Our subjective experience tells us we are agents in continuous control of our actions. Contemporary neuroscience tells a different story. Our brains allow us limited awareness of their ongoing processes. Consciousness is a mechanism to permit us to be spectators to neuronal network activity in an amazing modular behavior control system in our skulls.
‘On Deciding . . . Better’ is my exploration of what happens when we take neuroscientific reality seriously. I’m James Vornov, an MD PhD neurologist with a long academic career followed by decades in the biotech industry developing new drugs and treatments for neurological and psychiatric disease. Over the years, I worked to understand the brain mechanisms that we use to make decisions, not only to decide better, but to appreciate the wonder of neuroscience as revealed by subjective experience and everyday life. It’s an inner world just as amazing as quantum physics and cosmology, but much closer to home. In fact it is who we are.
Expect posts about all aspects of the brain from personal identity to mental health to brain computer interfaces. There’s a lot of misunderstanding in the media about the function of neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin, the nature of consciousness, and animal experience that I’m trying to clarify in an honest way, all based in the science as I understand it.
I repost on Substack where you might want to subscribe and comment. I’m in the process of revising my book manuscript, so expect that soon. And I’m available for podcast appearances and editorial writing on neuroscience for a general audience. Contact me at jjvornov@mac.com
© 2025 James Vornov MD, PhD. This content is freely shareable with attribution. Please link to this page if quoting.
Thank you for your years of intelligent shared thought, may you continue your generosity for many more.
Thanks for the encouragement. I hope to do my small part in keeping blogging alive