This Is Your Brain on Food with Dr. Uma Naidoo

In this fascinating episode, brain health expert Daniel Amen joins forces with special guest Jedidiah Thurner to explore the surprising neuroscience behind kindness. Together, they unpack how simple acts of compassion can rewire your brain, boost mental health, and even improve your physical well-being.   From the chemistry of empathy to the long-term effects of positive behavior on brain function, this conversation blends cutting-edge science with real-world insights you can actually use. Jedidiah brings a fresh perspective to the discussion, diving into how intentional kindness shapes relationships, resilience, and personal growth.   If you've ever wondered whether being kind really makes a difference—this episode will change how you think about your brain, your habits, and your impact on the world.   More on Good Neighbor Day: Good Neighbor Day America is a nationwide movement to inspire the Good Neighbor in every American through love, kindness, and service. As we look ahead to America's 250th anniversary, we're proud to partner with America250 to honor this historic milestone. The nation's most loved charities, faith-based organizations, churches, and businesses are coming together for a monumental day of service.   https://goodneighbordayamerica.com/

In this week's mini-episode, Dr. Amen sits down with Pastor Miles McPherson for a live conversation on faith and brain health at the Rock Church in San Diego, CA.

Feeling trapped is one of the most painful parts of addiction—but Justin McMillen proves that breaking free is possible. In this episode, he walks through the key turning points that helped him shift from feeling powerless to taking back control. After years of battling his own addiction, Justin McMillen set out to help others recover from addiction. In 2008, he established Tree House Sober Living, an organization dedicated to sheltering those new in recovery without anywhere else to go. After spending years watching people recover only to relapse in an endless cycle, Justin began studying substance use disorder. The sober living residence became a laboratory for his research that would ultimately lead to today's most innovative addiction treatment solution. For Justin, this work is deeply personal and spiritual. He believes that his purpose is to put an end to as much unnecessary suffering in the world as possible during his lifetime. Justin is relentlessly driven to advance the mission of Tree House, to save as many lives as possible by transforming how addiction is thought about, talked about, understood, and treated around the world. His focus is on positioning the organization to establish new national benchmarks for what is possible in substance use disorder treatment.

In today's mini-episode, Dr. Daniel Amen explains his Amen Clinics Method of integrative psychiatric care and how it offers hope. Using innovative and personal care, our outcomes consistently demonstrate improvement for patients -- including many who have tried and failed prior treatment. The Amen Clinics Method is a multi-modal approach to treatment that uncovers the root cause of your mental health issues or challenges that are not discovered by traditional psychiatry. We believe it is critical to look at your brain within the context of your life, which includes biological, psychological, social, and spiritual influences.   See the full patient journey here: https://www.amenclinics.com/approach/.... Amen Clinics has locations nationwide. For more information, contact our Care Coordinators: https://www.amenclinics.com/schedule-....   00:00 The Amen Clinics Method & Mental Health Crisis 02:37 Methods of Traditional Psychiatry vs. The Amen Clinics Method 05:22 The 4-Circle Approach 06:29 Brain SPECT Imaging 08:04 Amen Clinics Treatment Methods 08:39 Brain Reserve

What if the biggest source of your anxiety isn't the world around you—but the thoughts inside your own mind? In part 2 of the anxiety series, Dr. Daniel Amen And Tana breaks down what's really happening in your brain when anxiety takes over—and why trying to "fight" your thoughts often makes things worse. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and brain imaging research, he explains how negative thought patterns form, how they hijack your emotional state, and most importantly, how you can take back control. You'll learn practical, science-backed strategies to calm mental chaos, stop overthinking spirals, and retrain your brain for peace. From identifying "automatic negative thoughts" (ANTs) to building healthier neural pathways, this conversation offers tools you can start using immediately. If you've ever felt trapped in your own head, this episode will show you a different way forward—one where you're no longer at the mercy of every thought that crosses your mind. In this episode, you'll discover: Why your brain gets stuck in anxiety loops The hidden impact of negative thinking patterns Simple techniques to challenge and reframe your thoughts How to build a calmer, more resilient mind   This isn't about suppressing your thoughts—it's about understanding them, reshaping them, and finally finding the mental clarity you've been looking for.

This episode features information, tips, and how to's on food and its effects on the brain. Dr. Uma Naidoo is the director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, writer for the Harvard Health blog, and author of the book "This is Your Brain on Food".

Anxiety is not just a feeling—it's a brain health issue. In this week's episode of part 1 of their anxiety series, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana dive into the neuroscience of anxiety and practical, evidence-based ways to improve mental well-being. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and brain imaging research, they offers tools to calm the mind, build resilience, and optimize brain function. Change your brain—and you can change your life.   For anxiety help: https://www.amenclinics.com/ Amen Clinics locations: https://www.amenclinics.com/locations/

Has Your Head Injury Contributed To Your Mental Health Issues? You don't need to suffer a concussion or be knocked unconscious to have head trauma. Taking a bad fall as a child, in a car accident, or simply having played a contact sport, like football or soccer, can lead to memory issues later in life. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that occurred decades earlier can cause lasting damage, and most people don't even realize that they've had one.   Learn more: http://www.amenclinics.com/blog/brigh...   SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE BRAIN HEALTH NEWS & TIPS https://www.youtube.com/subscription_...   If you or someone you know would like more information about Amen Clinics, please call us or visit https://www.amenclinics.com/schedule-....   Within the U.S. call 1-888-288-9834 Outside the U.S. call 1-949-266-3700

Your story didn't end when childhood did. It adapted. It survived. And it lives in your body. In this podcast, Dr. Amen is joined by actress Brittany Snow. They explore the lasting impact of early experiences, the science of stored trauma, and the quiet ways it shapes your relationships, habits, and sense of self. More importantly, we talk about healing—what it looks like, how it feels, and how to begin. Brittany bravely shares her battle with sleep related issues, a past eating disorder and battling anxiety.

The Hidden Epidemic of Breast Implant Illness with Danica Patrick When professional race car driver and podcast host Danica Patrick heard Dr. Daniel Amen say this, she gave him a high-five and responded, "Thank you for saying that. Not many doctors do." Danica lived with breast implants for 7 years before choosing to have them removed. She had been dealing with health issues, including low thyroid function, leaky gut, and severe heavy metal toxicity, which she thinks may have been linked to the implants. Her healthcare providers treated her thyroid and gut issues, but the biggest change in her health came after breast implant removal. "I found immediate relief," she says.