Change Your Brain Every Day

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen discuss some of the hot button topics surrounding COVID-19 and brain health in general. One of the most alarming of these topics is the climbing rate of suicide and suicidal thoughts during this pandemic. The Amens explain some of the connections between social isolation, stress, helplessness, and depression, and why it's so important to employ basic wellness strategies to keep sane and healthy.

Quarantine fatigue, family stress, and political/social division are leading to skyrocketing rates of depression in the United States. And with all the stress in our lives it can be all too easy to ignore the warning signs and leave your depression unchecked. Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to counteract those COVID blues. In this episode, the Amens give you strategies for getting your mood back on the right track to feel and function better now.

Dr. Daniel Amen has often said that in this pandemic, mental hygiene is as important as washing your hands, and the recent spike in brain health issues certainly supports this. But what if your suffering is going under the radar? In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen go over some of the telltale signs that you may be experiencing COVID depression, even though the symptoms may not at first seem obvious.

In the fourth and final episode of this week's series on pandemic pandemonium, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen answer some of your most pressing questions about regarding COVID-19 and brain health in general. This episode features such topics as how to boost serotonin, managing OCD disorder during a pandemic, COVID and brain damage, autism/ADHD, and supplements to help boost activity in the frontal lobes.

For this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, it's Brain in the News time! Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen take a look at some of the cutting edge brain health topics in order to help keep you informed of the latest in brain science and research. This week's episode features topics such as COVID's impact on the nervous system, virus-induced microclotting, connections between unemployment and addictions, and a breakthrough new nasal spray for treating patients with suicidal thoughts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed our society as a whole, but it has also drastically changed how people are spending their time. Generally, people are eating more unhealthy food, spending more time on the couch, and becoming more burdened with brain health issues like ADD, anxiety, and depression. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen give you some ideas to make your daily life more productive, more satisfying, and healthier.

Anxiety levels in the US had been experiencing a dramatic rise even before the pandemic hit, but once coronavirus came into the picture they skyrocketed. Some have been able to keep their thoughts under control over the summer, but now that the school year is approaching, things are definitely getting interesting. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen discuss how September is likely to change people's anxiety levels, as well as some practical tips they can use to keep calm and collected.

One of the best ways to keep Alzheimer's disease (or any type of cognitive decline) at bay is to take charge of what you put in your body. Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen both have always said that "food is medicine or it's poison", and this notion is especially true when it comes to preventing cognitive decline. In this fourth and final episode with "The End of Alzheimer's Program" author Dr. Dale Bredesen, he and the Amens break down exactly what you should be eating to decimate your risk of Alzheimer's and dementia.

Like most brain health diagnoses, Alzheimer's disease is not just one thing. In fact, this week's guest Dr. Dale Bredesen has identified 5 major subtypes for Alzheimer's disease, and they all have different causes and different treatment recommendations. In the third episode of a series with Dr. Bredesen, he defines the characteristics of each of these subtypes and identifies how and why they manifest in the brain.

A recent shift in treating patients with cognitive decline diagnoses such as Dementia and Alzheimer's disease has been to focus more on the underlying factors that increase your risk and less on its symptoms. Perhaps the most common of these underlying factors is inflammation. In the second episode of a series with Dr. Dale Bredesen, he and the Amens explore the connection between inflammation and your brain, and why you should be checking and tracking your inflammatory markers.

When it comes to treating patients for cognitive decline, the traditional model has for many years been focused on the removal of beta amyloid plaques, which has done nothing to address symptoms of cognitive decline. Dr. Dale Bredesen believes that the plaques are actually the brain's protective response to injury. In this first episode in a series with "The End of Alzheimer's Program" author, he and the Amens discuss how a revolutionary shift in treating patients with cognitive decline has radically changed lives.

