Depression sucks and it’s such a hard place to be. On the other hand, addiction used to be framed as this lack of moral character or willpower, and addiction, too, is a very hard place to be. But there's hope.On this episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, Duane speaks with Ben Spielberg, the founder and CEO of TMS & Brain Health clinics. Ben is a specialist in neuroscience, neuromodulation, and neuroimaging. Today, Ben is going to talk about TMS or transcranial magnetic stimulation, and how TMS offers hope to people struggling with addiction and its underlying mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, and ultimately, returning joy and passion back to their lives.Ben started working in the field of mental health in 2010 as a biofeedback technician at a Substance Abuse and Recovery Treatment Center in Los Angeles. Part of his work was doing neurofeedback and he was just fascinated at how it impacted people, becoming more resilient to stressors without involving any medication or intervention. Eventually, Ben got a master's degree in neuroscience at Columbia with the hope to specialize in the overarching field called neuromodulation, which refers to evidence-based, nonpharmaceutical ways to create real changes in the brain.With neurofeedback, all people need to do is to show up. It doesn't really matter what you’re thinking about. Your brain is picking up on the signals regardless. Listen in as Ben sheds some light on how TMS targets and activates specific areas of the brain that help reduce depression, anxiety, and all other underlying issues that lead to addiction.In this episode, you will hear: Ben’s experience in neurofeedback and neuromodulation The concept of neuroplasticity What is TMS and how does it work? Cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. TMS Types of issues TMS can treat The role of ADHD in addiction The history of TMS Key Quotes:[05:54] - "With neurofeedback, all you have to do is show up. It doesn't really matter what you think about. Your brain is picking up on the signals regardless." [09:53] - "There's a part of the brain called the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex... it's the left top side of your head and that area has been shown to be underactive in people with depression."[10:35] - "When people do TMS typically five days a week, week by week, the symptoms of depression start to go away, just as this other part of the brain starts to come back online."[12:55] - "Cognitive behavioral therapy is definitely an evidence-based treatment for depression. But when it's not working, there's nowhere to go unless you're actually creating real changes in the brain."[15:37] - "People with ADHD are much more likely to be addicted than a neurotypical person… as well as way more likely to be incarcerated and a really a number of issues in life."[17:26] - "ADHD is an issue of sustained focus, whereas normally, people have the ability to continue focusing on things when they want to, and they're not necessarily bothered by any external or internal stimulus."[29:41] - "Addiction is really just a symptom of some other underlying mental health diagnosis."Subscribe and ReviewHave you subscribed to our podcast? We’d love for you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.If you really enjoyed this episode, we’ve created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at www.theaddictedmind.com to download it.Supporting Resources:TMS & Brain Health Clinicshttps://www.tmsbrainhealth.com/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want to improve your emotional regulation and decision-making? I will be sharing the key to achieving greater emotional control and better choices. Learn the secret to enhancing your ability to manage your feelings and make sound decisions. Discover the solution to experiencing improved emotional regulation and better decision-making in your life.Download the “Distinguishing between Primary Vs. Secondary Emotions Worksheet”In this episode, you will be able to: Discover effective strategies for mental health and addiction recovery. Learn to identify and manage primary and secondary emotions. Explore the principles of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation. Cultivate mindfulness and self-reflection for improved emotional well-being. Understand the impact of trauma on decision-making processes. Effective Mental Health StrategiesUnderstanding and managing primary and secondary emotions are crucial strategies for effective mental health. These strategies involve recognizing the differences between valid and genuine emotional responses versus responses that arise from judgments of these primary emotions. This enables individuals to maintain emotional balance by preventing secondary emotions from amplifying the intensity of primary emotions.The resources mentioned in this episode are: Download the worksheet that helps identify primary versus secondary emotions and navigate them effectively. Click Here Share this podcast episode with a friend who might benefit from the wisdom shared about primary and secondary emotions. Write a review for The Addicted Mind podcast on iTunes to show support and help others discover valuable content. Connect with The Addicted Mind podcast on Instagram @addictedmindpodcast and leave suggestions for topics you'd like to hear in future episodes. Leave us a message and let us know what topic you want to be covered on The Addicted Mind + Podcast. Click Here https://www.speakpipe.com/addictedmind Download the “Distinguishing between Primary Vs. Secondary Emotions Worksheet” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former advertising executive Pao Ortega once found herself trapped in a seemingly perfect life in New York City, at odds with the inner chaos of depression, anxiety, and burnout. During a pivotal moment of introspection, she made the courageous decision to face these challenges head-on. In our latest episode of the Addicted Mind Podcast, we explore Pao's enlightening transformation journey, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and kindness. Through her story, we uncover the profound impact of becoming a student of one's own body and mind, and how integrating practices from around the globe can foster healing and empowerment.Our conversation delves into the powerful world of breathwork, highlighting the influence of ancient techniques like pranayama, qigong, and Shakti Nam in fostering relaxation and healing. Pao and I discuss how these practices can shift energy, create positive feedback loops, and guide individuals toward personal empowerment and wellness. The journey from internal struggle to self-healing underscores the possibility of overcoming prolonged suffering with persistence, consistency, and the right tools. We also address the importance of creating a morning routine that sets the tone for a successful day. Pao shares insights into how endorphin-inspired activities, like her passion for running, contribute to well-being and happiness. In this episode, you will hear: Pao Ortega's transformation from burnout to empowerment through breathwork and mind-body techniques Exploration of ancient practices like pranayama, qigong, and Shakti Nam for relaxation and healing Importance of self-awareness, persistence, and the right tools in overcoming mental health challenges Crafting a personalized blend of practices for emotional, mental, and physical healing Significance of mindset, movement, and nutrition in achieving personal wellness Creating a morning routine and incorporating endorphin-boosting activities for well-being Follow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:NovusMindfulLife.comEpisode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever felt crushed by criticism? You're not alone. This discussion highlights how early childhood experiences shape our reactions to feedback. Learn how a growth mindset can turn harsh criticism into a chance for growth. Discover practical strategies to reframe criticism and the importance of resilience in recovery. Techniques like journaling and affirmations can help transform tough feedback into valuable insights. Embrace these tools to navigate the challenges of criticism and foster lasting change!

