453. 7 facts you need to know about your brain

453. 7 facts you need to know about your brain

Author: iHeartPodcasts September 3, 2026 Duration: 49:35

There are a surprising number of myths and misconceptions about the brain, particularly with regards to its development in our 20s. In this episode, we unpack a number of surprising facts and studies about the brain so that we can in turn better understand how to make the most of our 20s. 

Watch on Netflix: HERE

We unpack: 
• The science of neuroplasticity and how our brain can rewire itself 
• Why, on a cognitive level, a broken heart may not be so different from a broken arm
• How much of our brains we really use (hint - it’s more than 10%!)
• The gut-brain axis and why poor gut health can cause depression - not the other way around
• Why our brain needs to forget to function properly
• The real age our brain stops developing

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

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: 50

The Psychology of your 20s
Podcast Episodes
451. Why you need to stop psychoanalysing the people you date [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:03
Dating can bring out the psychologist in us. One delayed reply, one vague comment, and we try to decode someone’s attachment style, childhood wounds, and capacity for commitment. But while psychological language can help…
450. The psychology of the quarter life reinvention [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
In this episode, we explore the psychology of the quarter life reinvention: the period that can come after the confusion, uncertainty and identity crisis of our early and mid-20s, when things finally begin to fall into p…
449. The psychology of your shadow self [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:10
What is the shadow self? And how do we meet ours? In today's episode we explore what it means to get curious about the shadow parts of ourselves. We take a grounded look at shadow work - where the idea came from, the lay…
448. The psychology of reputation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:17
We're talking about reputation. On a fundamental level, our reputations are a signal of our qualities that make us worth associating with, and we tend to spend a large amount of time ruminating and even obsessing over wh…
447. The psychology of PMOS/PCOS ft. Dr Hazel Wallace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:52
I was recently diagnosed with PMOS, and with that came a lot of questions: why is my body like this, what caused it, will I be able to have kids, how can I fix it? There's a lot of information (and misinformation) online…
446. The psychology of Stockholm Syndrome [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:23
The term “Stockholm Syndrome” is used to explain why someone might defend, protect, or feel attached to a person who has harmed them - but why does this happen? In this bonus episode, we explore where the term came from,…
445. Your guide to nervous system regulation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:51
Tips for nervous system regulation are everywhere right now - from breathwork and cold plunges to conversations about burnout, anxiety, and trauma. But what does it actually mean to be regulated, and are we sometimes tur…
444. The psychology of angel numbers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:50
Angel numbers have a way of showing up just when we need them. 111 symbolises new beginnings. 444 means divine protection. Why does our mind pay such close attention to these numbers, what is the history, and what is the…
443. How to be more interesting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:53
I think we all instinctively know if we find someone interesting… or not. But how can we cultivate the skills of being interesting to others? In this episode, we break down the science behind what makes people interestin…
442. The psychology of insecurity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:38
If anyone tells you that they’re not even a little bit insecure, they’re lying, in denial, or both. It’s a fact of life that we all feel insecure at times - about how we look, behave, our achievements, and whether we are…