Stopping inflammation, anti-aging, and reversing menopause (!?) These are some of the potentials being explored and realized in the world of stem cell therapy, and because Brain Warriors stay informed on the cutting edge of science, this information gives us clues as to what's possible now and what will be in the future. This episode, the last in a series with Dr. Todd Ovokaitys, illustrates many of the implications regarding the use of stem cells for achieving human potential. For more on Dr. Todd Ovokaitys, visit his page at: http://drtoddo.com/

The conversation surrounding stem cell research and treatment can get muddled and confusing. Some say it's a miracle cure while others say it's not viable or practical as a treatment method. So what's real and what's just hype? In this episode, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen are again joined by stem cell research scientist Dr. Todd Ovokaitys to shed some light on the truth about stem cells, how they are implemented to repair the body, and how they really work to rejuvenate ailing body systems. For more on Dr. Todd Ovokaitys, visit his page at: http://drtoddo.com/

Many of us have heard of stem cell therapy and are aware of its implications for human potential, but do you know how stem cell therapy actually works? In the second episode of a series with stem cell researcher Dr. Todd Ovokaitys, he and the Amens discuss the role stem cells play in human body function and repair, and why they're so important to the future of healing processes. For more on Dr. Todd Ovokaitys, visit his page at: http://drtoddo.com/

Many of the cutting edge innovations in biological research involve the use of stem cells. However, one of the biggest challenges with this type of therapy is getting the new cells to thrive once implanted. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen are joined by stem cell authority Dr. Todd Ovokaitys to discuss the theory that led to his revolutionary "a-ha" moment and a breakthrough for stem cell technology. For more on Dr. Todd Ovokaitys, visit his page at: http://drtoddo.com/

The last thing we need in our lives right now is more stress. The world has become full of uncertainties, and how we respond will play a big role in dictating our emotional health. But what if the stress is coming from within? In the fourth and final episode in a series with "This is Your Brain on Food" author Dr. Uma Naidoo, she and the Amens discuss how certain foods (especially sugar) are affecting your brain and leaving you feeling stressed out. For more info on Dr. Naidoo's new book "This is Your Brain on Food", visit https://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Brain-Food-Indispensable/dp/0316536822

Food is medicine for your mind. What you put in your body BECOMES your body, so if you're stuggling with brain health-related issues, the best place to start is on your plate. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen are once again joined by Harvard health blog writer Dr. Uma Naidoo for a discussion on which foods can help you increase your focus and attention. For more info on Dr. Naidoo's new book "This is Your Brain on Food", visit https://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Brain-Food-Indispensable/dp/0316536822

Due to the pandemic, anxiety prescriptions have more than doubled. Although people are more anxious than ever, the choice to start taking anxiety meds is a big decision and comes with its own set of side effects. Luckily, there are some natural ways to treat your anxiety, and it all starts in the kitchen. In the second episode of a series with "This is Your Brain on Food" author Dr. Uma Naidoo, she and the Amens discuss which foods will help you feel better and relax, and which ones will cause your anxiety to skyrocket. For more info on Dr. Naidoo's new book "This is Your Brain on Food", visit https://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Brain-Food-Indispensable/dp/0316536822

As the director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, writer for the Harvard Health blog, and author of the new book "This is Your Brain on Food", Dr. Uma Naidoo is on the cutting scientific edge of how your food affects your brain. In this first episode of a series with Dr. Naidoo, she and the Amens discuss holistic guidelines for keeping your brain in top shape. For more info on Dr. Naidoo's new book "This is Your Brain on Food", visit https://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Brain-Food-Indispensable/dp/0316536822

Psychiatrists often jump straight to meds as a first-line defense against brain health issues. However, Dr. Daniel Amen believes that while medication can be effective for many people, there are safer, more natural methods that should be explored first. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Daniel and Tana Amen share another segment from The End of Mental Illness live class featuring content on supplements and strategies you can use which can be specifically tailored to your brain. For more info on The End of Mental Illness live class and challenge, visit https://endofmentalillness.com/brainhealthchallenge/

We all know that sugar is flat-out unhealthy for us. But what exactly does it do to your body and brain? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen share another popular segment from their End of Mental Illness live class and challenge. In this episode, you will learn all about the effects sugar has on your biological system, and why you should take steps to limit your sugar intake. For more info on The End of Mental Illness live class and challenge, visit https://endofmentalillness.com/brainhealthchallenge/

