Why do you exercise? It might be to lose weight, maintain or improve your health, reduce stress, or perhaps a combination of all of these. But what is actually motivating you is simpler than that. As Dr. Gary Wenk reveals in his book "Your Brian on Exercise", you exercise because your brain needs you to move, and it will do everything it can to motivate you to do it.

He provides fascinating insights into exactly what is happening to our brains when we go jogging, lift weights, swim laps, or take a walk, as well as what happens when we don't. He'll also answer questions we all have about exercise vs diet to lose weight and perhaps, most importantly, how much exercise is enough.

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org

We all know that exercise is good for our bodies, but do our brains benefit as well? In our next episode Dr. Gary Wenk of the Ohio State University reveals exactly how our muscles communicate with our brains when we work out, and why exercise is so important to our mental health.

Plus – how our brain chemistry explains why there's a Dunkin Donuts on every corner and the mental and physical price we pay for too much exercise.

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit

https://thisisyourbrain.com

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit

https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org

Until the death of actor Matthew Perry many people had never even heard of Ketamine. As a recreational drug, known as "Special K", it can be extremely addictive and dangerous. But, when used under supervision, this powerful drug can help people with depression and various other mental health issues.

Dr. John Krystal, a leading expert on the neurobiology and treatment of psychiatric disorders, offers insights into why and how a drug once used as a horse tranquilizer and anesthetic has become a lifeline for those suffering from clinical depression.

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org

Following the 2023 death of actor Matthew Perry, more people have become aware of Ketamine, also known as "Special K", a popular but very dangerous party drug. But few people know about the other side of the story, that Ketamine, which, when used properly, is one of the most effective tools in treating severe depression and PTSD.

In our next episode Dr. John Krystal, a pioneer in the uses of Ketamine for psychiatric disorders, will discuss both its transformative and sometimes life-saving effects, as well as the many risks associated with its misuse.

Is it really the miracle drug that it seems to be?

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit

https://thisisyourbrain.com

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit

https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org

At age 70, after a long career as a neurosurgeon and best-selling author, the tables were turned on Dr. Henry Marsh.

Diagnosed with cancer, and facing his own mortality, Marsh offers a humble and honest look at what it was like when a prominent doctor becomes a patient; just as scared and dependent as anyone of us would be dealing with a terrible diagnosis, with regrets, fears, and feelings of helplessness.

In his latest book chronicling his experience, Marsh shares some valuable lessons that he learned from both sides of the Doctor/Patient relationship.

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org

Dr. Henry Marsh is a brain surgeon who suddenly found himself on the other side of a life-threatening diagnosis. He doesn't shy away from the revealing his deepest emotions of anger, fear, and remorse.  Rather than reflection on dying, his story is more about sharing the hard-earned lessons he learned along the way about living and appreciating whatever time we each have on our own mortal journey.

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com 

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org 

Have you ever felt the type of grief where it seemed like you would never recover, like your heart was actually broken? Whether it's a member of your family, a friend or a beloved pet, all of us will experience the loss of a loved one, and the deep and difficult emotions that follow. One of the reasons grief can be so difficult is actually more about our brains than our hearts. Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor has been studying grief for decades, and she has learned its profound effects on our brains and our bodies. She will reveal some surprising insights about why our minds struggle to understand and process when someone is gone. She'll also provide some very practical ways to help us cope with one of the most difficult experiences of our lives. Plus, how some animals grieve on land and sea.

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org

Dr. Mary Frances O'Connor, a neuroscientist and psychologist who has spent decades studying the effects of what happens in our brain and our entire bodies while we grieve. In her book, “The Grieving Brain”, she explains why our brain struggles so much with the concept of that our loved ones are gone and how the brain processes this new reality.

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com  

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org  

When was the last time you actually took time to play, to simply have fun? For most adults, the answer is usually not often enough. The benefits of play for adults, like children, has been shown to have many benefits to both physical and mental health. In fact, it can play a vital role in whether someone is happy or depressed, fulfilled or empty. In this podcast we will hear from a Play Expert whose career actually began by studying a mass murderer. He will help you discover what type of play personality you have as well as how important and easy it is to add play to your life.

To hear special bonus content from this episode, please go to our website:

https://thisisyourbrain.com/2025/09/bonus-segment-play-is-not-just-kids-stuff/

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org

The benefits of play for adults, like children, has been shown to have many benefits to both physical and mental health. In fact, it can play a vital role in whether someone is happy or depressed, fulfilled or empty. 

For more information, transcripts, and all episodes, please visit https://thisisyourbrain.com 

For more about Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery, please visit https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org