Ten Percent Happier
January 27, 2025

Buddhist Neuroscientist On: How To Quit Bad Habits And Why You’re Not Keeping Your Resolutions | Dr. Judson Brewer

Dr. Judson Brewer is the Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center and professor in Behavioral and Social Sciences and Psychiatry at the Schools of Public Health & Medicine at Brown University. He is the author of several books, including The Craving Mind, Unwinding Anxiety, and The Hunger Habit.

This episode is part of our monthlong Do Life Better series. 

We talk about:

  • Jud’s definition of addiction
  • The difference between the scientific view and the Buddhist view on addiction
  • The buddhist concept of Dependent origination
  • Dopamine and dopamine fasting
  • A three gear plan for sticking to your resolutions 
  • Judson’s disenchantment with the term “mindfulness”
  • What we need to know about willpower
  • The two types of stress – and its impact on our behavior 
  • What makes us resilient – and why it matters
  • How community plays a role in making habit changes
  • And finally, a friendly debate on whether there is such a thing as healthy anger?

Related Episodes:

Sign up for Dan’s newsletter here

Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Our favorite playlists on: Anxiety, Sleep, Relationships, Most Popular Episodes

Additional Resources: