John Guzowski

Neuroscientist, writer & educator with 30+ years in research; turning brain science into practical strategies for wellbeing & thriving

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

Tuesday was an amazing day, which culminated in an event focused on “Music, the Brain, & Wellbeing” with @LaviniaMeijer !She also met with neuroscientists and was guest in my “Neuroscience of Wellbeing” course.

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

@chorye @arjunrajlab Yup

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

@chorye @BarakRotblat @anshulkundaje The rate of a modular R01 was $250kin 2000, the year of my first R01. This has not sustainable for over a decade.

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

@i_am_anmolg @bloggersarvesh Claude is more critical- less sychophantic

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

@CraigBrockie True: most serotonin is made in the gut.

Missing context: gut serotonin is produced mainly by enterochromaffin cells to regulate digestion. It doesn’t cross the blood–brain barrier.

Mood-related serotonin is made separately in brain raphe nuclei neurons. False equivalence.

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

@PeterDiamandis And it fixates on technology for technology’s sake over the quality of the question.

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

#neuroscience #plasticity #adaptation #resilience #Wellbeing

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

Punch, a young macaque in Japan, walks upright while clutching a stuffed orangutan- his surrogate for safety . Not trained — just a🧠 improvising and adapting under constraint.

This week: motor plasticity, adaptation & resilience. 🔗 https://t.co/9uKdQqDQXj

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

Last week: attachment & regulation. Together, a small monkey shows how brains find ways forward under challenge to meet emotional needs. 🔗 https://t.co/nWLc95ymtH

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

This week, I explore motor plasticity and adaptation: how Punch’s nervous system stabilizes upright walking while holding his surrogate. Real-time resilience in action. 🔗 Latest article: https://t.co/9uKdQqDQXj

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

#Punch

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

Punch the macaque went viral for clutching a plush orangutan. But this isn’t just cute — it’s biology.

Our brains & bodies evolved to regulate stress through contact. Digital likes aren’t a substitute. 🧠💛

Read the science of connection in my article:https://t.co/nWLc95ymtH

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

#neuroscience #loneliness #socialconnection #wellbeing

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

4) Curious about the neuroscience behind this? I also wrote a longer companion article that dives into the mechanisms and wellbeing implications.
Explore here: https://t.co/FnliMA1Pov
#Neuroscience #Wellbeing #Mindfulness #Perception #ThriveScience

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

1) Your brain does not record reality.
It builds it.
Every moment, your perception is shaped by predictions from the past and assumptions about the world. 🧵

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

3) When we pay attention, we notice the gap between the sensory signal and the meaning our brain automatically assigns.
Mindfulness doesn’t turn off prediction—but it shifts the balance, letting us respond with clarity instead of autopilot.

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

You don’t experience the world as it is—your brain builds it. Colors, sounds, emotions—even your sense of self—are actively constructed. Learn how perception, emotion, and mindfulness tie together in my latest neuroscience piece. 🔗 https://t.co/FnliMA1Pov

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

This isn’t self-help. It’s applied neuroscience.

Reply “interested” and I’ll tag you when the first article goes live.

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

Your brain doesn’t record reality. It builds it. 🧠
Decades in neuroscience research have taught me this is how we perceive, feel, and react to the world. 🧵 #neuroscience #wellbeing #CognitiveScience #BrainFacts

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

I’m dropping a 3-part series starting Jan 27:
1️⃣ How your brain constructs reality
2️⃣ Why negativity bias dominates
3️⃣ How small signals of safety reset a threat-locked nervous system

[John Guzowski @GuzowskiLab]

Every moment you experience is constructed—from evolution-shaped predictions + personal history, refined by sensory input.

It decides what you notice, how you interpret ambiguity, and whether you feel safe.