In Episode 60 of the Brain Science Podcast, Ginger Campbell, MD, interviews Dr. Stuart Brown, author of Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul.  Our focus is on the importance of play for normal mental development and psychological health. We also explore the importance of play in adults.

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Scientists mentioned in the podcast:

• Anthony Pellegrini, PhD (University of Minnesota): Studies rough and tumble play.

• Brian Sutton-Smith, PhD (Strong Museum of Play, NY): studies the storytelling aspects of play.

• John Ratey, MD (Harvard Medical School): author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.

• Sergio Pellis, PhD (Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neuroscience): has studied rough and tumble play in mice and rats for many years.

• Marian C Diamond, PhD (University of California-Berkeley): pioneer in the study of effects of enrichment on the mammalian brain. Recent Video.

• Richard Feynman, PhD (1918-1988): Nobel physicist who is also remembered for finding the cause of the Challenger disaster. (see the video)

• Roger Guillimen, PhD (The Salk Institute): won the 1977 Nobel Prize in Medicine for "discoveries concerning the peptide hormone production of the brain."

Books about Play and Related Topics:

• Play: How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul ,by Stuart Brown, MD with Christopher Vaughn

• A Nation of Wimps: The High Cost of Invasive Parenting, by Hara Estroff Marano

• The Gift of Play: Why Adult Women Stop Playing And How To Start Again, by Barbara Brannen

• Exuberant Animal: The Power of Health, Play, and Joyfill Movement, by Frank Forenich

• Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, by John J. Ratey

Useful Links:

• National Institute of Play

• The Association for the Study of Play

• Alliance for Childhood

• Sports for Kids Foundation

• KaBoom!

Send email to Dr. Campbell at brainsciencepodcast@gmail.com.