24 APR 2024 · Humans have been engineering strategies to reduce the risks of life for as long as humans have been engineering everything. As it relates to addiction, harm reduction is a stragegy that emerged to help prevent the spread of disease and has been successfully applied to supporting people with chemical dependency. We explore the criticisms, concerns, and science behind harm reduction.  Recommendations - Abraham: Cocaine Bear (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14209916/) - Shane: Charles Bukowski - Hollywood (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38505.Hollywood) - Bonus: National Harm Reduction Coalition (https://harmreduction.org/) Links:  - https://youtu.be/Llm5vVybJWw?si=MtwfI2gl_ZYq_mul - https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/harm-reduction - https://www.hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/ - https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/harm-reduction - https://harmreduction.org/about-us/principles-of-harm-reduction/ - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0306460396000421 - https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2001.10400463 - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196064420313871 - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11606-021-06904-4 - https://academic.oup.com/smr/article-abstract/10/1/3/6880246 - https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0230886 - https://accp1.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcph.1937 - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16203323/ - Walley AY, Xuan Z, Hackman HH, et al. Opioid overdose rates and implementation of overdose education and nasal naloxone distribution in Massachusetts: interrupted time series analysis. BMJ. 2013;346:f174. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.f174 - https://americanaddictioncenters.org/harm-reduction - Aspinall, E. J., Nambiar, D., Goldberg, D. J., Hickman, M., Weir, A., Van Velzen, E., . . . Hutchinson, S. J. (2014). Are needle and syringe programmes associated with a reduction in HIV transmission among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Epidemiol, 43(1), 235- 248. doi:10.1093/ije/dyt243 - Bernard, C. L., Owens, D. K., Goldhaber-Fiebert, J. D., & Brandeau, M. L. (2017). Estimation of the cost-effectiveness of HIV prevention portfolios for people who inject drugs in the United States: A model-based analysis. PLoS Med, 14(5). doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002312 - https://www.cdc.gov/ssp/syringe-services-programs-summary.html - https://www.aamc.org/news/drug-overdoses-soar-more-providers-embrace-harm-reduction - doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.06.591 - Des Jarlais, D.C., Feelemyer, J., McKnight, C. et al. Is your syringe services program cost-saving to society? A methodological case study. Harm Reduct J 18, 126 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-021-00575-4 - Ijioma, S. C., Pontinha, V. M., Holdford, D. A., & Carroll, N. V. (2021). Cost-effectiveness of syringe service programs, medications for opioid use disorder, and combination programs in hepatitis C harm reduction among opioid injection drug users: a public payer perspective using a decision tree. Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy, 27(2), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.18553/jmcp.2021.27.2.137

22 APR 2024 · Welcome to our new episode format, the mini! Although this is our second one, we are still excited to be exploring this new way of doing episodes. This discusion explores how lotteries came to be and why we pursue them with such vigor.

17 APR 2024 · The saga continues as we explore the historical policy blunder that was the "War on Drugs." What lead to the development of this idea? We review the distinction between what was stated and what actually happened, and, of course, who won the war? spoiler it was drugs.  Recommendations - Abraham: Speechify App (https://speechify.com/?source=fb-for-mobile&via=nguyen-linh-nam&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xRZ-vEPaqs8c7IAr7jeYUXdDNtP0Wgtf92Chyk99jyGJIJ9V8rSv1QaAtWbEALw_wcB) - Shane: Amber Brooke Farms (https://amberbrookefarms.com/blueberry-festival/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwiMmwBhDmARIsABeQ7xR6jxy-33SjkhqahM3-YTrIh3z-c_FCR06EM3mfz9EAH1FvdLQtTFQaAuB5EALw_wcB)  Links and References:  - https://oig.justice.gov/sites/default/files/archive/special/9712/ch01p1.htm - https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/big-white-lie-cia-and-cocainecrack-epidemic - https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/special/cia.html - https://enditforgood.com/content/50th-anniversary-of-war-on-drugs-it-never-worked-different-approach-needed/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnv-vBhBdEiwABCYQA7Yhc5ZPj339VVFmO9fUz9zl41doaebUygZeBcV8DjPpe1oUcuLykxoC6p8QAvD_BwE - https://drugpolicy.org/drug-war-stats/?ms=5J1_24GoogleGrant&utm_source=GoogleSEM&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SEM&sc=&cid=7011K000001tKzkQAE&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwnv-vBhBdEiwABCYQA2Kns_vgVsD_DDHjq1R4xdIuy6j8gKrWRcCowl1mY0qFXrhlz2wCqxoCbyUQAvD_BwE - https://cdn.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/PRI_war-on-drugs-briefing_March-2013.pdf - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9302017/ - https://civilrights.org/blog/americas-war-on-drugs-50-years-later/ - https://www.npr.org/2021/06/17/1006495476/after-50-years-of-the-war-on-drugs-what-good-is-it-doing-for-us

