Zachary Quinto + Dr. Judith Grisel: The Power of Addiction

Addiction has the terrifying power to alter our neurochemistry, undermine our best intentions, and destroy relationships, leaving human lives shattered in its wake. How can we fight it while summoning the healing power to repair its damage? Neuroscientist Judith Grisel PhD, who studies factors that contribute to addiction, and actor Zachary Quinto, who has his own experiences with addiction, offer perspectives on the topic. Together they explore how addiction happens, discuss why specific drugs—including opioids, alcohol, and cocaine—are so hard to kick, and illuminate the path to recovery for addicts, loved ones, caregivers, and crafters of public policy.

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ABOUT BRAINWAVE
You live inside your head every day, but do you understand how it works? Brainwave, the Rubin’s longest-running program series, investigates how our minds shape our everyday experiences, incorporating Eastern and Western philosophy, science, art, and other disciplines. Every spring, a unique theme unifies the Rubin Museum’s programs, including on-stage conversations between neuroscientists and notable personalities, films, and immersive visitor experiences.

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[Vessecora]

Zach being so open about his father's death really reinforces some things for me. My mother passed when I was 6-7 as well, and for as long as I can remember, I've always brushed it off when talking about it as "eh I can't remember it anyway so I'm fine". But psychologically speaking there's a lot more to it, even being repressed. Especially since there was a lot of unhealthy behaviours in the lead up. She died of lung cancer, being heavily addicted to cigarettes as well as various other vices. Childhood development is so complex that it's sometimes hard to look back to see just what contributed to it.

It's rather ironic that I've led a very sober life. The only thing I've ever experimented with is alcohol because I am afraid that there is a very slippery slope that may even be influenced by that upbringing or genetics. Even the addiction culture (so to speak) around caffeine as a stimulant has left me avoiding it. Having grown up with bingeing due to external restriction, it's something I've always been aware of too.

[aimeeelise]

Shes amazing, and did she says shes in her 50s, surely not!

[samworthington]

Love zachary so much and I'm so proud of him 🥰

[young-sunju]

You think I'm gonna let the girls with the hearts come?
What do you think of a woman with breasts?