The Golden Pulse Health Summit, where numerous topics on health, communication, and technology were discussed, took place in Istanbul. Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan delivered a speech titled “Psychological Resilience in the Digital Age” at the Golden Pulse Health Summit.
“Psychological resilience is critically important in an era of rapid digitization and increasing uncertainties,” said Prof. Dr. Tarhan, adding, “Harvard introduced this course in 2015, but we at Üsküdar University started it in 2013. We recognized this global trend early. Currently, this course is not just an elective but a mandatory one for us. It is implemented at associate degree, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Approximately 50,000 of our graduates have taken this course to date.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated, “Type A individuals are clingy; they whine, absorb energy, and end up alone. Type C individuals are like Teflon; they don’t burn themselves but burn those around them. Type B individuals, who possess psychological resilience, are like rubber; they stretch, learn, and regain strength. If we want the ability to remain calm in the face of stress, we must be the rubber type. We will be flexible, learn from the other side, and manage it.”
The Golden Pulse Health Summit, hosted by Zero Medya and strategically partnered by the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies (AIFD), was held for the first time this year on January 15, 2026, in Istanbul.
At the summit, where numerous topics on health, communication, and technology were discussed, Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Chairman of the Board of NPİSTANBUL Hastanesi, and Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan delivered a speech titled “Psychological Resilience in the Digital Age.”
The brain works like a biological computer
Starting his speech by thanking the organization, Prof. Dr. Tarhan drew attention to the relationship between artificial intelligence, the brain, and human behavior, giving the example of Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield, who received the physics award in 2024. He said, “A psychologist and a geneticist received a physics award. This is a groundbreaking situation. The reason for this is artificial neural networks. Studies on how the brain works show that the brain functions like a biological computer and is related to quantum dynamics. Artificial intelligence is also built upon this understanding.”
The human brain also works with algorithms
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that artificial intelligence generates future predictions by scanning past data and shapes the present accordingly. He said, “The human brain also works with algorithms in the same way. The language models used by artificial intelligence try to imitate the language models used by the brain. The more a child interacts with people, the more their brain develops. Today, all of us, without realizing it, are becoming data sources for artificial intelligence.”
Values are like traffic signs in our brain
Emphasizing the role of values in decision-making processes, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Values are like traffic signs we encounter as we move through life. Options like ‘lie or don’t lie,’ ‘be honest or not,’ ‘be compassionate or not,’ are evaluated in our brain with probability calculations. The brain works like a prediction machine and makes decisions.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan emphasized that the prefrontal cortex, especially the frontal lobe, plays a decisive role in this process and touched upon the differences in brain images between healthy individuals and schizophrenia patients.
“The prefrontal cortex is the region that makes humans human,” said Prof. Dr. Tarhan, adding, “Without the prefrontal cortex, there would be neither civilization nor humans. Damage in this region can completely alter a person's personality.”
Consciousness, quantum, and artificial intelligence debate
Defining the concept of consciousness as “awareness,” Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that humans are beings aware of their place in the universe and capable of purposeful action.
Referring to quantum physics, Prof. Dr. Tarhan commented, “Humans are subjective observers within quantum dynamics. The observer effect is known through the double-slit experiment. Because there is consciousness, we observe, and what we call matter emerges. It's as if we are in a simulation.”
Addressing discussions on whether artificial intelligence can possess consciousness, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “For artificial intelligence to have consciousness, it would need to know all possibilities in the universe simultaneously. It would need to know the Big Bang and what came before it. This is not currently possible; we don't even possess one percent of universal knowledge.”
There is a narcissistic part within humans
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Tarhan also included the views of psychoanalyst Otto Kernberg, one of the last living representatives of psychoanalysis in his 90s, stating that there is a “bad part” within humans: “This narcissistic part resembles a cancer cell; it is limitless, irresponsible, and insatiable. It thinks only of its own self-interest. Unfortunately, individuals with these characteristics can today reach powerful positions on a global scale and make very dangerous decisions.”
Stating that this power is like nuclear energy, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “If used for good, it is constructive; if used for bad, it is destructive. Values and meaning determine the direction of this power.”
Humans are not just egocentric beings living only for themselves
Referring to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Prof. Dr. Tarhan recalled that in studies conducted in 2017, the concept of “self-transcendence” was placed above “self-actualization.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Humans are not just egocentric beings living only for themselves. Helping others and creating meaning are among the fundamental topics of today’s positive psychology.”
Highlighting the neuroplastic structure of the brain, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that the brain can form new connections at any age and, when used intensively and effectively, can create new pathways despite diseases.
Prof. Dr. Tarhan, dividing happiness into hedonic and eudaimonic as defined by Aristotle, stated, “Pleasure-oriented happiness is short-lived and related to dopamine. Meaning and responsibility-based happiness, however, is related to serotonin and oxytocin.”
The immune system virtually ‘listens’ to our emotional dialogues
“The immune system virtually ‘listens’ to our emotional dialogues. There is a two-way communication between the brain and the immune system; these two systems constantly speak to each other,” said Prof. Dr. Tarhan. “A similar interaction exists between the heart and the brain. Inside the heart, a small neural network consisting of approximately 40,000 neurons functions almost like a ‘small brain.’ While the ratio of afferent nerve fibers going from the brain to the heart is about 20 percent, the ratio of fibers going from the heart to the brain is 80 percent. Furthermore, the electromagnetic field generated by neurons in the heart is known to be stronger compared to brain neurons. These data indicate that the heart is not merely a mechanical pump but a functional organ that continuously exchanges information with the brain. Similarly, the immune system and the gut-brain axis are also in interaction with the brain. Diet and gut microbiota directly affect stress coping capacity. Therefore, a probiotic and prebiotic-rich diet plays an important role in psychological and physiological resilience.”
