Unplugging the Brain

Learning to Unlearn: Addiction - E6

In this episode, we examine evidence from Marc Lewis's work that addiction involves normal brain changes from learning, countering the disease narrative. We probe flaws in traditional views, discuss alternatives and what learning in context of addiction means, and consider real-world applications for policy and therapy. Paper Discussed: Brain Change in Addiction as Learning, Not Disease [https://bit.ly/4sqeLh7] Recorded at the CDI studio in the IoPPN (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience) at King's College London.

Mind over Matter? - NeuroMODulating Memory - E5

In this episode we discuss consciousness, neuro modulation and how they apply to the elderly today. We also discuss how the feasibility of neuro modulation as a personalized form of medicine and the future of neuromodulation therapies in the current AI age. Timestamps (0:45) Intro (01:26) Thoughts about Neuromodulation (03:13) Introduction of Paper (05:23) What is Consciousness? (11:05) Max Planck's Quote on Consciousness (13:35) Types of Brainwave Frequencies (15:05) Discussing Paper Results (25:08) Neuromodulation: Enhancement or Treatment (35:50) Tech solving human problems? (44:15) Prioritizing Conditions & Treatment Inequality (47:16) Need for Measuring Long-Term Benefits (50:19) Generalizability of Paper's Results (55:06) Free Will, Consciousness & Memory (57:10) Informed Consent for Neuromodulation (59:10) Scalability and Influencer Culture (59:50) Logistics of At-Home Treatment (1:01:03) Key Takeaways Paper Discussed Long-lasting, dissociable improvements in working memory and long-term memory in older adults with repetitive neuromodulation [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-022-01132-3] References: Sleep Problems and Mental Health Issues in Older Adults with Autistic Traits Paper [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2020.101633] Max Planck that talks about matter and consciousness. This is the closest to the source version : "As a physicist who has devoted his whole life to rational science, to the study of matter, I think I can safely claim to be above any suspicion of irrational exuberance. Having said that, I would like to observe that my research on the atom has shown me that there is no such thing as matter in itself. What we perceive as matter is merely the manifestation of a force that causes the subatomic particles to oscillate and holds them together in the tiniest solar system of the universe. Since there is in the whole universe neither an intelligent force nor an eternal force (mankind, for all its yearnings, has yet to succeed in inventing a perpetual motion machine), we must assume that this force that is active within the atom comes from a conscious and intelligent mind. That mind is the ultimate source of matter." Das Wesen der Materie [The Nature of Matter], a 1944 speech in Florence, Italy, Archiv zur Geschichte der Max‑Planck‑Gesellschaft, Abt. Va, Rep. 11 Planck, Nr. 1797 Recorded at the CDI studio in the IoPPN (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience) at King's College London.

Overcoming Climate Apathy: How Dopamine hacks can drive Action - E4

In this episode we discuss common beliefs on climate and the effects human activity has on it. We also discuss Dopamine and how it can be manipulated to approach how we act toward the climate henceforth. Paper Link [https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2022.996955] Suggestions Bond with Nature Eat less red meat Stop/reduce plane travel Buy second hand/local/responsible goods Move your money away from the big greenwashing banks and go to ethical banks. Resources IPCC decision makers report [https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SPM.pdf] Small video for a 2 min explanation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n4A0BssFd0]Wanna change and don't know what to do? Here is a priority list [https://probablygood.org/cause-areas/climate-change/priorities/] Comic: World Without End: An Illustrated Guide to the Climate Crisis, Christophe Blain et Jean-Marc Jancovici Calculation of your carbon footprint [https://www.myco2.com/calcul-empreinte-carbone-individuelle] (to meet the 2015 Paris agreement, we all need to be at 2 tCO2 per year by 2050) The average in France today is 10 tCO2 Your money isn't sleeping on your account: it's being used for investment, usually for destructive and unethical projects. Wanna take care of your finances? Here are some suggestions [https://bloommoney.co/learning-hub/the-most-ethical-banks-in-the-uk-2023] for a new bank in the UK. For France, https://www.helios.do/ https://green-got.com/ https://www.lanef.com/ Recorded at the CDI studio in the IoPPN (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience) at King's College London.

Breaking Through: Psychedelics, Depression, and the Self - E3

In this episode we discuss psychedelics and how they can be used in depression in a case study. We also discuss how personalised medicine can manifest itself and the implications in today's society Paper Discussed Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0022167817709585] References: Proven Dopamine production(awesome !) after placebo more than 200% compared to baseline [https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1060937] Spontaneous remissions [https://digitalcommons.ciis.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=ijts-transpersonalstudies] : Kelly A Turner, University of Berkeley Findings [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15347354241293197]used in Cancer treatment approaches Recorded at the CDI studio in the IoPPN (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience) at King's College London.

Van Gogh's Vision: Art, Absinthe, and Neuroscience - E2

In this episode we discuss psychiatric illness and how it can shape notable artists in our history, we also investigate how Art, Knowledge and Science were/continue to be enmeshed together (0:00) Episode Into Trailer (worth listening to!) (0:43) Episode Takeaways Teaser (1:10) Recap of Episode 1 Sex Differences and Curiosity (2:05) Host Fun Facts (3:52) Paper Discussion (A GABA Interneuron Deficit Model of the Art of Vincent Van Gogh) (28:20) Implications of the paper and what this has for artists today (43:47) A scenario and our choices (50:30) Key Takeaways from the episode (55:10) Outro Paper Discussed - A GABA Interneuron Deficit Model of the Art of Vincent van Gogh https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00685 Recorded at the CDI studio in the IoPPN (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience) at King's College London.