Your Brain On
A podcast about the neuroscience of everything. From neurologists, researchers, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai, explore every aspect of our world through a neuroscientific lens, with science-based stories, interviews, anecdotes, and brain health facts. Equip yourself with neurologically sound answers to life’s everyday health questions and learn the essentials of brain health and optimization, one topic at a time.
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Your Brain On... Sunlight
05/29/2024
Your Brain On... Sunlight
Sunlight has kept our brains on a 24-hour schedule for hundreds of thousands of years. Here’s how. When sunlight touches your skin or hits your eyes, your brain ups the production of serotonin, to make you feel alert. And when night falls, your brain switches to releasing melatonin, so you know it’s time to sleep. So when we don’t get enough sunlight, our biological cycles can start to break. In this episode, we discuss: • How Vitamin D is made, and what benefits it has for your brain health • The evolutionary complexities of your circadian rhythm, and how it’s been thrown into chaos by modern life • What happens to our mental health when winter shortens daylight hours • How light therapies can help people living in cloudier climates to protect their cognitive health • The association between not getting enough sunlight and developing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia We’re joined by Population Health Science and Policy scientist and ‘lighting researcher’ Dr. Mariana Figueiro to discuss how light-emulating technologies can help simulate sunlight in darker spaces during gloomier times of year. And Dr. Satchin Panda, leading expert in the field of circadian rhythm research and a founder of the Center for Circadian Biology at the University of California, to dive deep into the neurological intricacies of our 24-hour body clock. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. Drs. Ayesha and Dean are now welcoming patients via the Brain Health Institute: ‘Your Brain On... Sunlight’ • SEASON 2 • EPISODE 5 LINKS: Dr. Mariana Figueiro: at The Center for Health Design: TED Talk: Dr. Satchin Panda: at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies: on Instagram: FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Fats
05/22/2024
Your Brain On... Fats
Fat can have a bad reputation, but certain fats are essential for the healthy functioning of your brain. Between government guidelines, fad diets, and our endless social feeds, nutrition advice overload has left us all a bit lost with how to incorporate healthy fats into what we eat. In this episode, we discuss: • The different kinds of fats (saturated vs. unsaturated) and which ones we actually need to consume • The myth that “because your brain is primarily made of fat, it thrives on a high-fat diet” • How the cardiovascular damage caused by saturated fats can increase the risk of cognitive decline and dementia • All the tasty ways you can get more healthy, unsaturated, essential fats into your meals We welcome esteemed nutrition scientist Dr. Alan Flanagan back to the show, to explore the history of research into the impact of fats and how it shaped one of the most robust bodies of evidence in all of science. We’re also joined by Dr. Danielle Belardo, renowned cardiologist and science communicator, to talk about the interplay between heart health, brain health, and fats, the controversy around statins, the low-down on LDL cholesterol, and the future of cardiovascular interventions. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... FATS’ • SEASON 2 • EPISODE 4 LINKS Dr. Alan Flanagan: Alan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenutritionaladvocate Alinea Nutrition: https://www.alineanutrition.com/ Dr. Danielle Belardo: Dr. Belardo’s website: https://www.daniellebelardomd.com/ Practical, Evidence-Based Approaches to Nutritional Modifications to Reduce Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35284849/ FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: REFERENCES Scientific articles discussed in this episode: Mensink, Ronald P., and World Health Organization. Effects of saturated fatty acids on serum lipids and lipoproteins: a systematic review and regression analysis. World Health Organization, 2016. Okereke, Olivia I., et al. “Dietary fat types and 4‐year cognitive change in community‐dwelling older women.” Annals of neurology 72.1 (2012): 124-134. Simian Diet paper: Kendall, Cyril WC, and David JA Jenkins. “A dietary portfolio: maximal reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with diet.” Current atherosclerosis reports 6.6 (2004): 492-498. Solomon, Alina, et al. “Midlife serum cholesterol and increased risk of Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia three decades later.” Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders 28.1 (2009): 75-80. Morris, Martha Clare, et al. “Dietary fats and the risk of incident Alzheimer disease.” Archives of neurology 60.2 (2003): 194-200. Keys, Ancel, Joseph T. Anderson, and Francisco Grande. “Prediction of serum-cholesterol responses of man to changes in fats in the diet.” Lancet 273 (1957): 959-966 Anitschkow, N. N., and S. Chalatow. 1913. Ueber experimentelle Cholesterinsteatose und ihre Bedeutung fur die Entstehung eini- ger pathologischer Prozesse. Zentralbl. Allg. Pathol. 24: 1–9. Keys, Ancel, et al. “The seven countries study: 2,289 deaths in 15 years.” Preventive medicine 13.2 (1984): 141-154. Sherzai, Ayesha Z., Alexander N. Sherzai, and Dean Sherzai. "A systematic review of omega-3 consumption and neuroprotective cognitive outcomes." American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 17.4 (2023): 560-588. Rajan, Kumar B., et al. "Statin Initiation and Risk of Incident Alzheimer Disease and Cognitive Decline in Genetically Susceptible Older Adults." Neurology 102.7 (2024): e209168. Olmastroni, Elena, et al. "Statin use and risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies." European journal of preventive cardiology 29.5 (2022): 804-814.
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Your Brain On... Hearing Loss
05/15/2024
Your Brain On... Hearing Loss
How does hearing loss change the brain and contribute to cognitive decline? The human capacity to hear is incredible. In milliseconds, sound vibrations are transformed into mechanical energy, then sensorineural signals, and then, in our brains, a universe of meaning and memory. When that sense begins to fade, either due to aging or because of causative damage, our brains can become understimulated, potentially leading to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. But, with accessibility research, technology, and policy continuing to strengthen and converge, the future promises to be brighter for everyone experiencing hearing loss. In this episode of ‘YOUR BRAIN ON...’, we discuss: • The different kinds and causes of hearing loss • The relationship between aging and hearing loss • The neurological distinction between ‘hearing’ and ‘listening’ • The recent groundbreaking studies which have made the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline clearer than ever • How associated conditions like tinnitus impact the brain • What’s coming next in hearing aid technology This episode, we’re joined by: DR. FRANK LIN, Director of the Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health at Johns Hopkins, who headed major research into how hearing loss contributes to increased risk of neurodegenerative disease. DR. DOUGLAS BECK, renowned audiologist and co-host of the Hearing Matters podcast, who talks about the past and future of hearing aid devices, how to protect your hearing, and why listening — not hearing — is a whole-brain event. DR. KRISTIN BARRY, researcher and tinnitus expert, who breaks down the various types of tinnitus and explains how the effects of tinnitus can be observed in the brain. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... HEARING LOSS’ • SEASON 2 • EPISODE 3 LINKS Dr. Frank Lin Johns Hopkins Cochlear Center for Hearing and Public Health: The Hearing Number: Dr. Douglas Beck Dr. Beck’s website: The Hearing Matters podcast: Dr. Kristin Barry Dr. Barry at the University of Western Australia: Dr. Barry’s TEDx talk: FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Comedy
05/08/2024
Your Brain On... Comedy
Laughter predates language. But what’s the neurological function of humor? Why do we find things funny? Your brain’s ability to perceive and create comedic ideas is one of the most powerful facets of the human experience. Through humor and laughter, we can find shared understanding across the boundaries of cultures, languages, and ideologies. In this episode of ‘YOUR BRAIN ON...’, we discuss: • Why we evolved the ability to laugh • The ‘benign violation theory’ — the most prevalent hypothesis for the function of humor • Why we find some things funny, and some things not • How some comedians use humor as a form of therapy • The nervous disorders underpinning involuntary bursts of laughter This episode, we’re joined by: CALEB WARREN, a primary contributor of the Humor Research Lab (HuRL) at the University of Colorado, and a key pioneer of the Benign Violation Theory, which he speaks about in this episode. JESSICA PORTER, an hilarious comedian who uses humor both for performances and for therapy. Jessica shares some fascinating ideas about comedy as a tool for communication and growth. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... COMEDY’ • SEASON 2 • EPISODE 2 LINKS The Humor Research Lab at University of Colorado: Jessica Porter on Instagram: Jessica’s podcast, Sleep Magic: FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Space Travel
