416. The surprising neuroscience behind your anxiety

416. The surprising neuroscience behind your anxiety

Author: iHeartPodcasts May 11, 2026 Duration: 44:46

Anxiety has a way of making ordinary moments feel life-or-death. A simple interaction can feel significant, a passing thought can spiral into catastrophe, and your body can react as if something is deeply wrong - even when rationally you know you’re probably okay. In this episode, we get into the neuroscience behind anxiety - why your brain becomes obsessed with certain thoughts, why false alarms feel so convincing, and what actually helps when you want to feel less trapped inside your own mind.

We explore: 
•        Why anxiety feels so intense and urgent
•        Our physical and emotional reactions to anxiety
•        The role of GABA and glutamate in anxiety
•        Why trying to ‘stop thinking about it’ doesn’t work
•        How avoidance perpetuates the anxious cycle
•        Practical ways for living with an anxious brain

Happy listening!

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

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For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

Our favourite sources: 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9559819/

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn2555

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-022-01332-2

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027273580000057X

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Navigating your twenties can feel like a constant, bewildering experiment where you're both the scientist and the subject. The Psychology of your 20s, hosted by Jemma Sbeg, treats this unique decade with the thoughtful analysis it deserves. Released every Tuesday and Friday, each episode picks apart a specific thread of the modern twentysomething experience-whether it's the anxiety of mapping out a career, the complexities of dating apps, the strain on friendships, or the stress of managing money for the first time. Jemma grounds these universal themes in psychological research and science, offering clarity on why this period feels so tumultuous. The conversations move beyond simple advice, instead providing a framework for understanding the mental and emotional underpinnings of decisions big and small. This isn't a lecture; it's a companionable exploration of the growing pains that define adulthood's first chapter. Tuning into this podcast feels like gaining a new lens on your own life, one that transforms confusion into comprehension. It’s produced by iHeartPodcasts.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Psychology of your 20s
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