This episode discusses sources provide an overview and structured literature review concerning the complex relationship between trauma-induced hypervigilance and performance on the BrainSherpa.app Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). The first source introduces hypervigilance as a state of heightened alertness often linked to past trauma, explaining its impact on cognitive functions like sustained attention, and noting that it generally impairs PVT performance, leading to increased lapses and slower response times. The second, more formal review synthesizes evidence, concluding that while hypervigilance causes trauma survivors to exhibit increased threat monitoring and scanning, this does not translate to improved PVT results; instead, individuals with chronic hypervigilance often experience greater fatigue and impaired sustained attention due to high cognitive and physiological costs. Both texts emphasize that understanding this interplay is vital for developing effective therapeutic interventions for trauma survivors, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

This episode is from a research article titled "Illuminating Cognitive Performance: Assessing the Role of Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Augmenting Cognition," published in MILITARY MEDICINE in 2025. This study investigates the use of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM), a noninvasive technique utilizing near-infrared light, to potentially improve cognitive performance. Using a small sample of eight predominantly female participants, the researchers compared a tPBM group to a sham group across various cognitive assessments and psychological measures. Key findings include statistically significant improvements in processing speed (Reaction Time) and plasticity for the tPBM group on the Brain Gauge test, as well as enhanced working memory on high-load orientation tasks. Furthermore, the tPBM group demonstrated greater consistency and a significant increase in pupil dilation from session one to session two, suggesting an effect on sustained attention and the underlying neural systems. The authors conclude that tPBM shows promise for enhancing cognitive function, especially under high cognitive demand, and recommend further research with larger samples, particularly for military and clinical applications.

https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaf227

This research article from Sleep Medicine Reviews proposes an updated bidirectional model for understanding the complex relationship between technology use and sleep. The authors, Bauducco et al., challenge previous unidirectional theories by asserting that sleep problems can also influence technology use, not just the other way around. The article thoroughly examines established mechanisms like bright light and arousal hypotheses, finding their impact on sleep less significant than often assumed. It also introduces and supports "sleep displacement" and "nighttime sleep disruption" as key mechanisms where technology significantly impacts sleep, along with new mechanisms where technology acts as a "time filler" or "emotion regulation tool" when sleep is difficult. Finally, the authors explore individual risk and protective factors like self-control and parental rules, offering implications for future research and public health messaging to promote healthier technology habits for sleep.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smrv.2024.101933

This episode investigates the relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS) and cognitive impairment by examining changes in brain activity. Using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), the study compared brain activity in severe OSAHS patients to healthy individuals, analyzing Regional Homogeneity (ReHo) and fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuation (fALFF) values. The findings indicate that OSAHS patients exhibit altered brain activity in specific regions, correlating with reduced cognitive function as measured by MoCA scores. Furthermore, the identified abnormal brain regions proved effective in distinguishing OSAHS patients from healthy controls, offering insights into the neurological mechanisms underlying OSAHS-related cognitive deficits.

Now let's investigate the bidirectional relationship between daily mood and nightly sleep in adolescents. The authors explain that inadequate sleep is prevalent among U.S. adolescents and linked to daytime sleepiness and emotional symptoms. The study aims to bridge a research gap by examining how daily happiness and negative mood influence sleep, and vice-versa, using both subjective (self-report) and objective (actigraphy) measures over a week. While some findings aligned with expectations, counter-intuitive results emerged with objective sleep data, suggesting negative mood correlates with objectively better sleep. The research highlights the complex interplay between mood and sleep during adolescence and the importance of multi-method assessment.

Explore the intricate link between your mind and body in this episode. We delve into 'distress tolerance', your capacity to endure and manage challenging emotional and physical states. We also break down 'reaction time; and 'psychomotor vigilance', key measures of how quickly and effectively you respond to stimuli, often assessed by tasks like the PVT, which is highly sensitive to 'sleep deprivation'. Learn how sleep loss not only directly impairs reaction times and vigilance but also significantly reduces your distress tolerance. Discover the complex, often indirect relationship between low distress tolerance and impaired cognitive performance, mediated primarily by your ability to 'regulate emotions' and exert 'cognitive control'. When distress tolerance is low, attention can be captured by negative emotions, diverting crucial resources needed for tasks requiring quick reactions and sustained focus. Tune in to understand how these factors jointly impact your cognitive resilience and daily functioning.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines neuromechanical probabilistic models used for characterizing mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), focusing on the role of the BrainSherpa reaction time (RT) as a potential diagnostic and prognostic metric. Findings suggest RT is a promising non-invasive digital biomarker, although current models require refinement and standardization to address variability and enhance clinical utility. The review highlights the potential of integrating these models into clinical practice, sports safety, and rehabilitation protocols to improve patient outcomes.

Based on the sources, reaction time (RT) can be effectively integrated into standardized mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) assessment protocols by leveraging advancements in sensor technology, improving experimental frameworks, utilizing sophisticated modeling techniques, and adopting a multimodal approach

Research indicates that acute and excessive use of smartphones affects individuals' cognitive functions, particularly their reaction times. Concerns have emerged regarding the influence of smartphones on cognitive performance and mental health.

Cognitive Effects:

• Increased Reaction Times and Decreased Attentional Control: Smartphone distractions can lead to significant cognitive impairments, including increased reaction times and decreased attentional control. Studies utilizing computer-based and physical testing methods underscore the notable impact of smartphone use on reaction time. This is especially true in environments demanding sustained focus, such as academic settings and driving. The deterioration in cognitive function is crucial as it can lead to increased cognitive failures, potentially impairing day-to-day activities and decision-making processes, particularly in contexts requiring quick responses like driving.
• Cognitive Failures: These often manifest as lapses in attention and reduced information retention, particularly in academic settings. Distractions posed by smartphones can impair cognitive tasks, leading to increased errors, especially in environments that require sustained attention, such as classrooms.

• Reduced Cognitive Capacity: Studies suggest that the mere presence of a smartphone can reduce cognitive capacity and impair cognitive functioning, particularly through its influence on attentional resources and working memory. One significant study found that cell phones can automatically capture attentional resources, leading to a reduction in the resources available for working memory. This suggests that when working memory is under strain, top-down attentional control suffers.
• Distraction: Smartphones not only serve as exogenous distractions but also capture attention automatically, drawing cognitive resources away from ongoing tasks. Even a brief three-second distraction, such as reaching for a phone, has been shown to significantly divert attention from cognitive tasks, leading to increased errors and reduced information retention. Students who engage with their smartphones during class take fewer notes and perform poorly academically.
• Relationship with Psychological Dependence: The relationship between psychological dependence on smartphones and cognitive performance suggests that excessive use may exacerbate cognitive deficits. However, research also indicates that psychological dependence may diminish the cognitive drawbacks typically associated with smartphone presence, complicating the relationship between device usage and cognitive performance.

Mental Health Implications:

• Link to Mental Health Issues: Excessive smartphone use is linked to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
• Impaired Psychological Well-being and Emotion Regulation: A body of research indicates that individuals with high smartphone usage may experience impaired psychological well-being and difficulties in emotion regulation.
• Relationship Conflicts: Difficulties in emotion regulation can lead to family and interpersonal conflicts.
• Emotional Distress and Low Self-Esteem: Patterns of use, particularly among adolescents, reveal significant associations with emotional distress and low self-esteem, highlighting the role of smartphones in exacerbating mental health challenges.
• Psychological Dependence: The compulsive use of smartphones has been linked to various psychological outcomes, including dependence. Excessive smartphone use is associated with negative effects on mental health, influencing individuals' capacities for effective thought and learning.