Fadel Zeidan Mindfulness and Pain
b'In this episode, Wendy speaks with neuroscientist and pain researcher Fadel Zeidan. Fadel is one of the leading experts on understanding how mindfulness and other contemplative practices can be used to help relieve physical pain and promote well-being. This conversation covers many topics, including:\\nhis interest in self, consciousness, mindfulness and the brain;\\nbringing mindfulness to special education classrooms;\\nhistorical use of mindfulness for pain;\\nintensity vs. unpleasantness of pain;\\nhis early work showing that mindfulness induces pain relief;\\nmaking mindfulness training more accessible;\\nlooking into the brain during pain;\\nusing "fake meditation" in research;\\nunderstanding our natural opiate system and its role in pain relief;\\nbringing rigor to research with placebo controls;\\nthe relationship of physical pain to more complex psychological pain;\\nworking with families of children who were killed by gun violence;\\nstudying psychedelics for phantom limb pain;\\nrole of the default mode network in pain and self;\\ncompassion meditation and increasing our connection to strangers;\\nthe opioid crisis in the United States;\\nand the role of contemplation in larger society.\\nFull show notes and resources'