We have a change of pace for you today. We’re going somewhat technical (don’t worry, it’s all understandable!) as Emma invites onto the show, Dr Hilary Marusak to talk about the brain and how it can relate to play or more specifically in movement based activity. We’re peeling back the layers and brain science of the ‘runners high’ how it happens and how to get it (not just from running!)

Dr. Marusak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Wayne State University (WSU) School of Medicine in Detroit Michigan where she directs the WSU THINK Lab, which focuses on characterising the impact of stress and trauma during childhood on brain development in children and adolescents.

In this episode, Emma and Hilary discuss (with timestamps):

00:00 - Introductions

03:03 - Losing childhood curiosity / keeping playfulness

05:35 - The Cannabinoid system

12:24 - What impact does exercise have on this system?

14:01 - The runner’s ‘high’

14:54 - Endorphins vs Cannabinoids

16:38 - Emma explains her definition of play 

19:24 - Does play have an impact on the brain?

21:12 - Playful movement & Freedom play

26:03 - Matching movement to psychological benefits

29:43 - Natural high vs Drug induced high

35:04 - Exercise as a tool for helping with trauma exposure

37:06 - Is movement undervalued in everyday life?

38:38 - Free play vs Structured exercise

42:14 - Tips for natural movement based highs

To find out more about Hilary, check out the links below:

https://psychiatry.med.wayne.edu/profile/eq0200

X - @hmarusak

This is a public episode. For more People Who Play episodes become a Substack subscriber 

 

Paid subscribers get weekly conversations with Emma and her husband Ben on all things living playfully and you can also read Emma's writing series - Raising Alpha and Live Playfully

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit peoplewhoplay.substack.com/subscribe