Think Twice Podcast

ASMR is all over social media these days, whether it’s someone cooking for you, tapping their fingers on random objects or just comforting whispers. These simple sounds can cause tingly and fuzzy feelings of euphoria, and this response is known as the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR for short). Some claim that ASMR promotes relaxation, helps sleep, improves mood and even helps combat pain. So, what’s really going on in our brains during ASMR? Why do some people experience ASMR and others don’t? Could it actually have a therapeutic or anti-anxiety effect? We’re going to address it all in this episode on the mysterious neuroscience of ASMR. Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com 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.

Ever wondered how neuroimaging works? The development of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 1990 was revolutionary for the field of neuroscience and has led to groundbreaking discoveries about the brain. However, it has also led to exaggerated claims and misinformation when results are misinterpreted and shared incorrectly in the media. Further, numerous issues and limitations have been raised by critics over the years, threatening the credibility of this method. In this episode, we discuss how fMRI works, what the critics are saying and the common misconceptions circulating about this important tool. What does the future hold for fMRI in the field of neuroscience? Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com 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.

Can you really be addicted to food? What causes emotional eating? How can simple mindfulness tools improve your relationship with food? Research on the relationship between eating behavior and mood is being increasingly discussed in the media, but it is difficult to separate fact from fiction. We break it all down for you in this deep dive into the neuroscience of eating behavior and mood. We discuss topics like emotional eating, binge eating, body image as well as some emerging tools and interventions which could help improve your food-mood relationship. Eating Disorder Help: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-for-eating-disorders/eating-disorder-hotlines References: Koning E, Vorstman J, McIntyre RS, Brietzke E. Characterizing eating behavioral phenotypes in mood disorders: a narrative review. Psychol Med. 2022 Oct;52(14):2885-2898. doi: 10.1017/S0033291722002446. Epub 2022 Aug 25. PMID: 36004528; PMCID: PMC9693712. Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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.

Research is discovering that not only WHAT you eat but also WHEN you eat can have a significant impact on your mental health. In this episode, we discuss how modern society may be negatively impacting your circadian system and eating behaviors. We’re going to touch on the neuroscience of eating rhythms, how they impact mood and some of the clinical relevance of this knowledge. We’ll end off with a discussion of the sometimes controversial topic of intermittent fasting and some tools to help anyone looking to improve their eating rhythms, mood and overall life! Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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.

Description: What is a healthy gut microbiome? Can probiotics cure depression? Why should I eat like a Mediterranean? In this episode, you'll learn how the two-way communication between our gut and brain could be the secret to how our diets impact our mental health. For this discussion, we are joined by Dr. Caroline Wallace, a Postdoctoral Fellow and Part-Time Professor in the School of Nutrition Sciences and Institute for Mental Health Research at the University of Ottawa and the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre in Ottawa, Canada. Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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 really what you eat? Are there mood-boosting diets? If so, why do healthcare practitioners rarely talk about it? We know that a healthy diet plays a significant role in physical health, but a growing body of research is shedding light on how diet and nutritional intake may help regulate mood and mental well-being. This exciting field, known as nutritional psychiatry, could potentially be a game changer for the mental health epidemic that is becoming a global problem. But like any emerging field, nutritional psychiatry is not without its controversies. In this episode, we dive into the history, promise, pitfalls and controversies of research on diet and mental health. Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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 been thinking about applying to graduate school? Did you already get accepted and you’re wondering what to expect of MSc or PhD life? Or are you already a grad student and you want to know how your experience measures up to others? This episode is for all of the above! Eve, Elena, Cassandra and Honey joined in for this relaxed and informal conversation. Consider it your grad school survival guide! Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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 happens when we die? Do we see our loved ones and a warm, bright light guiding us? Or we feel pain, discomfort or distress? In this episode, we explore the current science on near-death experiences to better understand the phenomenon of dying and death. We take a deep dive into the neuroscience of why and how near-death experiences occur. Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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 if I told you that music can heal your brain? That those road trips with your friends blaring music were actually good for your mental health? In this episode, we discuss music and music therapy. We go over controversies in the field, conflicting science and take a dive into the history and future of music therapy in Canada and around the world. Ask us about grad school: https://notionforms.io/forms/graduate-school-qa-survey Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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 if I told you that most of the information on TikTok is, not only false, but also potentially harmful to your well-being? In this episode, we explore how social media impacts the brain and the sea of mental health misinformation on platforms such as TikTok. We also discuss the future of social media as a platform for legitimate science communication. Is it even possible? Listen to find out. What would you like to know about grad school? Click this link to ask: https://notionforms.io/forms/graduate-school-qa-survey Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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.

