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Neuroscience Behind Online Hostility & Social Behaviour with Dr. Ben Rein

Ben Rein, PhD is a neuroscientist and science communicator. His research focuses on the neurobiology of social interactions, where he has published 19 papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals uncovering information about the neuroscience of empathy, the genetic basis of autism spectrum disorder, and how connections between brain cells regulate social behaviors. Ben’s research has received honors from the NIH, the Society for Neuroscience, and Sigma Xi.

Ben has received honors for his science communication from the National Academies of Science, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for Neuroscience, and Stanford University. He currently serves as the Chief Science Officer of the Mind Science Foundation and has provided scientific advising/consulting for more than 35 companies and foundations. He is also a contributing editor at OpenMind Magazine, and the Founder & President of the Aspiring Scientists Coalition, a virtual organization providing free guidance for students in over 75 countries.


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How does spending too much time online change your brain?

When social media first became mainstream, it was touted as a way to promote social connection and togetherness. Over the years, these sites have become known for prioritizing hostility and negativity over positive interactions. So why do people continue using social media? And how is that use impacting your brain?

I’m excited to welcome Dr. Ben Rein to the show today. Dr. Rein has completed groundbreaking research on the neurobiology of social behavior. His insights have gained him recognition from some of the top institutions around the world and he’s here to help shed some light on why it’s easier for people to behave negatively online.

When someone disagrees with you in person, the odds of them being confrontational are very low. But when you’re online, you miss vital social cues that can make it much easier to be mean—even to your friends. If you want to understand how social media has potentially changed your brain development and what you can do to make the digital world a more empathetic space, this episode is for you.

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"You have control over your attention, that’s why it’s important to harness and guide it in a direction that is productive."

Dr. Ben Rein

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**This week’s show notes are taken from the video — enjoy!**

  • These are three things that are good for your brain. [3:29]
  • Does growing up in a digital era change brain development? The answer might surprise you. [8:45]
  • This is what happens in your brain while consuming social media that leads to more negative behavior. [11:51]
  • Social media impacts the empathy circuitry in your brain. Here’s how. [14:00]
  • This is why social media is so addictive. [17:55]
  • For all the negatives of social media, this aspect is very real—that’s why it’s so difficult to stay away. [19:48]
  • These are some things you can look for to make sure your online interactions aren’t damaging your brain. [21:29]
  • Are there any indications that online behavior can impact diversity of thought? [25:50]
  • Disinformation is a huge problem online. Here’s how you can evaluate online content to find the truth. [29:24]
  • Is there hope that social media can have a positive effect on your cognitive health? This is what Ben thinks might happen. [32:16]
  • This is what Ben is excited about right now. [35:01]
  • Ben hacked his sleep disorder to help him learn. Here’s how. [36:16]
  • Take a screenshot, tag us (@jimkwik & @doctor.brein), and share your favorite takeaway from this episode.
  • If you want to connect with Ben, visit his website, here.

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