Minding the Brain

Episodes

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  Hallucinations 01.11.2026 49m

  Dr. Hellemans interviews Dr. Davies about hallucinations. What are the neural correlates of hallucinations? How many types of hallucinations are there? What is the difference between imagination and hallucinations? Can hallucinations explain the experiences of religious figures throughout history? Find the answer to all these questions and more, on this episode of Minding the Brain!
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  Time Management #105 01.10.2026 40m

  Jim and Kim discuss time management and offer helpful tips for being less stressed and more productive. How often should you schedule breaks? Does time management really matter? How can you increase your productivity in a sustainable way? What is the best way to set up your phone to eliminate distractions? Tune in to hear the answers to these questions, and many more!
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  Dopamine Detox Myths #104 01.09.2026 55m

  Kim and Jim talk dopamine and bust pervasive online myths about the misunderstood hormone and neurotransmitter. Do you really need to detox from dopamine? Can you be addicted to dopamine? What is dopamine and what roles does it play? What is the relationship between dopamine and schizophrenia? Tune in to hear the answers to these questions and more!
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  Brain Fog #103 01.08.2026 25m

  Kim and Jim talk brain fog. What is brain fog, what does it feel like, and how can you manage it? Kim and Jim discuss the biological underpinnings of brain fog and touch on COVID 19, menopause, how friends can give you energy, predictive processing theory, interoception, and much more.
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  Friendship with Dr. Cheryl Harasymchuk #102 01.07.2026 46m

  Dr. Cheryl Harasymchuk returns to join Dr. Jim Davies for a discussion about research on friendship. How do friendships go bad? What role does odour play in friendship? How do scientists assess friendship quality and how do people make friends as adults?
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  Glioblastoma with Dr. Kyle Malone #101 01.06.2026 57m

  Dr. Kyle Malone joins Dr. Kim Hellemans to discuss his research on glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of primary brain cancer in adults. What are the biological underpinnings of glioblastoma and why is it so hard to treat? What is the relationship between cancer and the immune system and what is the future of glioblastoma treatments? Correction: Cancers that originate in the brain aren’t actually assigned a stage; instead, they use a grading system, with glioblastoma classified as grade 4. Thanks to the listener who pointed this error out!
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  Sound Meaning in Language with Dr. Ida Toivonen #100 02.05.2026 37m

  Dr. Ida Toivonen joins Minding the Brain to talk about sound and meaning in language. Do all languages have tense? Do plurals work the same across languages? How do different languages handle animism, gender and evidentiality? Don’t miss this fascinating dive into linguistics!
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  Cannabis and the Endocannabinoid System With Dr. Matt Hill #99 01.04.2026 1h 9m

  Dr. Matt Hill joins Dr. Kim Hellemans to talk about his research on cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. Is there a difference between sativa and indica? Does CBD do anything? How certain is the science about cannabis and how has legalization impacted cannabis research in Canada?
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  Using Chatbots for Therapy and Companionship #98 01.03.2026 30m

  Why are people increasingly turning to AI for therapy and romantic relationships? Kim and Jim break down the pros and cons of our increasing reliance on chatbots and Kim learns what the term “glazing” means.
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  Seeking Closure in Uncertain Times #97 01.02.2026 31m

  How do our brains respond to prolonged uncertainty? Is our era unprecedented? Why do we find the unknown simultaneously compelling and frightening? Why do conspiracies become attractive in the presence of uncertainty? Join Kim and Jim for a timely conversation that touches on social media, authoritarianism, nuance and more.
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  Metacognition With Brendan Conway-Smith – #96 01.01.2026 23m

  Brendan Conway-Smith joins Minding the Brain to discuss metacognition. What is metacognition and why is it important? Can understanding metacognition help with depression and anxiety? Tune in to learn more about cognitive reframing, attentional overload and metacognition & mindfulness.
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  Sound Meaning in Language with David M. Sidhu – #95 01.12.2025 21m

