Dr. Greg Witkop - The Neuroscience of Resilience

Dr. Greg Witkop shares his journey from Army ophthalmologist to DARPA researcher, developing innovative approaches to mental health by combining neuroscience, psychology, and sleep medicine to heal trauma-affected brains. The conversation explores how trauma changes neural circuits and how we might reverse those changes to build resilience in military personnel, physicians, and first responders.

• Loss of a military godson to suicide prompted Greg's deep dive into brain science and mental health
• Military lost 7,057 troops in combat during 20 years of war since 9/11 but 30,000+ to suicide
• Physicians are twice as likely to die by suicide than the general population
• DARPA takes "home run swings" in research, attempting transformational rather than incremental change
• Combining transcranial magnetic stimulation with cognitive behavioral therapy shows promising results
• Sleep augmentation and meditation can create lasting improvements in brain function
• Breaking down silos between neuroscience, psychology, and psychiatry is essential for progress
• Purpose distinguishes pain (inevitable) from suffering (a choice)
• The "stop, drop, and roll" approach for managing acute suicidal thoughts: stop making decisions, drop body temperature, roll toward social support
• Creating cultures where vulnerability is safe requires true leadership, not just management

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**Show Note**
Wright Brothers’ first flight was December 17, 1903. 

https://www.darpa.mil/about/people/greg-witkop