The Dr. Jud Podcast

Evaluating the Quality of Smartphone Apps for Overeating, Stress, and Craving-Related Eating Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale In this episode, Dr. Jud dives into the realm of mobile health apps targeting overeating, stress-related eating, and cravings, based on the paper Evaluating the Quality of Smartphone Apps for Overeating, Stress, and Craving-Related Eating Using the Mobile Applicati...

Meditation-Induced Changes in High-Frequency Heart Rate Variability Predict Smoking Outcomes Dr. Jud explores a pivotal study linking mindfulness meditation and heart rate variability (HRV) to smoking cessation success. This episode delves into how acute changes in high-frequency HRV during meditation correlate with reduced cigarette consumption over time. By examining the physiological underpinni...

Smartband-Based Smoking Detection and Real-Time Brief Mindfulness Intervention: Findings from a Feasibility Clinical Trial In this episode, Dr. Jud examines the groundbreaking results from a feasibility trial exploring the use of smartbands for smoking cessation. This innovative study showcases how wearable technology can detect smoking events in real time and deliver brief mindfulness interventio...

Smartband-Based Automatic Smoking Detection and Real-Time Mindfulness Intervention: Protocol for a Feasibility Trial Join Dr. Jud in this episode as he dives into the innovative intersection of wearable technology, mindfulness, and smoking cessation. This episode explores a cutting-edge study protocol designed to evaluate the feasibility of using a smartband and smartphone app for real-time smokin...

Brain Mechanisms of Change in Addiction Treatment: Models, Methods, and Emerging Findings In this episode, Dr. Jud explores groundbreaking insights into the brain mechanisms underlying addiction treatment. Drawing on models, methods, and findings presented at the 2015 Science of Change meeting, this research bridges neuroscience and psychotherapy to identify brain processes driving behavior change...

Mindfulness-Based Treatments for Co-Occurring Depression and Substance Use Disorders: What Can We Learn from the Brain? In this episode, Dr. Jud discusses the intersection of mindfulness, neuroscience, and treatment for individuals struggling with co-occurring depression and substance use disorders (SUDs). This seminal paper explores the shared neurobiological mechanisms underpinning these conditi...

HIV Patients’ Perceptions of a Potential Multi-Component Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Smartphone Application Intervention In this episode, Dr. Jud explores a pivotal study on adapting a mindfulness-based smoking cessation app for people living with HIV (PLWH). This research highlights how a multi-component intervention—combining mindfulness training, contingency management, and adherence tr...

App-Based Mindfulness Training Predicts Reductions in Smoking Behavior by Engaging Reinforcement Learning Mechanisms: A Preliminary Naturalistic Single-Arm Study In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and colleagues explore how mindfulness-based smoking cessation tools can target the brain's reinforcement learning mechanisms to disrupt addictive behaviors. The study highlights the use of the "C...

Can We Agree on What Skilled Mindfulness-Based Teaching Looks Like? Lessons from Studying the MBI:TAC In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and Dr. Rebecca Crane explore the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC), a widely used tool for assessing the competence of mindfulness-based program (MBP) teachers. As mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) gain popularity in clini...

Baseline Craving Strength as a Prognostic Marker of Benefit from Smartphone App-Based Mindfulness Training for Smoking Cessation In this episode, Dr. Jud explores cutting-edge research into how baseline craving strength influences the effectiveness of smartphone app-based mindfulness training for smoking cessation. Discover how mindfulness-based programs help smokers reduce their reliance on cigar...

Mapping Complex Mind States: EEG Neural Substrates of Meditative Unified Compassionate Awareness In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and Dr. Poppy Schoenberg explore the neural mechanisms behind advanced meditative states, specifically those linked to non-duality, emptiness, and awakened awareness. Using EEG, this study mapped brain activity during different stages of Indo-Tibetan essence-of-mind medi...

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychosocial Interventions for Persons with Comorbid Anxiety and Substance Use Disorders In this episode, Dr. Jud dives into the comprehensive findings of a meta-analysis on psychosocial interventions for individuals facing the dual challenge of anxiety and substance use disorders. This research sheds light on the efficacy of treatments like cognitive behav...

