Neuroscience, Social Isolation and Addiction

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Marc Lewis, neuroscientist, former opiate addict and author of</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Memoirs of an Addicted Brain</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, believes that addiction rates increased recently because lockdowns deprived people of the physical proximity to loved ones that the brain finds so nourishing. Here, he explores his thesis with Medcan’s clinical director of mental health, Dr. Jack Muskat, in a wide-ranging conversation about the nature of addiction, the neurological benefits of hugs and physical affection—and the unintended consequences of pandemic restrictions.</span></p> <p><a href= "https://www.eatmovethinkpodcast.com/podcast/ep-90-neuroscience-isolation-addiction"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Episode 90 webpage</span></a></p> <p><strong>LINKS</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out Marc Lewis on</span> <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-lewis-b109a231/?originalSubdomain=ca"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">LinkedIn</span></a> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">and</span> <a href= "https://twitter.com/addictedbrain"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Twitter</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">, and read his</span> <a href= "https://www.memoirsofanaddictedbrain.com/authors-bio/"><span style="font-weight: 400;"> bio</span></a><span style= "font-weight: 400;">. </span><span style= "font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p>Lewis' 2015 book is: <a href= "https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-biology-of-desire/9780385682282-item.html?ikwid=biology+of+desire&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=0"> <em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not A Disease</span></em></a>.</p> <p>Lewis' 2012 book is: <a href= "https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/memoirs-of-an-addicted-brain/9780385669276-item.html"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Memoirs</span></a> <em><a href= "https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/memoirs-of-an-addicted-brain/9780385669276-item.html"> <span style="font-weight