How does the brain work at its deepest levels? And to what extent can we radically upgrade it, creating neuroplastic changes? Ruben Laukkonen, PhD is a cognitive neuroscientist, contemplative, speaker, and poet. His eclectic background includes competing semi-professionally in Muay Thai Kickboxing, founding two businesses (including the first online market for bitcoin in Australia), and intensive meditation training. Dr. Laukkonen is currently a principal investigator and lecturer at...

Delson Armstrong is a meditation teacher and author of A Mind Without Craving. He trained for extended periods in the Himalayas and mastered several systems of yoga, including the ten levels of samadhi (meditative states of absorption). Delson has recently collaborated with leading neuroscience research labs interested in studying his brain. On this episode, we discuss how to conquer a craving mind, cessation and its benefits, the unique way he experiences his inner world, and the studies...

Dr. Anna Abraham is a psychologist and neuroscientist who investigates creativity and how we can optimize this key trait. She’s also a leading scholar on the study of human imagination. On this episode, we discuss the key ingredients of a creative mind, how to become more creative, and how the brain can tell the difference between real and imaginary worlds. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.com SHOW NOTES 0:00 | Intro to Anna Abraham, PhD 1:44 |...

Nick Littlehales has been an elite sport recovery coach for nearly a quarter-century and is the bestselling author of Sleep: The Myth of 8 Hours, the Power of Naps... and the New Plan to Recharge Your Body and Mind. On this episode, we uncover the common myths and misunderstandings about sleep. We also discuss the circadian rhythm, chronotypes, polyphasic sleep, and treating sleep as recovery. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co SHOW NOTES 0:00...

Donald Hoffman, PhD is a cognitive scientist and author of The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes. He is currently a professor at UC Irvine, where he studies consciousness, visual perception and evolutionary psychology. On this episode, we “take the red pill” and hear Dr. Hoffman’s theory on why reality is not what it seems. He explains this complex topic by comparing reality to a user interface. We discuss many topics, such as his mathematical theory of...

Andrew Holecek is an author and meditation teacher with decades of intensive practice experience, including a 3-year silent retreat in the Tibetan tradition. Andrew’s work combines ancient wisdom with modern science. We discuss the insights gained from his lengthy silent retreat, the 2 vectors of enlightenment, how our minds construct our realities, and much more. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co SHOW NOTES 0:00 | Intro to Andrew Holecek ...

Miguel Nicolelis, MD, PhD is a Brazilian neuroscientist and physician famous for his pioneering work in the field of brain-machine interface (BMI) technology. Dr. Nicolelis’s extensive research with brain-machine interfaces blurs the lines between real life and science fiction.  In the episode, we discuss neuroprosthetics, monkeys controlling robots, brain-to-brain communication, and the key implications of these wild, futuristic technologies for us all. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App:...

Edward Slingerland, PhD, is a Professor of Philosophy and Associate Member in the Asian Studies and Psychology Departments at the University of British Columbia. He's an expert on the cognitive science of ancient philosophies. On this episode, we discuss the science of ancient concepts like Wu Wei (”effortless action”), hot vs cold cognition, ways to alter consciousness, the paradox of trying not to try, and much more. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website:...

Dr. Susana Martinez-Conde and Dr. Stephen Macknik are neuroscientists who specialize in the science of magic and illusion. Both are professors of ophthalmology, neurology, and physiology & pharmacology at the Downstate Medical Center. Together they pioneered the study of various aspects of magic such as perception, cognitive illusion, and attentional misdirection. On this episode, we discuss how magic tricks fool the brain, why everyday life is an illusion, what neuroscientists and...