Loneliness, a global threat
Drawing attention to the increasing loneliness in today's world, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “According to the United Nations, the three biggest threats of the future are income inequality, climate change, and loneliness. A study conducted in the UK in 2018 shows that loneliness rates are very high, especially in the 16-24 age group. For this reason, the UK established a Ministry of Loneliness. Social isolation among young people is now as serious an issue as loneliness among the elderly.”
The solution is shaped in “Positive Psychology”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “When we look at what is being done in the world to address these problems, Positive Psychology emerges. The scientific discipline of psychological resilience is now accepted as Positive Psychology.”
Emphasizing that psychological resilience is critically important in an era of rapid digitization and increasing uncertainties, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Harvard University introduced the Positive Psychology course into its curriculum in 2015. In this course, topics such as the body-brain relationship, self-compassion, mercy, gratitude, happiness, meaning, values, and meditation are taught. This was not a fad, but a scientific necessity.”
Stating that the Positive Psychology course quickly garnered great interest, Prof. Dr. Tarhan remarked, “Yale University offered this course in 2018 and described it as a ‘groundbreaking course.’ Harvard uses the same expression. In 2021, the New York Times reported that the course's webpage was followed by 3 million people during the pandemic. This means 3 million people received happiness and psychological resilience training.”
Comfort-seeking became widespread in the post-pandemic world
Expressing that a new understanding of life emerged on a global scale after the pandemic, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “After the pandemic, the mentality of ‘I only live once, I'll live as I please’ became widespread. The approach of ‘Why should I work so much, why should I push myself?’ is particularly prominent among the younger generation. They ask why they should strive more if they will get the same pay. This situation has seriously started to drag down entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also referred to the example of Silicon Valley, stating, “The vast majority of those who sustain Silicon Valley are immigrants; especially those of Indian and Chinese origin.”
Positive Psychology is also used against the suicide epidemic
Emphasizing that Positive Psychology applications arose not only from academic but also from societal need, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated, “Bristol University announced in 2019 that they included this course in their curriculum ‘against the suicide epidemic.’ Ministries of Loneliness were established in the UK and Japan. In the UK, this ministry was established by prime ministerial decree in 2016 after the death of a Member of Parliament.”
Üsküdar University launched Positive Psychology course in 2013!
Stating that Üsküdar University is one of the institutions that took early steps in this field, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said the following:
“Harvard introduced this course in 2015, but we at Üsküdar University started it in 2013. I'm not saying this to boast, but we recognized this global trend early. Currently, this course is not just an elective but a mandatory one for us. It is implemented at associate degree, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Approximately 50,000 of our graduates have taken this course to date.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also stated that impact analyses of the course were conducted, saying, “We applied pre-tests and post-tests. We received feedback such as ‘My relationship with my friend improved,’ ‘I used to use substances, I quit,’ ‘I feel better about myself.’ We converted these results into scientific publications.”
Global threat: narcissism epidemic…
In his speech, Prof. Dr. Tarhan also drew attention to the concept of the “Narcissism Epidemic,” stating that narcissistic personality traits are increasingly prevalent: “In the 1980s, Narcissistic Personality Inventory scores were low. After 2005, there has been a significant increase, and today it is even higher. This is a kind of personality epidemic. Narcissistic individuals are toxic; if power is in their hands, they crush others, operating by jungle law. The mentality of ‘If I'm strong, everything is my right’ prevails.”
Money increases, happiness does not
Addressing the relationship between happiness and economic well-being, Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated, “Between 1950 and 2000, per capita income was $35,000; today in the USA, it has exceeded $70,000. But the happiness score remained at the same level. This statistic confirms the saying ‘money cannot buy happiness.’”
Fundamental steps of psychological resilience
Prof. Dr. Tarhan stated that psychological resilience has seven fundamental pillars, listing them as follows:
“First is emotional regulation; being able to recognize negative emotions and focus on positive ones. Second is hope and optimism. Third is self-efficacy; that is, the belief ‘I can cope.’ Healthy self-worth comes from within, while narcissistic self-worth is dependent on external validation.”
Prof. Dr. Tarhan also drew attention to the importance of cognitive flexibility, saying, “Stubbornness is the opposite of cognitive flexibility. People without cognitive flexibility will not back down even if they hit a wall.”
Emphasizing the role of finding meaning in psychological resilience, Prof. Dr. Tarhan referred to Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy approach, stating, “To the extent that a person can assign meaning to suffering, they can manage that suffering.”
Three personality types in the face of stress
Summarizing stress coping mechanisms through three types, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, “Type A individuals are clingy; they whine, absorb energy, and end up alone. Type C individuals are like Teflon; they don’t burn themselves but burn those around them. Type B individuals, who possess psychological resilience, are like rubber; they stretch, learn, and regain strength. If we want the ability to remain calm in the face of stress, we must be the rubber type. We will be flexible, learn from the other side, and manage it. We will ask, ‘What did it teach me?’ Every event is not just a threat; it also has an opportunity dimension. Those who can look to the future by focusing on the opportunity dimension can manage the negative without disturbing their own positive mood. Therefore, illnesses are not our enemies, but merely companions we must manage. Illnesses or pains are not our enemies; they are things we must manage, unavoidable realities. Looking at events this way builds psychological resilience.”
Highlighting the importance of teamwork, Prof. Dr. Tarhan concluded his speech with the goose flock metaphor:
“Geese fly across continents by practicing rotational leadership. Team intelligence is superior to individual genius. If people of different temperaments can work together around a common goal, true psychological resilience resides there.”
