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14 Unique Neuroscience Gifts (for 2024)
Last edited: September 23rd, 2024
It's hard to know what qualifies as a neuroscience-specific gift, but we've scoured several sources to find the most popular and high-quality gifts for neuroscientists that will definitely win a smile.
Whether it’s a graduation gift, birthday present or Christmas gift, I hope this gift guide helps you finish your shopping faster than ever. Show them you understand their passion for neuroscience and relish the moment when they geek out over your perfect gift.
This list is a compilation of our favorites from around the internet. Some are our own Genius Lab Gear inventions and some we’re just jealous we didn’t think of first! Some external links in this page are from affiliates, which means that any purchase of the items after clicking the link will result in a small monetary referral fee paid back to Genius Lab Gear at no cost to you. We appreciate your support which allows us to continue inventing and testing the best tools for scientists on the planet!
1. Neuroscience Word Magnets
Science-themed gifts are rarely as entertaining and enduring as our science-themed word magnet sets! We recently launched these to encourage creativity and self-expression in labs, classrooms and offices. Each specialty pack comes with 144 tiles carefully designed by a PhD in that field for technical accuracy and tacit absurdity.
The Neuroscience word magnet set was designed by Dr. Stephanie Caligiuri, who hosts The People's Scientist podcast about Neuroscience. These are an exceptionally good gift because the recipient will see them daily and use them often!
Check it out on Amazon.
2. Subscription to AI-powered Research and Writing Software (SciSpace)
Neuroscientists and neuroscience grad students have to keep track of a HUGE amount of information to complete their research and write new papers. Luckily, AI is now ready to help! SciSpace is a new software tool that combines AI search engines with reference/bibliography management to quickly get answers to highly technical questions - all sourced from peer-reviewed journals.
The Copilot feature is my favorite! It can scan those clunky PDF files to make summaries and even pull tables out into an editable format! That would have saved me hundreds of hours in grad school...The other neat thing is that it lets you take notes on every journal article, link it to that file, and search your notes later with the AI engine.
The best move here is to gift them a 1-year subscription! Make sure to use my ambassador code “DEREK40” to save 40% on the first year. Just create an account here with your email, and then print out the login details to put into a gift box for the big day! They can move the account to their email address right after.
3. Lab Coat Pocket Protector
From cutting-edge labs to the frontiers of the human mind, these humble pocket protectors can be seen as a symbol of style and sophistication for this brainy bunch, combining intellect with impeccable fashion sense.
The venerable Pocket Protector became a cultural icon in the 1960's and 1970's, but somewhere along the way the newer generation of STEM researchers forgot about them. Neuroscientists need these back in their labs to stay organized, stay efficient, protect their lab coats, and finish their experiments without being late to lunch. So we researched and tested every type ever made to methodically solve each problem and come up with this refreshed design.
Available in spruce green, sapphire blue, and faded pink - the top 3 colors voted on by our fans! You can even get it from our Amazon page if that's easier.
4. I Heart Guts Brain Plush
This next one may seem like a young child's toy, but we've seen many PhD's in neuroscience purchase and love these to death. This amazing company makes a full line of plush organs and cells the size of a small stuffed animal!
5. Serotonin molecule necklace (Sterling Silver)
Quite a few scientists I know love to wear geeky necklaces and earrings for subtle touch of their technical passion that they can show off outside of work.
I love this serotonin necklace because it's the "molecule of happiness" and sends a positive message whenever you see it. Plus, the tiny leaf and flower flairs make it unique from many of the others I've seen.
6. Science Art Canvas - Colorful human brain paintings
Academic offices and labs can be quite boring and barren. We've tried to find nerdy science (and neuroscience) themed office decor that can enliven the space a bit and promote better creative thinking. After all, neuroscience says that your setting can impact your modes of thinking in that space.
This brain-themed colorful canvas set makes for a nice way to tile a larger wall space with three prints. You can imagine the neuroscience major pushing back from their desk in frustration and staring at the wall, where hopefully this canvas set triggers an idea or inspiration for their next steps!
