Positive News Recap #2: Syncing Brains, Ayahuasca Clarity, & God as a Drug

Mayim and Jonathan sit down for another positive news stories recap! They cover a study suggesting our brains sync as we interact with one another, breaking down how mirror neurons wire us to fit in and the positive and negative impacts of emotionally connecting with others. They also share the findings of a brain scan study showing ayahuasca’s profound impact, including its effects on the imagination, how hallucinatory drugs dampen some senses while heightening others, and even the cultural connotations of ayahuasca use. Mayim and Jonathan discuss how belief in God can trigger the same parts of the brain as drug use and explain group thinking, ties between the civil rights movement and religion, and why connection to music can be spiritual.
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[@SteffiLynn06]

I am a abuse, sexual assault, homelessness, food insecurity survivor and a veteran with cPTSD. I was non-functional in 2019-2020. I got married in 2022 and my wife and I went to Costa Rica for an Ayahuasca retreat for our honeymoon. I was pretty desperate for some movement in my PTSD therapy and after 20 years of medication and therapy with severely worsening symptoms of self-harm and even harming others. I was dissociating to the point of losing full days with little recollection of what happened. I became afraid to drive because I would get lost going to places I drove regularly. I'll also say that I am NOT one to do psychedelics or any drug harder the Marijuana and I hardly drink even wine coolers. Ayahuasca helped me to get my life back. I was shown who I had become - someone who was run by fear and anxiety and what I needed to do to get better. It didn't "cure" me so much as show me how to heal myself. Over a year later, I'm better than I've been in 25+ years. No medication, no hospitalizations, no suicidal thoughts or self harm. It was work though. I have a counselor, although not a medical but spiritual. I can't say if I'll necessarily do it a 2nd time because I don't see the need but maybe if I feel stalled in my progress. I don't know. It wasn't a pleasant experience. Actually it was pretty awful and terrifying at times. I hope this helps someone.

[@TryingNotToPanic]

Interesting! I'm trying mushrooms and have felt similarly. One big trip and now just microdosing. It stripped my ego away made me look hard in the mirror. I cried a lot. But also appreciated life for what it can be if I work for it. Congrats on working on yourself it's not easy!!!

[@jenniferm3028]

I did have a home birth, and my dog stayed nearby but he was super calm and respectful of my space. He did come check on me at one point during transition when things got a little loud, but then went back to his spot and just shared his calm supportive energy with the room!

[@MayimBialik]

Love this !! 🐕🫶

[@RohnertHolger]

Free your mind with

[@RohnertHolger]

Anti Anxiety Universe(((

[@RohnertHolger]

On Telegram

[@andreamccrossen179]

Didn't have a home birth, but my dog knew I was pregnant before I did. He never left my side throughout my pregnancy.

[@KristinM626]

I really enjoy these episodes. If you ever don’t have a guest, I’d be okay with a longer version of this

[@RohnertHolger]

I also enjoyed the episodes I’ll advise you join

[@RohnertHolger]

Anti Anxiety Universe*=*

[@RohnertHolger]

On Telegram

[@Amandinha0_0]

I'm a Christian, and I loved that phrase about the intellect being something divided, I love the sciences and I love when it proves and explains some things related to the bible and faith. You are 100% correct, the act of doing things (anything) as if it were for God, is a huge achievement, not just following rules, doing it because you love someone greater than you, helping, serving, thinking about others and yourself physical and mental care, this releases the happiness hormone (dopamine if I'm not mistaken). The same with exercising and being in nature, the Bible already instructs us to take care of the body, soul and mind, the best way is to combine nature, exercise and prayer 😂

[@marisamartinezolivera]

Our brains are design to collaborate. YESS! Even more. As an architect in my 60’s, leader/chief of a big, creative and active Architectural office with architects, engineers and civil engineers used to teamworking while projecting, Collective Ingeligence does exist even from the first drafts after shared brainstormings at the beginning of our projects. Some groups are able to develop it more than others, and are able to increase it to levels close to perfection. Thinking as a collective. Anticipating what is thinking one another. I use to call us The Good Borgs (🙏🏼 fo the Star Trek reference, but as an old trekkie myself, an Enterprise NCC701D model hangs in my own office from time ago..). Such great but too short episode! 👏🏻🧠❤

[@jobethk588]

Love this! I am intellectually starved. Y’all’s conversations on well researched, meaningful topics like this are food for my mind and soul. Definitely going to check out Andrew Hipp. Best podcast ever! Peace, love and joy!

