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"The brain at the table or the factory of taste" with Hirac Gurden

Photo : cerveau à table ESD

Oct 17Free

"The brain at the table or the factory of taste" with Hirac Gurden

Every bite you take is a complex dance of chemistry and memory, yet we rarely pause to understand the mastermind behind the fork. Join a renowned neuroscientist to uncover how our brain shapes our relationship with food and the culture that defines our plate. It is the perfect opportunity to satisfy your curiosity about why we truly love what we eat.

Médiathèque Jean-Pierre Melville (Paris 13th)

Part of the Foodie events in Paris programme

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About

Discover the complex links between neuroscience and our daily meals during the talk Le cerveau à table ou la fabrique du goût, led by neurobiologist Hirac Gurden. On Saturday, October 17, 2026, explore how the brain processes flavor and how eating habits shape human development and social connections. Hosted at the Médiathèque Jean-Pierre Melville in the 13th arrondissement, this session offers a scientific perspective on the approximately 80,000 meals we consume in a lifetime. This event is free to attend, open to all, and fully accessible for wheelchair users, providing an insightful hour for anyone curious about the biology of taste.

About 80,000 meals in our lifetime: eating is the most frequent and powerful stimulation for humans.

Beyond its survival function, taste is a link between a person, their family, their friends, and the society in which they live.

Learning to eat and preparing food are fundamental building blocks of an individual's development within a given food culture.

Lecture proposed by Hirac Gurden, neurobiologist at the CNRS at the Laboratory of Functional and Adaptive Biology (BFA), at the University of Paris Cité.

Our take on this event

Neurobiologist Hirac Gurden, based at the CNRS laboratory for Functional and Adaptive Biology at Université Paris Cité, presents an engaging look at the science behind our food choices. Far beyond simple biological survival, he explains how taste serves as a fundamental bridge between individuals, their families, and the broader culture. This conference delves into the intricate mechanisms that make eating the most frequent and powerful stimulation for the human brain.

The session takes place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 15:00 to 16:00 at the Médiathèque Jean-Pierre Melville. Attendance is free, though booking your spot in advance is recommended. The venue is wheelchair accessible, ensuring that this exploration of food and human development is available to all members of the community.

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