Introducing Core Reports - A New Platform for Exploring the Mind

Abstract

The human mind, a nexus of biological, psychological, and philosophical phenomena, remains one of science’s most profound mysteries. Advances in neuroscience have illuminated the neural correlates of consciousness, emotion, and cognition, yet the essence of the mind transcends reductionist approaches, inviting exploration through diverse theoretical perspectives. It is with this vision that we are launching Core Reports, a new platform dedicated to elucidating the mind through innovative theories and concepts. Core Reports diverges from conventional journals by virtue of its interdisciplinary approach, which integrates the rigorous methodologies of the hard sciences, including neurobiology, with those of the soft sciences, including psychology, philosophy, and cultural studies. Our mission is to facilitate constructive discourse that integrates empirical rigor with theoretical insight, thereby fostering a comprehensive understanding of the mind and its interactions with the body.

Our inaugural series of mini-reviews will focus on stress theory, a domain that exemplifies the intricate interplay between mind and body. Stress, a universal experience, impacts mental and physical health through complex mechanisms that span neural circuits, endocrine responses, and subjective perceptions. The series will provide a comprehensive exploration of stress, addressing four critical dimensions:

1. What is Stress and Stress Medicine: This review will define stress as a dynamic response to environmental demands, encompassing physiological adaptations (e.g., activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) and psychological appraisals. Stress medicine, an emerging interdisciplinary field, integrates neuroscience, psychology, and clinical practice to address stress-related health challenges. It will offer insights into therapeutic strategies that target both mind and body.
2. Psychosocial Stressors and Their Clinical Consequences: Psychosocial stressors, such as unemployment, interpersonal conflicts, and digital technology overuse, are potent triggers of stress-related disorders, including anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis. This review will explore how these stressors disrupt neural networks (e.g., amygdala-prefrontal circuits) and autonomic balance, leading to diverse clinical manifestations, from psychogenic fever to cognitive impairment. It will also highlight the need for stressor-specific diagnostics and interventions.
3. Measuring Stress: The Brain Overwork Scale: Quantifying stress is essential for clinical diagnosis and public health interventions. This review will discuss established methods, such as cortisol assays and heart rate variability, alongside the novel Brain Overwork Scale (BOS), a questionnaire designed to assess stress-related symptoms (e.g., excessive thinking, hypersensitivity) in both clinical and community settings. The BOS provides a practical tool to bridge the gap between mental distress and subjective bodily symptoms.
4. Identifying Predispositions and Preventing Stress-Related Disorders: Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, including early-life stress and serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms, modulate vulnerability to stress-related disorders. This review will examine these predispositions and propose preventive strategies, including lifestyle modifications, mindfulness-based interventions, and social support systems, to enhance resilience and proactive habits.

This series sets the initial stage for the broad mission of Core Reports to explore the mind through a synthesis of empirical and theoretical perspectives. We invite contributions that challenge conventional boundaries, whether through neurobiological models, psychological frameworks, or philosophical inquiries. By providing a platform for diverse voices, Core Reports aims to redefine how we conceptualize the mind, paving the way for innovative approaches to mental health and well-being.

We cordially invite researchers, clinicians, and intellectuals to join us in this endeavor. Please submit your work to Core Reports and contribute to a new era of mind science, where the interplay of biology, psychology, and culture illuminates the essence of human experience.