Our guest is Dr Asif Jamil who is a Researcher in Neuropsychiatry at Harvard Medical School & Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

He completed his BSc in Neurobiology, MSc in Neuroimaging, and has 2 PhDs, one in systems neuroscience and the second in rehabilitation science. He has also recently completed his postdoctoral training, and his research focuses on development and application of device-based non-invasive neuromodulation to treat human neuropsychiatric disorders.

He has recently been appointed September 2021 as a faculty member of Harvard Medical School (Instructor in Psychiatry) and a Principal Investigator at the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

We discuss brain states, how they affect our everyday life, mood, sleep and how to focus better. 

#podcast #brain #neuroscience 

[00:24 ] Introduction

[01:37 ] What are Brain states & the impact on everyday life

[02:55 ] Tools for studying brain states

[03:18 ] Research findings: Functional brain networks

[04:38 ] What factors influence our brain states?

[06:15 ] How important are different brain states in our everyday life?

[07:27 ] How brain states connect with Neuroplasticity

[08:30 ] How would brain states fluctuate throughout the day

[09:08 ] Circadian rhythm & the biological clock

[09:42 ] The biology of rhythmic cycles 

[10:18 ] How does insomnia & staying awake at night affect brain states

[13:11 ] Limiting night light intensity to get better sleep

[14:38 ] Modern science: how much do we know about Sleep?

[16:54 ] The different stages of Sleep

[18:03 ] Slow wave sleep & slow brain oscillations

[18:52 ] REM sleep: memory, learning & therapy

[20:18 ] How much sleep do we actually need?

[21:37 ] How to improve sleep quality

[23:49 ] 'Rhythmicity' governs our brain states

[25:10 ] 'Neurohacking' & improving everyday life

[27:02 ] 90-minute intervals to increase productivity

[27:37 ] How Power Naps can be used to improve focus 

[30:22 ] Principles & habits in Islam that help our brain states

[31:52 ] The Neurobiology of Mood & Emotions

[33:58 ] Emotional states linked to brain networks & treating depression

[36:37 ] What tips can help regulate mood to prevent depression & anxiety?

[38:54 ] More people are developing an internal locus of control

[41:58 ] The concept of “belief effects” 

[43:22 ] Can you activate brain states by performing certain actions?

[47:13 ] What impact does Islam & the Holy Quran have on a Muslim Scientist?

[50:10 ] Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth by by Mirza Tahir Ahmad ra

[51:12 ] What inspired Dr Jalil to research into electricity & the brain?

[52:01 ] How Science has impacted Dr Jalil's belief in God!

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🎙 The Al Hakam Inspire Podcast is hosted by Ataul Fatir Tahir and Dr Hasham Ahmad.

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