Welcome to Inside the Brain!
Hosted by Andrew Hales and Axel Bouchon
What do MRI scans reveal about how our brains respond to drugs, hormones, and lifestyle? How do natural molecules like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins shape our mood, libido, and motivation? Join us as we break down complex neuroscience into fascinating, easy-to-understand insights. Discover how hormones, medications, and everyday choices influence happiness, mental health, and sexual function — and what the latest brain imaging tells us about your mind in action.
Subscribe to Inside the Brain and hit the bell to never miss an episode where we dive deep into the molecules, imaging, and science behind your thoughts, moods, and behaviors. #mentalhealth #happiness #neuroscience
Neuroscientist Explains How Weed is Killing Your Drive, Memory, and Focus
What does smoking weed every day actually do to your brain? In this episode of Inside the Brain, neuroscientist Axel Bouchon and Andrew Hales sit down with Luke Donohue, a daily weed user for nearly two decades, to break down the clinical reality, science, and long-term effects of chronic weed use. We dive deep into the neuroscience of cannabis to answer questions such as: Is weed actually addictive? How does chronic THC use alter your short-term memory? And what is the science behind "stoner brain fog" and its impact on your motivation, ambition, and dopamine? Whether you smoke daily or are just curious about the brain, this breakdown separates stoner myths from actual scientific data.
Luke's youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/ (https://www.youtube.com/) @LukeDonohue
Luke's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukedonohuetv/ (https://www.instagram.com/lukedonohuetv/)
Thank you for watching/listening, subscribing, and of course Liking the video (it helps more than you think) and please leave a comment with your thoughts or experiences about weed below!
Inside the Brain on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NAynkMhYd5ExTTFgbFonl?si=11e3dbbc5bdc4468 (https://open.spotify.com/show/5NAynkMhYd5ExTTFgbFonl?si=11e3dbbc5bdc4468)
Inside the Brain on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-brain/id1878203880 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-brain/id1878203880)
8 Jul 2026
Neuroscientist Explains My Alcoholism | Inside the Brain of a Recovering Alcoholic ft. Andrew Hales
In this episode I open up about my experience with alcoholism and sat down with neuroscientist Axel Bouchon to understand how alcohol actually affects the brain during addiction and recovery. If you're trying to quit drinking, thinking about getting sober, or just wondering what alcohol really does to your brain, I think you'll get something out of this conversation. For a long time, I believed addiction was just a lack of willpower. The more I learned, the more I realized it's so much more complicated than that.
Thank you for watching and Liking this video (it helps more than you think) and please leave a comment with your thoughts or experiences on the topic.
Inside the Brain on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NAynkMhYd5ExTTFgbFonl?si=11e3dbbc5bdc4468 (https://open.spotify.com/show/5NAynkMhYd5ExTTFgbFonl?si=11e3dbbc5bdc4468)
Inside the Brain on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-brain/id1878203880 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-brain/id1878203880)
#neuroscience #addictionrecovery #alcoholfree
12 Jun 2026
12+ Years of Steroid Use | Inside the Brain of Tristan Nigro
Performance-enhancing drugs can build an elite physique, but what is the true cost under the surface? On this episode of the Inside the Brain podcast we sat down with Tristan Nigro https://www.youtube.com/ (https://www.youtube.com/) @TristanNigro1 a former bodybuilder and steroid user of 12+ years to discuss his extensive history with testosterone & PEDs, side effects, the looksmaxxing epidemic, and the neuroscience behind testosterone's role in the brain. Throughout the conversation, Per usual we're joined by our resident neuroscientist Axel Bouchon who weighs in with interesting scientific context, explaining the profound neurological impact of anabolic steroids, mood alterations, and how exogenous hormones reshape brain function. Thank you for watching/listening, please Like & Subscribe and let us know your two cents on the topics discussed. Inside the Brain is also available on Apple/Spotify podcasts.
#neuroscience #dopamine #testosterone #trt #hrt #gear #bodybuilding #looksmaxxing
3 Jun 2026
From OnlyFans to Spiritual Healer | Inside the Brain of Holly Treats
In this episode of the Inside the Brain podcast, co-hosts Andrew Hales and neuroscientist Dr. Axel Bouchon sit down with ex-OnlyFans creator Victoria Toplansky aka Holly Treats: / holly.treats (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnJqN2pWV3dseExEc3l0d29lanVEVWFIUUhXUXxBQ3Jtc0ttM193dmtOcHRaZmNQVDBrQnEtN0JkdjRELUxZNEk0TVpFeXNEcWR5U1dHdk5vYmwzemdUQWtPS3dCZXEyX1NvbUNJS3pUMERyWnpsOEFzSzA0cGY1Rm9qcXlib2ZLanNDQmEtM3ZRWjh3T0pfaW5zVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fholly.treats&v=r6MGrfeptbw) Victoria opens up about the severe mental health toll that ultimately forced her to leave the OnlyFans industry behind, sharing her profound transition away from the digital space and toward spiritual enlightenment.
