Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor living nearly 2,000 years ago, yet his private journal reads remarkably like modern psychological coaching. In this episode, Carly explores a powerful passage from Meditations and unpack what Stoicism, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Morita Therapy can teach us about managing difficult thoughts and emotions. If you’ve ever felt hijacked by overthinking, caught in emotional spirals, or trapped in the stories your mind creates, this episode offers a practical, stoic framework for stepping back, seeing reality more clearly, and choosing your next move with intention.

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In this episode with TJ Power, the discussion delves into the impact of modern lifestyle on mental health, focusing on conditions like mild anxiety and depression. TJ Power, a neuroscientist, shares insights from his book "The Dose Effect," which explores how dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins can be optimised to improve well-being. The conversation covers TJ's personal journey with dopamine addiction and how he developed a protocol to rebalance brain chemistry. We also discuss the importance of evolutionary biology, the role of technology in mental health, and practical steps to enhance connection and reduce stress in today's fast-paced world.

Discover practical strategies to optimise brain chemistry, overcome modern lifestyle disorders, and foster deeper human connection.

Key Takeaways

• Impact of modern lifestyle on mental health
• Role of dopamine in motivation and addiction
• Oxytocin and human connection
• Serotonin's influence on body-brain health
• Endorphins and stress relief through exercise
• Practical strategies for neurochemical balance
• The importance of behavioural first approaches
• The science of shared suffering and bonding
• Effects of technology and social media on dopamine
• Strategies for lifestyle changes to improve mental health

Time Stamps

01:12 Modern Lifestyle Disorders and the Dose Effect

02:04 TJ Power's Journey and the DOSELAB

04:16 Research Challenges and Funding

06:05 In-Person vs. Online Interventions

08:02 Understanding Dopamine

10:01 Dopamine's Role in Motivation and Anticipation

11:58 The Impact of Modern Rewards on Dopamine

13:54 Fast vs. Slow Dopamine

16:05 The Consequences of Low Dopamine

18:02 Behavioural Approaches to Mental Health

20:00 The Importance of Action in Motivation

21:55 Practical Challenges for Dopamine Optimization

23:50 Phone Fasting and Digital Detox

25:36 Dopamine and ADHD

28:37 Understanding ADHD and Dopamine

31:59 The Role of Oxytocin in Human Connection

38:36 The Power of Connection in Adversity

46:37 Cultivating Oxytocin in Daily Life

48:43 Exploring Serotonin and Body-Brain Connection

01:01:24 The Impact of Endorphins on Well-being

Resources

Website: DOSELab

The DOSE Effect: https://geni.us/UFOm – TJ Power’s book

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjpowerneuroscience/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tjpower/

Website: https://tjpower.co.uk/

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.