In a stunning breakthrough, Stanford researchers have unveiled a potential game-changer in the fight against PTSD and traumatic brain injury.
This episode dives deep into the science and promise behind Ibogaine therapy, a powerful plant-based treatment showing an astonishing 86% remission rate for PTSD after just one session. T
he study focused on 30 special forces veterans, exploring a groundbreaking approach known as the MISTIC protocol—Magnesium Ibogaine Therapy for Traumatic Injury to the Central Nervous System.Ibogaine, derived from the African Tabernanthe iboga shrub, interacts with multiple neurotransmitter systems and boosts brain-derived neurotrophic factor, helping the brain to repair itself.
What’s even more compelling? These veterans didn’t just feel better emotionally—they demonstrated significant cognitive improvements, including sharper memory, problem-solving, and focus.
The treatment also showed remarkable safety when paired with magnesium, alleviating concerns about past cardiac risks. While the trial wasn’t placebo-controlled, the neuropsychological improvements were objective and hard to dismiss.
With additional holistic care like breathwork and coaching, this integrative method represents a promising frontier for treating PTSD, depression, and anxiety. It's not yet available in the U.S., but this research could ignite the change.
Addiction isn't just about choices—it's also in your genes.New research reveals that your risk for alcohol, opioid, and cannabis addiction might be genetically linked—even if you've never touched a substance in your life. In this episode, we break down a study of over 1 million people that uncovered a powerful genetic factor tied to addiction, impulse control, ADHD, and even emotional regulation.🎯 Why does this matter?Because understanding your genetic makeup could change how we screen, prescribe, and prevent addiction—before it even starts.Whether you're in healthcare, recovery, or just curious about how your brain works—this one's a game-changer.Watch now to learn how your DNA might be shaping your relationship with risk, substances, and self-control.#AddictionScience #GeneticsExplained #MedHeads
Cannabis and Psychosis: What 66,000 People RevealedCannabis and Psychosis: What Science REALLY Says Is cannabis as harmless as many believe? A groundbreaking study of over 66,000 people says… not quite. In our latest video, we break down the science linking cannabis use—especially daily and high-potency strains—to a significantly increased risk of developing psychosis. This isn’t just paranoia or temporary effects. We're talking diagnosable psychotic disorders.Key highlights:4x risk with daily useRisk increases with frequencyNo “safe” usage thresholdImplications for those with a family history of mental illnessWhether you’re a casual smoker, regular user, or just curious about cannabis and mental health, this video gives you the facts—straight from peer-reviewed science.Watch now and let’s talk about what this means for the future of cannabis use.#CannabisPsychosis #MentalHealthAwareness #CannabisTruth
Does Cannabis Really Help with Anxiety? | The Science Explained
For years, many have turned to weed for anxiety relief, but new research suggests the truth might be more complex. In this video, we uncover what 20 years of scientific studies reveal about how THC and CBD actually affect your mental health and anxiety levels.
You’ll learn:
The real science behind cannabis and anxietyHow THC vs. CBD impacts your brain differentlyWhy some people feel calmer while others get more anxious
The truth about short-term relief vs. long-term effectsWhat recent studies say about cannabis and depression risk
Whether you’re a regular user, medical patient, or just curious, this video will help you understand what’s really happening in your brain when you use cannabis for stress or anxiety.
Don’t trust influencer hype — get evidence-based facts backed by real science.
Watch till the end to discover how different cannabis strains may affect your anxiety in unpredictable ways.
#CannabisAndAnxiety #CannabisScience #THCandCBD #WeedForAnxiety #MentalHealthMatters #AnxietyRelief #CBDResearch #THCEffects #MarijuanaFacts #BrainHealth
The Drug Landscape Has Changed—Are You Ready? Australia is now facing one of the deadliest evolutions in synthetic opioids—nitazenes. With potency levels up to 20 times higher than fentanyl, these hidden killers are showing up in fake pills, club drugs, and even "safe" prescriptions. Most users don’t even know they’ve taken them… until it’s too late.In this week’s Cracking Addiction episode, Dr. Fergal Armstrong dives deep into the pharmacology, clinical signs, and harm reduction strategies practitioners need to know—plus, why current toxicology screens are leaving clinicians in the dark.
This episode of Cracking Addiction delivers a powerful, evidence-packed message on how smoking profoundly impacts reproductive health, pregnancy, and the lifelong wellbeing of children.
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong takes viewers beyond the commonly known risks of cancer and lung disease, diving deep into the lesser-discussed but critically important topic of tobacco’s effects on fertility, fetal development, and transgenerational health.
Through compelling research and clinical insight, the video outlines how smoking reduces fertility in both men and women, accelerates ovarian aging, and increases the risk of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and birth defects.
Listeners will learn about the dangerous chemicals—like nicotine and carbon monoxide—that cross the placenta, causing fetal hypoxia, impaired growth, and even structural abnormalities like cleft palate or limb defects.
The episode doesn’t stop at birth. It highlights how prenatal tobacco exposure can alter brain development, leading to ADHD, behavioural issues, and poor academic outcomes. It even shows how smoking can reprogram genes epigenetically, raising the risk for diabetes, hypertension, and obesity in adulthood.
Importantly, this video is a call to action for healthcare providers and families alike. It emphasises that quitting smoking—especially early in pregnancy—can dramatically reduce these risks.
You’ll also get key clinical strategies for effective smoking cessation, secondhand smoke management, and partner involvement.If you’re a parent, healthcare provider, or planning a family, this video is a must-watch.
Share it with anyone who needs to hear the truth about smoking and pregnancy.
Chapters:
00:00 – Smoking harms babies even before pregnancy begins
00:37 – Smoking’s impact on female fertility and conception
01:05 – Effects of smoking on male reproductive health
01:30 – The dangers of smoking during pregnancy
02:10 – How smoking leads to low birth weight and placenta damage02:34 – Birth defects linked to maternal smoking02:49 – Nicotine’s effects on fetal brain development
03:14 – Smoking and risk of SIDS
03:37 – Secondhand smoke and infant health
04:00 – Long-term epigenetic consequences of smoking
04:22 – Smoking cessation during pregnancy: why it works
04:48 – Key clinical tips for healthcare providers
05:17 – Don’t forget the partner and postnatal phase
05:33 – Counseling even before pregnancy is crucial
05:50 – Final takeaway: smoking is a transgenerational risk
Every puff of cigarette smoke delivers toxic chemicals deep into your lungs—triggering a cascade of damage that most people don’t realise until it’s too late. Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives into the devastating effects of smoking on lung health, from early symptoms like chronic cough to advanced stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema.You'll learn how cigarette smoke impacts the respiratory system, destroying protective cilia, paralysing the mucociliary escalator, and overwhelming the lungs' ability to repair themselves. Discover the difference between chronic bronchitis and emphysema, how they contribute to irreversible lung damage, and why many patients don’t get diagnosed until their breathlessness is severe.This video also explains the clinical side: how spirometry detects obstructive patterns, how CT scans reveal emphysematous changes, and why smoking cessation is the only proven way to slow disease progression. We cover genetic risk factors like alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, the dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke, and how smoking during pregnancy affects fetal lung development.Whether you're a healthcare student, medical professional, or someone affected by smoking, this is your complete guide to understanding the long-term respiratory complications of smoking—and how to protect yourself and others.Chapters00:00 – How Cigarette Smoke First Damages the Lungs00:28 – Lungs: The Organ Most Exposed to Smoking00:51 – The Respiratory Defense System and Cilia Destruction01:10 – Chronic Bronchitis: A Structural Disease01:33 – COPD Explained: Chronic Bronchitis + Emphysema01:52 – Emphysema: Alveolar Breakdown from Smoke02:24 – Symptoms and Clinical Progression of COPD02:47 – Asthma and the Smoking Connection03:04 – Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS)03:14 – Smoking and Respiratory Infections03:32 – Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Smoking03:44 – Cellular and Inflammatory Pathways of Damage04:15 – Genetic Susceptibility and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency04:38 – A Typical COPD Patient Case05:02 – Diagnostic Tools: Spirometry, Imaging, and Blood Gases05:15 – Why Smoking Cessation Matters Most05:26 – Secondhand and Thirdhand Smoke Effects05:58 – Impact of Smoking During Pregnancy06:15 – Clinical Advice for Early Detection and Prevention06:59 – Patient Awareness: Link Smoking with Breathlessness07:09 – Teaser for the Next Episode: Smoking and Reproduction
Smoking’s Secret Weapon: Vascular Poison in Every Puff
In this high-voltage episode of Cracking Addiction,
Dr Ferghal Armstrong delivers a powerful reminder: cardiovascular disease is the most immediate risk of smoking—not just lung cancer years down the line.
