Mastering the Mind: Understanding your Amazing Brain

Flipping through the paper. Reading a headline. Catching the scent of coffee as it brews. Tuning into the faint ticking of a clock nearby. Each moment of our human experience is made possible by the body’s most complex and powerful organ: the brain. The brain sends and receives information through 86 billion neurons – tiny cells that carry messages all over our body in complex circuits – allowing us to move, breathe, think, feel and everything else in between. It is the source of all the qualities that make us human.

“Someone you know probably has OCD. And if you really, truly doubt you know someone with OCD, come to the Amazing Brain Science Talks, chat me up, and you’ll know one more.” – Katie Jensen

We use our brain every second of every day, yet how often do we pause to think about how it works, or what it needs to stay healthy? How much do we really know about the organ that drives everything we do?

On Saturday, October 19, the Amazing Brain Science Talks will provide an opportunity to learn about the mysteries of the brain, guided by world-class researchers and advocates sharing their personal experiences with brain health. Presented by McGill University’s Healthy Brains, Healthy Lives (HBHL) and Brain Canada at the PHI Centre in Montreal, the second annual Amazing Brain Science Talks event offers a chance to dive into many aspects of brain function—like mental health, language, memory, aging and the effects of cannabis—allowing us to better appreciate the organ that shapes the human experience.

“Everyone has a brain, but not everyone knows how it works,” says Katie Jensen, who will share her experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) at this year’s Talks. “Even the experts are still working it out. Many of us will stop learning about the science of the human body after we graduate high school. Do your brain a favour and download some software updates by attending the Talks!” Last year’s very popular interactive Q&A sessions will also be back on the agenda, giving attendees a rare opportunity to ask the experts their most burning questions.

While the Amazing Brain Science Talks will also feature an impressive line-up of researchers from McGill and Western University, this event is tailored towards people of all ages and circumstances. “This event aims to make neuroscience accessible to everyone, regardless of their background in science,” explains HBHL CEO and Managing Director Krystle van Hoof. “Our goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the public, empowering people with knowledge that can help them improve their brain health and overall well-being.”

Scholars and advocates will take the stage to unravel some of the brain’s most intriguing aspects. How does memory evolve as we age? Can it improve, and if so, how? Why do humans have language, while other mammals don’t? From the effects of cannabis and vaping on the developing brains of children and teens to the role of eye contact in conversation, these experts will offer insights into the innerworkings of the human brain.

Katie Jensen, who is also the host and editor of Playing with Marbles, Brain Canada’s English-language podcast, will provide a genuine account of life with OCD. She believes that authentic and raw conversations about mental health benefit everyone: “Someone you know probably has OCD. And if you really, truly doubt you know someone with OCD, come to the Amazing Brain Science Talks, chat me up, and you’ll know one more.”

After the talks, attendees can expect a meet-and-greet and reception with art exhibitions and scientific posters by McGill students. It’s an exciting opportunity to learn from academics at the top of their fields and from the next generation of neuroscientists.

“Events that highlight our amazing brains are essential. We are thrilled to partner with HBHL again this year to celebrate the infinite complexity of the mind and some of the latest advances in neuroscience, as well as to provide a platform for people with lived experience of a brain condition,” says Dr. Viviane Poupon, President and CEO of Brain Canada, one of the country’s leading funders of brain research. “Together we are fostering awareness of cognitive health and the mysteries of memory, neuroplasticity and consciousness.”

Registration for this free event is now open and will likely fill up quickly. Anyone interested in science, brain health or mental health advocacy is encouraged to reserve their seat. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/amazing-brain-science-talks-2024-registration-1004699040877