Your Brain On

Behind the staggering statistics on global diabetes prevalence are millions of individuals with different stories, struggles, and solutions. In this episode, we explore how diabetes affects your brain, body, and cognition, and how it can be prevented, managed, and (in many cases) reversed. We share some powerful personal stories from the clinic, bust some persistent food myths, and learn why diabetes is as much a neurological emergency as a metabolic one. Plus, we speak to three leading experts who are changing the way we treat diabetes: BRENDA DAVIS, RD: renowned dietitian and global authority on plant-based nutrition. DR. MICHELLE MCMACKEN, MD: Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, Associate Professor at NYU, and public health leader. DR. THEODORE FRIEDMAN: Professor and Chair of Internal Medicine at Charles Drew University. In this episode, we discuss: • The difference between Type 1, Type 2, and prediabetes • How diabetes can contribute to cognitive decline • The role of lipotoxicity and intramuscular fat in insulin resistance • Why “cutting carbs” isn’t the full story (and how to focus on food quality) • How public health systems are evolving to make prevention accessible and equitable • The real science behind CGMs (and why glucose spikes shouldn’t cause a panic) • How new drugs like Ozempic can support (but not replace) lifestyle change This is... Your Brain On Diabetes. SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/  ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.  ‘Your Brain On... Diabetes’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 10 [FINALE] Season 6, coming soon! LINKS Brenda Davis’ website: https://brendadavisrd.com/ Dr. McMacken at NYC Health: https://med.nyu.edu/faculty/michelle-mcmacken Dr. Theodore Friedman at CDU: https://www.cdrewu.edu/directory/friedman-md-phd-theodore/

Alzheimer’s disease is constantly surrounded by myths and misinformation. Let’s set the record straight. In this episode, we bust through the most persistent Alzheimer’s myths, with facts based on decades of clinical experience and cutting-edge research. Myths include: • “Alzheimer’s is inevitable in old age” • “It’s all genetic, and there’s nothing you can do” • “There’s no cure, so diagnosis is useless” • “Supplements and vitamins can prevent or cure Alzheimer’s” • “Statins and vaccines cause Alzheimer’s” Plus many others. We also share our science-backed insights and practical tips for helping you prevent cognitive decline, starting TODAY. ‘Your Brain On... Alzheimer’s (Mythbusting Special)’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 9 SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/ ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. CONNECT WITH THE BRAIN DOCS Website: https://thebraindocs.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraindocs

With big changes happening in the Sherzai family household, we sat down for a roundtable discussion about the concept that will shape what we’re all doing next: our purpose. In this ‘unplugged’ mid-season chat, we’re joined by our kids — Sophia and Alex! — for a wide-ranging conversation about our values and goals. How they form, how they falter, and how they evolve, in an increasingly noisy world. Together, we discuss: • The neurological and evolutionary importance of purpose • How a firm sense of purpose can help us develop better habits • The difference between ‘internal’ and ‘external’ purpose • How we can stay focused on our values in the face of modern life’s distractions • The promises and pitfalls of AI in shaping (and potentially hijacking) our sense of purpose Sophia — now heading off to Boston! — works in biomedical engineering and brain-computer interfaces. And Alex (self-proclaimed Tetris champion) is focused on the intersection of brain health and artificial intelligence. This is Your Brain On... Purpose, a Sherzai Family Special!

