NOTE FROM TED: This talk represents the speaker's personal views and interpretation of the brain and decision making, which remains an ongoing field of study. For additional context and research, see the paper linked below. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdThis paper highlights how many different areas of the brain are involved in the complex process of decision making: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00429-023-02644-9Every decision sparks a tug-of-war in your brain between the rational analyst and the impulsive reactor. A neuroscientist explains how this inner conflict shapes everything from online shopping to life-changing choices, and why a simple 15-minute walk outside might be the key to making better decisions. Dr. Olav Krigolson is a neuroscientist at the University of Victoria with research interests spanning decision-making, learning, statistics, game theory, EEG, and mobile neuroscience technologies. His research program has led to over 100 peer reviewed scientific publications and $27 million in grant funding for the Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience Laboratory where he is the Principal Investigator. He’s collaborated with NASA, major league sports, and health organizations, and his work has been featured by CBC, the Discovery Channel, and Maclean’s. In 2017, he received a Benjamin Meaker Fellowship at Bristol University for his contributions to neuroscience. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx