Finding Your Purpose in Your 20s

Your early twenties can feel like a constant chase: school, career, friendships, family expectations, and somehow being happy through all of it. What does peace look like when your life isn't peaceful yet?In this episode of WEvolve, we have an open conversation about finding peace while life is still happening. Maybe peace isn't having everything figured out. Maybe it's learning how to exist in the middle of everything without feeling like you're drowning in it.We talk about spirituality and meaning, balancing school and ambition, running WEvolve, our darker periods in high school, growing up between cultures with brown parents, and what traveling in Europe taught us about slowing down. We also look at what the research says about sleep and stress, self-compassion, vacations, and connection.Content note: this episode discusses depression and suicide. Please take care of yourself while listening and skip that section if you need to. If you're in the U.S. and struggling, you can call or text 988 anytime.Check out our full episode on peace!#WEvolvePodcast #MentalHealth #Spirituality #SelfCompassion #Wellbeing #MentalHealthMattersWhat We Cover:- What "spiritual" means to us and how our relationship with religion has changed since high school- Why we sometimes pray more when things go wrong, and what manifestation actually does- Why being busy became something to be proud of, and what gets sacrificed first when we're overwhelmed- Why achieving something can feel amazing for five minutes before it turns into "okay, what's next?"- Why we started WEvolve, and what happens when a passion project becomes another responsibility- Whether running a mental health podcast means we're supposed to have our own mental health figured out- High school depression and suicide: what it looked like, what we wish people had noticed, and what we'd tell our 16-year-old selves- Research suggesting school connectedness and belonging may be linked to lower suicidal ideation, and why it isn't a simple guarantee- What we actually do for our mental health now, and what we once thought was healthy but wasn't- Why self-compassion isn't soft, and why being mean to ourselves doesn't make us more successful- Brown parents, immigrant sacrifice, academic pressure, and learning to set boundaries without feeling disrespectful- Why a café feels acceptable on vacation but unproductive at home, and whether peace is a place or a lifestyle- What peace, success, and happiness mean to us nowDisclaimer:We are not health professionals, and this episode is for informational and educational purposes only. If you're struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a licensed professional or someone you trust.Sources:- Spirituality, spiritual well-being, depression and anxiety (systematic review)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42032257/- Neuroscience research related to spirituality (systematic review)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36244198/- Sleep quality, insomnia symptoms, and stress in undergraduate students (systematic review and meta-analysis)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34922108/- School connectedness, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts in adolescents (systematic review)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38383772/- Factors associated with depressive symptoms among Asian adolescents in North America (systematic review)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34064345/- Self-compassion interventions and depression, anxiety, and stress (meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37362192/- Self-compassion and stress (meta-analysis)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42640104/- Vacations and employee well-being, including psychological detachment and physical activity (meta-analysis)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39836131/- Nature exposure and physiological and psychological stress (systematic review)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33066853/

Have you ever been in the middle of a completely normal moment and suddenly thought, “Wait... I’ve already lived this exact thing before”?That feeling is déjà vu. Despite how common it is, researchers still don’t have one single explanation for why it happens.In this episode of WEvolve, we break down the neuroscience behind déjà vu, what separates it from an actual memory, and why your brain can create such a strong sense of familiarity even when you know the moment is completely new.We explore several theories, including the idea that déjà vu may come from similarities to memories you can’t consciously retrieve, as well as research suggesting it could reflect your brain’s internal “fact-checking” system detecting a mismatch between familiarity and reality.We also discuss how scientists have recreated déjà vu in the lab, why it can feel like you know what will happen next, who may experience it more often, and its relationship with temporal lobe epilepsy.Check out our full episode on déjà vu!#WEvolvePodcast #DejaVu #Neuroscience #Psychology #BrainScience #MentalHealthWhat We Cover:What déjà vu is and why familiarity is different from genuinely remembering somethingThe possible roles of memory, the temporal lobe, hippocampus, and frontal regionsThe “fact-checking” theory and how the brain may recognize that familiarity does not match realityThe memory-similarity theory and how a new situation may resemble a forgotten experienceDual-processing theories involving familiarity, retrieval, and encodingWhy déjà vu may not simply be a false memoryHow scientists have recreated déjà vu using hypnosis and virtual realityAnne Cleary’s virtual-reality experiments using environments with similar spatial layouts but different visual contentWhy déjà vu can make you feel like you know what will happen next, even though research suggests it does not improve predictionWhy younger people may report déjà vu more often and possible associations with travel, fatigue, stress, dopamine, and dream recallThe relationship between déjà vu and temporal lobe epilepsyResearch suggesting some people with temporal lobe epilepsy may actually report déjà vu less often than healthy controlsWhen occasional déjà vu is considered normal and when unusual or frequent episodes may warrant medical attentionDisclaimer:We are not health professionals, and this episode is for informational and educational purposes only. If you experience frequent or prolonged déjà vu, or episodes accompanied by other concerning symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.Sources:O’Connor AR, Moulin CJA. “Déjà vu experiences in healthy subjects are unrelated to laboratory tests of recollection and familiarity for word stimuli.” Frontiers in Psychology, 2013.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3842028/Psychology Today. “The Fascinating Science of Déjà Vu.”https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/brain-reboot/202312/the-fascinating-science-of-deja-vuScientific American. “Can Science Explain Deja Vu?”https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-science-explain-deja-vu/Colorado State University / EurekAlert. “Déjà vu and feelings of prediction: They’re just feelings.”https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/628414Cleveland Clinic. “That Strange Feeling of Déjà Vu — Explained.”https://health.clevelandclinic.org/deja-vu-what-it-is-and-when-it-may-be-cause-for-concernIllman NA, Butler CR, Souchay C, Moulin CJA. “Déjà Experiences in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.” Epilepsy Research and Treatment, 2012.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3420423/WebMD. “What Is Déjà Vu?”https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-deja-vu

