Mind Hacks: Joel PearsonMind Hacks: Joel Pearson
All In The Mind
Welcome back to All in the Mind's little sister: Mind Hacks. In this episode, cognitive neuroscientist Joel Pearson tells us how he manages his own stress (clue: it involves saunas!) Each week on Mind Hacks, we're bringing you bonus content with special guests, featuring rapid fire questions about their mental health tips and pet peeves. It's like a psychology version of eff, marry kill! We're going to test this format out over the next few weeks, so let us know what you think, or if there's a guest you'd like us to invite back on the program for Mind Hacks. As always, you can reach us on allinthemind@abc.net.au And don't worry, regular All in the Mind episodes will keep dropping every Sunday. Guest: Professor Joel Pearson Psychologist, neuroscientist Founder and Director, Future Minds Lab University of New South Wales Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Harvey O'Sullivan Relevant All in the Mind episodes: Is AI making our brains lazier? "Scarier than killer robots": why your mind isn't ready for AI When to trust your gut instinct, and when to ignore it You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on ABC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.
6:59•11 Mar 2026
Mind Hacks: Joel Pearson's Unique Approach to Mental Health
Episode Overview
- Exercise and sauna sessions can provide significant mood boosts.
- Balancing stimulants like caffeine can help manage anxiety.
- Be cautious of biohacks lacking human research evidence.
- Intuition can be scientifically understood without losing its essence.
- AI's societal impact is as important as understanding its mechanics.
“"If you can't do exercise, hit the sauna and you'll get a similar mood boost."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of Mind Hacks brings you an intriguing conversation with Professor Joel Pearson, a cognitive neuroscientist from the University of New South Wales. Known for his work at the Future Minds Lab, Joel shares his personal mental health strategies that keep him grounded amidst life's chaos. Sauna sessions and exercise top his list, providing a unique twist on traditional wellness routines.
You'll find his comparison of sauna use to a stationary form of exercise both amusing and insightful. Joel also candidly discusses his love-hate relationship with stimulants like caffeine and nicotine, offering a relatable perspective on balancing energy and anxiety. He stresses the importance of finding a recovery routine that works for you, much like how animals alternate between high stress and relaxation. In a light-hearted segment, Joel takes on the 'avoid' question, challenging popular biohacks that lack human research backing.
His take? Enjoy your morning coffee whenever you fancy! Finally, Joel addresses misconceptions about his work on intuition and AI, providing clarity on his scientific approach to these often mystified topics. With humour and honesty, this episode delivers practical mental health tips wrapped in engaging storytelling. So, what can you take away from Joel's unique insights?
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