My Crazy Brain

Social Media's Effects on the Brain

Social media has changed the way we interact with the world. While it is entertaining to watch funny dog videos or get inspiration for tasty recipes, social media can be harmful to our mental health. Whether through likes, followers, looks, or comments, it is easier than ever before to compare ourselves to others. At no other time in history have we been able to easily view images of people from across the globe. This can lead us to minimize our worth as people to mere likes or followers. Tune in to hear about the ways social media can impact the mind. Media multitasking is associated with distractibility and increased prefrontal activity in adolescents and young adults [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27063068/#affiliation-1] Social media use linked to decline in mental health [https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ideas-made-to-matter/study-social-media-use-linked-to-decline-mental-health] Social Media is Changing Our Brains [https://centerforbrainhealth.org/article/social-media-is-changing-our-brains]

"Why Are We Scared All the Time?": How to Conquer Fear in the Modern World

Fear controls us like a puppeteer, causing us to act irrationally and rashly. In the past, fear was a vital ingredient in the recipe for procreation, in fact fear is what propels the theory of Darwinism (the survival of the fittest). Those who were fearful of threats were more likely to survive, which is why we experience fear today, but over time a lot has changed... No longer do we need to worry about hunting and gathering or defending ourselves from predators all the time.  However, in today's world, people are still driven by fear to the point of debilitation. Join us in this episode for a disucssion on how we can conquer fear to help us be successful!

I Want More: The Reality of Addiction

Today's topic is one that is unfortunately all too common: addiction. Addiction can take many forms, from substance abuse to gambling, and it affects millions of people worldwide. In this episode, we'll be exploring the neurobiological mechanisms underlying addiction and addictive tendencies, and how understanding this can help us find ways to overcome these destructive behaviors. The Neurobiology of Substance Use, Misuse, and Addiction [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424849/]

Procrastination Is Totally Normal, but Let's Fix It

Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions that need to be completed. It is a common behavior that many people experience in their daily lives, and it can have a negative impact on their productivity, mental health, and overall well-being. Procrastination can manifest in different ways, such as avoiding difficult or unpleasant tasks, prioritizing low-value activities over more important ones, or simply not getting started on a task at all. Despite its negative effects, many people struggle with procrastination and find it difficult to overcome. In today's episode, we work out solutions for procrastination using science and other approaches in hopes that it helps us become the best version of ourselves. Identifying the Neural Substrates of Procrastination: a Resting-State fMRI Study [https://www.nature.com/articles/srep33203] Attenuated brain activity during error processing and punishment anticipation in procrastination – a monetary Go/No-go fMRI study [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-48008-4] Why Wait? The Science Behind Procrastination [https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/why-wait-the-science-behind-procrastination] Mindfulness training for addictions: has neuroscience revealed a brain hack by which awareness subverts the addictive process? [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352250X18301714?via%3Dihub]

Fish, Pessimism, and Light: How to Spread Positivity

In this episode, I approach the topic of optimism through an authentic lens. It feels like, despite our best efforts, we are constantly being pushed backwards in life. It is ironic, consequently, that we are expected to, in some settings, remain optimistic at all times - smiling and laughing through adversity. I argue that this isn't always the best way to approach negativity and pessimism, but rather that the transition from pessimism to optimism is vital in giving us hope and sparking self-insight.  We discuss everything from fish migration patterns to philosophical principles. This is a fun one, so give it a listen!