Podcast Summary: Change Your Brain Every Day
Host: Dr. Daniel Amen
Episode: Dr. Amen Unfiltered: His Most Candid Q&A Ever
Date: December 29, 2025
Episode Overview
In this solo Q&A episode, Dr. Daniel Amen, world-renowned psychiatrist and bestselling author, answers a broad range of listener questions, leveraging both his clinical expertise and personal experiences. Drawing from his new book Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain, Dr. Amen discusses the roots and remedies of mental health issues, brain health optimization, trauma recovery, ADHD strategies, addiction relapse prevention, and more. This episode offers candid insight into Dr. Amen’s philosophy and daily practices, with actionable advice for anyone interested in improving their brain and emotional health.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Who Does Dr. Amen Seek Advice From?
- Sources:
- The Bible
- Byron Katie’s "Loving What Is"
- Eckhart Tolle’s "The Power of Now"
- Personal reflection: Uses methodologies developed in his own work whenever going through hard times.
- Quote (04:30): “The biggest beneficiary of all the books that I’ve written is me.”
Confidence in Social Drinking Decisions
- Decision to stop drinking is self-love and respect for one’s health and purpose.
- Notable quote (05:40):
- “Drinking isn’t a reward; it’s a punishment because you’re making your brain less healthy over time.” — Dr. Amen
Lion’s Mane Mushroom for Brain Health
- Dr. Amen is a daily user, highlighting its proven benefits for immunity, cognitive function, focus, and memory.
Thyroid and OCD Connection
- No clear link between thyroid issues and OCD.
- Low thyroid correlates with depression and low energy; high thyroid with anxiety and insomnia.
What Leads to Mental Health Issues? (10:35)
- Dr. Amen uses a “four circles” model:
- Biological: e.g., thyroid, testosterone, infections like Lyme.
- Psychological: e.g., past trauma, negative thoughts.
- Social: e.g., breakups.
- Spiritual: e.g., lack of meaning.
- Quote (11:10): “Every day, you are making your brain better or you are making it worse.”
The Roots of OCD
- Can be genetic, inflammation-based, or due to autoimmune syndromes (e.g., PANDAS).
Tips for Healing from Trauma
- Recommends EMDR and havening for trauma recovery.
- Havening: Bilateral hemisphere stimulation to decrease emotional connection to trauma.
Getting Past Depression/Breakups (13:20)
- Central advice: “Love and take care of your brain.”
- Nutrition: More fruits and vegetables linked to greater happiness.
- Research note: Tylenol can ease post-breakup emotional pain, but has liver risks; Advil helps females post-breakup but may worsen emotional pain for males.
- Quote (14:30): "The most important thing after a breakup is… do not believe every stupid thing you think."
Kids & Mental Health Labels (16:00)
- Against over-labeling; views most "mental illnesses" as brain health issues, not personality flaws.
- Quote (16:45): “I take awesome people and just help them be more awesome… These are brain health issues. Get your brain healthy and your mind will follow.”
ADHD Subtypes & Treatment
- Type 2: Inattentive ADD (more common in girls): “Short attention span, distractible, disorganized, not usually impulsive.”
- Prevention of relapse (addictions, bad habits): Use the HALT method—avoid getting too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Align behaviors with core values.
Autism, ADHD & Diet (19:40)
- Recommends brain imaging and elimination diets (notably gluten & dairy) for children.
- Anecdote: Some children gain significant language abilities after dietary changes.
Marijuana, DNA Damage, and Brain Health (21:10)
- Marijuana can damage DNA and impact future generations.
- Brain health pillars:
- Brain envy—care about your brain
- Avoid harmful substances/habits
- Cultivate healthy habits
Aggression in Teens with ADD
- Identify trigger:
- Impulsive (acting quickly)
- Compulsive (frustration when things don’t go as planned)
- Sudden/out-of-nowhere (often linked to temporal lobe issues)
- Tip: Brain scans help target proper interventions.
ADHD Without Stimulants
- Alternatives: Neurofeedback, Omega-3s, green tea extract, and other nootropic supplements.
- Goal: Best function, not merely medication avoidance.
OCD/Obsessive Thinking: Root Causes
- Linked to overactivity in frontal brain areas.
- Can be genetic, trauma-induced, or infection-related.
ADHD and Breastfeeding
- Omega-3 supplements (especially EPA-heavy) can help both mother and baby.
- Exercise, clean diet, possibly low-dose stimulants (if stress outweighs risks).
Protecting & Improving Brain Health (25:40)
- Three essentials:
- Brain envy—prioritizing brain health
- Avoid damaging behaviors (drugs, alcohol, sleep deprivation, excessive digital stimulation)
- Embrace habits that promote growth (new learning, quality sleep, diet)
- Core question: “Is whatever you’re doing right now good for your brain or bad for it?”
