Braincare

Gina Rippon thinks society has a lot to answer for. The author of The Gendered Brain myth lives to debunk neuroscientific sexism, but when it comes to the societal impact on our mental health she says the evidence is writ large. On today's Braincare Podcast, Gina Rippon brings her wisdom to one of the places where brain health does differ according to gender - mental illness. If male and female brains are so similar, then what causes mental illnesses to manifest differently in men and women?We talk about: Why are certain mental illnesses linked predominantly to one gender? Self-esteem as a powerful driver in the brain How are genetics linked to eating disorders? Society and the gender brain gap What are the perils of perfectionism? Parkinsons is more prevalent in women, and Alzheimers in men

Gina Rippon wants to debunk the gendered brain myth. In fact, she literally wrote the book on it. Gina was the Head of Neuroimaging at Aston University Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience where she spent her days studying brain imaging to reach some groundbreaking conclusions. On today's Braincare Podcast, Gina Rippon takes us on a whistlestop tour of the gendered brain myth, from the skewed metrics and willful ignorance of early neuroscientists, through Darwin's cognitive dissonance, right up to the neurosexist misconceptions that still impact science today.We talk about: What is the gendered brain myth? Rewriting evolution: even Darwin was susceptible to a little cognitive dissonance Do male and female brains actually differ? How did gender discrimination cloud neuro-scientific discovery Neuro-trash and neuro-sexism How 21st Century neuroscience debunks the gendered brain myth

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee can change your life in just 5 minutes a day! At his medical practice, Dr. Chatterjee has seen his fair share of patients who find it a challenge to break habits and get healthy. On today's Braincare Podcast, the author of Feel Better in 5 shares tried and tested exercises that will boost your brain health. From mindfulness and meditation to kettlebells in your kitchen, and even a boogie in the living room - we hear how to pick up good habits AND make them stick.We talk about: How to start a new routine and stick to it Creatives ideas for home workouts Simplicity and consistency Why you don't always need a 1 hour jog The powerful mental effect of spending 5 minutes in nature Why choosing activities you like supercharges your results

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee knows why you're stressed! By day, Dr. Chatterjee is a practicing GP which brings him up close and personal with the ramifications of stress on the human body and mind. By night, the host of the #1 podcast in Health and Wellness shares his wealth of knowledge with the masses. On today's Braincare Podcast, we learn how the extraordinary pressures of this modern life are wreaking havoc on our central nervous systems (yikes!). Plus, how you can be the architect of your own health!We talk about: Why do we feel stressed? The physiological effects of stress The stimulus responses we share with our ancestors What are micro and macro doses? The ways our bodies tell us we're nearing our stress threshold Daily practices for reducing stress

Dr. Daniel Emina has unlocked the mysteries of the adolescent brain! Mood swings, risky decisions, and an explosion of neurons firing: as a double-board certified psychologist, Dr. Daniel's studied it all and lived to tell the tale. On today's Braincare Podcast, Dr. Emina explains adolescent identity formation, the limbic brain, and why adolescents are hard-wired to seek out short-term rewards.We talk about: Your brain on video games: triggering dopamine on mass! Why novel-seeking behaviour can get us into trouble The science behind wanting to stand out from the crowd Dealing with teenage mood swings Societal reinforcement of prejudice How to discuss bias with teenagers

Unconscious bias takes root from an incredibly early age. Nigerian-born, California-living, Dr. Daniel Emina is a double board-certified child, adolescent and adult psychologist who spends his days treating brain-health-related conditions. On today's Braincare Podcast, Dr. Emina explains when and why the first signs of prejudice are formed in our brains, and how to approach conversations about bias with children.We talk about: The stages of childhood cognitive development Where trust and mistrust come from Manifestations of bias and how to spot them The society hierarchy of the playground Choosing toys and books to break down bias How to have open discussions about race with children

Rhiannon Lambert says we're all on a food journey. Rhiannon is registered nutritionist and master practitioner who works with eating disorders, obesity, risks and prevention. Despite the different manifestations of these conditions, they all stem from the same place: our mental health relationship with food.We talk about:  Where food guilt comes from  Why you CAN have your baguette and eat it too!  Journaling tips to banish your inner diet police  The best ways to hold yourself accountable  Readdressing your food guilt with social eating

Rhiannon Lambert says we're all on a food journey. Rhiannon is registered nutritionist and master practitioner who works with eating disorders, obesity, risks and prevention. Despite the different manifestations of these conditions, they all stem from the same place: our mental health relationship with food.We talk about:  The food stories we tell ourselves  How our upbringing affects our relationship with food  Why your blood-brain barrier loves a carb-protein combo  How good fats boost our happy hormones  Advice for feelings of anxiety around food  Why our mental health relationship with food is about more than nutrition

Neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart wants you to mould your own brain! As a doctor of psychiatry with a PhD in neuropharmacology, she's spent years up close and personal with our grey matter. So, can we actively change our brain function?On today's Braincare Podcast, we lift the lid on neuroplasticity, discover how you can build new neural pathways, and potentially answer the brain function nature-nurture argument once and for all!We talk about: What does neuroplasticity actually mean?! Is cognitive function genetic? Neuroplasticity in action: oxytocin production in new fathers Why your late-30s and early-40s is crunch time for brain health The double returns of enjoyable brain-boosting activities The 3 mechanisms for inducing neuroplasticity

Neuroscientist Dr. Tara Swart knows all about your hungry, hungry hippocampus. She's a medical doctor of psychiatry, the international best-selling author of The Source, a senior lecturer at MIT, a TED talker, a leadership coach, and now, we're proud to say, Chief Science Officer at Heights!Today, we discuss the incredible effect of nutrition on our brains. If you haven't got a PhD in neuropharmacology, fear not! Tara does, and she condenses her insights into a deliciously moreish Working In.We talk about: Your brain on food Sustainable, fish-free ways for getting enough Omega 3s Why you shouldn't let your gut bacteria rule your life Non-negotiable nutrients for vegans and vegetarians Antioxidants, and why you might need to skip the smoked salmon