In this episode, Wendy speaks with contemplative scientist Melissa Rosenkranz. Melissa's work examines the mind-body connection with a focus on how inflammation interacts with our brains and emotions, and how meditation might help. This conversation covers many topics, including:

her interest in the mind-body connection;
pros and cons of inflammation in the body;
bidirectional links between inflammation in the body and our emotions;
how inflammation can lead to hypersensitivity in the brain;
inflammation and dementia;
misperceptions around stress causing asthma;
meditation's effect on inflammation and our immune response;
meditation in asthma management (emotional and physical);
studying whether mindfulness can protect against inflammatory damage to the brain;
integrating meditation with medication;
polarization in society and the power of building weak ties;
increasing the safety signal to our bodies;
seeing the fuller humanity of the people in our world;
lovingkindness practice in action;
links between inflammation in society and in our bodies;
and a reminder that there's always a place to start when making change.

Full show notes and resources