05/01/2024
Your Brain On... Space Travel
Space travel goes against a million years of human evolution. So how does it affect our brains? In just six decades of manned space flights, we’ve discovered a remarkable amount about the neurological effects of venturing to the stars. In this episode of ‘YOUR BRAIN ON...’ we discuss: • How low gravity changes your brain structure, impacts your balance, and... actually might improve your sleep • The cognitive dangers of space travel, from the mania of isolation to the destructive forces of cosmic radiation • Why we’re evolutionary drawn to explore other worlds and believe in aliens • What spaceflight can teach us about neuroplasticity and cogntive decline This episode, we’re joined by: DR. JAY BUCKEY, astronaut and space physiologist, who, in 1998, was part of the Neurolab mission, going to space for 16 days to study the effects of spaceflight on the brain and nervous system. DR. SHEYNA GIFFORD, aerospace medic, who famously spent a year in a simulation of Mars on a volcano in Hawaii, to study the psychological impacts of long-term space travel. DR. RACHAEL SEIDLER, Professor in the Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology at the University of Florida, and an expert on spaceflight’s affects on neuroplasticity. EMILY CALANDRELLI, renowned science educator and engineer, who highlights how what we learn while exploring space greatly benefits our lives down here on Earth. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... SPACE TRAVEL’ • SEASON 2 • EPISODE 1 👉 LINKS Dr. Jay Buckey at Dartmouth: Dr. Sheyna Gifford’s website: Dr. Rachael Seidler at University of Florida: Dr. Rachael Seidler on Twitter (AKA ‘X’): Emily Calandrelli’s website, ‘The Space Gal’: Emily Calandrelli on Instagram: Emily Calandrelli on TikTok: 👉 FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
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Your Brain On... Presidential Aging
04/03/2024
Your Brain On... Presidential Aging
The U.S. is set to have its oldest President ever. Should we be worried, or are we thinking about aging the wrong way? The unprecedented age of the two United States presidential candidates, Biden and Trump, has sparked fiery debates over whether a leader can be ‘too old’ to effectively run a country. Our guest for this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Charan Ranganath, recently published a New York Times op-ed offering an alternative view: age itself may not be a useful metric for measuring how successfully a president might lead the nation. In this episode of ‘Your Brain On’, we discuss: • The different types of memory, and how they work • How our brains can remain more resilient than is often thought in older age • Historic figures who have made significant contributions to the world during their twilight years • The inspiring power of our cognitive reserve We’re also joined by longevity expert Dan Buettner, renowned for his work on ‘The Blue Zones’ — parts of the world with longer life expectancy — for a conversation about why having an older leader might not be an inherently bad thing. This is the SEASON ONE FINALE of Your Brain On. Thank you so much for listening! We return in May 2024 with ten more exhilarating stories about the world through a neuroscientific lens. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Presidential Aging’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 10 Daniel Kahneman, the Nobel Prize-winning psychologist and celebrated author, who Dr. Charan Ranganath mentioned during our conversation, sadly passed away the week before we recorded this episode. We dedicate this episode to his memory, and his work. ——— LINKS Dr. Charan Ranganath His website: His new book, ‘Why We Remember’: At UC Davis: Dan Buettner His website: Blue Zones: On Instagram: ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Cardio
03/27/2024
Your Brain On... Cardio
A healthier heart equals a healthier brain — no surprise there — but what’s the neuroscience behind the benefits of a cardio workout? Cardiovascular exercise, be it a brisk stroll, a light jog, or an intense interval training session, releases neurotransmitters that can improve your mood, reduce stress, enhance your memory, and strengthen immunity. In this episode of ‘Your Brain On’, we discuss: • How your brain and your body respond to increasingly challenging aerobic workouts • The neurochemistry of phenomena like ‘feeling the burn’ and ‘runner’s high’ • How the protein BDNF, triggered by exercise, can reverse the effects of aging and cognitive decline • Ways to integrate more cardio exercise into your life, no matter which hurdles each day brings We speak to Dr. John Ratey, author of ‘Spark’, widely celebrated as one of THE go-to books about how exercise benefits the brain. He shares the story that led him to write the book, about a school which favored fitness over sports skills in its PE classes and subsequently ranked amid the smartest schools in the world. We’re also joined by Dr. Art Kramer, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Cognitive & Brain Health at Northeastern University, who dismisses the idea that you can be ‘too old to exercise’. And we invite anti-influencer and social media personality Erin Azar, AKA Mrs. Space Cadet, to the show, to talk about how her videos, which show the less glamorous side of running and exercise, went viral and spawned a community of nearly one-million followers. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Cardio • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 9 ——— LINKS Our ‘Mastering Memory’ training webinar: Dr. John Ratey Website and books: Dr. Art Kramer At Northeastern University College of Science: Erin Azar, “Mrs. Space Cadet” Instagram: TikTok: ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
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Your Brain On... Alzheimer’s
03/20/2024
Your Brain On... Alzheimer’s
How does Alzheimer’s alter the brain, and how do we create a future without the disease? Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, threatens to single-handedly collapse our healthcare systems. But our knowledge of how to prevent it is stronger than ever. In this episode of ‘YOUR BRAIN ON’, we discuss: • The power of stories and the importance of community for finding comfort and confidence following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis • What we know about preventing cognitive decline through brain-healthy living • The neurochemistry of how Alzheimer’s physically changes the brain • Genetic predisposition to neurodegenerative diseases, and why women have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s • Why we should approach brain health in the same way we approach heart health We’re joined by Dr. Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and writer of ‘Still Alice’, a book which allows the reader to step into the shoes of a woman experiencing the onset of Alzheimer’s. ‘Still Alice’ was adapted into a feature film, for which Julianne Moore won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2015. Lisa talks to us about how stories can help us find a sense of hope and empathy in the face of ‘scary’ diagnoses. Dr. Charles DeCarli, Director of the the University of California Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center, explains a broad range of Alzheimer’s risk factors — from amyloid and tau proteins to cardiovascular diseases — and offers advice on thinking about brain health as part of the body’s wider functionality, not a standalone system. And Dr. Lisa Mosconi, neuroscientist, educator, and author of ‘The Menopause Brain’, highlights how the hormonal shifts caused by menopause contribute to a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s in women, and unpacks the controversial history and potential future of hormone replacement therapy. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... ADHD • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 8 ——— LINKS Lisa Genova: Website and books: Instagram: Lisa Mosconi: Website: Instagram: Book, ‘The Menopause Brain’: Dr. Charles DeCarli at UC Davis Health: ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Being A Woman
03/13/2024
Your Brain On... Being A Woman
Are there differences between the brains of women and men? In this episode of Your Brain On, we explore the unique aspects of the female brain, and how the male-biased history of medical science has left us with enormous gaps in our knowledge of women’s distinctive neurology. We discuss: • The striking uniformity in the structure of the female and male brain • The possible physiological and sociological reasons why women have a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s • The recent progress that’s been made in making neuroscientific studies more inclusive • What current research says about Hormone Replacement Therapy, a common treatment for postmenopausal drops in neuroprotective hormones We’re joined by Dr. Margaret McCarthy, James & Carolyn Frenkil Endowed Dean's Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she is also Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology, renowned for her research into the neuroscience of sex differences, and Dr. Lise Eliot, Professor of Neuroscience at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates, Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Being A Woman • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 7 ——— LINKS Dr. Margaret McCarthy’s website: Dr. Lise Eliot at Rosalind Franklin University: ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... ADHD
03/06/2024
Your Brain On... ADHD
