Science and Resources

Former California Surgeon General Dr. Nadine Burke Harris explains that common struggles like emotional triggers and procrastination are often the result of an overactive childhood stress response and not personal flaws. This episode provides research-backed tools and discussion on rewiring the nervous system. By understanding the science of trauma and its lifelong health impacts, we can move from feeling overwhelmed to regaining emotional control and safety.  Play Podcast

Professor Joanna Moncrieff, a leading critical psychiatrist, challenges the “serotonin myth,” arguing that the chemical imbalance theory of depression lacks solid scientific evidence and was largely popularised by 1990s pharmaceutical marketing. In this conversation, she discusses the marginal effectiveness of antidepressants compared to placebos, the risks of underreported side effects like emotional numbness, and the significant challenges of withdrawal. Ultimately, Moncrieff encourages viewing emotional distress not as a medical disorder requiring chemical correction, but as a meaningful human response to life circumstances that can often be better addressed through targeted psychophysiological interventions.

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You can also watch Professor Joanna here on YouTube in an interview with The Doctor’s Kitchen

Antidepressants and the myth of serotonin imbalance with Professor Joanna Moncrieff

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Author Nir Eyal explores how our internal beliefs shape our life and health and ultimately, our potential. He argues that beliefs should be treated as tools rather than objective truths. Drawing on the psychology of persistence and the distinction between pain and suffering, Eyal provides a practical framework for reframing limitations, certain health challenges or diagnoses, as manageable skill gaps. By questioning draining assumptions and adopting empowering narratives, we can learn to spot ways we may be self-sabotaging and choose perspectives that actively support our life and our goals.    Play Podcast

World renowned science journalist James Nestor explains how modern humans have lost the art of functional breathing and why returning to nasal breathing can fundamentally transform physical and mental health. Discussing research that identifies lung capacity as a primary predictor of longevity, Nestor highlights that many chronic conditions can be reversed through simple, accessible techniques that prioritise the diaphragm and nasal passages. The conversation also explores the surprising impact of indoor air quality on our well-being. He offers a practical guide to unlearning poor habits and using the breath as a free, powerful tool for longevity and stress reduction.   Play Podcast

Clinical psychologist Dr. Jen Unwin explores the science of food addiction. Food addiction is not about weight or dieting or nutritional advice and Dr Unwin gives startling information explaining how sugar and ultra-processed foods trigger the brain’s reward centres similarly to nicotine and alcohol. She stresses this is not about “lack of willpower,” and she breaks down why modern food environments overwhelm our natural biological cues. She advocates for food addiction to be medically recognised and this episode introduces the “CRAVED” self-assessment tool to help us identify problematic usage and behaviours.    Play Podcast

This episode challenges the traditional medical model by showing that many chronic symptoms—from chronic fatigue and back pain, to depression and anxiety —are often driven by neuroplastic brain changes rather than structural damage or personal flaws. Dr Howard Schubiner explains that the humans brain has evolved to pay extra close attention to danger, and that these danger signals can get stuck in the “on position”, creating hyper-vigilance. This is especially true when our modern living environment is stressful or our childhood has meant we had to adapt to conditions which were unsuitable. When a hyper-vigilant brain and nervous system are the norm, the brain can begin to sense danger continually. It then uses its predictive processing power to physically generate real symptoms as a protective mechanism. True recovery is possible and relies on shifting out of this chronic “danger mode” by gradually teaching the nervous system that the body is safe, allowing it to unlearn these deeply encoded neural pathways.   Play Podcast