Even minimal exposure—whether a couple of cigarettes a day or inhaling secondhand smoke—is enough to trigger endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, thrombosis, and lipid imbalances that accelerate life-threatening atherosclerosis.
Dr Armstrong breaks down the mechanisms: smoking impairs your artery lining, stiffens your vessels, raises blood pressure, and encourages plaque buildup and rupture.
It triggers systemic inflammation via cytokines like IL‑6 and TNF‑α, elevates CRP, activates platelets, and creates a hypercoagulable state—making clots cling and resist dissolution. Oxidized LDL fuels foam cell formation, and carbon monoxide starves tissues of oxygen, forcing your heart to work harder against all odds.
He then lays out the devastating cardiovascular outcomes: from coronary heart disease and stroke to aortic aneurysm, peripheral artery disease, sudden cardiac death, and accelerated heart failure. Secondhand smoke is nearly as lethal, impairing coronary flow and increasing event risk by up to 30% after just half an hour of exposure.
But here’s the saving grace: cardiovascular harm reverses fast when you stop. Your heart attack risk begins dropping within 24 hours, halved by one year, and can approach that of a non‑smoker over time—which Dr Armstrong calls a “powerful motivator.”
He ties it all together with clinical guidance: view smoking as a vascular poison, assess second‑hand smoke when evaluating cardiovascular risk, monitor key markers (lipids, CRP, ECGs), and deliver birch‑clear cessation messages like, "quitting today cuts your heart attack risk in half within a year."
If you're looking for a video that’s evidence-packed, urgent, and deeply motivating to help you or your loved ones quit smoking—this episode is a tailored wake‑up call.
The Shocking Truth About Smoking and Cancer!
Part 3
This video dives deep into the molecular chaos caused by tobacco smoke, revealing how it doesn’t just increase cancer risk—it drives it.
Every puff delivers over 7,000 chemicals, including 69 known carcinogens like benzo-A-pyrene and formaldehyde.
These toxins bind to DNA, creating harmful adducts that trigger mutations, particularly in critical genes like TP53, which regulate cell growth.
The damage isn’t limited to the lungs—smoking wreaks havoc on the bladder, pancreas, cervix, and more.
From oxidative stress to epigenetic changes, tobacco smoke is a silent saboteur of your body’s defenses.
But the danger doesn’t stop there.
Secondhand smoke and third-hand smoke (residual chemicals on surfaces) also pose risks, especially for children.
The video unpacks how even light smoking carries significant cancer risks, debunking the myth that “social smoking” is safe.
This episode is a must-watch for anyone curious about how smoking rewires your biology. Whether you’re a smoker, a healthcare professional, or a curious viewer, this video will leave you thinking:
Cigarettes Today Are Engineered for Addiction — Here's How.
PART 1 of 6 "Unfiltered: Inside the Smoke"T
oday’s cigarettes are a far cry from the simple tobacco rolls of the past. In this explosive episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong pulls back the curtain on how modern cigarette design has been weaponised to supercharge nicotine addiction, deepen smoke inhalation, and manipulate public perception.
Learn how the tobacco industry has transformed cigarettes into highly engineered nicotine delivery systems. Discover the shocking role of ammonia additives, menthol flavoring, and filter ventilation in increasing the speed and intensity of nicotine absorption. Understand why "light" and "low-tar" cigarettes aren’t safer—they’re just deceptive.
Dr. Armstrong explores the impact of over 600 legal cigarette additives, from burn rate enhancers to flavor-masking agents, and how these innovations have been marketed to specific populations, especially through menthol cigarettes.
