65 : The Distorted Self: Body Dysmorphia

What happens when the way you see your body doesn’t match how others see you? Do you really have a big nose, large pores, small muscles, etc., or is that "all in your head"? In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), including how differences in the brain's visual processing circuits and its perception of faces and bodies may contribute to a distorted body image. For people experiencing BDD, these perceptions can be deeply distressing and affect everyday life, relationships, and well-being. We discuss why understanding the condition as a brain-based mental health disorder is so important, and why changing someone’s appearance through cosmetic procedures may not address the underlying experience. By looking beyond what we see in the mirror, we explore how the brain shapes our perception of ourselves and what this means for effective treatment. Authors: Deanne Pinto, Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

Why does vaping feel so pleasant and addictive to teenagers? With a single puff from a nicotine-based vape, you can send the reward system into overdrive and create a powerful connection between nicotine, pleasure, and motivation. And let's not forget about the whole social aspect! But why is it that teenagers are so much more sensitive to the impacts of vaping than adults are? In this episode, we explore how vaping interacts with the brain’s reward circuits and why this may be particularly important during adolescence, when the brain is especially plastic and constantly rewiring itself. We unpack the neuroscience of nicotine, reward, learning, and dive into what repeated exposure could mean for a brain that is so sensitive to changes. Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

Self-driving cars are often presented as the future of transportation ; we're making them safer, smarter... and fully autonomous. But how close are we really to achieving a reality where we can turn our brains off and let our vehicles take us to everywhere we want to go? Is the artificial intelligence used in these vehicles truly advanced enough that they can replicate brain functions like perception, attention and adaptive decision-making, so we don't have to use our own cognition towards these tasks? In this episode, we explore the many challenges facing autonomous vehicles, from navigating unpredictable environments to imitating the human brain to make split-second decisions under uncertainty. This conversation dives into the intersection of neuroscience, engineering, and artificial intelligence to better understand what it will take for autonomous technology to become fully reliable. This episode is sponsored by the Connected Minds program. Connected Minds, funded by the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund, is a 7-year collaborative program between York University and Queen’s University that focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, and socially responsible research and technology development. The program offers funding for trainees, researchers, and artists. To learn more and get involved, visit the Connected Minds website. Website: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/a Authors: Zara Sheikh, Eve Racette Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

What if learning didn’t just depend on how hard you study or how good your teachers are, but also on how your study tools adapt to you? Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, turning old school classroom learning into personalized, dynamic experiences that evolve with every question you ask and with every new skill you acquire. From real-time feedback to tailored study strategies, AI isn’t just speeding things up, it’s changing how we learn, understand, retain, and apply knowledge. But as these AI systems get smarter, it raises a deeper question: do we have the necessary infrastructures to safely use AI in the classroom? In this episode, we dive into the promise, the pitfalls, and the neuroscience behind AI-enhanced learning. This episode is sponsored by the Connected Minds program. Connected Minds, funded by the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund, is a 7-year collaborative program between York University and Queen’s University that focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, and socially responsible research and technology development. The program offers funding for trainees, researchers, and artists. To learn more and get involved, visit the Connected Minds website. Website: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/a Authors: Eve Racette, Shima Hassanpour, Emily Machel, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

