The Science of Compassion and Brain Health with Dr. James Doty

Dr. James Doty is on a quest for compassion. He's a leading neurosurgeon, founder of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford University, and an all-round wonderful human who has dedicated his studies to unraveling the surprising science of compassion and brain health.

On today's Braincare Podcast, Dr. James Doty shares the origin story of his obsession with compassion: a mindfulness technique in a magic shop! We discuss the incredible power of human intuition and the effects of mindfulness practices on neuroplasticity and physiology.

We talk about:

• Your brain on compassion
• What's going on in your sympathetic nervous system?
• The neuroscientist's angle on self-affirmation and care
• The Buddhists have it sussed: why mindfulness works 
• Internal conversations and the power of positive thinking
• Why human connection is irreplaceable