You’ll also find out how cigarette filters, once thought to reduce harm, may actually contribute to microplastic inhalation.
This episode is essential for anyone interested in smoking cessation, lung cancer prevention, and the evolving tactics of the vaping industry.
Don’t miss this deep dive into tobacco product manipulation, nicotine dependence, and the public health crisis engineered by design.
Shocking Facts About Cigarette Chemicals!
Cigarettes are more than just dried tobacco—they’re chemical weapons in disguise. In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction,
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives deep into the real science behind cigarette smoke and its devastating impact on the human body.
With over 7,000 chemicals per puff—and 69 known carcinogens—smoking unleashes a toxic storm on your cells, your DNA, and every organ system.
Forget nicotine being the main villain; it’s the harmful byproducts of combustion—like benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, and heavy metals—that cause the real destruction.
This episode breaks down the concept of bioavailability, showing how smoke chemicals rapidly enter the bloodstream and brain, triggering inflammation, cellular damage, and cancer risk.
The discussion also explores cutting-edge biomarkers like cotinine and NNAL that reveal hidden exposure—even in non-smokers affected by second-hand and third-hand smoke.Is there such a thing as a “safer” cigarette? Spoiler: No.
The chemical complexity of smoke means that changing one toxin can amplify another. From oxidative stress to DNA adducts, the biological havoc is unstoppable.If you’re a healthcare professional, smoker, or just health-curious, this is a must-watch. Empower your knowledge with hard-hitting science and understand why smoking cessation is not just an option—it’s urgent.
Chapters
00:00 – The Chemical Truth About Cigarette Smoke
00:16 – What’s Inside a Cigarette and Its Smoke
01:00 – Toxic Substances and Their Effects on the Body
01:45 – Nicotine’s Role in Addiction vs. Disease
02:00 – How Chemicals Enter and Damage the Body
02:30 – Understanding Biomarkers of Exposure (Cotinine, NNAL)
03:10 – Biomarkers of Effect: DNA Damage and Inflammation
03:45 – Why Biomarkers Matter in Healthcare
04:20 – The Danger of Passive and Third-Hand Smoke
04:55 – Chemical Interactions and Smoking Addiction
05:30 – Clinical Relevance and Smoking Cessation Advocacy
06:00 – Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode
How to Stop Shopping Addiction Signs, Diagnosis & Real-Life ImpactIs. Is It Just Retail Therapy — or Something Deeper?
Is your shopping habit harmless fun, or could it be compulsive buying disorder (oniomania)?
In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong breaks down the hidden reality of shopping addiction — its diagnosis, stigma, and the very real consequences on daily life.
What you’ll learn in this video:
What truly defines a shopping addictionHow impulse control disorders spiral into debt, anxiety, and relationship issues
Why online shopping has made things worse — and harder to stopThe powerful role of dopamine, targeted ads, and instant gratificationY
you’ll also discover why shopping disorder is not yet officially recognised in the DSM-5 (but partially listed in the ICD-11), and how that gap affects real-world treatment options.
We’ll explore:
Shopping addiction recovery optionsSurprising statistics and behavioral trends
The psychological effects that most people ignoreWhether your own (or a loved one’s) habit has crossed the line
This is essential viewing if you’re struggling with overspending, concerned about a spouse or friend, or curious about how a love for shopping can become a real mental health issue.
Keywords covered: shopping addiction, compulsive shopping, online shopping addiction, oniomania, shopping disorder symptoms, DSM-5, ICD-11, compulsive spending, psychological effects of shopping.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Is Shopping Addiction Real? The Science and the Controversy
00:01:13 Official Recognition: DSM-5 vs ICD-11
00:02:23 Diagnosis Challenges and Debates
00:03:33 Screening Tools and Prevalence Rates
00:04:14 Who is Affected? Gender, Age, and Reporting Differences
00:05:00 The Cycle of Compulsive Shopping: Behaviours and Consequences
00:05:50 The Need for Recognition and Support
Watch now to learn the signs, science, and solutions behind shopping addiction.