Creatine for Alzheimer’s — let’s separate the hype from the hope. A new study has caused a stir in June 2025, but lead researcher Matthew K. Taylor told us: “ I don’t think I can recommend it to a patient that this is going to ultimately have some sort of cognitive influence.” We speak to Dr. Taylor and Dr. Russell Swerdlow in this episode, discussing: • Role of creatine in your brain, and why it matters for energy metabolism • What the 2025 study found (and why it wasn’t designed to prove effectiveness) • How scientific nuance gets lost in supplement hype • Why even promising early data must be handled with care • The vital difference between hype and hope Dr. Russell Swerdlow, MD is Director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Dr. Matthew Taylor, PhD, RD is Associate Professor of Dietetics & Nutrition at the University of Kansas Medical Center. This is... Your Brain On Creatine. SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/  ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.  ‘Your Brain On... Creatine’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 8 LINKS  Dr. Taylor at the University of Kansas: https://www.kumc.edu/mtaylor3.html Dr. Swerdlow at the University of Kansas: https://www.kumc.edu/rswerdlow.html REFERENCES 1. Smith AN, Choi IY, Lee P, Sullivan DK, Burns JM, Swerdlow RH, Kelly E, Taylor MK. Creatine monohydrate pilot in Alzheimer's: Feasibility, brain creatine, and cognition. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. 2025 Apr;11(2):e70101. 2. Taylor MK, Burns JM, Choi IY, et al. Protocol for a single-arm, pilot trial of creatine monohydrate supplementation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Pilot Feasibility Study. 2024;10(1):42.  3. Habeck C, Risacher S, Lee GJ, et al. Relationship between baseline brain metabolism measured using [18 F]FDG PET and memory and executive function in prodromal and early Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Imaging Behav. 2012;6(4):568-83.  4. Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al. International Society of Sports. Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18.

Stress isn’t just a threat to your brain. It’s also one of its best tools for growth. We often hear that stress is bad for your brain. And it can be. Chronic, unpredictable, and uncontrollable stress can damage cognition, harm memory, and accelerate aging. But we don’t talk enough about how the right kind of stress can actually improve brain function, grow your hippocampus, and help you feel happier and more purposeful. In this episode of Your Brain On..., we explore the science of stress with two brilliant guests: Dr. Sharon Bergquist, Yale- and Harvard-trained internal medicine physician and author of ‘The Stress Paradox’ Dr. Mithu Storoni, neuroscientist and author of ‘Stress-Proof’ and ‘Hyper Efficient’ Together, we explore: • The biological difference between good and bad stress • Why ‘eustress’ (good stress) can actually build your brain • Balancing stress: not too little, not too much • How to use stress as a tool to enhance resilience and protect against aging • What brain imaging reveals about stress hormones, attention, and burnout • Practical ways to reframe, recover from, and even seek out positive stress This is... Your Brain On Stress. SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/  ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Stress’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 7 LINKS Dr. Sharon Bergquist’s website: https://drsharonbergquist.com/  ‘The Stress Paradox’: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-stress-paradox-sharon-horesh-bergquist Dr. Mithu Storoni’s website: https://www.mithustoroni.com/ Stress-Proof: https://www.mithustoroni.com/stress-proof CONNECT WITH US Join NEURO World: https://neuro.world/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs YouTube: https://youtube.com/thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com

Stroke is one of the biggest causes of death in the world — but also one of the most preventable. Up to 80–90% of strokes could be avoided with more awareness, resources, and a firmer focus on prevention over intervention. In this episode, we’re joined by renowned stroke neurologist and public health pioneer Dr. Olajide Williams, MD, MS, whose ‘Hip-Hop Stroke’ movement is a shining example of enacting culturally-sensitive community-wide healthcare change. In this episode, we discuss: • What actually causes a stroke (and how to spot one in seconds using the ‘act FAST’ acronym) • Why blood pressure is the #1 modifiable risk factor (and how stress and sleep impact it) • How social determinants like ZIP code and health literacy shape stroke risk • How Dr. Williams’ Hip Hop Stroke campaign helped kids teach their parents how to save lives • What every family should know about TIAs (‘mini-strokes’) and silent strokes Whether stroke runs in your family, or you simply want to protect your brain, this episode could change (and save) lives. This is... Your Brain On Stroke. SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/  ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On… Stroke’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 6 LINKS Dr. Olajide Williams at Columbia: https://doctors.columbia.edu/us/ny/new-york/olajide-a-williams-md-ms-710-west-168th-street The Hip-Hop Public Health project: https://www.hhph.org/

