August 2018 PMID 29665228

Ultra-high-field fMRI insights on insight: Neural correlates of the Aha!-moment.

Martin Tik, Ronald Sladky, Caroline Di Bernardi Luft, David Willinger, André Hoffmann, Michael J Banissy, Joydeep Bhattacharya, Christian Windischberger

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Mentions

68
Peak: 18 in Jun 2019
across 5 sources since May 2019

Extended reach

552,881
potential audience

Total likes

19,319

Video views

398,993

Mentions per month

May 2019 – Oct 2024

Where it's discussed

  • News26 articles
  • X / Twitter25 posts
  • Blogs9 articles
  • YouTube6 videos
  • Facebook2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions highlight the neural correlates of insights, mentioning specific regions like the thalamus, hippocampus, and caudate nucleus, with tone that recognizes the importance of these findings. References to related topics like creativity and the effects of alcohol on the brain demonstrate curiosity, but the overall tone remains cautious, reflecting moderate interest and perceived medium impact.

AgreementNeither agree nor disagree

The posts generally acknowledge the findings about brain activity during insightful moments but do not show strong agreement or disagreement, indicating a neutral stance.

InterestModerate interest

Many discussions are curious about the neural processes, especially the role of dopaminergic circuits and the Aha! moments, reflecting moderate interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts referencing specific brain areas and the neural mechanisms suggest some level of detailed engagement, though not deeply analytical.

ImpactModerate impact

Some posts suggest the research could influence ideas about creativity and neuroscience, but overall, the impact is perceived as moderate rather than groundbreaking.

Abstract in brief

  • The study investigates how the brain supports insightful problem solving, particularly focusing on the "Aha moment," by using ultrahighfield 7T fMRI to observe both cortical and subcortical activity during a remote associates task (RAT).
  • Researchers found that, besides cortical areas like the left anterior middle temporal gyrus, key subcortical regions such as the thalamus, hippocampus, and parts of the dopaminergic reward system (like the VTA, NAcc, and caudate nucleus) are significantly involved during moments of insight, highlighting the emotional and reward aspects of experiencing a solution.
  • The findings suggest that insightful problem solving isn't just about cortical activity but also heavily relies on subcortical dopamine-related circuits that may underpin the feelings of relief and reward associated with discovering a solution, offering new perspectives on the neural basis of creativity and insight.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Should you "write drunk, edit sober"? https://t.co/pdl77Z8Fpi https://t.co/XyVRiFhjzc

Jun 27, 2019 · 19 likes · 6 shares · 115,752 followers View post →
پیکولو
@picolo121 · X

آیا الکل خلاقیت را افزایش می‌دهد؟ به نوعی بله. https://t.co/VrnX0FWMfp

Jun 27, 2019 · 10 likes · 1 share · 2,844 followers View post →
James Rosen-Birch ⚖️
@provisionalidea · X

@NuNeoNew @kev_esh @tylerangert Paper came out a couple years ago on this. Higher whole-brain activation in Aha! moments vs analytical solutions. https://t.co/McVRGz8mQl https://t.co/221sBVIgxP

Feb 7, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 10,651 followers View post →
Anita Desikan
@anita_desikan · X

@AdverbsSuck Ironically, my favorite science YouTube channel @SciShow tackled that very question recently! Apparently, alcohol can help with one aspect of creativity (making interesting connections between different topics) but it can impair other forms of creativity https://t.co/MOMNBnVmby

Jun 29, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,034 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost https://t.co/uGnWW5ll3V via @YouTube

Jul 5, 2019 · 1 like · 3,225 followers View post →
Mentelex
@MentelexEdu · X

Ultra‐high‐field fMRI insights on insight: Neural correlates of the Aha!‐moment https://t.co/OjeVXMH3Pa

May 22, 2019 · 1 like · 2,049 followers View post →

All mentions

Ernesto de Bernardis, MD
@debe · X

@Cr1st14nM3s14n0 E così ti si sono accesi talamo, ippocampo, via mesocorticale-mesolimbica della gratificazione, e nucleo caudato https://t.co/9V17Z6LPqY

Mar 30, 2023 · 885 followers View post →
☀️
@NuNeoNew · X

RT @provisionalidea: @NuNeoNew @kev_esh @tylerangert Paper came out a couple years ago on this. Higher whole-brain activation in Aha! momen…

Feb 7, 2023 · 1 share · 1,140 followers View post →
James Rosen-Birch ⚖️
@provisionalidea · X

@NuNeoNew @kev_esh @tylerangert Paper came out a couple years ago on this. Higher whole-brain activation in Aha! moments vs analytical solutions. https://t.co/McVRGz8mQl https://t.co/221sBVIgxP

