Jud Brewer - Changing Habits
b'In this episode, Wendy speaks with addiction psychiatrist and contemplative researcher Jud Brewer. Jud is one of the leading figures in the use of mindfulness for addiction and anxiety, and his work emphasizes the brain\'s habit cycle, and how to change it. He\'s also developed a number of smartphone apps to deliver contemplative interventions widely, which research is finding to be highly successful. This conversation covers many topics, including:\\nhis own use of meditation to relieve stress, and where that led;\\nthe failure of willpower for treating addictions;\\nthe benefits and downsides of the brain\'s habit mechanisms;\\ncommonalities between Buddhist philosophy and modern psychology;\\nthe key role of awareness in changing habits;\\nthe basic "habit loop" (trigger - behavior - result);\\nanxiety as a habit;\\nmindfulness for habit change;\\ndivisiveness as a bad habit;\\nresearch on the effectiveness of app-based interventions;\\nnext steps for digital therapeutics;\\ninsights on communicating science to the public;\\nand the power of kindness and connection as the ultimate reward.\\nFull show notes and resources'