Our guest is Dr Asif Jamil who is a Researcher in Neuropsychiatry at Harvard Medical School & Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

He completed his BSc in Neurobiology, MSc in Neuroimaging, and has 2 PhDs, one in systems neuroscience and the second in rehabilitation science. He has also recently completed his postdoctoral training, and his research focuses on development and application of device-based non-invasive neuromodulation to treat human neuropsychiatric disorders.

He has recently been appointed September 2021 as a faculty member of Harvard Medical School (Instructor in Psychiatry) and a Principal Investigator at the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

We discuss brain states, how they affect our everyday life, mood, sleep and how to focus better. 

#podcast #brain #neuroscience 

[00:24] Introduction

[01:37] What are Brain states & the impact on everyday life

[02:55] Tools for studying brain states

[03:18] Research findings: Functional brain networks

[04:38] What factors influence our brain states?

[06:15] How important are different brain states in our everyday life?

[07:27] How brain states connect with Neuroplasticity

[08:30] How would brain states fluctuate throughout the day

[09:08] Circadian rhythm & the biological clock

[09:42] The biology of rhythmic cycles 

[10:18] How does insomnia & staying awake at night affect brain states

[13:11] Limiting night light intensity to get better sleep

[14:38] Modern science: how much do we know about Sleep?

[16:54] The different stages of Sleep

[18:03] Slow wave sleep & slow brain oscillations

[18:52] REM sleep: memory, learning & therapy

[20:18] How much sleep do we actually need?

[21:37] How to improve sleep quality

[23:49] 'Rhythmicity' governs our brain states

[25:10] 'Neurohacking' & improving everyday life

[27:02] 90-minute intervals to increase productivity

[27:37] How Power Naps can be used to improve focus 

[30:22] Principles & habits in Islam that help our brain states

[31:52] The Neurobiology of Mood & Emotions

[33:58] Emotional states linked to brain networks & treating depression

[36:37] What tips can help regulate mood to prevent depression & anxiety?

[38:54] More people are developing an internal locus of control

[41:58] The concept of “belief effects” 

[43:22] Can you activate brain states by performing certain actions?

[47:13] What impact does Islam & the Holy Quran have on a Muslim Scientist?

[50:10] Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth by by Mirza Tahir Ahmad ra

[51:12] What inspired Dr Jalil to research into electricity & the brain?

[52:01] How Science has impacted Dr Jalil's belief in God!

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🎙 The Al Hakam Inspire Podcast is hosted by Ataul Fatir Tahir and Dr Hasham Ahmad.

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