Behind the Stigma

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In this week's episode, I speak with Amir Bozorgzadeh, Co-Founder and CEO of Virtuleap on the intersection between virtual reality and cognitive health.

We discuss how Virtuleap designs VR brain training solutions to address cognitive illnesses and the potential of VR in mental health interventions. Amir shares personal insights into the power of VR, and the unique approach Virtu Leap takes in training and monitoring cognitive abilities. We also delve into a pilot study on ADHD (linked below) and its implications. Amir highlights the importance of immersive experiences in VR and addresses concerns about potential negative side effects. Finally, we explore the future of these technologies and the role of VR in mental health diagnostics and prevention.

About:
Amir is a market researcher, games publisher, and tech writer, currently working at the intersection of frontier tech and social impact. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Virtuleap, a company that designs VR brain training solutions to help increase attention levels and address cognitive illnesses, disorders, and learning challenges.

Website: https://virtuleap.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/whiteboxamir
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirboz/?originalSubdomain=es
Pilot ADHD Study: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2023.1108060/full

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In this week's episode, I speak with psychiatrist, Dr. Mark Horowitz, on the Effects of Antidepressants. 

We discuss how depression is currently understood in society - taking a step back from diagnostic categories. We also discuss what is truly known about the causality and mechanisms of depression, and the effects antidepressants have on our psychological well being and our physical body.
 
Dr. Horowitz speaks about safely tapering off antidepressants and its withdrawal impacts, based on his recent appearance in the BBC's panorama documentary. Finally, we talk about the future of research and empirical evidence in the field, and the right way to move forward. (Chapter Markers are added).

About
Dr. Horowitz is a trained psychiatrist, having done part of his training in Australia and is now working in London as a Clinical Research Fellow in the NHS and an Honorary Clinical Research Fellow at UCL. He has completed his PhD in the neurobiology of depression and the pharmacology of antidepressants at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King’s College London. During his PhD he received two prizes from the British Association of Psychopharmacology, one for his PhD work, and one for public communication.

Website: https://markhorowitz.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/markhoro
Papers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33224468/
BBC Panorama Documentary: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001n39z

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In this week's episode, I speak with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, Founder of Ness Labs, on productivity & the creative process.
 
We discuss 4 different creative processes:
- diffused vs focused thinking
- idea sex
- generation effect and
- combinational creativity

We also go into Anne Laure's work of mindful productivity, the different ways to identify why we procrastinate, and her journey from Google to Ness Labs.

Website: https://nesslabs.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ness_labs
About Anne-Laure: https://anne-laure.net/

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In this week's episode,  I speak with Dr. Altay, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Zurich, on misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories. We discuss these 3 concepts, exploring Dr. Altay's work on why people do and do not share fake news, what consists of misinformation, and the factors that make people more prone to conspiracy. We conclude with ChatGPT for detecting misinformation, and future implications in the field.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/sacha-altay/home
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sacha_Altay
Research Papers:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zxTRMSOWW1HYl2_wIb3C5jkShjVeVK3_/view
https://psyarxiv.com/3xv8s
https://psyarxiv.com/qnjkf/

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In this week's episode, I speak with Professor Helen Fisher, Professor of Developmental Psychopathology from King's College London and Rebecca Gray on the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study (E-Risk Study). 

The E-Risk Study builds knowledge around the question of how environmental and genetic factors contribute to the development of behaviors', health, and mental health problems from childhood through to adulthood. 

We discuss the importance of twin studies, some of the factors the E-risk study measured over a period of time, the data collected, and some key insights that has been contributed from it! 

Website: https://eriskstudy.com/
Professor Helen Fisher:  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/helen-fisher
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/HelenLFisher
https://twitter.com/ERiskstudy

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In this week's episode, I speak to one of the world's most influential psychologists and researchers on ADHD, Professor Stephen Faraone. 

We go into defining ADHD , the role of executive functions and the differences in cognitive processes between individuals with and without the disorder. We also discuss the impact of social media on ADHD awareness and insights into the genetic components of ADHD, such as twin studies, genome-wide association studies, and the polygenic nature of the condition. Dr Faraone tackle the crucial topic of ADHD medication like Adderall, and Ritalin, and other non-drug interventions.  Finally, we go into his work and his contributions in the field. 

The ADHD Evidence Project: https://www.adhdevidence.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StephenFaraone?s=20
Profile: https://researchers.mgh.harvard.edu/profile/14559688/Stephen-Faraone

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What does your personality reveal about you, and how does it shape the way you interact with the world?  In this week's episode,  we dive into the fascinating realm of personality traits with  Dr. Alex Curmi, psychiatrist and host of The Thinking Mind podcast.

We discuss the Five Factor Model and how traits like Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness predispose our behavior and outlook on life. We also discuss the nature vs. nurture debate,  dangerous combination of traits, personality disorders, and how we can expand our personalities. Tune in now!

5 Factor Model Personality Test: https://www.thepersonalitylab.org/
The Thinking Mind Podcast: https://maudsleylearningpodcast.buzzsprout.com

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Two groups of boys embark on what appears to be an ordinary summer camp in the scenic State Park, Oklahoma.  Or is it if a group of researchers are watching you?  Learn today about the secret's of the infamous Robbers Cave Experiment, and it's contribution in the field of Social Psychology. 

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In this week's episode, I speak with Professor Lisa Bortolotti, Professor in the University of Birmingham on the Philosophy of Psychiatry. Our discussion was based around the notion of mental disorders and how they are viewed in the field. We also discuss the blurred lines between delusions and irrational beliefs, agency in mental health (where Professor Bortolotti talks about one of her studies done on young people in the UK) and how we should be looking into individual agency. 

Website: https://sites.google.com/site/lisabortolottiphilosophy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisabortolotti

Books:
Delusions and Other Irrational Beliefs - https://www.amazon.com/Irrational-International-Perspectives-Philosophy-Psychiatry/dp/0199206163/ref=sr_1_7?qid=1682434606&refinements=p_27%3ALisa+Bortolotti%3B&s=books&sr=1-7

The Epistemic Innocence of Irrational Beliefs - https://www.amazon.com/Epistemic-Innocence-Irrational-Beliefs/dp/0198863985/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682434606&sr=1-8

Why Delusions Matter (Why Philosophy Matters) - https://www.amazon.com/Why-Delusions-Matter-Philosophy-Matters/dp/1350163309/ref=sr_1_10?qid=1682434606&refinements=p_27%3ALisa+Bortolotti%3B&s=books&sr=1-10

Talk by Lisa Bortolotti: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7ICtezqf-0

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In this week's episode, I speak with Alina Vasilache on Binge Eating. We go through what classifies as a binge, what are some of the main factors that affect binge eating, relapse and remission, and how to seek help.

Book: Overcoming Binge Eating  ( Dr. Christopher Fairburn)  - https://www.amazon.ae/Overcoming-Binge-Eating-Proven-Program/dp/1572305614