[@georgi9514]

Same here❤

[@angelasaulnier2628]

Thank you for bringing up Ayahuasca. I’m someone that has tried many different prescriptions for my childhood traumas but none has ever worked. I’m waiting for my psychiatrist to come back from “ studying “ the Ayahuasca and am scared but really looking forward to trying in a safe environment. Thank for bringing it in the conversation. Peace Love and light

[@MayimBialik]

Wishing you all the best on the next step of your healing journey, Angela!! 🧠🫶

[@louisbonilla6780]

The level of mental health studies that you and Jonathan share with us should be rewarded with comments that express our gratitude for this wonderful free education - I look forward to new episodes every week - Thank You Mayim & Jonathan!❤

[@RohnertHolger]

Thank me later after joining

[@RohnertHolger]

Anti Anxiety Universe\||

[@RohnertHolger]

On Telegram

[@rosem6877]

LOVED this episode, the topics especially the science of faith! MORE, please. I was a hippie, Jonathan, now a devout Catholic! Nice interaction of joy between you two.

[@orland0110]

This is another great episode and interesting topic. Two Mayim videos in one week is so awesome. Thank you so much for being here Mayim! ❤

[@betsylindsay8480]

Dogs give a shit, in more ways than one. Having done end of life care the last 15 years, can attest that if there is a canine in the house their demeanor usually changes and signals when the client is starting their final transition. Some cats do, too.

[@AdeebaZamaan]

The only thing I've ever seen born was the kittens my calico Kali got herself pregnant with while I was driving a medicine man to a powwow. When I got home I thought someone had broken in, but then realized that the screen had been pushed out from the inside. I went outside and called her. She came running, wound herself around my ankles, and said, "Mama, I'm a WOMAN now!" I said, "Oh shit." Sure enough, by July, I was calling her MelonKali because she was lying around being round and hot. The morning of the Fourth, she woke me up and said, "It's time!" I looked at my watch. "Half an hour," I promised. "But it's TIME!" she insisted. "Oh, THAT kind of time!" I put her in the laundry basket and watched natural Lamaze. Jan came over to watch and Kali trailed me to the door with a kitten hanging half out. She insisted I stay with her until all five kittens were born. Those were the only times she ever talked to me.

[@jobethk588]

I needed this right now… I just finished watching The Meidas Touch’s coverage of Trump’s Meltdown. Lord, help us all.

[@jessicasinclair1547]

I didn't have a home birth, but I did labour at home for over 20 hrs and my dog was stuck to me the whole time....she wasn't even happy when my husband tried to sit next to me lol.

[@MayimBialik]

!!! 🐶🥹

[@altaresjoyceee]

While eating dinner, I just watched this with my fiancé. This was a lot of fun to watch, there are so many topics and there are a lot of lessons to be learned. I agree with everything Mayim mentioned regarding the music. There are times when I truly feel a song when I'm listening to it, but when I play or hear it with someone else, I don't always feel the same way. I'm not sure why. You know, it feels different 😅

[@curseofcontext]

really feel you, think it becomes more alive in a way because you're trying it on for size and either it's a close fit when you try it on or you feel more into how it clashes maybe? that's how it seems to me

[@thatjulsie]

I gave birth at home with my dogs around! I had a friend come for my first delivery, and one of her responsibilities was to throw the dogs outside if they tried to defend me from the midwives. But the dogs just curled up on the couch like it was a regular day. We forgot they were there. After the baby was born, they came over to meet her on their BEST manners. At another birth, I labored on my hands and knees on the carpet for quite a while, and we have pictures of our experienced mama dog keeping me company.

