Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat cover image

Slo Mo: A Podcast with Mo Gawdat

Unstressable with Robert Sapolsky - Revealing Humanity's Inner Workings

Mar 30, 2024
Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky discusses stress biology, human empathy, tribal instincts, and dopamine anticipation with Mo Gawdat. They explore the origins of stress, contrasting empathy and selfish behaviors, and delve into the complexities of tribal behavior and identity in modern society. The conversation touches on rewards, free will, and the impact of past experiences on shaping our lives.
01:05:09

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Understanding the ancient roots of stress hormones like cortisol and the modern human stress response triggered by psychological factors.
  • Exploring the neurological basis of empathy and how stress levels can affect our ability to empathize with others.

Deep dives

Understanding the Complexity of Stress

Stress, an age-old response intricately linked to biology, reveals the ancient roots of our stress hormones like cortisol. Dr. Robert Sapolsky explores how our brains have evolved to cope with immediate physical threats, as seen in other animals. However, the modern human stress response, triggered by psychological factors, highlights our unique ability to anticipate and worry about distant, abstract sources of stress. This mismatch often leads to chronic stress and health issues.

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