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I have always been fascinated by research that explores new ways of treating conditions that sit at the intersection of the mind and body. As our understanding of these complex relationships continues to grow, so does the potential for innovative and therapeutic approaches. I am currently conducting a systematic review as part of my dissertation for the course, MSc Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface.

In 2019, my father was given a mixed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. I didn’t know much about the illness, despite three of my four grandparents also having had it. Stepping in to be the main caregiver has taken me on a seven-year journey of discovery. Whilst sad, it’s been a transformational experience. Each day, I’ve been exposed to how the mind we take for granted interacts with a body we also often take for granted.

Two Kashmirs live on the same valley’s soil: one in its streets, the other in the memory of those who fled. Indian-administered Kashmir valley, once remembered for its breathtaking location, physical beauty and distinct culture, is now more often defined by politics, borders and history, while far less focus is given to the mental state of Kashmiris. The land of mystical poets, now entangled in geopolitical debates, highlights how geography shapes mental states differently ac

Research increasingly shows that our mental and physical health are intertwined, influencing each other in complex and often surprising ways. One such example is the relationship between chronic illnesses and mental health disorders, where conditions like metabolic disease and depression can shape and reinforce one another over time. This connection becomes particularly evident when examining specific conditions in which mental and physical health interact in measurable and i

Years of navigating a body that was misunderstood by the medical system, and inevitably missed by me, sparked a deep curiosity about the relationship between the physical and psychological experience. I now have the privilege to study that relationship formally, because I believe that science and lived experience should inform one another. I was in my early teens when my body began raising alarms – over and over again – alarms no one else could hear.

On April 15, we celebrate the birthday and legacy of Leonardo da Vinci, a true Renaissance master whose boundless curiosity bridged art, science, and invention. With an extraordinary talent for observation, he redefined creativity, leaving a timeless imprint as both an artist and a scientist, inspiring generations to come. In his research projects he showed us that creativity is born from infinite curiosity, from observing the world closely, and from being a good friend of ti

Throughout life, women often experience a series of shared transitions. From menstruation and reproductive health to pregnancy and motherhood, and later life stages such as menopause, quietly creating forms of connection and community. My own experience with menstruation was one of the first times I noticed how these unspoken communities began to form. When I got my first period, it felt like a secret I was embarrassed to carry.

As I approach the end of my master’s degree and find myself once again confronted by the question of what comes next, I am reminded of Sylvia Plath’s 1963 semi-autobiographical novel The Bell Jar. In this book, Plath beautifully illustrates indecision and future possibilities through her fig tree analogy. “I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked."

When I turned to my GP regarding the issues with my menstrual cycle, I expected more clarity. But after I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), I was more confused than ever before. It wasn't clearly explained what that meant but I was frankly advised to consider going on the oral contraceptive pill or changing my lifestyle to lose weight. At the time, that suggestion only fuelled my insecurities and anxiety.

When I was a child, I used to get ill quite often. On those days, while my friends were at school, I stayed at my grandparents’ house, wrapped in blankets, watching TV, feeling miserable in that specific way only children with a fever can. But I was never alone: My grandparents’ dog, Flora, would quietly sit beside me, her head resting on my lap as if she understood exactly what I needed. Somehow, I always felt better.

Heartbreak is a common experience, often understood as a time of emotional crisis which can be resolved with feeling-based healing. Some typical advice you may have heard (or given) is: “the feeling will pass, you’ll get over it”, or “sit with your emotions”. But this advice feeds into the stigma that heartbreak is solely an emotional experience and pays no mind to all the physiological impacts. I am a student on the MSc Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface.

How I reclaimed my dreams, redefined success, and found myself again 25/5/25 - A date so precise it feels like destiny carved it into the calendar just for me. Not merely for its symmetry, but because it marks the beginning of a life I chose, a life I built, a self I reclaimed. But let’s rewind. On my 29th birthday, I had a startling realisation: for nearly a decade, I had been drifting - floating through my twenties on autopilot, letting life happen to me instead

The Mind-Body Interface MSc is the perfect course for you! My journey getting on the course After my undergraduate studies as a psychology student, I noticed a recurring theme of never being satisfied with learning about the mind alone. I always felt that a big part of understanding a holistic human experience was missing. I wanted to learn about the interconnection between our biological and psychological processes to truly comprehend how and why we operate the way we do.

Can our brain be treated separately from our body? The current piece is written by Dr Naghmeh Nikkheslat, who together with Professor Paola Dazzan, leads the Therapeutic Approaches of Mind-Body Interface Module as part of the newly established MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface at King's College London. As part of a series of ITM pieces on our new MSc, this blog aims to take you through the question of whether our brain can be treated separately from

Our new MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface offered by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College London aims to offer knowledge on the interaction between mind and body in psychiatric and physical conditions. This article has been written by Dr Giulia Lombardo and Professor Valeria Mondelli, co-leads of the Psychology module. Image source from Unsplash+ For a long time, people have been anchored to the mind-body dualism,

Our new MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface offered by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at...

What are my career prospects after finishing an MSc course in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface? The new MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface offered by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London offers clinical and research placements to provide you with practical experience to enhance your current career or to prepare you for clinical roles, academia, or industry. I am Alessandra Borsini, a senior

Our new MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mind-Body Interface offered by the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience at King’s College London aims to answer this question. Photo from Next Wave Therapy I am Alessandra Borsini, a senior research scientist based at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), who has been investigating the intersection between the Mind and the Body in the context of mental health disorders for more than 15