Danielle Dick, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology and Genetics. In this conversation Danielle talks about how our genes and environment can influence our health and behavior. We talk about things like substance abuse, eating disorder, depression and other psychiatric conditions - is it individual's fault? Danielle says that "our brains are all wired very differently on the inside". When talking about addiction, Danielle explains that, interestingly, how our brains process reward appears to be more important than predisposition to specific substance. Emotion regulation is another big factor that influences addictive behaviors. We discuss anxiety, the role it plays, and the evolutionary advantage it was born from. Danielle concludes that genetic code we are born with is important, but it does not mean we are destined to have problems. Environment plays an important role and can make a huge difference. Finally, we discuss how this science translates in child care and parenting. Understanding your child's disposition is key for applying appropriate parenting strategies and nurturing a healthy family environment. Tune in to learn more! This podcast is brought to you by Emory Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness. To learn more about our work, please visit https://bit.ly/EmoryLM