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Saving Lives In Slow Motion
Monkey Brain - our inner child and how to control it
Our monkey brain is the part of our brain that is impulsive and powerful, hijacking us when we are tired or stressed.
Ever regretted shouting at someone? Ever gorged yourself on food and then regretted it?
In this episode I explore why this happens, the links to our past experiences and our neuroanatomy.
Links:
Anatomy of the brain: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anatomy-of-the-brain
Dopamine and impulsivity: https://www.jneurosci.org/content/30/26/8888
Schizophrenia and the amygdala: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-74771-w
Calming the monkey mind: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/the-empowerment-diary/201709/calming-the-monkey-mind
Prof Steve Peters work on this subject of the chimp or monkey brain: https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/the-chimp-paradox/
THE HEALTH FIX: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296
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More episodes
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230. People can be the best medicine
14:45||Season 1, Ep. 230In this episode I look at the power of others in the role of our health. With a move towards AI in medicine the role of human connection, the role that others play in our health and wellbeing. Back Pain book by Art Brownstein: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healing-Back-Pain-Naturally-Mind-body/dp/0936197390Wellbeing and actitivies: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/having-a-hobby-tied-to-happiness-and-well-beingLoneliness: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10121112/Group medical care - the evidence: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8657170/Eating together: https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20241126-why-humans-feel-the-need-to-feast-togetherNeal Shah and carers: https://www.instagram.com/nealkshah/?hl=enHarvard Study of adult development: https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/
229. Hot weather, climate change and our health - what can we do about it?
15:22||Season 1, Ep. 229In this episode I look at the effects of climate change and also the recent hot weather from the level of the individual to the state of the planet.Links: Understanding climate change and its impacts: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11998295/Climate anxiety: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/news-and-insights/what-is-climate-anxiety-and-what-can-we-do-about-it/Lancet study on climate anxiety: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3918955Hope in the climate crisis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZQMVYSD9EMThirst and dehydration: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dehydration/Mosquitoes: https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/where-mosquitoes-live_1.htmlClimate summits: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/un-climate-conferences
228. Mindset - its importance in health
15:35||Season 1, Ep. 228We have all heard of the word mindset but does it affect our health?In this episode I look at examples of how our thoughts and attitude affect health and well-being. Mindset and long term illness: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/chronically-me/202408/mindset-and-chronic-illnessToxic positivity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z64yn9qListening to your body: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/articles/why-your-body-speaks-and-how-to-listenCarol Dweck and growth mindsets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiiEeMN7vbQMindset and mortality: https://en.azvision.az/news/84635/how-your-mindset-determines-your-health.htmlEllen Langer - chambermaid study: https://health.yahoo.com/wellness/fitness/exercise/articles/harvard-study-suggests-mindset-boosts-213051697.html
227. Why Some Diagnoses Take Years - a challenge for both patient and doctor
14:47||Season 1, Ep. 227Mystery symptoms can be frustrating but what if they are a sign of an actual condtion? In this episode I look at Endometriosis, Primary Biliary Cholangitis, Lupus and Parkinsons Disease as examples of conditions that can be hard to diagnose and why.Endometriosis info: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/Endometriosis: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdj9d1pzl8noLupus (SLE): https://lupusuk.org.uk/Lupus in Africa: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772829324000845PBC: https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/information-and-support/liver-conditions/primary-biliary-cholangitis/Parkinsons body vs brain first: https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/news/researchers-parkinsons-origin-explained-brain-first-body-first-model/
226. Ageing Gracefully - what does it really mean?
15:33||Season 1, Ep. 226Each year on my birthday I reflect on the year I have had with gratitude and think about the future. In this episode I look at ageing and what it means to people and how different people navigate it.Muscle strength as we age: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3940510/Eyesight and ageing: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/20-ways-aging-changes-your-eyesHearing loss: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5840-age-related-hearing-lossPersonality and health: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/longer-life-personality-traits-experts-study-b2834833.htmlBlue zones: https://www.bluezones.com/Pesticides: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11664077/Microplastics: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/microplastics-salad-pollution-particles-study-b2829790.html
Food - how it heals, how it harms and makes ‘noise'
18:03|In this episode I look at food, how we see it societally and how we can enjoy it to enrich our lives. Circadian rhythm and food: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11849495/Food noise: https://www.health.harvard.edu/diet-and-nutrition/understanding-food-noise-and-how-to-turn-down-the-volumeFoods that heal: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-that-help-you-healLectins: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11535980/Social eating: https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-03-16-social-eating-connects-communitiesBig food industry: https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/news-events/all-news/faculty-news/many-of-today-s-unhealthy-foods-were-brought-to-you-by-big-tobac.html Emotional eating: https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/emotional_eatingSavouring: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/click-here-happiness/201807/what-is-savoring-and-why-is-it-the-key-happiness
225. Too Nice vs Too Selfish — Finding the 'Healthy' Middle Ground
16:58||Season 1, Ep. 225In this episode I look at two basic traits people often have and whetherthey impact our health.People pleasing: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/my-side-of-the-couch/202408/people-pleasing-as-a-symptom-of-childhood-traumaExhaustion from being too nice? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-genius-of-empathy/202412/are-you-exhausted-from-being-too-niceEmotional suppression: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24119947/Selfishness of different kinds? https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7265883/Jungian masculine/ feminine archetypes: https://scottjeffrey.com/king-warrior-magician-lover-masculine-archetypes/ Healthy selfishness? https://andrewwilkowilkinson.medium.com/10-reasons-why-being-selfish-is-important-for-you-e5a28bf22b13Amandaland: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m0024pyy/amandaland
224. Happiness - what’s the secret?
16:47||Season 1, Ep. 224This is one of the big eternal questions and in this episode I look at the science and culture behind what makes us happy.Dr Laurie Santos: https://www.drlauriesantos.com/Lessons in happiness: https://drayanpanja.substack.com/p/lessons-in-happinessHedonistic happiness: https://positivepsychology.com/hedonic-vs-eudaimonic-wellbeing/Eudaimonic happiness: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/what-doesnt-kill-us/201901/what-is-eudaimonic-happinessTime wealth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilRNAQ76VsgToxic positivity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z64yn9qScreens and happiness (mixed evidence): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn9p412ern7oCore values exercise: https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/Gratitude: https://positivepsychology.com/neuroscience-of-gratitude/Action for Happiness: https://actionforhappiness.org/
223. Biomarkers in our blood - measuring what matters
16:41||Season 1, Ep. 223In this episode I look at blood tests that tell us about what’s going on with our biological processes in terms of our long term metabolic health and the blood markers are relevant.Hba1c control: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4933534/Fasting insulin: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11118012/Vitamin D: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10002864/AST/ALT: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10346959/Triglycerides and HDL ratio: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11493158/ApoB: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11219008/HDL cholesterol: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6077683/Hs-CRP: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9650935/Homocysteine: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12564181/Uric Acid: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8624633/Do Health: https://dohealth.co/what-we-measure#wwm-step-1