Shows
NervousEpisode 14. The Neuroscience of GLP-1 agonistsSummary
AI-generated summaries are soooo 2024. We're talking all things GLP-1 agonists and the brain (spoiler - it's so much more than a fat loss drug). Learn about the drug mechanisms in the brain, its potential benefits beyond weight loss, the implications for mental health and addiction, and the societal context surrounding their use. Unsurprisingly, we conclude by emphasising the need for a nuanced understanding of these drugs and the importance of lifestyle changes alongside medical interventions.
Resources:
The Scientist: The Unexplored Effects of Weight Loss Drugs on the Brain
2025-02-0443 minNervousEpisode 13. Q&A and ReflectionsSummary
Katie takes the reigns in this solo episode to close out a nervous year! She addresses listener questions about managing stress during family gatherings, the psychological effects of being watched by Santa, and the existential reflections that often arise during the holidays. Additionally, she delves into the neuroscience of habit change and emphasizes the importance of context and environment in shaping behaviour. The episode concludes with reflections on the past year and plans for future episodes.
Chapters
00:00 Embracing Solo Conversations and Reflecting on AI
02:50 Navigating Family Dynamics...2024-12-2931 minNervousEpisode 12. Your Brain on HeadachesSummary
In this episode, Katie and Holly push the limits of their limited knowledge of the science of migraines, discussing triggers, neurotransmitters, and the importance of learning to listen to the signals of your body.
Chapters
00:00 Nervous Bodies and Bodily Dysfunction
11:24 Types of Headaches: Primary vs. Secondary
15:50 The Mechanisms of Headaches
26:45 The Role of Vascular and Neural Mechanisms
35:24 Neurotransmitters and Their Role in Headaches
43:37 Identifying Low-Risk vs. High-Risk Headaches
Keywords
headaches, migraines, self-perception...2024-12-1052 minNervousEpisode 11. Your Brain on Holiday StressSummary
Neuronerds reunite! In this episode, Holly and Katie are back after a little break to get nerdy about the complexities of stress, particularly during the holiday season. They discuss the impact of seasonal changes on mental health, the neuroscience behind stress responses, and the importance of understanding cognitive load.
Chapters
00:00 Autumnal Reflections and Seasonal Changes
11:54 Understanding Holiday Stress: Cognitive Load and Emotional Judgments
15:05 The Brain's Response to Stress: Allostatic Load and Neuroception
17:55 The Dynamics of Stress and Overwhelm: The Lazarus Model
21:01...2024-12-0343 minNervousEpisode 10. You Brain on Daydreaming and the Default Mode NetworkSummary
In this conversation, Katie and Holly explore the Default Mode Network (DMN) of the brain, discussing its functions, importance, and implications for mental health. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences with anxiety and mind wandering, and how these relate to the DMN. The discussion delves into the balance between the DMN and attention-focused networks, emphasizing the need for both in maintaining mental well-being. They also touch on the role of fMRI studies in understanding brain activity and the potential for interventions to modulate the DMN.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and...2024-10-0145 minNervousEpisode 9. Dopamine Detox: Fact or Fiction?In this episode (originally released on the ETPHD team podcast), Holly talks us through the complex role of dopamine in our lives, debunking common myths surrounding dopamine detoxes and addiction. Katie and Holly discuss how dopamine functions in reward, motivation, and learning, while emphasizing the importance of context and mindfulness in understanding our relationship with food and pleasure. The conversation highlights the nuances of dopamine's role in both healthy habits and addictive behaviours, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace a balanced approach to their mental health and well-being (shock).
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Nervous Moments2024-09-2459 minNervousEpisode 8. Debunking CortisolSummary
In this episode, Katie and Holly explain what cortisol is, how it works in the body, and its role in the stress response, debunks common myths about cortisol and discuss its impact on weight gain, moon face, and the relationship with caffeine.