After Catherine Paiz described her ayahuasca ceremony on Call Her Daddy as an almost out-of-body, life-changing experience, we had to go deep on it — what is this stuff, why does it feel that way, and is any of it backed by real science? We break down the two plants that make up the brew, the neuroscience of how DMT and the vine's harmala alkaloids interact to create a 4-6 hour experience, and what's happening in the default mode network that might explain why it's being studied for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. We also get into why it's fully illegal in the U.S. despite that promising research, and the real risks — drug interactions, mental health red flags, and an unregulated retreat industry — that don't make it into most wellness-retreat marketing.Check out our episode on ayahuasca.#WEvolvePodcast #Ayahuasca #Psychedelics #Neuroscience #mentalhealth What We Cover: What ayahuasca actually is — the two plants, the ceremony, and centuries of Indigenous use across Peru, Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador The neuroscience: how DMT and the vine's harmala alkaloids work together to create a 4-6 hour experience What's happening in the brain — the 5-HT2A receptor, the default mode network, and why long-term use is linked to real structural brain changes Why people are turning to it — from treatment-resistant depression to trauma processing, and the Catherine Paiz moment that kicked off this episode What the actual clinical research says (and doesn't say yet) about depression and PTSD Why it's federally illegal in the U.S. despite promising early research — and the catch-22 that keeps it that way The real risks: drug interactions, mental health red flags, and the unregulated retreat industry Where we land — respecting the science and the history without romanticizing the riskDisclaimer: we are not health professionals, and this episode is for informational purposes only.Sources: Alcohol and Drug Foundation — https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/ayahuasca/ U.S. Embassy in Peru — "Health Alert: Do Not Use Ayahuasca/Kambo" (Jan 23, 2025) NBC Bay Area — "What Is Ayahuasca and Why Are People Turning to Psychedelics?" Malcolm BJ, Lee KC. Mental Health Clinician, 2018 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6007657/ Sheth R, et al. Cureus, 2024 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10994171/ Psychology Today — "Ayahuasca and Its Potential to Treat PTSD" Bouso JC, et al. PLOS Global Public Health, 2022 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10021266/ Pilecki B, et al. Harm Reduction Journal, 2021 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8028769/ Hamill J, et al. Current Neuropharmacology, 2019 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6343205/ The Conversation — "Authentic ayahuasca rituals..." Recovered.org — "Ayahuasca's Legal Landscape in the US"

