Peer Review

Kiss your brain: The science of gratitude | Christina Costa | TEDxUofM

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Reviewed:: Jan 20, 2026 by Psychology

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Overview:: In this TEDx presentation, psychology professor and researcher Christina Costa shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with a rare brain tumor while pursuing her PhD. Connecting her experience to her field of study, she explains how practicing gratitude can enhance well-being and the psychological, social, and physical benefits of activating our brain’s gratitude circuits. This brief (10:43) talk blends research-based insights with personal reflection, offering psychology students at all levels a compelling look at the power of gratitude in the face of adversity.
Type of Material:: Presentation (YouTube video)
Recommended Uses:: Users can reflect on illness and life challenges as something to fight versus something to embrace with positivity. The video can be assigned as homework alongside a reflection on different coping methods, encouraging discussion on practicing gratitude in both everyday life and difficult circumstances.
Technical Requirements:: Web browser or YouTube app.
Identify Major Learning Goals:: Learners will explore the importance of resilience and well-being while gaining an understanding of positive psychology and gratitude. They will examine the psychological, social, and physical benefits of gratitude as a well-being strategy, its role in fostering resilience, and its connection to neuroplasticity.
Target Student Population:: College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: No prerequisite knowledge needed.

Content Quality

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Strengths:: This engaging presentation combines a compelling personal narrative with research-based insights, illustrating the psychological, social, and physical benefits of gratitude, resilience, and well-being. The speaker acknowledges that multiple coping strategies can be effective while highlighting the connection between gratitude and neuroplasticity. Students, especially those new to studying the brain, will find the discussion on activating "gratitude circuits" particularly insightful, offering a unique perspective on facing adversity with gratitude and affirmation rather than solely through a "fighting" mindset.
Concerns:: The presenter references research related to the connection between the practice of gratitude and changes in the brain, but faculty will need to locate these references on their own. The presenter's book -- Kiss Your Brain: Diagnosis Diaries -- may be of interest.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

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Strengths:: This presentation offers a universally relevant message, using a personal story to highlight the power of gratitude in facing life’s challenges, including but not limited to cancer. Well-organized and compellingly presented, it explains how activating gratitude circuits can positively impact well-being. The discussion of key concepts like gratitude and neuroplasticity is framed in a way that will engage students and encourage reflection on developing healthy coping skills.
Concerns:: Faculty who use the video in class will want to design an activity and develop learning outcomes that effectively integrate the video with a class lecture or lesson.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

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Strengths:: As a TEDx video, Kiss Your Brain is professionally produced. The video contains closed captioning.
Concerns:: None.

Other Issues and Comments:: Author: Christina Costa, naegeli@umich.edu; https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/people/graduate-students/naegeli.html
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