Modern Wisdom

#951 - Dr Russell Kennedy - How To Fix Your Brain’s Addiction To Anxiety & Worry

1981 snips
Jun 7, 2025
Dr. Russell Kennedy, a neuroscientist and anxiety treatment specialist, delves into the rise of anxiety in today's world. He explains how today's stressors trigger ancient survival instincts, leading to chronic worry. The conversation covers the impact of childhood traumas on adult emotional responses, urging listeners to confront these underlying issues. Kennedy also discusses transformative techniques like hypno-meditation and the importance of integrating emotional healing with traditional therapies, highlighting that anxiety can be understood as a natural human response.
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Anxiety Fueled by Uncertainty

  • Anxiety is driven by intolerance to uncertainty and unresolved childhood trauma stored in the body.
  • Worry gives a false sense of certainty and provides addictive dopamine hits despite negative content.
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Amygdala Forgetting Time

  • The amygdala lacks a sense of time, so childhood trauma triggers adult anxiety responses.
  • Anxiety shuts down rational thinking by paralyzing the prefrontal cortex, increasing emotional reactivity.
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Fear of Abandonment Drives Pleasing

  • People-pleasing behavior stems from deep-seated fear of abandonment rooted in unmet childhood needs.
  • We try to meet our parents' needs to gain their acceptance, reinforcing unhealthy emotional patterns.
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