Image of podcast

The ADHD Doctor: “I’ve Scanned 250,000 Brains” You (Steven Bartlett) Have ADHD! & Coffee Is Damaging Your Brain!!! Dr Daniel Amen

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Sun Oct 29 2023



ADHD and Brain Health:

  • ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a genetic condition that affects brain function.
  • People with ADHD may struggle with focus, organization, impulsivity, and poor handwriting.
  • Treatment options for ADHD include medication, such as Ritalin, which can help activate the frontal lobes and improve focus.
  • Other strategies for managing ADHD include exercise, ginkgo supplements to increase blood flow to the brain, and avoiding caffeine and nicotine.

Impact of Trauma on the Brain:

  • Chronic stress from trauma can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can shrink the hippocampus (a key memory center).
  • Trauma can also result in emotional dysregulation and anxiety, as seen in patterns of brain activation such as the diamond pattern.
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy has been effective in processing traumatic memories and reducing symptoms.

Negative Thoughts and Stress:

  • Negative thoughts release chemicals that make us feel bad immediately.
  • Chronic negative thinking leads to increased stress levels, which can impact brain health over time.
  • Practicing mindfulness techniques like "killing the ants" (challenging negative thoughts) can help manage stress and promote healthier thought patterns.

Brain Reserve:

  • Brain reserve refers to how healthy your brain is before experiencing trauma or challenges.
  • Factors like prenatal conditions, childhood environment, nutrition, genetics contribute to one's level of brain reserve.
  • Having a higher brain reserve provides resilience against trauma or cognitive decline later in life.

Psychopaths' Brains:

  • Psychopaths often exhibit low frontal lobe function and global brain activity.
  • Brain scans of murderers have shown decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex and other areas associated with impulse control and emotional regulation.

Scanning Presidential Candidates:

  • The idea of scanning presidential candidates' brains raises ethical considerations regarding privacy concerns and potential discrimination based on brain characteristics.

Social Media Effects on the Brain:

  • Excessive screen time on social media can lead to overstimulation of the pleasure centers in the brain.
  • Spending too much time on social media can wear out these pleasure centers, leading to decreased happiness and drive.
  • Limiting screen time and finding other activities that bring joy can help prevent overstimulation of the pleasure centers.

Blood Flow and Brain Health:

  • Maintaining healthy blood flow is crucial for optimal brain function.
  • Caffeine and nicotine constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the brain.
  • Exercise, ginkgo supplements, beets, oregano, rosemary, cinnamon are examples of things that can increase blood flow to the brain.

Impact of Loneliness on Dementia:

  • Chronic loneliness has been linked to an increased risk of dementia.
  • Social isolation can accelerate cognitive decline and negatively impact brain health.
  • Connecting with others and maintaining meaningful relationships can help protect against dementia.

Positive Thinking vs. Accurate Thinking:

  • Dr. Amen advocates for accurate thinking with a positive spin rather than solely relying on positive thinking.
  • Positive thinking without acknowledging reality can lead to denial or ignoring important issues affecting mental health.
  • By addressing negative thoughts with accuracy while incorporating positivity, individuals can promote healthier thought patterns.

Effects of Screen Time:

  • Excessive screen time shrinks the brain and wears out pleasure centers.
  • Three and a half hours of screen time per day increases the risk of anxiety, depression, addiction, obesity, and ADHD.
  • Social media leads to negative comparisons and self-esteem issues.

Impact of Weight on the Brain:

  • As weight increases, the size and function of the brain decrease.
  • Obesity leads to lower blood flow, inflammation, aging, toxin storage, decreased testosterone levels, and unhealthy estrogen production.

Gender Differences in Brain Function:

  • Women have better frontal lobe function, communication skills, impulse control, Collaboration abilities due to better blood flow to the front part of their brains.:
  • Men are more prone to gambling addictions, drug addictions, alcoholism, and ADHD compared to women.

Importance of Sleep:

  • Sleep cleanses and refreshes the brain through the glymphatic system.
  • Lack of sleep can lead to cognitive decline and emotional imbalances.

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Breathwork:

  • HRV measures beat-to-beat variability of heart rate. Higher HRV indicates better heart health.
  • Breathwork exercises like 15-second breaths increase HRV and reduce panic attacks.

Alcohol's Impact on the Brain:

  • Even moderate alcohol consumption causes damage in the brain by disrupting white matter tracts.
  • Alcohol decreases decision-making ability and impairs frontal lobe function.

Brain Health Habits:

  • Counting calories is important for maintaining a healthy weight. Quality of calories also matters.
  • Happiness is a habit that can be cultivated through gratitude exercises and positive thinking routines.