Neurobiology of Addiction: Understanding Brain Changes with Dr. Henrietta Szutorisz, Ph.D.

Join us in this insightful episode of the 'Let's Talk Brain Health' podcast as we welcome Dr. Henrietta Szutorisz, Ph.D., a renowned biomedical scientist and entrepreneur. With over 20 years of experience in fields like cancer research, stem cells, neuroscience, and behavior, Dr. Szutorisz delves into the role of neuroplasticity and epigenetics in mental health and addiction. She shares her personal journey from biologist to mental health expert, touching on the impact of 21st-century lifestyle, technology, and early-life experiences on addiction. We explore how current addiction treatments often fail to account for individual differences and the necessity for personalized medicine. She discusses her innovative startup, Objective Recovery, which leverages modern technology for personalized addiction treatment. Tune in for a deep dive into the neurobiology of addiction, the promise of digital therapeutics, and the future of personalized mental health care. 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Henrietta Szutorisz, Ph.D. 01:26 The Importance of Mental Health Conversations 01:50 Understanding the Rise in Mental Health Issues 04:19 Henrietta's Personal Journey into Mental Health 06:52 The Nature of Addiction  09:25 Neurobiology of Addiction 13:45 Challenges in Addiction Treatment 17:43 Future of Personalized Addiction Treatment 23:54 Holistic Approaches to Mental Health 27:19 Hopes for the Future of Addiction Treatment 31:30 Final Thoughts and Reflections Resources: Learn more about Henrietta's work at Objective Recovery on their ⁠LinkedIn Page.⁠ Reach out to Henrietta on LinkedIn. If you are interested in learning more about lifestyle medicine, check out our previous conversations with Dr. Dean Ornish (Season 4: Episode 1) and Dr. Melissa Sundermann (Season 2: Episode 7).