Happy New Year from us at Scientia! We hope this time off enabled you all to recharge your batteries and get ready for new challenges. Getting time away from work and screens reminded me of why we do this. Being aware of the bigger picture is not always easy, in times where we all just try to do our best. Considering what is best for ourselves and our mental health inspired this issue.

So, this month we talk about matters pertaining to the brain. The brain is an organ of the nervous system located in the anterior end of an organism that is made up of billions of cells called neurons. Alongside the spinal cord, it integrates the central nervous system, which controls both voluntary movements —such as those involved in walking and in speech, and involuntary movements —such as breathing and reflex actions. Synapses are junctions between neurons that enable electrical and chemical messages to be transmitted from one neuron to the next in the brain, a process that underlies basic sensory functions and that is critical to learning, memory and thought formation. The brain integrates sensory information, directs motor responses, and is also the centre of emotion and cognition.

We’ve put together a collection of articles that teach us about the inner workings of the brain, how different areas and components interact to produce higher order functions, and how to integrate brain care into our life and in our work. We talk to writer Victoria Joy about her career in medical writing and science communication, and get a glimpse into the inner workings of the Applied Neuroscience Association through the voice of Treesje Verlinden, one of its founders.

We explore how romantic relationships and spirituality affect mental stability and wellbeing, and become surprised at how emotional responses influence consumer choice, macroeconomics, policy, and governance —not even quantumlike models are able to fully decode the intricacies of decisionmaking. This pertinent avenue of research becomes topical when more of us navigate the digital workplace and live longer lifes. Cutting edge technology like neural interfaces has already enabled huge changes in who can work where.

We also reveal more about our own inner workings. Our director Nick Bagnall has answered some of the questions I have been collecting from clients, friends, colleagues, and competitors. We hope this feature called Minding our business is as enlightening for you as it was for me.

Until next time,