A War in the Defense of Our Brains: A Conversation with Dr Bertha Madras – Prevention Fences Are Key

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Episode description:

A War in the Defense of Our Brains: A Conversation with Dr Bertha Madras – Prevention Fences Are Key

What if one of the most preventable ‘diseases’ is the one we’re failing to stop?

In this episode, host Shane Varcoe sits down with Harvard Medical School professor and former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Deputy Director Dr. Bertha Madras to unpack the hard science behind addiction. Dr. Madras shares groundbreaking research revealing how substances, such as methamphetamine destroys nerve cells permanently, and daily cannabis use in adolescents can alter over a 1,000 genes while causing profound inflammatory damage in the brain’s amygdala. These aren’t scare tactics, they’re biological facts.

But there’s hope. Dr. Madras explains why substance use disorders are the only brain disease we can prevent 100%. A Dr Madras created tool, the globally-recognised SBIRT program she developed for early intervention, is just one equipping resource for early intervention.

However, real primary intervention starts in the home. When families model best practice abstinence and when they say no to drugs, kids listen. This key ‘Fence Building’ asset at the top of the societal cliff cannot be over emphasised and must be fully equipped to proactively protect and prevent.

Essential Resources:

Social Determinants & Substance Use – Beyond the Policy ‘Silo’ Pragmatics

The Resilient Brain & The Resilient Life