When you think of the brain, neurons probably come to mind first — but what if I told you they’re only half the story? In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the brain’s hidden helpers: glial cells. Long ignored as mere “support staff” for neurons, glia are now taking center stage in neuroscience, revealing a world of complexity, intelligence, and power you probably didn’t know existed.

We’ll introduce you to the unsung heroes of your nervous system — from astrocytes that regulate your brain’s energy and protect against disease, to microglia that act like vigilant security guards, constantly patrolling your brain for trouble. You’ll also discover how these remarkable cells help wire your brain, prune unnecessary connections, and even enhance intelligence — yes, really!

Plus, we’ll explore mind-blowing discoveries showing how glial cells actively shape how you sense the world, respond to your environment, and even influence your emotions and memories. And with cutting-edge research linking glia to diseases like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia, understanding these cells might just unlock new frontiers in brain health and healing.

If you’re ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about the brain, this episode will open your eyes to the dynamic, indispensable world of glial cells — the true unsung architects of your mind.

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Tiara’s Curious Lab: Bio, Psych & Tomorrow’s Science is a personal, student-led podcast created purely for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. This podcast is an informal study journal by Tiara, a high school student, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of any school, institution, employer, or professional body.

The content shared reflects Tiara’s personal curiosity and learning journey in Biology, Psychology, Neuroscience, and emerging scientific topics. It is not peer-reviewed, professionally validated, or intended as formal academic material. While efforts are made to present accurate and thoughtful insights, listeners should be aware that the episodes may include information influenced by publicly available sources, general reading, and generative AI tools (such as language models and AI-assisted summarization). As such, there may be unintentional inaccuracies, omissions, or evolving scientific interpretations.

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