  Have you ever wondered how J.R.R. Tolkien invented such evocative names? David M. Sidhu joins Jim Davies to discuss language processing, sound symbolism, and iconicity. Is there a relationship between the sounds of words and the things they describe? Do people’s given names influence who they are or how they are perceived by others? Don’t miss this fascinating dive into language and the ways we use it.
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  Behavioral Addiction 04.11.2025 1h 8m

  Kim and Jim take a deep dive into the topic of behavioral addiction. What is behavioral addiction? Can you be addicted to food? What about sex and gambling? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this episode!
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  Experiencing Nature with John M. Zelenski & Dan Rubinstein – #94 01.10.2025 35m

  We’ve all heard that being in nature is good for mental and physical health, but just how good is it? John M. Zelenski and Dan Rubinstein join Jim to discuss what science says about experiencing nature. How do scientists define nature? How much exposure to nature is helpful? Does being in nature change people’s views? And is nature still good for you when you’re having an unpleasant experience in it? Explore Further: Positive Psychology: The Science of Well-Being Water Borne: A 1,200-Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage
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  AI Rights – #93 01.09.2025 36m

  Jim and Kim take a deep dive into the world of AI and ethics. Are LLMs sentient? Why should we worry about AI rights? Is sentience a purely biological phenomenon? Along the way, Jim and Kim touch on topics like animal rights, moral humility and screen depictions of artificial intelligence.
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  Schizophrenia 01.08.2025 44m

  What does it feel like to have schizophrenia? What is the history of the schizophrenia diagnosis and are there effective treatments for the condition? Find the answers to these questions and many more on this episode of Minding the Brain.Resources: https://www.accessmha.ca/ https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/schizophrenia https://ontario.cmha.ca/documents/schizophrenia/ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/schizophrenia-treatment-and-self-help.htm
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  Social Media & Mental Health with Dr. Andrea Howard, Part 2 – #92 01.07.2025 27m

  Dr. Jim Davies, Dr. Kim Hellemans, and Dr. Andrea Howard continue their discussion on what research reveals about social media’s impact on youth mental health. This episode explores the effectiveness of school-based phone and social media bans, the role of parents and governments in shaping healthy media habits, and how social media can function as a coping mechanism. This is part two of a two-part series on social media and mental health. If you haven’t already, listen to part one for a deep dive into the psychology of social media reward systems, the science of social media “addiction,” and strategies for maintaining healthy digital boundaries. This is a live recording of Beyond the Headlines: Social Media, Youth and the Science of Well-Being, an event that was hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science on May 21, 2025, at Carleton University.
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  Brain Fog, Neurodivergence in STEM & Improving Brain Function – Q&A – #91 16.06.2025 32m

  What is brain fog and what can you do about it? What’s Jim’s #1 recommendation for improving brain function? Do brains compensate for cognitive decline? Join Kim and Jim as they answer listener questions in our ongoing Q&A series. If you have a question you’d like answered on Minding the Brain, send us an email at mindingthebrainpodcast@gmail.com
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  Social Media & Mental Health with Dr. Andrea Howard, Part 1 – #90 01.06.2025 30m

  Dr. Jim Davies, Dr. Kim Hellemans, and Dr. Andrea Howard explore what research really says about social media’s impact on youth mental health. This episode discusses the psychological underpinnings of social media reward systems, whether it’s possible to be addicted to social media, and practical methods you can use to avoid getting sucked into social media against your will. This is part one of a two-part series on social media and mental health. Part two will be released on July 1st and explore the efficacy of recent bans on phones and social media in educational environments, the role of parents and governments in dealing with this issue, and social media as a coping mechanism. This is a live recording of Beyond the Headlines: Social Media, Youth and the Science of Well-Being, an event that was hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Science on May 21, 2025, at Carleton University.
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  Cannabis Induced Anxiety, Healing After Alcoholism & Brain Training – Q&A – #89 15.05.2025 38m

  Why does cannabis give some people anxiety? Can your brain heal after alcoholism? Does brain training work? Join Kim and Jim as they answer listener questions in our ongoing Q&A series. If you have a question you’d like answered on Minding the Brain, send us an email at mindingthebrainpodcast@gmail.com