It happens to me all the time. Just the other day, I was sitting in the library, trying to focus on an assignment, when suddenly Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” popped into my head. I had watched her Coachella performance earlier that day, and before I knew it, that catchy chorus was playing on repeat in…
How Smell Triggers Memory
The other day as I was walking through the city, trying to find a quiet place to study, I stopped in front of a bakery when the buttery, warm, and slightly sweet aroma filled my nose. Suddenly, I was transported back in time: I was seven years old, standing in my grandmother’s kitchen, watching her…
Art Therapy in Stroke Recovery
Survivors of traumatic injury are some of, if not, the bravest and most impressive people on the planet. The mental willpower required to continue fighting mixed with the mental agony of remembering how you were once able to function can only be an excruciating experience. I am introducing my writing in this manner because I…
Surrealism and Dream Expression
People make dreams—fascinating, dull, scary, and many different types that you could think of. In the past, different cultures have use dreams for its religious and cultural purposes, for example, predicting the future. Dreams are believed to have important meanings in human cognition. Some people may believe that dreams reflect what the world is happening…
The Dress is White and Gold!
I have never been able to see the blue and black dress either. Every few months or so, when that same picture of the dress resurfaces, I have to squint and strain my eyes, scanning each pixel for the infamous blue and black stripes. However, it’s the same old white and gold dress, engrained in…
From Cortisol to Choreography
We encounter stress every day. Tomorrow’s test; moving to a new home; getting into a fight with Mom. For me, reading a book or journaling is how I have always dealt with stress. Destressing was a peaceful sedentary activity. But for my sister – she would dance. My sister has amazed me with her creativity…
Neuroplasticity and Art: How Creativity Shapes the Brain
I personally experienced Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and was concerned about the dependency on ADHD medication at first. Therefore I researched about potential approaches that can help reduce my dependency on the medication. I read that neuroplasticity-based cognitive interventions could help reduce ADHD medication dependency over time. Cognitive training can help improve brain functions…
Dreams and Nightmares
No, I will not be covering that one Meek Mill song like the title might suggest. Even though I’m someone who does not remember my dreams very often, when I do dream it’s often something so real I can’t tell if it actually happened, or a nightmare that also seems real enough to be a…
I Don’t Know, I Kind of Like This Song
Attending your first concert is for sure a very memorable event for anyone. Think back to your first concert and remember all the lights, the noises, the feeling of standing behind a person too tall, you can barely see the stage, and of course, the music being performed. The reactions you had to every song…
The Impact of Romantic Era Classical Music
Current romantic composers have been trending recently on social media platforms. Whether it’s Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, Rachmaninoff’s 2nd Piano Concerto, or Chopin’s Ballade No. 1, there has always been a notable climax, the sweet peak spot of the entire piece that always grabs the attention of many viewers. Figure 1: On TikTok, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No….