Think Twice Podcast

Did you know that reading isn't only for fun, but it can also have several health benefits like improving sleep quality, cognitive function, and stress relief? Self-help is a genre that is quickly rising in popularity but, unfortunately, a lot of self-help content is not actually backed by neuroscience. So, which ones should you read and which ones should you avoid? In this episode, professor and psychologist Dr. Joanna Pozzulo shares her top 4 picks for evidence-based self-help books and how to identify pseudoscience in the media.

Dr. Joanna Pozzulo is a Chancellor's Professor in the Department of Psychology, Director of the Laboratory for Child Forensic Psychology, and Director of the Mental Health and Well-Being Research and Training Hub (MeWeRTH) at Carleton University. Dr. Pozzulo’s primary research aims to understand how memory in the context of witnessing crime differs across the lifespan with a focus on the young eyewitness. By using evidence-based approaches her goal is to reduce wrongful conviction. Relatedly, she is interested in non-judicial factors that influence juror decision-making. Dr. Pozzulo is passionate about teaching and research in the area of mental health and well-being having created undergraduate and graduate level capstone courses for students that include experiential learning opportunities. Relatedly, her goal is to use evidence-based work to promote well-being to a general audience.

Authors: Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Have you ever wondered how lucid dreaming is even possible; being aware that you’re dreaming and also having the ability to control your dreams? Well, researchers are using cutting-edge techniques to figure it out, including how they can communicate with lucid dreamers, the brain mechanisms responsible for these experiences, and how people can teach themselves to lucid dream. It might sound a lot like a sci-fi film but, in this episode, we are joined by an expert in the field to break down the mysterious neuroscience of dreaming and how its all possible. Dr. Başak Turker is a cognitive neuroscientist specializing in sleep, dreams, and consciousness. She earned her PhD from Sorbonne University and the Paris Brain Institute. Currently, she is a postdoctoral researcher at the Cognitive Neuroscience and Cognition Center in Paris. Her research explores how spontaneous fluctuations in ongoing brain activity influence perception across various states of consciousness, including wakefulness, sleep, and anesthesia. In this episode, we discuss the neuroscience of dreaming, the benefits of keeping a dream journal, how dreams can stimulate creativity, and how researchers are finding new ways to communicate with lucid dreamers and advance this fascinating field of neuroscience.

Authors: Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Did you know there is a link between hormonal changes and seizures? New research is demonstrating a bi-directional relationship between hormones like estrogen and progesterone with electrical activity in the brain. We know there are vast differences in hormonal cycles between men and women, so why are standard epilepsy treatments not considering this? In this episode, we chatted with Dr. Lata Vadlamudi, an associate professor and senior staff specialist in neurology at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital; She obtained her medical degree from the University of Queensland and completed physician training in the field of Neurology with further specialization in epilepsy in Melbourne, Sydney and the Mayo Clinic, USA. She obtained her PhD from the University of Melbourne with the thesis titled “The Genetics of Epilepsy: The Testimony of Twins." We discuss the neuroscience of epilepsy, how seizures are impacted by the menstrual cycle, birth control and menopause, tools for women with epilepsy, and what research needs to be done to improve clinical care.

Authors: Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Can digging for gold cause Alzheimer's disease? A recent review paper published in the journal biomolecules seems to suggest so and media headlines are spreading the word fast and far. But how strong is the scientific evidence? In this journal club-style episode, we break down the neuroscience, provide you with a summary of the paper in question, and critically analyze its limitations and implications. Listen to hear what neuroscientists in training think about if and how picking your nose could cause of Alzheimer's disease.

References:

Zhou, X., Kumar, P., Bhuyan, D. J., Jensen, S. O., Roberts, T. L., & Münch, G. W. (2023). Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease: A Potential Role of Nose-Picking in Pathogen Entry via the Olfactory System?. *Biomolecules*, *13*(11), 1568. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom13111568

Chacko, A., Delbaz, A., Walkden, H., Basu, S., Armitage, C. W., Eindorf, T., Trim, L. K., Miller, E., West, N. P., St John, J. A., Beagley, K. W., & Ekberg, J. A. K. (2022). Chlamydia pneumoniae can infect the central nervous system via the olfactory and trigeminal nerves and contributes to Alzheimer's disease risk. *Scientific reports*, *12*(1), 2759. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-06749-9

Authors: Eve Racette, Elena Koning, Deanne Pinto, Dure Khan, Shima Hassanpour

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Who isn’t stressed these days? Whether you’re a student, working in a hypercompetitive career space, or dealing with trauma, stress has become a normalized experience for all. But, have you ever stopped to consider how stress is impacting your body and brain? Emerging research is demonstrating that, while some stress can be good for us, toxic and chronic levels of stress can contribute to severe and harmful changes in metabolism, immune function, aging and mental health. So, why are healthcare professionals overlooking the role of toxic stress on our health and what tools can we implement in our daily lives to overcome the negative effects of stress? In this episode, we sit down with an expert in the field to answer all these questions and provide solutions to the problem of toxic stress.