7. Cajal's Butterflies of the Soul: Science and Art
"Butterflies of the Soul" is a gorgeous, classic book for neuroscientists that details beautiful hand-drawn scientific diagrams from the early advancements of neuroscience in the 1800's and early 1900's. Discover how the first neuroscientists made sense of their findings without the advanced tools we have today and watch the seeds of modern neuroscience theory grow from their first observations. An essential in the collection of any professional neuroscientist.
8. Advice for a Young Investigator by Santiago Ramon Y. Cajal
Santiago Cajal is known as the "father" of neurobiology and has many famous books that any neuroscientist will recognize. "Advice for a Young Investigator" was written toward the end of his life (in 1897) when he wanted to pass on his wisdom to the next generation of scientists.
Sometimes dated and a bit sexist in an 1897 sense, if you can look past some of the language you can find incredibly valuable concepts about how to succeed in scientific research. His focus on passion and hard work, rather than intelligence, can be inspiring for any young neuroscientist who might feel a bit of imposter syndrome as they are starting their career.
9. The Brain: The Story of You
Written by a neuroscientist and professor at Stanford, "The Brain: The Story of You" attempts to figure out what shapes our brains to make us who we are. I found this book very easy to read and the concepts were explained quite well through behavioral stories. In some places it didn't dive into the technical details as much as some high level (PhD) neuroscientists might like, but this makes it a fun read that doesn't feel like "work" to a neuroscience major.
10. Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst
Understanding human behavior is a superpower that neuroscientists relish. But, sometimes in neuroscience research you can get bogged down in your own little "rabbit hole" and lose track of the breadth of the field.
That's why I love this book. Behave is a detailed yet funny book that examines basic questions about why humans do what we do. For a neuroscientist, it makes for a great "fun" read that serves as a reminder of where their research fits in, and could inspire new ideas by touching on different aspects of neuroscience they might not normally deal with.
11. Laser etched 3D human brain glass paperweight
The neuroscientists I know are a little obsessed with the human brain - I mean, that's their job If you think they would like a little more modern neuroscience-themed decor around their office, then this human brain diagram orb would make a cool addition.
With an accuracy that rivals brain surgery, lasers are used to etch inside the glass sphere. It includes some basic labeling of the different sections of the brain that can make a handy reference for a neuroscientist discussing a problem with someone outside their field.
12. Brain-shaped silicone mold for ice cubes, candy, and chocolate
This one's a little silly - but perfect for a neuroscience lover who takes their passion home from work (or to an office party). When I've used novelty silicone ice cube trays like this in the past, the detail transferred to the ice has been impressive.
This will work just as well for making brain-themed candy, jello shots, or chocolates for a party or Halloween treat!
13. This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession
If your favorite neuroscientist is a music junkie, This Is Your Brain on Music is an absolute must-have. Daniel J. Levitin, a rocker-turned-neuroscientist, analyzes the relationship between music and the human brain in this pioneering fusion of art and science. It contains a wealth of useful information about how music works, how it affects the brain, and how playing, listening to, and composing music differ. It's a great book for the neuro-nerd in your life!
14. Anatomic Brain Specimen Coasters
Another excellent gift for someone with a neuroscience background is this set of 10 brain cross-section coasters. It’s a unique and interesting neurology-themed gift for your favorite neuroscientist. The slices are reminiscent of a CAT scan map of your brain and each shows complete detail in each layer.! They’re also constructed of glass and have four traction-enhancing rubber feet. It’s an excellent addition to their home or workspace to include a little bit of neuroscience-themed design.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What is a good gift for a neuroscientist?
Anything that's practical, functional or can help them show their love for neuroscience. Here are our favorites:
- Neuroscience Word Magnets
- Pocket Protector for lab coats
- Brain Plush
- Subscription to AI-powered Research and Writing Software (SciSpace)
- Serotonin Molecule Necklace (Sterling Silver)
- Science Art Canvas - Colorful human brain paintings
- Advice for a Young Investigator by Santiago Ramon Y. Cajal
- The Brain: The Story of You
- Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst
- Laser Etched 3D Human Brain Glass Paperweight
- Brain-shaped Silicone Mold for Ice Cubes, Candy and Chocolate
- Cajal's Butterflies of the Soul: Science and Art
- This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession
- Anatomic Brain Specimen Coasters
- Subscription to AI-Powered Research and Writing Software (Sci-Space)
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