Michael Easter on JRE - Addiction & The Brain #34

The Big Chew

In this episode of The Big Chew Podcast, your hosts Noah and Zach dive into the captivating world of addiction, gambling, and the intricate workings of the human mind. Join us as we take a deep dive into the episode from The Joe Rogan Experience featuring Michael Easter, a leading voice on integrating modern science and evolutionary wisdom for better health, meaning, and performance.

Michael Easter, the author of the bestselling book The Comfort Crisis, unveils his latest work, Scarcity Brain: Fix Your Craving Mindset and Rewire Your Habits to Thrive with Enough. In a quest to understand why people get hooked on slot machines, Michael takes us on a journey through the minds of anti-gambling researchers and the intriguing myths surrounding casinos.

Discover why casinos lack clocks, the secrets of slot machine composers, and the surprising connections between gambling and human evolution. Michael unveils the three-part system that keeps us hooked not only on gambling but also on behaviors like social media, sports gambling, and even driving for Uber.

Explore the fascinating world of "losses disguised as wins" and how this psychological phenomenon makes games even more addictive. We'll also delve into the world of pigeon gamblers and how their behavior relates to human addiction.

Michael Easter shares insights into addiction as a symptom of an underlying problem rather than a brain disease. Learn about the impact of labeling addiction as a disease and the importance of hope in recovery.

Dive into the global drug trade, from sheep herders as drug mules to the rise of Captagon in the Middle East. Explore the changing landscape of drug use in America, the role of unpredictable rewards, and the age group most susceptible to addiction.

In the midst of this thought-provoking conversation, we sprinkle in some fast facts, including the shocking number of items in the average home, unconventional drug smuggling methods, and the genetic disposition to addiction.

Join us as we navigate the addiction landscape, uncover the secrets of gambling and the craving mindset, and explore the hidden connections between human evolution and our modern-day habits. This episode will leave you with a fresh perspective on addiction and a better understanding of the complex human mind.

Original Episode Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Ohm79xyAa3X4WeOb3S3PH?si=8704292318e74ac7

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