In this discussion, Arlina Allen, host of the One Day at a Time podcast and author of "The 12-Step Guide for Skeptics," shares her transformative journey from addiction to recovery. She addresses how childhood trauma and family dynamics fuel addictive behaviors. Arlina brings attention to the concept of the cybernetic loop and its role in reinforcing negative beliefs. Through personal anecdotes, she emphasizes self-love and practical solutions for overcoming internal conflicts, creating a deeper understanding of the path to sobriety.

Discover why two people can have entirely different emotional responses to the same event. Delve into the science of optimism and learn how your attention shapes your reality. The discussion highlights the contrast between toxic positivity and genuine optimism, plus evidence-based strategies for fostering a balanced mindset. Find out how physical movement can shift your perspective and the role optimism plays in building resilience and creativity. Practical exercises are provided to help train your brain for a more positive outlook.

Judy Griselle, a renowned behavioral neuroscientist and author, shares her journey from battling addiction to becoming an expert in the field. She discusses her book, 'Never Enough,' revealing how personal experiences shape our understanding of addiction. Judy critiques punitive measures, advocating for positive incentives in recovery. The conversation also touches on adolescent vulnerability, gender differences in addiction, and the importance of novelty and dopamine in fostering meaningful lives post-addiction. Creativity and joy play significant roles in her transformative recovery narrative.

Explore the critical difference between guilt and shame in addiction recovery. Discover how toxic shame can fuel the addiction cycle and why it's essential to build shame resilience. The hosts share powerful, evidence-based tools that can help listeners disrupt shame and reframe negative self-talk. Learn the importance of connecting with a supportive community to foster self-kindness. This episode offers insightful strategies to reshape your self-perception and strengthen your recovery journey.

On today’s episode, Duane speaks with Dr. Karol Darsa about how to recognize trauma as well as some of the first steps you need to take to deal with trauma. Karol is the author of the book, The Trauma Map: Five Steps to Reconnect With Yourself. She dives deep into how trauma impacts us in our everyday life as well as what we can do to deal with our traumatic histories so we can heal and feel better.If you have struggled with some trauma in your past, hopefully you will get a lot of insights from this episode as Karol shares her professional wisdom on recovering from trauma. A licensed psychologist for 23 years, Karol found herself repeating certain information over and over again. She realized what was really missing in a lot of people's minds was the understanding of what trauma is and what it does. Maybe they knew what trauma was but didn't understand that it could impact them to the degree that it was impacting them. Many people think trauma only applies to people who have been to war or were sexually abused. They don't consider other things to be trauma. However, trauma can also result from smaller incidents when people didn't even realize they felt traumatized. Hoping to explain the basics of trauma and how it works, Karol decided to write the book, The Trauma Map: Five Steps to Reconnect With Yourself. Karol also noticed an overarching characteristic of self-blame among her clients who were dealing with trauma. They were quick to judge themselves much more than they should. Therefore, Karol also wrote the book as a great tool for minimizing self-blame.In this episode, you will hear: What trauma is What the different types of trauma could look like Why the power of positive thinking sometimes backfires for people Recognizing relational trauma How trauma causes you to disconnect from your body Why people find it difficult to face painful situations Dismissing your feelings means a lack of self-acceptance How to eliminate self-blame Key Quotes:[03:49] - “What was really missing in a lot of people's minds is really the understanding of what trauma is, and what it does.”[04:57] - “The power of the positive thinking, sometimes that actually backfires for a lot of people.”[05:56] - “Many people think trauma means if you been to war, or maybe if you were sexually abused, but other than that, people don't consider other things as trauma.”[06:31] - “Trauma is a situation where it's so overwhelming that it makes you feel powerless, basically unable to cope.”[07:13] - “The most common trauma that people minimize is relational trauma.”[09:30] - "In the relational traumas, reactions don't function that way. People have to be able to look at their symptoms and recognize it."[13:50] - "We have a limited capacity to actually face painful situations. As human beings, we all are that way."[17:17] - "One of the problems of dismissing feelings or putting things away or dismissing our body is that we are ultimately not accepting who we are."If you really enjoyed this episode, we’ve created a PDF that has all of the key information for you from the episode. Just go to the episode page at www.theaddictedmind.com to download it.Supporting Resources:The Trauma MapEpisode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the journey from self-blame to self-compassion and discover how your inner critic can hinder recovery. The hosts discuss the powerful impact of self-compassion on overcoming shame and fostering healing. You’ll learn practical steps to transform negative self-talk into a kinder inner dialogue. The role of community support in building resilience and accountability is also emphasized, highlighting the importance of patience and understanding in personal recovery journeys.