Most of us have heard many times that in order to get your brain right, you first need to get your food right. But what exactly does it mean to "get your food right"? Where do you start? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen share another segment from The End of Mental Illness live class. This session focuses on the simple food rules you can begin incorporating into your life today to dramatically transform your brain and body. For more info on The End of Mental Illness live class and challenge, visit https://endofmentalillness.com/brainhealthchallenge/

Hippocrates' famous phrase "First do no harm" is one of the earliest mantras for doctors when it comes to their method treating patients. Yet so many modern psychiatrists' approach throws this rule out the window and instead jumps straight to prescribing medications which are often unhelpful, addictive, and even potentially dangerous. Why is this meds-first approach so common? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss the importance of always starting with the least toxic, most effective treatments when it comes to treating brain and mental health issues. For more info on The End of Mental Illness live class and challenge, visit https://endofmentalillness.com/brainhealthchallenge/

In this fourth and final episode in series with "Why Did I Come Into This Room?" author Joan Lunden, she and the Amens discuss some practical tips to keep your brain and body strong as you get older. Tactics such as scheduling appointments for yourself and reframing the actions in your life that are important to you can get amazing results and totally change the way you think and feel. For more info on Joan's new book "Why Did I Come Into this Room?' visit https://www.amazon.com/Why-Come-into-This-Room/dp/1948677296

Have you ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why you came in? You're not alone. In fact, that's the title of former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden's new book. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen are once again joined by Joan for a discussion on how to keep your mind and memory strong, even as the aging slowly process begins to work against you. For more info on Joan's new book "Why Did I Come Into this Room?' visit https://www.amazon.com/Why-Come-into-This-Room/dp/1948677296

As you get older, your body responds to changing circumstances with changing chemical processes. Some of these changes, such as the ones that affect our hormones or our waistline, are not exactly welcome. So what can we do to counter these effects of aging? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are once again joined by author Joan Lunden for an in-depth discussion on how to counteract aging processes. For more info on Joan's new book "Why Did I Come Into this Room?' visit https://www.amazon.com/Why-Come-into-This-Room/dp/1948677296

The isolation of coronavirus quarantine life has many of us pondering our future and shifting our focus to the things that matter most in our lives. What is it that determines success? How do we know if we're living a "good" life? In the first episode in a series with author and former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden, she and the Amens discuss what it means to age successfully, and how to effectively use your hard-earned wisdom gained from experiences. For more info on Joan's new book "Why Did I Come Into this Room?' visit https://www.amazon.com/Why-Come-into-This-Room/dp/1948677296

This week's series of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast has featured powerful lessons from Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen's End of Mental Illness live class and challenge. The subject of this episode is how poor sleep habits can negatively impact the brain. Many people are unaware that sleep is a major risk factor for cognitive issues such as dementia, and therefore it's crucial that we take steps to better our circadian rhythms to stay healthy and energetic throughout the day and keep mental illness at bay. To take The End of Mental Illness Brain Health Revolution 6 Week Class and Challenge, visit https://endofmentalillness.com/brainhealthchallenge/

One of the biggest risk factors for brain illness is a phenomenon called diabesity, which is when your weight and blood sugar levels get out of control. So what exactly does diabesity do to an otherwise healthy brain? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen tackle this and another major contributor to brain health issues, neurohormone deficiencies. This episode features content from The End of Mental Illness live class event from earlier this year. To take The End of Mental Illness Brain Health Revolution 6 Week Class and Challenge, visit https://endofmentalillness.com/brainhealthchallenge/

In continuation of our coverage of The End of Mental Illness Live Class from January, this episode of the podcast features more content on how to prevent or treat the 11 major risk factors that steal your mind. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss the phenomenon of "mindstorms" and how they pushed a sweet 9 year-old boy to the brink of suicide. The Amens then discuss how certain infections can sneak into your biological system and secretly create havoc in your brain and body. To take The End of Mental Illness Brain Health Revolution 6 Week Class and Challenge, visit https://endofmentalillness.com/brainhealthchallenge/

