By Mera McGrew
What is it about being on a white sandy beach that makes people happy? Why does the sound and smell of the ocean make people feel relaxed? Why is “ocean-view” the most valuable phrase in real estate?
This coming weekend, cognitive neuroscientists, conservationists, researchers, artists, and members of the press are gathering on the Outer Banks of North Carolina to explore these questions and the emotional connection between the ocean and humans as part the BLUEMiND2 summit.
The summit will explore the relationship between the ocean and the human brain. It will be a scientific exploration as well as a celebration of the emergence of neuroscience as a tool as it relates to the ocean biosphere.
“It is only recently, in the past two decades, that neuroscience has really expanded,” said BLUEMiND founder, Dr.…