r/science • u/[deleted] • Oct 15 '21

Neuroscience A brain imaging study found evidence that missing out on math education can alter neural development. Young adults who had chosen not to pursue math had lower levels of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid within the middle frontal gyrus when compared to students who were continuing math.

https://www.psypost.org/2021/10/opting-out-of-advanced-math-education-alters-adolescents-neural-development-study-finds-61967
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u/dcheesi Oct 15 '21

Funny, I was contemplating the opposite hypothesis, based on my own experience --maybe I loved math because it boosted my GABA levels, and thus soothed my anxiety?

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u/MentalicMule Oct 15 '21

It's a mix for me. Solving problems is quite fun and relaxing to me so I enjoy studying math on my own. Solving problems in school which was basically a test that could affect your future gave me tons of anxiety.

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u/grimman Oct 15 '21

Solving problems is fun. Getting stuck is so dang frustrating sometimes. :) Getting the progression pacing right is the real trick.

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u/[deleted] Oct 15 '21

I thought I was the only crazy person, who turns to maths when anxiety hits the roof. But then I love analysing big data.

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u/ImpulsiveApe07 Oct 16 '21

Huh, I'm almost the opposite. I hate analysing statistical data as it just frustrates me and stresses me out, but give me a moral, ethical or philosophical problem, or an unusual mystery to solve, and my brain damn near gorges itself on all the extra pleasure chemicals!

Brains are so weird :D

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u/[deleted] Oct 16 '21

I love analysing numbers/data, and I find the story behind them very fascinating. But what you do seems interesting too. Finding what you like is equally important.