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The Grieving Brain: How to Navigate Emotions After Loss with Mary-Frances O'Connor

Jun 17, 2024

Neuroscientist Mary-Frances O'Connor discusses the neurological aspects of grief, explaining how the brain processes loss. She highlights the importance of social support and offers coping strategies. The episode explores the emotional journey of grief and the concept of post-traumatic growth.

19:59

Episode guests

Mary-Frances O'Connor

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Quick takeaways

Grief activates different brain areas as it processes loss, showcasing the complex emotional journey.

Avoidance and rumination are common coping mechanisms during grief, emphasizing the importance of present-moment experiences.

Deep dives

The Neuroscience of Grief as a Form of Learning

Grief, as explored by Dr. Mary Frances O'Connor, is depicted as a learning process through neuroscience. Contrary to traditional views that grief is solely a stressor, neuroscience highlights how reward pathways are impacted during grieving, affecting the brain's attachment processes. The profound bond formed with a loved one triggers significant changes in brain chemistry, involving neurotransmitters like dopamine and oxytocin. This understanding shifts the perspective towards grief being a complex learning curve that the brain navigates.

Effective Cognitive Strategies for Navigating Grief

00:32

Understanding Grief Process

00:31

Intro

4min

Understanding Grief and the Brain

9min

The Importance of Social Support in Grieving from a Neurological Perspective

4min

Navigating Grief Through Personal Experience and Advice

2min

Exploring 'The Grieving Brain' with Dr. Mary Frances O'Connor

2min

Why do you grieve and how can you overcome the intense emotions grief can often produce?

Grief is one of the most profound human experiences you’ll go through. It’s also inevitable. You can’t escape grief, no matter how hard you try. That’s what makes it so challenging. But you can learn how to cope with the natural ups and downs of the grieving process.

Dr. Mary Frances O’Connor is here today to help us understand what’s happening on a neurological level when you’re grieving. Dr. O’Connor is an associate professor of psychology at the University of Arizona and directs the Grief, Loss and Social Stress Lab studying the effects of grief on the body and brain. She’s also the author of the book, The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss.

Grief is always tied to pain, but part of the emotional response is your brain activating different areas as it tries to process your loss. Whether you’re experiencing profound grief yourself or know someone going through it, this episode will change how you think about love and loss while giving you tools to navigate this deeply emotional journey.

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