Best Therapy for Trauma
- Top pick: EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Also recommends: Intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy, havening.
Tana’s Favorite Workout (28:45)
- Pilates, karate, weightlifting, biking.
- Japanese “DIE” walking: 3 minutes at normal speed, 3 minutes fast, repeated in cycles.
Forgetfulness vs. Memory Disorders
- Occasional forgetfulness “once a month” is normal.
- Weekly or worsening forgetfulness is not—should initiate memory recovery programs (referenced “Bright Minds” and “Memory Rescue”).
Generational Trauma (31:10)
- Trauma can be inherited.
- Suggests understanding family history for insight; references Mark Wolin’s "It Didn’t Start With You".
Is Depression Curable?
- Yes, if the root cause is addressed:
- E.g., hormonal imbalance, infection, “stinking thinking” (automatic negative thoughts—ANTs).
- Quote (33:30): “Why is a diagnosis really a symptom?”
Trichotillomania (Chronic Hair Pulling)
- NAC (N-acetylcysteine) and Memantine can be effective.
Dr. Amen’s Daily Brain Routine
- Morning affirmation: “Today is going to be a great day.”
- Morning walk in sunlight.
- Weightlifting 2–3 times weekly.
- Supplements: protein shakes, nootropics, BrainMD products.
- Evening reflection on what went well.
- Quote (36:40): “I live with the question: whatever I’m doing, is this good for my brain or bad for it?”
Meditation & Prayer
- Both are beneficial for brain health and emotional wellbeing.
Relationships & Connection
- Healthy relationships enhance brain health.
- Loneliness impairs brain function.
Forgiveness & Compassion Affecting Brain Chemistry
- Forgiveness is crucial; uses Everett Worthington's REACH method.
- Quote (40:10): "When you hold on to hurts, you’re like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."
Handling Burnout/Stress
- Never experienced burnout in 45 years due to living authentically and practicing what he preaches.
- Meaning, purpose, and positive patient outcomes maintain his enthusiasm.
Do You Need a Brain Scan?
- Not everyone, but valuable for those with problems.
- Psychiatry is unique in rarely examining the organ it treats.
Common Brain Types at Amen Clinics (44:20)
- Type 8 (impulsive, compulsive, sad, anxious) is most common.
- Many patients with ADD, depression, anxiety, brain injuries, or those seeking optimization.
The Most Important Thing to Improve Brain Health
- Love your brain.
- Repeated guiding question: “Is what I’m doing now good for my brain or bad for it?” (45:40)
- Quote (46:30): “If you love yourself, you’ll pick the good things rather than the bad things. Your brain matters.”
Memorable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)
- 05:40: “Drinking isn’t a reward; it’s a punishment because you’re making your brain less healthy over time.”
- 14:30: "The most important thing after a breakup is… do not believe every stupid thing you think."
- 16:45: “I take awesome people and just help them be more awesome… These are brain health issues. Get your brain healthy and your mind will follow.”
- 25:40: “Is whatever you’re doing right now good for your brain or bad for it?”
- 40:10: "When you hold on to hurts, you’re like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die."
- 46:30: “If you love yourself, you’ll pick the good things rather than the bad things. Your brain matters.”
- 36:40: “I live with the question: whatever I’m doing, is this good for my brain or bad for it?”
Important Timestamps
- 00:00 – 02:30: Introduction and episode purpose
- 04:30: Personal sources of guidance
- 05:40: Alcohol, self-love, and health
- 10:35: Four circles model—roots of mental health issues
- 13:20: Depression and breakup recovery
- 16:00: Children and mental health labels
- 19:40: Autism, ADHD, and diet
- 21:10: Marijuana, DNA, and fixing the damage
- 25:40: Brain health—essential strategies
- 28:45: Tana's workout and Japanese walking routine
- 31:10: Generational trauma
- 36:40: Dr. Amen's daily health practices
- 40:10: Compassion, forgiveness, and brain chemistry
- 44:20: Brain types at Amen Clinics
- 45:40: Most important takeaway—love your brain
Summary
Dr. Daniel Amen’s candid, wide-ranging Q&A offers a roadmap for optimizing brain health and emotional resilience. His advice is clear: treat your brain with the same care as your body, scrutinize daily habits with a simple guiding question, and use science-based strategies—nutrition, supplements, therapy, relationship building, and self-reflection—to live your best life. The episode is packed with practical wisdom, striking metaphors, and actionable advice, making a compelling case that changing your brain truly can change your life.