Author name: Dr. Balaji Niwlikar

thinking man

Does Free Will Exist? Understand the 4 Domino Events That Lead to Decision Making

Introduction You just chose to read this article. Or did you? Was that really your decision, or was it neurons, chemicals, and your past dragging you here like a cosmic puppet on a string? This profound question sits at the core of the age-old debate about free will. Are we truly in control of our …

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Consciousness

Mystery of Consciousness: 3 Mind-Blowing Theories That Could Unlock It

Introduction You wake up, smell coffee, hear birds chirping—and BAM—you’re aware. You’re you. But why does this biological machine we call a brain create conscious experience? Why isn’t it all just input-output without the inner movie? This is what philosopher David Chalmers famously called the “hard problem of consciousness” (Chalmers, 1995). Read More- Ways to …

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ikea effect

The IKEA Effect: 5 Reasons Why We Love the Things We Build (Even When They’re Flawed)

Introduction Ever proudly admired a crooked shelf you built yourself—even while silently acknowledging it might collapse under a hardcover book? That’s not just sentimentality. It’s psychology. Specifically, it’s something called the IKEA Effect—a cognitive bias where people place disproportionately high value on products they partially created, regardless of actual quality (Norton, Mochon, & Ariely, 2012). …

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colors and mood

3 Surprisingly Important Ways Color Hijacks Your Emotions, Decisions, and Taste Buds

Color isn’t just a visual experience—it’s a psychological powerhouse that affects how we feel, what we buy, and even how things taste. The use of color goes far beyond aesthetics; it can shape behavior in subtle but measurable ways. From the calm blues of a therapist’s office to the bold reds of a clearance sign, …

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climate anxiety

7 Powerful Truths About Climate Anxiety That Are Messing With Your Mind (And How to Fight Back)

Picture this: You’re sipping your iced coffee, scrolling through your feed, and BAM—another headline screams “World’s Hottest Year Yet.” Somewhere between the melting glaciers, wildfires, and flood updates, you realize your chest feels a little tight. Is it the caffeine? Nope. It’s climate anxiety, and it’s very real. Welcome to the era of eco-dread, where …

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heat

The Heat Is On: 4 Important Ways Extreme Temperatures Affect Our Minds

The sun blazes down, the air feels thick, and your mood feels just as sticky as the summer humidity. As heat rise, so can the tension in our minds. It’s no secret that heatwaves and extreme temperatures can have a serious effect on our physical health, but what about our mental health? The connection between …

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like traps

7 Hidden Ways the Like Trap Destroys Your Confidence and How to Break Free

Scroll, double tap, scroll again. In less than a minute, you’ve approved a dozen filtered selfies, puppy videos, and vacation highlights. Then, without even thinking, you check your own post: Only 17 likes? You refresh. Twice. Still 17. Is it me? Did I post at the wrong time? Was the caption not witty enough? Welcome …

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revenge

Revenge vs Forgiveness? 2 Powerful Rounds of Reasoning to Understand Which Feels Better

Introduction You’ve been wronged. Maybe someone stole your lunch from the office fridge (again), ghosted you after three amazing dates, or cut you off in traffic like their time is more valuable than yours. Naturally, your brain screams: “Revenge!” But is getting even as sweet as it sounds? Or does letting go and forgiving actually …

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screen time

3 Honest Truths About How Screens Shape Your Child’s Brain

Introduction Picture this: a toddler expertly swiping on a tablet before they can even say “please.” A preschooler binge-watching cartoons while singing along to catchy jingles. A baby mesmerized by flashing lights on a phone. Welcome to the age of digital childhood, where touch screens are the new toys and pixels often replace picture books. …

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