Richard Sima

Baltimore

Brain Matters Columnist

Education: Johns Hopkins University, PhD in Neuroscience; Harvard University, BA in Neurobiology

Richard Sima is a neuroscientist turned science journalist who writes the Brain Matters column for The Washington Post's Well+Being desk. After more than a decade of research, Sima transitioned from academia to journalism. His work covering the life, health and environmental sciences has appeared in outlets such as the New York Times, National Geographic, Scientific American, Discover Magazine, New Scientist and Eos. Prior to joining The Post in 2022, Richard worked as a fact-checker for Vox podcasts, including for the award-winning science podcast “Unexplainable.” He was also a researcher
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Latest from Richard Sima

Doing good is good for you, research shows

Altruism, such as volunteering and donating, has been shown to improve happiness and well-being, and may be fundamental to being human.

November 28, 2024

Want to cut your dementia risk? Keep your blood pressure in check.

Staying active, eating healthier and considering medication can help manage hypertension and reduce dementia risk.

October 30, 2024
Illustration by George Wylesol for The Washington Post

Serious infections linked to dementia risk, study shows

Flu, herpes and respiratory tract and other serious infections are linked to accelerated brain atrophy and increased risk of dementia years later, a study says.

October 18, 2024

TikTok star Taylor Rousseau Grigg died of Addison’s disease. What is it?

The sudden death of TikTok star Taylor Rousseau Grigg highlights the dangers of Addison's disease.

October 11, 2024
Taylor Rousseau Grigg attends an event in 2022 in West Hollywood.

Be humble. It’s good for learning and your relationships.

Intellectual humility may also help us smooth over and forgive differences and is associated with a better mood and a sense of closeness.

September 19, 2024

It’s never ‘just’ a concussion. Your brain is injured.

We still do not completely understand what causes a concussion, but we do know that its effects can cause widespread disruption to the brain and its normal functioning.

September 13, 2024
(George Wylesol for The Washington Post)

Covid associated with increased risk for hearing loss in young adults

The hearing loss risk size after covid was higher than expected, even after adjusting for other factors such as age, sex, income, metabolic profiles and lifestyle.

August 29, 2024

Matthew Perry started taking ketamine legally. That’s never been easier.

Matthew Perry’s addiction and death heightens concerns about the fast-growing use of ketamine to treat depression and the adequacy of regulatory oversight.

August 23, 2024
Actor Matthew Perry died of an accidental ketamine overdose, authorities said. (Jelani Rice for The Washington Post)

Yoga for the brain: It may sharpen your mind, protect against cognitive decline

Yoga may help reduce stress reactivity and may improve neurocognitive efficiency, which is our ability to more effectively use limited cognitive resources.

August 15, 2024

Even professional athletes choke. Here’s how we can manage the yips.

To perform under pressure, Olympic athletes and all of us can use strategies such as practicing under stress and having a pre-performance routine.

August 8, 2024
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