The Struggle

In this episode I discuss the benefits of cold exposure, the role dopamine plays regarding motivation and anticipation, how different behaviours and substances increase dopamine and how to leverage dopamine in productive, healthy and fulfilling ways.

References

Hof, W. (2022) What are the benefits of Cold therapy?, Wim Hof Method. Wim Hof Method. Available at: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/cold-therapy. 

Lembke, A. (2021) Dopamine nation. Penguin Random House. 

Lieberman, D.Z. and Long, M.E. (2019) The Molecule of More: How a single chemical in your brain drives love, sex, and creativity-and will determine the fate of the human race. Dallas, TX: BenBella Books, Inc. 

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

In this episode, I discuss our over-dependence on painkillers, the unintended consequences of over-abundance and over-consumption and the consequences of avoiding pain and effort.

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

In this episode, I discuss The Existentialist Moment, the contributors to Existentialism, the common ideas and theories within it and applicable lessons to take away from the philosophy.

References

https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism/

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

In this episode, I discuss the birth of Existentialism, two of it’s precursor philosophers Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche and their contribution to Existentialism and the applicable lessons we can learn from their writing.

References

Crowell, Steven, "Existentialism", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2020 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2020/entries/existentialism/>.

https://philonotes.com/2023/04/nietzsches-contribution-to-existentialism

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Soren-Kierkegaard/Stages-on-lifes-way

https://www.thelivingphilosophy.com/soren-kierkegaard/

https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Kierkegaard-an-existentialist

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

In this episode, I discuss The Lonely Chapter, the nature of aiming high in relation to those around you, why you should continually sacrifice even when those around you are not and why you should take a chance and ask someone what makes them cry.

References

https://medium.com/@tonny.nguyen/the-lonely-chapter-fc0c1080e516

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

In this guest episode, I spoke with Oliver Burkeman, he is an author and journalist and he wrote one of the most impactful books I’ve ever come across: 4000 Weeks: Time Management For Mortals. Oliver also writes an email newsletter entitled The Imperfectionist that he sends out twice a month and he has a new book out entitled Meditations For Mortals: Four Week To Embrace Your Limitations And Make Time For What Counts. In this episode, you will learn why accepting that you will never be on top of everything is wise, the problem with constantly looking to the future, the significance of the present moment, how to be kinder to yourself and much more.

References

Find Oliver’s books, newsletter & other work here - https://www.oliverburkeman.com

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

In this episode, I discuss serotonin’s role in the brain and body, the importance of experiencing the present and bettering your future and behaviours and activities that boost serotonin activity.

References

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2077351/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545168/

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/digestive-health/good-foods-to-help-your-digestion/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/what_should_you_eat_for_a_healthy_gut#:~:text=Fruit%2C%20vegetables%2C%20pulses%2C%20nuts,encourage%20more%20microbes%20to%20grow.

https://www.eatingwell.com/article/2059033/best-and-worst-foods-to-eat-for-gut-health/#:~:text=3.,combo%20of%20probiotics%20and%20fiber.

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-foods-to-improve-your-digestion#:~:text=Leafy%20Greens,that%20live%20in%20the%20colon.

https://www.healthline.com/health/10-gut-foods#:~:text=3.,this%20immune%2Dboosting%20green%20juice!

https://www.patagoniaprovisions.com/blogs/learn/best-and-worst-foods-for-gut-health#:~:text=dark%20chocolate%2C%20turmeric.-,6.,if%20you're%20over%2070.

https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/nutrition/how-can-i-improve-my-gut-health#:~:text=Because%20microbes%20are%20reliant%20on,peppers%2C%20rather%20than%20one%20kind.

https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/news/5-top-foods-to-nourish-your-gut-bacteria#:~:text=Linseeds,or%20muesli%20in%20the%20morning.

https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/how-to-improve-your-gut-health.h00-159538956.html#:~:text=Eating%20a%20large%20amount%20of,good%20bacteria%20in%20your%20gut.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22572-serotonin#:~:text=Digestion:%20Most%20of%20your%20body's,irritating%20foods%20or%20toxic%20products.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6469458/#:~:text=The%20gut%20provides%20approximately%2095,to%20the%20central%20nerve%20system.&text=Although%20most%20physicians%20are%20familiar,observed%20in%20children%20with%20autism.&text=An%20inverse%20correlation%20between%20high,adults%20with%20autism%20spectrum%20disorder.&text=Another%20decisive%20bacterial%20metabolite%20is,major%20depression%20than%20in%20controls.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166432814004768

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-05756-0#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20Candida%2C%20Escherichia%20coli,in%20the%20production%20of%20neurotransmitters.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsn3.3826#:~:text=Researchers%20found%20that%20a%20decrease,to%20the%20indications%20of%20IBS.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-does-low-serotonin-feel-like-3972959#:~:text=What%20Causes%20Serotonin%20Deficiency?&text=Low%20serotonin%20can%20happen%20because,chronic%20pain%2C%20and%20nutritional%20deficiencies.

https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/microbiome

https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Microbiome#:~:text=Definition&text=The%20microbiome%20is%20the%20community,diet%2C%20medication%20and%20other%20exposures.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_microbiome#:~:text=Changes%2C%20modulation%20and%20transmission,-Microbiome%2Dbased%20interventions&text=Hygiene%2C%20probiotics%2C%20prebiotics%2C%20synbiotics,such%20as%20skin%20and%20gut.

https://newsroom.uw.edu/blog/adding-key-foods-diet-will-help-restore-gut-health#:~:text=Microbiome%2Dpromoting%20fibers%20are%20particularly,%2C%20sauerkraut%2C%20kimchi%20and%20yogurt.

https://www.sandstonecare.com/blog/how-to-increase-serotonin/#:~:text=Meditation%20and%20mindfulness%20practices%20help,of%20cortisol%2C%20the%20stress%20hormone.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201111/boosting-your-serotonin-activity#:~:text=Forgiveness&text=A%20real%20smile%20is%20more,in%20your%20brain's%20emotional%20circuitry.

https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-increase-serotonin-5248440#:~:text=Strategies%20that%20can%20help%20you,these%20strategies%20for%20stimulating%20serotonin.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-increase-serotonin-food-pills-natural-tips-5209264#:~:text=Get%20Enough%20Sleep&text=The%205%2DHT2A%20receptor%20is,the%20sleep%20loss%20is%20severe.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-increase-serotonin

https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/health/mental-health/how-to-increase-serotonin#:~:text=8.,brain's%20ability%20to%20release%20serotonin.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232248#:~:text=Some%20natural%20remedies%20may%20help,that%20are%20high%20in%20tryptophans

https://whatisstoicism.com/stoicism-definition/how-to-practice-stoic-negative-visualisation/

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

In this episode I discuss dopamine, it’s function, the pleasure/pain balance, why the modern world is rife with addictive behaviours, activities and substances and how to leverage dopamine for motivation, productivity and fulfilment.

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6

In this episode I discuss why I took a break from social media and producing The Struggle podcast and newsletter and the 4 lessons I learnt from doing a dopamine detox.

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Music

Conal Mooney - https://www.instagram.com/conalmooneyaudio?igsh=dGxqdThlNnNoNzh6