Neuroscience Explained: Happiness Myth, Collective Trauma, Manifestation, Attention Spans & More

Get "Liberate Your Business" by Becky Mollenkamp https://liberateyourbusiness.com/In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Kaela Singleton joins us to discuss the neuroscience behind manifestation, dopamine hacking, and why happiness isn’t a sustainable state. We explore how trauma and epigenetics impact the brain, why radical self-care is essential, and the intersection of neuroscience and systemic oppression. Kaela also shares insights on neuro-racism, the effects of capitalism on mental health, and how we can shift our mindset for true contentment.Discussed in This Episode:What dopamine hacking is and why it’s misunderstoodHow manifestation and neuroscience actually intersectThe truth about happiness and why it isn’t a sustainable goalHow social media is affecting our attention spansThe impact of systemic racism on the brainNeuro-racism and the historical misuse of neuroscienceThe role of trauma and epigenetics in shaping mental healthWhy radical self-care is a form of resistanceHow capitalism manipulates our dopamine responsesPractical ways to retrain your brain for contentmentResources Mentioned:Kaela Singleton on InstaKaela Singleton on BlueskyDr. Jim Doty on Mel Robbins’ podcastBlack in Neuro“My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resmaa Menakem“They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us” by Hanif Abdurraqib“Chain Gang All Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah“Portrait of a Thief” by Grace D. Li“Universality” by Natasha BrownDraco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in LoveDr. Kaela S. Singleton (she/her) is a Black Samoan Queer neuroscientist whose career blends groundbreaking research, community leadership, and advocacy for diversity in STEM. Raised in Georgia, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Classical History from Agnes Scott College and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Georgetown University. Her postdoctoral research at Emory University focused on pediatric neurodegeneration, advancing cellular and developmental neuroscience. She now serves as the Director of Grants Management at Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.  Dr. Singleton’s expertise and leadership have earned her recognition as a NINDS BP-ENDURE alum, NINDS D-SPAN Scholar, and Burroughs Wellcome Fund PDEP Fellow. As the President and Co-Founder of Black In Neuro, an international nonprofit, Dr. Singleton is dedicated to fostering equity and accountability in STEM, creating inclusive spaces that celebrate and empower Black scholars.