Neuroscience

Purple isn’t just a color in Thailand’s parks, temples, and markets. It appears in lotus blooms, in fruit stalls stacked with mangosteens, and in the ceremonial robes of monks. Yet cutting-edge neuroscience and art history are prompting a rethink: is purple really a property of the world, or a construct of human perception? New findings suggest purple may be less tangible than we assume, challenging how Thai readers understand color, art, and daily life.

Purple blooms in Thailand’s parks and markets—from the delicate dok bua (lotus flowers) that decorate temple altars to vibrant mangosteens stacked in fruit stalls. Yet behind its abundant physical presence, cutting-edge neuroscience research is challenging what we think we know about purple itself. Is it possible that the color so cherished in art, fashion, and Buddhist symbolism is really an invention of the human brain? Recent findings, highlighted by neuroscientists and art historians, reveal that purple may be less concrete in nature than it appears, calling into question not only the color’s existence, but the very essence of how Thai people (and all humans) experience the world of color.

Scientists have uncovered a surprisingly simple mechanism in the human brain that may act as a natural “dial” to help us tell the difference between what we imagine and what we perceive as real. The new study, published in Neuron on June 5, shines a light on fundamental brain processes that distinguish fact from fiction—a discovery with profound implications for understanding mental health conditions like schizophrenia, where this boundary can blur dangerously (Live Science).

A recent study reveals a surprisingly simple brain mechanism that may act like a dial to separate imagination from reality. Published in Neuron, the research highlights how the brain differentiates what we imagine from what we actually perceive—a finding with meaningful implications for mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, where this boundary can blur.

Whether daydreaming on a busy Bangkok bus or concentrating on a work presentation, we constantly process both real-world input and inner images. For Thai audiences, this research speaks to a familiar question: how does the brain prevent confusion between the sound of a bustling street and imagined memories of celebrations? The answer appears to lie in the strength of signals in the fusiform gyrus, a region essential for recognizing faces and objects.

A surge of neuroscience is reshaping our understanding of color, especially purple. While purple appears everywhere—from lavender fields to royal fabrics—new findings show it isn’t a true spectral color like red, blue, or green. Instead, purple emerges in the brain, created by how our visual system combines different wavelengths. For Thai readers, this shift offers a fresh lens on everyday visuals, design, and tradition.

Why does purple matter? Color perception touches daily life—from clothing choices and emotional communication to how we interpret history and ritual. The visible spectrum is a tiny sliver of all light—about 0.0035 percent. Our eyes rely on three kinds of color-sensitive cones, roughly corresponding to red, green, and blue. Research from neuroscience groups highlights that much of what we experience as color is constructed inside the brain, not directly written in light. In other words, purple is a brain-made experience rather than a single wavelength in nature.

A new wave of scientific research is challenging what we know about colors—and especially the enigmatic hue known as purple. Despite the prevalence of purple in everything from lavender fields to royal silks, emerging neuroscience now reveals that, on a fundamental level, purple does not exist in the electromagnetic spectrum the way that blue, green, or red do. Instead, purple is a remarkable creation of our brains, blending different wavelengths to produce a sensory experience unique to each observer. As scientists peel back the mysteries of color perception, Thai readers are invited to see their world, and their culture, through a profound new lens.

A major international study involving almost 20,000 participants shows that persistent negative thinking may be connected to real changes in brain structure and function. Researchers led by a US brain-health institute analyzed brain scans and cognitive data from individuals with anxiety disorders. They found clear links between a habitual negativity bias and abnormal activity in several brain regions responsible for decision-making, memory, and emotional regulation. For Thai readers, these findings offer a scientifically grounded perspective on mental health and highlight practical, evidence-based approaches to improve well-being.

Is forgetting where you’ve placed your keys or struggling to remember names just a harmless part of daily life, or does it mean something more serious? As Thailand’s population ages, questions about memory and cognitive health are growing in urgency for many households. Recent research by leading neuroscientists, highlighted in a broadcast and a new book by a noted neurologist from the University of California, Davis, sheds light on the boundaries between normal forgetfulness and worrying signs that warrant closer attention—offering guidance relevant to millions of Thai families and caregivers.

