Danish researcher looking for Christmas spirit in the brain

There’s a frontal lobe, but do sugar plum visions really live in your head?

TheCopenhagenPost

Dec 17, 2015

Does the Christmas spirit have a special place in the brain? That’s the question Anders Hougaard, a senior scientist at the Neurological Clinic at Rigshospitalet, is trying to answer with, sadly, somewhat inconclusive results.

In connection with another research project on migraines, he did a small additional study in which he tested ten people who celebrated Christmas, and ten people who did not. While scanning their brains, he showed them Christmassy and non-Christmassy pictures: a Christmas tree as opposed to an oak tree, for example. He analysed the results in his spare time.

Tinsel and synapses
Hougaard concluded that the Christmas spirit does not have a defined space in the brain, but those who celebrated Christmas did light up specific regions in the brain.

“I’m a little surprised that the reactions to the Christmas pictures were so clear,” Hiugaard told TV2. “I did not think there would be a difference.”

Joy is universal
The study did not define whether it was only the Christmas spirit that caused the reaction in the brains of those who celebrated. In theory, Muslims, Jews or members of any other faith would also react to images of their holidays.

READ MORE: Christmas not happy for everyone

“Perhaps it is just a common joy we see,” said Hougaard.

A country famous for lots of rain, Denmark craves for tears from the sky

Two years ago, Denmark had a very dry Spring. This year, Farmers are reliving the trauma of 2023. While tourists and sun-starved Danes enjoy the sunny weather, farmers are nervously scouting for rain
“Ready to spend even more than 4% of the GPD” says Minister of Defense

At the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2025, Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen stated that Denmark is willing to spend more on defense. During a conference, he said the country is ready to surpass the original target set by the European Union
ReDI school wins Danish Diversity Award for empowering marginalized women in tech

A non-profit tech school in Denmark is recognized for helping migrant women secure jobs aligned with their qualifications through digital training and networking.
Danish bravery in the Nanjing Massacre

Bernhard Sindberg was a Dane who saved thousands of Chinese during the Nanjing Massacre, one of the darkest episodes of the 20th century. He is often compared to Oskar Schindler. A book has told his story, and a statue in Aarhus commemorates him—yet few people know about his remarkable actions. The Copenhagen Post spoke with Sindberg’s niece, who still remembers her uncle well, to shed light on this seldom-told and incredible story
More Danes are uncomfortable with English replacing Danish in daily life

A survey from NORSTAT, commissioned by Sune Steffen Hansen and published exclusively by The Copenhagen Post, shows that around 40% of the population is uncomfortable with English replacing Danish in their daily lives. While this is not a problem for the younger generation, half of the people in older generations have an issue with it
Be a green tourist – get free access to Copenhagen’s attractions

CopenPay is back. Last year’s attempt to get guests to take a sustainable approach when visiting Copenhagen’s attractions will be back in 2025, on an even bigger scale. 90 attractions are participating across Copenhagen and running throughout the summer

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Career

DRC confirms layoffs (including Copenhagen) and the closure in six countries

The Danish humanitarian powerhouse confirms a total of 2,000 layoffs, some of which will also affect the main headquarters in Copenhagen
Almost 30,000 young people are out of work and education

New analysis reveals widespread mental health issues and criminal records among 25–29-year-olds outside employment and education
Why your talented internationals aren’t moving up the ladder – and what to do about it

Many internationals find it difficult to advance in their new workplaces, and some quietly leave. It’s not because they lack talent. In Denmark, careers are shaped not only by skills but also by cultural understanding, informal networks, and social signals. However, internationals may not be familiar with this system or know how to navigate it

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Jobs