The One You Feed
Debunking Brain Myths: What’s Really Holding You Back from Change with Sarah McKay
Mar 25, 2025
Sarah McKay, a neuroscientist and author, joins the conversation to debunk popular brain myths that often mislead our understanding of behavior change. She explains why willpower isn't a one-size-fits-all solution and distinguishes between habits and addictions. The discussion tackles neuromyths like brain utilization misconceptions and emphasizes brain plasticity and the importance of social connections for mental health. McKay also sheds light on how sleep impacts cognitive function and the ongoing challenges in dementia research.
54:42
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Understanding that popular brain myths can hinder effective engagement with neuroscience is crucial for promoting accurate knowledge about cognitive processes.
- The complex nature of human behavior makes change difficult, necessitating targeted strategies to address established habits and triggers effectively.
Deep dives
The Role of Experience in Decision-Making
The brain functions primarily as a collection of past experiences that guides future decision-making. It assesses situations based on feelings derived from previous encounters, often determining actions based on whether the past experience was pleasurable or unpleasant. This predictive capability emphasizes the importance of recognizing how emotions influence choices, as people are more likely to repeat past actions that resulted in positive outcomes. Understanding this process can promote better awareness of one's decision-making patterns and encourage more thoughtful choices.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