Due to popular request, this week's series of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast will include more content from The End of Mental Illness Live Class from earlier this year. This week's content focuses on how to attack some of the main risk factors for mental illness. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss nutraceuticals, can how you and pair them with a proper diet, meditation, and hypnosis to maximize your treatment of brain health issues. To take The End of Mental Illness Brain Health Revolution 6 Week Class and Challenge, visit https://endofmentalillness.com/brainhealthchallenge/

Through the use of interactive metronome therapy, Mary Schlesinger has seen terrific outcomes with all kinds of brains, ranging from autism and ADHD. In the final episode of a series with Mary, she and the Amens discuss how you can utilize this type of therapy to improve the health and functioning of your cerebellum, leading to better coordination and faster thinking. For more information on interactive metronome training, visit https://www.amenclinics.com/services/interactive-metronome-training/

The attention issues people with ADD have are often due to problems in the cerebellum that keep them from focusing effectively. This seems simple enough, but so often doctors don't look to the root of the problem (the brain) when treating their patients. In the third episode of a series with Mary Schlesinger, she and the Amens discuss how interactive metronome therapy can help kids and adults with ADD rewire their brains to focus more attentively for longer periods of time. For more information on interactive metronome training, visit https://www.amenclinics.com/services/interactive-metronome-training/

When the neurons in your brain fire out of sync while processing stimuli, it can have a major negative effect in your coordination and cognitive ability. Fortunately, thanks to an innovative therapy technique, you can condition your brain into a more coherent rhythm. In the second episode of a series with interactive metronome expert Mary Schlesinger, she and the Amens discuss how this effective technique works to change peoples' brains. For more information on interactive metronome training, visit https://www.amenclinics.com/services/interactive-metronome-training/

Dr. Daniel Amen says that the brain is like the Rodney Dangerfield of the brain – it gets no respect. In fact, despite being 10% of the brain's mass, it uses half of the brain's neurons. So why is the cerebellum such an important part of the brain, and what happens when it has trouble? In this episode, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen are joined by interactive metronome expert Mary Schlesinger for a discussion on how the cerebellum affects your coordination and processing. For more information on interactive metronome training, visit https://www.amenclinics.com/services/interactive-metronome-training/

Recent studies have found that your hormone levels play a major role in regulating your melatonin levels, thus helping you get a good night's sleep. So how can improve your sleep health as you age? In the final episode of a series with sleep specialist Dr. Shane Creado, he and the Amens give you some helpful tips to help you stabilize your circadian rhythms to sleep soundly through the night, no matter your age. For more on Dr. Creado's new book, "Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes" visit: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Sleep-Performance-Athletes-Cutting-edge-ebook/dp/B085YFP9YW For more on Dr. Creado's online course, "Overcoming Insomnia", visit: https://brainmd.com/overcoming-insomnia-course

Most of us are aware of the effect a bad night's sleep can have on our day. But is there a way to hack your sleep patterns to optimize your work and athletic performance during the day? The short answer is yes. In this episode, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen are once again joined by Dr. Shane Creado for a discussion on how to optimize performance through sleeping habits. For more on Dr. Creado's new book, "Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes" visit: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Sleep-Performance-Athletes-Cutting-edge-ebook/dp/B085YFP9YW For more on Dr. Creado's online course, "Overcoming Insomnia", visit: https://brainmd.com/overcoming-insomnia-course

With all the anxiety from the pandemic, getting a good night's sleep can be hard enough. But throw chronic pain into the mix, and things can get really frustrating. Luckily, there are some strategies you can use to manage your pain to get better sleep at night. In this second episode of a series with Dr. Shane Creado, he and the Amen discuss practical tips to keep that pain from keeping you up all night. For more on Dr. Creado's new book, "Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes" visit: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Sleep-Performance-Athletes-Cutting-edge-ebook/dp/B085YFP9YW For more on Dr. Creado's online course, "Overcoming Insomnia", visit: https://brainmd.com/overcoming-insomnia-course

