Episode summary:“Brain rot” was named the Oxford Word of the Year 2024 – a tongue-in-cheek term for that fried feeling after too much scrolling or streaming. But what’s really going on in the brain when constant digital stimulation leaves us feeling empty and unfocused?In this episode, Dr Sabina Brennan unpacks the neuroscience of brain rot – how dopamine loops, cognitive overload and attention fatigue are reshaping our mental landscape – and what you can do to reclaim your focus and creativity.You’ll learn:Why “brain rot” isn’t just slang – it reflects a real neurological tug-of-warHow dopamine drives endless scrolling and decision fatigueWhy your attention and memory pay the price for multitaskingThe difference between brain fog (physiological) and brain rot (behavioural)Why daydreaming and mental white space are the healthiest “apps” on your mental home screenThree Tools for Your Super Brain Kit:🧩 The Friction Rule – add small barriers to scrolling and let your brain catch up.⚡ Dopamine Reset – replace passive hits with active rewards like learning or movement.🌿 Stillness Practice – schedule unstructured thinking time to reboot your focus.Mentioned in this episode:Beating Brain Fog by Dr Sabina Brennan – for deeper insights into how clarity and focus are restored in the brain.Oxford University Press Word of the Year 2024: “Brain Rot”.Research on dopamine, attention fatigue and the Default Mode Network.Connect:💬 Share your thoughts and experiences with #SuperBrain📚 Read more: www.sabinabrennan.ie🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcastsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S6:E5 Puppy Love
pisodic-like memory• How dog ageing helps us understand human dementia• Why your dog is a genuine co-regulator of your nervous systemTools in ThreeMicro-moments matter — a glance, a rub, a kind wordStress buffer — swap doom-scrolling for a dog cuddleShared routines — walk, play, repeatTakeaway:Every pat, cuddle, and walk is brain medicine — for both of you.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S6:E4 Sunshine and SAD
Summary (short version): Why does winter feel heavier for some of us? In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of Seasonal Affective Disorder — from circadian rhythms and serotonin pathways to evolutionary quirks and the strange possibility that humans may still carry traces of ancient hibernation biology. Learn why your brain struggles with short days, how morning light acts as a natural antidepressant, and practical strategies to help your winter self thrive.I share my own experience with winter mood shifts, what the science says about why they happen, and — most importantly — the tools we can use to reclaim our energy and wellbeing during darker months.Three Tools for Your Super Brain Kit:Light before screens — Get bright light within 30 minutes of waking (10–20 minutes outdoors or a 10,000-lux lamp).Anchor your day — Keep wake and sleep times consistent to stabilise your circadian rhythm.Reverse-winter habits — Add small dopamine-rich rewards before difficult tasks, not after, to counter low motivation.Each episode explores what’s really going on inside your brain when you do the things you do — from the everyday to the extraordinary — and gives you three tools for your Super Brain kit. Sabina's books The Neuroscience of Manifesting Still Me 100 Days to a Younger Brain Beating Brain Fog Brain Gym in a BoxSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S6:E3 Self-criticism is self-harm
Why are we so much harsher on ourselves than we are on others? In this episode of Super Brain, I explore the neuroscience of self-compassion — what it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s the antidote to self-criticism.Drawing on the work of Dr Kristin Neff and Buddhist philosophy, we’ll look at self-compassion as a three-part skill: self-kindness, mindfulness, and social connection. I’ll share research showing how self-compassion reduces stress, quiets the amygdala, and activates brain regions linked to empathy and emotional regulation.I’ll also explain why self-criticism is a form of self-harm, and why self-compassion is a foundation for flourishing and manifesting happiness, resilience, and contentment.As always, I’ll wrap up with my Tools in Three — simple ways you can start turning up your brain’s kindness switch today.Each episode explores what’s really going on inside your brain when you do the things you do — from the everyday to the extraordinary — and gives you three tools for your Super Brain kit. Sabina's books The Neuroscience of Manifesting Still Me 100 Days to a Younger Brain Beating Brain Fog Brain Gym in a BoxSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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S6:E2 Magic Mushrooms and the Human Brain
Psilocybin — the psychedelic compound in so-called “magic mushrooms” — has exploded into headlines and social media feeds. Some call it a miracle cure for depression, others dismiss it as hype. In this episode, I take a clear-eyed look at what the science really says.I’ll start with Sarah’s story — a young scientist whose life was turned upside down by a cycling accident and who found hope again through a psilocybin clinical trial at Johns Hopkins. Her words: “This trial changed my life.”From there, I explore:The history of psilocybin, from ancient rituals to 1960s psychiatry to today’s “psychedelic renaissance.”The online buzz, where psilocybin is hyped as everything from a creativity booster to a trauma cure.The scientific evidence, from small pilot trials to the largest modern RCTs.The neuroscience, showing how psilocybin may “reset” rigid brain networks, boost plasticity, and even dampen inflammation.The risks, including panic, paranoia, and psychosis in vulnerable people.Finally, I’ll share my Tools in Three so you can separate the real promise from the hype.Featured ResearchCarhart-Harris RL, et al. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30065-Carhart-Harris RL, et al. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032994Davis AK, et al. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.3285Goodwin GM, et al. S 10.1056/NEJMoa2206443Additional insights from Nature Medicine (Carhart-Harris, 2021) and New Scientist on brain plasticity and inflammation.Each episode explores what’s really going on inside your brain when you do the things you do — from the everyday to the extraordinary — and gives you three tools for your Super Brain kit. Sabina's books The Neuroscience of Manifesting Still Me 100 Days to a Younger Brain Beating Brain Fog Brain Gym in a BoxFollow Sabina Brennan on InstagramSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Super Brain explores what really happens inside your head when you do the things you do - and how to use that knowledge to get the best out of your brain and yourself.From Season Six, neuroscientist and author Dr. Sabina Brennan dives into one everyday human experience per episode - from procrastination to crying, curiosity to trust - to reveal the science behind it and the practical tools that help you navigate life with greater clarity and intention.Curious, warm and wonderfully human, this is neuroscience you can use: one behaviour, one big insight, three tools for your Super Brain kit to help you think, feel and live better.Because understanding your brain is the first step to unlocking its power.New format, same mission — grounded in science, powered by compassion, designed to help you thrive.Seasons 1 to 5 - Dr Sabina Brennan talks to an eclectic mix of inspiring guests about thriving and surviving in life and shares practical tips to transform your everyday brain into a healthy, happy, Super Brain.Unleash Your Super PowerSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland