Find us on Twitter at twitter.com/radiolab

Tweets from Radiolab
Return Home

Take a deep breath - hold it – now exhale

Back to Episode

We can’t control stress, but what we can do is understand it. Neuropsychologist Dr. Kamran Fallahpour let’s us listen to the sound of our own stress (a sort of a high pitched whine). His theory is that if you can hear your stress you can control it. Not to say all stress is bad: MTV producer Colby Hall battles a boat propellor and survives by virtue of stress hormones. Dr. Robert Sapolsky explains how it works - stress hormones shut down pain, often leaving the victim the calmest person at the scene.

Comments [4]

Chris from UK

I often listen to an episode of RadioLab as I climb into bed, as it's the only time I get to listen to my podcasts when I can justify having no visual stimulus.

So I was almost on the way to nodding off in the middle of Jad's stress test, and I know I recognise that piece of background music which re-appears around the 5:00 mark. Anybody have a title?

Apr. 06 2012 05:27 PM
Vote this comment up Vote this comment down Score: 0/0
Aaron from Manchester

Feeling a bit queasy as I listen to this in the library- congrats guys the boat story was pretty vivid.
I'm a big fan of your shows, it'd be good to hear more urban/architecture related episodes, of the 'Cities' type.

http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/7-mile-rainbow-for-kim-jong-il.html

This is pretty interesting.

Also feel free to check out my work.

www.aje-architecture.com

Mar. 01 2012 07:00 AM
Vote this comment up Vote this comment down Score: 0/0
Cat from Vancouver

Damn it, Jad! I almost fainted on the train to work. LOL!
The boating accident was really vivid. I guess that makes me "a little squeamish".

Absolutely love the Podcasts, listening to them whenever I commute. Thanks so much!

Apr. 26 2011 11:58 AM
Vote this comment up Vote this comment down Score: 0/0
Lynsey from NYC

Just wanted to be sure someone there was aware that tigers don't run around the savanna. Tigers are Asian, and impalas on the savanna are in Africa.

But, kickass show! I loved it! Just wanted to make sure people were aware.

Jun. 12 2010 12:40 AM
Vote this comment up Vote this comment down Score: 0/0

Leave a Comment

Register for your own account so you can vote on comments, save your favorites, and more. Learn more.
Please stay on topic, be civil, and be brief.
Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments. Names are displayed with all comments. We reserve the right to edit any comments posted on this site. Please read the Comment Guidelines before posting. By leaving a comment, you agree to New York Public Radio's Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use.







URL

If you enter anything in this field your comment will be treated as spam
Location
* Denotes a required field