Minding the Brain
Science & Ideas
About
Minding the Brain is an award-winning, monthly science podcast by Dr. Jim Davies and Dr. Kim Hellemans. It focuses on exploring and discussing the fascinating topics surrounding the scientific study of the brain. Minding the Brain is brought to you by Carleton University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Find us on the web @ https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com
Episodes
- Sound Meaning in Language with Dr. Ida Toivonen #100
Dr. Ida Toivonen appears on Minding the Brain to discuss the relationship between sound and meaning in language. The conversation covers linguistic universals and variations, including tense, plurals, animism, gender, and evidentiality in…
- Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System With Dr. Matt Hill #99
Dr. Matt Hill and Dr. Kim Hellemans discuss research into cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. Topics include sativa versus indica strains, the effects of CBD, and how cannabis legalization in Canada has influenced research.
- Using Chatbots for Therapy and Companionship #98
Kim and Jim discuss the rise of AI chatbots for emotional support and companionship, weighing the benefits against the drawbacks of this increasing reliance. The episode also defines the term "glazing".
- Seeking Closure in Uncertain Times #97
Episode 97 of Minding the Brain discusses how the brain reacts to uncertainty, examining whether current times are unprecedented and why conspiracies gain traction during such periods. Hosts Kim and Jim also touch upon social media and aut…
- Metacognition With Brendan Conway-Smith – #96
Brendan Conway-Smith joins Minding the Brain to discuss metacognition, its importance, and its potential applications in managing depression and anxiety. The episode covers cognitive reframing, attentional overload, and the connection betw…
- Sound Meaning in Language with David M. Sidhu – #95
In this episode of Minding the Brain, David M. Sidhu discusses language processing, sound symbolism, and iconicity with host Jim Davies. The conversation touches on the connection between word sounds and their meanings, and whether given n…
- Behavioral Addiction
This episode of Minding the Brain features Kim and Jim discussing behavioral addiction, including potential addictions to food, sex, and gambling.
- Experiencing Nature with John M. Zelenski & Dan Rubinstein – #94
John M. Zelenski and Dan Rubinstein join Jim to discuss scientific research on the benefits of nature exposure for mental and physical health. They address how scientists define nature, the amount of exposure that is helpful, and whether n…
- AI Rights – #93
Jim and Kim discuss AI ethics, exploring whether LLMs are sentient and the implications for AI rights. They also consider if sentience is exclusively biological, referencing animal rights and media portrayals of artificial intelligence.
- Schizophrenia
This episode of Minding the Brain discusses schizophrenia, covering what it feels like to experience the condition, its diagnostic history, and the effectiveness of current treatments.
- Social Media & Mental Health with Dr. Andrea Howard, Part 2 – #92
This episode, part two of a series, features Drs. Jim Davies, Kim Hellemans, and Andrea Howard discussing research on social media’s effect on youth mental health. Topics include school bans, parental and governmental roles, and social med…
- Brain Fog, Neurodivergence in STEM & Improving Brain Function – Q&A – #91
This Minding the Brain Q&A episode addresses listener questions about brain fog, its causes, and potential remedies. Hosts Kim and Jim also discuss neurodivergence within STEM fields and strategies for enhancing overall brain function, inc…
- Social Media & Mental Health with Dr. Andrea Howard, Part 1 – #90
This episode features Dr. Jim Davies, Dr. Kim Hellemans, and Dr. Andrea Howard discussing research on social media
- Cannabis Induced Anxiety, Healing After Alcoholism & Brain Training – Q&A – #89
Minding the Brain episode #89 addresses listener questions on why cannabis can cause anxiety, the potential for brain healing following alcoholism, and whether brain training is effective.
- Delusions with Dr. Ian Gold – #88
Dr. Ian Gold joins Minding the Brain to discuss his research on delusions, covering their nature, potential connections to conspiracy theories, and the neurological basis.
- Near Death Experiences, Brain Implants & Lucid Dreaming – Q&A – #87
In this Q&A episode of Minding the Brain, Kim and Jim address listener questions regarding the reality of near-death experiences, the potential of brain implants, and the possibility of learning to lucid dream.
- Cultural Effects on the Brain and Mental Disorders #86
This episode of Minding the Brain discusses the impact of culture on brain development and mental disorders. It examines variations in conditions like schizophrenia and eating disorders across cultures and questions if neuroscience can det…
- Ape Brains, Evo Psych and AGI – Q&A – #85
In this Q&A episode of Minding the Brain, hosts Kim and Jim address listener questions about the potential for AGI in LLMs, the possibility of erasing traumatic memories, criticisms of evolutionary psychology, and current neuroscience find…
- The Evolution of Women with Cat Bohannon #84
Cat Bohannon joins Minding the Brain to discuss the evolution of women, touching on prehistoric gynecology, sexual dimorphism, and the significance of female inclusion in research. Her book, Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years…
- Q&A: Transgender Brain Differences, the Impact of Racism on the Brain and More #83
In episode 83 of Minding the Brain, hosts Kim and Jim answer listener questions regarding potential differences in transgender and cisgender brains, the lasting neurological effects of experiencing racism, and the relationship between brai…
- Psychedelics #82
Dr. Argel Aguilar-Valles discusses the science of psychedelics with Kim on Minding the Brain. Topics include microdosing, effectiveness for depression, and brain interactions with substances like magic mushrooms, acid, and ayahuasca.
- Q&A: Is Dopamine Addiction Real? #81
Minding the Brain episode #81 features hosts Kim and Jim answering listener questions. Topics include the reality of dopamine addiction, dopamine detoxes, cannabis use post-25, potential links between psychedelic drugs and schizophrenia, n…
- Do Babies Understand Math? #80
In episode 80 of Minding the Brain, Rebecca Merkley and Jim discuss the mathematical abilities of babies. They cover how early children start understanding math, the types of errors they make, and the significance of early math education.
