How MDMA and SSRIs Affect Empathy | Dr. Ben Rein

In this episode of Hart2Heart with host Dr. Mike Hart. Dr. Hart is joined by Dr. Ben Rein to discuss his research on empathy, MDMA, SSRIs, and mental health. They explore how drugs like MDMA and SSRIs impact empathy and social behavior. They also cover painkillers, dopamine, social media, mental health, and techniques like non-sleep deep rest to reset dopamine levels.

Guest Bio and Links:

Ben Rein, Ph.D. is a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University and a science communicator on social media. In his current research, Ben is exploring the neural basis of empathy and how drugs such as MDMA act in the brain to enhance social connection. Listeners can learn more about his work at his website www.benrein.com, on IG @doctor.brein, and on YouTube @dr_brein

Resources: 

Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

Show Notes:

[0:15] Welcome back to the Hart2Heart Podcast! Dr. Mike Hart introduces guest, Dr. Ben Rein to the listeners  

[0:45] Dr. Rein gives a brief introduction of himself

[2:45] Question: How would you define empathy? 

[5:00] Discussion on whether empathy can be taught and learned

[11:00] Differences between cognitive and emotional empathy.

[17:00] Question: How do people fall into low empathy vs. high empathy or somewhere in between? 

[18:00] Empathy levels in people with PTSD

[19:45] Survival of the Sickest: A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease 

[22:45] Dr. Rein shares his new research showing MDMA enhances empathy via serotonin

[27:45] Studies show Tylenol reduces empathy for others' pain

[28:15] “It seems that if empathy is yourself stepping into someone else's shoes and painkillers sort of turn off or dampen the areas that encode pain, then it makes sense that you would be less capable of understanding another person's pain if those brain areas are sort of less sensitive to your own pain.”

[31:10] DO PAINKILLERS KILL EMPATHY?? 

[39:10] People on SSRIs may still get therapeutic effects from lower MDMA doses

[40:30] Question: What's the latest research on SSRIs and MDMA and how dangerous is it?

[47:30] Question: What is the benefit of nondeep sleep rest in restoring dopamine?

[52:00] Decreasing inputs and benefits 

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Dr. Mike Hart is a Cannabis Physician and Lifestyle Strategist. In April 2014, Dr. Hart became the first physician in London, Ontario to open a cannabis clinic. While Dr. Hart continues to treat patients at his clinic, his primary focus has shifted to correcting the medical cannabis educational gap that exists in the medical community. 

Connect on social with Dr. Mike Hart:

Social Links:

Instagram: @drmikehart

Twitter: @drmikehart

Facebook: @drmikehart