FLAME with Brad Hook
Your Brain Is Being Hacked — How to Reclaim Control
Physician and Unstoppable Brain author Dr Kyra Bobinet on the habenula — the brain's 'failure circuit' — and how algorithmic platforms exploit it to shape motivation, addiction and mood.
The habenula is a tiny structure with an outsized job: it registers failure and dials down motivation. Kyra's argument is that AI-driven platforms — feeds, streaks, comparison mechanics — hammer this circuit relentlessly, which helps explain the modern epidemic of 'why can't I get myself to do anything?'
The hopeful half is design: understanding the circuit lets you work with it. Kyra shares the practical countermoves — iteration mindset over pass/fail thinking, and designing environments that stop triggering failure signals. A neuroscience episode with immediate everyday application.
In this episode
- The habenula — your brain's failure circuit
- How algorithmic platforms exploit it
- Why motivation collapses and what restores it
- Iteration mindset over pass/fail self-judgement
- Designing your environment to stop signalling failure
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