The link between sleep and epilepsy is powerful, complex, and often overlooked. We know that sleep loss and disruptions can trigger seizures in epileptic patients. We also know that repeated seizures during sleep can fragment sleep and reduce the brain's ability to recover. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Shukla, a neurologist specializing in Epilepsy and Sleep, and discuss the intersection of sleep and epilepsy. We talk about the link between sleep disorders and epilepsy, how doctors diagnose sleep-related issues in epilepsy and why treating sleep problems can be an important part of seizure management. Dr. Garima Shukla is a Professor of Neurology, specializing in Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine; and faculty at the Center for Neuroscience studies at the Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, Canada. Her prior appointment was as Professor of Neurology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Her research focuses on clinical and neurophysiological aspects of the sleep-epilepsy-cognition interface and epilepsy co-morbidities as well as neurological sleep disorders, particularly phenotypes and course of Restless legs syndrome. Her team is currently investigating the role of wake and sleep high-density EEG source localization in predicting overall epilepsy outcomes (seizure control, cognition and mood). Authors: Golnar Taheri, Eve Racette Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) has long been dismissed, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood. For a long time, we thought PMDD was just a heigthened version of PMS and was simply another consequence of hormonal imbalances associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. But neuroscience is finally catching up! In this episode, we unpack what’s actually happening in the brain during PMDD, from hormone sensitivity to shifts in mood and cognition. We also discuss how perceptions of PMDD have evolved over time, from stigma and skepticism to growing clinical recognition. Authors: Golnar Taheri, Eve Racette Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

What really goes on in your brain when you dodge someone on a crowded sidewalk or adjust your step without thinking? From everyday actions like walking and driving to split-second changes in unpredictable environments, our brain is constantly choosing, predicting, and adapting in real time. In this episode, we sit down with Cesar, a PhD student studying how the brain makes complex decisions in the middle of movement. We talk about why even the simplest movements are packed with decision-making to keep us moving in the real world. Cesar is a 7th year PhD student at Université de Montréal. Academically, Cesar considers himself to be very curious and eager to learn. He enjoys helping others and sharing knowledge, as well as developing new skills. In everyday life, he likes to stay active, work with his hands, and take care of those around him. Sports play an important role in his life, despite having experienced a few interruptions due to injuries. He can also be somewhat reserved, often preferring to give others space rather than take center stage. One thing Cesar acknowledges about himself is a tendency toward indecision, which he finds ironic given that he is pursuing a PhD on decision-making. Authors: Eve Racette Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

How pain would you be willing to endure for 20$? How much money would you be willing to spend to avoid feeling pain? Why does spending money sometimes feel so painful? From the sting of a high price tag to the relief of a good deal, your brain is constantly weighing costs and rewards beneath the surface. In this episode, we dive into the world of neuroeconomics to explore how the brain processes financial decisions in ways that overlap with physical and emotional pain. We talk about how these neural signals shape our everyday choices and why understanding them might change how you think about money. Authors: Zara Sheikh, Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

Let's explore the concept of the entropic brain, a framework that describes how the brain can shift between organized and disorganized or chaotic states. We know that psylocibin temporarily increases this entropy, allowing the brain to break out of rigid activity patterns to access new ways of perceiving and processing information. In this episode, we talk about how brain entropy reflects the variability of our neural activity and thought patterns. We discuss how a shift in entropy can open the door to insights, emotional breakthroughs, and greater psychological flexibility. Authors: Jake Rockandel, Eve Racette Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.

A concussion isn't just a bump on the head; it disrupts entire networks and can have long term implications when ignored. Unfortunately, even with advances in modern neuroscience, recovery is difficult and sometimes ineffective. In this episode, we discuss how psychedelics may enhance neuroplasticity and what that could mean for concussion recovery with Dylan, a graduate student studying the intersection of psychedelics and traumatic brain injuries. We dive into the biological mechanisms behind neuroplasticity, why concussions disrupt it, and how psychedelic compounds are being investigated as potential tools to support the brain’s adaptive processes. We also discuss personal experiences with concussions, current research limitations, and what the next generation of studies aims to uncover. Dylan Graff is a second-year master's student at Queen’s University Centre for Neuroscience Studies, where he works under the supervision of Dr. Douglas James Cook. His research focuses on using advanced neuroimaging methods, particularly resting-state fMRI, to understand how mild traumatic brain injuries affect brain connectivity and network function. Driven by a strong interest in both brain injury and mental health, Dylan’s work also examines the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-assisted therapies. He aims to bridge findings from psychedelic research in mood disorders with neuroimaging studies in brain injury, exploring whether these emerging treatments may help address persisting symptoms after concussion. Authors: Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri Email: [email protected] Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast LinkedIN: Think Twice 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.