Brain Shaman

This is an episode about how to unfocus your eyes, ears, nose, breath, and movement in order to tap into your unconscious, that inner land of imagination, where you can discover new possibilities and create a new you. Change how you use your body, and you can change your perception of what is possible. 

In this episode, we talk with Alex Greene about how to reconnect and align with our bodies and the energy of the universe, and how all that affects our being and mind. He's body worker, somatic coach, TRE provider, nervous system therapist, zen priest, and the host of the Red Beard Embodiment podcast. We dig into a lot of interrelated topics, including: Taoism, Zen Buddhism, breathing, hara, muscles, trauma, stress, tension and trauma releasing exercises (TRE), physical habits (sitting, posture, walking, etc.), polyvagal theory, the Feldenkrais Method, Rolfing, gravity, early childhood development, bodily awareness, speed of movement, neuroplasticity, massage, touch, memories, connection, disconnection, dissociation, the nervous system, perception of possibility, modes of focus and attention, Eastern vs. Western art, language, fluidity vs. rigidity, sense of self, parenting, learning, communication, voice, and martial arts.Connect with Alex Greene: - personal website: www.alexgreene.com - podcast: Red Beard Embodiment (also available on Spotify, Apple, etc.)- therapy practice: www.redbeardsomatictherapy.com - Youtube channel: @AlexGreeneTRERESOURCES: BODYWORK PRACTICES: - Feldenkrais Method - Rolfing - TRE BOOKS: - A Zen Approach to Bodytherapy by William "Dub" Leigh- Stalking Wild Psoas by Liz Koch - The Unfettered Mind by Takuan Sōhō- The Vital Psoas Muscle by Liz Koch CONCEPTS:- dantien (丹田) - dissociation- hara (腹) - mushin (無心)- qi / ki (气 ) / 気) - samadhi (समाधि) - tao (道) - zazen (座禅)PEOPLE - Bodhidharma- Everett Ogawa- Ida Rolf- Moshé Feldenkrais - Norman Doidge - Tanouye RoshiPLACES:- Chozen-ji (Zen temple & dōjō  in Honolulu, Hawaii) PHYSIOLOGY: - iliacus (muscle)- iliopsoas (muscle) - motor cortex (brain region) - psoas (muscle) - sacrum (bone) - sensory cortex (brain reg

This is a conversation with Molly Watts (host of The Alcohol Minimalist podcast) about alcohol and the brain. We discuss the harms and benefits of the substance, what it does to the brain, how we can start drinking less, and how we can change any harmful habit. Some of the questions we ponder include: - What happens in the brain when we drink alcohol? How does it impact neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA?- What are some paths to overcoming alcohol addiction, aside from AA and abstinence programs?- What are some misunderstandings we have about alcohol, and why do we have them?- What is "gray area" drinking?- How can you determine whether your habit of drinking alcohol is serving you?- Is alcohol actually relaxing you and reducing your anxiety, or is it making things worse?- How can education about the neuroscience of alcohol help you recover from your overuse of it and find better alternatives to feeling better?- What happens after your blood alcohol concentration is past 0.005%? - Are there any therapeutic benefits to alcohol?- How does alcohol give us happy neurochemicals? How long does that last?- How do our thoughts drive us to drink, or help us stop drinking?- How do we change our habits (of thought and behavior)?- How can we strengthen (and stop weakening) our prefrontal cortex?- What are some basic things you can do to help curb your addictive cravings toward things like alcohol?- Do we desire alcohol more when we are lacking certain things in life (e.g. neurochemicals, resources, relationships, etc.)?- What role does dopamine play in all of this? How does it drive our behavior?- How can we take more conscious control over the unconscious processes in our brain?- How can changing your thoughts change your desires?- What's the process of habit change? How long does it take?- What can you do to calm yourself down in moments of craving? How do you resist the urge to drink or keep drinking?- What are some things we can substitute alcohol with? What can we do or drink instead?- Are all humans addicted? Is society making us more addicted? - What is Molly's history with alcohol, and how did she overcome her negative drinking habits?RESOURCESConnect with Molly / learn more: www.mollywatts.comAlcohol Minimalist Podcast: www.mollywatts.com/podcastAlcohol Minimalist Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/alcoholminimalists

