New Thinking Allowed Audio Podcast

Thinking Above the Lower Mind with David Hanscom

Jan 31, 2026
David Hanscom, an orthopedic spine surgeon turned chronic pain educator and author, teaches the DOC Journey to break free from chronic mental and physical pain. He explains how stress hijacks the thinking brain and how identity-driven ego fuels repetitive suffering. Short practices calm physiology, separate thoughts from self, and rebuild the brain through compassion, play, and daily 10–15 minute habits.
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INSIGHT

Thinking Brain Goes Offline Under Stress

  • Humans spend large portions of life with the rational prefrontal cortex offline under stress.
  • This drives reactive, identity-defending behavior that fuels much of human misery.
INSIGHT

Ego As Energy-Consuming Armor

  • Ego arises from identity-building to counter criticism, competition, and survival impulses.
  • Defending ego consumes energy and creates repetitive thoughts linked to physiology.
INSIGHT

Physiology Drives Thoughts First

  • Physiology often precedes conscious thought, driving emotional reactions before reasoning engages.
  • Thoughts and body form a bidirectional loop that amplifies distress when unregulated.
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