Saving Lives In Slow Motion
116 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 11 ratingsDr Ayan Panja has been putting health into context as a doctor for over 25 years. He shares his expert generalist perspective on important themes around health & wellbeing, pondering what impacts our health journeys, societal attitudes and meaning in our lives. SAVING LIVES IN SLOW MOTION is a bite-sized, enriching and mind-expanding podcast. Powerful messages, science, medicine and storytelling with a professional but informal tone.
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Episodes
Addiction
April 25, 2024 23:01 - 16 minutes - 23.7 MBAddictions can ruin lives but why do they occur in the first place and what can we do to acknowledge them better? In this episode Iook at why they can be so hard to conquer and touch on different aspects of addiction. Links: How the addicted brain works: https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/how-an-addicted-brain-works Sugar - why most of us could easily have a sweet tooth: https://theconversation.com/a-taste-for-sweet-an-anthropologist-explains-the-evolutionary-origins-of-why-youre-progra...
Parenting
April 18, 2024 23:01 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBBecoming a parent is a gift but it has its challenges. In this episode I look at some factors to be mindful of including the difference between the child and adult brain plus micro tips to help navigate your way through the maze of parenthood. Links: Parenting styles: https://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/style/parenting-styles-explained/ Brain development in children: https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/blog/early-childhood-brain-development-and-health/ Parenting styles and...
Skin Health
April 11, 2024 23:01 - 19 minutes - 27.7 MBSkin - it’s known as our largest ‘organ’ and most of us have had some kind of skin issue. This is my 101. Enjoy! Guttate psoriasis: https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis-guttate Pitiryiasis rosea: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/pityriasis-rosea-symptoms Scarlet fever: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176242 Slapped cheek syndrome: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/slapped-cheek-syndrome/ Omega 3 and skin: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7892455/ Probi...
Health screening - worth it or a waste of time?
April 04, 2024 23:01 - 20 minutes - 28 MBHealth screening has exploded over the last 20 years. Is it a money making exercise or actually worth it? In this episode I look at the pros and cons and how you can decide what may be worth doing and the reason people decide they need it. Links: UK ethics of health screening: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-ethical-framework-for-screening/uk-nsc-ethical-framework-for-screening Health Screening - a recent paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436014/ RCGP scree...
Food Intolerances
March 29, 2024 01:10 - 19 minutes - 26.8 MBThere isn’t a week in practice when I don’t get asked about food intolerances and how to test for them. It’s a contentious topic that needs some deconstructing. In this episode I look at what is and isn't intolerance and how to proceed if you think you have a food intolerance. Links: Food intolerance vs allergy - official guidance: https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/food-intolerance/ IgG testing: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004213/ Elimination diets: https://www.hea...
Lyme Disease, tick-borne illnesses and mystery symptoms
March 22, 2024 03:00 - 15 minutes - 22.4 MBLyme Disease rates have doubled in the last 30 years in the USA and rates are rising across the world in affected areas. In this episode I look at Lyme, other tick-borne illnesses and the mystery symptoms they can give rise to, as well as strategies to treat and prevent them. Lyme disease factsheet: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/borreliosis/facts/factsheet The Bullseye rash: https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs_symptoms/rashes.html The life cycle of a spirochaete: https://www.nature.com/articl...
High cholesterol - the myth and reality
March 15, 2024 03:00 - 15 minutes - 22.5 MBCholesterol has become an obsession for so many people over the last 50 years. In this episode I look at the story of cholesterol and why it is important and when to worry about it. Links: The history of cholesterol: https://www.escardio.org/Journals/E-Journal-of-Cardiology-Practice/Volume-19/history-in-medicine-the-story-of-cholesterol-lipids-and-cardiology Food and cholesterol: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/11-foods-that-lower-cholesterol Monacolin K (in both red yeast ri...
Infertility
March 08, 2024 03:00 - 16 minutes - 23.8 MBTW: Sensitive topic: one in six people worldwide are now affected by infertility and rates have soared over the last 30 years. In this episode I look at the reasons behind it and what we can do about it on an individual and societal level. Childlessness: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/oct/02/the-desire-to-have-a-child-never-goes-away-how-the-involuntarily-childless-are-forming-a-new-movement Rising infertility in men and women: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/re...
