This podcast explores the connection between posture and mood, debunking the claim of millennials growing horns from smartphone use. It also discusses the erosion of trust in journalism due to viral news stories, and the neural connection between yoga, pilates, and stress. The interview with Paul Ingraham highlights managing chronic pain through movement, while emphasizing self-care. Overall, the podcast emphasizes the power of movement and previews the next episode on the mind-body tech connection.
A faulty study claiming smartphones cause bone growths highlights the erosion of trust in news and journalism.
Poor posture impacts brain function and increases stress, emphasizing the importance of maintaining core muscles.
Deep dives
The Viral Story of Millennials Growing Horns from Smartphone Usage
One study claimed that smartphones were causing millennials to grow horn-like bone spurs on the back of their necks. However, a science journalist pointed out several red flags in the study, including the researchers being chiropractors selling posture pillows. The study also made assumptions about the correlation between phone use and bone growths without strong evidence. Nature issued a correction, but the story continued to spread, highlighting the erosion of trust in news and journalism.
The Mind-Body Connection: Posture and Stress
Neuroscientist Peter Strick discovered a surprising link between posture and the brain's control over stress. He used a unique method to trace the signals between the brain and the adrenal glands, finding that core muscles play a role in stress regulation. Poor posture can impact brain function, and vice versa, leading to increased stress and exhaustion.
The Importance of Movement and Core Muscles
Paul Ingraham, a chronic pain sufferer, emphasizes the importance of incorporating movement throughout the day. He recommends short exercise snacks, such as squats, curls, deadlifts, and push-ups, every 20 minutes to prevent immobilization suffering and relieve stress. Ingraham's routine focuses on listening to the body's comfort levels and finding enjoyable ways, like personal training, to strengthen core muscles and improve overall health.
In part four: host Manoush Zomorodi explores the connection between our posture and our mood. A lot of us associate our neck and back pain with spending hours hunched over our phones and laptops. But what if that hunched posture is also making us feel tired, stressed, and anxious? Neuroscientist Peter Strick discusses his groundbreaking research on why exercising our core muscles lowers our stress.
Also in this episode: how a faulty, incorrect study went viral — claiming smartphones were causing people to grow horns on their backs. Science journalist Nsikan Akpan sets the record straight. Later, writer Paul Ingraham shares his daily strategy for doing movement snacks and strength building while balancing deadlines.
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