Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition Why You Can’t Stop Scrolling & The Simple Fix That Actually Works | Anders Hansen
Mar 2, 2026
Anders Hansen, physician and clinical neuroscientist who writes on mental health and tech’s effects, talks about how habits hijack the brain. He contrasts learned routines like toothbrushing with neglected brain care. He explores why calorie-rich foods and phones exploit instincts. He offers simple fixes like removing cues, keeping phones out of reach, and prioritizing daily exercise.
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Toothbrushing Shows How Habits Are Taught
- Anders Hansen contrasts toothbrushing as an ingrained habit taught from childhood with brain-care habits that we never learn.
- Brushing feels automatic because it's taught early and linked to clear outcomes like appearance and reduced risk for heart disease and dementia.
Visible Food Triggers Ancient Calorie Instincts
- Anders Hansen explains environmental cues drive overeating because visible food signals trigger evolved calorie-seeking instincts.
- He notes Christmas grazing happens not from meal content but constant availability and visibility of calorie-rich treats.
Remove Temptations From Immediate Reach
- Do remove tempting items from immediate reach to avoid automatic consumption or use, like not keeping candy in your pockets.
- Anders Hansen recommends making access effortful so the cue-to-action loop is broken and you stop at the decision point.