It’s the lightest metal on the periodic table. Its origins lie in the very beginnings of our universe. And it's taken, in the form of a pill, by thousands of Australians every day.

Join us as we dive deep into the story of this wonder element lithium — the magic ion, as it's sometimes called — and its remarkable impact on mood.

This episode was first broadcast on 28 March 2021.

Mood and the magic ion

All In The Mind is ABC RN's weekly podcast looking into the mental universe, the mind, brain and behaviour — everything from addiction to artificial intelligence.

Science

Health & Fitness

Life Sciences

Madi's had 25 rental applications rejected. Seen absolute horror houses while searching for a rental. It's all driving her to despair.

Today, how housing insecurity can alter our sense of agency and how we perceive the world around us.

If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode, Is life coaching legit?

No control, no agency. The housing crisis is warping people's view of the future

Have you ever experienced the feeling of awe?

Maybe it was sparked by an awesome view, a moving artwork or witnessing the birth of a child.

Today we follow one person's attempt at finding awe when she's never felt it before.

What does awe do to us? What benefits can it offer?

If you'd like to listen to more of All in the Mind, check out our episode Does guilt have a silver lining?

Searching for awe

So you've got a loved one who's fallen deep down the conspiracy rabbit hole. Are they destined to stay there forever?

Today, we hear from a former conspiracy theorist and a social psychologist on what fuels these beliefs, how likely people are to change their minds, and what you can (and can't) do to help.

Want to listen to more All in the Mind? Check out our episode, The Certainty Myth.

How to help a conspiracy theorist: an ex believer and an expert weigh in

Over the last couple of weeks, schizophrenia has been appearing in headlines across the country as details of the Bondi Junction attack unfold.

Coverage of mental health conditions, especially one as complex as schizophrenia, can be shrouded in stigma.

So today, we revisit our conversation with journalist Elfy Scott, sharing the one thing her family never spoke about - her mother's schizophrenia. 

This episode was first broadcast in April 2023. 

If you're looking for what to listen to next, check out our episode ADHD, TikTok, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria — meet Matilda's brain

Stigma, shame and schizophrenia

The AI revolution is coming. Your mind isn't ready for it.

Cognitive Neuroscientist Joel Pearson walks us through the many ways artificial intelligence is messing — and will mess — with our psychology.

From falling in love with AI to unforgettable deep fakes, we dive into an uncertain future and what you can do to prepare for it.

If you'd like to hear more from Joel, he featured on our episode about intuition called When to trust your gut instinct, and when to ignore it.

And if you want to hear more about artificial intelligence, check out the latest season of Science Friction, Hello AI Overlords.

Mood and the magic ion

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