Joy Lab | strengthen your mental health with the science of joy

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek talk about lithium orotate, a compound different from the commonly prescribed lithium carbonate used for bipolar disorder. They explore its potential advantages including better brain absorption and fewer side effects at lower doses, while also clarifying that although it should not replace prescribed medications, it may have valuable uses. The conversation also covers how lithium orotate may have a role in clinical practice for mood disorders and depression with a genetic component. The historical context of lithium's use and the repercussions of its bad PR in the past are also noted, alongside emerging research on its possible preventive role for conditions like Alzheimer's.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Sources and Notes:

• Corcoran, A. C., Taylor, R. D., & Page, I. H. (1949). Lithium poisoning from the use of salt substitutes. JAMA, 139(11), 685–688. doi:10.1001/jama.1949.02900280001001
• Pacholko, A. G., & Bekar, L. K. (2021). Lithium Orotate: A superior option for lithium therapy?. Brain and Behavior, 11, e2262. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.2262
• Strobusch, A. D., & Jefferson, J. W. (1980). The Checkered History of Lithium in Medicine. Pharmacy in History, 22(2), 72–76. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41109216
• New York Time's article about possible lithium chloride deaths.
• Time article about possible lithium chloride deaths.

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

In this episode of the Joy Lab podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek explore the concept of simplicity in creating change, focusing on the significance of a simple, joy-filled approach to self-care. They challenge the overly simplistic strategy of relying on a single solution for mental health issues, advocating instead for a multifaceted and gentle approach to self-care that combines science with soul. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, community support, and engaging in simple, joyous activities that can lead to significant wellbeing gains.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

In this episode of the Joy Lab Podcast, hosts Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek talk about the cephalic phase of digestion and how mindful eating can promote better digestion. What's the cephalic phase of digestion? Glad you asked! The cephalic (head) phase of digestion is triggered by the sight and smell of food, continues on as you taste and savor your food, and here's the kicker: it can influence about 30 to 40% of the total digestive response. Mindful eating practices are perfect to support this phase of digestion. Tune in for some strategies to help you eat more mindfully and support this important aspect of digestion.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Feeling stressed lately? Our stress responses are being activated by a lot of stressors floating around lately. That's why we wanted to replay this episode that digs more into stress and reclaiming balance. As we'll get into, stress is generally fine as long as it recedes in a reasonable amount of time. If that doesn't happen, we can lock ourselves into a chronic state of stress. That's where equanimity can come in. In this episode, we explore equanimity (we also like to call it inner calm), the science behind it, and how it has been sought after throughout human history. We share some learnings from those quests and five pathways to experiment with to help ease our stress responses and bring more equanimity back into our lives–even after just a single equanimity practice.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Equanimity is defined as an even-minded mental state where clear action can come from. It is not the same as indifference or apathy.
• Stress is not a bad thing, it is a normal and healthy reaction. But it is essential that we learn to respond to it in more healthy ways.
• Individuals taught practices that helped them cultivate equanimity respond more calmly to a stressor and rebound more quickly compared to individuals who have not engaged in an equanimity practice.

Sources and Notes:

• Joan Halifax: https://gratefulness.org/resource/equanimity-the-fourth-abode/
• Pema Chodron: https://pemachodronfoundation.org/product/working-directly-with-the-mind-audio-download/
• Interoceptive Awareness Skills for Emotion Regulation- Theory and Approach of Mindful Awareness in Body-Oriented Therapy (MABT): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5985305/
• Mindfulness and Psychological Process: http://www.contemplativemind.org/enewsletter/2011_Spring/Mindfulness_and_Psychology-Mark_Williams.pdf
• Moving beyond Mindfulness- Defining Equanimity as an Outcome Measure in Meditation and Contemplative Research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350240/#R148
• Mind over Matter: Reappraising Arousal Improves Cardiovascular and Cognitive Responses to Stress: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3410434/

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

In this episode, we're talking about the relationship between viruses and depression. We'll cover how viral illnesses can negatively impact mood, how this process is completely natural, and how it can go awry. We'll hit on the role of inflammation, and how mood-regulating chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and dopamine can get disrupted. And of course, we'll cover some strategies to help restore our system after clearing a virus (i.e., rest, hydration, a nutrient-rich diet, and supportive supplements).