Talking with Sae Kani, we dig into Japanese culture and trauma. We discuss various aspects of this society, including: relationships,  communication, work, technology,  parenting, marriage, sex, dating, power, men-women dynamics, parent-child relationships, maturation, language, intercultural interaction, virtual worlds, distractions, dissociation, biology, the nervous system, mental illness, and more.  We also talk about how by gaining awareness of our own body, learning about neurology, and nurturing our nervous system by doing things like TRE (Trauma Releasing Exercises), we can heal ourselves, release our stress, overcome our trauma, and become more anti-fragile and resilient, both as individuals and as a society.To learn more about TRE or connect with Sae, you can visit:www.saekani.comwww.treforall.comwww.youtube.com/@treforall312

This is an interview with Sae Kani, a TRE (Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercise) trainer in Japan and around Asia. She's also a life coach, meditator, and has had a long career as a humanitarian worker, helping traumatized communities recover after natural disasters around the world. Today we get hear her story, transporting us around Asia and beyond, witnessing the pain and healing along the way. Some of the topics we discuss include: - Why doesn't traditional humanitarian aid help heal communities' trauma? - What does it mean to be human? - What are the similarities and differences between humans and other animals? - How can body-based exercises (such as TRE) change our thinking, emotions, and the   stories we tell ourselves? How can healing the body simultaneously heal the mind?  - Why did humans develop a nervous system that requires us to communicate and connect with one another? - How can we use our body language to make others feel safe (or threatened)? - Why does our neocortex (mind) sometimes override the gut-reaction signals from our body? - How does one's socioeconomic situation influence their resilience towards trauma? - How do child-rearing practices affect one's susceptibility to trauma and stress?  - How can we develop a strong nervous system? - How is the Western ideal of individualism stressing us out and hurting our health? - Are some countries more traumatized than other countries? - Why do some cultures (e.g. Japan) express less emotion than others (e.g. Vietnam)? - How do capitalism, consumerism, and the hyper-focus on money lead to more disconnection, stress, and trauma? - Why is it important to physically release our stress and emotions, and what are the health and psychological risks of not doing so? - What are the first steps towards releasing yourself from stress and trauma? - Can culture traumatize us? How do we shield ourselves from that? - How, by listening to our body, can we protect ourselves from dangerous people and situations? - What role does physical movement play in integrating and healing our trauma? - Why is trauma? What causes it? - How do we ignore danger by numbing and distracting ourselves from our pain? - What are some things we can do to calm down and release our stress? - How does connection (with anything!) help us feel safe and calm? - What is TRE and how do people respond to it? - When is the best time of day to do TRE? - How does physical release of energy help our brain integrate and deactivate memories of past events? - How does the physiological history of ourselves (and our society) influence the creation of moral codes, norms, and taboos? - How can we reconnect with our body and discharge excess energy? RESOURCESCONCEPTS - fight-or-flight response- freezing behavior - Polyvagal theory - Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercise (TRE) - vagus nervePEOPLE - David Berceli- Stephen PorgesConnect with Sae: www.saekani.comLearn more about TRE: www.traumaprevention.comTRE on YouTube: @treforall312Part 2 coming soon!