#shoppingaddiction #compulsivespending #mentalhealthawareness #crackingaddiction #impulsecontroldisorders
Dr Armstrong Shares Ways to Help With Porn Addiction!
Are you battling porn addiction symptoms or wondering why porn addiction is harmful? In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction,
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong uncovers the truth about porn addiction, its impact on mental health, and how to overcome it using proven, science-based methods.
You’ll learn whether porn addiction is real—even though it's not officially listed in diagnostic manuals—and how it can cause guilt, anxiety, and relationship strain.
Dr. Armstrong explains how to quit porn addiction using effective therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and group therapy.
He also explores how medications such as SSRIs and off-label options like naltrexone may help reduce compulsive urges. You'll gain insight into the underlying causes of addiction, including trauma, ADHD, anxiety, and early exposure to explicit content.
This episode goes beyond stopping porn use—it’s about understanding the root causes, conquering shame, and realigning with your values to take back control.
Dr. Armstrong shares relatable stories and the latest 2025 research to equip you with powerful, practical tools for lasting change.If you're searching for real answers on how to overcome porn addiction or begin your mental health recovery journey, this episode delivers the guidance and support you need.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Treating Porn Addiction Without Official Recognition
00:00:44 Assessing Clinical Significance and Key Red Flags
00:01:21 Core Role of Psychotherapy: CBT and Its Benefits
00:02:04 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Group Therapy, and 12 Steps
00:02:50 Psychoeducation: Understanding the Struggle
00:03:28 Pharmacological Support: SSRIs and Opioid Antagonists
00:04:19 Medication Considerations and Off-Label Use
00:05:07 The Bigger Picture: Comorbidities and Holistic Assessment
00:05:42 Early Exposure, Recovery Goals, and Reducing Shame
00:06:19 Closing Remarks and Preview of Next Episode
Is Porn Addiction Real? | Truth Behind Porn Addiction Explained
Is porn addiction actually real — or just a myth? In this eye-opening episode of Cracking Addiction, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong explores what really happens to your brain when watching porn and why some people can’t stop.
Discover the shocking science behind porn addiction symptoms like emotional numbness, relationship issues, and even erectile dysfunction — all linked to dopamine overload and the brain's reward system.
Ever wondered why millions visit sites like Pornhub daily? What separates healthy habits from compulsive behavior? Is there actually a cure for porn addiction?
This episode explains why porn addiction might be more real than you think, highlighting terms like “compulsive sexual behavior disorder” and “self-perceived problematic pornography use (SPPU).”
You'll also uncover how early exposure, anonymity, and endless access trap users in harmful cycles.Dr. Armstrong reveals how to overcome porn addiction with real mental health tools — backed by cutting-edge 2025 brain research.
If you're looking to understand the truth or want to learn how to quit porn addiction for good, this is the episode you can’t miss.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Is Porn Addiction Real? – Framing the Debate
00:00:56 Diagnostic Controversy: DSM-5 vs. ICD-11
00:01:54 The Brain and Porn – Addiction or Moral Conflict?
00:02:34 Clinical Impairment and Who Is Affected00:03:24 No Consensus – Assessment Challenges and Terminology
00:04:02 The AAA Engine: Why Porn Use Can Become Problematic
00:04:50 Patterns, Tolerance, and Coping Mechanisms
00:05:37 Clinical Reality: Suffering Beyond Diagnosis
00:06:14 Clinical Humility and What’s Next
Is sugar addiction as powerful as cocaine?Is sugar truly a food addiction? This video explores the neuroscience behind sugar's allure, touching on the brain reward pathway and how sugar hijacks brain. It also considers what this means for our mental health and overall well-being.
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong reveals how to break sugar addiction and beat sugar addiction with science-backed insights. Struggling with my sugar addiction or relentless sugar cravings?
Discover how to quit sugar and stop sugar cravings as Dr. Armstrong unpacks why sweets are so hard to resist. Did you know rats choose sugar over cocaine in studies, driven by sugar and dopamine?
Dive into the neuroscience of sugar addiction, from dopamine and sugar rewiring your brain’s reward system to refined sugar effects mirroring hard drugs. Dr. Armstrong explores sugar binge eating, withdrawal, and tolerance, showing how sugar cravings hijack the nucleus accumbens, just like narcotics.
