Your Brain On
Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai
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2 Listeners
5.0
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Top 10 Your Brain On Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Your Brain On episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Your Brain On for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Your Brain On episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Your Brain On... Comedy
Your Brain On
05/08/24 • 22 min
Laughter predates language. But what’s the neurological function of humor? Why do we find things funny?
Your brain’s ability to perceive and create comedic ideas is one of the most powerful facets of the human experience. Through humor and laughter, we can find shared understanding across the boundaries of cultures, languages, and ideologies.
In this episode of ‘YOUR BRAIN ON...’, we discuss:
• Why we evolved the ability to laugh
• The ‘benign violation theory’ — the most prevalent hypothesis for the function of humor
• Why we find some things funny, and some things not
• How some comedians use humor as a form of therapy
• The nervous disorders underpinning involuntary bursts of laughter
This episode, we’re joined by:
CALEB WARREN, a primary contributor of the Humor Research Lab (HuRL) at the University of Colorado, and a key pioneer of the Benign Violation Theory, which he speaks about in this episode.
JESSICA PORTER, an hilarious comedian who uses humor both for performances and for therapy. Jessica shares some fascinating ideas about comedy as a tool for communication and growth.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
‘Your Brain On... COMEDY’ • SEASON 2 • EPISODE 2
LINKS
The Humor Research Lab at University of Colorado: https://humorresearchlab.com/
Jessica Porter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_porter_standup
Jessica’s podcast, Sleep Magic: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sleep-magic-sleep-hypnosis-meditations/id1650407051
FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
2 Listeners
Your Brain On... Dreams
Your Brain On
02/21/24 • 31 min
Why do we dream? Is lucid dreaming real? How can dreams be used for therapy? Does cheese really give us nightmares?
In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of:
• REM sleep, and how it puts our brain in the ideal state for creating dreams
• Why dreams might be a way for our brains to stop non-visual senses taking over our brains when we sleep
• The links between recurring dreams and trauma, and how external stimuli influence the things we dream about
We speak with renowned author, dreamworker, and poet Rodger Kamenetz about why, even if lucid dreaming is real, we might not want to interrupt the problem-solving, memory-consolidating work our brains undertake when we dream.
And we talk to teacher and psychotherapist Dr. Leslie Ellis about how she incorporates dreams into therapeutic practices, and discuss why dreaming is so difficult to study.
Plus: we take a trip through time, exploring all the world-changing inventions, discoveries, and works of art that were inspired by dreams.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
‘Your Brain On... Dreams’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 4
LINKS
Rodger Kamenetz’s website: https://kamenetz.com/
Rodger’s book: The Jew in the Lotus: A Poet's Rediscovery of Jewish Identity in Buddhist India
Dr. Leslie Ellis’ website: https://drleslieellis.com/
Leslie’s Instagram: @dreamsdemystified
Leslie’s book: A Clinician’s Guide to Dream Therapy
FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
1 Listener
Your Brain On... Alzheimer’s
Your Brain On
03/20/24 • 60 min
How does Alzheimer’s alter the brain, and how do we create a future without the disease?
Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, threatens to single-handedly collapse our healthcare systems. But our knowledge of how to prevent it is stronger than ever.
In this episode of ‘YOUR BRAIN ON’, we discuss:
• The power of stories and the importance of community for finding comfort and confidence following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis
• What we know about preventing cognitive decline through brain-healthy living
• The neurochemistry of how Alzheimer’s physically changes the brain
• Genetic predisposition to neurodegenerative diseases, and why women have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s
• Why we should approach brain health in the same way we approach heart health
We’re joined by Dr. Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and writer of ‘Still Alice’, a book which allows the reader to step into the shoes of a woman experiencing the onset of Alzheimer’s. ‘Still Alice’ was adapted into a feature film, for which Julianne Moore won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 2015. Lisa talks to us about how stories can help us find a sense of hope and empathy in the face of ‘scary’ diagnoses.
Dr. Charles DeCarli, Director of the the University of California Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Center, explains a broad range of Alzheimer’s risk factors — from amyloid and tau proteins to cardiovascular diseases — and offers advice on thinking about brain health as part of the body’s wider functionality, not a standalone system.