In this episode, we explore the power of opening up and expanding our bodies for enhanced well-being and healing. We talk about some ways we can stretch and open ourselves up and release ourselves from our tension, traumas, and stress. And the great thing is that when you open up one part of your body or life, it often acts like a domino, spreading to many other areas simultaneously (not just in your body, but also mind, behavior, and life). Because everything exists within an interconnected whole.The first step is simply recognizing that the body naturally moves between states of expansion and contraction,  opening up and closing in, tightening and loosening, holding on and letting go, stress and relief, etc. It's a basic phenomenon of nature that we humans are simply part of.  When we understand that, we can more easily solve our various health problems and feel better. This concept of expansion and contraction underpins most other health concepts that we often hear about. It connects them all together.Taking primarily a bottom-up approach, we explore the idea that working with the body can yield quicker and more effective results. While incorporating a top-down perspective (from the mind to the body) can be beneficial, our primary emphasis today lies in utilizing the body as the tool for transformation. We go through various different body parts and explore simple ideas on how we can open each of them up and get the energy flowing again, thereby bringing us relief and to a calm positive happy space.Our journey takes us into the parasympathetic nervous system, characterized by relaxation, calm, and tranquility. It's a departure from the stress-inducing fight-or-flight response that many of us find ourselves trapped in. Imagine a serene and expansive oasis, where we can let go of tension and embark on a gentle voyage toward inner peace. That's where this episode is trying to take you. More importantly, it is meant to teach you how to find your way back there any time you want all by yourself, long after you finished listening to all this. You will learn to reconnect with your body and let it guide you. Regain independence and control over your own health. Learn to trust and use your body and, together, become your own doctor.This episode offers a unique opportunity for active participation. While listening, I encourage you to engage in the exercises and movements discussed. By physically opening up, expanding, and moving our bodies, we deepen our connection to what we're learning and also experience immediate benefits. Education is more powerful, memorable, and useful when it is active. Today's ideas transcend theory and move directly into your body, allowing you to tangibly and immediately enhance yourself physically, mentally, socially, existentially, and in so many other ways. You can literally transform your entire being, on every level. Learn, grow, and enjoy :)

In this interview, with Sid Desai, co-founder and CEO of Novobeing (formerly Rocket VR Health), we talk about how technologies like VR, AR, and AI can positively impact our health and well-being. Some of the things we discuss include: - Why does vision (what we see through our eyes) so powerfully impact our mental state? - What are some of the therapeutic and healthcare uses of VR? - How can we use VR to reduce stress, increase relaxation, and feel better? - How does the distance from which we view objects affect our brain? - How does our brain perceive 3D content differently from 2D content? - How does VR help us more accurately tap into our natural evolved ways of living? - How can you redesign your home environment and daily habits for improved mental health? - How do head and body position/movement affect your mental state? - How can VR widen your perception about identity, life, death, and reality? - What is the connection between virtual reality and Buddhism? - How can we use VR to change our perspective and better understand others'? - What is the future of AI and data tracking, and how can it make us healthier and happier? - How can these technologies bring us closer to nature and reality? - What are some ways VR/AR can promote healthy behavior and decision-making? - Why is it important to sometimes do or consume "unhealthy" things? - How can we use technology to increase our focus and productivity? - How is the mechanistic "machine" view of the body and health making us sicker? - What are some other basic (non-tech) ways we can improve our brain health?Resources:EDUCATION - Huberman Lab (podcast; YouTube channel) - The Enlightened Brain by Rick Hanson (audio program) - Why Buddhism Is True by Robert Wright (book)ENTERTAINMENT - Black Mirror (TV series)- Harvest Moon (video game)- Her (movie) - SimCity (video game)HEALTH CONDITIONS - peripheral neuropathy - phantom limbPEOPLE - Andrew Huberman (neuroscientist; podcaster) - Robert Wright (author; journalist) - V.S. Ramachandran (neuroscientist)TOOLS & TECHNOLOGIES- cognitive behavioral therapy - chlorella (algae supplement) - mirror box - omnidirectional treadmills - Whoop (fitness tracker)SPECIAL OFFER *for a limited-time only*: until June 30th, you can get a FREE LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION to Novobeing, by signing up on the website: www.novobeing.com. You can also find it on SideQue

