Dr. Patricia Schmidt 🧠

Do you reach for your phone while waiting in line, waiting for the kettle to boil, or riding an elevator? Or know someone who does? My new Medium article addresses the psychology behind this phenomenon: medium.com/write-a-catalyst/…

As a neuroscientist, let me tell you that taking care of your gut isn’t just good for your digestion. It’s also beneficial for your brain.

Social interactions don’t feel the same as they did a few years ago. Why’s it so hard today to get people’s attention in face-to-face interactions & what does scientific research say? My recent Medium article covers this topic: medium.com/write-a-catalyst/…

The internet is full of “brain-boosting” products, & it’s hard to distinguish marketing claims from actual scientific evidence. As a neuroscientist with 20+ years in the field, I’ve analyzed 5 of them in my new Medium article. Read it here: medium.com/write-a-catalyst/…

Making a big life decision while hunched over your phone? You better don't. Research shows your posture shapes your mood & risk-taking. Sit up first. Then decide.

Real talk: Building an online business is at least 10x harder when you live outside the <50 countries with full Stripe support. “Just launch a paid newsletter on Substack” “Just turn on paid subscriptions & sell digital products on Beehiiv” “Just send me a Stripe link” Those options aren’t available. So whenever I consider a new way to monetize, my first question is: Will it work without full Stripe access? That’s an extra layer of difficulty many people never consider.

Repetition increases perceived truth. People believe repeated information more than new information, even when they know it’s false. This phenomenon is called the “truth effect” or “illusory truth effect.”

What helps improve gut health (and brain health!): • Diverse diet rich in fiber • Prebiotics & probiotics • Hydration • Cutting down on ultraprocessed foods, sugar, & alcohol

Sorry to break it to you, but omega-3 supplements might not be as great for your brain as you think. Tomorrow's newsletter covers what the science actually says. Subscribe so you don't miss it! (Link in the post below)

Slow breathing doesn't just calm you down. It also changes the decisions you make. A new study found that long exhales increase risk-taking by making your brain more sensitive to potential rewards. Your breath shapes your choices.

I’ve been making 4 figures monthly from Medium’s Partner Program since Nov 2025 & went from 600 to 45K followers in a year. I’m turning what I've learned into a guide (mainly for science writers, but much of the advice will also apply if you write about something else). I want the guide to be as useful as possible, so let me know your questions about growing on Medium or what you’re struggling with the most. Thanks!

Sorry to break this to you but: There’s currently zero scientific evidence showing that delaying your morning caffeine by 90-120 mins after waking avoids the afternoon crash or offers any other benefits, compared to having caffeine earlier.

Normalize not having it all figured out. Nobody does.

Your gut and your brain communicate through multiple pathways. Gut health and brain health are more connected than most people think.

Fascinating new research suggests that nose vs. mouth breathing isn’t only about dental health or filtering the air you breathe. It also affects brain activity in different ways. Tomorrow’s newsletter will cover what the science says. Subscribe so you don’t miss it! (Link in the post below)

If you’re waiting for the perfect moment to start, here’s a spoiler: you’ll never start. So better start now.

Outsourcing as much as possible to AI is a bad move. Learning new skills or keeping your existing skills alive requires continued practice. AI can be a terrific tool, but use it wisely.

The brain never stops changing. Thanks to neuroplasticity, you're never too old to learn something new.

Willpower is overrated. Science says preventing major self-control conflicts early & building habits beats relying on effort.

Your bowel movements may say something about your brain. More in my recent Medium article: medium.com/in-fitness-and-in…