronized with the devastating bass drop. The fusion of the crushing Psytrance distortion with the unique Tamil/English hooks delivers a truly unique hybrid sound, guaranteeing a direct, high-speed neural injection of pure adrenaline and bass that Trance lovers and bass fanatics demand.

Technical & Design Credit
This video project is a demonstration concept created entirely using Advanced AI Engineering.

Visual and Audio Engineering by Suresh Rao Design Studio.

⚠️ VISUAL & AUDIO WARNING ⚠️
This project is engineered for MAXIMUM IMPACT. VIBE RESPONSIBLY. DO NOT SCARE YOUR NEIGHBORS.

Trance, Psytrance, EDM, 137 BPM, Full On, Bass, Neuroscience, Psychedelic, Trippy, Immersion, Hypnotic, Euphoria, Goa, Frequency, Altered, Future, Dimension, Portal, Galactic, Cosmic, Quantum, Futurism, Sensory, Overload, Intense, Pulse, Revolution, NextGen, Simulation, Metaverse, NeuroBass, SouthBlock, Hyperdrive, Fusion, Rave, Club, Beats, Drop, Loud, Music, Hey Yo Listen Up, Suresh Rao Design Studio

PSY Trance 137

Hey yo, listen up! - Mama, Machi, enna achu? Light-u pōṭṭā Life-u āchu! (Suresh Rao Design Studio)

This is an excerpt from a podcast: Sneak peek of the 2025 annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. This is Dr. John Morrison from the University of California Davis and current SfN president. A comment on the impact of the current situation on trainees. 

Short_Take #4 John Morrison SfN president

Soon the annual meeting for the Society for Neuroscience starts where 20,000 attendees will be talking all about their work on the brain. This is a sneak peek of that meeting. It's with Dr. John Morrison from the University of California at Davis and Dr. Emilie Marcus from UCLA, who is also the incoming SfN Chair of the public education and communication committee of the Society for Neuroscience. Helping me ask questions are also Dr. Shari Wiseman, chief editor of Nature Neuroscience, Dr. Elisa Floridiaa from Nature Communications and Tanya Lewis from Scientific American. 

Sneak-peek of the 2025 annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience

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: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com 
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. 

50: Can VR games cure your brain?

As medical advancements continue to shape the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disability and illness, technology is often presented as a path to autonomy. Rebecca Monteleone shows how such technologies contribute to a cruel double bind, forcing disabled people to be accountable for adapting to a world built by and for nondisabled people while dismissing their lived experiences in favor of medical expertise. In the new book The Double Bind of Disability, Monteleone explores anecdotes about prenatal genetic screening, deep brain stimulation, and do-it-yourself artificial pancreas systems, exposing new relationships among disability, authority, knowledge, and responsibility. Monteleone is joined here in conversation with Ashley Shew. 


Rebecca Monteleone is associate professor of disability and technology at the University of Toledo and author of The Double Bind of Disability: How Medical Technology Shapes Bodily Authority.

Ashley Shew is a professor of science, technology, and society at Virginia Tech and author of Against Technoableism: Rethinking Who Needs Improvement.


EPISODE REFERENCES:
-Ally Day
-“Transmobility: Possibilities in Cyborg (Cripborg) Bodies,” Mallory Kay Nelson, Ashley Shew, and Bethany Stevens / Catalyst: Feminism, Theory, Technoscience 
-Jackie Leach Scully
-Dana Lewis
-Biomedicalization: Technoscience, Health, and Illness in the U.S. / Adele E. Clarke, Laura Mamo, Jennifer Ruth Fosket, Jennifer R. Fishman, Janet K. Shim, editors


Praise for the book:
"A generous, timely, and essential contribution to understanding the current politics that shape medical technology and disability in the context of neoliberal ableism. A book that I will be thinking-making-feeling with for many years to come!"
—Laura Forlano, Northeastern University
 


The Double Bind of Disability: How Medical Technology Shapes Bodily Authority by Rebecca Monteleone is available from University of Minnesota Press. Thank you for listening.

Medical technology and bodily authority

BUFFALO, NY — November 25, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17, Issue 10 of Aging-US on October 13, 2025, titled “Hospitalization with infections and risk of Dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.”