15 APR 2024 · Welcome to our first ever new episode format that we are trying out. These miniature episodes will be supplemental, additional episodes that we release every week alongside our normal full-length episodes. This first installment is exploring the weird tradition of people slapping peices of our flesh together to show appreciation. We started recording these quite a while ago, so, apologies if there are some somewhat dated references...  Enjoy! Links:  - https://www.theatreinparis.com/blog/why-are-we-clapping-a-history-of-applause#:~:text=The%20meaning%20of%20clapping%20is,in%20response%20to%20being%20aroused. - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/202201/why-we-clap-the-psychology-applause#:~:text=Clapping%20can%20be%20a%20sign,a%20universal%20body%20language%20signal. - https://books.google.com/books/about/An_Uncommon_History_of_Common_Things.html?id=bcaXzXPP8ooC

10 APR 2024 · The disease model of addiction is a popular philosophical approach to dependency. The idea is to remove fault and blame from the addicted individual. Further, there are a lot of parallels between addiction and illness. However, there are some drawbacks to conceptualizing addiction as a disease. We talk through the benefits and our reservations about using the disease framework for understanding disease.  Recommendations - Abraham: Cutco Knives (https://www.cutco.com/) - Shane: Godzilla x Kong: New Empire (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14539740/) Links and References:  - https://www.hazeldenbettyford.org/research-studies/addiction-research/brain-disease-model - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5672554/ - https://drugfree.org/article/is-addiction-a-disease/#:~:text=The%20disease%20model%20of%20addiction,-Addiction%20is%20defined&text=These%20include%20behavioral%2C%20psychological%2C%20environmental,developing%20a%20substance%20use%20disorder. - https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/diseases/#:~:text=Brain%20disease%20affects%20millions%20worldwide,traumatic%20brain%20injury%2C%20and%20more. - https://www.cbhic.com/post/what-are-the-three-major-models-of-addiction - https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/understanding-addiction/0/steps/245163#:~:text=The%20common%20core%20assumptions%20of,is%20the%20defining%20observable%20pathology. - https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/disease-model#:~:text=While%20the%20disease%20model%20was,formalized%20largely%20in%20the%201980s.

3 APR 2024 · Alcohol dependency is a complicated condition that has killed a staggering number of people. Fortinuately, many people have banded together to support one another through behavior changes to reinvent their life without this dependency. One such program truly dominates the known landscape of addiction interventions: Alcoholics Anonymous. Yet, the effectiveness of the AA program and the "active ingredient" in its method have remained shrouded in ambiguity for nearly a century. Recent scientific research has finally begun to reveal the evidence around Alcoholics Anonymous as an intervention for dependency.  Recommendations - Abraham: The Creator (https://www.20thcenturystudios.com/movies/the-creator) John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Madeleine Yuna Voyles, Allison Janney - Shane: Ghostbusters - Frozen Empire (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21235248/)  Links and Referenes:  - https://doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2005.01600.x - https://doi.org/10.15288/jsa.1996.57.65 - https://doi.org/10.1080/10550880902772464 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2007.07.014 - https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD005032.pub2 - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/ - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1678-5_3 - https://www.avenuesrecovery.com/blog/why-aa-is-harmful/ - https://www.practicalrecovery.com/aas-dominance-in-the-us-is-harmful/ - https://www.sanctuary.net/blog/whats-wrong-with-alcoholics-anonymous/ - https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/03/26/395310213/critic-faults-alcoholics-anonymous-for-lack-of-evidence - https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/aa-is-faith-based-not-evidence-based/ - https://www.sossobriety.org/ - https://alcohol.org/alcoholics-anonymous/alternatives-to-the-aa-approach/ - https://www.verywellmind.com/secular-alcohol-and-drug-rehab-programs-67702 - https://www.aa.org/twelve-steps-twelve-traditions - https://recoveryfirst.org/alcohol-abuse/how-does-a-a-work/ - https://www.discovermagazine.com/health/how-effective-is-alcoholics-anonymous - https://theconversation.com/does-alcoholics-anonymous-actually-work-179665 - https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/human-brain/alcoholism7.htm?srch_tag=nsfk6pbgbpwfrd2thlmtrzgl5tu35jso - https://people.howstuffworks.com/serenity-prayer.htm?srch_tag=nsfk6pbgbpwfrd2thlmtrzgl5tu35jso - https://www.columbusrecoverycenter.com/alcohol-addiction/history-of-aa/ - https://youtu.be/aZIDCMbJZ-g?si=VLIxyoxZ1ToVILZI

