ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Why did sadness evolve into our behavior? How much of depression is genetically determined? Does acetaminophen/paracetamol actually aid mend a broken heart? Dr. George M. Slavich is a Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at UCLA and the Founding Director of the UCLA Laboratory for Stress Assessment and Research, where he leads cutting-edge work on how life stress shapes mental and physical health. He formulated the first fully integrated, multi-level theory of depression and pioneered research showing how social experiences (like rejection and loss) reach deep inside the body to affect the brain, immune system, and gene expression. His recent work on Social Safety Theory explains why sadness can be an adaptive response designed by nature for our benefit.
During this episode expect to learn why sadness is a normal, adaptive response to loss, how social rejection can affect the brain, body, and immune system, why genetics, life experiences, and beliefs shape resilience, and practical ways to improve our responses and bounce back from difficult times.
