Smooth Brain Society

Can preparing the body before cancer treatment improve recovery, reduce complications, and even protect brain function?
In this episode, Sahir sits down with Dr. Christopher Gaffney, Senior Lecturer in Integrative Physiology at Lancaster University, to explore the growing science of prehabilitation. Prehabilitation uses exercise, nutrition, and psychological support to help cancer patients better tolerate surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
They discuss how a patient’s baseline fitness can influence treatment outcomes, why exercise is increasingly being viewed as medicine, the emerging evidence around “chemo brain,” and why healthcare may need to shift from reactive treatment to proactive preparation.
A fascinating conversation at the intersection of cancer research, physiology, and preventative medicine.
Topics Covered
 What prehabilitation is and why it matters 
 Exercise as medicine in cancer care 
 How fitness affects surgery and chemotherapy outcomes 
 The science behind chemo brain and fatigue 
 Why medicine needs to think earlier, not later
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We explore the rapidly evolving intersection of human psychology and artificial intelligence with Dr. Eeshan Hasan,of the Ohio State University, specialising in computational models of decision-making.
We dive into how humans and AI can work together more effectively, from improving medical diagnoses using “wisdom of the crowd” techniques to tackling misinformation and distortions on social media. Dr. Hasan shares insights into how both human and machine intelligence represent information and what that means for the future of healthcare, and human-AI collaboration.
This conversation unpacks big questions: Can AI help us think better? Where do human biases still outperform algorithms? And how do we design systems that enhance, rather than distort, our decision-making?
If you're interested in the future of AI, psychology, and the way we navigate an increasingly digital world, this episode offers a thoughtful and accessible deep dive.
Dr. Eeshan Hasan: https://eeshanhasan.com/
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email: [email protected]

The episode explores men's mental, sexual, and reproductive health, challenging stereotypes and examining how masculinity influences health behaviors and decisions. Guest Associate Professor Gareth Terry, shares insights from his research on mens identities and how they intersect with things like reproductive health, disabilities, and the social construction of masculinity. We discuss the nuances of the child-free movement, societal perceptions of masculinity, and innovative research ideas in disability and neurodivergence. With the help of questions from our followers, Gareth Terry explores societal pressures, gender dynamics, and future research directions, offering insights into social constructs and personal identities.
https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=775822
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email: [email protected]

Dr. Melanie Altemus of Massey University, New Zealand, explores the complex psychology behind volunteer tourism, including motivations, moral implications, and the impact of the 'white savior' complex. She shares insights from her research on how volunteerism can sometimes do more harm than good and discusses the importance of understanding the underlying psychological traits involved. Dr. Melanie Altemus shares her groundbreaking research on international volunteer tourism, exploring motivations, moral judgments, and community impacts in Fiji and beyond. Discover surprising findings about privilege, cultural exchange, and the true effects of volunteer work.

Dr. Altemus' Thesis:
https://openaccess.wgtn.ac.nz/articles/thesis/Stories_of_Saviourism_Examining_the_Moral_Negotiations_in_Volunteer_Tourism/30586076?file=61733902
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Facebook: @thesmoothbrainsociety
Merch and all other links: Linktree
email: [email protected]

Jack El-Hai, acclaimed journalist and author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist and The Lobotomist, takes us inside Dr. Douglas Kelly's psychological examination of Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials. From the lobotomy era to the chilling conclusions about "ordinary" evil, this conversation explores what psychiatry revealed about history's most notorious figures—and what it means for us today.
Key Topics Covered:
🧠 The Lobotomist: How a 1968 lobotomy case in Minnesota led Jack down a 20-year rabbit hole into the history of psychiatric surgery and Walter Freeman's controversial legacy.
⚖️ Douglas Kelly & The Nuremberg Trials The young US Army psychiatrist who had sole access to 22 Nazi defendants—including Hermann Göring—and what he discovered about their psychological profiles.
💡 The Disturbing Conclusions and warnings Kelly's finding that the Nazi leaders were psychologically "normal"—and why that revelation was far more terrifying than finding them insane.
🎬 From Book to Film The 12-year journey from The Nazi and the Psychiatrist to the 2025 film Nuremberg starring Rami Malek—and what changed in adaptation.
Check out Jack El-Hai's work: https://www.el-hai.com/
Support the show
Support us and reach out!
https://smoothbrainsociety.com
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Instagram: @thesmoothbrainsociety
TikTok: @thesmoothbrainsociety
Twitter/X:  @SmoothBrainSoc
Facebook: @thesmoothbrainsociety
Merch and all other links: Linktree
email: [email protected]