Dr. Patricia Schmidt 🧠

Hey everyone, time for a reintroduction! 👋🏻 I’m Patricia, a German living in Chile. My background is in psychology & neuroscience & I left my university professorship in 2025 to focus on my science communication & ghostwriting biz. When I’m not at my PC, you’ll likely find me gardening, spending time with the fam, or cuddling my cats. I’m most active on Medium & I publish a weekly newsletter called ATP—All Things Psychology, making psychology & neuroscience accessible & useful (link in bio!).

Someone is impersonating me on @Medium ! They created a fake account with my name & profile pic & send replies to comments on my articles. I already reported this issue. If you see messages like this on Medium, please report them, too!

Most health advice ignores one thing: time. Aerobic exercise, strength training, meditation, breathwork... Who has the time for all of that? Research by @elisusman & colleagues shows: a daily 20-second self-compassion practice can reduce stress & psychopathology. Micro-habits are practices that even the busiest people can follow.

Next time you’re waiting in line, just observe. Observe your thoughts. Observe the people around you. Just be present. Being present is becoming a rare skill. Practice it.

Most people taking omega-3 supplements believe they're protecting their brain. But research into the benefits of these supplements isn’t convincing. They might help in some cases, but science doesn’t support a general recommendation to take them.

The sun is one of the most underrated health tools you have access to. Use it.

Long exhales don't just calm you down. They quietly shape every decision you make.

How to protect your memory when you’re sleep-deprived but can’t nap: 20 min moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise (e.g., running/cycling). A new study found it boosts memory performance by ~22% after sleep deprivation. Not a replacement for sleep but a good emergency tool.

I always feel ripped off when shopping at a Chilean supermarket. Many groceries here cost more than in Germany. And oh, I almost forgot: The monthly minimum wage for a full-time job in Chile (~570 USD) is only a fraction of Germany’s. This is insane!

Nose breathing isn't just about filtering the air before it reaches your lungs. It also activates brain regions that mouth breathing simply bypasses.

Pro tip: move your learning activities to evening hours. What you learn in the hours before sleep is more likely to be prioritized for consolidation overnight. If you study earlier, do a recap before bed.

The mere presence of a phone ruins your focus, even if you don't check it & sounds/notifications are turned off. Your ability to focus... ... is most impaired when it's visible. ... is less impaired when it's out of sight. ... is best when it's in another room.