Minding the Brain

Why did plants evolve to be caffeinated? When did humans start using caffeine? What are the benefits of caffeine? Can caffeine be dangerous and is <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/10/01/55-caffeine/" title="#55 Caffeine">[...]</a>

If the universe is teeming with life, and even a fraction of that life is intelligent, where are all the aliens? Join Jim and Kim <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/09/01/where-are-all-the-aliens/" title="#54 Where Are All the Aliens?">[...]</a>

Alcohol is, by far, the most commonly used addictive drug, but how much do you really know about it? How does alcohol interact with the <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/08/01/53-alcohol/" title="#53 Alcohol">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim tell you how to hack your reward system! What is the brain’s reward system and why did it evolve? Is it possible <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/07/01/52-hacking-your-reward-system/" title="#52 Hacking Your Reward System">[...]</a>

Kim interviews Dr. Benicio Frey about the future of depression treatment. What is depression and what are the symptoms? How is depression treated? How important <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/06/01/51-the-future-of-depression-treatment-with-dr-benicio-frey/" title="#51 The Future of Depression Treatment with Dr. Benicio Frey">[...]</a>

Jim Davies and Darren McKee talk about happiness. What is happiness? What does science say about how people can be happier? Find out the answers <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/05/01/50-happiness/" title="#50 Happiness">[...]</a>

Jim interviews Dr. Richard E. Nisbett about Eastern and Western thinking. What are the differences between Eastern and Western thinking? How do economic differences impact <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/04/01/49-eastern-and-western-thinking/" title="#49 Eastern and Western Thinking">[...]</a>

Kim interviews Michael Hildebrand about the topic of pain. Does everyone experience pain the same way? Why do we experience pain? Is there such a <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/03/01/48-pain/" title="#48 Pain">[...]</a>

Kim interviews Jim about the phenomenon of geniuses. Are there as many geniuses born today as there were previously? Are groundbreaking scientific discoveries still being <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/02/01/47-where-are-all-the-geniuses/" title="#47 Where Are All the Geniuses?">[...]</a>

Jim interviews Carole Hooven, Harvard evolutionary biologist and author of the new book T: The Story of Testosterone, the Hormone that Dominates and Divides Us. <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2022/01/01/46-testosterone/" title="#46 Testosterone">[...]</a>

Jim interviews Kim about the phenomenon known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Why do searches for “depression” peak in November and February? What kinds of <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/12/01/45-seasonal-affective-disorder/" title="#45 Seasonal Affective Disorder">[...]</a>

What is free will? Can humans make conscious decisions? What does the scientific evidence tell us about the existence of free will? Find out on <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/11/01/45-free-will/" title="#44 Free Will">[...]</a>

The idea of brain lateralization has attained a high degree of popularity in culture. People will often refer to themselves as being “right brained” or <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/10/01/43-right-brain-left-brain/" title="#43 Right Brain / Left Brain">[...]</a>

Kim interviews Jim about conspiracy theories. What makes conspiracy theories so appealing? What is the relationship between scientific literacy and the likelihood that someone will <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/09/01/43-conspiracy-theories/" title="#42 Conspiracy Theories">[...]</a>

Is there a scientific explanation for the alien abduction phenomenon? Is there a link between nocturnal alien visitations and the many similar stories that have <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/08/01/alien-abduction/" title="Alien Abduction">[...]</a>

Dr. Jim Davies and Dr. Kim Hellemans interview two experts on the topic of concussions, Andree-Anne Ledoux, a Research Associate at Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/07/01/concussions/" title="Concussions">[...]</a>

Dr, Jim Davies interviews Dr. Iva Ivanova about the psychology of talking. Do different languages change the way we formulate meaning? What is syntax and how <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/06/01/41-talking/" title="#41 Talking">[...]</a>

Dr. Kim Hellemans discuses neurodiversity with Tara Connolly, Patricia Berube and Kait Bowser. What is neurodiversity? Why is it important to recognize neurodiversity in higher education? How <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/05/01/40-neurodiversity/" title="#40 Neurodiversity">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim discuss the science of why we do what we do. How long does it take to form a habit? How is it <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/04/01/39-control-why-you-do-what-you-do/" title="#39 Control: Why You Do What You Do">[...]</a>

Some people perceive colors when they see certain words, letters or numbers, and some people experience geometric shapes as associated with certain tastes. These are <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/03/01/38-synesthesia/" title="#38 Synesthesia">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim take a deep dive into the topic of behavioral addiction. What is behavioral addiction? Can you be addicted to food? What about <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/02/01/37-behavioral-addiction/" title="#37 Behavioral Addiction">[...]</a>

Kim interviews Jim about dreams. What are dreams and why did we evolve to have them? Are dreams symbolic representations of events in our lives? <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2021/01/01/36-dreams/" title="#36 Dreams">[...]</a>

Jim interviews Kim about Depression. What exactly is Depression, and how many people have it? What’s the difference between being depressed, and being diagnosed with <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/12/01/35-depression/" title="#35 Depression">[...]</a>

Dr. Kim Hellemans interviews Dr. O. Pete Kelly about personality disorders. What are personality disorders and what are some common symptoms? What does therapy look like <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/11/01/34-personality-disorders/" title="#34 Personality Disorders">[...]</a>

Why does stress sometimes make us choke at the most critical moment? Jim interviews cognitive scientist Sian Beilock about this phenomenon and they discuss psychological tools <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/10/01/33-dont-choke-why-we-sometimes-fail-under-pressure/" title="#33 Don’t Choke! Why we sometimes fail under pressure">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim discuss how sleep relates to the mind and the brain. Why did sleep evolve? What is the function of dreaming? How do <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/09/01/32-sleep/" title="#32 Sleep">[...]</a>

Kim interviews Jim about imagination and imagines a future podcast all about star nosed moles. Can imagination make us miserable? Does fantasizing about future events <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/08/01/31-how-imagination-can-make-you-happy-or-miserable/" title="#31 How Imagination Can Make You Happy or Miserable">[...]</a>

Jim interviews Kim about the important topic of student mental health. What is the impact of substances of like alcohol and marijuana, on mental health? <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/07/01/30-student-mental-health/" title="#30 Student Mental Health">[...]</a>

Jim, Kim and special guest, Florence Daviet, CPAWS’ National Forest Program Director, discuss the important topic of climate change. What is the best way to <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/05/31/29-climate-change-psychology/" title="#29 Climate Change Psychology">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim help are here to help you wrap your brain around the Coronavirus. Why are people drawn to Coronavirus conspiracy theories? What is <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/05/01/28-wrapping-your-brain-around-the-coronavirus/" title="#28 Wrapping Your Brain Around the Coronavirus">[...]</a>

Dr. Davies interviews Gerald Cupchik about emotions. What do people misunderstand about emotions? How does emotional expression differ between cultures? Do childhood events have ramifications <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/04/01/27-emotional-expression/" title="#27 Emotional Expression">[...]</a>

Kim interviews Jim about imaginary people. Why do people we meet in our dreams seem to have a mind of their own? Why do authors <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/03/01/26-imaginary-people/" title="#26: Imaginary People">[...]</a>

Dr. Davies interviews Dr. Hellemans about ADHD. What is the difference between ADHD and ADD? How is ADHD diagnosed? Are there risks associated with the <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2020/01/01/24-adhd/" title="#24: ADHD">[...]</a>

Dr. Hellemans interviews Dr. Davies about hallucinations. What are the neural correlates of hallucinations? How many types of hallucinations are there? What is the difference <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/12/01/23-hallucinations/" title="#23: Hallucinations">[...]</a>

Dr. Davies interviews Cheryl Harasymchuk about relationships. What types of people tend to start relationships with each-other? What makes people physically attracted to each-other? Find out <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/11/01/22-relationships/" title="#22: Relationships">[...]</a>

Dr. Hellemans interviews psychologist Matthew Rippeyoung about trauma. What is trauma and how does it impact us? Where does trauma come from and what is <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/10/01/21-trauma/" title="#21: Trauma">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim discuss the apparent phenomenon of morning people and night people. Is there a biological difference between “morning people” and “night people”? Why <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/09/01/20-morning-people-night-people/" title="#20: Morning People & Night People">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim interview Dr. Colleen Dell and Shannon Noonan about their work with therapy dogs. Why do dogs make such good therapy animals? Can <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/08/01/19-pet-therapy/" title="#19: Pet Therapy">[...]</a>

Dr. Davies interviews Gregory Shankland about his experiences with hearing voices in his head. Gregory tells the fascinating story of how he began to hear voices, how <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/07/01/18-voices-in-the-head/" title="#18: Voices in the Head">[...]</a>

Jim and Kim explore the science of having religious experiences, with the help of special guest Dr. Ann Taves. Why do people have religious experiences? <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/06/01/17-religious-experiences/" title="#17: Religious Experiences">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim dive into the topic of social media and addiction. Can you be addicted to social media? Does using social media too much affect <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/05/01/16-social-media-addiction/" title="#16: Social Media & Addiction">[...]</a>

Kim and Jim discuss the scientific evidence surrounding multitasking. Does multitasking make you more or less efficient? When should you multitask? Is it safe to <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/04/01/15-multitasking/" title="#15: Multitasking">[...]</a>

Jim and Kim are joined by special guest Audrey McFarlane to discuss the impact of alcohol on the developing brain. What are the effects of <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/03/01/14-alcohol-and-the-developing-brain/" title="#14: Alcohol and the Developing Brain">[...]</a>

Many people think beauty is something ephemeral, subject to the arbitrary whims of individual taste and cultural trends. But philosophers have been studying beauty and <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/02/01/13-beauty-and-neuroaesthetics/" title="#13: Beauty and Neuroaesthetics">[...]</a>

People love to watch sports. The Superbowl, for example, is incredibly popular. About 111 million people, a third of everyone in the united states, watched <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2019/01/01/12-why-we-like-sports/" title="#12: Why We Like Sports">[...]</a>

According to the world health organization, obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than 1 billion adults overweight, and at least 300 million of <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2018/12/01/11-nutrition-and-the-brain/" title="#11: Nutrition and the Brain">[...]</a>

Is there a scientific explanation for the alien abduction phenomenon? Is there a link between nocturnal alien visitations and the many similar stories that have <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2018/11/01/10-alien-abduction/" title="#10: Alien Abduction">[...]</a>

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at an event sponsored by Carleton University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The audience <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2018/10/01/9-20-questions-with-kim-jim/" title="#9: 20 Questions with Kim & Jim">[...]</a>

Jim interviews Kim on the topic of exercise. What is the impact of exercise on the brain? Can exercise be used to treat depression? The <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2018/09/01/8-exercise/" title="#8: Exercise">[...]</a>

What role does estrogen play in the brain? Why do people experience PMS? Is PMS a real phenomenon? For this episode we’ve partnered with the <a class="mh-excerpt-more" href="https://mindingthebrainpodcast.com/2018/08/01/7-estrogen-and-the-brain/" title="#7: Estrogen and the Brain">[...]</a>