And Dr. Lisa Mosconi, neuroscientist, educator, and author of ‘The Menopause Brain’, highlights how the hormonal shifts caused by menopause contribute to a higher prevalence of Alzheimer’s in women, and unpacks the controversial history and potential future of hormone replacement therapy.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
‘Your Brain On... ADHD • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 8
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LINKS
Lisa Genova:
Website and books: https://www.lisagenova.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlisagenova
Lisa Mosconi:
Website: https://www.lisamosconi.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_mosconi
Book, ‘The Menopause Brain’: https://www.amazon.com/Menopause-Brain-Transition-Knowledge-Confidence/dp/0593541243
Dr. Charles DeCarli at UC Davis Health: https://health.ucdavis.edu/medical-center/team/639/charles-decarli---neurology---dementia---alzheimer-s-disease-sacramento/
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FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
1 Listener
Your Brain On... ADHD
Your Brain On
03/06/24 • 33 min
What actually is ADHD? What caused the sharp increase in cases? How does diagnosis work?
ADHD. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. 60 years ago, it wasn’t mentioned at all in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Now, it’s one of the most broadly-discussed disorders in the world.
In this episode of ‘Your Brain On’, we discuss:
• What’s distinct about the brains of people with ADHD
• The past, present, and future of ADHD diagnosis
• How social media has simultaneously crushed mental health stigmas AND contributed to a dangerous trend of misguided self-diagnosis
Clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole Barile, who's known on social media for debunking trending neuroscience mistruths, joins us to discuss how online misinformation and cultural disparities have caused a paradoxical overdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of ADHD. Nicole also explains ADHD’s overlap with other disorders, and how such comorbidities can make diagnosis challenging.
Dr. Margaret Sibley elaborates on the diagnosis disparity between various communities and demographics, unpacks what we know about how genetics and environment affect the prevalence of ADHD, and further ponders the relationship between social media discourse and the rising pervasiveness of ADHD. Margaret is a clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. She also details the current interventions for ADHD, and shares what she’s excited about for the future of the disorder’s treatment.
And we speak to Ari Tuckman, a clinical psychologist specializing in diagnosing and treating people with ADHD, about the disorder’s subtypes, how ADHD affects children and adults differently, and why management can be just as important as treatment.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
‘Your Brain On... ADHD’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 6
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LINKS
Nicole’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feedyourmental
Nicole’s website: https://www.feedyourmental.com/
Margaret’s website: https://www.margaretsibley.com/
Ari’s website: https://tuckmanpsych.com/
Ari’s book, Success Strategies for Adults with ADHD: https://adultadhdbook.com/
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FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
1 Listener
Your Brain On... Cardio
Your Brain On
03/27/24 • 34 min
A healthier heart equals a healthier brain — no surprise there — but what’s the neuroscience behind the benefits of a cardio workout?
Cardiovascular exercise, be it a brisk stroll, a light jog, or an intense interval training session, releases neurotransmitters that can improve your mood, reduce stress, enhance your memory, and strengthen immunity.
In this episode of ‘Your Brain On’, we discuss:
• How your brain and your body respond to increasingly challenging aerobic workouts
• The neurochemistry of phenomena like ‘feeling the burn’ and ‘runner’s high’
• How the protein BDNF, triggered by exercise, can reverse the effects of aging and cognitive decline
• Ways to integrate more cardio exercise into your life, no matter which hurdles each day brings
We speak to Dr. John Ratey, author of ‘Spark’, widely celebrated as one of THE go-to books about how exercise benefits the brain. He shares the story that led him to write the book, about a school which favored fitness over sports skills in its PE classes and subsequently ranked amid the smartest schools in the world.
We’re also joined by Dr. Art Kramer, Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Cognitive & Brain Health at Northeastern University, who dismisses the idea that you can be ‘too old to exercise’.
