The Empowering Neurologist Podcast

🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱 Yes, we need stress in our lives! Staying in our comfort zone may be doing us more harm than good. That’s probably surprising to hear from me having spoken about the importance of reducing stress over the years. But, nonetheless, a level of stress that is not overly damaging, and that may actually have positive benefits.  Today we are going to learn much more about that will be looking at the book, The Stress Paradox with Dr. Sharon Horesh Bergquist. We're going to learn about the"Stress dilemma" that we face, how stress enhances, cellular resilience, how our life compares to the lives of our ancestors in terms of the physical stresses that we endure. We will explore how stressing ourselves in relation to the times that we eat, our physical exercise, and even explore how sleep or lack of sleep, may affect us in negative and even perhaps positive ways. All in all, we"re learning these days how we want to do our best to leverage the value of being out of our comfort zone but also recognizing our boundaries.  00:00 Introduction 02:00 Welcoming Sharon and Introducing The Stress Paradox 06:33 Sleep is Critical 07:12 Good Stress (HIIT) vs. Bad Stress (Financial Hardship) 09:50 Hormetic Stress? Current Environment vs. Ancestors' Stress Levels 13:20 Stress Responses Stored in Phytochemicals and our Evolutionary Relationship with Plants 19:01 10,000 DNA Injuries Any Given Day, 7 Per Minute 22:03 The Biggest Factor Related to Longevity 26:01 Relationship with Decreased Risk of Alzheimer’s & The Role of Myokines 30:17 Microglia Cells Can Share Mitochondria (Before & After) 35:13 Heat Exposure Mimics the Benefits of Exercise 38:01 Key Strategies for Longevity and Vitality 45:32 Personalized Health Strategies for Optimal Performance 50:25: The Cortisol Spike and Why It is Necessary  58:20 Why You Need Non-negotiables In Your Physiology 50:20 Conclusion ==== Sharon Horesh Bergquist, MD, is an award-winning physician, innovative healthcare leader, and visionary researcher renowned for spearheading a science-based approach to applying lifestyle as medicine. She has helped lead numerous clinical trials, including the Emory Healthy Aging Study and the NIH funded Emory Healthy Brain Study. Dr. Bergquist is widely published in peer-reviewed journals and has contributed to over 200 news ___________________________ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/ Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/ Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1

🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com [http://www.drperlmutter.com]. ✉️🌱 We all want to live a stress-free life. But as it turns out, this may not necessarily be in our best interest having a low level of stress of various types turns out to be good for our physiology and can even help us recover from illness. When stress is implemented in this way, it is termed, other words, the upside of low-grade stress. That stress can be exercise, immersion ourselves in cold or hot temperatures, time restricted eating, or even various forms of light exposure all of which we will explore on my podcast today, which is an interview with my good friend, Jeff Krasno. His new book, Good Stress, that he wrote along with his wife Schuyler Grant He is the CEO and founder of Commune Media, a masterclass platform for well-being that features renowned authors and teachers. He hosts the Commune podcast, which has over 520 episodes and generates more than 750,000 monthly downloads, featuring interviews with luminaries such as Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Matthew McConaughey, and Gabor Maté. Additionally, Jeff writes a weekly "Commusing" essay exploring well-being, spirituality, and culture, distributed to an email list of over one million subscribers. Prior to founding Commune Media, Jeff co-created Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events that have significantly contributed to popularizing yoga practices and principles in the U.S. and beyond. In 2016, Oprah Winfrey selected him as part of the SuperSoul100, recognizing him as one of the nation's leading entrepreneurs. Jeff's latest book, "Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things," co-authored with his wife, Schuyler Grant, is set to be released on March 25, 2025. I've had the opportunity to read the galley and it's a terrific book that will open a lot of doors for each and every one of you in terms of regaining your health. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction and Personal Connection with Jeff Regarding the Los Angeles Wildfires 8:51 Introducing Jeff’s Book, Good Stress: The Health Benefits of Doing Hard Things 13:42 The Personal and Societal Costs of Poor Health 18:27 Jeff’s Background and Personal Approach to Wellness 22:54 Homeostasis as the Foundation of Health 25:42 Rethinking "Normal"—The Flaws of the Bell Curve Perspective 29:24 Evolutionary Perspectives on Health and Adaptation 34:55 Thermoregulation as a Pathway to Homeostatic Flexibility 38:15 Hypoxia and Its Role in Physiological Adaptation 47:04 The Therapeutic Potential of Thermal Shock 49:51 The Concept of Good Stress and the Evolutionary Mismatch of Modern Lifestyles 55:01 Optimal Timing and Approaches for Cold Plunging 1:00:46 Jeff’s Personal Biohacking Journey 1:07:08 Exploring the Benefits of Light Therapy and the Revival of Raw Milk Consumption ==== Jeff Krasno is the co-founder and CEO of Commune, a masterclass platform for personal and societal well-being and co-creator of Wanderlust, a global series of wellness events. He hosts the Commune podcast, interviewing a wide variety of luminaries from Deepak Chopra and Marianne Williamson to Matthew McConaughey and Gabor Maté. His latest venture expands Jeff’s personal story and protocols into a book, Good Stress: The Benefits of Doing Hard Things (Hay House, March 2025). The book dives deeper into the concepts from the course, distilling insights from over 400 podcast conversations Jeff has conducted, along with his personal experiences applying these ideas to transform his own health. It explores deliberate, self-imposed behaviors that promote social, psychological, and physical well-being, offering both a philosophical exploration of true wellness and practical steps to achieve it. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/ [https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/] Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/ [https://www.drperlmutter.com/] Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1 [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1]

🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱 We all know that exercise is good for the body and specifically, very good for the brain. In fact, exercise is the most important inroad to better brain health, better brain function, protecting the brain against decline, and even with respect to mood issues like depression. But it's reasonable to ask how in fact does this work? How is it that exercising muscles does good things for the brain? On today's episode of the Empowering Neurologist we spent time with Dr. Austin Perlmutter. He takes us on a deep dive exploring the exact connection between muscle and its endocrine function in terms of creating various chemicals that are so helpful for better brain health. It's a great discussion that looks at things like how much exercise is appropriate, what type of exercise is best, how much protein we should be consuming, and what other supplements will augment the benefits of exercise in terms of better brain health. I think you will really enjoy this episode. I know I sure did, after all, getting to spend time with my son is always special! ===== 00:00:00 Introduction & Welcoming Dr. Austin 00:01:56 The Relationship of Muscle Health, Mental Health, and Brain Health 00:09:15 The Power of Exercise to Improve Cognition vs Pharmaceuticals & The Muscle as an Endocrine Organ 00:16:36 The Molecules Produced by Muscles: Myokines  00:20:10 Myokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Health  00:26:43 Sarcopenia and The Risk of Dementia 00:31:50 Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor, Neuroplasticity & Weight Training  00:39:40 Animal versus Plant Protein to Build Healthy Muscle 00:46:26 Cycling Anabolic and Catabolic States 00:51:31 Why Women Are 2x More Likely to Develop Alzheimer's and What Supplementation Is Necessary to Compliment Building Muscle 01:05:40 Conclusion and Wrap Up ===== Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a board-certified internal medicine physician, New York Times bestselling author, researcher, educator, podcaster and entrepreneur. His mission is to help people get their brains unstuck for better mental and cognitive health. Dr. Perlmutter’s work on how environment and diet influences brain health has been featured on PBS, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, NPR, Fox, CBS and other top media outlets. He has co-produced and hosted some of the world’s largest online brain health events including Alzheimer’s, the Science of Prevention and the Better Brain Blueprint. He is the Managing Director of Big Bold Health, where he led a pioneering study exploring plant nutrient effects on human aging. He is the CEO of Lichen Air, which provides science-backed indoor air solutions for better brain health and longevity. He is also a research consultant to the Helfgott Research Institute, where he studies the epigenetic, metabolic, microbiome and immune effects of ayahuasca.  Website: https://www.austinperlmutter.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@draustinperlmutter IG: https: https://www.instagram.com/draustinperlmutter/ Lichen AIr: https://lichenair.com/ Dr. Austin Perlmutter's Muscle-Brain eGuide: https://www.austinperlmutter.com/muscleguide ___________________________ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/ Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/ Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1

🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱Over the last several decades, it’s been interesting to watch the progression of ideas for treating Alzheimer’s change from focusing on brain chemistry to targeting the accumulation of proteins in the brain associated with the disease. Recently, there’s been exciting interest in studying how the brain’s electrical circuits and rhythms change in Alzheimer’s and other brain degenerative disorders.The human brain operates in rhythms, with gamma frequencies playing a critical role in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and learning. In neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, these gamma oscillations are disrupted, contributing to the accumulation of harmful proteins such as amyloid-beta and tau. Cognito Therapeutics has developed a pioneering approach using non-invasive light and sound stimulation to restore these rhythms and trigger natural mechanisms for clearing these toxic proteins.In preclinical and early clinical trials, this method has demonstrated remarkable potential. By stimulating gamma oscillations, the therapy has shown the ability to reduce inflammation, enhance synaptic function, and activate microglia—immune cells responsible for clearing debris and maintaining brain health. For families battling cognitive decline, these results offer hope for improving quality of life and potentially slowing disease progression. Cognito’s research focuses on safety, accessibility, and scalability. Unlike pharmaceutical interventions, this approach avoids invasive procedures or systemic side effects, making it an attractive alternative or complementary treatment for Alzheimer’s.As the company advances its clinical trials, the implications extend far beyond Alzheimer’s. Cognito’s technology could pave the way for treatments for neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, MS, and traumatic brain injury.On our podcast today, we are joined by Christian Howell, CEO of Cognito Therapeutics. Howell is committed to advancing the understanding of brain health and delivering groundbreaking therapeutic solutions to improve patient outcomes. Under his leadership, Cognito Therapeutics has made significant strides in the development of gamma-frequency neuromodulation technologies, leveraging light and sound stimulation to address the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative disorders. Howell is a strong advocate for translating cutting-edge research into real-world applications and has spearheaded the company’s efforts to validate its therapies through rigorous scientific studies and clinical trials.Howell holds advanced degrees in neuroscience and bioengineering and has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between scientific discovery and patient care. His work reflects a commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families impacted by cognitive decline and to shaping the future of brain health through innovation and collaboration.====00:00 Introduction00:59 Optogenetic Light & SoundTherapy 11:28 Innovations in Light and Sound Therapy at 40Hz Interval; Generating Neuroplasticity17:48 Rethinking Alzheimer’s Treatment and Gamma Wave Stimulation’s Impact on Proteins20:43 Overview of Cognito Therapeutics at Home Device25:30 Usage for Therapeutic, Preventative, and Performance Enhancement. 28:37 Disease States: Dysregulation of Microglia; Long Covid, Chemo Brain, Sepsis 30:45: Breakthrough Designation from FDA For the Device38:07 FDA Approval, Distribution, and Insurance Approval; Economic Burdens of Alzheimer’s 44:30 Closing Insights on Revolutionary Therapies====Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/Subscribe to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1

🧠 Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. ✉️🌱 After decades of stagnation, the field of psychiatry is undergoing a transformative shift. For 75 years, mental health issues were largely viewed as “chemical imbalances” best treated with medications. While these medications have helped many, their efficacy is often limited, and they come with common side effects like fatigue, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction. Enter metabolic psychiatry—a groundbreaking new approach that reimagines mental health challenges as issues rooted in brain metabolism. This fresh perspective is revolutionizing how we perceive and address mental health conditions, offering powerful, practical, and safe solutions that are accessible to everyone. The most exciting discovery of our time? Robust mental health is deeply connected to robust metabolic health—and achieving metabolic health starts with a brain-friendly diet. For those struggling with mental health, understanding how dietary changes can provide benefits that no medication can is critical. However, the key lies in making the right changes—ones that go beyond conventional dietary advice. By integrating cutting-edge research on brain metabolism with evidence-based insights on brain-nourishing foods, we can unlock a powerful formula for optimal mental well-being. This exciting synergy is the focus of our podcast, and today, we’re thrilled to feature an expert in this field: Dr. Georgia Ede, MD, author of Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind. In this episode, Dr. Ede shares her insights on the revolutionary potential of metabolic psychiatry and the role of diet in mental health. Together, we’ll explore how rethinking the way we nourish our brains can lead to profound changes in how we think, feel, and live. Join us for a deep dive into the intersection of nutrition and psychiatry and discover how small, actionable dietary changes can unlock a brighter, healthier future for your mind. ==== 0:05 Introduction 4:15 Welcoming Dr. Ede 5:01 Dr. Ede's Backstory And Experimenting with Her Own Diet 10:46 Shifting Beliefs From Standard Psychiatric Medicine 15:22 SSRI's And Their Efficacy 20:13 Standard American Diet And Widespread Mental Health Crisis 26:21 Inflammation And Its Affect On Mental Health 30:18 Insulin Resistance, The Brain, and Impact on Mental Health 34:49 The Pushback Georgie Has Received W 39:28 Metabolism, Mitochondrial Function Relation To Mental Health Issues 44:36 Using A Ketogenic Diet To Manage Mental Health 52:55 Personalized Medicine Through A Diet That Works For Your Body 1:01:20 Thank you to Dr. Georgia and Conclusion ==== Dr. Georgia Ede is an internationally recognized expert in nutritional and metabolic psychiatry. Her twenty-five years of clinical experience include twelve years at Smith College and Harvard University, where she was the first psychiatrist to offer students nutrition-based approaches to mental health conditions. Dr. Ede co-authored the first inpatient study of the ketogenic diet for serious mental illness, developed the first medically accredited course in ketogenic diets for mental health, and is a recipient of the Baszucki Brain Research Fund’s Metabolic Mind Award. Her bestselling new book Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind was recommended by the New York Times Book Review as among the three best mental health books of 2024. ___________________________ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidperlmutter/ Website: https://www.drperlmutter.com/ Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDRl_UAXxbHyOOjklnA0dxQ/?sub_confirmation=1