Learn how genetics and early experiences fuel my sugar addiction and why addiction transfer risks new substance use disorders post-weight loss surgery. This episode offers a sugar detox roadmap with practical tips to overcome sugar addiction. From how to break sugar addiction to mastering stop sugar cravings strategies,
Dr. Armstrong empowers you to take charge. Perfect for those tackling sugar binge eating or seeking mental health clarity, this video blends refined sugar effects insights with addiction recovery tools.
Share your how to quit sugar story below!
Chapters
00:00:00 Is Sugar Addiction Real? Exploring the Concept
00:00:57 Sugar and the Brain: Dopamine, Reward, and Craving
00:01:48 Evolutionary Roots: Why Are We Wired for Sugar?
00:02:33 Refined Sugar’s Addictive Properties and Animal Studies
00:03:46 Clinical Implications: Susceptibility, Symptoms, and Neurobiology
00:04:41 Takeaways: Recognising and Addressing Sugar Addiction
00:05:19 Closing Remarks
#SugarAddiction #BreakTheSugarAddiction #HowToQuitSugar #DopamineAndSugar
Struggling with porn addiction or supporting someone who is? This episode of "Cracking Addiction" delivers real talk, clinical insight, and proven strategies for lasting recovery. 🚨 Subscribe for more expert-led content on addiction and recovery! 🚨Join Dr. Ferghal Armstrong as he tackles the complex truth about porn addiction help, from hidden signs of porn addiction to the emotional toll of shame and porn addiction. Whether you're seeking pornography addiction treatment or just beginning to question your habits, this video is a compassionate, evidence-based guide to healing.🔑 In this episode:How CBT for porn addiction rewires behaviorThe power of peer support porn addiction communitiesWhy accountability in addiction recovery is a game-changerPractical tools for tracking porn useThe link between mental health and pornYou’ll hear how real people break free from secrecy, moral conflict, and isolation—proving that porn addiction recovery isn’t just possible, it’s transformative.Perfect for individuals, clinicians, and families navigating the path to overcoming porn addiction. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and how to create lasting change in a judgment-free space.💬 Leave your thoughts below | 👍 Like & Share to support awareness | 🔔 Subscribe for moreChapters:00:00:00 Who Seeks Help for Pornography Addiction?00:00:41 The Role of Shame and Barriers to Treatment00:01:16 Why People Seek Treatment: Life Collisions and Moral Incongruence00:02:29 What Helps: Validation, Structure, and Accountability00:03:03 The Power of Peer Support and Tracking Behavior00:04:04 Removing Judgment and Supporting Individual Goals00:04:23 Barriers: Systemic, Cultural, and Personal Challenges00:04:57 Keys to Recovery: Awareness, Support, Connection, and Language00:05:27 Closing Thoughts and What Makes Treatment Possible#pornaddictionhelp #pornaddictionrecovery #mentalhealthandporn #CBTforpornaddiction
Solstice-Induced Mood Disorders and Relapse Prevention
Does the summer solstice mental health shift hit your addiction relapse prevention? In Cracking Addiction: Solstice-Induced Mood Disorders and Relapse Prevention,
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong unveils how seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and solstice and mood changes impact seasonal mood affective disorder in recovery.
Curious about seasonal affective disorder with drug addiction? This seasonal affective disorder guide explores why seasonal affective disorder triggers like longer summer days or darker winters disrupt circadian rhythm and addiction.
Dr. Armstrong breaks down summer seasonal affective disorder and reverse seasonal affective disorder, revealing how seasonal affective disorder alters serotonin and melatonin, risking winter blues recovery or relapse.
Learn what is one of the best treatments for seasonal affective disorder—from light therapy for depression to sleep hygiene and nutrition tweaks.
This episode offers SAD recovery tips for both hemispheres, tackling seasonal affective disorder with drug addiction with science-backed addiction relapse prevention strategies.
Whether you’re battling seasonal affective disorder triggers or seeking summer solstice mental health tools, Dr. Armstrong shares actionable SAD recovery tips. Master your circadian rhythm and addiction with light therapy for depression, build a robust recovery routine, and stay motivated to avoid isolation.
