Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

Today’s guest is the author of the iconic book, ‘The Body Keeps the Score’, which first came out over 10 years ago and has sold millions of copies all around the world. In fact, the book has been somewhat of an international sensation and is as popular today as it ever has been.   Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.   Today’s clip is from episode 336 of the podcast with professor of psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and President of the Trauma Research Foundation, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk.   In this clip we discuss the meaning of trauma and how it’s different from stress, how traumatic experiences leave an imprint in our bodies, and why he thinks that body-oriented therapies such as yoga could play a vital role in beginning to heal.   Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore⁠⁠ [https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Show notes and the full podcast are available at https://drchatterjee.com/336 [https://drchatterjee.com/336] Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore⁠⁠ [https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0]For other podcast platforms go to ⁠⁠https://fblm.supercast.com. [https://fblm.supercast.com] DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

CAUTION: If you are taking antidepressants or any other psychiatric medication, do not stop or adjust your dosage without first consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Coming off these medications without proper guidance can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms. Always seek professional advice before making changes to your treatment.   Did you know that nearly one in five UK adults - and almost one in four women - are currently taking antidepressants? Yet according to my guest this week, the fundamental theory behind these prescriptions may be built on remarkably shaky ground. Joanna Moncrieff is Professor of Critical and Social Psychiatry at University College London, consultant psychiatrist for the NHS, and the author of the groundbreaking book, Chemically Imbalanced: The Making and Unmaking of the Serotonin Myth. In our thought-provoking conversation, Joanna explains how the widely accepted belief that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance or serotonin deficiency has little scientific evidence to support it. This theory, which became popularised in the 1990s through pharmaceutical industry marketing, has fundamentally changed how we view our emotions and mental health. Joanna and I discuss: * Why the difference between antidepressants and placebos in clinical trials is just two points on a 54-point depression scale - a remarkably small difference that may not be clinically significant * How the diagnosis of depression itself is subjective and based on criteria that Joanna describes as "completely made up", rather than objective biological markers * The concerning side effects of SSRIs that are often underreported - including emotional numbness, sexual dysfunction that can persist even after stopping medication, and in some cases, an increase in suicidal thoughts * How pharmaceutical marketing campaigns in the 1990s fundamentally changed our cultural understanding of depression from a natural human response to life circumstances to a "chemical imbalance" requiring medication * Why withdrawal from antidepressants can be extremely challenging, particularly at lower doses, and why reducing medication requires careful, gradual reduction that many doctors aren't trained to manage * Whether visiting your GP should be your first option when experiencing low mood, and how alternatives like exercise, mindfulness and addressing underlying life issues might be more effective Throughout the episode, Joanna encourages us to view our emotional responses as meaningful signals rather than medical disorders that need chemical correction. She believes we've been disempowering people by teaching them that negative emotions represent a deficiency rather than a natural human experience that can guide us toward necessary changes in our lives. This conversation isn't about telling anyone what to do with their current medication, but rather providing information to make truly informed decisions. If you or someone you know has ever taken antidepressants or been diagnosed with depression, this episode offers a perspective that could fundamentally change how you view mental health treatment in the future. I hope you enjoy listening. Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore [https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore]. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com [https://fblm.supercast.com/].   Thanks to our sponsors: https://boncharge.com/livemore [https://www.boncharge.com/livemore] https://airbnb.co.uk/host [https://airbnb.co.uk/host] https://drinkag1.com/livemore [https://drinkag1.com/livemore] https://join.whoop.com/livemore [https://join.whoop.com/livemore]    Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/563 [https://drchatterjee.com/563]   DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

You probably already know that your diet can hugely influence how well you feel, but did you know that the food you choose to eat can change the make-up of your entire body, all the way down to the health of your cells? Feel Better, Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.   Today’s clip is from episode 485 of the podcast with internationally renowned physician, food scientist and bestselling author, Dr William Li. In this clip, we explore the intricate relationship between what we eat and how our bodies function and Dr Li shares how certain foods can stimulate and protect our vital stem cells, which enhances our body’s natural ability to regenerate and heal. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore⁠⁠ [https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Show notes and the full podcast are available at https://drchatterjee.com/485 [https://drchatterjee.com/485] Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore⁠⁠ [https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] For other podcast platforms go to ⁠⁠https://fblm.supercast.com. [https://fblm.supercast.com] DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

In a world that’s never been more comfortable, why are so many people struggling?   This week, my guest is Dr. Alok Kanojia, medical doctor, psychiatrist and one of the world’s foremost authorities on mental health for the gaming community. He is known online as Dr K and is the co-founder of Healthy Gamer, a mental health platform that provides content and coaching to help young people take control of their wellbeing and he’s also the author of the bestselling book: How to Raise a Healthy Gamer: End Power Struggles, Break Bad Screen Habits, and Transform Your Relationship with Your Kids.   One of the things I like the most about Alok is his competence and expertise in both western medical and eastern philosophies: he has both trained to be a monk in India and he has a Western medical degree and practices as a psychiatrist.   During our conversation, you will learn: * Why comfort might be the greatest threat to our mental health and how the brain and mind “rust” without regular use * How technology is rewiring our attention and what ‘doom-scrolling’ is really doing to our brains * Why our emotional regulation is weakening and how simple acts like taking the stairs can recondition the mind * The difference between the brain and the mind and why understanding this could transform how we approach mental illness * Why meditation isn’t a one-size-fits-all and how finding the right technique for your brain can make all the difference * The true meaning and essence of happiness * The link between ancient wisdom and modern psychiatry, and why you may be the only person that is truly qualified to heal your mind. Ultimately, this episode is an invitation to not only think differently, but to live differently, as well. Alok reminds us that healing doesn’t always require a prescription or a therapist, but it does require courage, awareness and a willingness to face discomfort.   Whether it’s choosing to take the stairs, sitting in silence for five minutes or resisting the urge to reach for our phones, each of these seemingly small acts are actually powerful tools that can help us feel calm, connected and in control. I hope you enjoy listening.   Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore [https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore]. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com [https://fblm.supercast.com/].   Thanks to our sponsors: https://drinkag1.com/livemore [https://drinkag1.com/livemore] https://thriva.co [https://thriva.co] https://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemore [https://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemore] https://airbnb.co.uk/host [https://airbnb.co.uk/host]   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/561 [https://drchatterjee.com/561]   DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Cues are the small signals that we give and pick up that have a big impact. The head tilt, the smile, the open-palmed gesture – they all carry meaning that people intuitively understand. And if you’ve ever felt misunderstood, overlooked, or underestimated, you can change that by using the right cues. Everything from the way you walk into a room to how you stand, your choice of words to your intonation, can affect how people perceive you. Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests. Today’s clip is from episode 254 of the podcast with an expert in body language and nonverbal communication, the wonderful Vanessa Van Edwards. Her book Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication is packed with practical tools and exercises to help you understand more about others – and communicate your own ideas with warmth and competence. Vanessa likes to introduce herself as a ‘recovering awkward person’. She certainly doesn’t come across as awkward anymore; in fact, she exudes confidence and charisma. In this clip, she shares how to discover your unique “flavour” of confidence and how small changes in your body language could create big shifts in how you’re perceived. Thanks to our sponsor ⁠⁠⁠https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore⁠⁠ [https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] Show notes and the full podcast are available at https://drchatterjee.com/254 [https://drchatterjee.com/254] Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts ⁠⁠https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore⁠⁠ [https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] For other podcast platforms go to ⁠⁠https://fblm.supercast.com [https://fblm.supercast.com].⁠⁠ DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website