The Science of Engagement: Using Brain Research To Build Apps and Health Tools

Bethany Ranes, PhD, is the Founder and Chief Research Scientist at Interocept Labs, where she translates neuroscience insights into practical, real-world solutions. With prior leadership roles at UnitedHealth Group, Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, and the US Army, she has decades of experience in cognitive neuroscience, behavior change, and health systems integration. Bethany also writes the Firing and Wiring blog, which shares accessible neuroscience insights for individuals and organizations.  In this episode… From understanding how the brain predicts pain to designing technology that keeps users engaged, the line between science and experience has become increasingly blurred. How can innovators harness this knowledge to build tools that change behavior and improve well-being? According to cognitive neuroscientist Bethany Ranes, translating brain science into real-world solutions begins with understanding human adaptation. She encourages entrepreneurs to design products that work with the mind's natural patterns, not against them. By applying neuroscience principles — such as gamification, behavior prediction, and user rapport — creators can boost engagement, empathy, and impact in their digital tools. In this episode of Lessons From The Leap, Ghazenfer Mansoor talks with Bethany Ranes, PhD, Founder and Chief Research Scientist at Interocept Labs, about applying neuroscience to innovation. She discusses using brain science to improve digital health engagement, how AI can simulate rapport in therapy, and what entrepreneurs can learn from the brain's adaptive design.