How neuroscience can help us combat misinformation and cognitive bias with Faissal Sharif

In this episode of The Intelligence Spotlight Series, neuroscientist Faissal Sharif offers an expansive and deeply human insight into the mind — its vulnerabilities, its immense complexity, and the ethical dilemmas that come with decoding it. Sharif, currently based at the University of Oxford, leads neuroethics research at the Institute for Internet and the Just Society and is the co-founder of Memnoon, a mental health platform designed for BIPOC communities. His journey has taken him from adversity to academic excellence, shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a relentless desire to understand the human brain.

Sharif has lived in six countries and travelled to over 75, using these experiences not just as personal enrichment but as a way to keep his brain adaptable. “Travel helps improve your neuroplasticity,” he says, with a grin. It's a neuroscientist’s way of saying that broadening your horizons literally reshapes the mind.

But it wasn’t always a smooth path. Raised in an environment lacking integration, it was a single biology teacher who opened the door to science. That fascination led him to Maastricht University in the Netherlands, where he studied biomedical sciences and began his journey into the nervous system — a system he calls “arguably the most complex structure in the universe”.

From research on early detection of Alzheimer’s in California to psychedelic studies at Imperial College London, Sharif has spent years unpacking the nature of consciousness, cognition, and emotion. “There are more neurons in the brain than stars in the Milky Way,” he points out, emphasising just how little we truly grasp.

One of the most compelling segments of the discussion delves into cognitive bias. Sharif explains that the brain isn’t simply responding to reality; it's constantly predicting it. Our brains create "models" — built from past experiences — that help us navigate the world efficiently. But sometimes, efficiency comes at a cost. These models, if never updated, can harden into biases. This is how people cling to misinformation, not because they are irrational, but because the brain prefers the comfort of the known.

“Jumping to conclusions is like underfitting a model,” Sharif says, borrowing from machine learning. “And fake news doesn’t exist in isolation. It feeds narratives we already hold.”

Stress, trauma, and anxiety — especially during societal crises — narrow our cognitive flexibility. Under pressure, the brain reverts to old patterns, and misinformation finds its grip. The faster and more emotionally charged our information environments become, the harder it is for people to slow down and critically assess what they’re consuming.

So what can be done? Sharif suggests building resilience through lifestyle: regular exercise, proper sleep, light therapy in winter, and mindfulness practices. These aren’t vague wellness tips — they directly increase levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), a key chemical that supports neuroplasticity.

And then there’s cognitive reappraisal: stepping back from your thoughts, journaling them, reframing emotional reactions. “Instead of saying, ‘This is outrageous,’ say, ‘I experienced this as outrageous,’” he advises. It's a subtle shift, but one that restores agency.

The conversation takes a deeper turn into neurotechnology — digital tools that interface with the brain. From restoring movement in quadriplegic patients to potential cognitive enhancements, the possibilities are expanding fast. But so are the ethical risks. Who owns your brain data? What happens when algorithms predict what you’re seeing or hearing based solely on neural signals?

Sharif points to Chile as a global pioneer — the first country to enshrine mental privacy into its constitution. But he also sounds a cautionary note. As tech races ahead, legal frameworks and public awareness lag behind. “Even George Orwell couldn’t imagine this,” he says.

The final thought is both unsettling and thought-provoking: will we one day live as disembodied brains connected to machines? For Sharif, the answer isn’t entirely science fiction — but nor is it destiny. He remains grounded in the belief that while the brain is powerful, it doesn’t function in a vacuum. “We are brains connected to bodies — and those bodies matter.”

The episode isn’t just a window into Sharif’s world — it’s a mirror reflecting our own. In a time where the battle for facts and the health of our minds are under pressure, his message is clear: slow down, reflect, and don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know yet.”