That Brain of Yours: The Glitch and the Function

Why do names disappear from your brain seconds after you hear them?It’s not bad memory—it’s bad attention.In this episode, we break down the real neuroscience behind why you forget names instantly. While someone is introducing themselves, your brain is busy managing first impressions, planning responses, and scanning for social threats. The result? The name never even makes it into memory.You’ll learn why faces are remembered automatically but names aren’t, why your brain needs about eight seconds of focused attention to store new information, and simple, practical tricks that actually make names stick.If you’ve ever felt embarrassed asking someone for their name again, this episode will change how you think about memory—and how you use it.

Ever tried to tickle yourself and failed miserably? It’s not your technique, it’s your brain. Explore the surprising science behind why you can't tickle yourself. It turns out your brain is actually sabotaging you! We dive into how the cerebellum predicts exactly what's coming. When you try to tickle yourself, the cerebellum sends a signal that cancels out the sensation before you even feel it, eliminating the crucial surprise element required for tickling. Learn why this system is so vital: this prediction mechanism is crucial for survival, helping your brain instantly distinguish between your own touch and someone else's, keeping you focused on unexpected touch from the outside world.