Author: This Is Your Brain producer
Until the death of actor Matthew Perry many people had never even heard of ketamine. As a recreational drug, known as “Special K”, it can be extremely addictive and dangerous. But, when used under supervision, this powerful drug can help people with depression and various other mental health issues. Dr. John Krystal, a leading expert on the neurobiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders, offers insights into why and how a drug once used as a horse tranquilizer and anesthetic has become a lifeline for those suffering from clinical depression. Phil Stieg With the recent death of actor Matthew Perry, people have…
At age 70, after a long career as a neurosurgeon and best-selling author, the tables were turned on Dr. Henry Marsh. Diagnosed with cancer, and facing his own mortality, Marsh offers a humble and honest look at what it was like when a prominent doctor becomes a patient; just as scared and dependent as anyone of us would be dealing with a terrible diagnosis, with regrets, fears, and feelings of helplessness. In his latest book chronicling his experience, Marsh shares some valuable lessons that he learned from both sides of the Doctor/Patient relationship. Phil Stieg Today, we will be hearing…
Have you ever felt the type of grief where it seemed like you would never recover, like your heart was actually broken? Whether it’s a member of your family, a friend or a beloved pet, all of us will experience the loss of a loved one, and the deep and difficult emotions that follow. One of the reasons grief can be so difficult is actually more about our brains than our hearts. Dr. Mary-Frances O’Connor has been studying grief for decades, and she has learned its profound effects on our brains and our bodies. She will reveal some surprising…
Phil Stieg What do you mean by there’s power in play? Stuart Brown I think if you look at a life without it, the power differential between the playful person and the non-playful person has societal implications. The non-playful person generally does not have a quality of empathy. There’s more manipulation, there’s more rigidity, there is often more goal-directedness that is fruitful in our culture, but it doesn’t necessarily build society or build a civil community. And this is where a guy like Peter Grey, who’s from Boston, has written beautifully about our hunter-gatherer heritage for a million or more…
Phil Stieg What do you mean by there’s power in play? Stuart Brown I think if you look at a life without it, the power differential between the playful person and the non-playful person has societal implications. The non-playful person generally does not have a quality of empathy. There’s more manipulation, there’s more rigidity, there is often more goal-directedness that is fruitful in our culture, but it doesn’t necessarily build society or build a civil community. And this is where a guy like Peter Grey, who’s from Boston, has written beautifully about our hunter-gatherer heritage for a million or more…
Women obviously go through many changes to their bodies and their minds when they become mothers. But what about fathers? Although moms have been studied extensively, few people have paid any attention to what happens to men when they become dads. Do they go through any physical changes at all? Do they also experience hormone surges and shrinking brains like women do (yes mom and dads, your brains got smaller). Do they also suffer from depression and anxiety? Dr. Darby Saxbe has dedicated her career to studying fathers, and in her new book, Dad Brain, the New Science of Fatherhood, she reveals things about…