Change Your Mind with New Scientist

Cold-Water Swimming and Sauna - Can hot and cold therapies boost mental health?

If you’ve ever wondered whether the cold‑water swimming craze is a genuine brain booster or just a very chilly fad, this episode is for you. New Scientist journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson plunge into the science behind cold dips, ice baths and saunas, asking whether they really can lift mood, protect the brain and build resilience, or if a warm pool and a chat with friends would do just as much. Along the way, Cat and Helen explore why so many people feel transformed by getting into very cold water, and what might really be driving those post‑swim highs. Is it something special happening inside the brain and body or the simple magic of nature, community and ritual?  They’re joined by Professor Mike Tipton, a world‑leading expert in how our bodies respond to extreme environments. Together, they ask: in an age of central heating and air conditioning, have we made ourselves too comfortable for our brains and bodies’ own good?  We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to changeyourmind@newscientist.com [changeyourmind@newscientist.com] Learn more about Cold-water swimming: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2506082-cold-water-swimming-has-benefits-for-the-brain-as-well-as-the-body/ [https://www.newscientist.com/article/2506082-cold-water-swimming-has-benefits-for-the-brain-as-well-as-the-body/]  Learn more about our sponsor Alzheimer’s Society: ⁠⁠https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/⁠⁠ [https://www.newscientist.com/alzheimers-society/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Produced by Emily Bird

Supplements - The Surprising Pill that Actually Helps your Brain

If the wellness industry has you wondering whether your daily supplements are helping your brain, or just draining your bank account, this episode is for you. New Scientist journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson reveal the science behind multivitamins, omega-3s, vitamin D, creatine and more, separating the snake oil from the evidence that actually stands up. Along the way, they unpack why even the most scientifically minded people can fall for wellness trends, how social media has transformed the supplement boom, and what researchers are really discovering about brain health as we age. They’re joined by Harvard professor and physician JoAnn Manson, who has led some of the largest and most rigorous studies ever conducted on supplements and cognition. From surprising findings on multivitamins to the truth about chocolate, fish oils and “brain boosting” pills, this episode explores what’s worth paying attention to, and what might be better left on the shelf. We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to ⁠changeyourmind@newscientist.com⁠ [changeyourmind@newscientist.com] Learn more about supplements:  https://www.newscientist.com/article-topic/supplements/ Learn more our sponsor Alzheimer’s Association:  ⁠newscientist.com/alzheimers-society⁠ [http://newscientist.com/alzheimers-society] Produced by Emily Bird

Rethinking Anxiety - The Simple Shift that Changed my Life

In the very first episode of Change Your Mind, New Scientist journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson tackle one of the most common, and misunderstood, mental health challenges: anxiety. Why do some people bounce back from stress while others feel trapped in a constant state of alarm? And why is anxiety rising so sharply, especially among younger generations? Helen opens up about her own experiences with overwhelming anxiety, from panic on a flight home to the quieter daily dread that so many people hide beneath the surface. Together, Cat and Helen cut through the social media quick fixes to explore what neuroscience really tells us about anxious minds. They’re joined by psychotherapist, former NHS clinical lead and bestselling author Owen O’Kane, whose radically compassionate approach reframes anxiety not as a flaw to eliminate, but as a protective system that’s working overtime. Drawing on neuroscience, therapy and personal experience, Owen explains why calming the body must come before calming the mind and shares practical strategies that can genuinely help. We want to hear your thoughts, leave a comment or send in your ideas for future episodes to changeyourmind@newscientist.com [changeyourmind@newscientist.com] Learn more about Anxiety:  https://www.newscientist.com/definition/anxiety/ [https://www.newscientist.com/definition/anxiety/] Learn more our sponsor Alzheimer’s Association:  newscientist.com/alzheimers-society [http://newscientist.com/alzheimers-society]

Welcome to Change your Mind with New Scientist

Change Your Mind from New Scientist brings you the brain health advice you really need to know. Every week, award‑winning science journalists Cat de Lange and Helen Thomson cut through wellness hype to find out what actually keeps your mind sharp, your mood steady and your memory strong. As friends, they’ve spent decades swapping stories, testing trends and exploring the latest neuroscience, and thought it was about time to share the tips and tricks that have genuinely changed their own lives. From cold plunges to coffee, supplements to sleep, Ozempic and AI they speak to leading experts and ask: does this really work?  Expect smart conversations, clear answers, and practical takeaways - with plenty of laughs along the way. Because when you understand your brain, you really can change your mind - for the better. Look out for our first episode tomorrow and subscribe so you never miss our episodes each Thursday.