[@elizabethkeeling-carreau1873]

I love this episode and the explanations that help me understand the uniqueness of each of our brains. I did not have a home birth but when I was pregnant with my first son,(30 years ago), our dog that had been with my husband before we married, switched his protective behaviour from him to me. Our dog, Chi, stayed with me on every dog walk and wouldn’t let me go into the bathroom without him doing a quick peek inside and then laying across the doorway. My first pregnancy test with my doctor was false and before I went back to get a positive result two weeks later, Chi’s behaviour had already switched to protecting me. My dog confirmed my pregnancy before my doctor. Cool right? Love all of your videos Mayim and Johnathan. 🤗🇨🇦🤗

[@Amandinha0_0]

I can't wait to see this episode!!! Looking for some time to watch, because I'm Brazilian, and I'm still learning English, so I need to read the subtitles. And as I learned from Mayim, we need to do one thing at a time!! And I do several things at the same time hahhaha help😂

[@amora5085]

I definitely want to hear from Mayim after an actual genuine Ayahuasca experience and full 🍄 experience

[@davidsalvia6294]

That our brains have a template for cooperation and the integration of activities makes sense in light of emulation being one of the main ways of learning. Even people who just like being by themselves emulate others.

[@janeebarrett2463]

Mayim you are totally a star. . . Thank you for all of your sharing.

[@ji.ol.1490]

I just got the 1000th like. How cool! I shared this with someone who will benefit from it. Thank you for doing this episode.

[@FIZZGIG-RARF]

My cats always follow me into the bathroom. One of them basically wants "pee pee pets."😂 He will literally jump up and run to the bathroom every time he hears me pee

[@archaprice3372]

My dog follows me to the bathroom also, she wants me , then either jumps in my lap or walks around my legs then leaves the room. When I shut the door after her exit, she either continues walking away or turns back scratching on the door signifying she not ready to leave the rest room after all.

[@FIZZGIG-RARF]

@archaprice3372 Ahh, the joys of pets! Hahaha! Not gonna lie, I low key love it.. maybe an even higher key🥰🤫😂

[@jonal42]

love u Mayim,,,,,and love all the diff topics !

[@denisegamache6611]

Awesome episode Mayim & Jonathan!

[@geriwright2365]

I loved this episode!! Thank you!!

[@farhaddaghighian6704]

Mirroring also causes a person to feel the pain of another person, therefore empathy between human beings!

[@janicesuddath9737]

My cats do the same thing - they sit outside the door facing out like they're guarding me

[@karendiehl2963]

i love the info you give us ... thank you thank thank you

[@dalemu1944]

Love your show, keep them coming.

[@thomlindgren6253]

I always enjoy your episodes. I was wondering if you ever look for guest that might be interesting I’d like to suggest Simone Giertz. She is an inventor and web personality. Her brain works very unique and she had named her brain tumor when sh had one. She is incredible and I think that you and her would be an outstanding guest. I grew up in a house with hospital births but it was always interesting seeing the family dog get to meet the new additions. Thank for sharing.

[@hannahmaggs5835]

Fantastic! I have behavioural neuroscience in my degree next semester! Super helpful :) 😊

[@Tina-bd9et]

Another great episode. I believe Mayim is right. We are spiritual beings living in these natural bodies while we are here on Earth. I am however probably best described as a Christian Hippy. Jesus is for me and God provides much of what we need in the world. Grounding, water, the sun, minerals and gems. Many natural resources are under utilized these days. Thanks for bringing good news‼️😎♥️

[@jobethk588]

2nd time listening. I will even try to listen through ads to help pay you for sharing this. ❤

[@charlotteblanchard]

Regarding DMT… if it’s true that our brain releases that compound upon death (resulting in the “near death experience” many have reported who’ve been resuscitated), I wonder how it can create such visions in a brain that is otherwise dead. They should do an FMRI on a person (or mouse) who has just passed away to see exactly what is happening in the brain after it dies, and for how long etc. 🤔

[@jmsl_910]

such an uplifting episode (i just listened on spotify!)

