Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep101 "Why do people walk away from bad events with different outcomes?"
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Apr 21, 2025 
Dr. Jonathan Downar, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist specializing in magnetic stimulation, joins David Eagleman to delve into the fascinating world of resilience. They explore how the brain processes adversity and whether resilience is innate or developed. The conversation uncovers the importance of the salience network and discusses revolutionary techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in enhancing mental health. Listeners will learn about the interplay between personal experiences and mental strength, with insights on fostering resilience through social connections.
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Locked-In Syndrome Writing Triumph
- Jean-Dominique Bauby wrote "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" despite locked-in syndrome.
- He communicated by blinking to spell out letters, showing immense resilience.
Brain Structure and Resilience
- People with thicker gray matter in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex show greater resilience.
- This brain structure difference exists even among those with severe childhood trauma.
Salience Network's Role in Resilience
- The salience network is thinner across various psychiatric disorders.
- A thicker salience network links to greater resilience to mental illness.
