Day 27 of 365

January 27

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Neuroscience

Mirror Neurons and Empathy

Mirror neurons fire both when performing an action and when observing someone else perform it. Discovered accidentally in macaque monkeys in the 1990s, these neurons may explain empathy, language learning, and why yawning is contagious. Some researchers believe mirror neuron dysfunction might contribute to autism, though this theory remains controversial.

💡 Did you know?

When you watch someone get hurt, your pain centers actually activate as if you were experiencing it yourself!

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