[@kaylabeshears6485]

Learning about mirror neurons was huge in my parenting coach training. Calming ourselves is the essential first step to helping our kids calm down. De-escalation will never work without taking care of our own nervous systems first.

[@MayimBialik]

👆👆💯

[@margaretryan358]

this was really nice

[@thebradc]

This is so nice ! It’s hard to find positive news ! This was really fun and sort of cozy

[@debbeasher-k4764]

When I hear that quote, it means to me that God is so magnanimous that we have an intelligence that is complex and yet is different individualistic. We are created with that connection and Spiritual connection.

[@Crystalspanda]

❤ Cool, i just learned this synchronicity on Mike Rowe's show❤

[@Lorax2k2]

When a dog is going to the bathroom, they will often stare at you while going. This also is for protection. They want to make sure you are watching over them to be safe in that vulnerable position.

[@tristanbaverstock5803]

I had 3 homebirths. My first one my midwife actually recommended that we kennel our dog or have a friend take him, because they could get very protective of the laboring woman. With my 2nd and 3rd births, my dog likely slept through it.

[@Semper_Iratus]

Thank you👍.

[@garfixit]

Love you guys

[@Feuersturm1968]

I have depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Theoretically, I have already learned a lot about ayahuasca and have the feeling that it could help me. But I'm incredibly afraid of experiencing a horror trip.

[@rosem6877]

Funny, Jonathan, you should bring up combining prayer and physical exercise creating a strong positive internal feeling, I do that and it does. I actually started offering up my physical exercise, the discomfort and sweat, for the Blessed Virgin Mary’s Treasury of Graces for the souls in purgatory. I hope one day as a culture we can honor and respect each other’s authentic religious beliefs and not only be free to talk about them without being shamed or picked on, but maybe even celebrate that they exist….

[@daleenroselt4066]

i had surgery and my dog came and for a week with me on my stomach he was so gentle with me

[@BeautifulSpirit-kf5ld]

interesting I had a male cat and a female cat when pregnant . My calico female followed me around "guarded " me, and also guarded the new baby when we brought her home. The fluffy male cat , put his nose in the air and ignored the baby completely. Very interesting

[@nijenhuiseacademy4260]

Our Labrador protected a visitor's sleeping newborn from a group of toddlers playing nearby.

[@Raienya]

Not just dogs, our cats do the same thing. If we shut the door, they stick their paws underneath and claw and meow.

[@xoJessikaox]

Mayim, late diagnosed, adult Autist here, I'd love to hear thoughts or references regarding said mirror neuron system and Autism/masking. Thank you!!!

[@susanbrown6458]

I didn't have a home birth, but my dog is close by my side if I'm ever unwell or post-surgery, and he always checks in when I'm going to the bathroom

[@janeebarrett2463]

Hi Mayim, I Love this about brain syncing. I just became aware that I am very likely high masking autistic. I so often feel so out of sync with people around me, most especially in terms of groups rather than individuals. Do you know if brain syncing occurs between "typical" and autistic brains?

[@kellyvanderlinde1206]

Hi Mayim,

[@jackdispennett744]

Mayim and Jonathan, if you enjoy some aspects of contemporary Christian music, i think you’d enjoy the work of Rich Mullins. He was a Christian singer/songwriter (sadly no longer with us) who had a unique style and included a plethora of biblical references in his songs, including from the Torah/Tanakh.. I don’t think KZbin will let me insert links, but if you search for “What Trouble are Giants,” “sometimes by step,” and “The World as best as I can remember it” (song, not album), those are three good samples of his more Biblical based work. I also wanted to add that as a Catholic Christian myself, I love to see Jews and Christians engage with parts of each other’s traditions. I think both of our traditions have been impoverished to the extent we’ve been intellectually sequestered from one another. Finding points of connection, especially through more emotional content like music, helps us to understand the other and connect with at least some ideas in their tradition, even if we can’t agree on everything.