How can we eat better when we’re constantly marketed to in a way that hijacks our attention and habits? To complement the incredible discussions we regularly have about brain-healthy nutrition, in this episode, we’ve having a very important conversation about how the food industry works against our best intentions, and how we can break through the psychological barriers they use to hold us back. We’re joined by Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University, whose name is practically synonymous with food policy: a pioneering nutritionist, public health advocate, and author of some of the most important books in this space, including Food Politics, What to Eat, and Unsavory Truth. In this episode, we discuss: • The neuroscience of why food choices aren’t “just willpower” • Why access, not just knowledge, is the biggest barrier to good nutrition • The importance of schools, policy, and local food programs in shaping food culture • The role of stress, fatigue, and decision overload in weakening dietary choices • Why social media is a double-edged sword for nutrition information  • How we can make a difference at the community level This is... Your Brain On The Food Industry. SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/  ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. Find out more about Marion Nestle’s work: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/marion-nestle ‘Your Brain On... The Food Industry’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 5 ——— FOLLOW US Join NEURO World: https://neuro.world/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs YouTube: https://youtube.com/thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com

 A tiny bite from a tiny tick can trigger a complex disease which speaks to some huge problems with our healthcare system. In this episode, we explain the biology, controversy, and cultural blind spots around Lyme disease, a condition that reflects much more than just a bacterial infection. It’s also a mirror for our most urgent public health issues: inequality, misinformation, climate change, and the growing mistrust of science. We speak with two world-class experts: • Dr. John Aucott: Director of the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Clinical Research Center and leading voice on post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) • Dr. Richard Marconi: Professor of microbiology and immunology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a pioneering scientist behind next-generation Lyme vaccines Together, we explore: • Why Lyme disease symptoms can linger long after treatment • What makes Lyme so neurologically disruptive (and so hard to diagnose) • How climate change, suburban development, and racial disparities intersect with the rise of tick-borne illness • The dangers of alternative medicine grifters preying on desperate patients • The truth about the original Lyme vaccine, and what’s coming next... We also share practical prevention tips and discuss how Lyme disease is shaping the future of infectious disease research, diagnostics, and brain health. This is... Your Brain On Lyme Disease. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/  ‘Your Brain On... Lyme Disease’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 4 ——— FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thebraindocs Website: https://thebraindocs.com/

Restoring a person’s ability to speak, enabling individuals with paralysis to regain movement, and detecting neurodegenerative diseases earlier than ever — these are just some of the breakthroughs brain-computer interfaces are making possible. In this episode, we explore the astonishing world of BCIs: technologies that are giving autonomy and independence back to people with diseases like ALS. We discuss: • How BCIs are helping people with neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries communicate using decoded brain signals • How brain-computer interfaces actually work (and why they’re NOT just reading your mind) • Why motor cortex implants may help decode speech, even when inserted in unexpected regions • The ethical challenges of privacy, data ownership, and access in the era of brain-connected devices • The future of the field, from restoring language after stroke to enabling communication in children with cerebral palsy We speak with three world-leading researchers and clinicians who are helping shape this rapidly-advancing area of neuroscience: • Dr. Leigh Hochberg, director of the Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery at Massachusetts General Hospital, and principal clinical investigator of the pilot clinical trials of the BrainGate Neural Interface System. • Dr. David Brandman, neurosurgeon and co-director of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab. • Dr. Sergey Stavisky, neural engineer and co-director of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab. For more information about the Braingate project, and to volunteer as a participant, visit: https://braingate.org/ This is... Your Brain On Brain-Computer Interfaces. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Brain-Computer Interfaces’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 3 ——— FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thebraindocs Website: https://thebraindocs.com/