A ground-breaking study involving nearly 20,000 individuals has revealed that persistent negative thoughts aren’t just distressing—they may also be physically altering the very structure and functioning of your brain. In research led by a team at Amen Clinics, a prominent US-based brain health diagnostics institution, scientists used brain scans and cognitive data from individuals diagnosed with anxiety disorders, discovering clear links between what is called the “negativity bias” and abnormal patterns in several critical brain regions. For Thai readers, this may shed new light on mental health struggles and introduces opportunities for science-backed practices to improve national wellbeing.

As Thailand’s population ages, households are increasingly confronted with questions about memory and cognitive health. Recent guidance from leading neuroscientists, highlighted by a prominent neurologist’s broadcast and forthcoming book, helps distinguish normal forgetfulness from signs that warrant medical attention. The insights aim to support millions of Thai families and caregivers navigating memory changes.

Forgetting everyday details—like where you placed keys or names of acquaintances—happens to many people. The brain does not store every fact perfectly, and memory naturally fluctuates with age. Memory is an active, reconstructive process, and occasional lapses often reflect a busy life and information overload rather than illness. In Bangkok’s fast-paced environment, such “senior moments” can be common for healthy adults and older adults alike.

Have you ever found yourself slumped on the sofa at the end of a mentally exhausting day, convinced your brain must be running on empty? New research suggests that feeling mentally drained may have surprisingly little to do with how much energy your brain actually uses — and may be rooted in stress rather than any hard limit of cerebral power.

According to a comprehensive new analysis led by neuroscientists at Monash University, the human brain consumes almost the same amount of energy whether you’re intensely engaged in mental problem-solving or simply daydreaming. “The metabolic increase is about 5% when comparing resting and active states,” the researchers concluded, challenging a widely held assumption that tough cognitive work significantly depletes our fuel reserves. The study, published in June 2025 and widely discussed in the global science press, upends popular beliefs about what causes mental fatigue and carries profound implications for how Thais approach work, study, and daily life (zmescience.com).

A new analysis from Monash University suggests that intense thinking may only modestly raise the brain’s energy use—about 5%—rather than draining a vast reserve. For many, fatigue after study or work feels dramatic, but researchers say stress and emotional strain play a larger role than a hard limit on brain power.

The study, which reviews decades of brain-imaging data, found that resting and active mental states share similar energy demands. When solving a logic puzzle or memorizing vocabulary, energy rises only in targeted brain regions, while other areas quiet down to keep overall balance. In short, the brain’s energy budget remains largely stable during heavy cognitive tasks. Data from researchers in the field indicate that the notion of widespread, wholesale “fuel depletion” is unlikely.

A growing body of research reveals why some people struggle to concentrate or converse in noisy settings—an issue many Thais know from Bangkok’s busy streets, crowded markets, and lively family gatherings. The findings point to a brain-based reason: the insular cortex, or insula, a region that links emotion and perception, may be wired differently in those who are highly sensitive to background sound.

Researchers studying resting-state brain activity found that people who find conversations hard to follow in noise show stronger connections between the left insula and auditory regions. These patterns persist even when the person is not actively listening, suggesting a lasting difference in baseline brain connectivity. Such insights shift the view from personal fault to natural variation in brain organization.

A seemingly simple act—tapping your finger at a specific rhythm—has been found to significantly boost brainpower and improve hearing, according to groundbreaking new research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B. The study, led by a team from Aix-Marseille University, demonstrates that rhythmic finger tapping, particularly at a moderate pace, primes the brain to better comprehend speech amid background noise. This discovery points to a previously unknown human ability that may have important implications for how we navigate noisy environments, learn languages, and even support those with hearing challenges.

A simple tap of the finger at a steady rhythm could boost brain performance and improve hearing in noisy settings, new research suggests. Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the study from a team at Aix-Marseille University shows that moderate-rate finger tapping primes the brain to better understand speech amid background noise. The finding hints at a human ability that could help Thai readers navigate crowded spaces, learn languages, and support those with hearing challenges.

A new wave of research has illuminated why certain individuals find it nearly impossible to concentrate or communicate in noisy environments—a challenge familiar to many Thais contending with Bangkok’s bustling streets or the energetic chaos of family gatherings. Recent findings reveal that this heightened sensitivity to background noise may be hardwired in the brain, specifically rooted in the structure and connectivity of the insular cortex, or “insula,” an area crucial for integrating emotional and sensory information.

