Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor Stress, Human Behaviour and Self-regulation with Dr Stuart Shanker
Jan 9, 2026
Dr. Stuart Shanker, a Canadian psychologist and founder of the MEHRIT Centre, dives into the neuroscience of stress and self-regulation. He explains the interbrain concept, detailing how emotional states connect caregivers and infants. Stuart highlights the impact of excessive stress on homeostasis and behavior, discussing dopamine's role in motivation and social dynamics. He offers practical strategies for self-regulation, emphasizing the importance of exercise and awareness of stress cues. This insightful conversation sheds light on managing stress for better emotional health.
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Frozen Rescue And Hypothermia
- Stuart Shanker told a story of rescuing his Springer twice after it fell through ice and then experiencing hypothermia symptoms.
- He described freezing in the water until his son pulled him out and it took hours to recover full movement.
Linking Therapy To Neuroscience
- Stuart Shanker explains neuroscience must go beyond the cortex to understand self-regulation.
- He combined a therapy clinic with a neuroscience lab to link behaviour and brain arousal directly.
The Limbic System Drives Emotion
- The limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, striatum) generates emotions and sits under the neocortex.
- Understanding limbic function explains emotional behaviour and development in infants and children.
