Brief Summary
In this episode of "What Now?", Trevor Noah and Eugene Cordero interview neuroscientist Emily on the brain. They explore how the brain works, how habits are formed, and the connection between neuroscience and spirituality. Emily shares her personal journey of rewiring her brain to quit nicotine and focus for extended periods without medication. The conversation touches on the power of visualisation, the impact of psychedelics, and practical steps to improve one's self-concept and overall well-being.
- The brain is an association machine, and habits are formed through dopamine-driven learning.
- Rewiring the brain involves associating unwanted behaviours with feelings of disgust and creating space between craving and action.
- Visualisation and meditation can alter the default mode network, impacting self-concept and behaviour.
- Psychedelics can offer new perspectives and boost neuroplasticity, but should be approached with caution.
- Improving self-concept and internal dialogue is crucial for changing one's perception of the world and achieving personal growth.
Trevor's Wild Idea to Merge Old Age Homes and Kindergartens
Trevor introduces his idea of combining old age homes and kindergartens, suggesting that the interaction between the elderly and young children could be beneficial for both groups. He mentions that research supports this concept, indicating that such intergenerational programmes can be successful. Trevor expresses his need for someone like Emily to validate his ideas with scientific backing.
How Emily Used Neuroscience to Quit Nicotine
Emily, also known as "M on the brain", shares her background in neuroscience and her initial focus on drug addiction research, driven by her own past nicotine addiction. She explains how she used her knowledge of the brain to quit vaping by associating the act with feelings of disgust. This involved creating a gap between the craving and the action, allowing her to rewire her brain's response to the stimulus.
She Hated Pre-Med and Accidentally Found Her Life's Work
Emily recounts her journey into neuroscience, starting with her dislike for pre-med studies. A friend suggested neuroscience, which she immediately loved. She excelled in her first exam and quickly joined a research lab, studying learning, memory, and the perception of time. Although she enjoyed research, she wanted to help people more directly, leading her to pursue a PhD in neuroscience with a focus on preclinical research related to drug addiction.
You Can Rewire Your Brain to Find Something Disgusting
Emily details how she rewired her brain to quit vaping by associating it with disgust. She would carry her vape around, allowing herself to experience the craving, but then consciously focus on the feeling of disgust when she used it. This process involved creating a gap between the craving and the action, disrupting the automatic stimulus-response behaviour associated with addiction. Over time, her brain began to automatically associate vaping with a negative feeling, reducing her desire to vape.
Why You Keep Doing Things You Don't Actually Want to Do
The discussion shifts to why people continue doing things they don't want to do, such as late-night snacking or excessive social media use. Emily explains that this is due to maladaptive habit formation, where the brain learns and automates behaviours, making them less conscious. She emphasises that learning is key to understanding how these habits form and how they can be changed.
The Real Reason Dopamine Drives You to the Fridge at Midnight
Emily explains the neuroscience of habit formation, highlighting the role of dopamine. Initially, dopamine is released when experiencing something pleasurable, such as eating ice cream or using social media. Over time, the dopamine release shifts to the anticipation of the reward, triggered by cues like seeing the ice cream carton or a social media notification. This anticipation drives craving and action, often without conscious decision-making.
Why Ads Only Work If You've Already Tried the Thing
The conversation explores why advertisements are more effective for products or experiences one has already tried. Trevor shares his experience of not being influenced by Taco Bell ads because he rarely eats there, while being easily swayed by ads for McDonald's McFlurries, which he enjoys. Emily explains that this is because the brain has already learned to associate the experienced thing with a reward, making the ad a trigger for craving.
Why Going Cold Turkey Almost Never Works
Emily explains why quitting "cold turkey" often fails due to the stress it induces. Stress reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for impulse control, making relapse more likely. She also highlights the importance of wanting to quit for oneself, rather than for external pressures. Visualising the person you want to become and recognising that current habits create a gap between your present self and that ideal self can be a powerful motivator.
The Science Behind "Woo-Woo" — And Why It's Been Right All Along
Trevor notes the divide between the scientific community and those who embrace "woo-woo" practices like visualisation and meditation. Emily discusses how she bridges this gap by explaining the neuroscience behind these practices. She highlights how meditation can impact the brain and how visualisation can shift and shape one's mindset.
