As we navigate our daily lives, often with devices in hand, how we absorb information can

significantly impact our health decisions. We're bombarded with a wealth of helpful information

and just as much misinformation. That's why I'm excited to talk to Professor Timothy Coughfield,

expert debunker, and a professor in law and public health.

Before I talk to him, I'll look into a new study that explores the neuroscience behind motivation,

also known as why we sometimes can't just do that task that needs to get done.

Can you tell that one's personal for me?

And then later, we'll talk about the ins and outs of artificial snow.

This is Curiosity Weekly, and I'm your host, Dr. Samantha Amin.

Let's get started.

Be honest.

How long have you been procrastinating, cleaning out your closet?

And then, once you did, how long did that bag of clothes for donation sit on your floor?

For me, it's literally been six months. Okay, do not judge me.

The bag is still there. Or at least if you're going to judge me, do it with some neuroscience,

because researchers identified the brain circuitry behind this type of avoidance behavior, and they

used a targeted genetic approach to turn it off. A team from Kyoto University tasked monkeys with computer work

to see if they could map out the brain pathway that leads to this avoidance behavior.

Now, a task is considered unpleasant when there's something aversive involved, like some

kind of punishment or discomfort attached to it. Say you have to confront a friend for a difficult

conversation, or you want to try a

workout that's new and challenging. For tasks like these, two parts of the brain play a role in

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