What actually is ADHD? What caused the sharp increase in cases? How does diagnosis work? ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 60 years ago, it wasn’t mentioned at all in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Now, it’s one of the most broadly-discussed disorders in the world. In this episode of ‘Your Brain On’, we discuss: • What’s distinct about the brains of people with ADHD • The past, present, and future of ADHD diagnosis • How social media has simultaneously crushed mental health stigmas AND contributed to a dangerous trend of misguided self-diagnosis Clinical psychologist , who's known on social media for debunking trending neuroscience mistruths, joins us to discuss how online misinformation and cultural disparities have caused a paradoxical overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of ADHD. Nicole also explains ADHD’s overlap with other disorders, and how such comorbidities can make diagnosis challenging. elaborates on the diagnosis disparity between various communities and demographics, unpacks what we know about how genetics and environment affect the prevalence of ADHD, and further ponders the relationship between social media discourse and the rising pervasiveness of ADHD. Margaret is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. She also details the current interventions for ADHD, and shares what she’s excited about for the future of the disorder’s treatment. And we speak to , a clinical psychologist specializing in diagnosing and treating people with ADHD, about the disorder’s subtypes, how ADHD affects children and adults differently, and why management can be just as important as treatment. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... ADHD’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 6 ——— LINKS Nicole’s Instagram: Nicole’s website: Margaret’s website: Ari’s website: Ari’s book, Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD: ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Lobotomies
02/28/2024
Your Brain On... Lobotomies
From trepanning to Neuralink, we’ve always been curious about operating on our brains — for better or worse. Tens of thousands of people were lobotomized before the practice began to decline in the 1950s. The era of lobotomies is one of the darkest chapters in medical history. Many of the period’s missteps can guide how we think about healthcare ethics today, and in the future. In this episode of Your Brain On, we discuss: • The origins of lobotomies, and how they became so prevalent in spite of their tragic consequences • How evolving medical knowledge and technology led to their obsolescence • Whether we’re about to make the same mistakes, as brain-machine interfaces like Neuralink promise a new generation of cognitive enhancement We speak to Dr. Warren Boling about the historic context of lobotomies, how the procedure scored one of the most controversial Nobel Prize awards of all time, and what’s coming next for neurosurgical technology. Warren is a renowned neurosurgeon and director of the dept. of neurosurgery at Loma Linda University. He specializes in epilepsy surgery. We’re also joined by ethicist Dr. Arthur Caplan, for a fascinating talk about the past, present, and future of medical ethics. Arthur is the founding head of the Division of Medical Ethics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s Department of Population Health in New York City. ‘Your Brain On... Lobotomies’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 5 LINKS Dr. Warren Boling at Loma Linda: Dr. Arthur Caplan at NYU: Dr. Arthur Caplan on Twitter: FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Dreams
02/21/2024
Your Brain On... Dreams
Why do we dream? Is lucid dreaming real? How can dreams be used for therapy? Does cheese really give us nightmares? In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of: • REM sleep, and how it puts our brain in the ideal state for creating dreams • Why dreams might be a way for our brains to stop non-visual senses taking over our brains when we sleep • The links between recurring dreams and trauma, and how external stimuli influence the things we dream about We speak with renowned author, dreamworker, and poet about why, even if lucid dreaming is real, we might not want to interrupt the problem-solving, memory-consolidating work our brains undertake when we dream. And we talk to teacher and psychotherapist about how she incorporates dreams into therapeutic practices, and discuss why dreaming is so difficult to study. Plus: we take a trip through time, exploring all the world-changing inventions, discoveries, and works of art that were inspired by dreams. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Dreams’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 4 LINKS Rodger Kamenetz’s website: Rodger’s book: Dr. Leslie Ellis’ website: Leslie’s Instagram: Leslie’s book: FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Sugar
