What is Health? Allostasis and the Evolution of Human Design

Peter Sterling, PhD

Introduction

Peter Sterling studied at Cornell University and earned a PhD in neuroscience at Western Reserve University. Following postdoctoral study at Harvard Medical School, he established a laboratory at UPenn where he studied functional architecture of neural circuits, leading to a book with Simon Laughlin, Principles of Neural Design (2015). Sterling is also a lifelong social activist, having campaigned for civil rights as a "Freedom Rider" and against the brain-damaging attempts to treat mental disturbance by psychosurgery, electroshock, and neuroleptic drugs.  

Sterling, noting poor health in socially stressed communities, formulated (with Joseph Eyer) the concept of allostasis, wherein the brain governs all the body's biochemistry and physiology. Allostasis employs a brain circuit that compels seeking that pauses briefly to a positive surprise. Modern life reduces opportunities for positive surprise, so we are compelled to seek it through consumption: bigger burgers, more opioids, and innumerable activities that drive climate change. Sterling's new book, What is Health? (2020), now in Spanish as ¿Qué es la Salud?, builds an understanding from molecules upward that society must abandon mere technical solutions and restore possibilities for daily small rewards for which we were wired by evolution. Sterling now winters on a small farm in western Panamá and summers in rural Massachusetts.  

Learning Objectives:

Upon conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Clarify that the brain regulates all bodily functions and adjusts all systems to provide "just enough, just in time".
• Clarify what can go wrong when humans cannot satisfy their deep need for purpose and connection.

1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™ hour is offered for watching this presentation via Zoom.  Ethos will be implemented for all post presentation surveys.  To document your attendance, please text the code given at the presentation to 507-200-3010.  For questions, emailrstpsychgr@mayo.edu

Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Credit Statement(s):

AMA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

APA
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibly for the content of the programs.
 

This activity is approved for a maximum of 1.00 credits. Credit is awarded only for actual instructional time.
 

ASWB
As a jointly Accredited Organization, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program.  Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program.  State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.  Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science maintains responsibility for this course.  Social workers completing this course will receive 1.00 continuing education credits. 

Archived webcast available at: Psychiatry & Psychology Video Library

Disclosure Summary

As a provider accredited by Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science must ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in its educational activities.  All who are in a position to control the content are required to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible company.   Faculty will also identify any off-label and/or investigational use of pharmaceuticals or instruments discussed in their content for FDA compliance

Listed below are individuals with control of the content of this program who have disclosed…

Relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies:
None

No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies:
Chad Ellis, LICSW, Aimee Karstens, PhD, MA, Sydney Kelpin, PhD, Bhanu Kolla, MD, Wendy Moore, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Charlene Nelson (coordinator), Amber Pearson (coordinator), Amber Ruth (coordinator), Tyler Mielke (coordinator), Michelle Skime, MS

Speaker: Peter Sterling, PhD

For disclosure information regarding Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development accreditation review committee member(s), please go here. 

ATTENDANCE/CREDIT
Text the session code (provided only at the session) to 507-200-3010 within 48 hours of the live presentation to record attendance.  All learners are encouraged to text attendance regardless of credit needs.  This number is only used for receiving text messages related to tracking attendance.  Additional tasks to obtain credit may be required based on the specific activity requirements and will be announced accordingly. Swiping your badge willnot provide credit; that process is only applicable to meet GME requirements for Residents & Fellows. 

TRANSCRIPT
Any credit or attendance awarded from this series will appear on your Transcript.

DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
Visit the department's website for additional information.

COURSE DIRECTOR(S)
Bhanu Prakash Kolla, MD

QUESTIONS?  
Contact Amber Ruth at ph. 5-1791 or Amber Pearson at ph. 4-5916.