Yixuan (Crystal) Liang

In recent years, the field of nutritional psychiatry has gained significant attention, exploring the intricate connections between diet and mental health. Research suggests that what we eat profoundly influences our mood, cognition, and overall mental well-being. This burgeoning discipline examines how specific nutrients and dietary patterns can prevent, manage, or even alleviate symptoms of depression […]

When savoring a meal, we often attribute the experience to taste alone. However, our perception of flavor is a multisensory phenomenon, intricately influenced by visual cues like color and tactile sensations such as texture. These elements can deceive our brains, altering our perception of taste and even our appetite. Understanding how color and texture interplay

Flavor is more than just a combination of taste and smell; it’s a multisensory experience deeply intertwined with our emotions and memories. The mere aroma of a dish can transport us back to cherished moments, evoking feelings and images with remarkable clarity. This intricate connection between flavor, memory, and emotion is rooted in the complex

In a world saturated with advertisements, from glossy food billboards to carefully curated influencer posts, food marketing is everywhere—and it’s incredibly effective. But what gives these strategies their persuasive power? The secret lies in how they engage the brain’s reward system. Food marketers skillfully leverage visual, emotional, and psychological cues that stimulate our brain’s craving

The idea of “hacking” our brains to adopt healthier eating habits may seem like science fiction, but emerging research in neuroscience suggests it’s within reach. Our brains are malleable, capable of forming new neural pathways—a concept known as neuroplasticity. By leveraging this adaptability, we can potentially recondition our preferences and behaviors towards healthier food choices.

The concept of “you are what you eat” has evolved with the emergence of personalized nutrition—dietary plans tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup, microbiome, lifestyle, and health goals. Beyond general health benefits, personalized nutrition holds promise for influencing brain function and structure. Recent research suggests that individualized dietary interventions can modulate neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to

The concept of controlling appetite through neural implants has long been a staple of science fiction. Today, advancements in neuroscience and technology are bringing this idea closer to reality. Researchers are exploring the use of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) to modulate appetite and treat related disorders. This blog delves into the