Building Your Best Brain 37121h

Welcome back to Building Your Best Brain! This might just be my geekiest episode yet—and honestly, it’s long overdue. In this foundational episode, we’re diving into the basics of neuroscience—the tools I believe everyone should have in their mental toolbox to better understand what’s going on in their brain and body. Whether you’re learning something new, fact-checking brain claims you see online, or just want a quick refresher—this episode is your go-to guide. Think of it as your neuroscience reference point, now and for future episodes. Here’s what we cover (with timestamps): 00:00 – Intro 01:40 – Brain resources I love 05:10 – Neurons 07:12 – Neurotransmitters 07:54 – Synaptic connections & neural communication 09:39 – What is a neural circuit? 11:48 – How circuits are formed 15:00 – “Cells that fire together, wire together” 15:46 – Defining neuroplasticity 17:45 – Major parts of the brain 22:10 – Neural networks 26:26 – Brain wave activity 31:40 – Brain entrainment What should we explore next? 🌀 Breathwork & stress? 🧘‍♀️ Meditation & the brain? 🧠 Neuro & brain entrainment? DM me or comment to cast your vote! Let’s keep learning how to get our brains working for us—not against us. — Let’s connect: 📱 Instagram & TikTok – @synaptic.sylvie🎥 YouTube – Synaptic Sylvie🌐 Website – synapticsylvie.com🧘‍♀️ Insight Timer – Synaptic Sylvie Bonus Resource: 🧠 Khan Academy’s Intro to Neuroscience  

Welcome back to Building Your Best Brain! This might just be my geekiest episode yet—and honestly, it’s long overdue. In this foundational episode, we’re diving into the basics of neuroscience—the tools I believe everyone should have in their mental toolbox to better understand what’s going on in their brain and body. Whether you’re learning something new, fact-checking brain claims you see online, or just want a quick refresher—this episode is your go-to guide. Think of it as your neuroscience reference point, now and for future episodes. Here’s what we cover (with timestamps): 00:00 – Intro 01:40 – Brain resources I love 05:10 – Neurons 07:12 – Neurotransmitters 07:54 – Synaptic connections & neural communication 09:39 – What is a neural circuit? 11:48 – How circuits are formed 15:00 – “Cells that fire together, wire together” 15:46 – Defining neuroplasticity 17:45 – Major parts of the brain 22:10 – Neural networks 26:26 – Brain wave activity 31:40 – Brain entrainment What should we explore next? 🌀 Breathwork & stress? 🧘‍♀️ Meditation & the brain? 🧠 Neuro & brain entrainment? DM me or comment to cast your vote! Let’s keep learning how to get our brains working for us—not against us. — Let’s connect: 📱 Instagram & TikTok – @synaptic.sylvie🎥 YouTube – Synaptic Sylvie🌐 Website – synapticsylvie.com🧘‍♀️ Insight Timer – Synaptic Sylvie Bonus Resource: 🧠 Khan Academy’s Intro to Neuroscience  

Welcome back to Building Your Best Brain! This episode features the incredible Dr. Claudia Belliveau—a neuroscientist, science communicator, and entrepreneur who’s ionate about making science accessible to everyone. Claudia earned her PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and founded a scientific consulting company during her studies to bridge the gap between research and the public. Today, she’s a freelance science consultant, content creator, and small business owner, running an Instagram platform with 85K+ followers and crafting unique gifts for recent graduates. She’s also navigating the transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry.   In this episode, we cover: Claudia’s journey from research to consulting to social media The challenges of science communication & battling misinformation How to strengthen your communication skills Overcoming imposter syndrome Treating productivity like a recipe The importance of celebrating your wins   Connect with Claudia: Instagram/TikTok: @c.belliveau.science Website: cbelliveauscience.com  Resources Mentioned: NIH (National Institutes of Health) – https://www.nih.gov WHO (World Health Organization) – https://www.who.int Harvard Press – https://www.hup.harvard.edu

Welcome back to Building Your Best Brain! This episode features the incredible Dr. Claudia Belliveau—a neuroscientist, science communicator, and entrepreneur who’s ionate about making science accessible to everyone. Claudia earned her PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and founded a scientific consulting company during her studies to bridge the gap between research and the public. Today, she’s a freelance science consultant, content creator, and small business owner, running an Instagram platform with 85K+ followers and crafting unique gifts for recent graduates. She’s also navigating the transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry.   In this episode, we cover: Claudia’s journey from research to consulting to social media The challenges of science communication & battling misinformation How to strengthen your communication skills Overcoming imposter syndrome Treating productivity like a recipe The importance of celebrating your wins   Connect with Claudia: Instagram/TikTok: @c.belliveau.science Website: cbelliveauscience.com  Resources Mentioned: NIH (National Institutes of Health) – https://www.nih.gov WHO (World Health Organization) – https://www.who.int Harvard Press – https://www.hup.harvard.edu