Gluten has become one of the most misunderstood aspects of modern nutrition. Let’s set the record straight. In this episode, we untangle the medical, neurological, and cultural narratives surrounding gluten, from celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity to real (and rare) cases of gluten-induced brain dysfunction. We discuss: • The differences between celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy • How gluten affects the gut, and what ‘leaky gut’ really means • Whether gluten can trigger neurological symptoms like ataxia and brain fog • Why cutting out gluten without a diagnosis may do more harm than good • How wheat contributes to a healthy microbiome (and why fiber matters) • What role zonulin plays in gut permeability and immune activation • Why brain fog isn’t yet well understood (and the theories behind it) To help us decode the science (and bust the myths) of gluten, nutrition, and the brain, we’re joined by two world-renowned experts: DR. ALESSIO FASANO: pediatric gastroenterologist, research scientist, and chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Mass General for Children (MGfC), and director of the Center for Celiac Research. DR. FRANK CUSIMANO: gastroenterologist, physician-scientist, and gut-brain health communicator with a PhD in Nutritional and Metabolic Biology from Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition. This is... Your Brain On Gluten. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Gluten’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 2 ——— Your Brain On... is supported by the FREE monthly Brain Box, available in our NEURO World community: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox

Two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are women — but why? In this episode, we unpack the neurological, hormonal, and social drivers that uniquely affect women's brain health during the menopausal transition — from estrogen’s protective role in the brain to the misunderstood history of hormone replacement therapy. We discuss: • Why women face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s than men • How menopause accelerates brain aging (and how it starts earlier than is often expected) • The role of estrogen in brain metabolism and neuroprotection • The real story behind hormone replacement therapy (HRT) • The impact of genes like APOE4 on women’s brain health • How lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and cognitive activity can help reduce the impact of neurological changes onset by menopause ——— Get our free curation of women’s brain health resources in our Brain Box: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox ——— To help us tell this story, we welcome three world-renowned women’s health experts to the podcast: DR. LISA MOSCONI: Director of the Women's Brain Initiative, author of ‘The Menopause Brain’, and pioneering researcher in brain imaging and hormonal neuroscience. MARIA SHRIVER: Founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, journalist, and relentless advocate for gender equity in brain health research. DR. LISA GENOVA: Neuroscientist and bestselling author of ‘Still Alice’, which was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore, who won the  2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland. This is... Your Brain On Menopause. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Menopause’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 1 ——— Our free Women’s Brain Health Brain Box includes: • Guides on how to speak with healthcare providers about menopause • Delicious brain-healthy Mother’s Day brunch recipes • Meaningful gift ideas for the women you love • Inspiring interviews with world-leading women’s health experts • And even a chance to check your cognitive health with an insightful, science-backed test Get the Brain Box for free! Here: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox ——— References: Mosconi, L. (2017). Perimenopause and emergence of an Alzheimer's bioenergetic phenotype in brain and periphery. PloS One, 12(10), e0185926.  Belloy, M. E. & Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. (2019). A quarter century of APOE and Alzheimer's disease: Progress to date and the path forward. Neuron, 101(5), 820-838.  Rahman, A. (2019). Sex and gender driven modifiers of Alzheimer's: The role for estrogenic control across age, race, medical, and lifestyle risks. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 11, 315.  Rocca, W. A. (2012). Hysterectomy, oophorectomy, estrogen, and the risk of dementia. Neurodegenerative Diseases, 10(1-4), 175-178.  Scheyer, O. (2018). Female sex and Alzheimer's risk: The menopause connection. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 5(4), 225-230.  Women's Health Initiative Memory Study Investigators. (2003). Estrogen plus progestin and the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women: The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study—a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 289(20), 2651–2662.  Women's Health Initiative Investigators. (2002). Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: Principal results from the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 288(3), 321-333.  Whitmer, R. A. (2005). Midlife cardiovascular risk factors and risk of dementia in late life. Neurology, 64(2), 277-281.  Livingston, G. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572-628. Maki, P. M. (2016). Hormone therapy, dementia, and cognition: The Women's Health Initiative 10 years on. Climacteric, 19(3), 313-315. 

