Dr. David Linden, professor of neuroscience, discusses individual differences in perception, the mind-body connection, optimizing blood glucose levels, sexual sensation, human individuality, visual perception, early life plasticity, germline and epigenetic inheritance, the complexities of the cerebellum, nature versus nurture, the mind-body connection in neuroscience, and his personal experience with heart cancer.

At age 59, neuroscientist David Linden received a startling diagnosis of heart cancer. Even in the face of a terminal illness, David is continuing to think like a scientist. He shares what he's learned from watching his mind grapple with his own mortality, and how the diagnosis has changed his experience of time. Maya and David also discuss the power of curiosity and how it can aid us in moments of profound suffering. If you enjoyed this conversation, check out this episode from the archive: “The Life-Changing Diagnosis.” For a behind-the-scenes look at the show, follow @DrMayaShankar on Instagram.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.