Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor Stress, Human Behaviour and Self-regulation with Dr Stuart Shanker
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Jan 9, 2026 Dr. Stuart Shanker, a Canadian psychologist and founder of the MEHRIT Centre, dives into the neuroscience of stress and self-regulation. He explains the interbrain concept, detailing how emotional states connect caregivers and infants. Stuart highlights the impact of excessive stress on homeostasis and behavior, discussing dopamine's role in motivation and social dynamics. He offers practical strategies for self-regulation, emphasizing the importance of exercise and awareness of stress cues. This insightful conversation sheds light on managing stress for better emotional health.
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Dopamine: Seeking And Social Drive
- Dopamine drives goal-directed seeking, not pure pleasure, and can be hijacked by modern 'hook' designs.
- A newly discovered midbrain dopamine pathway promotes social homeostasis, pushing us back into relationships.
Tech Stimulates Dopamine But Not Opioids
- Excessive use of dopamine-triggering technologies can create loneliness despite constant stimulation.
- Virtual interactions fail to provide tactile opioid-releasing cues necessary for true social restoration.
Stress Travels Up The Neural Axis
- Homeostatic imbalance in the midbrain travels up the neural axis to the limbic system and prefrontal cortex.
- The root cause of many behavioural and health problems is excessive stress disrupting lower-brain balance.