Scientists have uncovered that the brain’s dopamine system doesn’t simply predict if a reward is coming, but also precisely when to expect it—offering fresh insights into motivation, addiction, and even artificial intelligence. This new study, led by researchers at the University of Geneva and published on June 9, 2025, fundamentally changes our understanding of how the brain’s reward circuitry times and values pleasurable experiences, opening new avenues for practical applications in health and education (ScienceDaily).

Moments of mind blanking happen at the most inconvenient times—during exams, important meetings, or casual chats. A growing body of research treats these lapses not as personal failings but as common, brain-wide events that reveal how our minds recharge. For Thai readers, understanding this phenomenon can guide daily stress management, productivity, and mental health awareness in education and work settings.

Researchers now view mind blanking as a normal aspect of cognition, not a rare quirk. A major review indicates people spend roughly 5% to 20% of waking hours with no conscious thoughts. This challenges the notion that blank moments are simply a failure of attention and shows they are a widespread feature of human experience that affects students, professionals, and older adults alike. In Thai classrooms and offices, recognizing this as a natural part of brain function can reduce stigma around forgetting or pausing mid-speech.

A new study reveals that the brain’s dopamine system does more than signal rewards. It also predicts the exact timing of when pleasure will occur. This insight could transform approaches to motivation, addiction treatment, and even artificial intelligence. Led by researchers from the University of Geneva and published in mid-2025, the work shows the brain’s reward circuitry times pleasurable experiences with remarkable precision, offering practical implications for health and learning in Thailand.

It hits at the most inconvenient moments: during a stressful exam, a high-stakes meeting, or even a casual conversation when you simply cannot recall what you were just about to say. This sudden “mind blanking” is more than a common annoyance—recent research reveals it is a complex and surprisingly frequent mental event that holds important lessons about how our brains function and recharge. For Thai readers, understanding this phenomenon can help manage daily stress, enhance productivity, and inform approaches to mental health and education.

A new study highlights a surprising benefit of intermittent fasting: it can heighten sexual motivation in aging male mice by altering brain chemicals that regulate desire. The research, published in Cell Metabolism, suggests dietary patterns could influence aging and sexual health, a topic of growing interest for Thai communities seeking healthier aging. Data from international researchers is now being considered in Thailand as well.

Many Thai adults, like people worldwide, are experimenting with intermittent fasting (IF) for weight control and metabolic health. This study adds a new dimension by showing a potential link between diet and sexual vitality in the elderly, a concern as Thailand transitions to an aging society. The research team, including scientists from a German institute and a Chinese university, examined not only physical health but also behavior and neurochemistry related to male reproduction.

A recent breakthrough study, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, has identified an unexpected benefit of intermittent fasting: it can revitalize sexual behavior in aging male mice by reshaping the very chemicals in their brains that govern libido. With significant implications for how dietary patterns may influence aging and sexual health, the findings have sparked interest among aging populations worldwide, including Thai communities seeking ways to preserve well-being into later life (PsyPost).

A new study advances our understanding of how the brain tells apart what we imagine from what we actually see. The research, conducted by a team at University College London and published in Neuron, identifies the fusiform gyrus as a key player in this reality-imagination divide. The findings carry relevance for mental health, technologies, and our broader grasp of perception.

Thai readers have long grappled with distinguishing fact from fiction, from traditional notions of illusion to modern concerns about digital misrepresentation. This study translates those ancient questions into measurable biology, showing how certain brain processes can blur the line between real experiences and vivid internal imagery. For Thailand’s growing population affected by conditions such as schizophrenia, the work offers new avenues for diagnosis, understanding, and potential intervention.

In a pioneering new study, neuroscientists have traced the precise brain mechanisms that empower us to tell the difference between what we imagine and what we actually see—an ability fundamental to understanding our own experience and, when disrupted, central to psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia. The research, published this month in Neuron by a team at University College London (UCL), pinpoints the fusiform gyrus—a visual processing region of the brain—as a critical player in this reality-imagination divide, offering profound implications for mental health, technology, and our understanding of human perception (Neuroscience News).