On The Mend

Matt Willis sits down with Professor David Nutt, one of the world's leading experts on drugs and the brain, to answer a question so many people carry in silence: why can't I just stop?

David explains how addiction changes the brain, why willpower isn't always enough, and why understanding the biology can help replace shame with compassion.

He also explores the emerging science of psychedelics and their potential to help people break free from deeply rooted patterns. Your brain has been changed. That's why this is hard. But it can recover, and the science is beginning to show us how.

This episode explores Addiction, The Brain & Recovery, Shame & Stigma, and Psychedelics.

Need Support?
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Narcotics Anonymous: na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk
Shout: https: giveusashout.org
IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU

AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs
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Musician and internet personality Window Kid, aka Greg, built a career around being the life of the party, until drinking nearly cost him his life.

After being hospitalised with severe pancreatitis, Greg was faced with a reality he couldn't ignore: if he carried on drinking, he could die. But getting sober also meant confronting a bigger fear, who was Window Kid without alcohol?

Greg shares how he rebuilt his life and career in sobriety, the unexpected friendship with Robbie Williams that supported him along the way, and why giving up alcohol opened up a world he never thought he'd enjoy.

This is a conversation about addiction, identity, recovery, and discovering that life on the other side can be better than you imagined.

Need Support?
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Narcotics Anonymous: na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk
Shout: https: giveusashout.org
IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU

AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental health and dementia advocate Jordan Adams grew up watching Frontotemporal Dementia slowly take his mum away. Years later, a genetic test revealed that he carries the same mutation.

Jordan shares the unique grief of losing someone while they're still here, and what it means to live knowing he may develop the same disease that took his mum.

But rather than allowing that uncertainty to define his life, Jordan has turned it into a reason to live more fully. He talks about finding purpose through advocacy, carrying his mum's spirit with him, and why his diagnosis has become what he calls a “license to live”.

This is a conversation about grief, mortality, purpose, and choosing what you do with the time you have.

Themes: Frontotemporal Dementia, Grief, Genetic Testing, Mortality, and Finding Purpose.

Learn more about Jordan's work:

Jordan and his brother Cian share their story, raise awareness of FTD and support fundraising for dementia research through The FTD Brothers - https://theftdbrothers.com

Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU

AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/onthemend to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mental health campaigner Ben West was 17 when his younger brother Sam took his own life. In a single night, everything changed.

Ben shares the guilt he carried afterwards, the conversations he wishes he'd known how to have, and how he eventually began to understand that he wasn't responsible for what happened.

He also explores how grief became purpose, from campaigning for better mental health education to creating Reasons to Stay, which has now shared millions of messages of hope around the world.

Together, Matt and Ben explore men's mental health, supporting someone who's struggling, and why sometimes connection matters more than having the right words.

Themes: Suicide & Bereavement, Grief & Guilt, Men's Mental Health, Purpose, and Connection.

Ben West's new book: 'Reasons to...: Letters of Hope from a World that Cares' is out in January 2027 and available to pre-order now: bit.ly/ReasonsToAMZ

Need Support?
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Narcotics Anonymous: na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk
Shout: https: giveusashout.org
IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Race Across the World star Alfie Watts knows how much can change in a day.

At 16, during the lowest point of his life, he made a decision to stay for “one more day”, then another. Years later, Alfie looks back at that version of himself as someone he barely recognises.

From losing his mum and finding family outside of blood, to becoming the role model he once needed, Alfie shares the mindset that has carried him forward: take life in small steps, say yes when you can, and remember that neither the highs nor the lows last forever.

This is a conversation about growing up, finding your people, and discovering just how different life can look when you give tomorrow a chance.

Themes: Mental Health, Grief & Loss, Chosen Family, Purpose, and Hope.

Need Support?
Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org
Narcotics Anonymous: na.org
Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk
Shout: https: giveusashout.org
IAPT: https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/

Randox 👉 Head to the Randox Health website and check out the RanChip Insight 360 test. You can get a 10% discount by using the code OTM10 along with up to £250 cashback if you refer a friend https://highpfrmc.com/OTM-Randox-AU
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.