“Minor" Illness
February 29, 2024 23:56 - 14 minutes - 21 MBMinor illness seems trivial, but is it always simple to deal with and when do we need to think more carefully about what can seem like minor illness on the surface? Lay referral: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1316199/pdf/brjgenprac004944500617.pdf The debate about doctors and Physician Associates: https://www.bmj.com/content/383/bmj.p2449 Sore throat causes: https://twitter.com/DrSteveTaylor/status/1761753922920694133/photo/1 Rincke’s oedema: https://voicefoundation.org/h...
ADHD - the myth and the reality (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder)
February 23, 2024 03:00 - 17 minutes - 24.5 MBIn this episode I look at ADHD which is increasing in prevalence due to increased diagnoses. There are many features to this condition which need unpacking. I look at the causes, what we can do to help manage ADHD and why it occurs in the first place. The increase in diagnosis: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/jul/significant-rise-adhd-diagnoses-uk ADHD and dopamine - seeking rewards: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325499 Time blindness: https://add.org/adhd-time-blindness/ T...
Frailty - how to manage it and how to delay it
February 16, 2024 03:00 - 12 minutes - 18.2 MBIt’s something that befalls most of us as we age, but what is it? It is a marker of vulnerability as we age and in many ways a soft tool to predict our risk of future illness and rate of decline. In this episode I look at how it is assessed and what we can do to prevent it. Links: Rockwood score: https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/02/rockwood-frailty-scale_.pdf Standing desks: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-benefits-of-a-standing-desk Prognosis ...
Child health - it’s rise and fall
February 09, 2024 03:00 - 19 minutes - 27.3 MBIn this episode I look at what makes for good health in children. It’s clearly multifactorial and the latest reports show that the health of children has declined in recent years in the UK. I look at why this may be the case and what the root causes might be. Links: Children ‘betrayed’ in UK: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68203749 WHO website on child health: https://www.who.int/health-topics/child-health#tab=tab_1 UNICEF: https://www.unicef.org/ UNICEF child satisfaction tables: ...
Sexual Health - evolution or revolution?
February 02, 2024 03:00 - 16 minutes - 23.2 MBIn this episode I look at the history of sexual health, our attitudes towards it and how we things have changed over the last 100 years. TW: use of sexual language and references to adult themes. HPV: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv Shame and STIs: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8297218/ Philadelphia trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKDz2LVHz0Y Venereal Disease bill 1916: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11589807/ Dr Kellogg: https://www.hi...
EPISODE 100 - revealed: my take on the NUMBER 1 most important aspect of our health
January 26, 2024 00:01 - 18 minutes - 26.5 MBThis week is my 100th episode. I reflect on some of the topics I have covered over the last 20 months or so and beyond the basics I talk about what I think is the most important aspect of our health in the modern world (and it's not food or relationships)! Links below for a deeper dive... let's go. School resources - how the NHS works: https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/schools-resources-toolkit/#:~:text=This%20is%20a%20toolkit%20of,NHS%20Services%2C%20health%20and%20wellbeing. My Sy...
Is medicine being dumbed down?
January 19, 2024 00:38 - 18 minutes - 26.1 MBIn this episode I look at the work of doctors being done by other professionals and try to balance the issues that surround it. Links: My rapid response from the BMJ in 2006: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1325146/ Labels and role confusion: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/13/public-confused-over-physician-associates-working-in-nhs-research-finds Pay issues and regulation: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12710201/Some-physician-associates-paid-90-00...
Guided Meditation
January 12, 2024 00:00 - 13 minutes - 19.5 MBMeditation and mindfulness are both useful interrelated tools to improve one’s mental health. Meditation should ideally be a regular practice and in this episode I discuss some of the benefits as well as take you through a short guided mediation on self-compassion. Links: Mindfulness and CBT: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-24256-9 Mindfulness and changes in the brain - neuroplasticity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CBfCW67xT8 Meditation and mindfulness nuances: https://po...
