Evolutionary Psychiatry Can Explain Human Emotions - Dr Randy Nesse - #542

**Chris Williamson** (0:00)
Hello, friends. Welcome back to the show. My guest today is Randy Nesse. He's a physician, author, and founder of the field of evolutionary medicine and evolutionary psychiatry. Evolution created an odd creature in humans. We're able to fly to the moon and cure diseases, but we also get anxious in the supermarket or depressed if we have a bad week. Why would mother nature make us so fragile? If natural selection is powerful, why are mental disorders so common? Expect to learn why the capacity for low mood exists at all, how low mood and depression could be evolutionarily advantageous, what happens if someone has too little fear or anxiety, why bad feelings are useless but normal, how eating disorders could be an adaptive response to the local environment, and much more. In other news, this episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. We all need help at some point in our lives, whether it's because of stress at home or work or loneliness. It can be invaluable to know that there's someone professionally trained who can help us get through whatever we're facing. Over 2 million people have taken charge of their mental health with BetterHelp's online service. It removes all of the hassle and awkwardness that can be involved in finding a therapist and gives you some essential simplified steps instead. There are a broad range of experts available categorized by their specialty or combination of specialties like addiction, social anxiety, or relationships. The service is available for clients worldwide. You can log in to your account at any time and send a message to your counselor. You get timely and thoughtful responses. Plus, you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions, so you don't even have to leave the house. It is an easier, quicker, more convenient and cheaper way to start doing therapy. And you can get 10% off your first month if you go to betterhelp.com/modernwisdom. There is a free quiz that can take you through all of the options that BetterHelp's got for you. And it will give you that 10% discount. betterhelp.com/modernwisdom. In other other news, this episode is brought to you by Element. Element is a tasty electrolyte drink mix with everything that you need and nothing that you don't. It's a healthy alternative to sugary electrolyte drinks. Each Grab and Go stick replaces essential electrolytes with no sugar, no coloring, no artificial ingredients or any other BS. It contains a science backed electrolyte ratio of sodium potassium and magnesium. Proper hydration plays a critical role in reducing muscle cramps and fatigue. It optimizes your brain health, it regulates your appetite and it helps curb cravings. Element is the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting, the Special Forces, Navy SEAL teams, FBI sniper teams and Marines, plus tech leaders and everyday athletes around the world. They also have the most robust, no BS, no questions asked refund policy. So you can buy it and use all of it. And if you don't like it at any point, you don't even have to send the box back. They will just return your money. That's how confident they are that you love it. Head to drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom to get a free sample pack of all eight flavors with your first box. That's drinklmnt.com/modernwisdom.
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Randy Nesse, welcome to the show.