Jim and Kim answer student questions about magic mushrooms, Chat GPT in academia, ice baths, caffeine, the impact of listening to music, self-efficacy and reducing [...]

Jim interviews Gordon Pennycook about the phenomenon of fake news. What types of misinformation tend to spread? What role will generative AI play in the information landscape? How do bias, intuition, and rationality impact the way people read the news? Explore further:Gordon Pennycook’s website

Kim interviews Orsha Magyar about the emerging field of nutritional neuroscience. How can we combat nutritional pseudoscience on social media? Are there such things as superfoods? How does the average North American diet impact our brain health? What are omega fatty acids, and are they important for our brain health? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this month’s episode of Minding the Brain! Orsha Magyar is the engaging and inspiring Founder and CEO of NeuroTrition Inc, and Canada’s brain food expert. She is a neuroscience and nutrition specialist for Canadian publications, television and radio shows, and is a sought after science communicator. She also delivers the “most delicious science communication you will ever taste” in her brain food collaborations with the culinary industry. Trained in both neuroscience and nutrition, Orsha is truly one-of-a-kind. And her unique expertise brings an unrivaled integrative approach to brain and mental health, as well as to science communication. Orsha brings over two decades of neuroscience research and clinical nutrition experience to the table. You can find her Monday – Friday in private practice working with clients who have mental health and neurological conditions, and communicating nutritional neuroscience for various organizations and corporations. Orsha is serious about going beyond the Band-Aid for brain and mental health, and her genuine passion for helping everyone build happier, healthier brains comes across in everything she does. Making research approachable and actionable for everyone is Orsha’s superpower. She’s known for making complicated nutritional neuroscience topics easier to digest – and delicious! For more information about Orsha and NeuroTrition, please visit www.neurotrition.ca

Kim interviews Dr. Robert Coplan about aloneliness and the value of solitude. What are the benefits of solitude? How should we balance solitude and social [...]

Jim interviews Darren McKee, author of Uncontrollable: The Threat of Artificial Superintelligence and the Race to Save the World. What are the long-term dangers of artificial intelligence? Could artificial intelligences develop power seeking behaviors? What safeguards can be put in place to ensure that AI contributes to human flourishing in the future? Discover the answers to these questions and more on this episode of Minding the Brain.

Jim interviews Kim about the topic of eating disorders. They discuss clinical and behavioral symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and the role of trauma in vulnerability to eating disorders. How common are eating disorders? Which brain regions are impacted by anorexia? Is there a relationship between eating disorders and body weight? Can food be addictive? Discover the answers to these questions and more on this episode of Minding the Brain. Explore Further: The Skinny: My messy, hopeful fight for full recovery from anorexia Understanding and Finding Help for Eating Disorders Hopewell Eating Disorder Support Centre National Eating Disorder Information Centre (NEDIC) ANAD

Jim interviews Hollywood composer Joe Kraemer about the psychology of soundtracks. Joe is responsible for the music in films such as The Way of the Gun, Jack Reacher, and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation. He has worked as a composer for more than two decades and he has fascinating insights into how and why music can evoke such powerful emotional responses in us. In addition to discussing his own work on films like Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Joe breaks down classic soundtracks for movies like Star Wars, Jaws and Indiana Jones.Check out Joe Kraemer’s music here:SpotifyApple MusicAmazon Music

Jim interviews Johanna Peetz about money and spending. Why does money cause so many problems in relationships? What does the research say about how best to manage your money? Are there tricks you can use to increase your willpower when it comes to spending? Discover the answers to these and many more questions on this episode of Minding the Brain!

How are false memories created? Do children believe their imaginary friends really exist? Why aren’t we always mistaking our imaginings for reality? Join Jim and Kim as they explore the science of how our brains distinguish fantasy from reality. Explore Further: Davies, J. & Bicknell, J. (2016). Imagination and belief: The microtheories model of hypothetical thinking. Journal of Consciousness Studies, 23(3-4), 31–49. Davies, J. (2019). Imagination: The science of your mind’s greatest power. Pegasus Books.

Are other animals conscious? Why is animal consciousness important to understand? What function does consciousness serve? Take a deep dive into the fascinating world of [...]