This video is a must for anyone in addiction relapse prevention or navigating seasonal mood affective disorder.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Solstice Shifts and Their Impact on Mood
00:00:53 Sunlight, Brain Chemistry, and Circadian Rhythm
00:01:35 Defining Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
00:02:24 Why SAD Matters in Recovery
00:03:10 Warning Signs and Early Detection of SAD
00:04:21 Light Strategies for Solstice Mood Management
00:04:52 Structured Routine, Exercise, and Nutrition Tips
00:05:23 Social Support and When to Seek Professional Help
From Dopamine to Disease: Understanding the Addiction-Cancer Connection.
What’s the hidden link between addiction and cancer? In this Cracking Addiction episode, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong and UC San Diego’s Dr Raphael E. Cuomo reveal how lifestyle and cancer risk intertwine.
Discover how cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle choices can transform your health and lower risks, including skin cancer and lifestyle choices like sun exposure or smoking.
Dr. Cuomo debunks the myth that lifestyle and cancer are solely genetic, diving into how addiction and cancer connect through neurobiology—think dopamine, mesolimbic pathways, and epigenetics.
Learn how modifiable habits, from processed foods and red meat to screen time and stress, fuel lifestyle and cancer risk. Skin cancer and lifestyle choices, like neglecting sunscreen, and behavioural addictions, like binge-watching or social media scrolling, silently drive disease.
This episode empowers you with cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle strategies to break free from self-sabotaging cycles.
Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Cuomo unpack actionable health tips, showing how lifestyle and cancer are shaped by daily choices. From understanding addiction’s grip on your brain to adopting cancer prevention and healthy lifestyle habits, this science-backed guide offers hope for addiction recovery and long-term wellness.
Whether you’re aiming to reduce lifestyle and cancer risk or live healthier, this video delivers insights on the biology of wellness and proactive prevention.
Get The Book Crave: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancerhttps://raphaelcuomo.com/crave
Subscribe for more addiction and cancer insights! Share your health journey below!
Chapters:00:00:00 Introducing Dr. Raphael Cuomo: Background and Professional Focus
00:01:59 Lifestyle Factors and Cancer Risk: Beyond Smoking
00:02:44 The Role of Diet, Sugar, and Red Meat in Cancer Development
00:04:42 Addictive Behaviors and Lesser-Known Cancer Risks
00:05:29 Moving Public Health “Upstream”: Changing Mindsets, Not Just Behaviours
00:06:29 Why We Struggle to Establish Healthy Habits00:07:52 Addiction Pathways: Dopamine and Lifestyle Diseases
00:08:08 Cancer as a Modifiable Lifestyle Disease
00:09:01 Brain Pathways Involved in Addiction
00:10:11 Dopamine: “Wanting” vs. Pleasure, and the Hijacking of Reward Systems
00:12:10 How Addictive Foods and Behaviours Fuel Chronic Illness
00:13:43 The Modern Difficulty with Rest, Repair, and Reflection
00:15:03 Linking Lifestyle Addiction to Cancer: The Prevention 2.0 Model
00:16:29 Are Addictive Substances Directly Carcinogenic
00:17:55 How Process Addictions like Food and Screen Time Affect Cancer Risk
00:20:10 Epigenetics and How Lifestyle Changes Influence Cancer Outcomes
00:22:39 The Chain: Addiction, Lifestyle, Epigenetics, and Cancer Risk
00:23:22 Professor Cuomo’s Book: The Hidden Biology of Addiction and Cancer
00:24:49 Closing Remarks and Reflections on Healthy Change
#AddictionAndCancer #CancerPreventionAndHealthyLifestyle #LifestyleAndCancerRisk #SkinCancerAndLifestyleChoices
The Truth About Pill Testing: Myths, Facts, and Public Health Impact.Ready to uncover the truth behind pill testing news?
Dr. Ferghal Armstrong dives into pill testing Australia, revealing what is pill testing and its impact on public health.
Forget myths—pill testing at festivals uses drug testing techniques like gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify dangerous substances in party drugs, with up to half containing unexpected or deadly compounds like fentanyl or nitazenes, as seen in recent 7 news pill testing reports.
