The Science of OCD
Get to know OCD16 Apr 2025

The Science of OCD

Uma Chatterjee is a neuroscientist who studies the brain circuitry behind OCD — and she’s also someone who lived with the disorder at its most severe. In this talk, she breaks down the actual biology behind intrusive thoughts and compulsions, from overactive brain regions like the orbitofrontal cortex to the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, and GABA. She explains how genetics and stress can prime the brain for OCD, why certain thoughts feel so “sticky,” and what’s really happening when the brain misfires and flags harmless ideas as dangerous.

But this isn’t just science for science’s sake — it’s about hope. Uma shares how Exposure and Response Prevention therapy (ERP) can actually retrain the brain’s alarm system through neuroplasticity, helping people tolerate anxiety without relying on compulsions. For the most up-to-date science on OCD and its treatment, this video is must watch.

To learn more about science-backed OCD treatment and to find an OCD-specialized therapist, visit us at NOCD: https://learn.nocd.com/podcast

Watch Uma's interview on the Get to know OCD podcast: https://youtu.be/1NaxMoYhXZ4
You can follow Uma’s latest research here: ⁠https://umarchatterjee.com/research/⁠
She also hosts her own podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/umarchatterjee

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Episoder(196)

Committing To Overcome OCD Is The Hard Part

Committing To Overcome OCD Is The Hard Part

William Schultz knew what he was supposed to do to treat his OCD — and still couldn’t do it. He understood ERP, understood the logic behind it, and understood that avoiding his fears was keeping the c...

2 Apr 47min

Is It Cleanliness… or OCD?

Is It Cleanliness… or OCD?

Washing your hands, cleaning your home, and being mindful about germs — all of that can be good hygiene. But at what point does it cross the line into being OCD? It's not always clear, and OCD feeds o...

29 Mar 9min

The Science Behind Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, and Other Repetitive Behaviors

The Science Behind Hair Pulling, Skin Picking, and Other Repetitive Behaviors

Hair pulling, skin picking, nail biting — these aren’t just “bad habits.” They’re known as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs), and for many people, they feel nearly impossible to stop. But it i...

26 Mar 39min

THE IMPOSSIBLE LINE: John Green on Why You Can't Logic Away OCD Fear

THE IMPOSSIBLE LINE: John Green on Why You Can't Logic Away OCD Fear

Have you ever had a fear that felt completely real, even when you knew it most likely wasn’t? John Green has. In this video, John shares how OCD fears can blur the line between thoughts and reality, a...

23 Mar 8min

How To Actually Get Better From OCD

How To Actually Get Better From OCD

Most people think OCD treatment is just about exposure, but... that’s only part of the story. The real change happens when you stop doing the compulsions and safety behaviors that keep you stuck. In t...

22 Mar 11min

How OCD Takes Over The Whole Family

How OCD Takes Over The Whole Family

OCD doesn’t just affect one person, it can quietly take over an entire household. What starts as small accommodations to reduce anxiety can turn into daily routines shaped around OCD, pulling parents ...

19 Mar 42min

Why I Hid My OCD In The Military Out Of Fear

Why I Hid My OCD In The Military Out Of Fear

Cody Fournier was serving in the military when OCD began to consume his thoughts. The taboo thoughts were intense and confusing, but what scared him just as much was the idea of anyone finding out. In...

12 Mar 43min

John Green answers the internet's biggest OCD questions

John Green answers the internet's biggest OCD questions

Author and YouTuber John Green sits down with Dr. Patrick McGrath, NOCD’s Chief Clinical Officer, to answer the internet’s most-asked questions about OCD, including:• How do you ask for help when your...

9 Mar 19min

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