Dr. Elena Antonova is a neuroscientist and senior lecturer in psychology. Her research focuses on the effects of long-term meditation practice. On this episode, we dive into the different approaches to meditation and the 4 levels of meditation practice development. We also discuss what goes on in the brains of elite meditators and what it takes for the average person to reap the benefits from a meditation practice. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co

Dr. Antonio Damasio is a neurologist, psychologist and best-selling author. His research focuses on human emotions, memory, communication, and decision-making, and he is regarded as one of the most influential psychologists of the modern era. On this episode, we discuss the evolution of the mind, the surprising role of feelings in consciousness, and why we have a brain in the first place. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co

Dr. Sidarta Ribeiro is an award-winning neuroscientist, author, professor of neuroscience and Founder of the Brain Institute in Brazil. In this episode, we discuss how dreams have influenced human evolution, the connection between sleep and learning, and how to cultivate a rich dream life. He gives his top tips for how to get a better night’s sleep and stresses the importance of sharing our dreams with others. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co

Ramses Alcaide, PhD is an electrical engineer, neuroscientist, and CEO of Neurable. At Neurable, he is the inventor and primary developer of a brain-computer interface technology that is designed to turn human biometrics into actionable insights. On this episode, we discuss his work at Neurable, how thoughts can be read by machines, and the benefits, ethical concerns, and future of brain-computer interface technology. FitMind Neuroscience-Based...

Dr. Amishi Jha is a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Miami. Dr. Jha leads research on the neural basis of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilience, and performance. We discuss the 3 main subsystems of attention, the evolutionary reason for mind wandering, and recommended practices to sharpen your attention. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co

Apkar V. Apkarian, PhD is a professor of physiology, anesthesiology, and physical medicine at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. His research focuses on chronic pain, including the strategic use of placebo treatment. In this episode, we discuss the placebo effect, how pain works in the brain, and susceptibility to chronic pain and placebo response. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co

Dr. James Cooke is a neuroscientist, writer and speaker, focused on consciousness, meditation, psychedelic states, and science. He studied Experimental Psychology and Neuroscience at Oxford University. His work investigates how the brain creates our experience of the world. In this episode, we dive into the concept of nonduality, brains' construction of ego, the nature of consciousness, psychedelics and much more. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website:...

Shauna Shapiro, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and an expert in mindfulness and self-compassion. Dr. Shapiro is a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University. We dive into the science supporting self-compassion, the exciting overlap between modern neuroscience and ancient wisdom, where the mindfulness movement might be headed, and much more. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co

Elliot Roe is a leading expert in mindset optimization for high performers. Clients include world champion poker players, Olympic medalists, UFC Champions, and Wall Street traders. He has a graduate degree in Clinical Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. We discuss his work with the world's top poker players and other mental peak performers, the psychology of hypnotherapy, and his advice for forming your own optimal mindset. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website:...

Dr. Massimo Pigliucci is Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York, former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, and one of the most influential modern Stoics. He's published several books including How to Be a Stoic, and A Field Guide to a Happy Life. Professor Pigliucci has PhDs in Evolutionary Biology and in Philosophy. We go in-depth on Stoicism, what it is, and how to apply it in everyday life. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website:...

Sharon Salzberg is a world-famous meditation teacher and NY Times bestselling author. She is largely responsible for popularizing mindfulness in the West and has been leading meditation retreats for over three decades. We discuss her training with legendary teachers in Asia, sublime states of mind and how to achieve them, handling the "inner critic," the psychology of real love, and how this differs from conditional love. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website:...

Dr. Lustig is an endocrinologist, professor emeritus of pediatrics at UCSF, and bestselling author of Fat Chance. He also wrote The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains. Dr. Lustig holds a BS from MIT, an MD from Cornell, and an MSL from UC Hastings. We discuss neuromarketing, addictive products, 7 key differences between pleasure and happiness, and much more. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website:...

Roger Walsh, MD, PhD, is a professor of psychiatry, philosophy, and anthropology at the University of California Irvine. Dr. Walsh authored The World of Shamanism, among other books. He received degrees in psychology, physiology, neuroscience, and medicine from Australia’s Queensland University. We discuss shamanism, altered states, stages of adult psychological development, the power of rituals, and much more. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co

Dr. Robynne Chutkan is the Founder of Gutbliss, an integrative gastroenterologist, microbiome expert, and bestselling author. She did her undergrad pre-Med at Yale and went on to get an M.D. from Columbia. Here we dive deep into a relatively recent discovery and surprising area of mental fitness—your second brain, the gut. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.co