The BrainCore Podcast

In this episode of BrainCore, host Tolu Faromika sits down with social psychologist and relationship researcher Dr. Amy Muise to talk about love, sex, and the advice we’ve all heard but rarely question.

Do love languages actually predict relationship success? Is scheduling sex romantic… or the opposite? And what are we really saying when we repeat phrases like “happy wife, happy life”?

Amy brings the science to the table as we unpack the myths, the data, and the cultural narratives that shape how we think about intimacy.From the research on desire to why talking about sex can still feel taboo, especially for women, this conversation is honest, practical, and just uncomfortable enough to be necessary.

Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected]Creative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

In this episode of BrainCore, host Tolu Faromika sits down with clinical psychology graduate student and lecturer, Melanie Mascarenhas for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about what clinical psychology really looks like and how she found her way into the field. From once dreaming of becoming a chef on a cruise ship to navigating the realities of traumatic brain injury in her family, Melanie shares the unexpected experiences that shaped her path into psychology.Together, they unpack what clinical psychology involves beyond stereotypes, including assessment, intervention, and the clinical thinking that happens behind the scenes. This conversation is fun! It blends insight with humor and reflection, making it especially relatable for students who are curious about psychology but unsure what the path is supposed to look like. Tolu ends the episode with a little gift for Melanie!Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠X - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected]Creative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

What is psychology, really?

In our RELAUNCH episode, Tolu takes you on a fast, thoughtful tour through the key moments in psychological history that shaped how we understand the mind today. She takes you from early philosophical roots to modern scientific thinking! This episode really sets the foundation for what BrainCore is and where it’s going - are you excited?!

This is also the start of a new chapter for BrainCore, so make sure to show us some love on our socials below!

Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?

Website - thebraincorepodcast.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/

Twitter - https://x.com/thebraincorepod

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcast

Email - [email protected]Creative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-Penson

Intro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-Davidson

Videography: OluVision Media

Graphics: Alexa Adams

What is psychology? What does it mean to be a psychologist? Can psychological research really have applications in our daily lives? In this episode, Tolu and Regan break down misconceptions about psychology as a science. Regan shares the evolution of his answer to the question: “So, can you read minds?” Tolu shares some updates on her academic journey. Together, they discuss real-life applications of psychology - from analyzing news headlines to reducing your anger at bad drivers. The TOTE (term of the episode) is Psychology!

Instagram: @thebraincorepodcast

Twitter: @thebraincorepod

Email: [email protected]

American Psychological Association (APA) Newsletters: https://www.apa.org/news/newsletters 

Association for Psychological Science: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news 

Extra Reading:

Everyday Applications of Psychological Science

Study like a Champ

How does psychedelic-assisted therapy give people perspective? How does ketamine help with diagnoses like depression and anxiety? Sabina Pillai, from Field Trip Health, enlightens Tolu and Kristina on the healing potential of psychedelics and ketamine. They discuss what a typical session looks like for clients who come to Field Trip Health. Sabina explains how psychedelics target the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of a person and may help with existential questions one may have such as “What have I been put on this earth to do?”. Kristina asks about how more individuals can get involved in creating more alternatives to current mental health treatments…and Sabina gives a great answer! The TOTE is psychedelics.

Field Trip Health: https://www.fieldtriphealth.com/

Field Trip App - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/trip-psychedelic-guidance/id1520623904

(extra viewing) Michael Pollan’s Netflix Special: How to Change Your Mind

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thebraincorepodcast

Twitter: @thebraincorepod

Website: https://www.thebraincorepodcast.com/

Extra Reading:

Ketamine & Bipolar Depression: Kryst, J., Kawalec, P., Mitoraj, A. M., Pilc, A., Lasoń, W., & Brzostek, T. (2020). Efficacy of Single and Repeated Administration of Ketamine in Unipolar and Bipolar Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials. Pharmacological Reports, 72(3), 543-562.

Ketamine & Chronic Suicidality: Can, A. T., Hermens, D. F., Dutton, M., Gallay, C. C., Jensen, E., Jones, M., ... & Lagopoulos, J. (2021). Low Dose Oral Ketamine Treatment in Chronic Suicidality: An Open-label Pilot Study. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1), 1-9.

Ketamine & Alcohol Use Disorder: Grabski, M., McAndrew, A., Lawn, W., Marsh, B., Raymen, L., Stevens, T., ... & Morgan, C. J. (2022). Adjunctive Ketamine with Relapse Prevention–Based Psychological Therapy in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 179(2), 152-162.

What is it good for? Tolu and Kristina discuss how genetic testing may provide individuals with an opportunity to know more about themselves with Dr. Robyn Murphy (Scientific Advisor at DNALabs) and Dr. Aaron Goldman (Chief Science Officer at DNALabs). What is DNA? What can one do when they have risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases? How can lifestyle changes decrease one's chances of having cognitive decline? The term of the episode or TOTE is Genetic Testing. If you're interested in purchasing either the LoveMyHealth or MatchMyMeds products from DNALabs, use our code 'BRAINCORE15' for 15% off!!

DNALabs Website: https://dnalabs.ca/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thebraincorepodcast

Twitter: @thebraincorepod

Tolu and Kristina bring back student-entrepreneur Chloe Duckworth to discuss an exciting update! How can we improve one's ability to communicate with others? What if that one is not especially good at interpreting subtle verbal or social cues? This short episode gives us insight into what Chloe and her team have been up to! The term of the episode or TOTE is Emotional Perception. 

Chloe’s website: https://www.chloeduckworth.com/

Valence website: https://www.valencevibrations.com/

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thebraincorepodcast

Twitter: @thebraincorepod

Subscriber form! - http://eepurl.com/hHVqWf

Our reality is starting to look interestingly similar to that of a Black Mirror episode. In this episode, Kristina and Tolu talk about the potential benefits and drawbacks of a metaverse, particularly how virtual reality (VR) may affect mental health. Tolu brings up the research she did on Facebook, and how the metaverse is not a newly realized goal. They talk about how VR is starting to be implemented in situations other than gaming (e.g., work). The new DSM is rumored to release in March, so they discuss the rumored additions, as well as disorders that might not be added (such as Problematic Internet Use Disorder). However, they also bring up an alternative to the DSM. Kristina recalls past episodes where the function of a metaverse was slightly foreshadowed. The term of the episode is Metaverse.

Keith Kirkland Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6eQFXgWyNPDcPFbYm20Zvl?si=aa73ab4f5df84c39

Carissa Cascio Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5rJRlsU0v8bK4EdxutBbVx?si=16f4d15277124f13

Adam Molnar Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4W9U6y93oxQ6TSxkXidktv?si=82109717518d4a48

Psychology Today Article: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/digital-world-real-world/202110/will-the-metaverse-impact-mental-health

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thebraincorepodcast

Twitter: @thebraincorepod

Subscriber form! - http://eepurl.com/hHVqWf

Tolu and Kristina are joined by Dr. Andrea Halpern, a Professor of Psychology at Bucknell University, to discuss memory and music! In their last episode of the year, they delve into how we remember non-verbal music. Dr. Halpern enlightens the two on certain myths in the field, as well as some of her interesting findings over the years. What is auditory imagery and does everyone engage in it? Is our understanding of music innate or learned? The term of the episode is Auditory Imagery.