Could our brains make us less lonely? Sean Illing talks with psychiatrist and author Julie Holland, whose new book Good Chemistry takes on the crisis of disconnectedness we face today. They discuss the brain chemistry of attachment and human connection, how psychedelics can be used both in therapeutic contexts and to help us feel more connected to others, and the toll that this crisis of isolation can take on us — emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area

Guest: Julie Holland, MD (@BellevueDoc), psychiatrist; medical advisor to MAPS; author

References: 

• Good Chemistry: The Science of Connection from Soul to Psychedelics by Julie Holland (Harper; 2022)
• "Work and the Loneliness Epidemic" by Vivek Murthy (Harvard Business Review; Sept. 26, 2017)
• "Loneliness in U.S. Subsides From Pandemic High" by Dan Witters (Gallup; Apr. 4)
• The Red Book by Carl Jung (written from 1914–1930; pub. Norton; 2009)
• "People would rather be electrically shocked than left alone with their thoughts" by Nadia Whitehead (Science; July 3, 2014)
• "Mammalian central nervous system trace amines" by Mark D. Berry (Journal of Neurochemistry; vol. 90 (2), July 2004)
• "The connection between oxytocin and autism, explained" by Peter Hess (Spectrum; Jan. 6, 2022)
• Moody Bitches by Julie Holland (Penguin; 2016)
• "Youth Suicide Risk Increased Over Past Decade" by Farzana Akkas (Pew; Mar. 3)
• "MAPS predicts FDA approval for MDMA-assisted therapy in 2024" by Brian Buntz (Drug Discovery & Development ; Jan. 27)
• "Psychedelics May Be Part of U.S. Medicine Sooner Than You Think" by Jamie Ducharme (TIME; Feb. 8)
• Alex & Allyson Grey
• "Can magic mushrooms unlock depression?" by Dr. Rosalind Watts (Medium; Feb. 28, 2022)
• How Psychedelics Can Help Save the World by Stephen Gray; foreword by Julie Holland (Park Street Books; 2022)

Enjoyed this episode? Rate The Gray Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of The Gray Area. Subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Support The Gray Area by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts

This episode was made by: 

• Producer: Erikk Geannikis
• Engineer: Patrick Boyd
• Editorial Director, Vox Talk: A.M. Hall

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices