Brian Pennie : The neuroscience of addiction

Topics covered : Addiction, shame, awareness, compassion, recovery.

In this week’s episode of Ready to Be Real, I speak to Dr. Brian Pennie - neuroscientist, podcast host and former heroin addict.

I first met Brian back in 2020 when his memoir Bonus Time was released, and I remember being completely blown away by his honesty and insight. Since then, life has continued to evolve for Brian. He’s now living a very fulfilled life with his partner Natalie, continuing his work in neuroscience, delivering talks, hosting his own podcast and helping people better understand addiction, behaviour and recovery.

Brian spent 15 years addicted to heroin before getting clean in October 2013. In this conversation, we explore addiction from both a neuroscience point of view and through Brian’s lived experience - what happens in the brain when addiction takes hold, why recovery can be so difficult, and what can genuinely help somebody who is struggling.

Following on from last week’s conversation with Tony O’Reilly about gambling addiction, this feels like a really important companion episode.

You can find Brian online BrianPennie.com – Change is Possible and through his podcast Change is Possible.

And as always, thank you so much for supporting the podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate and review Ready to Be Real wherever you get your podcasts - it really helps.

Watch Brian's documentaries :

Hooked: How Addiction Hijacks Your Brain - RTE Player

Other episodes to listen to on addiction : Tony O'Reilly, Nikki Hayes and Gavin Meenan.

Books :

Bonus Time - A true story of surviving the worst and discovering the magic of every moment by Brian Pennie

In the realm of hungry ghosts by Dr. Gabor Maté

Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke

Tony 10: The Astonishing Story of the Postman Who Gambled €10,000,000…and Lost It All

Resources & Support

If you’re concerned about yourself or someone you love, please know that support is available and you are not alone.

Support links:

Samaritans Ireland

​Ireland helplines and hotlines

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