Ideas and Health Hacks for 2024
January 05, 2024 01:04 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBIn this episode I look at the concept of ‘ideas’ rather than resolutions that might shape your 2024 on an individual and societal level, including a couple of things I managed myself in 2023. There are also some easy hacks to incorporate into your day which can work for everyone. My IDEAL framework for behaviour change: https://shows.acast.com/savinglivesinslowmotion/episodes/behaviour-change-2-the-ideal-framework Circular economy: https://unctad.org/topic/trade-and-environment/circular-...
The Essence of Health & Quality of Life
December 22, 2023 00:13 - 21 minutes - 29.5 MBIn this episode I look at the true essence of health. We live a world that is increasingly confusing in terms of health messaging and priorities given the amount of inequality in the world. I take a look at some basics of what is important to us in our lives which people may not consider important for health but not only nourish us as humans but are important to both our short and long term health. Links: Self-esteem and the brain: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2017/oct/self-esteem-mapped...
Genetics, epigenetics and inherited diseases
December 15, 2023 00:26 - 18 minutes - 25.9 MBIn this episode I look at the role of our genes in health and illness. Patterns of inherited diseases: https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-genetic-disorders-are-inherited-2860737 Epigenetics explained: https://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2014/apr/25/epigenetics-beginners-guide-to-everything Epigenetics and inheritance: https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/epigenetics/inheritance Ethics of medical genetic testing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24300652/ CRISPR technolog...
Trauma
December 08, 2023 03:00 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBTW: This episode mentions PTSD. We all know what trauma means but how and why does it affect our physical health as well as our mental health? In this episode I look at the reasons behind trauma being a trigger for illness and what we can do to prevent its effects over the years in terms of maintenance. Links: Trauma informed care: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-definition-of-trauma-informed-practice/working-definition-of-trauma-informed-practice Dr Gabor Maté: http...
Narcissists and Psychopaths
December 01, 2023 03:00 - 14 minutes - 20 MBThese are both words that are bandied around quite a lot in common parlance but what do they actually mean? And what is the difference between them? In this episode I look at the similarities, differences and why they come about. Links: Trump - a textbook narcissist: https://www.uu.nl/en/node/541/donald-trump-textbook-narcissist DSM-5 classification of Narcissistic Personality Disorder: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1519417-overview?form=fpf Dr James Fallon: https://www.ted.com...
Medicalisation
November 24, 2023 03:00 - 15 minutes - 22.3 MBMedicalisation is the how human experience becomes something that needs medical attention. There are pros and cons of this including the ‘need’ for medicine vs something that is being sold to us something that is unnecessary. I look at some examples in this episode and why it is something that needs consideration. Links: Ivan Illich: https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/dec/09/guardianobituaries.highereducation Sadness vs depression?: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/p...
Integrity in the modern world
November 17, 2023 03:00 - 15 minutes - 21.4 MBIntegrity - most of us know what it is and value it but does it always help us or can it hinder us? In this episode I look at why is it so important to so many people, what defines it and some extreme examples. Links: Generic examples of integrity: https://helpfulprofessor.com/integrity-examples/ The VW scandal: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34324772 Roddick vs Verdasco (tennis): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bma1NZuo_o4 Integrity in the workplace: https://www.betterup.com/blog...
Musculoskeletal Health
November 10, 2023 03:00 - 15 minutes - 22.2 MBIn this episode I conduct a whistle-stop tour of musculoskeletal health and strategies to prevent joint, muscle and ligament problems and improve our ability to keep them healthy. Some of these conditions are genetic but many are not. Links: Biomechanics: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3266544/ Exercise and osteoarthritis: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6165969/#:~:text=Muscle%20strengthening%20and%20programs%20that,activity%20(e.g.%2C%20walking). Nightshades...
