The Better Brain Podcast
Welcome to the Better Brain Podcast, your source on all things brain health and how to make it better.
We're your hosts, Drs. Rafie and Bickart, and we are Neurologists specializing in Neuropsychiatry, Dementia, Sports, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Our mission at the Better Brain Podcast is to provide you with the information and tools you need to improve your brain health and overall well being. We do this by combining the latest evidence-based practices with practical tools to better your brain. Our episodes feature experts and high level performers that will help us navigate this complex and nuanced field, with a goal of attaining a firm grasp on these topics.
Whether you're a healthcare professional seeking to expand your knowledge, a individual concerned about your risk of dementia, a creative looking for inspiration, or simply a curious soul eager to learn more about the brain, the Better Brain Podcast is your trusted companion.
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The Better Brain Podcast
You've Been Thinking About Pain All Wrong l Brandon Yarns, MD
Where does pain really come from—and why does it sometimes never go away?
UCLA Professor of Psychiatry, pain specialist, and former VA psychiatrist Dr. Brandon Yarns joins the Better Brain Podcast to decode the mystery of pain. From the moment it begins to the ways it can persist for years, we explore the powerful and surprising role the brain plays in both acute and chronic pain.
Dr. Yarns shares how chronic pain isn’t just about tissue damage—but about brain circuits, memory, trauma, and emotional processing. We discuss how chronic pain literally reshapes the brain, and why some treatments—including opioids—can backfire. He also breaks down the complex connection between chronic pain and mental health, including depression and PTSD.
But there’s hope. Dr. Yarns shares his groundbreaking research into a specific psychotherapy that has been shown to completely reverse certain forms of chronic pain—without drugs or surgery. We also explore actionable strategies to boost your pain threshold and build resilience against chronic pain.
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