Your Complex Brain
Explore the myths, mysteries, and medical breakthroughs of the most complex and powerful organ in your body – your brain. Weaving together expert interviews with heartfelt, inspiring snapshots of the patients and family members in the middle of it all, Heather Sherman dives into the latest science on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, stroke, concussion, spinal cord injury, brain cancer, chronic pain and other brain diseases and disorders. Along the way she uncovers surprising insights, sheds light on the latest research, and shares heroic, real life stories from the people on the front lines. Brought to you by Krembil Brain Institute at UHN, one of the largest and most comprehensive neurological centres in North America. Learn more about our mission at: http://www.uhn.ca/krembil
Episodes
53 episodes
From Fatigued to Focussed: A Cancer Survivor's Journey with Sleep Apnea
In this bonus episode, we delve into the life-changing journey of Carmen Chu, a cancer survivor and mother who was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Carmen shares her struggles with interrupted sleep, fatigue, and the impact on her daily life. She di...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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12:47
"I felt...a very electric shock": One Woman's Story of Extreme Facial Pain
In this bonus episode, we share Adriana Salazar's powerful and emotional journey. Adriana, a 40-year-old mother and wife, first experienced the pain on her honeymoon in Portugal. The pain disappeared but returned during her pregnancy, escalatin...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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16:07
Epilepsy and Motherhood: One Mom’s Journey
Today, we’re diving into the deeply personal journey of Julianne Hazelwood, a journalist and new mother, who has lived with epilepsy since her early teenage years. Julianne shares her transformational experience of motherhood, the challenges of...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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17:26
Life After Stroke: A Young Woman’s Recovery
In this powerful and inspiring bonus episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Shruti Kothari, a 34-year-old actress and stroke survivor. On March 7, 2020, just before the pandemic shook the world, Shruti experienced a stroke whi...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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22:27
Beyond the Page: One Teacher's Journey with a Reading Disability
In this bonus episode, we dive deeper into the lived experience of Matthew Cote, a teacher and advocate for those living with learning disabilities, including reading disabilities. Matthew shares his personal journey, detailing how his reading ...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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14:16
From Patient to Physician: One UHN Doctor’s Neurofibromatosis Story
Neurofibromatosis, also known as NF, is one of the most common genetic disorders affecting about 1 in 3000 people globally. However, little is known about the condition causing it to often be misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed. Neurofibromatosis ca...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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9:36
Pedalling with Purpose: Fighting Parkinson’s with Exercise
Parkinson's disease is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, affecting over 100,000 Canadians and 12,000 new cases diagnosed every year. In this bonus episode of Your Complex Brain, we explore the transformative power of exer...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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14:14
Unbroken: John Ruffolo’s Inspiring Path to Recovery From a Spinal Cord Injury
In this bonus episode of Your Complex Brain, we hear from John Ruffolo, Founder and Managing Partner of Maverix Private Equity, who shares his personal journey of surviving a life-threatening cycling accident in 2020 that left him with a severe...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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16:40
The Heart of Dementia Care: A Social Worker's Perspective
In this bonus episode of Your Complex Brain, we delve into the world of dementia care with Maria Martinez, a dedicated social worker at UHN’s Memory Clinic, part of the Krembil Brain Institute. With nearly 25 years of experience, Maria shares h...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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13:24
The Health Risks of Undiagnosed Sleep Apnea
Loud, disruptive snoring could be (but isn’t always) a sign of sleep apnea, a common condition in which breathing may stop and start many times throughout the night. You may be aware that sleep apnea can disrupt your sleep and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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41:21
How AI is Helping Scientists Understand Chronic Pain
At UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, we have cared for many patients living with an extreme and heartbreaking facial pain disorder called trigeminal neuralgia. Patients often describe the pain as a lightning bolt to the face, or an electric shock....
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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39:31
The Lullaby Project: Music as Medicine
The Lullaby Project brings together expectant mothers with professional songwriters to write, record, and perform an original lullaby for their baby. In 2017, Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall brought this heartwarming initiative to Toronto, and...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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39:53
What Women Need to Know About Stroke Prevention & Recovery
A stroke happens when there is a sudden blockage of blood flow to the brain or bleeding in the brain, which can result in symptoms such as numbness or weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, or dizziness. The type of symptoms one might experienc...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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46:51
Are Reading Disabilities Genetic?
Do you know a child who has difficulty spelling or sounding out words? Maybe they feel stressed or anxious when it comes to reading, or they try to avoid it altogether?These symptoms could be a sign of a reading disorder, which is the m...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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42:15
Erasing the Stigma of Neurofibromatosis
Have you ever heard of a genetic condition called neurofibromatosis, also known as NF?It’s one of the most common genetic disorders, affecting about 1 in 3000 people globally. NF causes different types of tumours to form in various part...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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29:08
Can Exercise Slow the Progression of Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s disease is the fast-growing neurological condition in the world. In Canada, more than 100,000 people are currently living with Parkinson's and 12,000 new cases are diagnosed every year. In this episode of Your Complex Brain,...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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37:15
25 Years of Momentum in Spinal Cord Injury Research
In 1995, actor Christopher Reeve was injured in a horseback riding accident, leaving him quadriplegic - paralyzed from the shoulders down. He became a tireless advocate and a passionate supporter of research. Christopher’s dream was...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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40:18
Reduce Your Chances of Alzheimer’s. Here’s How.
In the time that it takes to say this sentence – three seconds – someone in the world will develop dementia, a group of symptoms impacting memory, thinking, mood, behaviour and the ability to complete everyday tasks. Alzheimer’s is the most com...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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35:04
The Lonely Brain
In a sweeping 2023 report, the US Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy, declared loneliness an epidemic and a public health emergency. According to the report, loneliness and isolation can lead to a significant increase in mental health disord...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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24:44
Season 3 of the award-winning 'Your Complex Brain' podcast is back!
We are once again bringing you inside UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute, one of North America's largest and most innovative neurological centres, to meet the scientists & physicians advancing discovery, the patients who inspire us, and the care...
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Season 3
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Episode 0
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1:00
Dr. Kathryn Curtis' 5-Minute breathing practice
Breathing exercises are simple techniques can help improve your overall well-being by promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and increasing mindfulness. Listen to this original 5-minute 'Breathing Space' practice created by Dr. Kathryn Curtis f...
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6:01
Harry Forestell on his Deep Brain Stimulation surgery for Parkinson's
Harry Forestell is a journalist with CBC Television. In 2013, he noticed a tremor in his right hand and was unsure what it was. It was later determined to be Parkinson's disease. He was referred to Dr. Tony Lang and the team at Toronto Western ...
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13:45
Why Fran Rider has donated her brain post-mortem to the Canadian Concussion Centre
Fran Ryder is the president of the Ontario Women's Hockey Association and has been involved in women's hockey for many years. She has played and volunteered in various capacities in the sport. She has also been involved in research and initiati...
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11:32
Natalie Ladly on parenting a child with special needs & the importance of supporting research
Natalie Ladly is the president and fundraising chair for CDKL5 Canada. She lives in Heathcoate, a town outside of Collingwood, Ontario, with her husband Eric and their three children: Brynn, Reece, and Cullen. Brynn has CDD, a rare disease that...
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14:06
Why Jack Conway is participating in a VR research trial to improve his vision after a brain tumour
Jack Conway, a 19-year-old from Toronto, Canada, is a huge fan of video games and roller coasters. His family includes his mom, Kim, his dad, Steve, and his older brother, Brian. Jack plays a variety of video games, from Call of Duty to Minecra...
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10:11