Faith and Health
November 03, 2023 03:00 - 14 minutes - 20.8 MBIn this episode I look at the role of faith, prayer and mindset in health. Links: Medical study on whether prayer works: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/longawaited-medical-study-questions-the-power-of-prayer.html Tanya Luhrmann’s work: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691164465/how-god-becomes-real Positive outlooks: https://psppjournals.org/index.php/jchp/article/view/212 Think yourself young?: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180410-how-your-mindset-deter...
Type 2 Diabetes
October 27, 2023 02:00 - 17 minutes - 25.2 MBType 2 Diabetes has doubled in the last 15 years in the UK. It is associated with potentially serious complications from kidney failure to blindness but there is a process called insulin resistance that occurs prior to its onset. In this episode I look at the development, prevention and management of this condition. Diabetes stats for the UK: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/number-people-living-diabetes-uk-tops-5-million-first-time Diabetes prevention strategies: https://evidenc...
Travel and Tropical Health & Medicine
October 20, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 19 MBIn this episode I look at travel related illness and some tropical diseases worth knowing about. Traveller’s tummy: https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/travel-tummy-troubles-heres-how-to-prevent-or-soothe-them-202208042796 Diarrhoeal illness: https://www.who.int/health-topics/diarrhoea#tab=tab_1 Oral rehydration therapy: https://www.unicef.org/supply/stories/oral-rehydration-salts-and-zinc-co-packaging-offers-simple-solution-save-children-diarrhoea Probiotics for traveller’s diarrhoea: ...
Coughs
October 13, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 20.3 MBI don’t think there is anyone on the planet that hasn’t had a cough. It’s a biological reflex in basic terms and as it seems to occupy up to 40% of presentations to a health care provider, I thought it would be good to cover the why what and how of this ubiquitous symptom. Links: The mechanism of a cough: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502102/# The anatomy of a cough: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3415124/ Long term coughs: https://www.health.harvard.ed...
Medical Information
October 06, 2023 02:00 - 19 minutes - 26.8 MBHow we access medical information and where it comes from is all important. It has changed hugely in the last 50 years and in this episode I look at how and why that has happened and also the future. Change in news sources: https://pressgazette.co.uk/media-audience-and-business-data/most-popular-news-sources-uk-tiktok-ofcom-news-consumption-survey/ Cochrane: https://www.cochrane.org/ Medline (electronic library): https://medlineplus.gov/ Dipex: https://dipexcharity.org/about-us/ Electro...
Lifestyle Medicine
September 29, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 21.2 MBLifestyle Medicine is now a well established discipline. I look at what it means today and how it has evolved over the years since its inception and how it is indispensable in this day and age. Bromelain: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8067380/# James Rippe: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6933565/ Behaviour change in lifestyle medicine: https://www.apa.org/topics/behavioral-health/healthy-lifestyle-changes Soleus push ups: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...
General Practice
September 22, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 20.4 MBIt’s often known as the cornerstone of the NHS but general practice is under threat and in this episode I make the case for generalism. The power of generalism: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST6XEDcD_C4 Specialists and generalists: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2021/03/12/generalists-versus-specialists-the-winner-doesnt-take-it-all/ Additional roles in general practice: Expanding our workforce england.nhs.uk Continuity of care: https://www.bmj.com/content/3...
Health Inequalities
September 15, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 20.2 MBIn this episode I look at the reason for health inequalities, the move towards health equity and what we can do to improve access to health for all. Kings Fund health inequalities: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/what-are-health-inequalities Self-reported illness: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1122815/ The inverse care law paper by Tudor-Hart: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(71)92410-X/fulltext End of life and palliative care inequ...
Polypharmacy - too much medicine?
September 08, 2023 02:00 - 12 minutes - 18.3 MBPolypharmacy is a situation where a person is on several medications. It is sometimes necessary but needs to be managed and monitored to avoid harm which can be anything from minor to major. Links: Polypharmacy in older adults: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41999-021-00479-3 Deprescribing: https://www.bgs.org.uk/AAAdesprescribing Drug side effects: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/10-scariest-prescription-drug-side-effects Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
Insomnia
September 01, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 22.2 MBNot being able to sleep well at night can be frustrating and drive people to distraction. In this episode I look at the causes and what we can do improve our sleep. The work of Stephanie Romiszewski: https://www.sleepyheadclinic.co.uk/stephanie-romiszewski-sleep-expert/ The stages of sleep: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep Supplements: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sleep-aids Genes and sleep: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/gene-identified-peopl...