ADHD diagnoses have exploded over the past decade — more kids, more adults, more people online confidently diagnosing themselves off a 30-second video. But is that a genuine mental health awakening, or has doomscrolling just trained all of our brains to act a little more ADHD than they used to? Between neuroscience, the rising numbers, and a TikTok algorithm that rewards short attention spans, the line between "I have ADHD" and "I'm just chronically online" is blurrier than ever. We dig into what the research actually says, where the diagnosis conversation gets it right, and where social media might be doing more harm than good. Check out our episode 'Do You Have ADHD, or Does Everyone Have a Little Bit of It Now?'#WEvolvePodcast #ADHDAwareness #Neuroscience #Attention #Mental HealthWhat We Cover:What ADHD actually is — the three presentations, and the diagnostic criteria people skip when self-diagnosing onlineWhy ADHD diagnoses have jumped in both kids and adults over the past decadeThe competing explanations: more awareness, less stigma, pandemic disruption — or overdiagnosisHow screen time and social media use are linked to attention problems in longitudinal studiesWhy short-form content trains any brain to act more like an ADHD brainHow much ADHD content online is actually misleading — and who's posting itThe neuroscience: norepinephrine, dopamine, and the brain regions behind focusLifestyle habits that actually support attention regulation, with or without a diagnosisWhere we land: is this an epidemic, or just what modern life does to everyone's attention span?Disclaimer: we are not health professionals, and this episode is for informational purposes only.Sources:American Psychiatric Association — https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhdNIMH — https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhdCDC — https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/about/index.htmlUniversity of Utah Health, The Scope — https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/health-library/all/2024/06/managing-adhd-age-of-social-mediaPMC9776226 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9776226/Syracuse University Arts & Sciences — https://artsandsciences.syracuse.edu/news-all/news-2024/whats-driving-the-rise-in-adhd-diagnosis-among-children-and-adults/PMC9616454 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9616454/ADDitude Magazine — https://www.additudemag.com/neuroscience-of-adhd-brain/PMC2894421 — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2894421/

Have you ever replayed a conversation over and over, convinced yourself someone was mad at you, or spent hours stressing over a decision that hadn't even happened yet?In this episode of WEvolve, we're talking about why we overthink and what's actually happening inside your brain when you get stuck in those endless thought loops.#WEvolvePodcast #Overthinking #MentalHealth #Neuroscience #Psychology #SelfGrowth #StressManagement #Mindfulness #PersonalDevelopmentIn this episode, we discuss:What overthinking actually is and how it's different from productive problem-solvingOur own experiences with overthinking texts, conversations, academics, and everyday decisionsWhy your brain treats uncertainty like a threatThe Default Mode Network (DMN), the amygdala, cortisol, and the neuroscience behind ruminationHow overthinking can become a habit loopWhy hormones and chronic stress can make overthinking even worsePractical strategies to break the cycle, including mindfulness, journaling, grounding techniques, and decision deadlinesWhether you're constantly second-guessing yourself, replaying old conversations, or struggling to quiet your mind before bed, this episode is for you.Remember: overthinking isn't a character flaw. It's often your brain trying to protect you. The goal isn't to stop thinking. It's learning when your thoughts are helping you and when they're keeping you stuck.Follow WEvolve for more conversations at the intersection of neuroscience, mental health, and personal growth.Sources & Further ReadingPsychology Today. Default Mode Networkhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/default-mode-networkNational Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12025022/National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12647353/Arnsten, A. F. T. (2009). Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2907136/UT Physicians. Your Brain on Stresshttps://www.utphysicians.com/your-brain-on-stress/St. Vincent's Medical Center. Understanding Stress and the Brainhttps://stvincents.org/about-us/news-press/news-detail?articleId=72085&publicid=395Mayo Clinic. Chronic stress puts your health at riskhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20046037Disclaimer: we are not health professionals, and this episode is for informational purposes only. Sources are listed in the description of the full episode.

Ever feel like everyone around you has it all figured out except you? Same. In this episode, we're getting real about what "finding your purpose" actually means, why your twenties feel like a constant identity crisis, and why your brain is basically wired to make uncertainty feel unbearable.From switching majors more times than we can count, to comparing our lives to everyone else's highlight reel, to unpacking the very specific pressure that comes with being first-gen kids of immigrant parents, this one's for anyone who's still figuring it out (aka all of us).We're also breaking down the actual neuroscience behind why not knowing your path feels so stressful, and why that's not a flaw, it's just your brain doing its job.Disclaimer: we are not health professionals, and this episode is for informational purposes only. Sources are listed in the description of the full episode.What We Cover:What "finding your purpose" really means (and why it doesn't have to be one big thing)Our own winding career paths and the moments we questioned everythingWhy comparison culture makes us feel like everyone else has it figured outThe specific pressure of being a first-gen kid in an immigrant householdWhy the idea of a "dream job" sets us up to feel like failuresNeuroplasticity 101: how your brain rewires itself and why that means your purpose can change tooWhy uncertainty triggers your amygdala and makes decisions feel more emotionalIntrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, and the paradox of having too many choicesWhat we wish we knew sooner, and advice for anyone feeling behindSources:NIH — Neuroanatomy & Neuroplasticity: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557811NIH/PMC — Neuroplasticity research: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4026979Harvard Health — Tips to Leverage Neuroplasticity to Maintain Cognitive Fitness as You Age: health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/tips-to-leverage-neuroplasticity-to-maintain-cognitive-fitness-as-you-ageCathartic Space Counseling — How to Handle Uncertainty Without Losing Your Mind: catharticspacecounseling.com/blog/how-to-handle-uncertainty-without-losing-your-mind

