Neuroscience meets Humanities at IE University in conversation with Nazareth Castellanos

IE School of Humanities hosted a conference on neuroscience and its connection to the humanities at its historic Santa Cruz la Real Campus in Segovia. The event brought together students, faculty, and guests for an interdisciplinary dialogue on mental health, well-being, and the relationship between body and mind.

The session featured renowned neuroscientist Nazareth Castellanos, whose research over more than two decades has explored the interaction between brain activity and physiological processes, with a particular focus in recent years on breathing and meditation. Castellanos was joined IE alumna Ofelia Grande de Andrés, Managing Director of Ediciones Siruela and IE University adjunct professor Samantha Hernández García.

Castellanos highlighted how mental health transcends disciplinary boundaries, noting that both science and humanities students face similar challenges, particularly in high-pressure environments like universities. She argued that understanding how the body influences the mind should be considered essential knowledge, comparable to cultural literacy.

The conversation also addressed practical aspects of well-being, including the impact of breathing and emotional awareness on brain function.

IE School of Humanities reaffirmed its commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue throughout the event, which provided students with practical tools to better understand themselves and navigate the complex world they inhabit.