Music is one of the most powerful forces of all time for human connection, cognitive stimulation, and therapeutic introspection. We’ve seen music help Alzheimer’s patients find their voice, children with speech disorders unlock new ways to communicate with rhythm and melody, and communities express their identity through song. In this episode, we discuss: • The cognitive, psychological, and mental benefits of music • Why learning to play an instrument is one of the best things you can do for your brain • The power of music as a means of connecting with others • Therapeutic uses of music for patients living with neurodegenerative diseases • The neuroscience of how we process sounds and perceive music We’re absolutely thrilled to be speaking to THREE incredible experts on music and cognition today, discussing an element of the human experience that does so much for our brains without us even thinking about it. In this episode, we’re joined by: DR. ANI PATEL, PhD, a cognitive psychologist at Tufts University known for his research on music cognition and the neuroscience of music. DR. CHARLES LIMB, MD, a surgeon, professor of otolaryngology, and musician at University of California in San Francisco.  JONATHAN BISS, renowned pianist and author of the book ‘Unquiet’, which explores the intersection of music and mental health. This is... Your Brain On Music. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/ ‘Your Brain On... Music’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 10 This is the Season 4 finale. We’ll be back in a few weeks with Season 5! ——— LINKS Dr. Ani Patel, PhD At Tufts University: https://as.tufts.edu/psychology/people/faculty/aniruddh-patel  The Sound Health Network: https://soundhealth.ucsf.edu/ Dr. Charles Limb, MD At UCSF: https://ohns.ucsf.edu/charles-limb  Dr. Limb’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/charles_limb_your_brain_on_improv Jonathan Biss Jonathan’s website: https://www.jonathanbiss.com/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_biss_official/ Jonathan’s book, ‘Unquiet’: https://www.jonathanbiss.com/projects/unquiet  ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Supplements have become a hundred-billion dollar industry. But can they really boost your brain health in the ways they claim? They’re everywhere: shelves and shelves of pills and powders promising everything from  improved immunity, boosted energy, and faster weight loss to better sleep, happier moods, and enhanced sexual wellness. Social media influencers won’t stop talking about them, and they seem to appear in TV commercials every five minutes. And yet... the evidence supporting most of the claims these supplements make is next-to-nought. So what’s the truth? In ‘Your Brain On... Supplements’, we discuss: The differences between supplements and medication Why supplements are so loosely regulated The most popular supplements, and the lack of evidence supporting their purported benefits Identifying between the placebo effect and real effects Some supplements with actual evidence-based potential The psychology behind why we all feel compelled to try supplements Tips for navigating supplement claims we see on social media Joining us for this episode is Dr. Adrian Chavez a nutrition researcher, educator, and consultant. He has a PhD in Nutrition and Health Promotion where he conducted research developing and delivering lifestyle interventions in community settings for improving cardiovascular and metabolic health. After graduating he opened up a private practice and has worked with hundreds of clients helping people to lose weight and improve a variety of health problems with science-based nutrition strategies. He is the host of The Nutrition Science Podcast, a top-rated nutrition podcast that provides bite-sized episodes covering important topics in nutrition. This is... Your Brain On Supplements. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/ ‘Your Brain On... Supplements’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 9 ——— LINKS Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.adrian.chavez Dr. Adrian Chavez’s website: https://www.dradrianchavez.com/ Dr. Adrian Chavez’s Podcast: https://www.thenutritionsciencepodcast.com/ ——— SELECTED CITATIONS Dietary Supplement Studies  Supplements adulterated with drugs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35285963/  Prohibited contaminants in dietary supplements: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5753965/  Dietary Supplement Fraud: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33412717/  Unapproved Ingredients: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646238/  Ashwagandha  Ashwagandha on Physical Performance https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8006238/ Ashwagandha on sleep https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34559859/  Ashwagandha on stress https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017529/  Creatine  Creatine on Memory https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35984306/ ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Traumatic Brain Injury is a major cause of death, disability, and cognitive decline. Thankfully, evolving research is helping us protect our heads and lessen the long-term impacts of TBIs. In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’ we discuss: • The effects and symptoms of TBI, from mild concussions to more severe head injuries • What actually happens to your brain when you sustain a TBI • The links between TBI and neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment • The prevalence of TBI in military personnel and sportspeople, and how we’re improving protective technologies • Steps to take after experiencing concussions or head traumas • How brain-healthy preventative lifestyle habits can lessen the long-term impacts of TBI Our guest for this episode is Dr. David Brody, MD, PhD, Chief Science Officer/Chief Innovation Officer, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD. Dr. Brody is a pre-eminent researcher of traumatic brain injuries, particularly in military personnel who experience TBIs during combat.  This is... Your Brain On TBI. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/ ‘Your Brain On... TBI’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 8  — LINKS David Brody, MD, PhD: https://www.usuhs.edu/profile/david-brody-md-phd  — FOLLOW US  Instagram: @thebraindocs  Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Omega-3 supplements have become a multi-billion-dollar industry, promising to enhance your memory, boost your mood, and protect your brain. But where does the science end, and the marketing hype begin? Omega-3 fatty acids are a special category of ‘good fats’ that play vital roles in both brain and body health. Unlike some species, we can’t produce our own Omega-3s, so we must rely on our diets to get these essential fats. In this episode, we discuss how to get more brain-healthy quantities of Omega-3 into your diet, plus: • The brain health benefits of Omega-3 • The differences between Omega-3 and Omega-6 • The neurochemical intricacies of ALA, EPA, and DHA • Why Omega-3s are essential for development at a young age • The current (and future) state of Omega-3 research • Who needs Omega-3 supplements, and why Enriching the discussion this week are two celebrated experts in the field: DR. RICHARD BAZINET, a professor and researcher whose work focuses on the regulation and role of brain lipid metabolism in neurodegenerative diseases DR. BILL HARRIS, an internationally-recognised expert on omega-3, and the pioneer behind the Omega-3 Index This is... Your Brain On Omega-3. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/ ‘Your Brain On... Omega-3’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 7 ——— LINKS DR. RICHARD BAZINET Dr. Bazinet at University of Toronto: https://nutrisci.med.utoronto.ca/faculty/richard-bazinet DR. BILL HARRIS Dr. Harris at OmegaQuant: https://omegaquant.com/dr-william-s-harris/  ———  FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Two decades on from the start of the smartphone revolution, we have the first humans who, for as long as they’ve been alive, have had the entire internet just a few taps away. What has this done to our brains? It’s been an unprecedented period of rapid change, and, with the largest social networking sites using every neurological trick in the book to keep us endlessly scrolling down our feeds, what can we do to make our relationship with social media healthier? In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’, we discuss: • The brain health risks of social media overuse (and rewards of healthy use!) • How social media apps are designed to keep us addicted • Structural brain changes that have been sparked by the digital age • The neuroscience of doom-scrolling, social comparison, social media’s impact on sleep • Practical steps to balance our social media use We’re joined by two internationally-renowned experts on these topics: DR. JEAN TWENGE, a researcher, author, and psychologist known for her work on how social media affects the mental health of different generations. DR.  LARRY ROSEN, co-author of ‘The Distracted Mind’ and celebrated expert in the psychology of technology. This is... Your Brain On Social Media. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Social Media’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 6 ‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/ ——— LINKS DR. JEAN TWENGE Dr. Twenge’s website: https://www.jeantwenge.com/ at San Diego State University: https://psychology.sdsu.edu/people/jean-twenge/ DR. LARRY ROSEN Dr. Rosen’s website: https://drlarryrosen.com/ ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Our incredible kids Sophia and Alex Sherzai join us for a special end-of-year episode of the ‘Your Brain On...’ episode! As a family of neuroscientists — Sophia in biomedical engineering, Alex in artificial intelligence, Ayesha in vascular neurology, and Dean in behavioral neurology — we have fascinating discussions (and debates) about all aspects of life and brain health almost every day. To close out the first year of the ‘Your Brain On...’ podcast, we’re bringing that energy to the show! We discuss: • Life as a family of neuroscientists • What we’ve been working on and researching in 2024 • How to navigate the challenges and complexities of the holidays • Our hopes and goals for 2025 • The top ten most popular episodes of ‘Your Brain On...’ in 2024! • The importance of connection, community, and change This is... the Sherzai Family Holiday Special of ‘Your Brain On...’! ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. SEASON 4 • EPISODE 5