- The Neuroscience of Emotion – #79
This episode of Minding the Brain discusses the neuroscience of emotion, covering brain regions that process feelings, the connection between substance withdrawal and natural stress responses, and the influence of hormones.
- Memory Errors with Daniel Schacter – #78
Daniel Schacter joins Minding the Brain to discuss memory errors. The episode explores the fallibility of memory, the concept of repressed traumatic memories, whether memory retrieval alters recollections, and the pace of forgetting over t…
- Moral Goodness Psychology with Matt Coleman – #77
In episode #77 of Minding the Brain, Jim interviews Matt Coleman of Giving Multiplier. They discuss the importance of donating to effective charities and the emotional disconnect between giving impact and our emotional responses.
- Mommy Brain and the Mental Load of Motherhood – #76
In episode 76 of Minding the Brain, Kim interviews Dr. Jodi Pawluski about the concept of "mommy brain" and the mental load carried by mothers. The discussion touches on societal support for mothers, the implications of antidepressant use…
- Personality Disorders with Dr. Pete Kelly
Dr. Pete Kelly discusses personality disorders with host Dr. Kim Hellemans on Minding the Brain. The episode covers common symptoms and therapeutic interventions for personality disorders.
- Mantra Meditation – #75
On Minding the Brain episode 75, Jim interviews scientist Dr. Doug Oman about mantra meditation. They discuss its origins, benefits, scientific evidence, and how to start practicing.
- Cultural Evolution – #74
Jim and Kim discuss how cultural evolution has enabled humans to dominate the globe. The episode examines the development of group technologies and complex institutions in relation to individual survival challenges.
- Q&A: Magic Mushrooms, Chat GPT in Academia, Ice Baths, Caffeine & More – #73
In episode 73 of Minding the Brain, Jim and Kim address student questions covering topics such as magic mushrooms, the use of Chat GPT in academic settings, ice baths, caffeine consumption, the influence of music, self-efficacy, and effort…
- Fake News with Gordon Pennycook – #72
This episode features an interview with Gordon Pennycook discussing fake news, the spread of misinformation, generative AI
- #71 Nutritional Neuroscience
In episode #71 of Minding the Brain, host Kim interviews Orsha Magyar, founder of NeuroTrition Inc., about nutritional neuroscience. They discuss combating pseudoscience, the impact of diet on brain health, and the role of omega fatty acid…
- #70 Aloneliness and the Value of Solitude
Dr. Robert Coplan discusses aloneliness and the benefits of solitude with Kim on Minding the Brain. The episode covers balancing solitude with social interaction and views on solitude in collectivist cultures.
- #69 AI & Existential Risk
This episode of Minding the Brain features a discussion between Jim and Darren McKee, author of Uncontrollable: The Threat of Artificial Superintelligence and the Race to Save the World. They explore the potential long-term dangers of arti…
- #68 Eating Disorders
In episode #68 of Minding the Brain, Jim interviews Kim about eating disorders, covering symptoms of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder. They also explore the influence of trauma, brain region impacts, and the relationship betwee…
- #67 The Psychology of Soundtracks with Joe Kraemer
Jim interviews Hollywood composer Joe Kraemer about the psychology of soundtracks. Kraemer shares insights from his career, including work on Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, and analyzes classic film scores.
- #66 Money and Spending
In Minding the Brain episode #66, Jim interviews Johanna Peetz about the role of money in relationships and research-backed strategies for managing finances and spending habits.
- #65 Distinguishing Fantasy From Reality
Minding the Brain episode #65 discusses the science behind distinguishing fantasy from reality, including the formation of false memories and the belief in imaginary friends.
- #64 Animal Consciousness
This episode of Minding the Brain, featuring Kim and Jim, delves into the concept of animal consciousness, questioning whether other animals are conscious, the significance of understanding this, and the potential functions of consciousnes…
- Multitasking
This episode of Minding the Brain features Kim and Jim discussing the science behind multitasking. They explore whether multitasking improves or hinders efficiency, situations where it might be suitable, and safety issues, such as the risk…
- #63 Schizophrenia
This episode of Minding the Brain addresses the lived experience of schizophrenia, the historical context of its diagnosis, and the effectiveness of current treatments. Additional resources for further information are included.
- #62 Theories of Consciousness
In episode #62 of Minding the Brain, hosts Jim and Kim explore popular theories of consciousness and the quantum theory of consciousness, discussing the evidence supporting different claims about its function.
- #61 Handedness
This episode of Minding the Brain, hosted by Kim and Jim, delves into the scientific reasons behind why individuals exhibit left-handedness or right-handedness.
- #60 20 More Questions with Kim & Jim
Kim and Jim host a live Q&A episode recorded at Carleton University, addressing audience questions about the efficacy of brain training apps, the value of reading fiction, and the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence.
- #59 Time
This episode of Minding the Brain discusses the psychology of time, exploring why its perceived passage differs between childhood and adulthood and how the brain measures time.
- #58 Goals
Jim Davies interviews Marina Milyavskaya on Minding the Brain about the importance of goals and why people succeed in pursuing some goals but not others, discussing how science can aid in setting and achieving them.
- #57 Video Game Addiction
Minding the Brain discusses video game addiction with Ian Richard, Co-President of CU Esports, examining the science of addiction in relation to gaming.
- #56 Video Games
In episode #56 of Minding the Brain, Jim and Kim discuss research concerning video games, covering topics such as aggression, addiction, and potential cognitive enhancements.
- #55 Caffeine
This episode of Minding the Brain delves into caffeine, covering its evolutionary origins in plants, the history of human consumption, its potential benefits, and associated dangers and addictive qualities.