BRAIN WAVES
Exes and nos. After a breakup, love fades, but maybe not as fast as you'd think. A new study found that emotional attachment to an ex can linger for years. Researchers surveyed more than 300 people who had been in long-term relationships (lasting at least two years) to assess how much they still felt connected to their exes. They discovered that while most people’s feelings do eventually fade, it happens slowly, especially for people who didn’t initiate the breakup or were still in touch with their ex. “The attachment bond that people have with their former partners often can linger for several years before it noticeably weakens,” researchers said. Finding a new partner didn’t necessarily speed up the process, either. Emotional bonds aren’t so easily cut, it seems — at least not for all of us. As the researchers put it, “Even if the typical person does eventually ‘get over’ their former partner, for some people, remnants of those bonds continue and never fully fade away.”
High tech. Smartphone use often gets a bad rap, but there might be a plus side to our digital habits. A recently published meta-analysis found that older adults who regularly use digital technology have a significantly lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Researchers reviewed 136 studies involving over 411,000 participants aged 50 and above, analyzing the impact of digital engagement—like internet use, use of smartphones, and other technologies—on cognitive health. The findings revealed that digital users had a 58% lower risk of cognitive impairment and experienced slower cognitive decline over time. And the benefits persisted after accounting for factors like education, socioeconomic status, and overall health. “One of the first things that middle-age and older adults were saying is that ‘I’m so frustrated by this computer. This is hard to learn,’” said co-author Michael Scullin. “That's actually a reflection of the cognitive challenge, which may be beneficial for the brain even if it doesn’t feel great in the moment.”
The power of love. There’s no magic potion that can make someone adore you. But there are things you can do to promote a deep and enduring connection — and even feelings of passion — between yourself and your partner. Listen to learn more.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Amy Connor’s Story: When Amy Connor went into pre-term labor with twins, one of her sons needed an emergency blood transfusion. The hospital didn't have any blood that matched the baby's blood type — until an unsung hero stepped up to help.
Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a downward spiral? Where one hardship seemed to lead to a series of setbacks that set the course of your life in the wrong direction? If you have a story you’d be willing to share with the Hidden Brain audience, we’d love to hear it. Just record a 2–3 minute voice memo on your phone and email it to us at ideas@hiddenbrain.org with the subject line “Spirals.”
REVISIONIST HISTORY FACES OFF
Since you love Hidden Brain, we wanted to let you know about another podcast that’s back for another season. Revisionist History’s Malcolm Gladwell struggles with recognizing faces (a condition known as prosopagnosia), while his producer Lucie is a board-certified super recognizer. How is this so effortless for some and seemingly impossible for others? What’s really going on in our brains when we see someone we know? Listen to Revisionist History to find out.
MIND GAMES
What is a liquid at room temperature in its original state but solidifies when heated?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
What common English verb becomes its own past tense by rearranging its letters?
The answer: ATE
A MOMENT OF JOY
Have an idea for Hidden Brain? A story you want to share with us? Send an email to ideas@hiddenbrain.org. Listen to us on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or your favorite podcast platform.