[@EveryHandleIsTaken979]

This was very interesting! The religious thing made me sad because it doesn’t surprise me that it activates the reward system and gives you a feeling of belonging in a group but as someone who has a brain which cannot get comfortable with “group thinking” I am missing out on these things and can really use them. My ADHD brain has to be dynamic but is also all ready low on dopamine and would benefit from a built in system activating my reward system particularly in a group which I can dip in and out of because sometimes I need time to mentally reset and am not the best at staying in touch with everybody. So, a church/temple/religious organization would probably benefit me but my brain would naturally rebel A LOT Side note: the way you say “connectivity” took me a minute to understand, lol! I wonder if that pronunciation comes from your NY roots or your LA experience. I’m originally from the NE area and it didn’t sound like the way my NYer friends said that word, unless I somehow failed to clock it all this time, which isn’t out of the question as we actually don’t say that word all that much in every day dialog, unless we’re working at comcast or a neuroscience lab or Mental health podcast, I guess, lol

[@michadawn234]

Making this comment early in the show..so you may touch on this. Absolutely brains sync with one another. Think about the amount of times you and your coworkers dressed similarly on the same day. It happened in my last job constantly we would unknowingly were the same color shirt or the same color palette on the same days. There were many, many times that I would be thinking about a project at work. Not discussing it with anyone and my boss would bring in the materials needed or she would voice the same idea.

[@curseofcontext]

think there's a quote on mirror neurons in twin peaks that i once got stuck on, dale cooper speaking to someone? wonder if it holds up with the science, can't find it on a google search unfortunately 🕳️🐇 wonder what the context of it was considering the show 🛎️🙃🕸️ gonna try some neurofeedback (involves the EEG technology) for my adhd i'm curious to see what will happen 🧠

[@roxannetinch5552]

My daughters are enrolled in K12 school.

[@alwaysamy4]

I feel like Mayim could have doubts about psychedelics BUT not giggle and discount our experience. I am not Christian or Jewish but I don’t laugh at those who are. Your spiritual experience was no more real than my trip.

[@susanrazza9740]

I was a cook for 20 years and most co workers I worked with -we would sync. Especially when we were slammed. Now I no why.

[@kathrynsamuelson1983]

Have read the book Spontaneous Evolution? I think both of you would like it.

[@seemeeseeu]

We are creators, creating, created by Creator.

[@jonal42]

im def. a social creature !!!!!!!!!!

[@cdmc965]

When I go to the bathroom my cat and dog come in. The cat since she was a kitten would wake up and come in.

[@theunknownunknowns5168]

Just wanna consensually hug that lady. 😊 Wait... Is my euphoric craving for science knowledge spiritual as well? Also how does religion deal with the cold death of the universe?

[@KaiaIconic]

It's a flow state in dance also I have it in dance all teh Timw

[@pay_it_forward_franklin4469]

hey is Mind-Body Path: PN1?🤔🧐

[@rachelfarmer0277]

My cat is the same

[@andressanchez3504]

👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@gangoolie68]

Women cannot see their most vulnerable areas … and we often go to the bathroom in pairs

[@MaryjOKC]

LOL!!! 😂 with all four of my children my labor started in the daytime and delivered 3 of the 4 during the day time hours …that’s funny that most women go into labor in the evening…I guess I’m not most women. 😂

[@debbeasher-k4764]

My understanding is that most babies are born during a storm due to drop in barometric pressure. ? Musicians & Athletes learn the patterns, combinations of movements that are learned and thus produces the anticipation of musical/physical patterns of activities/sounds. I don't buy the connection with Evolution. Evolution is not a person that decides things that should or need to occur. I'm saying this because of my background and correlation of the science, etc. and it's my view to provide additional viewpoint. There is a lot of information that you provide in other videos that I've learned & grown from, to clarify. I have alot of respect for your podcasts.