Imagine feeling like you've been hit by a train or stabbed repeatedly in the back. OUCH, right? Now what if this feeling was chronic but no one believed you? Similarly, fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition which has long been considered a controversial diagnosis. In this episode, we'll discuss what it is, why it's often dismissed or misdiagnosed and how cutting-edge research is contributing to improved clinical care for this debilitating condition. Don't forget to let us know what you think about the brain in our anonymous form below. Brain Awareness Survey: forms.gle/nzEa4UXZgGz6sTXF6 Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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 there be biomarkers for criminal activity? Is AI going send you to jail? In this episode, we continue our discussion about the fascinating field of neurolaw, including the controversial use of neuroscience in the courtroom. We are joined by Dr. Jennifer Chandler, Full Professor of Law, holder of the Bertram Loeb Research Chair, and cross-appointed to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Chandler studies the legal and ethical aspects of biomedical science and technology, with a focus on the intersection of the brain sciences, law and ethics. She also works on legal policy related to organ donation and transplantation, and mental health law and policy. She coordinates the Hybrid Minds project (www.hybridminds.org), which brings together researchers from Switzerland, Germany and Canada to examine the implications of incorporating artificial intelligence in neuroprosthetics. She was elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2022. She is the Vice-Dean of Research for the Faculty of Law and leads the neuroethics pillar of the University of Ottawa Brain Mind Research Institute. She is active in Canadian health law and policy, having recently sat on two-government appointed independent expert advisory panels on medical assistance in dying in the context of mental illness, and served as co-chair of the legal and ethics group working on the development of a new Canadian clinical practice guideline on the definition and determination of death. Don't forget to let us know what you think about the brain in our anonymous form below. Brain Awareness Survey: https://forms.gle/nzEa4UXZgGz6sTXF6 Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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.

Is there a brain test for psychopathy? Can neuroimaging methods be used as lie detectors? Is free will a myth? In this episode, we discuss the fascinating field of neurolaw, including the controversial use of neuroscience in the courtroom. We are joined by Dr. Jennifer Chandler, Full Professor of Law, holder of the Bertram Loeb Research Chair, and cross-appointed to the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Chandler studies the legal and ethical aspects of biomedical science and technology, with a focus on the intersection of the brain sciences, law and ethics. She also works on legal policy related to organ donation and transplantation, and mental health law and policy. She coordinates the Hybrid Minds project (www.hybridminds.org), which brings together researchers from Switzerland, Germany and Canada to examine the implications of incorporating artificial intelligence in neuroprosthetics. She was elected to the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences in 2022. She is the Vice-Dean of Research for the Faculty of Law and leads the neuroethics pillar of the University of Ottawa Brain Mind Research Institute. She is active in Canadian health law and policy, having recently sat on two-government appointed independent expert advisory panels on medical assistance in dying in the context of mental illness, and served as co-chair of the legal and ethics group working on the development of a new Canadian clinical practice guideline on the definition and determination of death. Don't forget to let us know what you think about the brain in our anonymous form below. Brain Awareness Survey: https://forms.gle/nzEa4UXZgGz6sTXF6 Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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.

In this episode, we're discussing a recent controversy in the field of Alzheimer's research that made the headlines in summer 2022. We discuss the history of Alzheimer's research, neurodegeneration, data manipulation (gasp!), shakespearian plays and the importance of integrity in science. By the end of this episode, listeners will be able to grasp the nuances of the recent data fabrication scandal in Alzheimer's research and understand what kind of negative (and positive!) impacts this scandal has on biomedical research. Don't forget to let us know what you think about the brain in our anonymous form below. Brain Awareness Survey: https://forms.gle/nzEa4UXZgGz6sTXF6 Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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. Brain Awareness Survey: https://forms.gle/nzEa4UXZgGz6sTXF6 Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast

In this special episode, we’re sharing with you the full interview with Dr. Ron Shore on the topic of psychedelics and their applications to psychotherapy. Ron Shore is a Research Scientist with Queen’s Health Sciences and Post-doctoral Fellow in Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University. Ron taught drug studies and psychedelics at both Queen’s University and University of Ottawa over a 15-year period and spent 23 years in front-line harm reduction, community, and public health. Rapid Review: healthsci.queensu.ca/source/Psyched…0-%20Final.pdf Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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.

In this episode, we discuss the growing hype behind psychedelic substances and their application to the treatment of mental illnesses such as depression, addiction and PTSD. We also discuss the research limitations, safety risks and ethical concerns that are affiliated with psychedelic-assisted therapy, including sexual misconduct. We sat down with Dr. Ron Shore to discuss this subject. Ron is a Research Scientist with Queen’s Health Sciences and Post-doctoral Fellow in Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University. By the end of this episode, listeners will have an understanding of the current state of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Canada and gain a critical lens for both the promise and problems of this emerging field of mental healthcare. Rapid Review: https://healthsci.queensu.ca/source/Psychedelics%20Research/Psychedelic%20Medicine%20Report%20-%20Final.pdf Email: thinktwicepodcast@outlook.com Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast 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.