References:
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4530(00)00058-5
Chapters
05:42 Understanding Cortisol: The Stress Hormone
10:31 Debunking Myths About Cortisol
16:07 The HPA Axis and Stress Regulation
21:55 The Effects of Prolonged Stress on Health
26:38 Exercise as...2024-09-1755 minNervousEpisode 7. The Neuroendocrine SystemSummary
In this episode, Holly and Katie explore the role of hormones in the body and their interaction with the nervous system. They explain the differences between neurotransmitters and hormones and discuss two hormones that are often overlooked: melatonin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
Chapters
07:56 Understanding the Role of Hormones in the Body
11:50 The Hypothalamus and Pituitary Gland: Key Players in Hormonal Communication
15:49 Regulating Body Functions: Metabolism, Immune Response, and Stress
19:22 Adrenaline and Cortisol: Hormones in the Stress Response
20:05 Exploring Lesser-Known Hormones
2024-09-1045 minNervousEpisode 6. Get to Know Your Nervous SystemSummary
In this conversation, Katie and Holly discuss the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).
Chapters
03:00 The Importance of Myelin Sheaths in Neural Communication
06:11 Understanding Multiple Sclerosis and its Impact on Myelin Sheaths
11:38 The Connection Between the Eyes and the Central Nervous System
15:31 Exploring the Somatic Nervous System and the Autonomic Nervous System
16:36 Understanding the Somatic Voluntary Nervous System
27:02 The Crucial Role of the Vagus Nerve
30:12 Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Treatment
35:10 The...2024-09-0337 minNervousEpisode 5. Brain Microanatomy - Neurons and NeurotransmittersSummary
In this conversation, Katie and Holly discuss the microanatomy of the brain, focusing on neurons and neurotransmitters. They explain how neurons communicate with each other through electrical and chemical signals, and how neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin play a role in this communication.
Chapters
03:27 Shifting Focus to Microanatomy
04:31 The Composition of the Brain
07:11 Understanding Neurons and Their Structure
11:09 Neuronal Communication and Networks
28:02 Debunking Oversimplifications of Neurotransmitters
34:35 Empowering Critical Engagement with Neuroscience
35:01 Preview of the Next Episode
2024-08-2735 minNervousEpisode 4. Left brain vs right brainIn this episode, Katie and Holly debunk the popular myth of left brain vs. right brain dominance.
Resources mentioned:
3D model of brain https://www.brainfacts.org/3d-brain#intro=true
Image that is not true and perpetuates the separation of left and right brain: https://images.app.goo.gl/wUR6m4h3LGTbGhtz6
Stroke study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3432641/
Evidence against the right brain/left brain myth:
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0071275
2024-08-2033 minNervousEpisode 3. Brain Macroanatomy IntroductionIn this conversation, Katie and Holly discuss the macro anatomy of the brain, including the two hemispheres and the four main lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal, and occipital. They also touch on the hippocampus and amygdala as examples of deeper structures within the brain.
Resources
https://now.uiowa.edu/news/2024/04/researchers-identify-brain-region-involved-control-attention
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:33 Brain Anatomy: Thinking About the Brain as a System
14:13 Exploring the Lobes of the Brain
29:58 Summary and Key Takeaways
Keywords
brain anatomy...2024-08-1339 minNervousEpisode 2. Brain modelsIn this episode, Katie and Holly discuss the brain as a system and introduce the triune model. They explain that while this model is a helpful starting point, it is not anatomically accurate and the brain is actually a network of interconnected systems.
Chapters
00:00 What made you nervous this week?
02:24 The Triune Model
06:09 The Brain's Constant Adaptability
14:08 Understanding the Brain's Communication and Interconnectedness
Resources
MacLean, P.D. (1990) The Triune Brain in Evolution (Role in Paleocerebral Functions). Plenum Press, New York.
...2024-08-0620 minNervousEpisode 1. How we met and what to expect from NervousIn this episode, Katie and Holly introduce themselves and their shared love for neuroscience. They discuss how they met and their mutual interest in Robert Sapolsky's work. They explain their goal of creating a podcast that explores the applied element of neuroscience while highlighting the importance of context and systems in understanding the brain. They plan to cover various topics, drawing from research and their own experiences. Katie and Holly share their personal journeys into neuroscience and psychology, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the brain and the importance of understanding both the cellular and psychological aspects. They express their passion...2024-08-0417 min