My Crazy Brain Slayton Cooper

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

Social media use linked to decline in mental health

Social Media is Changing Our Brains

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!

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

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

Attenuated brain activity during error processing and punishment anticipation in procrastination – a monetary Go/No-go fMRI study

Why Wait? The Science Behind Procrastination

Mindfulness training for addictions: has neuroscience revealed a brain hack by which awareness subverts the addictive process?

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!

Neuroplasticity is defined as our brain's ability to adapt, change, and mold itself in response to external events or stimuli. In today's episode, we use our understanding of brain mechanisms underlying memory, cognition, and learning to craft ourselves protocols suitable to our lifestyles. Of course, when one thinks of learning, they think about school and classrooms, but there is so much more to it than just this. While we will cover content today that is catered to students, we will also discuss learning and memory in a larger scope. My goal is that, by the end of today’s episode, you will be equipped with the proper protocols and knowledge to build successful study habits, increase retention rates and memory, and more.




Learn More About Engrams: Finding The Engram