A Computational Account of Borderline Personality Disorder: Impaired Predictive Learning About Self and Others Through Bodily Simulation In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer, Dr. Sarah Fineberg, and Dr. Philip Corlett explore an innovative computational psychiatry model of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Social dysfunction is a core feature of BPD, and this study proposes that individuals with B...

Mindfulness Training and Stress Reactivity in Substance Abuse: Results from a Randomized, Controlled Stage I Pilot Study In this episode, Dr. Jud delves into groundbreaking research comparing mindfulness training (MT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals with substance use disorders. This pilot study investigates the role of mindfulness in managing stress and addiction, highlight...

Mindfulness and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: State of the Evidence, Plausible Mechanisms, and Theoretical Framework In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and Dr. Eric Loucks explore the growing body of research on mindfulness and its potential role in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. With CVD remaining the leading cause of mortality worldwide, this integrative review examines how mindfulness...

Awareness, Affect, and Craving During Smoking Cessation: An Experience Sampling Study In this episode of the Dr. Jud podcast, we explore the groundbreaking study on how mindfulness impacts smoking cessation. Researchers examined the role of awareness, positive and negative affect, and craving through an experience sampling method. With real-time data from smokers using a mindfulness-based app, the...

Contemplating Mindfulness at Work: An Integrative Review In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and his colleagues explore the growing impact of mindfulness in the workplace. As organizations like Google, Aetna, and the U.S. Army integrate mindfulness programs, research is uncovering how mindfulness enhances attention, emotional regulation, decision-making, and resilience. This study presents a comprehen...

Feasibility of a Smartphone App with Mindfulness Training for Adolescent Smoking Cessation: Craving to Quit (C2Q)-Teen In this episode, Dr. Jud highlights a groundbreaking pilot study that examines the feasibility of a mindfulness-based smoking cessation app tailored for teenagers. Based on the paper Feasibility of a Smartphone App with Mindfulness Training for Adolescent Smoking Cessation: Cravin...

What Defines Mindfulness-Based Programs? The Warp and the Weft explores the essential and flexible elements of mindfulness-based programs (MBPs) such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and colleagues discuss their framework for defining MBPs, distinguishing between core components (the “warp”) and adaptable e...

Craving to Quit: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Smartphone App–Based Mindfulness Training for Smoking Cessation In this episode, Dr. Jud discusses the results of a pioneering randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of the Craving to Quit app for mindfulness-based smoking cessation. Drawing from the paper Craving to Quit: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Smartphone App–Based Mindfulness Train...

Meditation is Associated with Increased Brain Network Integration explores how mindfulness meditation enhances brain connectivity.  In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and his colleagues discuss their EEG-based study comparing novice and experienced meditators. Their findings reveal that experienced meditators exhibit significantly higher brain network integration in the alpha frequency band, suggesti...

Craving to Quit: Psychological Models and Neurobiological Mechanisms of Mindfulness Training as Treatment for Addictions In this episode, Dr. Jud explores the intricate relationship between psychological models, neurobiological mechanisms, and mindfulness training in treating addictions, as detailed in the paper Craving to Quit: Psychological Models and Neurobiological Mechanisms of Mindfulness Tr...

Mindfulness and Behavior Change explores how mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) support sustainable health behavior change.  In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and colleagues examine the neuroscience behind mindfulness, emphasizing motivation, learning, self-regulation, and habit formation. The study presents an integrative model that links mindfulness with neural mechanisms governing cognitive c...

Feeling is Believing: The Convergence of Buddhist Theory and Modern Scientific Evidence Supporting How Self is Formed and Perpetuated Through Feeling Tone (Vedanā) In this episode, Dr. Jud dives into the convergence of ancient Buddhist psychology and modern neuroscience, as explored in the paper Feeling is Believing: The Convergence of Buddhist Theory and Modern Scientific Evidence Supporting How...

The Psychological Benefits of Reconceptualizing Music-Making as Mindfulness Practice In this episode, Dr. Jud Brewer and Dr. Matthew Steinfeld explore the deep connection between mindfulness and music-making. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, and contemplative traditions, this study argues that playing music can serve as a mindfulness practice, fostering presence, flow states, and emotional res...