02/14/2024
Your Brain On... Sugar
Sugar often carries a blanket negative health connotation. But our brains need carbohydrates for everyday energy. The term “sugar” is often used in a broad and imprecise manner, often encompassing a wide range of carbohydrates — without distinction. This oversimplification overlooks the nuanced roles and effects of different types of carbohydrates on our health. In this episode, we aim to dissect and clarify these complexities, focusing on: • What sugar actually is, and how it affects our brains in different ways depending on how we consume it • The critical role of carbohydrates for our health, and the differences between various forms and their impacts • Whether sugar is really as addictive as drugs We explore the history of sugar, and discuss how it ended up in almost everything we see on supermarket shelves. Plus, we speak to Dr Alan Flanagan, an esteemed nutrition scientist and founder of Alinea Nutrition. His insights shed light on the current scientific understanding of sugar and carbohydrates, providing a deeper analysis of their implications for our well-being. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Sugar’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 3 CONTEST To celebrate the launch of our new podcast, ‘Your Brain On’, we’re giving away prizes to its earliest listeners — like you! Prizes include memberships to our thriving NEURO Academy community, and bundles, like our Better Brain Cooking Box, Books Bundle, and Better Brain Favorites Box. To enter, all you’ll need to do is subscribe to Your Brain On, leave an honest review of the show on Apple Podcasts, and then sign up for the contest at . LINKS Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: GUEST LINKS Alan on Instagram: Alinea Nutrition:
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Your Brain On... Football
02/14/2024
Your Brain On... Football
When wins and losses shape the mood of entire cities, what’s happening in the brains of football fans? In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of: • Football fandom, and bonding with others over shared love of a team • The chemicals that make wins feel so joyous, and losses so painful • How our empathy systems transport us into the shoes of the players We explore the evolutionary significance of sports, from honing our motor skills as hunter-gatherers to finding connection and purpose through the global tournaments of today, and share our own stories growing up as football fans. And, we speak to Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, neuroscientist, psychologist, and author, about the physiological effects of watching sports with others — synchronized breathing, matching heart rates, and mirrored movements. Plus! Our son Alexander Noor Sherzai, a newly accepted graduate student at UCLA in the field of computational medicine/AI and a lifelong fanatical Pittsburgh Steelers fan, joins us for a conversation about the cultural and psychological intersection of football fandom: being a fan from a young age, engaging in online discourse, and concerns around the growing epidemic of sports betting. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Football’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 2 CONTEST To celebrate the launch of our new podcast, ‘Your Brain On’, we’re giving away prizes to its earliest listeners — like you! Prizes include memberships to our thriving NEURO Academy community, and bundles, like our Better Brain Cooking Box, Books Bundle, and Better Brain Favorites Box. To enter, all you’ll need to do is subscribe to Your Brain On, leave an honest review of the show on Apple Podcasts, and then sign up for the contest at . LINKS Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: GUEST LINKS Lisa’s books: • Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain (book): • How Emotions Are Made (book): Lisa’s Twitter: Lisa’s Website:
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Your Brain On... Love
02/14/2024
Your Brain On... Love
Neurochemically, what is love? How can neuroscience help us maintain long-term relationships? Is heartbreak real? In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of: • Why falling in love can feel so stressful • How being infatuated activates the same neurotransmitters as having OCD • What happens to your brain when exciting new romances settle into comfortable decades-long unions We speak to Dr. , renowned author and evolutionary anthropologist at the Department of Experimental Psychology at Oxford University, England, and author of ‘Why We Love’, about oxytocin, dopamine, and lesser-discussed hormones like beta-endorphins, whether genetics can heighten our predisposition to desire relationships, and why love (in all forms, not just romantic) is a fundamental human need. Cardiologist Columbus Batiste, MD joins us for a conversation around