The Neuroscience of Stress and Reward: Circuit Fundamentals of Emotional Arousal

How do our brains translate thoughts and experiences into feelings of pain or pleasure? Why do some people struggle more than others with social isolation, addictive habits, poor quality sleep, unexpected life challenges, or societal pressures? More importantly, what can we do about it? This course provides an introduction to studies from psychology, neurobiology, and psychiatry that explain fundamentals of emotions & behavior. We will focus on the underlying neural basis of mental health conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and addiction, while also covering the science of resilience. Students will learn foundational concepts that build knowledge in core areas of neuroscience.