Fate, and predicting the human mindFate, and predicting the human mind
All In The Mind
Questions about whether we are masters of our own destiny and if we really have free will have puzzled philosophers and scientists for many years. Now neuroscience is challenging much of what we thought we knew about ourselves—from how much our pre-birth experience affects our later lives, to how we make decisions and form our own reality.
29:07•26 Jan 2020
Fate, Free Will and the Brain: How Much Control Do You Really Have?
Episode Overview
- Many traits linked to addiction, mental health, weight and personality have a strong genetic and pre-birth component.
- Brain plasticity means habits and responses can still change through exercise, learning, social connection, therapy and healthy living.
- People who struggle despite therapy or effort should not be blamed; biological limits and predispositions can constrain change.
- Epigenetic research shows that experiences such as fear can alter gene expression and be passed to future generations.
- Understanding the brain’s wiring can foster compassion, reduce blame and guide more precise treatments, including brain-stimulation approaches.
“There is still scope for plasticity and change within our brain alongside the genetic predispositions that we can’t really change.”
Ever wondered what it means for your future if so much of your behaviour is wired into your brain before you're even born? All In The Mind takes that question head-on as host Lynne Malcolm talks with Cambridge neuroscientist Dr Hannah Critchlow about fate, free will and how much real control you actually have.
Critchlow explains how brain scans of babies in the womb can flag risks for conditions like autism, schizophrenia and depression, and how traits such as impulsivity and compulsivity can make someone “more predisposed to, unfortunately, having problems with addiction later on in life.” You’ll hear about striking genetic influences on weight, including the FTO gene that can add “about five kilograms” on average, and an eerie mouse experiment where fear of a cherry smell is passed down to grandchildren through epigenetic changes.
Aimed at anyone curious about why they think and act the way they do – including people dealing with addiction, compulsive habits or mental health struggles – this conversation blends cutting-edge science with very human questions. At the same time, Critchlow keeps returning to brain plasticity – our capacity for change – through exercise, learning, healthy habits and therapy.
The episode also looks at deep brain stimulation switching addiction symptoms on and off, political beliefs linked to brain structures, and classic research suggesting the brain decides to move before you consciously do. Yet there’s a hopeful thread: understanding biology can reduce blame, boost compassion and help people stop saying “it’s all my fault”.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in patterns you didn’t choose, this thoughtful chat offers science, context and a gentle reminder that while a lot is pre-set, there’s still room to press that mental pause button and shape what happens next. How much of your story do you think is written in advance, and how much are you still writing today?
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