The Biology, Morality and Politics of Addiction - Dr Gabor Maté - The Freedomain Radio Interview

[wonderlandstop007]

Dr. Mate reminds me, each time I listen to him, how devoid/lacking in compassion we (as a society) really are ~ to others and ourselves. Dr Mate breathes such compassion and intelligence into the conversation.

[whiterchocolate]

just thought of something if his ideas on stress and addiction are true what about multiple generations in families being inclined towards addiction ? abuse passed on from one generation to the next and addiction is just a symptom? any ideas? anyone?

[xsickzackx]

ho.lyyyy.. shit.. this video just sealed it. im getting a philosophy major in addition to another practical major.. you just inflenced my life path in one youtube video. im not even in school. deep shit period. no ones up on this stuff..

[genghisdon1]

good interview, interesting stuff

[Sacher01]

Good interview, thanks!

[tonedcos]

Thanks stef. Told a friend of mine who asked me to explain spirituallity. I told him imo, spriituallity is like philosophy. Meaning, Anarchy with mutual respect + the first principle of none aggresion. Am i barking up the wrong tree? Love and respect to you and your sound judgments. : )

[vidic245]

Dr Gabor Maté work is pure logic as simple as a.b.c to understand. I hate it when people say "i agree with him".. well what, so you think if you don't agree that makes him wrong? people and their ideas of "their opinions" is just stupid.

[brindlebriar]

I've been saying this for so long: drugs are self-medication. They are not the source-problem, just a cure with lots of unfortunate side effects. Despite the severity of the side-effects of drugs, making them go away would still leave the source problems, worse than ever.

[MicahBuzan]

currently reading "scattered minds". he's a brilliant thinker.

[benandreas369]

Funny that Stefan interviewed this guy and yet does not realize the system that stefan supports (capitalism) is one factor as to why people become susceptible to things such as greed, power, and other stresses. Oh the irony

[QuantumGh0st]

Dr Mat'e is brilliant.

[emmazedbend]

Thanks for posting this excellent interview, I just happen to be reading his book at he moment, but your questions pulled out more strands of his thinking for me, really excellent.

[Gumblert]

that was a great interview.

[blaisetheman]

Great video.

[cheekyleopard]

Id love to know what this guy thinks about Iboga/Ibogaine.

[gabssnake]

Great interview! Very relevant to the world of today. The audio was not that bad :)

[zabelicious]

to andrewh817 above.The common theme with overeating and what Dr Mate is talking about is the fact that they both provide pleasure i.e. release endorphines in the brain! That is what people are addicted too.

[ReX342]

I too would like to see the data that implies that schizophrenia is nurture and not so much nature (to use the age old dichotomy).

[nebraskafrankcourtny]

So what's advised for the addict who wants to begin healing the toxic relationship with his/her own self, and to stop the substance abuse? A book? A counselor? Thanks so much for this interview, btw. It absolutely is the most insightful view I've ever heard on addiction; it struck me as right on target - 100% correct, thus hugely inspiring.

[onedollarwill]

Co-dependence,, looking down at others, romance, medicine, sex, coffee, sugar... I have yet to meet ANY human who was not addicted to more than one issue. Who are you that will point your finger?

[greenghost2008]

btw what kind of people want to grow up to be philosophers like me?

[carlawon]

I just read scattered... it is one of the best books I have ever read.(add)... outstanding!

[immayhem]

I am surprised that there is no mention of nutrition (I am 20 minutes in to the interview and I haven't heard it said one time). Nutrition has a huge impact on body chemistry. Revisit the statistics, and consider that there are very few people who engage in correct eating practices for the health of their bodies and minds - and the poor are especially at risk....  We eat the wrong foods. Addiction and mental illness are primarily nutritional issues.

[bigtarrose]

I don`t know if compulsive human behavior should be included with drug addiction. This opens a big can of worms when people claim they are "pedophile addicts" or "child porn addicts", so everything from hoarding to serial killing can be called "addictions". Let`s just stick to the heroin, crack, meth problem.

[undueinfluence]

What does Mr. Molyneux think about the book Parents should matter more than peers? How about super peers - - like someone looked up to?

[derekocathain]

Hey Stef, Great interview..... one of the best 'expert' interviews in my opinion. Thanks again for all of your work... I average an hour a day listening to your various interviews, pod casts and so on and it is Life Changing stuff. I need all the help I can get due to my background.

Keep up the good work ...

Derek

[Jkelquedi]

so awesome

[Deathinmusic]

This is fantastic, thank you.

[andrewh817]

I think quite a few people will reject his definition of addiction, simply because it will expose their own non-drug related addictions. Overeating being one of the most common ones I've seen.

[SoomPrimal]

I think what he said is largely true. Any behavior can be made into an addiction. I think it's important, however, to point out that chemically many drugs are inherently more addictive than others. Quitting smoking marijuana is nothing compared to kicking a smack addiction, which has real physical withdrawal symptoms and is a horror in itself (to use the extremes.)

[bunabayashi]

did you not hear what the good doctor said?

[nijaexhile3]

@SoomPrimal Nice point man. Good thing to remember.

[serbaroo1]

This man has hit the nail on the head in terms of how he has analysed the building of the pain body. Understanding his finding extrapulate to society in general hence the collective unconscious.

[Marchije]

Hey Stef,

At about 20:11 you speak to how people's political opinions have been shown to be related to their "amygdaline (amygdaloid?) response to fear stimuli". I'd love to read up on this more. Do you have any suggested books or web links on the subject?

[kimdaviscali]

Good video but the audio was terrible, to hear him I had to crank the volume and it was too basy and then when you spoke it was too loud, spent the entire time with hand on the volume.. just a level check would have helped.

[stefbot]

My apologies, I do run the audio through a volume leveler, but there's not much I can do with phone audio. I also try to get people to use Skype, but no luck this time...

[DaveDoggOwns]

I'm assuming that was an expensive long-distance call.

[SoomPrimal]

Stefan: Are you using an audio compression filter on your phone guests? If you use a compressor, the dynamic range (highs and lows of volumes) will be compressed and it will be easier to hear people over the phone because the volume will be more consistent- even if the guest lowers his or her voice (as this guest did a lot.) I'd suggest looking into it. (Just to elaborate on the above posters point)

[djdnauk1977]

@SoomPrimal i agree about using a compressor or limiter... i think a bit of EQ'ing would help too as dr gabor mate's voice seems a bit muffled too.

[PaperSoapy]

please have these people use the internet to talk to you, like over ventrillo or something, because they are RIDICULOUSLY hard to understand over the telephone.

[603881]

"This is how I believe we make a better future."

Absolutely Stef, Bullseye.

[imgordonfreeman]

what kind of accent does he have?

[kimdaviscali]

Look up in the info section and you'll answer your own question.

[wreckerpecker]

Politics is a theater drama like any other. It can never be anything more. Fade the nightmare aspects

[KraljevicPavle]

This man is a very good interviewee, which is strangely uncommon. Good going, Stef

[bearhuntaa]

thanks for this

[Hamandchees3]

first view, Your interviews are very fair and good.