Explicando - A Mente

The episodes of this show give you some easy-to-digest insight to lots of interesting topics ranging from dreams and psychedelics to personality and focus.

Not everything in this show is supremely scientific, but it gets your gears turning and allows you the chance to ask yourself some questions and consider making potential behavior changes. They're not "how to" guides, nor should they be viewed that way. Rather they have information in them meant to shed some light on intriguing topics of the mind, utilizing studies and field experts to help elevate the conversation.

Some of the episodes fall a little short, feeling a little too fluffed or maybe more socially driven than scientifically driven. But it's worth spending the 20-25 minutes per episode watching, listening, and being open-minded.

The first three episodes were really interesting, and covered a good range of fascinating material. The episode on mindfulness wasn't bad, but relied more on practitioners and less on objective facts. But then, the episode on hallucinogens really pulled the series down. It relied on scant facts to pull together a case for further investigation into hallucinogens. Perhaps there's a case for this, but it didn't fit well into a series based much more on science and the mind in the natural world. There are so many aspects of the mind which could have been explored. This last episode also took away from some of what had been presented in the Mindfulness episode.

In an age in which the attention span of the consumer is constantly divided between a variety of devices and distractions, "The Mind, Explained" stands out as a great example of the new way to take on information. With expert opinions and interesting imagery interwoven through each episode - which each fall around the 20-min mark - this docuseries keeps you interested just long enough to pick up tidbits of information for parties and pique your interest on the incredible machine that is the brain, and if you wish to delve further you may do so at your own leisure.

Basic, surface level information - perhaps. But enough to be well worth the short time it asks.

As a Clinical Therapist, this is a great introduction to these topics and short enough to keep ones attention and create an interest to do more research. I even use this documentary in my group sessions and then we discuss these topics throughout the group session. Mindfulness is a great tool for people who have anxiety, depression and PTSD and I have found great success using it with the majority of my clients.

As someone grappling with both depression and anxiety, this show was enlightening.

It touched on why I probably started having memory issues and also enlightened me into why I stopped feeling hopeful about the future. (hint, the part of the brain dealing with memory also deals with your hopes and dreams qnd it shrinks because of depression).

I then learnt what the value of dreams are, why exercise seems to help with my anxiety and why meditation was, strangely, one of the most helpful exercises I got into in the year that my depression was it its best.

I loved this show despite the fact that it's not an indepth view of psychology but as a show, for entertainment and enlightenment, it's piqued my curiosity and I will certainly look into the concepts I've learnt in a lot more detail.