Judson Brewer, a neuroscientist and addiction psychiatrist, talks about mindfulness, breaking unhealthy habits, everyday addictions, reversal of addictions, preferences for cake over broccoli, shortcomings of willpower, discipline, anxiety's role in habit formation, science of curiosity, understanding cravings, and anxiety sobriety.
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Quick takeaways
Mindfulness practices can help individuals overcome addictive behaviors by aligning with the principles of craving and clinging associated with addiction.
Understanding how our minds work and increasing awareness can help break unhealthy habits.
Anxiety sobriety involves focusing on the present moment to manage anxiety and cravings, with the RAIN mindfulness practice being a helpful tool.
Deep dives
Overview of Audible app and its wellness titles
The podcast discusses the Audible app and its collection of wellness titles, including podcasts by Michelle Obama, Mel Robbins, and Russ Harris. The app offers a wide selection of content and allows users to listen anytime, anywhere. Audible members can choose one title per month to keep from a growing catalog of titles.
Introduction to Judd Brewer and his work
The podcast host interviews Judd Brewer, a New York Times bestselling author, addiction psychiatrist, and neuroscientist. Dr. Brewer's work focuses on developing mindfulness-based interventions for various habits, including smoking, emotional eating, and anxiety. He has published books on understanding and breaking bad habits, and offers training programs to help individuals with habit change.
The connection between mindfulness and addiction
Dr. Brewer discusses the correlation between mindfulness practices and addiction. He explains how the concepts of craving and clinging, often associated with addiction, align with the principles of mindfulness. Through his work with patients, he has observed a strong connection between mindfulness training and overcoming addictive behaviors.
Benefits of meditation and mindfulness
The host and Dr. Brewer delve into the reasons why people start practicing meditation and mindfulness. They highlight the scientific research that supports the positive effects of these practices on reducing stress and improving overall well-being. Dr. Brewer emphasizes the importance of understanding how our minds work and highlights the potential for breaking unhealthy habits through increased awareness.
Applying mindfulness to anxiety and habit change
The conversation shifts to the topic of anxiety and habit change. Dr. Brewer explains how mindfulness practices can help individuals work with their anxiety and break unhelpful habits. He introduces the concept of "anxiety sobriety," which involves taking it one moment at a time and focusing on the present rather than worrying about the future. The discussion concludes with the introduction of the "RAIN" (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Note) mindfulness practice and its applicability to managing anxiety and cravings.