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Buddhist Neuroscientist On: How To Quit Bad Habits And Why You’re Not Keeping Your Resolutions | Dr. Judson Brewer

Jan 27, 2025

Dr. Judson Brewer, a renowned professor at Brown University and expert in mindfulness and addiction, shares his insights on breaking bad habits. He dives into the science and Buddhist views on addiction, revealing how mindfulness can help uproot everyday cravings. Brewer discusses dopamine's role and introduces a three-pronged plan for sticking to resolutions. He emphasizes the need for self-compassion over willpower and highlights the significance of community in achieving lasting change, all while tackling the nature of curiosity and healthy anger.

01:15:37

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Episode guests

Judson Brewer

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Quick takeaways

Addiction is viewed as a continuum, encompassing various compulsive behaviors, highlighting the necessity of recognizing patterns for mindful change.

The alignment of scientific and Buddhist perspectives reveals a holistic approach to overcoming addiction through the lens of dependent origination.

Curiosity is crucial in addiction recovery, as exploring cravings without judgment fosters a deeper understanding and creates healthier habits.

Deep dives

Understanding Addiction and Everyday Cravings

Addiction is defined not just in the traditional sense of substance abuse but as a broader phenomenon affecting everyone’s lives. Common addictions can include compulsive behaviors like phone usage, shopping, and food cravings, which many can resonate with. The concept conveyed is that addiction exists on a continuum rather than as a binary state, and anyone can identify moments when their behaviors led to negative consequences. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward addressing them and making mindful changes.

Intro

6min

Understanding Addiction Through Mindfulness

26min

Rethinking Resolutions and Habits

7min

Understanding Habits: Curiosity and Cravings

12min

Exploring the Dynamics of Curiosity and Habit Formation

6min

Mindfulness and the Myths of Willpower

4min

Embracing Compassion for Lasting Change

23min

Reflecting on Guest Contributions and Future Content

4min

How to use your innate mindfulness to turn the volume down, or even uproot, your everyday addictions.

Dr. Judson Brewer is the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center and professor in Behavioral and Social Sciences and Psychiatry at the Schools of Public Health & Medicine at Brown University. He is the author of several books, including The Craving Mind, Unwinding Anxiety, and The Hunger Habit.

This episode is part of our monthlong Do Life Better series.

We talk about:

Jud’s definition of addiction
The difference between the scientific view and the Buddhist view on addiction
The buddhist concept of Dependent origination
Dopamine and dopamine fasting
A three gear plan for sticking to your resolutions
Judson’s disenchantment with the term “mindfulness”
What we need to know about willpower
The two types of stress – and its impact on our behavior
What makes us resilient – and why it matters
How community plays a role in making habit changes
And finally, a friendly debate on whether there is such a thing as healthy anger?