The Neuroscience Of Awe, Distraction and Anxiety - Beau Lotto | Modern Wisdom Podcast 376

Exploring the Brain's Reactions to Awe, Distraction, and Anxiety with Beau Lotto

Introduction
In this episode of the Modern Wisdom Podcast, neuroscientist Beau Lotto provides fascinating insights into the neuroscience behind awe, distraction, and anxiety. Lotto discusses the profound effects these states have on our perception, decision-making, and social interactions, offering a deep dive into how our brains process and react to these complex experiences.

Core Concepts and Philosophies

Lotto emphasizes the transformative power of awe, describing it as a state that enhances social behaviors and diminishes the ego, connecting us deeply with the world around us. He explains that awe can reduce our need for certainty, increase our tolerance for risk, and even alter our self-perception and openness to new experiences【19†source】.

Practical Strategies and Advice

• Engage regularly with environments or activities that provoke awe to benefit from its positive impacts on the brain and behavior.
• Recognize and manage distractions by understanding their roots in the brain’s response to new stimuli, aiding in better focus and productivity【19†source】.
• Address anxiety by appreciating its evolutionary basis and using techniques that help reinterpret these feelings positively【19†source】.

Supporting Evidence
Lotto discusses various studies and experiments, including his work with Cirque du Soleil, which demonstrate how awe can shift our perception and increase pro-social behaviors like empathy and altruism【19†source】.

Personal Application
Lotto shares how personal and professional experiences with awe and its study have profoundly impacted his approach to neuroscience, pushing him towards creating more inclusive and interactive scientific engagements【19†source】.

Recommendations for Tools and Techniques

• Utilize mindfulness and meditation to cultivate a state of awe and manage distractions and anxiety.
• Participate in or create experiences that can induce awe, such as nature walks, art viewings, or attending performances like those by Cirque du Soleil【19†source】.

Through his innovative research and engaging dialogue, Beau Lotto illustrates how understanding the brain's response to awe, distraction, and anxiety can enrich our lives, making us more empathetic, focused, and ready to face new challenges.