Mayim Bialik's Breakdown Part Two: Your Brain Might Be Lying. The Scientific Explanation for Cellular Memory, Why Universal Intelligence Can Be Found In Nature and How Past Memory Is Actually Changeable | Dr. Nikolay Kukushkin
Nov 26, 2025
Dr. Nikolay Kukushkin, a neuroscientist and author of *One Hand Clapping*, challenges what we think we know about memory. He explores the revolutionary idea that every cell in our body could store memories, transforming our understanding of trauma and healing. Through fascinating insights, he reveals dopamine's true role as a 'figure-it-out' signal and discusses how social media exploits unpredictability to keep us hooked. Kukushkin also raises thought-provoking questions about the interplay between AI, human evolution, and the importance of meaningful experiences.
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Dopamine Signals Surprise, Not Pleasure
- Dopamine is a "figure-it-out" signal that flags unexpected good events rather than a pleasure chemical.
- It motivates pattern-searching and sustained effort to make surprises predictable and accessible again.
Pigeons Teach Us About Unpredictable Rewards
- In Skinner-style experiments, pigeons peck far more when rewards are delivered unpredictably than on fixed schedules.
- Unpredictability drives relentless pattern-seeking even beyond predictable high-effort schedules.
Budget Your Dopamine Like A Salary
- Treat dopamine like a finite daily resource and plan when to spend it on novelty versus motivation.
- Balance quiet periods with occasional big events to preserve motivation and maximize enjoyment.