And we invite anti-influencer and social media personality Erin Azar, AKA Mrs. Space Cadet, to the show, to talk about how her videos, which show the less glamorous side of running and exercise, went viral and spawned a community of nearly one-million followers.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
‘Your Brain On... Cardio • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 9
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LINKS
Our ‘Mastering Memory’ training webinar: https://thebraindocs.com/memory/
Dr. John Ratey
Website and books: https://www.johnratey.com/
Dr. Art Kramer
At Northeastern University College of Science: https://cos.northeastern.edu/people/art-kramer/
Erin Azar, “Mrs. Space Cadet”
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immrsspacecadet
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrs.space.cadet
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FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
1 Listener
Your Brain On... Being A Woman
Your Brain On
03/13/24 • 23 min
Are there differences between the brains of women and men?
In this episode of Your Brain On, we explore the unique aspects of the female brain, and how the male-biased history of medical science has left us with enormous gaps in our knowledge of women’s distinctive neurology.
We discuss:
• The striking uniformity in the structure of the female and male brain
• The possible physiological and sociological reasons why women have a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s
• The recent progress that’s been made in making neuroscientific studies more inclusive
• What current research says about Hormone Replacement Therapy, a common treatment for postmenopausal drops in neuroprotective hormones
We’re joined by Dr. Margaret McCarthy, James & Carolyn Frenkil Endowed Dean's Professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, where she is also Professor and Chair of the Department of Pharmacology, renowned for her research into the neuroscience of sex differences, and Dr. Lise Eliot, Professor of Neuroscience at the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates, Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
‘Your Brain On... Being A Woman • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 7
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LINKS
Dr. Margaret McCarthy’s website: https://www.mccarthylab.com/
Dr. Lise Eliot at Rosalind Franklin University: https://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/academics/faculty/lise-eliot/
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FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
1 Listener
Your Brain On... Sleep
Your Brain On
06/12/24 • 50 min
We spend a third of our lives sleeping. The benefits for our brain are incredible.
Restorative sleep is essential for good brain health. When you sleep, your brain washes away waste products from around your synapses, consolidates short-term memories into long-term knowledge, and processes thoughts and emotions.
In this episode, we explain how, and discuss:
• How much sleep your brain really needs • The different phases of sleep, and how each one strengthens your cognition • Why good sleep is key for minimising the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases • Insomnia, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders, and how to treat them • The environmental factors which can help improve sleep • Why paying too much attention to sleep trackers and smart wearables can do more harm than good
This week, we’re joined by Dr. Donn Posner, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine.
We also welcome Dr. Sujay Kansagra, the Director of Duke's Pediatric Neurology Sleep Medicine Program and an Assistant Professor in Duke's School of Medicine.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
Drs. Ayesha and Dean are now welcoming patients via the Brain Health Institute: https://brainhealthinstitute.com/
‘Your Brain On... Sleep’ • SEASON 2 • EPISODE 7
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LINKS
Dr. Donn Posner:
Sleepwell Consultants: https://www.sleepwellconsultants.com/
Dr. Sujay Kansagra:
at Duke Health: https://www.dukehealth.org/find-doctors-physicians/sujay-kansagra-md
on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsleepdoc
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FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
1 Listener
Your Brain On... Dry January
Your Brain On
02/14/24 • 36 min
What happens to your brain when you stop drinking? Is doing Dry January the best way to quit?
In this second preview episode of Your Brain On, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of:
• How alcohol affects your brain, at a cellular level
• Why a gradual detoxification might be better than the hard stop encouraged by Dry January
• The fascinating history of alcohol’s role in culture, from ancient civilizations to the Prohibition era
We also speak to Dr. Howard Rankin, an incredible psychologist who has done remarkable work in the realm of addiction and behavior.
Dr. Rankin talks to us about the challenges of overcoming alcohol dependence, the differences between avoiding and confronting temptations, and the importance of focusing on progress over perfection.
‘Your Brain On’ is a brand new podcast from hosts Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
CONTEST
To celebrate the launch of our new podcast, ‘Your Brain On’, we’re giving away prizes to its earliest listeners — like you! Prizes include memberships to our thriving NEURO Academy community, and bundles, like our Better Brain Cooking Box, Books Bundle, and Better Brain Favorites Box.
To enter, all you’ll need to do is subscribe to Your Brain On, leave an honest review of the show on Apple Podcasts, and then sign up for the contest at thebraindocs.com/podcast.
