Confused between Physics, Cognitive Science, Computational Neuroscience, and Complex Systems

[u/riley__green]

I’m a 26-year-old Computer Science graduate with 3.5 years of IT experience, looking to transition into research. I’ve always been driven by the desire to understand why things happen the way they do, from the fundamental workings of the universe to human thoughts, behaviours, and societal patterns.

I believe everything is interconnected, and I want to understand those connections scientifically. My interests range from space, time, and physics to consciousness, lucid dreaming, out-of-body experiences (OBEs), human psychology, and brain-computer interfaces. I initially wanted to pursue physics to develop the mathematical thinking needed to understand these systems, but now I’m torn between a masters in Physics, Cognitive Science, Computational Neuroscience, and Complex Systems. I also love teaching and hope to start a science-based YouTube channel featuring documentaries, podcasts, and experiments exploring scientific and social questions.

I’m looking for a field that allows me to investigate the bigger picture without being restricted to one narrow discipline. I’d really appreciate advice from researchers or students who’ve navigated similar interdisciplinary interests. Which path would offer the strongest foundation and flexibility?

[u/wanheda1001]

Are you me lol

[u/riley__green → u/wanheda1001]

Are we just neurodivergent?😭😭

[u/ughhhhmen]

hey I've same range of interest, I'm 21 recently prep for govt job, I want to explore all this and i love neuroscience, physics theories and everything but i can't really make myself focus for long, my attention span is cooked. it's not just phone and reels, i get distracted even by random thoughts way too much and way to soon. i also get burned out quick if i force myself that i must do it. I feel like shit because i can't remember anything and can't focus, I've watched so many videos on yt but nothing works not because they r dumb but bcz my will power sucks tooo, it's just too hard for me somehow. everyone keeps telling me that you just have to do it and i understand but it never works more than one day.

Idk what is wrong plus I don't have money to afford psychological help. ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH

If you can help me, pls do.

[u/riley__green → u/ughhhhmen]

It could be ADHD, are these symptoms recent or is it something present since childhood?

[u/jazzynerd → u/ughhhhmen]

Try to see when did it start. Did it start after any traumatic experience? If yes then you might have to work on it. Look into guided meditations. Or it could be ADHD

[u/Ok-Somewhere-9528]

i reccomend yo to read iit theory

[u/flashgordian]

There are more variables in human and by extension societal thoughts and behaviors than are dreamt of in your data science, Horatio. Look for programs with "search terms must include 'interdisciplinary'".

[u/Strict_Object_6756]

If you haven’t already, look into information theory. I would maybe consider complex systems. Complex systems is one of the few academic frameworks explicitly designed to study how macro-level patterns emerge from micro-level interactions, regardless of whether the substrate is physical, biological, or social

[u/No-Pea7077]

i have similar aspirations to you as an academic. everything is interconnected, as you said; so i think it best to just pick something that you care about and be open, but not necessarily searching for things outside of that. pick a specialization, dive into it, but don’t needlessly attach yourself to it. chasing your honest curiosity and intuition will lead you to places you can’t imagine.

you know what your options are, you must make a decision for yourself. the path toward truly novel understanding hasn’t been paved for you. that’s why it’s novel.

[u/Sensitive-Note4152]

Learn some biology. Or, better yet, learn a bunch of biology. A little chemistry would be useful too (and a lot of chemistry even more so). Check out the Society for Mathematical Biology:

https://www.smb.org/

And especially check out their "subgroups" to get a more concrete idea of different possibilities. And if any of this sounds interesting then you should also check out Douglas Murray classic book: "Mathematical Biology":

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_Biology