Tiredness and Fatigue
August 25, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 22.5 MBThere are so many reasons for tiredness and fatigue. In this episode I try to explain the reasons behind the symptom and how to approach it. Links: For cases demonstrating the Health Loop to unpack symptoms here is a link to my book The Health Fix: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Health-Fix-Transform-Your-Weeks/dp/1914239296/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Dr+Ayan+Panja&qid=1692817923&s=audible&sr=1-1-catcorr A mechanical reason for tiredness - sleep apnoea: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sleep-apnoea/ How ...
Down time
August 18, 2023 00:59 - 8 minutes - 12.4 MBDo you get enough down time? Do you even have time for down time?! In this episode I briefly look at what it is and why it is important. It’s a short episode but hope you enjoy the exercise in it and the links in the show notes. Links: Why down time is important: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime/ How to achieve ‘flow’: https://medium.com/swlh/the-brains-default-mode-what-is-it-and-why-meditation-is-the-antidote-d0408ab989d6 The default mode network of the bra...
Blood tests
August 10, 2023 23:48 - 12 minutes - 17.7 MBBlood tests and blood results dominate a GP’s day but why do we do them and what do they mean? In this episode I rapidly cover the rationale behind some of the more common blood tests, what they mean and why we do them in the first place. Links: Further details on blood tests can be found here starting with the full blood count: https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/full-blood-count-fbc Vitamin D deficiency: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph56 B12 deficiency: https://www.healthline.com/...
Bloating - 101
August 04, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 18.8 MBBloating is a common symptom which most of us experience from time to time acutely, (for instance if we have a tummy bug or food poisoning), but in this episode I try to unpack the potential reasons behind why bloating can occur in the first place and how to approach it. This episode is a rapid 10-minute 101. Do check out the links in the show notes. Links: Digestion and enzymes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digestive_enzyme#/media/File:Digestive_Enzymes.svg IBS (made worse by stress): ...
Coaching
July 28, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 21.5 MBThe world seems to be full of ‘coaches’ but what is coaching and how can it help us? I look at some examples in this episode and how it can help develop us by helping us create change to develop ourselves. Links: My GP trainer Ed Peile: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/staff/peile/ GROW model: https://www.performanceconsultants.com/grow-model 'SMART’ goals: https://coachfoundation.com/blog/smart-coaching-model David Rock (ARIA model): https://davidrock.net/ The Coaching Habit: https:...
Artificial Intelligence in medicine
July 21, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBMedical imaging AI: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(20)30160-6/fulltext Generative AI: https://generativeai.net/ AI driven CBT: Leafyard.com/healthfix AI and skin cancer diagnosis: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/artificial-intelligence-helping-to-speed-up-skin-cancer-diagnosis-in-leicester-leicestershire-and-rutland-integrated-care-system/ AI and symptom assessments by Ada: https://ada.com/ AI support for doctors: https://www.forbes.com/sites/katie...
Therapy
July 14, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 20.3 MBWhat is therapy and why do we need it, if at all? In this episode I look at the common types of therapy as well as touch on some alternative types and how they work and what they hope to achieve. The key is that the therapy has to fit with the person. The origins of therapy: https://www.talkspace.com/blog/psychotherapy-history-of-therapy/ Therapeutic relationships: https://www.family-institute.org/behavioral-health-resources/importance-relationship-therapist CBT: https://www.mind.org.uk...
NHS @ 75
July 07, 2023 02:00 - 16 minutes - 23 MBThe NHS is a jewel in the crown of British culture offering free healthcare for all at times of need. But it has come under stress in recent years. In this episode I take a look back at what the NHS has achieved and why it is so important. The birth and history of the NHS: https://www.nuffieldtrust.org.uk/health-and-social-care-explained/the-history-of-the-nhs Continuity of care: https://www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj.n2468#:~:text=A%20new%20research%20paper%20tells,a%20reduced%20risk%20of%20...