High in fats and low in carbs, ketogenic diets were originally developed in the 1920s to treat children with epilepsy. Now, they’ve gained popularity for weight loss, and even improved cognitive function. But how much truth is there in the purported brain health benefits we see on social media? In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’, we separate the facts from the fads, and discuss: • What one might eat on a typical ketogenic diet • How ketogenic diets affect brain metabolism • The different ways your brain uses sources of energy — glucose vs. ketones • The latest data on ketogenic diet in Alzheimer’s disease patients • What we know about how ketogenic diets and treatment of Alzheimer’s • The outcome differences between ketogenic diets and ketone supplements in Alzheimer’s • Other evidence-based nutritional approaches for brain health  For this episode, we welcome two world-renowned professionals in the field of nutrition and neuroscience: DR. MATTHEW TAYLOR, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor, Dietetics and Nutrition, Kansas University Medical Center DR. RUSSELL SWERDLOW, MD, Gene and Marge Sweeney Professor of Neurology; Director, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Kansas University Medical Center This is... Your Brain On Ketogenic Diets. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Ketogenic Diets’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 4   FOLLOW US Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast   REFERENCES 1. Wheless, James W. "History of the ketogenic diet." Epilepsia 49 (2008): 3-5. 2. Krolak-Salmon, Pierre, Russell H. Swerdlow, Thibault Mastain, Catherine Dive-Pouletty, Nick Pooley, and Masoumeh Kisomi. "Efficacy and Safety of Exogenous Ketones in People with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Literature Review." Nutrition Reviews (2024): nuae098. 3. Taylor, Matthew K., Debra K. Sullivan, Jonathan D. Mahnken, Jeffrey M. Burns, and Russell H. Swerdlow. "Feasibility and efficacy data from a ketogenic diet intervention in Alzheimer's disease." Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions 4 (2018): 28-36. 4. Taylor, Matthew K., Russell H. Swerdlow, and Debra K. Sullivan. "Dietary neuroketotherapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease: an evidence update and the potential role for diet quality." Nutrients 11, no. 8 (2019): 1910. 5. Koppel, Scott J., and Russell H. Swerdlow. "Neuroketotherapeutics: a modern review of a century-old therapy." Neurochemistry international 117 (2018): 114-125. 6. O'Neill, Blair, and Paolo Raggi. "The ketogenic diet: Pros and cons." Atherosclerosis 292 (2020): 119-126. 7. Crosby, Lee, Brenda Davis, Shivam Joshi, Meghan Jardine, Jennifer Paul, Maggie Neola, and Neal D. Barnard. "Ketogenic diets and chronic disease: weighing the benefits against the risks." Frontiers in nutrition 8 (2021): 702802.