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain! In this episode, we: Outline my "Meditation and Your Brain" workshop Share a sneak peek of two out of five of my favorite studies on the long-term benefits of meditation for your brain, especially for experienced meditators Open the floor for your questions, so we can dive even deeper into these fascinating topics Drop your questions below, and don’t forget to follow along for more tips on building your best brain! Study 1 (BDNF) - Gomutbutra et al., 2020, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02209. Study 2 (epigenetics) - Chaix et al., 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.08.016. Instagram/TikTok - @synaptic.sylvie YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@synaptic.sylvie5584 Website - synapticsylvie.com InsightTimer - https://insighttimer.com/synaptic.sylvie/  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain! In this episode, we: Outline my "Meditation and Your Brain" workshop Share a sneak peek of two out of five of my favorite studies on the long-term benefits of meditation for your brain, especially for experienced meditators Open the floor for your questions, so we can dive even deeper into these fascinating topics Drop your questions below, and don’t forget to follow along for more tips on building your best brain! Study 1 (BDNF) - Gomutbutra et al., 2020, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.02209. Study 2 (epigenetics) - Chaix et al., 2017, doi: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.08.016. Instagram/TikTok - @synaptic.sylvie YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@synaptic.sylvie5584 Website - synapticsylvie.com InsightTimer - https://insighttimer.com/synaptic.sylvie/  

Welcome to Building Your Best Brain Podcast! And Happy New Year! First episode of 2025! And we kick it off with a brilliant guest (and first one ever on this podcast! Our Brain loves a good first!) Here we are chatting about all things neuroscience, work-place and burn out prevention!   In this episode we cover: A masterclass announcement Stress Detox happening January 26th 12 pm EST (see link with promo code below) Nina’s story how she went from burn-out to a thriving business owner in work-life  The definition of burnout  What is good workplace stress vs. bad workplace stress Perfectionism at the workplace Burnout personality profiles How Nina helps companies prevent employee burnout How Nina balances worklife and PhD life   Nina’s Bio Nina Nesdoly is a speaker, researcher, and expert on the neuroscience of work-life balance, stress, and burnout prevention. She leverages her background in neuroscience (BSc) and Management (MSc) to help people and organizations build better work-life balance. Nina is currently her pursuing her PhD study work-related stress and her TEDx Talk “How to relieve stress when you’re overwhelmed” was selected as an Editor’s Pick by TED   Resources from Nina Nina’s website -  https://www.ninanesdoly.com/ Nina’s TedEx - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G1zyFoAaMc IG, TikTok - @Ninanesdoly Workplace culture paper - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/job.2832 Lewin equation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewin%27s_equation#:~:text=This%20equation%20was%20first%20presented,Topological%20Psychology%2C%20published%20in%201936.   live virtual workshop “Stress Detox : Master Your Stress with Science” if you are done guessing how to manage your stress and ready to train your brain to respond in a different way.  Don’t forget to use the promo code for 25% off - SYNAPTIC25 https://buy.stripe.com/14kg2S3rIarh3UA9AA  