This large-scale meta-analysis, led by first author Wei Yu Chua from the National University of Singapore and corresponding author Eng-King Tan from the National Neuroscience Institute and Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, shows that adults hospitalized with infections have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. The findings are especially important as global populations grow older and hospitalizations for infections increase, highlighting a potential new approach for dementia prevention.

“Out of 1900 studies that were screened initially, 16 studies comprising 4,266,276 patients were included for analysis.” 

The researchers analyzed data from over 4 million individuals across 16 studies, making this study the most comprehensive review to date on the association between infection-related hospital stays and long-term brain health. The results showed that being hospitalized for an infection raised the risk of all-cause dementia by 83%. Among the types of infections studied, sepsis carried the highest risk, followed by pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin or soft tissue infections. The risk of developing vascular dementia was notably higher than that of Alzheimer’s disease.

One possible explanation for the association between infections and dementia is that infections trigger systemic inflammation that may reach the brain. Inflammatory molecules can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially leading to the buildup of damaging proteins and the death of brain cells. This process may be more severe in older adults, whose immune systems are often slower to respond and recover. The study also suggests that even a single infection-related hospitalization can speed up cognitive decline, especially in individuals already at higher risk.

Importantly, the risk of dementia was greatest within the first year following an infection but remained elevated for many years afterward. In fact, studies with follow-ups longer than a decade showed even stronger associations. These results suggest the need for early cognitive monitoring after hospital discharge, particularly in older adults recovering from infections.

These findings have important implications for healthcare systems, particularly those serving aging populations, and underscore the lasting impact that infections can have on the brain. This research highlights the importance of looking beyond genetics and lifestyle for prevention strategies. With over 50 million people affected by dementia worldwide and annual care costs in the U.S. exceeding $300 billion, identifying new and preventable risk factors is critical. Reducing infections, improving hospital care, and monitoring brain health after illness may offer promising ways to protect cognitive function in aging populations.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206329

Corresponding author - Eng-King Tan - tan.eng.king@singhealth.com.sg

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyv5VHHHIA4

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Aging-US

Hospital Infections Associated with Higher Risk of Dementia

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: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com 
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. 

51: Football and repeated head impacts : How dangerous is it really?

BUFFALO, NY — December 8, 2025 — A new #research paper was #published in Volume 17, Issue 11 of Aging-US on September 12, 2025, titled “Infusion of blood from young and old mice modulates amyloid pathology.”

This study was led by co-first authors Matias Pizarro from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and Ruben Gomez-Gutierrez from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, alongside corresponding authors Claudia Duran-Aniotz from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and Rodrigo Morales from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins. The goal was to investigate how blood from young and old mice influences Alzheimer’s-related changes in a transgenic mouse model. The findings indicate that age-dependent circulating factors can either worsen or mitigate brain changes associated with dementia, highlighting blood and its components as potential therapeutic targets.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by misfolded amyloid proteins, inflammation, and gradual cognitive decline, with aging as its main risk factor. In this work, whole blood from young adult or very old wild-type mice was repeatedly infused into Tg2576 mice, a well-established model of amyloid accumulation and memory impairment. Over several months, recipient mice received 30 weekly blood infusions, followed by behavioral testing and detailed neuropathological analyses.

“Tg2576 mice express the human APP harboring the Swedish mutation.”

Mice that received blood from old donors performed worse in both short- and long-term spatial memory tasks than mice infused with young blood, suggesting that aged blood contains factors that impair cognition. When the team examined brain tissue, they found more cortical amyloid deposits detected by a specific antibody in mice treated with old blood, while overall amyloid levels measured biochemically did not change, suggesting differences in plaque type or compactness rather than total amount. The expression of amyloid precursor protein in the brain was also higher after old-blood infusion, which may partly explain the shift in amyloid pathology.​

Despite these changes in plaques and memory, classical markers of astrocyte activation, a sign of brain inflammation, did not differ between groups, pointing to more subtle molecular shifts. A broad proteomic analysis of brain samples revealed dysregulation of proteins involved in synapse formation, calcium signaling, and the endocannabinoid system, pathways important for neuronal communication and plasticity. Among them, the calcium channel–related protein CACNA2D2 and the signaling protein BRAF were increased in mice that received old blood, confirming that aged blood circulation can reshape key signaling networks linked to neuronal function and degeneration.

Overall, this study supports the idea that blood is not just a passive carrier but a powerful modulator of brain health during aging and disease. While young blood has been associated in previous work with improved synaptic function and reduced amyloid and tau changes, this study emphasizes the harmful impact of old blood, particularly on cortical amyloid patterns and memory. The identification of CACNA2D2 and BRAF as potential mediators of these effects suggests new avenues for targeting blood-borne factors or downstream brain pathways to slow or modify Alzheimer’s-related decline.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206319

Corresponding authors - Claudia Duran-Aniotz - Claudia.Duran@uai.cl, and Rodrigo Morales - Rodrigo.MoralesLoyola@uth.tmc.edu

Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsBDSAipH3w

To learn more about the journal, visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​.

MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Young and Old Mice Blood Differently Shapes Alzheimer’s-Related Brain Changes

What happens when the boundaries of the mind begin to dissolve?

In this episode, Dennis Nappi II explores the emerging future of a world where thoughts, emotions, and intentions may no longer remain private. Drawing from CIA telepathy experiments, the paradoxes of remote viewing, and the rise of modern neural technologies, this MindSpace session examines both the dazzling potential and the unsettling dangers of a shared human consciousness.

Is radical transparency the doorway to empathy and connection—
or the end of individuality?

Through the lens of The Hive trilogy, Dennis reflects on how humanity might navigate a future where consciousness opens, not by force, but by evolution, resonance, and the technologies we’ve already begun to invite into our lives.

A world without secrets can liberate us… or control us.
How we choose to engage will determine which one it becomes.

Read Hive 3: Origins - Revelations of Reality 
https://a.co/d/dZ3rAzE

New to the Series? Start with Duology (Books 1 & 2 Combined)
https://a.co/d/bCQbMDe

Enter the Mindspace Ep 5 - The Death of Privacy - When Consciousness Opens

Get your critical thinking caps on! ‘Think Twice’ discusses controversial topics in the field of neuroscience with the goal of bringing more nuance and rigor to mainstream media. We’ll take you past the headlines by breaking down relevant neuroscience topics, interviewing experts in the field and overcoming misinformation/disinformation with evidence-based content. This podcast is run by a small group of graduate students at the Centre for Neuroscience Studies at Queen’s University. We hope to bring down barriers to the dissemination of scientific information, give early-career neuroscientists a voice, and foster a culture of entertaining and accessible science communication.

SRDS India | Suresh Rao Design Studio | Chennai
AI-Powered Audio Alchemists & Sonic Architects

Welcome to our laboratory of sound. We are a forward-thinking creative studio where advanced AI meets human creativity to design the future of audio. We specialize in generating unique, emotive, and powerful soundscapes that defy traditional composition.

Our Sound: A fusion of hypnotic electronic music, deep ambient textures, cinematic scores, and experimental generative AI compositions. We craft everything from driving techno and ethereal downtempo to immersive audio branding and custom scores for film, advertising, and digital experiences.

Our Mission: To push the boundaries of sonic possibility. We provide forward-thinking brands, filmmakers, and game developers with a library of original, licensable AI-music that is both authentic and cutting-edge. This profile is a living archive of our experiments—a space where algorithms dream in rhythm and melody.

Listen. Feel. Imagine. License.

Need a unique sound for your project? Contact us for custom AI-powered audio design.

Keywords: AI Music, AI Generated, Electronic, Ambient, Techno, Downtempo, Cinematic, Soundscape, Generative Music, Experimental, Sound Design, Audio Branding, Film Scoring, Advertising Music, Royalty-Free AI Music, Licensable Tracks, Synthetic Intelligence Art, Futuristic Sounds, Suresh Rao Design Studio, SRDS, Suresh Rao Chennai.

Let your intuition be your guide each week as host Dennis Nappi II explores this reality from an open-minded spiritual journeyman’s perspective. Searching for answers through the lens of remote viewing, psychic exploration, and intuitive sensing, the podcast explores the ET/UFO disclosure, Psychic Phenomenon, AI and it’s impact on human consciousness, and many other para-normal and super-natural-related subjects.

Aging-US is dedicated to advancing our understanding of the biological mechanisms that drive aging and the development of age-related diseases. Our mission is to serve as a platform for high-quality research that uncovers the cellular, molecular, and systemic processes underlying aging, and translates these insights into strategies to extend healthspan and delay the onset of chronic disease.

Read about the Aging (Aging-US) Scientific Integrity Process: https://aging-us.com/scientific-integrity

New tracks tagged #neuroscience