ALS, a nervous system disease, ruled the headlines in the summer of 2014 thanks to the viral Ice Bucket Challenge. How has our knowledge of the disorder evolved a decade later? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ‘Lou Gehrig's disease’ (named after the iconic baseball player), is a progressive neurological disorder which breaks down a person’s motor neurons. The main symptoms are muscle weakness and impaired physical function — mild, at first, but in the latter stages of the disease’s progression, essential processes like breathing begin to fail. Most individuals face a life expectancy of two to five years. A small percentage live five to ten years. And an even tinier group survive beyond a decade. Most famously, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking survived more than 50 years past his diagnosis, in part due to the intensive care he was able to afford. In this episode of the ‘Your Brain On...’ podcast, we discuss: • What ALS is, and how it affects the brain and the body • The onset and progression of ALS, from the earliest symptoms to the end-stage impacts • How ALS patients are diagnosed, treated, and cared for • Likely causes of ALS, including genetic predispositions and potential environmental risk factors • How new technologies are rapidly accelerating our understanding of ALS, especially in genetics Joining us for this installment of the show are two world-class experts on the disease: • Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi PhD, Professor of Neurology and Complex Disease Genetics at the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute at King's College. • Merit Cudkowicz, Director of the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... ALS’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 3 ——— LINKS PROFESSOR AMMAR AL-CHALABI at King’s College: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/ammar-al-chalabi at Motor Neurone Disease Disease Association: https://www.mndassociation.org/get-involved/cure-finders/professor-ammar-al-chalabi Project MinE: https://projectmine.com/ MERIT CUDKOWICZ at Massachusetts General Hospital: https://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/16904/merit-cudkowicz  at Harvard University: https://researchers.mgh.harvard.edu/profile/1520993/Merit-Cudkowicz ——— ANNOUNCING: NEURO WORLD RETREAT 2025 We’re so excited to share something very close to our hearts, which we’ve been working on over the past few months: our first ever brain health retreat! You’re warmly invited to join us in San Diego, California for the inaugural NEURO World Retreat 2025, taking place September 2–5, 2025 at the breathtaking Paradise Point Resort. For more information, and to book, visit: https://neuroworldretreat.com/ ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast ——— References: Brown, Robert H., and Ammar Al-Chalabi. "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." New England Journal of Medicine 377.2 (2017): 162-172. Benatar, Michael, et al. "A roadmap to ALS prevention: strategies and priorities." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 94.5 (2023): 399-402. Voigtlaender, Sebastian, et al. "Artificial intelligence in neurology: opportunities, challenges, and policy implications." Journal of Neurology 271.5 (2024): 2258-2273. Zinman, Lorne, and Merit Cudkowicz. "Emerging targets and treatments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." The Lancet Neurology 10.5 (2011): 481-490. Raghav, Yogindra, et al. "Identification of gene fusions associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." Muscle & Nerve 69.4 (2024): 477-489. Su, Feng-Chiao, et al. "Association of environmental toxins with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." JAMA neurology 73.7 (2016): 803-811. Talbott, Evelyn O., et al. "Case-control study of environmental toxins and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis involving the national ALS registry." Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration (2024): 1-10.

For decades, ketamine has mainly been used as an anaesthetic, but in more recent years, it’s gained popularity in mental health treatment. Conversations around the benefits and risks associated with its therapeutic usage ignited towards the end of 2023, when actor Matthew Perry, star of the sitcom ‘Friends’, died from the acute effects of the ketamine he was using to treat anxiety. In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’, we discuss: • The neurochemical mechanisms of ketamine, and its interplay with depression • What we know about the opportunities and pitfalls of using ketamine in mental health treatment • The potential for ketamine use in reducing the impacts of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s • How technology and improvements in passive and active data collection are helping us better understand how ketamine affects cognition and neuroplasticity • The history of ketamine’s use as an antidepressant • How ketamine is actually administered, through various dosages and courses of treatment We’re welcoming two of the leading figures in this space to the podcast: Dr. Gerard Sanacora, who is a Professor of Psychiatry at Yale University and the Director of the Yale Depression Research Program, and Dr. John Krystal, also from Yale: a Professor of Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Psychology. This is... Your Brain On Ketamine. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Ketamine’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 2 ——— LINKS DR. GERARD SANACORA Dr. Sanacora at Yale: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/gerard-sanacora/ The Yale Depression Research Program: https://medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/depression/ DR. JOHN KRYSTAL Dr. Krystal at Yale: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/john-krystal/ ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast