Brain tricks: crying, blinking, remembering and altruism

According to research conducted by Swiss-German scientists, the areas of our brain responsible for reward processing are activated when we make choices that bring happiness to ourselves and others. This activation leads to feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Our decision-making process involves considering not only our own desires but also the desires of others. This allows us to compare different options and choose the best one, suggesting that our choices are not solely driven by self-interest.

Crying uncontrollably is a unique human trait that can help us connect with others. While many animals have a reflex tear reaction, only humans experience psychoemotional tears. Furthermore, we are more likely to offer help when we see others’ tears, as they are an invitation to help. On the other hand, blinking not only keeps our eyes lubricated but also plays a vital role in visual information processing. When we blink, the rapid movement of the eyelid changes the light pattern, which effectively stimulates the retina. It creates a different visual signal to the brain than when our eyes are open and focused on a specific point.

Have you ever wondered why we often forget about less critical, mundane matters, such as whether we have locked the front door? According to American scientists, we tend to remember certain aspects of an experience, such as the big picture or overall context, rather than more minor details. “Our brains cannot remember everything we experience, so we must selectively forget unimportant information,” explain the researchers.