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Sources and Notes:

• Dantzer R. (2006). Cytokine, sickness behavior, and depression. Neurologic clinics, 24(3), 441–460. Access here.
• Dantzer, R., O'Connor, J. C., Freund, G. G., Johnson, R. W., & Kelley, K. W. (2008). From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the brain. Nature reviews. Neuroscience, 9(1), 46–56. Access here.

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Sources and Notes:

• Fardouly J., Pinkus R., & Vartanian L. (2017). The impact of appearance comparisons made through social media, traditional media, and in-person in women's everyday lives. Access here.
• Corning, A., Krumm A., & Smitham, L. (2006). Differential social comparison processes in women with and without eating disorder symptoms. Access here.
• Pinkasavage E., Arigo D., & Schumacher L. (2015). Social comparison, negative body image, and disordered eating behavior: the moderating role of coping style. Access here.
• Myers, T. & Crowther, J. (2009). Social comparison as a predictor of body dissatisfaction: a meta-analytic review. Access here.
• Seabrook, E., Kern, M., & Rickard, N. (2016). Social networking sites, depression, and anxiety: a systematic review. Access here.

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

In this episode, we discuss the variations of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and mood shifts that surface in different seasons... particularly the less-talked-about shift that can happen between mid-February and April. This is a time when individuals might feel more agitated and overactive compared to typical winter depression. We'll talk about some key strategies to consider such as awareness and wait-it-out, light adjustment, focusing on sleep, physical movement, dietary changes, and certain supplements. Remember, this is a natural transition and, at the same time, it's always a good idea to work with a medical professional if symptoms persist.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

In this episode, we're replaying a special LIVE chat from our Natural Mental Health Resilient Community. In this chat, we briefly talk about what resilience is and how self-acceptance and connection are critical factors in building resilience. We also highlight a very common obstacle known as the 'positive-negative asymmetry effect' or our human tendency to dwell on negative information more than positive information. This can be an obstacle to self-acceptance and it's important to call out. This chat also ends with a guided practice led by Dr. Henry Emmons, focusing on self-acceptance and the practice of letting go of self-judgement.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

Fad diets generally focus on foods to ban from your plate. It's an approach that can lead to an effect we get into in this episode called the "what the hell effect." And it's spot-on. So, how can that effect be avoided? We'll highlight an approach that focuses not just on foods to add, but paying attention to how those foods add to your mental health.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Sources and Notes:

• Polivy, J., & Herman, C. P. (2020). Overeating in Restrained and Unrestrained Eaters. Frontiers in nutrition, 7, 30. Access here.
• Crum, A. J., Corbin, W. R., Brownell, K. D., & Salovey, P. (2011). Mind over milkshakes: mindsets, not just nutrients, determine ghrelin response. Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 30(4), 424–431. Access here.

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org

In this episode, we're talking about the relationship of joy and uncertainty. Uncertainty usually gets a bad rap, but we're wired to navigate uncertainty far more elegantly than we might believe. We'll highlight how initially, uncertainty can lead to discomfort. However, the next step in this process is often a draw to be present, savor something, and connect with others.

About: The Joy Lab Podcast is an Ambie-nominated podcast that blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, anxiety, and depression. It's hosted by integrative psychiatrist Dr. Henry Emmons and holistic mental health researcher Dr. Aimee Prasek.

The podcast is best paired with the Joy Lab App.

Bonus: spread some joy and keep this podcast ad-free by donating (Joy Lab is powered by the nonprofit Pathways North and your donations are tax-deductible).

Listen & follow the Joy Lab Podcast on your favorite listening app:

Spotify | Apple | YouTube

Sources and Notes:

• Gregory, A. L., Quoidbach, J., Haase, C. M., & Piff, P. K. (2023). Be here now: Perceptions of uncertainty enhance savoring. Emotion, 23(1), 30–40. Access here.
• Dr. Lucy Hone's website, "Coping with Loss"

Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program.

Please see our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected].

Visit NAMI for more.

You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org