What Distraction Does to Your Brain—and How To Regain Cognitive Control | Adam Gazzaley
26 May 2025

What Distraction Does to Your Brain—and How To Regain Cognitive Control | Adam Gazzaley

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About

Distraction is making you anxious and sleepless. Here’s how to fix it.

 

Adam Gazzaley, M.D., Ph.D. is the David Dolby Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Physiology and Psychiatry, and Founder & Executive Director of Neuroscape at UCSF. He co-authored the 2016 book “The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World”. 

 

In this episode we talk about:

    The impact of multitasking on our attention, relationships, emotions, anxiety, and memory The difference between top-down and bottom-up attention What it means to have cognitive control—and some practical tools for restoring your own cognitive control.  Controversial technologies that could eventually help us have a stronger brain The impact of music and rhythm on the mind And how to use technology for your brain’s benefit

 

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