Thank you for watching and subscribing! Inside the Brain is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
#dopamine (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/dopamine) #Neuroscience (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/neuroscience) #spirituality (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/spirituality)
6 May 2026
The Neuroscience of Burnout | Inside the Brain of College Students
If you’ve been feeling exhausted, unmotivated, or unable to focus on school, you’re not alone. Academic burnout is hitting harder than ever—and it’s not just in your head. In this episode, I sit down with my cohost neuroscientist Axel Bouchon to break down what burnout actually does to your brain, why studying feels harder than it used to, and what’s going on with dopamine and mental fatigue. We also cover practical ways to recover, regain focus, and study smarter without completely draining yourself. If school has been feeling impossible lately, this will hit—and hopefully help you reset.
Thank you for watching and listening, please subscribe and like the video, and follow Inside the Brain on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. #neuroscience #burnout #academic #dopamine
8 Apr 2026
Your Brain on Porn Explained By Neuroscience | Inside the Brain of Luke Eilers
Luke's channel: / @goldjacketluke (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvsH-OTxTuZ1bo1Z4XHn1Zg)
Is pornography actually changing the physical structure of your brain? In this episode of Inside the Brain, Andrew Hales and neuroscientist Axel Bouchon sit down with GoldJacketLuke (Luke Eilers) to dissect the reality of pornography addiction. From being one of the first voices on YouTube to speak openly about the struggle in 2013, Luke shares his journey through recovery, the "flatline," and the pursuit of semen retention.
Axel breaks down the brutal neuroscience behind it all: how high-intensity digital stimulation "fries" dopamine receptors, why it leads to erectile dysfunction (PIED), and how the brain’s chemical cocktail—including testosterone, serotonin, and oxytocin—is hijacked by the "junk food" of the internet.
In this episode, we discuss: The Cocaine Comparison: Why the brain of a porn addict looks nearly identical to a drug addict in an MRI. The 6 Neurotransmitters: How pornography destroys the biological reward system for real-life relationships. Recovery & Rewiring: Can the brain actually heal from years of desensitization? Whether you're on a NoFap journey, curious about a dopamine detox, or looking for the science of addiction recovery, this deep dive offers a raw look at the most misunderstood epidemic of our time.
Thank you for watching and subscribing! Inside the Brain is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
#NoFap (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/nofap) #Neuroscience (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/neuroscience) #Dopamine (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/dopamine) #AddictionRecovery (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/addictionrecovery) #MensHealth (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/menshealth)
25 Mar 2026
"Brain Rot" explained by a Neuroscientist | Inside the Brain of Alex Boke
On this episode of the Inside the Brain podcast, we dive deep into the phenomenon of "social media brain rot" and explore what is actually happening inside your head. We sit down with Alex Boke, who shares their raw, personal experience after completing a long-term digital detox. Can you truly "undo" the effects of social media, or is the damage permanent? We are joined by neuroscientist Dr. Axel Bouchon to break down the science of dopamine, attention spans, and how the modern digital landscape is rewiring our neural pathways. In this episode we cover: The neuroscience behind digital addiction and "brain rot." Why short-form content hacks your brain’s reward system. Practical, science-backed steps for a successful digital detox. How to reclaim your focus and mental clarity in an overstimulated world.
Alex Boke's links:
https://www.youtube.com/@alex-boke (https://www.youtube.com/@alex-boke)
https://www.alexboke.com/ (https://www.alexboke.com/)
the Inside the Brain podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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25 Feb 2026
His 25+ Year Journey on Antidepressants | Inside the Brain of Blake Rosier
What are SSRIs really doing to your brain?
Axel Bouchon (neuroscientist) explains the science, while Blake Rosier(https://www.youtube.com/@BlakeRosier (https://www.youtube.com/@BlakeRosier)), a fellow content creator and long time friend of Andrew, shares his experience being on SSRIs (antidepressants) for nearly 3 decades. Join us for an honest, nuanced conversation about antidepressants — benefits, trade-offs, and lived reality.
Subscribe to Inside the Brain and hit the bell to never miss an episode where we dive deep into the molecules, imaging, and science behind your thoughts, moods, and behaviors. Inside the Brain is also available wherever you get your podcasts. #mentalhealth #happiness #neuroscience
18 Feb 2026
Neuroscientist Explains SSRIs, Testosterone & Sex Drive | Inside the Brain of Axel Bouchon
In this episode Inside the Brain, Andrew sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Axel Bouchon to explore the science behind it all — from antidepressants and testosterone to MRI's and weed.
What do MRI scans reveal about how our brains respond to drugs, hormones, and lifestyle? How do natural molecules like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins shape our mood, libido, and motivation? Join us as we break down complex neuroscience into fascinating, easy-to-understand insights. Discover how hormones, medications, and everyday choices influence happiness, mental health, and sexual function — and what the latest brain imaging tells us about your mind in action.
Subscribe to Inside the Brain and hit the bell to never miss an episode where we dive deep into the molecules, imaging, and science behind your thoughts, moods, and behaviors. #mentalhealth #happiness #neuroscience
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