love’s impact on both the heart and the brain, and what the medical term for heartbreak has to do with octopi! We speak with psychologist , esteemed professor of psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, best known for his work on intimacy in interpersonal relationships, and development of the self-expansion model of motivation in close relationships, about the differences between passionate and companionate love, and what his self-expansion model says about why we’re motivated to seek out relationships. , renowned psychiatrist, author and associate professor at Harvard Medical School and on the faculty of the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute and the Psychodynamic Couple and Family Institute of New England, discusses the neuroscience of distinguishing love from obsession. His work and research focuses on social connection and lasting marriage. With his wife, Jacqueline Olds, MD, he has co-authored three books on these subjects. Plus: we share our own love story — meeting while working on healthcare systems in war-torn Afghanistan — and explore how love can be found in the midst of shared challenges. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Love’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 1 CONTEST To celebrate the launch of our new podcast, ‘Your Brain On’, we’re giving away prizes to its earliest listeners — like you! Prizes include memberships to our thriving NEURO Academy community, and bundles, like our Better Brain Cooking Box, Books Bundle, and Better Brain Favorites Box. To enter, all you’ll need to do is subscribe to Your Brain On, leave an honest review of the show on Apple Podcasts, and then sign up for the contest at . LINKS Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... Dry January
02/14/2024
Your Brain On... Dry January
What happens to your brain when you stop drinking? Is doing Dry January the best way to quit? In this second preview episode of Your Brain On, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of: • How alcohol affects your brain, at a cellular level • Why a gradual detoxification might be better than the hard stop encouraged by Dry January • The fascinating history of alcohol’s role in culture, from ancient civilizations to the Prohibition era We also speak to Dr. Howard Rankin, an incredible psychologist who has done remarkable work in the realm of addiction and behavior. Dr. Rankin talks to us about the challenges of overcoming alcohol dependence, the differences between avoiding and confronting temptations, and the importance of focusing on progress over perfection. ‘Your Brain On’ is a brand new podcast from hosts Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. CONTEST To celebrate the launch of our new podcast, ‘Your Brain On’, we’re giving away prizes to its earliest listeners — like you! Prizes include memberships to our thriving NEURO Academy community, and bundles, like our Better Brain Cooking Box, Books Bundle, and Better Brain Favorites Box. To enter, all you’ll need to do is subscribe to Your Brain On, leave an honest review of the show on Apple Podcasts, and then sign up for the contest at . LINKS Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
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Your Brain On... New Year’s Resolutions
02/14/2024
Your Brain On... New Year’s Resolutions
On New Year’s Eve, we experience feelings of joy, sadness, thankfulness, regret, and nostalgia, as our brains recall episodic moments from the past 12 months. Surges of dopamine mix with our aspirations, forming resolutions. As we count down to the new year, we’re full of excitement and hope. But most of us don’t manage to stick to our new year’s resolutions beyond January. In this episode of Your Brain On, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of: • Why new year’s resolutions so often fail • How we can keep our new year’s resolutions, with science-backed techniques • Whether new years are good starting points for forming new habits We’re joined by Dr. Phillippa Lally, a Senior Lecturer of Psychology at the University of Surrey in the UK, and our friend Howard Jacobson, an expert in the mechanics of behavior change. ‘Your Brain On’ is a brand new podcast from hosts Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. CONTEST To celebrate the launch of our new podcast, ‘Your Brain On’, we’re giving away prizes to its earliest listeners — like you! Prizes include memberships to our thriving NEURO Academy community, and bundles, like our Better Brain Cooking Box, Books Bundle, and Better Brain Favorites Box. To enter, all you’ll need to do is subscribe to Your Brain On, leave an honest review of the show on Apple Podcasts, and then sign up for the contest at . LINKS Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes:
/episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/29947173