Mindfulness and Smoking: How Changing Your Brain Can Help You Quit
Episode Overview
Mindfulness training can reduce activity in the brain's craving centre. Women may benefit more from mindfulness in quitting smoking. Personalised treatment approaches could revolutionise addiction therapy. The study shows a link between reduced brain activity and decreased smoking. Consistent mindfulness practice is crucial for managing cravings.
Mindfulness gives you a greater sense of agency in the face of those powerful urges.
Ever wondered if changing your brain could help you quit smoking? Dr. Jud Brewer, a renowned addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist, dives into this fascinating topic in this episode of The Dr. Jud Podcast. Dr. Jud and his team explore groundbreaking research on how mindfulness training can influence the brain's default mode network to reduce cravings and aid in smoking cessation.
The episode breaks down a 2019 study that used fMRI scans to observe the brains of smokers undergoing app-based mindfulness training. The findings are intriguing - mindfulness practice appears to decrease activity in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), a part of the brain associated with cravings. This reduction in PCC activity was linked to a significant decrease in smoking, particularly among women.
The discussion also touches on the concept of a 'mindfulness biotype', suggesting that some people may be naturally more responsive to mindfulness-based interventions. This episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice, making it a must-listen for anyone struggling with nicotine addiction or interested in the science of habit change. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation that could help you break free from cravings and develop healthier habits.