Sleep is one of the most complex processes your body goes through — and most of us are doing it wrong. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about sleep: the stages of your sleep cycle, the most common sleep disorders, why screens are destroying your rest, and how poor sleep is secretly wrecking your hormones, immune system, mental health, and even your food choices.Whether you're struggling to fall asleep, waking up exhausted, or just curious about what's actually happening in your body at night — this one's for you.What we cover:Sleep stages & cycles (NonREM + REM)The 6 categories of sleep disordersHow electronics & blue light impact sleep qualitySleep deprivation & weight gain/hormone imbalanceHow your brain changes when you're sleep deprivedSleep & immune function | Mental health effects of poor sleepSources:https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep/why-sleep-importanthttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db436.htmhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8906383/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3763921/https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/12148-sleep-basicshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5768894/Disclaimer: The information shared on this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. We are not licensed healthcare professionals. If you have questions or concerns about your physical or mental health, please consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical advice and treatment.

What if the thing changing weight loss, cravings, and even stress levels is a hormone your body already makes?In this episode of WEvolve, we break down the science behind GLP-1, the hormone that has become the center of conversations around medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound. We explore how GLP-1 regulates blood sugar, appetite, insulin release, and gastric emptying, while also looking at the growing research connecting these medications to the brain, reward systems, mood, and mental health.We also talk about the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, how GLP-1 receptor agonists work, common side effects, and why “skinny” does not automatically mean healthy. From metabolism and obesity to neuroscience and the gut-brain axis, this episode looks beyond the headlines to understand what these medications are actually doing inside the body.Topics Covered: What GLP-1 is and how it functions Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound Blood sugar regulation and insulin Appetite, satiety, and weight loss The brain-gut connection Dopamine, stress, and mental health Side effects and misconceptions around GLP-1 drugs Why health is more than appearance#GLP1 #Ozempic #Wegovy #Mounjaro #Zepbound #MentalHealth #Diabetes #WeightLoss #HealthPodcast #WEvolve #GutBrainAxis #PublicHealth #Neuroscience #WellnessCredits:Edited by Deetya Datla.Communications and Management Director - Shivani Senthil-KumarCreative and Operations Director - Deeksha Subbagari

Think dopamine is just the "feel-good" chemical that makes you happy? Think again.  In this video, we are breaking down the actual science of dopamine—what it is, where it’s produced, and how it truly impacts your brain. It turns out dopamine isn't the "happiness" molecule at all; it’s the molecule of motivation, drive, and anticipation. We also dive deep into a modern epidemic: Doom Scrolling. Find out exactly how your social media feed acts like a slot machine, hijacking your brain's reward centers, and what "dopamine fasting" actually means from a scientific perspective. If you've been feeling unmotivated, fatigued, or stuck in a digital loop, this video will show you how to support healthy dopamine function and reclaim your focus.If you find this video helpful, don't forget to like and subscribe for more science-backed health insights! WHAT WE COVER IN THIS VIDEO:• What Dopamine Actually Is• Production & Function• Real-Life Triggers• The Happiness Equation• The Highs and Lows• The Science of Doom Scrolling• Debunking "Dopamine Fasting"• Stress, ADHD, and Depression• Actionable Solutions#WEvolve #Dopamine #MentalHealth #Neuroscience #DoomScrolling #BrainHealth #ADHD #MotivationEdited by Deetya Datla.

In Part 2 of our series on substance abuse, we’re diving deeper into the lasting impacts it has on our bodies, minds, and relationships. What does the road to recovery actually look like, and how can we better support those going through it? Tune in as we break down the science, the stigma, and the steps toward healing.Edited by Deetya Datla.