In the final episode of this mini-series,  we talk about the impact of pesticides, herbicides, and artificial sweeteners and fats on our health. We explore how these substances have inadvertently wreaked havoc on our bodies.We delve into the ecosystem within our bodies, teeming with trillions of bacteria, mitochondria, and other organisms. Pesticides and herbicides, originally designed to eliminate pesky things like insects and weeds, have unintentionally harmed us by destroying this vital inner ecosystem we depend on. They are damaging our nervous system, hormones, and more.We also touch on the topic of water fluoridation and how it might be disrupting our microbiome, thereby throwing off various processes within our body. Once considered beneficial, fluoride in our water systems (and toothpastes) has now been linked to adverse effects. We talk a little about that and also how water systems vary across the globe.Next, we run through the world of artificial additives, focusing on artificial sweeteners and fats. These additives disrupt our body's natural processes, leading to overeating and weight gain. The divorce between appearances, like taste, and reality has confused and broken our bodies.We discuss strategies to reclaim vibrant health and free ourselves from our current troubles. Armed with empowering knowledge, and realigning ourselves with the way we evolved to be, we can navigate the modern world while safeguarding our health and vitality.RESOURCES - The End of Craving by Mark Schatzker (book) - Environmental Working Group (organization)      - Dirty Dozen     - Clean Fifteen - Silent Spring by Rachel Carson VOCABULARY, CONCEPTS, & THINGS - artificial fats: Olestra, Simplesse - artificial sugars: Ace K, aspartame,  saccharin, stevia, sucralose, xylitol - enzymes: acetylcholinesterase, EPSP synthase - herbicides:glyphosate (Roundup) - insect anatomy: ventral nerve cord - minerals: fluoride - nerve receptors: nicotinic acetylcholine receptors - neurotransmitters: acetylcholine  - pesticides: carbamates, DDT, organophosphates 

In part three of this series, we talk more about how isolating and separating parts of reality (such as nutrients, body parts, creatures, etc.), we disrupt the harmony of this interconnected web, the overall system (e.g. bodily, environmental, Earth) system that we are all part of. You cannot just change one piece without changing everything else. Everything is tied up together, working as a single harmonic system. We need to widen our vision about who we are, to include other organisms and the wider environment. Built on the previous two episodes, these are some of the basic premises. And from there, we talk about the history and downside of things like: food fortification, supplements, plastics, sunscreen, shoes, obesity, and more. Some of the things mentioned:   - athletic shoes   - B vitamins  - crakows  - earthing ("grounding")  - food fortification  - high-heeled shoes  - insulators (electrical)  - pellagra  - retinyl palmitate  - niacin (vitamin B3)  - neuropathy  - octinoxate  - oxybenzone  - riboflavin (vitamin B2)  - Rubber Soul (Beatles album)BONUS: special guest appearances by King Louis XIV and Alexander Graham Bell! Wow, they rarely make public appearances these days, right? So this is your super lucky chance that you don't wanna miss.

In this episode, we continue down the dark historical road to the land of the fat, sick, lonely, and sad. An exploration of our collective past, focusing on the immense influence of the industrial revolution on our and health and well-being, uncovering the long-lost chapters that shaped our lives.Picture this: The industrial revolution rolls in, introducing a whirlwind of technological advancements. Trains crisscross the landscape, and faster, more convenient modes of transportation emerge. But here's the catch: our bodies were caught off guard. They weren't prepared for these unnatural movements, disrupting the ancient patterns they evolved with. We'll peel back the layers and discover the consequences of this seismic shift.As the wheels of progress turned, factories, schools, cities, and corporations sprung up. A whole new way of life unfolded before our eyes. Yet, amidst the rapid changes, we unknowingly drifted away from our natural environment. Our human spirit yearned to return to itself, while our creativity wilted under the weight of mechanization. Sleep patterns were disturbed, and the delicate balance of our microbiome suffered severe blows.But the tale doesn't end there. With each passing day, the modern world continued to mold itself. Electricity burst into our lives, illuminating the darkness but also disrupting the rhythm of natural light. We hacked space and time, navigating a brave new world, but not without consequences.And then chemical products flooded the scene. Pesticides, pharmaceuticals, antibiotics, sunscreen, plastics, and fast food infiltrated our lives, leaving an indelible mark. We'll touch on the ripple effects of these intrusions into our health and well-being.Join us on this extraordinary journey, ladies and gentlemen, as we unravel the intricate web of history, exploring the lasting impact of the industrial and chemical revolution on our health and happiness. By understanding and meditating on our not-so-distant past, we can uncover new paths toward reclaiming our vitality and forging a brighter future.