She Has Two Degrees in Neuroscience
Emily explains that her understanding of the connection between neuroscience and spirituality developed as she studied the sensory systems. She explains that the eyes only take in light, which the brain then interprets, influenced by memories, emotions, and beliefs. This means that our perception of the world is subjective and shaped by our internal state.
What Certain Sound Frequencies Are Actually Doing to Your Brain
Emily discusses how different sound frequencies can affect the brain. She explains that the membrane in the ear is organised by frequency, and certain frequencies, like 432 hertz, have been shown to boost alpha wave activity in the brain, promoting a sense of calm. This scientific evidence supports the use of sound bowls and specific frequencies in meditation and sleep practices.
Are We Humans Having a Spiritual Experience, or the Other Way Around?
The conversation shifts to the relationship between spirituality and knowledge. Eugene suggests that intuition precedes language and experience, implying a deeper, pre-existing understanding. He argues that societal influences can numb this intuition, leading people to live according to their experiences rather than their innate wisdom.
When Science Caught Up to What Religion Knew All Along
Trevor reflects on his upbringing in a religious household and how he initially developed an allergy to religion due to the hypocrisy he witnessed. However, he now recognises that many religious practices, such as prayer, journaling, and fasting, have scientific backing. Emily explains that there used to be more overlap between science and spirituality, but certain events led to a divergence. She notes that research on mindfulness and meditation is still underfunded, despite growing evidence of its benefits.
Why You Shouldn't Trust Every Study You See on TikTok
Emily discusses the importance of critically evaluating scientific studies, especially those referenced on social media. She explains that studies begin with a question and a hypothesis, and the results indicate likelihood rather than definitive proof. She cautions that studies can be biased and that it's possible to find research supporting almost any viewpoint. She recommends reading multiple studies and developing a foundational understanding of the subject matter.
How Emily Rewired Her Brain to Focus for 7 Hours Without ADHD Medication
Emily shares her personal experience of rewiring her brain to focus for extended periods without ADHD medication. She emphasizes the importance of neuroplasticity and the brain's ability to change and adapt. She notes that many people struggle with focus not because they can't focus, but because they have well-practiced distraction.
The Kitten Experiment That Explains Why You Can't See Opportunities
Emily describes a classic kitten experiment where kittens raised in environments with only vertical or horizontal lines developed visual cortexes that could only perceive those orientations. This illustrates how our brains are shaped by our experiences and can limit our ability to see opportunities outside of our familiar environment. This realisation prompted her to consider what she might be missing due to her upbringing and to actively change her brain to construct new experiences.
Trevor on ADHD: Why His Brain Is Built for Chaos
Trevor shares his perspective on ADHD, suggesting that it can be beneficial in certain contexts, such as hunting, where a heightened awareness of surroundings is valuable. He argues that society's emphasis on conformity and structured environments can be detrimental to those with ADHD. Emily agrees, noting that a lot of resistance is created when we compress everyone into one way of being.
A Neuroscientist's Case for Just Deciding
Emily advocates for making decisions quickly and avoiding overthinking. She explains that overthinking leads to stress, which reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex and impairs decision-making. She suggests visualising one's best self and acting in alignment with that ideal, rather than getting caught in endless deliberation.
Psychedelics and Why They Scare Governments More Than Alcohol Does
The discussion turns to psychedelics and their potential to alter consciousness and promote neuroplasticity. Emily notes that psychedelics can quiet the default mode network, allowing for changes in self-concept and behaviour. Trevor suggests that psychedelics have been pushed to the fringes of illegality because they undermine the hierarchical structure of society, while alcohol serves as a depressant that keeps people complacent.
The One Thing Emily Would Tell Everyone to Start Doing Tomorrow Sonnet 4.6
Emily's final advice is to start with one's internal conversation and self-concept. She recommends rewiring negative thought patterns by listening to affirmations and treating oneself with kindness and respect. She emphasises that changing the way you see yourself will change the way you see the world and that the ultimate goal is to feel better, making the journey between achievements more enjoyable.
