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Atom Sarkar, Professor of Neurosurgery, Drexel University

Can shoes alter your mind? What neuroscience says about foot sensation and focus

Your shoes might not necessarily free your mind. ksana-gribakina/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Athletic footwear has entered a new era of ambition. No longer content to promise just comfort or performance, Nike claims its shoes can activate the brain, heighten sensory awareness and even improve concentration by stimulating the bottom of your feet.

“By studying perception, attention and sensory feedback, we’re tapping into the brain-body connection in new ways,” said Nike’s chief science officer, Matthew Nurse, in the company’s press release for the shoes. “It’s not just about running faster — it’s about feeling more present, focused and resilient.”

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