The Protective Power of Love in Your Brain | Juan Dominguez | TEDxUTAustin
NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker’s personal views and interpretation of substance use disorder and oxytocin, which remains debated by experts working in this field. Several theories have not been tested experimentally and warrant further scientific investigation. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfLove can be more than just an emotion; it can be a powerful force that rewires the brain and protects it from disorders like addiction. Drawing from his own childhood in a neighborhood marked by drugs and crime, Dr. Juan Dominguez shares how the love he received at home sparked his lifelong quest to understand the neuroscience behind love’s protective effects. In this talk, he takes the audience inside the brain to reveal how love activates the same reward systems targeted by addictive substances, without the harmful consequences, and how harnessing this power may transform approaches to prevention and healing.Dr. Juan Dominguez is Vice Provost for Academics and Curriculum at The University of Texas at Austin, where he is also a professor of psychology, neuroscience, and pharmacology. His research focuses on the brain mechanisms of love and addiction, and his work has been featured in scientific journals, public lectures, and educational initiatives bridging neuroscience and everyday life. Dr. Juan Dominguez is the Vice Provost for Academic and Curricular Innovation. In addition to his role as vice provost, he is an award-winning professor of psychology, pharmacology, and neuroscience and a widely published and highly cited research scientist.The goals of his laboratory are to elucidate the underlying neural and endocrine mechanisms regulating motivated behaviors, specifically, using the study of sexual behavior as a prototypic model for understanding motivation, its acquisition, and associated disorders like substance abuse disorder and depression.Dr. Dominguez’s scientific accomplishments are evidenced in over 50 publications, numerous research grants, including those from the National Institutes of Health, and several awards related to his research on the brain’s regulation of motivated behaviors and associated disorders, such as addiction. His love of science carries over into his love of teaching, which has been recognized by several teaching awards, including the Ann Repp Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Texas 10 Award distinction of “most inspiring professor,” and, more recently, the President’s Associates Teaching Excellence Award.In his capacity as vice provost, Dr. Dominguez aims towards the development of innovative strategies to enhance the quality and impact of education at UT. This includes working with various stakeholders to promote innovative approaches to undergraduate curricula and enhancing interdisciplinary studies and undergraduate research. He aims to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students across the University to promote a culture of academic excellence, innovation, and engagement in undergraduate education and success. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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