# 362 - Is anxiety inherited ? - Prof Randolph Nesse

Today I am talking with one of the pioneers of evolutionary medicine and evolutionary psychiatry, Professor Randolf Nesse. We discuss what evolution has to do with modern day psychiatry and how knowledge of evolution's influences on someone's mental health informs Prof Nesse's ability to help his patients. We learn whether our quest for happiness is merely a distraction. Is mental illness a result of nature or nurture or indeed a little of both? Expect to learn that low mood isn't always bad. We discover what the smoke detector principle is. We ask what the purpose of human emotion is ? We discuss whether society is suffering from more mental health problems today than our during our ancestors time. Expect to hear Prof Nesse's thoughts on stoicism and what his hopes are for the future of psychiatry. https://www.randolphnesse.com/