Dr. Armstrong explores pill testing music festivals, from groovin the moo trials to Victoria’s Beyond the Valley, where over 700 festival-goers used pill testing at music festivals in 2024, with one in six discarding drugs after results. Does pill testing work?
Data shows nearly 20% of users avoid drugs post-testing, debunking the pill testing debate myth that it encourages use. The victorian governments pill testing stance has shifted since Dan Andrews pill testing opposition, with 2025 trials expanding to festivals like Pitch Music and Arts, supported by drug testing advocates.
These confidential, judgment-free services offer harm reduction advice without condoning drug use, aligning with global pill testing australia trends. Learn how pill testing at festivals saves lives, as highlighted in 7 news pill testing coverage of NSW’s Yours and Owls trial, where 10% of drugs were mislabelled.
Whether you’re a festival-goer, parent, or health advocate, this episode unpacks festival safety and party drug dangers.
Join the push for smarter drug testing policies!
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction: What is Pill Testing?
00:00:46 Drug Use at Festivals and the Role of Pill Testing
00:01:37 How Pill Testing Works: Scientific Analysis and Harm Reduction
00:02:36 Confidential, Non-Judgmental Advice for Users
00:03:35 What’s Really in Party Drugs? Surprising and Dangerous Results
00:04:27 Does Pill Testing Encourage Drug Use? Evidence and Myths
00:05:06 Pill Testing and User Behaviour: The Impact of Results
00:05:59 Confidentiality, Legal Protections, and Access to Help
00:07:18 Pill Testing’s Influence on Drug Policy and Public Health
00:08:20 Conclusion: Pill Testing as a Life-Saving, Compassionate Service
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#PillTestingAustralia #PillTestingMusicFestivals #DoesPillTestingWork #HarmReduction
Ever felt gut feeling vs anxiety and wondered how can you listen to your gut feeling when you have anxiety and OCD? In Cracking Addiction: Anxiety & The Gut, Dr. Ferghal Armstrong unravels the gut brain connection behind anxiety gut feeling. Discover how the gut brain axis and enteric nervous system—your “second brain”—link mental health to digestion. Struggling with relationship anxiety or true gut feeling? This video reveals how to calm down anxiety gut feeling naturally!Dr. Armstrong dives into the vagus nerve and mental health, showing how the gut microbiome and mood are tied through serotonin production in gut—90% of your serotonin comes from your gut, not your brain! Learn how gut health and anxiety connect via leaky gut anxiety, inflammation and mental health, and the gut brain axis. Stress and gut health can worsen anxiety disorder, but probiotics for anxiety, fiber rich diet gut health, anti inflammatory gut foods, and omega 3 for brain health offer relief.Packed with holistic approach anxiety tips, this episode explores coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy gut strategies, mindfulness for anxiety, and DBT TIP skills to manage stress management gut issues. Dr. Armstrong shares how foods for gut bacteria and a fiber rich diet gut health can boost mental health and digestion. Curious about how to calm down anxiety gut feeling or distinguish intuition from anxiety disorder? This video has answers.Whether you’re exploring gut health and anxiety or seeking a holistic approach anxiety, this science-backed guide delivers. Download our FREE mental health tools infographic—link in the show notes! Subscribe for more mental health insights! Share your anxiety gut feeling story below! Chapters00:00:00 Gut Feelings: How Your Brain and Belly Are Connected00:00:50 The Enteric Nervous System: Your “Second Brain”00:01:31 Serotonin, Gut Microbiota, and Mental Health00:02:15 Three Routes from Gut to Brain: Neural, Hormonal, Immune00:03:01 Chronic Inflammation: The Link Between Gut, Anxiety, and Depression00:03:47 Treating the Mind Helps the Gut—And Vice Versa00:04:22 Simple Gut-Healthy Habits: Diet, Movement, and More00:05:17 Final Thoughts: Why Supporting Your Gut May Reduce Anxiety#GutFeelingVsAnxiety #GutBrainConnection #MentalHealth #AnxietyGutFeeling #HolisticApproachAnxiety