It's clear that the pandemic has been devastating to many peoples' sleep health, because we had a huge response to the recent series on sleep issues with Dr. Shane Creado. So we invited Dr. Creado back to address some more sleep topics that we didn't get to last time. This episode discusses the cycle of sleep deprivation, and why it's so important to break it. For more on Dr. Creado's new book, "Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes" visit: https://www.amazon.com/Peak-Sleep-Performance-Athletes-Cutting-edge-ebook/dp/B085YFP9YW For more on Dr. Creado's online course, "Overcoming Insomnia", visit: https://brainmd.com/overcoming-insomnia-course

In the final episode of week 2 of The Brain Health Revolution 6-Week Challenge, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen give you more of the major risk factors for cognitive decline, as well as how to assess your brain to see which risk factors are the most important for you to address. By doing so, you'll be putting your brain in a healing environment so you can feel better.

People often underestimate the importance of exercising your brain to keep cognitive decline at bay. So what can you do to keep your brain healthy and functioning at its best? In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen continue their live class by explaining the concept of brain retirement and aging, and how to work out your brain properly.

Conventional wisdom has typically expressed that the aging process in brain cells is what eventually leads to cognitive decline in adults. However, we have since learned that this isn't necessarily true. Rather, it's the aging and degradation of your blood vessels that restrict blood flow to the brain that's the real problem. In this episode, Daniel and Tana continue their lesson from the 6-week live class by discussing ways to keep your blood vessels healthy.

This week of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast continues our limited series from The Brain Health Revolution 6-Week Live Class. In this episode, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen discuss how you can use an integrative approach to brain health to get the best results. In short, you must take a full body approach and treat all of the risk factors for cognitive decline to keep your brain and body strong.

When it comes to the healthcare system in this country, Dr. Martin Katz recalls an interesting analogy, "When people are sick, it's like an overflowing sink, and people keep looking for ways to mop the water up, rather than finding a way to unplug the sink." In this final episode of a 4-part series with Katz, he and the Amens discuss the importance of a paradigm shift when it comes to chronic health care.

If we look beyond the symptom-focused approach of western medicine, we quickly see that the real focus should be on how the systems in our bodies are functioning. As Dr. Martin Katz states, "The absence of disease is not health." In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Katz and the Amens discuss how oxidative stress triggers an unhealthy response in your body, and how certain molecules such as sulforaphane can counterattack that process.

As a society, our first instinct in treating illness is usually to go straight to medication. However, as longtime listeners of the show know, the food we eat is just as, or even more important to our health than taking a medication. In the second episode of a series with Dr. Martin Katz, he and the Amens discuss some of the most beneficial micro-ingredients found in vegetables, specifically a certain molecule found in broccoli.

In a way, our bodies are like automobiles driving down the freeway. Despite what a car looks like on the outside, if there are problems under the hood there's going to be trouble going up hills. This week's podcast series features Dr. Martin Katz, a double board certified physician, for a full discussion on ways to get under the hood to the root of the chronic illnesses we face so we can treat the source of our problems, rather than just the symptoms.

Dreams, and the inherent meaning behind them, have always been one of life's most intriguing mysteries. What do our dreams reveal about us? Do they show us a truer side of ourselves? Do they predict the future? In the fourth and final episode of a series with author and sleep expert Dr. Shane Creado, he and the Amens discuss where our dreams may come from, and what the connection is between our dreams and our brains.

The coronavirus quarantine and working from home has caused many people to make shifts in their sleep schedules. Some are getting more sleep, and some less. In the third episode of a series with author and sleep expert Dr. Shane Creado, he and the Amens discuss some of Dr. Creado's most effective strategies for planning and sticking to a healthy sleep schedule.

Self-diagnosing issues with your sleep can be tricky. Observing your sleep patterns can be difficult because, well, you're asleep! In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen are again joined by "Peak Sleep Performance for Athletes" author Dr. Shane Creado for a discussion on how to track your sleep patterns and make adjustments to get a better night's sleep.