Dr. Lawson Wulsin a professor of psychiatry and family medicine at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Wulsin has a special interest in stress and metabolic disorders and very recently published the book titled Toxic Stress: How Stress is Making Us Ill and What We Can Do About It. He has devoted much of his career to training physicians to practice both family medicine and psychiatry, and he has served in leadership roles for several professional organizations and academic journals related to the integration of medicine and psychiatry.

Dr. Wulsin's Book: https://www-cambridge-org.proxy.queensu.ca/core/books/toxic-stress/677FA62B741540DBDB53E2F0A52A74B1

Author: Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Are you interested in publishing your research but don't know how to succeed? Or are you navigating the early years of grad school and don't know what to expect? In this episode, PhD candidates in neuroscience at Queen's University chat about their secrets to success when writing and presenting research in grad school, including topics like what to include in a scientific publication, how to identify predatory journals, being ESL in grad school, as well as how to present your work at lab meetings, committee meetings, thesis defenses and conferences. Sharpen your pencils because the journey to producing your best work begins here!

Authors: Elena Koning, Dure Khan, Eve Racette

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

What's it like to be a woman in neuroscience and STEM? How did a team of 5 manage to plan and execute a ~100 person conference while being full-time graduate students? What's stopping you from making a positive change for future generations in your field? In this episode, we're thrilled to amplify the voices of Women in Neuro (WiN), a recently established outreach program at Queen's University that hopes to address the gender disparity in neuroscience research programs and the larger workforce. Run entirely by student volunteers, WiN provides an environment for supportive research discussions, coaching from female leaders in academia and/or industry, and mentorship for future female scientists. They ran their first annual conference in March 2024 and are currently planning their second conference for March 2025.

Blake is a PhD candidate at Queen's University studying under Dr. Doug Munoz. Dr. Linda Booij, and Dr. Sarosh Khalid-Khan. Her research aims to identify distinct eye movement patterns in youth with depression as part of a larger effort to develop a detection tool for psychiatric conditions. Blake established Women in Neuro in 2022 and remains the current lead of the initiative.

After completing a BScH in Life Sciences at Queen’s University, Robyn went on to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience researching and developing gene therapy drugs to treat genetic neurological disorders. Working under the supervision of Jagdeep Walia at Queen’s University, she specializes in pre-clinical development and testing of these therapeutics with the purpose of translating them to clinical use and commercial development. She has previously held the role of community outreach coordinator and is soon to be the fundraising coordinator for Women in Neuro at Queen’s helping to bring awareness to women in STEM that are often underrepresented in the roles of academic supervisors and mentors for graduate students.

To learn more about WiN or keep up to date with events, you can follow them on Instagram at @win_queensu or visit womeninneuro.ca

Authors: Eve Racette, Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

What is misinformation and why does it have such pervasive effects on society? How do our brain's thinking patterns facilitate the beliefs and consequences of misinformation? In this episode, we explore these questions as well as solutions in an effort to reduce misinformation and the sometimes dangerous effects it can have.

Authors: Deane Pinto, Elena Koning, Eve Racette

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

What is generative AI and how is it fuelling the spread of misinformation and public distrust in scientific consensus? How should graduate students be using ChatGPT, if at all? In this episode, we discuss the rise of generative AI and the unique concerns associated with it, including the spread of misinformation, creation of deep fakes and promotion of science denial. We are joined by Dr. Gale Sinatra, a professor from the University of Southern California and co-author of the book Science Denial: Why It Happens and What to Do About It.

Authors: Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

What are the safety risks of cannabis exposure? Did legalization occur too soon? In part III of the cannabis series, we are joined by Kristen Yeh, a PhD Candidate studying environmental chemistry at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on the chemical evolution of emissions produced from smoking

cannabis and the impacts of these emissions on air quality.

Authors: Elena Koning

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.