If you tried diet and exercise and you still gain pounds, ask yourself whether you are sleeping enough. Swedish researchers studied the effect of sleep deprivation on the brain and found that one area responsible for our reaction to food becameĀ more active after a sleepless night: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118111740.htm

Recently it happened again: in the middle of a lecture about the history of psychology, I used a German expression. I didn’t even notice it at first, only the puzzled look of my students told me that something was wrong.

As I’m even thinking now more and more in English, it surprises me that occasionally German words would unconsiously sneak in when I’m speaking English. A group of Dutch psychologists now found an explanation:

Bilinguals Are Unable To ‘Turn Off’ A Language Completely, Study Shows
ScienceDaily (2009-08-19) — With a vast majority of the world speaking more than one language, it is no wonder that psychologists are interested in its effect on cognitive functioning. For instance, how does the human brain switch between languages? Are we able to seamlessly activate one language and disregard knowledge of other languages completely? … > read full article

Overweight people just enjoy food more than people of normal weight and thatā€™s the reason why they eat more and gain weight!

You think so? Think again!

Scientists at the Oregon Research Institute compared the brain responses of skinny and overweight people while drinking a milkshake. It turned out that a brain region called dorsal striatum, which the scientists describe as ā€œa dopamine-rich pleasure centerā€ became active. However, that brain region was less active in overweight people than in lean people.

Previous brain scans have already shown that overweight people have fewer dopamine receptors that normal weight people. This difference seems to be caused by genetics.

One of the senior scientists at the Oregon Research Institute concludes, based on the study results, that opposed to common belief obese people get in fact LESS satisfaction from food and to compensate for that they eat more.

More: Oregon Research Institute