LINKS
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
Your Brain On... Football
Your Brain On
02/14/24 • 30 min
When wins and losses shape the mood of entire cities, what’s happening in the brains of football fans?
In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience and psychology of:
• Football fandom, and bonding with others over shared love of a team
• The chemicals that make wins feel so joyous, and losses so painful
• How our empathy systems transport us into the shoes of the players
We explore the evolutionary significance of sports, from honing our motor skills as hunter-gatherers to finding connection and purpose through the global tournaments of today, and share our own stories growing up as football fans.
And, we speak to Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, neuroscientist, psychologist, and author, about the physiological effects of watching sports with others — synchronized breathing, matching heart rates, and mirrored movements.
Plus! Our son Alexander Noor Sherzai, a newly accepted graduate student at UCLA in the field of computational medicine/AI and a lifelong fanatical Pittsburgh Steelers fan, joins us for a conversation about the cultural and psychological intersection of football fandom: being a fan from a young age, engaging in online discourse, and concerns around the growing epidemic of sports betting.
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neuroscientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
‘Your Brain On... Football’ • SEASON 1 • EPISODE 2
CONTEST
To celebrate the launch of our new podcast, ‘Your Brain On’, we’re giving away prizes to its earliest listeners — like you! Prizes include memberships to our thriving NEURO Academy community, and bundles, like our Better Brain Cooking Box, Books Bundle, and Better Brain Favorites Box.
To enter, all you’ll need to do is subscribe to Your Brain On, leave an honest review of the show on Apple Podcasts, and then sign up for the contest at thebraindocs.com/podcast.
LINKS
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
GUEST LINKS
Lisa’s books:
• Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain (book): https://amzn.to/2Sp5ar9
• How Emotions Are Made (book): https://amzn.to/2GwAFg6
Lisa’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/LFeldmanBarrett
Lisa’s Website: https://lisafeldmanbarrett.com/
Your Brain On... Marijuana
Your Brain On
08/14/24 • 46 min
The neuroscience behind the benefits and risks of marijuana, explained.
Splintered legislature, evolving taboos, and new forms of consumption have created a fragmented market for cannabis, and made it challenging for scientists to research its effects on our brains and bodies.
In this episode, we unpack what we know about the cognitive impacts of marijuana use — the good and the bad — and explore new studies which are filling in the gaps.
We discuss:
• The difference between the THC and CBD cannabinoids, and their unique effects on our brains • How your endocannabinoid system works, and how it’s altered under the influence of marijuana • Why one woman with a genetic mutation that affected her endocannabinoid system couldn’t feel pain • The benefits of marijuana: nausea relief, pain management, and possible uses for reducing seizure frequency and helping with mental health • The risks of marijuana: memory disorders, addiction, developmental issues, and the dangers of high-potency products that are increasingly difficult to regulate • Why we first consumed cannabis, about 12,000 years ago
Our incredible guests this week are:
• Dr. Daniele Piomelli, Director of the Institute for the Study of Cannabis at the University of California Irvine • Dr. Susan Weiss, Director of the Division of Extramural Research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
Drs. Ayesha and Dean are now welcoming patients via the Brain Health Institute: https://brainhealthinstitute.com/
‘Your Brain On... Marijuana’ • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 2
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LINKS
Dr. Daniele Piomelli
At University of California Irvine: https://cnlm.uci.edu/piomelli/ UCI Center for the Study of Cannabis: https://cannabis.uci.edu/
Dr. Susan Weiss
National Institute on Drug Abuse: https://nida.nih.gov/ The ABCD Study: https://abcdstudy.org/
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FOLLOW US
Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com
Instagram: @thebraindocs
Website: TheBrainDocs.com
More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast
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FAQ
How many episodes does Your Brain On have?
Your Brain On currently has 33 episodes available.
What topics does Your Brain On cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Podcasts and Science.
What is the most popular episode on Your Brain On?
The episode title 'Your Brain On... Comedy' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Your Brain On?
The average episode length on Your Brain On is 44 minutes.
How often are episodes of Your Brain On released?
Episodes of Your Brain On are typically released every 6 days, 23 hours.
When was the first episode of Your Brain On?
The first episode of Your Brain On was released on Feb 14, 2024.
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