Midlife
June 30, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 21.5 MBMidlife can be a hard time of life to navigate, but why is that the case? When we are younger and trying to establish ourselves we look forward to midlife but when we get there it can feel uncomfortable. I explore why this is the case and what we can do about it Links: The midlife crisis: https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/midlife-crisis/ Another take: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/09/14/truth-midlife-crises-painful-many-confront/ The happiness curve and the midlife dip: https:...
Medical Ethics
June 23, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 21.4 MBMedical ethics is involved in every aspect of healthcare yet it is invisible. In this episode I look at why it is important and some of the nuances that make it a hard topic to grapple with. Links: Ethical principles via the Clinical Ethics Network: http://www.ukcen.net/ethical_issues/ethical_frameworks/the_four_principles_of_biomedical_ethics The story of baby Charlie Gard: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40554462 Ethical guidance for doctors: https://www.bmj.com/careers/article/ethi...
Types of Intelligence
June 16, 2023 02:00 - 15 minutes - 21.1 MBIn this episode I look at the concept of intelligence, what it means and whether it even matters on a practical level. What are the different types, how is it measured and are there ways that we improve our IQ? IQ testing - a discussion: https://theconversation.com/the-iq-test-wars-why-screening-for-intelligence-is-still-so-controversial-81428 Howard Gardner’s work: https://pz.harvard.edu/resources/frames-of-mind-the-theory-of-multiple-intelligences Virginia sterilisation act 1924 based ...
The Pandemic Effect
June 09, 2023 02:00 - 13 minutes - 18.4 MBIn this episode I look at the effects of the pandemic which still linger. How has it affected us and our health and outlook? It’s been over 3 years since COVID-19 enveloped the planet and there have been myriad effects on people which have affected us in overt and subtle ways. Big picture effects of the pandemic: https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/publications/covid-decade-understanding-the-long-term-societal-impacts-of-covid-19/ The COSMO study: https://www.suttontrust.com/cosmo-the...
Neurodiversity
June 02, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 20.3 MBNeurodiversity is becoming more of an important aspect of our lives as people are increasingly becoming more neurodivergent. In this episode I look at examples, the origins of the term neurodiversity and what it means for our lives now and moving forward. And I hope you like the quote at the very end of the show. Judy Singer: https://www.forbes.com/sites/drnancydoyle/2022/08/26/hidden-figures-in-neurodiversity-judy-singer/?sh=4ab1f6765446 The spectrum and what it means: https://www.nm.or...
Pain
May 26, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 20.8 MBPain affects almost all of us at some point. But some types of pain is experienced more severely than other types. In this episode I look at the factors which affect pain and our perception of it and what we can do handle it better. Nociceptors: https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-are-nociceptors-2564616 The nail in the boot: https://www.painscience.com/biblio/source-of-boot-nail-guy-a-popular-medical-anecdote-about-pain-without-injury-nociception.html COMT gene variation: https://www.ncb...
Rejection
May 19, 2023 02:00 - 14 minutes - 19.8 MBRejection is something that affects us all but how can we minimise its effects? The effects can be minor or major and in this episode I look at strategies for recognising that it might be an issue, how we can learn from them and how we can better handle it so that it does not continue to affect our lives negatively. Links: Functional MRI of the brain and rejection and links to pain: https://www.science.org/content/article/rejection-pain-brain Long term effects of bullying: https://www.nc...
The Power of Listening
May 12, 2023 02:00 - 16 minutes - 22.6 MBIs listening an undervalued skill in today’s society? It is an essential part of communication and can have a therapeutic effect. Listening can be a gateway to empathy and compassion and I make the case that we should all do it better before it becomes a lost art. Active listening outperforms simple acknowledgement: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10904018.2013.813234 Active listening:https://psychcentral.com/lib/become-a-better-listener-active-listening Become a better l...