Ira talks to Dr. Abhijit Nadkarni about understanding addiction — how to tell the difference between deeply enjoying something and being unable to step away from it, and what that distinction really means.

 

They explore the biology of addiction, while also asking where our scope for change lies — often in the psycho-social spaces of support, structure, and daily choices. The conversation turns to what help actually looks like in practice, and how to operationalise advice or treatment instead of just talking about it.

 

They reflect on the often misunderstood point: quitting is a single decision but staying away is often an everyday choice.

 

It’s a conversation about agency with accountability and replacing shame with compassion.

Because even when the going gets really hard, curiosity helps!

 

Chapters:

00:00 The Hidden Risks of Casual Drinking

00:47 What Is Addiction?

01:35 Enjoyment vs Compulsion: Understanding Addiction

06:46 Substance vs Behavioral Addictions

10:49 Alcohol and Its Health Risks

12:39 The Biology of Addiction: Dopamine & the Brain

17:47 Genetics vs Environment in Addiction

21:13 Why People Start Drinking

28:27 The Spectrum of Alcohol Problems

33:38 How to Recognize Risky Drinking

42:52 Why Early Drinking Increases Addiction Risk

55:23 Treatment, Recovery, and Staying Sober

 

CREDITS:

Host: Ira Khan 

 

Agatsu Foundation Team 

Art Design: Ayushi Lilani

Creative Consultant: Abhishek Saha 

Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)

 

This is a Maed in India production

Head of Production: Mae Mariyam Thomas

Project Manager: Shaun Fanthome

Director & Video Editor: Jishnu Guha 

Visual Designer: Alika Gupta

Producer: Ruchi Sawardekar 

Mix Engineer: Kartik Kulkarni

Asst. Sound Recordist & Sound Editor: Nihar Temkar

Production Coordinator: Natasha Vakil

 

Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai

Ira talks to Dr. Abhijit Nadkarni about understanding addiction &mdash; how to tell the difference between deeply enjoying something and being unable to step away from it, and what that distinction really means.
&nbsp;
They explore the biology of addiction, while also asking where our scope for change lies &mdash; often in the psycho-social spaces of support, structure, and daily choices. The conversation turns to what help actually looks like in practice, and how to operationalise advice or treatment instead of just talking about it.
&nbsp;
They reflect on the often misunderstood point: quitting is a single decision but staying away is often an everyday choice.
&nbsp;
It&rsquo;s a conversation about agency with accountability and replacing shame with compassion.
Because even when the going gets really hard, curiosity helps!
&nbsp;
Chapters:
00:00 The Hidden Risks of Casual Drinking
00:47 What Is Addiction?
01:35 Enjoyment vs Compulsion: Understanding Addiction
06:46 Substance vs Behavioral Addictions
10:49 Alcohol and Its Health Risks
12:39 The Biology of Addiction: Dopamine &amp; the Brain
17:47 Genetics vs Environment in Addiction
21:13 Why People Start Drinking
28:27 The Spectrum of Alcohol Problems
33:38 How to Recognize Risky Drinking
42:52 Why Early Drinking Increases Addiction Risk
55:23 Treatment, Recovery, and Staying Sober
&nbsp;
CREDITS:
Host: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/khan.ira/">Ira Khan</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Agatsu Foundation Team&nbsp;
Art Design: Ayushi Lilani
Creative Consultant: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sahabime/?hl=en">Abhishek Saha</a>&nbsp;
Theme Music: Amit Kumar (OtoAcoustic)
&nbsp;
This is a <a href="https://www.maedinindia.in/">Maed in India</a> production
Head of Production: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maemariyam/?hl=en">Mae Mariyam Thomas</a>
Project Manager: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/sfanthome">Shaun Fanthome</a>
Director &amp; Video Editor: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/short___round/">Jishnu Guha</a>&nbsp;
Visual Designer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/capefoxalix/">Alika Gupta</a>
Producer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ruchi_saw/">Ruchi Sawardekar</a>&nbsp;
Mix Engineer: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kartik.kulkarni/?hl=en">Kartik Kulkarni</a>
Asst. Sound Recordist &amp; Sound Editor: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nihar_temkar?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==">Nihar Temkar</a>
Production Coordinator: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesocialnatwork/">Natasha Vakil</a>
&nbsp;
Recorded at Island City Studios, Mumbai

Hosted by Ira Khan, the show invites you to slow down and get curious about the complexities of mental health and mental illness — not just as clinical terms, but as real parts of real life.

In a world flooded with advice, opinions, and endless content, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and walk away with more confusion than clarity. This podcast is a counter-space. A space for asking instead of assuming. For listening instead of scrolling. For wondering why we think, feel, and behave the way we do.

Joined by psychologists, artists, caregivers, people with lived experience, and fellow question-askers, Ira explores the many layers of the human experience — from how we cope and connect to how we break and rebuild.

Each episode offers a space to go deeper — whether it’s through experiences, stories, science, or shared vulnerability. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just room to explore the questions that matter.

Because maybe the most powerful thing we can do — is stay curious.

Hosted by Ira Khan, the show invites you to slow down and get curious about the complexities of mental health and mental illness &mdash; not just as clinical terms, but as real parts of real life.
In a world flooded with advice, opinions, and endless content, it&rsquo;s easy to feel overwhelmed and walk away with more confusion than clarity. This podcast is a counter-space. A space for asking instead of assuming. For listening instead of scrolling. For wondering why we think, feel, and behave the way we do.
Joined by psychologists, artists, caregivers, people with lived experience, and fellow question-askers, Ira explores the many layers of the human experience &mdash; from how we cope and connect to how we break and rebuild.
Each episode offers a space to go deeper &mdash; whether it&rsquo;s through experiences, stories, science, or shared vulnerability. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just room to explore the questions that matter.
Because maybe the most powerful thing we can do &mdash; is stay curious.