All In The Mind

Have you ever realised you were dreaming ... while in the middle of a dream?

Lucid dreams are a common phenomenon, but many people don't realise that these surreal experiences of slumber can be influenced or controlled.

On All in the Mind this week, we explore the world of dreams, hear some of the latest research in the area and learn the best ways to induce lucid dreaming.

Are you the kind of person who loves chatting to strangers? Like people in cafes, parks or the train?

Or does the thought of small talk make you cringe?

On All in the Mind this week, we cover a growing body of research on how talking to strangers can make you feel happier, more connected to your community and less lonely.

Wellbeing' has become a bit of a buzz word recently, but what does it really mean?It's not the same as simply being happy, or experiencing pleasure -  it's something deeper and broader  than that.

It has to do with how we connect with others, how we feel about ourselves, and much more.

So what do we need in order to achieve wellbeing?

We're working on an episode about how Australians have been coping through the pandemic, and we want your stories.

We want to know what’s been getting you through the tough times, and what you’re most looking forward to when this is all behind us.

How can you tell us?  You just need to use your smartphone to record yourself telling a story.

It can be sad, happy, funny, weird -- like maybe you got a new hobby, or re-discovered an old one, or made an unexpected friend, and that helped get you through. Maybe you’re looking forward to travelling the world, seeing your children again … or just a cold beer at the pub.

Whatever it is, put it into a voice recording, and we’ll share it in a special episode of All in the Mind.

To record:

Find a quiet room and open up the voice memo app on your smartphone.

If you don't have one installed, search for a voice memo app in your app store.

Hold the phone's microphone (located at the base of the phone) about 15-20cm from your mouth.

Press the red 'record' button and share your thoughts.

Once you're finished, hit the record button again to stop, then press done and save the recording with a name.

If you're unhappy with what you've recorded, just re-do it.

When you've got your recording, you should be able to 'send' or 'share' it via email to [email protected].

Remember to include your name and the area you live so we can credit you on the podcast.

Have you heard of ASMR?

Whispery, clicky, crinkly videos are massive on YouTube - racking up millions of views.

The idea is that these sounds elicit a certain tingly, calming sensation in some people.

So what is ASMR and what does the science tell us about it?

Is it real … or pseudoscience? And why do some people get the opposite reaction – irritation rather than these pleasant tingles?

Do you consider yourself a shrewd manipulator? Are you cynical about the nature of human beings? If so, you might rank highly in Machiavellianism - a personality trait that's based on the writing and views of Niccolo Machiavelli, the 16th-century Italian political philosopher. We look at what makes a Machiavellian personality, and how it fits into the so called ‘dark triad’ of traits.

During pregnancy and then in childbirth, new mums experience some dramatic hormonal changes.

But while these changes in women are relatively well studied … there’s a growing body of evidence finding that biological changes - shifts in hormones and brain activity - happen in men, too.

And these shifts are just one part of the picture.

Men can also experience mental health issues when they become a new dad, like postnatal depression.

On All in the Mind this week, the psychological and biological changes that happen during the transition to fatherhood.

As the pandemic continues, the long-term effects of COVID-19 are a growing concern.

Much is still unknown, but one major study suggests up to a third of people who get COVID-19 will go on to develop a psychiatric or neurological condition.

Then there's the anxiety, depression and stigma that come with a diagnosis of the disease.

On All in the Mind this week, how COVID can affect the brain.

ECT has a chequered history, but its modern iteration is nothing like the scenes depicted in films like One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Used to treat severe depression and psychosis, ECT's side effects include some degree of memory loss. We delve into the discussion around benefits vs side effects, and speak to three patients about their varying degrees of success with the treatment.

Would you be able to tell the difference between a bargain bin red and a top drop? Or how about what separates a duck paté … from one made of dog food?

Perception is everything when it comes to marketing, and decades of neuroscience and psychology research have given businesses ever greater insights into how we can make decisions and how they can subtly shape our expectations so that yes – even dog food paté can become appealing.

But the ramifications of this power may be pushing companies into unethical territory.