The Scarcity Brain Loop and How Our Brains Are Being Hijacked By the Environment with Michael Easter

This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, Cozy Earth, and Beekeepers.

Our modern lifestyles and technology have led us to crave and consume with addictive tendencies and a hope of immediate gratification. Whether it's food, social media, news, gambling, or even alcohol, we know that people are struggling with moderation, balance and feeling fulfilled.

Today on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru sits down with professor and journalist Michael Easter to discuss how our ancient brains lead us to the “scarcity brain.” Michael shares what he has learned through his research and travels about stopping cravings, learning and processing information in our daily lives, and reframing our thoughts on addiction.

Michael Easter is an author, journalist, and professor known for his work on a wide range of topics, including fitness, nutrition, mental health, and environmental conservation. He is the author of a book titled The Comfort Crisis, where he explores the concept of embracing discomfort as a method to improve physical and mental resilience. His newest book is called Scarcity Brain, where he focuses on our ancient mindset and how it can lead us to have a scarcity mindset, crave more, and have addictive behaviors.

In this episode, Dhru and Michael dive into (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):

-Living in a world that is designed to take advantage of our brains (2:30 / 2:30)

-Why is focusing on bad habits a key to unlocking longevity (4:00 / 4:00)

-Michael’s time with the Tsimane tribe in Bolivia and what he learned about scarcity mindset (5:44 / 5:44)

-What is the scarcity loop (13:02 / 10:36)

-How a routine and eating the same thing each day can lead people to make better food choices (20:18 / 17:54)

-The history of ultra-processed foods and how the industry uses them to cause addiction (23:47 / 21:14)

-Where does the scarcity loop live in the brain, and what it causes us to feel (26:40 / 24:19)

-Michael’s thoughts on addiction, what he has learned, and how it applies to various forms of addictions (32:00 / 28:14)

-Certainty and what role it plays in your overall journey and goals (42:44 / 38:49)

-Michael’s time with Benedictine monks and what he learned (48:44 / 44:46)

-How to prevent behaviors that operate within the scarcity loop (51:33 / 47:36)

-Information overload and how to put in the effort to truly understand the information you are being (54:07 / 50:10)

-How drinking alcohol at a later age can prevent addiction and how it is used to cope (1:04:00 / 1:00:06)

Also mentioned in this episode:

-2% Newsletter

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