27 MAR 2024 · Most people are only one or two nodes away from someone who has struggled with some sort of addiction, or may struggle themselves. But what is this phenomenon? The definition has been tricky to pin down because addiction can span chemicals to behaviors, can go undetected or be overt, and can have seemingly creep up out of nowhere. But what all addiction has in common is harm to the user. We are embarking on an odyssey of episodes to explore the many facets of addiction from philosophy to intervention. Today is just the beginning.  If you are somone you know is struggling with suicide or crisis, call 988.  Recommendations - Abraham: Five Nights at Freddy’s (https://www.fivenightsatfreddys.movie/)  - Shane: Chamblin Bookmine (https://www.chamblinbookmine.com/) Links and References:  - https://www.asam.org/quality-care/definition-of-addiction - https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addiction - https://dictionary.apa.org/brain-disorder - https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6407-addiction - https://drugabusestatistics.org/ - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5328289/#:~:text=The%20DSM%2D5%20specifically%20lists,%3B%20stimulants%3B%20and%20tobacco). - https://diamondrehabthailand.com/addiction-types/ - https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/drug-addiction-genes-environment - https://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/genes#:~:text=The%20A1%20form%20(allele)%20of,than%20normal%E2%80%94especially%20under%20stress.

20 MAR 2024 · Have you thought about what you'll do if a significant disaster destroys most of humankind? Perhaps you've prepared for the zombie apocalypse or a nuclear winter. What will humans do if we are faced with end times? We look through the history of extinction-level natural disasters that nearly killed off all humans and how we somehow pulled through... and what this tells us about what to expect if we are faced with yet another world-ending catastrophe.  Recommendations - Abraham: Apiary (https://stonemaiergames.com/games/apiary/) - Shane: Pacific Rim (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1663662/) Links and References:  - https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/human-ancestors-nearly-went-extinct-900-000-years-ago/ - https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq7487 - https://www.history.com/news/prehistoric-ancestors-population-decline - https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/how-long-humans-survive-zombie-apocalypse-scientists-a7513941.html - https://nypost.com/2017/01/05/no-one-would-actually-survive-a-zombie-apocalypse/ - https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/five-apocalypses-humanity-has-survived - https://eprints.lse.ac.uk/22514/1/2308Ramadams.pdf - https://emergency.cdc.gov/cerc/ppt/CERC_Psychology_of_a_Crisis.pdf

13 MAR 2024 · This re-run updates a previous episode on our musings about what aphantasia is, and the purpose of diagnoses. This condition describes people who can't see with their mind's eye. But, what does that mean? How would you know? Do we have aphantasia? Do you? We'll never know. Recommendations - Abraham? Project Ironside (https://ironsidegametable.com/) - Shane: Electric Shark Tattoo (https://electricsharktattoo.com/) Links and References - Arcangeli, M. Aphantasia demystified. Synthese 201, 31 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-022-04027-9 - https://aphantasia.com/article/science/visualisers-fallacy/ - Milton, F., Fulford, J., Dance, C., Gaddum, J., Heuerman-Williamson, B., Jones, K., Knight, K. F., MacKisack, M., Winlove, C., & Zeman, A. (2021). Behavioral and Neural Signatures of Visual Imagery Vividness Extremes: Aphantasia versus Hyperphantasia. Cerebral cortex communications, 2(2), tgab035. https://doi.org/10.1093/texcom/tgab035

6 MAR 2024 · Psychologists and philosophers speculated for centuries trying to understand how the conscious experience of the mind relates to the physical substrate of the body. Is the mind just the process of our gooey brains, or something more? It's our brains. But we'll unpack it all. Recommendations - Abraham: The Fox Experiment (https://pandasaurusgames.com/products/the-fox-experiment) - Shane: Black House by Stephen King and Peter Straub (https://stephenking.com/works/novel/black-house.html) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support. Links: - https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/mind-body-problem#:~:text=The%20mind%2Dbody%20problem%20is,of%20physical%20phenomena%20or%20not. - https://philosophy.stackexchange.com/questions/23115/what-does-the-mind-body-problem-mean#:~:text=The%20mind%2Dbody%20problem%20is%20essentially%20the%20question%20of%20whether,the%20same%20thing%20(the%20way - https://www.jstor.org/stable/2254848 - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9780470514412.ch1 - https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-46742-4_13 - https://philpapers.org/rec/GARHBA