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Change Your Mind with New Scientist

Change Your Mind with New Scientist

Your Brain Questions Answered: Lion’s Mane, Pets and Doodling

Oct 8, 2026 · 38m

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About this episode

Can a growth mindset help you cope with exam pressure? Does writing by hand help you remember more? And what does the science really say about lion’s mane and pets? In this special listener Q&A, Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson bring series two of Change Your Mind with New Scientist to a close by answering questions from the inbox. Drawing on neuroscience research, they explore effective studying, stress, memory and the claims surrounding popular brain-health supplements. Along the way, they consider why the way we take notes might matter, what doodling could be doing for your attention, and whether having a pet can benefit your brain. Change Your Mind will be back with two shorter episodes…