Episode 441

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

With Michael Easter
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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. He also shares practical tips we can implement immediately to change how we eat, feel, spend our time and money, and ultimately approach happiness. If you are looking for a practical way to create a more satisfying life today, this episode is for you. 

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. Michael’s career as a writer and journalist has been marked by his passion for exploring the intersections of human well-being and the natural world. He is the author of a book titled The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, 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. 

Also mentioned in this episode:

For more on Michael, follow him at @Michael_Easter on Twitter,  @Michael_Easter on Instagram, or via his website.

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I hope you enjoyed this conversation as much as I did.
Wishing you health and happiness.
Dhru Purohit

In this Episode, you will learn

  1. Living in a world that is designed to take advantage of our brains
    (2:30)
  2. Why is focusing on bad habits a key to unlocking longevity
    (4:00)
  3. Michael’s time with the Tsimane tribe in Bolivia and what he learned about scarcity mindset
    (5:44)
  4. What is the scarcity loop
    (13:02)
  5. Why do people feel their willpower has failed in the area of health
    (18:14)
  6. How a routine and eating the same thing each day can lead people to make better food choices
    (20:18)
  7. The history of ultra-processed foods and how the industry uses them to cause addiction
    (23:47)
  8. Where does the scarcity loop live in the brain, and what it causes us to feel
    (26:40)
  9. Michael’s thoughts on addiction, what he has learned, and how it applies to various forms of addictions
    (32:00)
  10. Michael’s journey with addiction
    (38:34)
  11. Certainty and what role it plays in your overall journey and goals
    (42:44)
  12. Michael’s time with Benedictine monks and what he learned
    (48:44)
  13. How to prevent behaviors that operate within the scarcity loop
    (51:33)
  14. Information overload and how to put in the effort to truly understand the information you are being given
    (54:07)
  15. Michael’s recent writing on how to achieve optimal sleep
    (59:19)
  16. How drinking alcohol at a later age can prevent addiction and how it is used to cope
    (1:04:00)
  17. Final thoughts
    (1:09:11)

Guest

 
Dhru Purohit

Dhru is the host of the Dhru Purohit Show, a top 30 health podcast with over 30 million downloads. His interviews focus on the inner workings of the brain and the body and feature the brightest minds in wellness, medicine, and mindset.

Dhru Purohit is also a serial entrepreneur and investor in the health and wellness industry.

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Michael Easter

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. Michael’s career as a writer and journalist has been marked by his passion for exploring the intersections of human well-being and the natural world. 

Learn More
Follow
 
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