[@tomlichnofsky.7048]

👍👌😊👊👊😆🍁

[@kathythompson9931]

Mayim, what happened to your mom’s Bevisodes???

[@Michael_O.]

A lot longer than the hippies... ;)

[@jobethk588]

Disasters abound. Is the most profound the teetering of our democracy? Keep at bay the dogs of war. ================= I needed this post. ================

[@lisatanner7794]

Mayim, about the missionaries not being able to call home but twice a year. That's not a thing anymore. Missionaries are now allowed to call home or video chat once a week. Things are changing to better support the kids out there.

[@omriom]

שבת שלום 😂😂😂❤❤❤❤

[@belmounlv1]

PLEASE invite dr Howard Schubiner, nuuroscience onr healing chronic states, esp chronic dizziness. Help free women from the false helplessness dogma of so-called PoTS

[@stacyshevardi170]

hoooooooooooooooold on, if you don't mind me asking - why did you have a home birth if you have phd in almost medicine subject? due to my background I thinks it's as hypocritical as being vegan but eating meat

[@Skyevans1]

Afraid of peeing in the woods because of the squat? Get a "she wee"! There are more than one type of little devices women can use to stand and pee! Some campers and long distance hikers use them.

[@rollmeister]

Advocating drugs?

[@curseofcontext]

science without the study of drugs excludes the development of medicine?

[@jonal42]

i would love to hang out w u,,,,,do lunch and talk about life !!!!!!! hee

[@user-sp4eh6vj8u]

Pickle ball 😎

[@ocan355]

This just occurred to me. Why do babies holler the moment they are born? The exact moment when mother is at her weakest. Maybe evolution has factored out all the mammals or people or things who did not have the ability to find a safe place. Speaking of being at your weakest, completely losing consciousness while your brain paralyzes your body in the deepest of darkness puzzles me. I think, I don't know, most life on earth does it. Evolution removed anything that couldn't do that safely. Evolution is amazing. No choices. Blind trust. I believe evolution. I still do believe in God. I am human. That's how I was raised. The vast majority of humans believe in a God. I am personally a Christian. I don't believe I have a choice not to be. It's a safe place. Here's what I think. Everything on the planet fits this world like a hand in a glove. Everything that didn't fit is already gone. Evolution has figured out the answers so far already. It took it billions of years to do that. If I get sick it's probably because there's something I didn't grow up with over the past billion years that is causing the problem. You know, like plastic or the 600 ingredients added to tobacco or endless sugar etc etc etc. It's just the nature of things. That being said I probably wouldn't have been born if my Mom didn't have access to a radio or vitamins etc. I probably wouldn't have lived this long if not for anti-biotics and vaccines and . . . etc. What I am saying is . . . I don't know. I'm really hungry and tired and I need to shut off the phone, throw a potato in the microwave, eat, get some sleep. Sometimes, no word of a lie, I wake up in the morning, truly surprised and puzzled thinking "Huh. I woke up again. How long is this going to keep happening?"

[@lcolbeck420]

Please call us members of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day saints. Our heads of our church have said that this is the way that we are to refer to ourselves Mormon was a prophet that wrote a book that we study that is all. Mormon is considered slang

[@immabme100]

Soooo how many of those experiences have you had, Mayim? For you to make fun of them or judge their experiences seems very disrespectful.

[@willowapodosis4661]

Seek Christ and His righteousness...the rest is temporary.

[@samhowl1152]

Still aren't getting any real views

[@camillealatorre9817]

I do have 1 dog & 2 Cats ... Only the cats come to the bathroom and only 1 of them when My daughter and I take a shower. I need Ayahuasca, only I had ate and trip with floripondio and peyote

[@ClintonT.Biddle]

Its kinda funny how the people/band that sings her intro’s the same as BigBangTheory. BareNakedLadies are still KickingAXe !!!