Welcome to Building Your Best Brain Podcast! And Happy New Year! First episode of 2025! And we kick it off with a brilliant guest (and first one ever on this podcast! Our Brain loves a good first!) Here we are chatting about all things neuroscience, work-place and burn out prevention!   In this episode we cover: A masterclass announcement Stress Detox happening January 26th 12 pm EST (see link with promo code below) Nina’s story how she went from burn-out to a thriving business owner in work-life  The definition of burnout  What is good workplace stress vs. bad workplace stress Perfectionism at the workplace Burnout personality profiles How Nina helps companies prevent employee burnout How Nina balances worklife and PhD life   Nina’s Bio Nina Nesdoly is a speaker, researcher, and expert on the neuroscience of work-life balance, stress, and burnout prevention. She leverages her background in neuroscience (BSc) and Management (MSc) to help people and organizations build better work-life balance. Nina is currently her pursuing her PhD study work-related stress and her TEDx Talk “How to relieve stress when you’re overwhelmed” was selected as an Editor’s Pick by TED   Resources from Nina Nina’s website -  https://www.ninanesdoly.com/ Nina’s TedEx - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G1zyFoAaMc IG, TikTok - @Ninanesdoly Workplace culture paper - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/job.2832 Lewin equation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewin%27s_equation#:~:text=This%20equation%20was%20first%20presented,Topological%20Psychology%2C%20published%20in%201936.   live virtual workshop “Stress Detox : Master Your Stress with Science” if you are done guessing how to manage your stress and ready to train your brain to respond in a different way.  Don’t forget to use the promo code for 25% off - SYNAPTIC25 https://buy.stripe.com/14kg2S3rIarh3UA9AA  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In today’s episode we talk about:    How stress gets a bad rep and that is misleading  How presentation of stressors impacts your brain  The two different stress response your brain has and how it impacts your body A personal example of how I used stress to my advantage  The perception shift that has made a HUGE difference in my life.   Got questions? Drop them in the comment section below and follow along for more tips on how to build your best brain.  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In today’s episode we talk about:    How stress gets a bad rep and that is misleading  How presentation of stressors impacts your brain  The two different stress response your brain has and how it impacts your body A personal example of how I used stress to my advantage  The perception shift that has made a HUGE difference in my life.   Got questions? Drop them in the comment section below and follow along for more tips on how to build your best brain.  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In today’s episode we talk about:    How I do the MOST in my life The science behind why doing the MOST is hurting your brain Some simple shifts I use to do less   Looking for more examples? More tools? Got questions? Drop them in the comment section below and follow along for more tips on how to build your best brain.  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In today’s episode we talk about:    How I do the MOST in my life The science behind why doing the MOST is hurting your brain Some simple shifts I use to do less   Looking for more examples? More tools? Got questions? Drop them in the comment section below and follow along for more tips on how to build your best brain.  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In today’s episode we talk about: 5 reasons why meditation is NOT for you Finding your WHY when it comes to meditation Journal prompts to set up a consistent meditation practise   Use these following journal prompts once to establish what your meditation practise looks and feels like (use as many senses as possible)! This will stimulate the right circuits before you even dive into your practise.  Whenever you are struggling to meditate, pull these answers back up to remind yourself how it looks and feels like. Journal about your BEFORE What activities are you doing right before, how to prepare, your setup, where is your phone, how to feel Journal about your DURING What time of day is it, where are you, what is around you, what are you wearing, what is our state of being Journal about your AFTER What are your closing activities, how do you feel, what do you do next, how does the rest of your day feel You can always come back to this to refine your meditation practise set up, so be kind Message me to let me know how it is going and follow along for more tips on how to build your best brain.  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In today’s episode we talk about: 5 reasons why meditation is NOT for you Finding your WHY when it comes to meditation Journal prompts to set up a consistent meditation practise   Use these following journal prompts once to establish what your meditation practise looks and feels like (use as many senses as possible)! This will stimulate the right circuits before you even dive into your practise.  Whenever you are struggling to meditate, pull these answers back up to remind yourself how it looks and feels like. Journal about your BEFORE What activities are you doing right before, how to prepare, your setup, where is your phone, how to feel Journal about your DURING What time of day is it, where are you, what is around you, what are you wearing, what is our state of being Journal about your AFTER What are your closing activities, how do you feel, what do you do next, how does the rest of your day feel You can always come back to this to refine your meditation practise set up, so be kind Message me to let me know how it is going and follow along for more tips on how to build your best brain.  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In today’s episode we talk about:   Your limbic system Neurobiology of your fear response  Emotions as energetic fuel    Looking for more examples? More tools? Got questions? Drop them in the comment section below and follow along for more tips on how to build your best brain.    

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In today’s episode we talk about:   Your limbic system Neurobiology of your fear response  Emotions as energetic fuel    Looking for more examples? More tools? Got questions? Drop them in the comment section below and follow along for more tips on how to build your best brain.    

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain   In this episode we:   Define the clinical and scientific definition of placebo effect Unpack a fMRI study looking at placebo and pain relief  How to apply placebo to your limiting beliefs    Drop your questions below and follow along for more tips on building your best brain!   Study video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REaiu-7wRvs&t=112s Review paper placebo and pain- https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-021542 Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/synaptic.sylvie/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC95czIeiOSSdeQLjbJUw Website - https://yoga-with-synapticsylvie.square.site InsightTimer - https://insighttimer.com/synaptic.sylvie/guided-meditations/refresh-and-renew_1?_branch_match_id=1229844450865890638&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=home&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8wrzkzXyyjRL%2FaPcvctS05ycU8CALuBbPYcAAAA  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain   In this episode we:   Define the clinical and scientific definition of placebo effect Unpack a fMRI study looking at placebo and pain relief  How to apply placebo to your limiting beliefs    Drop your questions below and follow along for more tips on building your best brain!   Study video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REaiu-7wRvs&t=112s Review paper placebo and pain- https://www.annualreviews.org/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-pharmtox-010818-021542 Instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/synaptic.sylvie/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC95czIeiOSSdeQLjbJUw Website - https://yoga-with-synapticsylvie.square.site InsightTimer - https://insighttimer.com/synaptic.sylvie/guided-meditations/refresh-and-renew_1?_branch_match_id=1229844450865890638&utm_source=copy&utm_medium=home&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz8wrzkzXyyjRL%2FaPcvctS05ycU8CALuBbPYcAAAA  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In this episode we: Little life update Whats next for the podcast this month  Why triggers are your brain’s best friend   Drop your questions below and follow along for more tips on building your best brain!  

Welcome to another episode of Building Your Best Brain podcast!   In this episode we: Little life update Whats next for the podcast this month  Why triggers are your brain’s best friend   Drop your questions below and follow along for more tips on building your best brain!