Science of Perception Box – Details, episodes & analysis

Anxiety can make us feel like we’re trapped in our brain. So how do we open the door and gain freedom? This week in our inaugural episode, Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch invite Dr. Judson Brewer to discuss the habit loops that increase anxiety, why anxiety contracts our Perception Box, and what steps we can take to change our relationship with anxiety and understand its evolutionary benefit.  Dr. Judson Brewer studies the neural mechanisms of mindfulness. He is the Director of Research and Innovation at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center, where he’s also an Associate Professor at the School of Medicine. Dr. Brewer is a leading expert in the science of self-mastery and breaking habits. His books include Unwinding Anxiety, The Craving Mind, and The Hunger Habit.  Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information. Episode Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:45) - Dr. Judson Brewer (05:54) - Habit Loops of Anxiety (08:16) - Breaking the Worry Cycle (10:52) - Will Power is a Myth (14:40) - Trigger, Behavior & Result (17:06) - Breaking Overeating Habit Loops (19:48) - The Feeling Body (22:40) - Opening the Perception Box (25:09) - Bigger Better Offers (28:01) - Curiosity, Compassion and Perception (31:40) - How Anxiety Can Box You In (35:14) - Learning to Allow Anxiety (36:05) - We Create Our Perception Boxes (37:40) - Perception Box Questions

Join renowned scientists Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch on the Science of Perception Box, where they delve into the Perception Box—a groundbreaking concept developed by Elizabeth R. Koch, that reveals how our beliefs, biases, and neural wiring shape our reality and define how we experience the world. Through captivating conversations with expert guests like psychiatrist Dr. Judson Brewer, anthropologist Dr. Helen Fisher, and journalist Michael Pollan, the show explores how the Perception Box expands in states of awe, curiosity, and love, and contracts during fear, anxiety, or anger. From mindfulness and romantic relationships to psychedelics and human connection, each episode uncovers transformative insights into unlocking greater awareness, fostering curiosity, and reshaping how we perceive the world. New episodes drop every Thursday on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow the journey and redefine your reality.

Humans have a symbiotic relationship with plants. Plants coevolved to suit our desires for nourishment, beauty, and altering consciousness. Journalist Michael Pollan has investigated the human connection to plants. This week on Science of Perception Box, Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christof Koch ask Pollan about modern trends like ultra-processed foods, industrialized agriculture, and consciousness-altering drugs from plants including caffeine, cannabis, and psychedelics.  For more than 30 years, Michael Pollan has been writing books and articles about the places where the human and natural worlds intersect: on our plates, in our farms and gardens, and in our minds. Pollan is the author of eight books, six of which have been New York Times bestsellers. In 2003, Pollan was appointed the John S. and James L. Knight Professor of Journalism at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism and the director of the Knight Program in Science and Environmental Journalism. In 2020, along with Dacher Keltner and others, he cofounded the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics.  Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.  Episode Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (02:26) - The Profound Impact of Food on Mood and Perception (04:17) - Exploring Ultra-Processed Foods and Their Effects (06:45) - The Psychological and Physiological Effects of Food (10:29) - The Connection Between Food, Culture, and Education (17:46) - Michael Pollan's Journey into Food and Agriculture (21:42) - The Symbiotic Relationship Between Humans and Plants (22:55) - The Human Desire to Alter Consciousness (25:15) - The Transparent Experience of Coffee (25:47) - Caffeine's Benefits and Drawbacks (26:38) - Exploring Consciousness-Altering Substances (27:18) - Psychedelics and Cultural Evolution (29:02) - Creativity and Psychedelics (32:52) - The Nature of Ego and Consciousness (41:11) - Public vs. Private Self (45:31) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts

We long for love. We die for love. We kill for love. But why do we love? Cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch ask this question to Helen Fisher, PhD. who dedicated her career to researching romantic love. In this episode of Science of Perception Box, we explore how the act of being in love or out of love changes how we view ourselves and the world around us.  Dr. Fisher was a biological anthropologist, Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute, and Chief Science Advisor to Match.com. She used brain scanning (fMRI) to study the neural systems associated with the sex drive, romantic love, attachment, rejection, love addiction, long-term partnership happiness, and the biological foundations of human personality. She conducted extensive research on the evolution, biology, and psychology of human sexuality, monogamy, adultery, and divorce. Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information. Episode Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction to the Science of Perception Box (02:03) - Exploring Love and Heartbreak (05:16) - The Brain Chemistry of Love (06:41) - The Evolutionary Purpose of Love (09:35) - The Complexities of Romantic Relationships (20:53) - The Impact of Rejection and Heartbreak (24:10) - The Distraction Test and Emotional Response (25:15) - Love as an Addiction (27:31) - Phases of Breakup and Emotional Recovery (31:21) - The Concept of Slow Love (33:05) - Impact of Internet on Modern Dating (38:58) - Perception Box Questions (44:57) - Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts

Our cultural lenses can expand our Perception Box or contract it, keeping us closed off to new opportunities. So how do we become aware of the personal influences that shape our perceptions? In this episode of Science of Perception Box, cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch discuss the impact of cultural differences on identity and mindsets with guest Dr. Daphna Oyserman. Dr. Oyserman shares her insights on how small changes in context can significantly affect our mindset and choices, impacting our health and academic performance.  Dr. Daphna Oyserman is a Dean’s Professor of Psychology and Professor of Psychology and Education at the University of Southern California. Dr. Oyserman received a PhD in psychology and social work from the University of Michigan and served on the faculty of The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, before returning to the University of Michigan where she last held appointments as the Edwin J. Thomas Collegiate Professor of Social Work, Professor of Psychology, and Research Professor in the Institute for Social Research. Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.  Episode Chapters:  (00:00) - Introduction (02:19) - Cultural Identity and Understanding Cultural Differences (05:26) - The Role of Culture in Society (07:24) - Cultural Norms and Time Perception (11:27) - Identity and Self-Perception (13:54) - Culture and Motivation (20:10) - Perception of Difficulty and Cultural Narratives (23:00) - The Dilemma of Difficulty: When to Persevere or Pivot (24:00) - Cultural Perspectives on Difficulty and Success (28:14) - The Role of Talent vs. Hard Work in Achievement (31:37) - Shifting Mindsets: Small Changes, Big Impacts (34:49) - Procrastination and the Future Self (38:21) - Teaching the Value of Hard Work to Kids (42:34) - The Influence of Culture on Persistence (45:57) - Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

What is the mind? Does the mind exist only in your own Perception Box, or is there a greater connection of consciousness? In this episode of Science of Perception Box, cohosts Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch discuss the interconnectedness of the mind, the impact of implicit memories from infancy on childhood attachment, and the wheel of awareness with Dr. Dan Siegel. Dr. Siegel shares his research and practices on healing unresolved trauma, preventing burnout for caregivers and medical professionals, and channeling the Perception Box-expanding power of empathy.  Dr. Siegel is the Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute and Founding Co-Director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA, where he was also Co-Principal Investigator of the Center for Culture, Brain, and Development and Clinical Professor at the School of Medicine. An award-winning educator, he is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and recipient of several honorary fellowships. He has authored numerous articles and books, including five New York Times bestsellers.  Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.  Episode Chapters:  (00:00) - Introduction  (02:23) - Defining the Mind (03:34) - The Concept of Mindsight (06:55) - Empathy and Compassion in Medicine (15:51) - Implicit and Explicit Memory (22:34) - Therapeutic Insights and Transformative Experiences (27:03) - Exploring the Mind and Energy Flow (27:29) - Chaos and Rigidity in Patients (28:51) - Discovering Complex Systems and Emergence (31:15) - The Wheel of Awareness (32:21) - Integration of Consciousness Practice (33:52) - Therapeutic Value of Pure Consciousness (36:31) - Redefining the Self and Modern Culture (42:39) - Personal Reflections and Overcoming Childhood Fears (49:53) - The Power of Therapy and Brain Plasticity (51:04) - Closing Thoughts

How can parents embrace science in order to give their children the best possible environment to thrive in? Cognitive development expert Dr. Alison Gopnik joins us to discuss how navigating challenges fosters healthier adults, likening caregiving to being a gardener creating an environment where various ”plants” can thrive in different conditions. Exposing children to diverse environments helps them develop better coping mechanisms, akin to how the immune system strengthens against viruses. Dr. Gopnik is a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, where she has taught since 1988. She is a world leader in cognitive science, particularly the study of children’s learning and development. She is the author of over 100 journal articles and several books including the best-selling and critically acclaimed popular books The Scientist in the Crib, The Philosophical Baby, and The Gardener and the Carpenter. She is a fellow of the Cognitive Science Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.  Episode Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:41) - Understanding Child Development (03:58) - Children as Natural Learners (05:18) - Causal Inference in Children (11:10) - Exploration vs. Exploitation (15:40) - Adults vs. Children: Learning and Attention (19:23) - Novelty and Creativity in Adulthood (25:51) - Children's Social Problem-Solving Abilities (28:17) - The Role of Caregiving in Human Evolution (34:49) - Balancing Safety and Exploration in Parenting (41:51) - AI Learning vs. Child Learning (43:57) - Perception Box Questions and Reflections

When was the last time you felt absolutely mesmerized by something beautiful? Whether it’s seeing a breathtaking vista, losing yourself in a piece of music, or being in a crowd cheering for the same team, the feeling of awe can be all-encompassing and expansive. This week on Science of Perception Box, Dr. Dacher Keltner, one of the world’s foremost emotion scientists and a scientific advisor behind Pixar’s Inside Out, shares how we can cultivate more awe in our life and why we need this sometimes overlooked emotion.  Dr. Keltner is a professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and the faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center. He has over 200 scientific publications and six books, including Born to Be Good, The Compassionate Instinct, and The Power Paradox. Dr. Keltner is involved with the education of health care providers and judges and has consulted extensively for Google, Apple, and Pinterest on issues related to emotion and well-being. Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School Of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for The Tiny Blue Dot Foundation as well as the current Meritorious investigator and Former President of the Allen Institute For Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.  Episode Chapters:  (00:00) - Introduction (01:35) - Exploring the Concept of Awe (02:33) - Personal Experiences of Awe (04:05) - Defining and Studying Awe (05:00) - Awe Across Cultures (07:02) - Physiological and Emotional Aspects of Awe (12:34) - Awe in Animals and Evolution (16:34) - Awe and Mental Health (20:31) - Babies in Tunnels: A Surprising Reaction (21:10) - The Role of Novelty in Experiencing Awe (22:29) - Cynicism vs. Awe: A Battle of Perspectives (23:29) - Digital Technology and Artificial Awe (24:27) - Awe and PTSD: Healing Through Nature (27:16) - The Complexity of Awe: Positive and Negative Emotions (31:30) - Finding Awe in Everyday Life (34:37) - The Power of Awe in Difficult Times (37:38) - Final Thoughts and Reflections

Ever wonder why time seems to fly or crawl? From ancient philosophers to modern neuroscientists, the nature of time has captivated human curiosity. This week on Science of Perception Box, we investigate the relationships among time, memory, and perception. Dr. Davachi shares the mechanisms of how the brain encodes and retrieves memories, including why emotions and feelings play a role in our perception of time.  Lila Davachi is a prominent neuroscientist known for her research in the field of memory. She earned her PhD from Yale University in 1999 and currently holds a faculty position at Columbia University, where she leads the Davachi Memory Lab. Her work primarily focuses on understanding the processes of memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval through behavioral and cognitive neuroscientific methods. Dr. Davachi has made significant contributions to the understanding of how memories are formed and maintained in the brain. She has published extensively in academic journals, with her research being highly cited within the scientific community. In addition to her research, she is actively involved in teaching and mentoring students in psychology and neuroscience. Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation as well as the current Meritorious Investigator and Former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.  Episode Chapters:  (00:00) - Exploring Memory and Perception (04:19) - The Role of Emotions in Memory (13:32) - Therapeutic Approaches to Memory (19:25) - Time Perception and Memory (24:55) - Impact of the Pandemic on Brain Health (25:16) - Memory and Context During the Pandemic (27:34) - The Paradox of Time Perception (28:28) - Balancing Stability and Change for Mental Health (29:36) - Flow States and Time Perception (30:27) - Personal Experiences with Time Distortion (34:37) - The Construct of Time and Memory (37:34) - Perception Box Questions (43:35) - Closing Thoughts

Can psychedelics under anesthesia heal trauma? What is the latest research around ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin? That’s part of what we explore this week on Science of Perception Box. Stanford anesthesiologist Dr. Boris Heifets joins Dr. Heather Berlin and Dr. Christoph Koch to discuss the latest research on the first double-blind study on Ketamine, the placebo effect, and the therapeutic value of anesthesia-induced dreams. Dr. Boris Heifets, MD, PhD, is a board certified anesthesiologist who specializes in providing anesthesia for neurological surgery. He has practiced at Stanford since 2010. After completing residency training at Stanford, Dr. Heifets completed fellowship training in neuroanesthesiology, also at Stanford. In addition to treating patients, Dr. Heifets directs both clinical research and basic neuroscience. His research group studies how new rapid-acting psychiatric therapies like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin produce lasting changes in nervous system function, behavior, and therapeutic outcomes. Dr. Heather Berlin is a neuroscientist, clinical psychologist, and Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.  Dr. Christof Koch is Chief Scientist for the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation and the current Meritorious Investigator and former President of the Allen Institute for Brain Science. Join us for new episodes every Thursday. Follow the show on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever podcasts are found.  Love the show? Write us a review on your podcast app, or tell a friend about the show.  Visit unlikelycollaborators.com for more information.  Episode Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction (01:34) - Exploring Psychedelics and Anesthesiology (02:53) - Dr. Boris Heifetz's Background (04:32) - Understanding Anesthesia and Consciousness (07:56) - The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelics (10:48) - Challenges in Psychedelic Research (18:00) - Innovative Approaches in Psychedelic Medicine (24:35) - Introduction to the Study and Consent Process (24:50) - Patient Interviews and Priming for Ketamine (25:33) - Surgical Anesthesia and Placebo Effect (26:28) - Unexpected Placebo Findings (26:45) - Implications for Psychedelic Studies (27:32) - Harnessing the Placebo Effect (31:47) - Dream States and Anesthesia (38:22) - Transformative Experiences in Clinical Care (42:53) - Personal Reflections and Gratitude (47:07) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts