Episode 110: Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor

Food Junkies Podcast

Mary-Frances O’Connor, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona where she conducts studies to better understand the grief process both psychologically and physiologically. She is a leader in the field of prolonged grief, a clinical condition in which people do not adjust to the acute feelings of grief and show increases in yearning, avoidance, and rumination. Her work primarily focuses on trying to tease out the mechanisms that cause this ongoing and severe reaction to loss. In particular, she is curious about the neurobiological, immune, and cardiovascular factors that vary between individual responses to grief.

Dr. O’Connor’s book: The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss gives us a fascinating new window into one of the hallmark experiences of being human. O’Connor has devoted decades to researching the effects of grief on the brain, and in this book, she makes cutting-edge neuroscience accessible through her contagious enthusiasm and guides us through how we encode love and grief. With love, our neurons help us form attachments to others; but, with loss, our brain must come to terms with where our loved ones went, or how to imagine a future that encompasses their absence.

Based on O’Connor’s own trailblazing neuroimaging work, research in the field, and her real-life stories, The Grieving Brain does what the best popular science books do, combining storytelling, accessible science, and practical knowledge that will help us better understand what happens when we grieve and how to navigate loss with more ease and grace.

In today’s episode:

How Mary-Frances got into the field of bereavement science

Why it is so hard and takes so long to understand that when someone dies it is forever

Why grief causes so many emotions

What happens to the brain during grief

How our understanding of grief has changed over time

Why do some people adapt better than others when someone passes away

What can we do when we are overwhelmed with grief?

Can our grief change?

Signature Question: If you could tell a younger version of yourself something about grief/grieving/bereavement – what would it be?

Follow Dr. O’Connor:

Website: https://maryfrancesoconnor.org/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Grieving-Brain-Surprising-Science-Learn/dp/0062946242/ref=asc_df_0062946242/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=598249994043&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17161250467926381577&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021321&hvtargid=pla-1676635241690&psc=1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryfranceso

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctormfoconnor/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryfrancesoconnor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/doctormfo

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Dr. Jen Unwin is holding a 3-day/2-night all-inclusive weekend retreat of learning, sharing, and support for anyone addicted to processed foods, sugar, or carbs. The event will take place March 3-5 in Ambleside, England, and will include 6 months of monthly online support sessions. All proceeds go to the Public Health Collaboration. Email [e-mail] or [e-mail]

There is still time to join us for the no-cost workshop in the month of February. Wednesdays starting Feb 1st thru the 22nd at 2p EST/ 7p UK Molly and Clarissa will host 90-minute sessions to process the Foundations Modules. Purchase the Foundations Course for $200 USD today and have access to the course and replays of the LIVE 4-week sessions.

Molly and Clarissa are also excited to let you know that Viktoria Hamma, Chronic Pain and Wellness coach is returning in February with 3 hypnotherapy sessions to go along with the Foundation Modules. Her sessions will cover Mindful Eating, Emotional Eating, and Self-Compassion for $ 50 USD. Contact Molly & Clarissa for details at [e-mail].

Foundations Modules: https://www.sweetsobriety.ca/courses/sweet-sobriety-foundations

Hypnotherapy: https://www.sweetsobriety.ca/live-class/hypnotherapy-for-mindful-eating-emotional-eating-and-self-compassion/register

The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.