Feb 7, 2023 · 2 likes · 1 share · 10,651 followers View post →
Baron von leiser Wind des Schicksals
@Gruenkrouwd · X

Quellen gibt natürlich auch, holt euch euren eigenen Dopaminrausch: https://t.co/2yld2VCBuc https://t.co/usUkpWmw13

Jul 21, 2022 · 1,880 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost https://t.co/uGnWW5ll3V via @YouTube

Jul 5, 2019 · 1 like · 3,225 followers View post →
Francis Luigi Magpantay
@roiji · X

Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost https://t.co/WpWPuQBQkb via @YouTube

Jul 2, 2019 · 246 followers View post →
Visit Crushi.com
@crushi · X

Liked on YouTube: Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost https://t.co/r8rzJhqssp

Jul 2, 2019 · 457 followers View post →
Briar Crawford
@AuthorBriar · X

Many writers swear by writing while drinking, so I thought i would watch this video. It was super interesting: “Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost” https://t.co/N6VIjdgCfT via @YouTube

Jun 30, 2019 · 930 followers View post →
Edel Pace
@epacestudio · X

RT @anita_desikan: @AdverbsSuck Ironically, my favorite science YouTube channel @SciShow tackled that very question recently! Apparently,…

Jun 29, 2019 · 1 share · 2,034 followers View post →
Anita Desikan
@anita_desikan · X

@AdverbsSuck Ironically, my favorite science YouTube channel @SciShow tackled that very question recently! Apparently, alcohol can help with one aspect of creativity (making interesting connections between different topics) but it can impair other forms of creativity https://t.co/MOMNBnVmby

Jun 29, 2019 · 2 likes · 1 share · 1,034 followers View post →
Nightknight
@Nightkn47642451 · X

RT @SciShow: Should you "write drunk, edit sober"? https://t.co/pdl77Z8Fpi https://t.co/XyVRiFhjzc

Jun 28, 2019 · 6 shares · 2 followers View post →
João M
@nababu · X

Jun 28, 2019 · 570 followers View post →
Kimberly
@Kimberlyjws · X

Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost https://t.co/il8GLKcWB7 via @YouTube

Jun 28, 2019 · 961 followers View post →
Mr WiCK
@Chumma_Bug · X

RT @SciShow: Should you "write drunk, edit sober"? https://t.co/pdl77Z8Fpi https://t.co/XyVRiFhjzc

Jun 27, 2019 · 6 shares · 82 followers View post →
Angela C. Hebert
@WitchyWoman9000 · X

Science says gin will help me write. DO IT FOR SCIENCE! #amwriting https://t.co/B3D8vf5SRL

Jun 27, 2019 · 1 like · 1,071 followers View post →
Kaijuking30
@Kaijuking30 · X

Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost https://t.co/PNa1dHAnR9 via @YouTube

Jun 27, 2019 · 3,432 followers View post →
MentalChillness
@MentalChillin · X

Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost https://t.co/cfDfpFxD9w via @YouTube

Jun 27, 2019 · 2,100 followers View post →
ژینو
@aniiiima · X

RT @picolo121: آیا الکل خلاقیت را افزایش می‌دهد؟ به نوعی بله. https://t.co/VrnX0FWMfp

Jun 27, 2019 · 1 share · 95 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: Should you "write drunk, edit sober"? https://t.co/pdl77Z8Fpi https://t.co/XyVRiFhjzc

Jun 27, 2019 · 6 shares · 276 followers View post →
_RockShield
@_RockShield · X

RT @SciShow: Should you "write drunk, edit sober"? https://t.co/pdl77Z8Fpi https://t.co/XyVRiFhjzc

Jun 27, 2019 · 6 shares · 178 followers View post →
It Was Probably Nothing, But Let's Split Up Anyway
@RJonesCreations · X

THANK YOU @SciShow https://t.co/JjXaFtUw4o

Jun 27, 2019 · 362 followers View post →
پیکولو
@picolo121 · X

آیا الکل خلاقیت را افزایش می‌دهد؟ به نوعی بله. https://t.co/VrnX0FWMfp

Jun 27, 2019 · 10 likes · 1 share · 2,844 followers View post →
Adam Golding
@adamgolding · X

Alcohol Can Enhance Creativity—But at a Cost https://t.co/PH5bSs2Ns9

Jun 27, 2019 · 1,562 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

Should you "write drunk, edit sober"? https://t.co/pdl77Z8Fpi https://t.co/XyVRiFhjzc

Jun 27, 2019 · 19 likes · 6 shares · 115,752 followers View post →
Mentelex
@MentelexEdu · X

Ultra‐high‐field fMRI insights on insight: Neural correlates of the Aha!‐moment https://t.co/OjeVXMH3Pa

May 22, 2019 · 1 like · 2,049 followers View post →