Episode Summary: How Improving Brain Health Can Change The Way You Look, Feel, and Thrive

Podcast: Change Your Brain Every Day
Hosts: Dr. Daniel Amen & Tana Amen
Guests: Dr. Andrew Newberg & Dr. Daniel Monti
Release Date: July 9, 2021
Book Discussed: Brain Weaver: Creating the Fabric for a Healthy Mind Through Integrative Medicine by Dr. Andrew Newberg and Dr. Daniel Monti

Introduction: Embracing Integrative Brain Health

The episode kicks off with Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen introducing their distinguished guests, Dr. Andrew Newberg and Dr. Daniel Monti from the Bernie Marcus Institute of Integrative Health. Dr. Amen expresses his excitement about their collaborative work and the new book Brain Weaver, highlighting the importance of integrating brain imaging into medical practices.

Dr. Daniel Amen (00:50):
"Natural ways to heal the brain. In an integrative or functional medicine context, your brain is an organ like your heart is an organ."

The Four Circles Model: A Comprehensive Approach to Brain Health

Dr. Amen introduces the "Four Circles" model used at Amen Clinics to understand a patient's overall health—Biological, Psychological, Social, and Spiritual. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects influencing brain health are considered.

Dr. Daniel Amen (08:00):
"Whenever I see a new patient, I go to my whiteboard and I draw four big circles... biology, psychology, social, and spiritual."

Biological Contributors: Nutrition and Beyond

Dr. Daniel Monti emphasizes the fundamental role of nutrition in brain health, asserting that "you are what you eat," and poor dietary choices can lead to inflammation and other biological issues that affect the brain.

Dr. Daniel Monti (09:27):
"Foods that are pro-inflammatory, foods that have a lot of carbohydrates, foods that have a lot of the bad oils and fats, you're not going to be able to... those are the building blocks of what your brain is going to do."

Psychological Factors: The Impact of Stress and Inflammation

Dr. Andrew Newberg discusses how chronic stress, particularly heightened during the pandemic, keeps the body in a perpetual fight-or-flight state, leading to increased inflammation and subsequent brain health issues.

Dr. Andrew Newberg (11:12):
"Inflammation as a principle that actually fuels almost all of the illnesses that we think about, especially once we reach adulthood."

He further explains the connection between the autonomic nervous system and inflammation, illustrating how psychological stress translates into physical brain changes observable through imaging.

Social Influences: The Role of Community and Relationships

The discussion highlights the significant impact of social interactions on brain health. Dr. Amen points out that the pandemic has reshaped social dynamics, offering both challenges and opportunities for enhancing mental well-being through stronger family bonds.

Dr. Daniel Amen (08:00):
"We had more time with our families than we have in 60 years, probably."

Spiritual Well-being: Enhancing Brain Function Through Spiritual Practices

Dr. Monti elaborates on the spiritual circle, emphasizing the benefits of practices like meditation, prayer, and engaging in creative outlets. These activities foster neural circuits associated with love, compassion, and happiness, thereby improving overall brain function.

Dr. Daniel Monti (27:46):
"If your spirituality is deeply related to your brain... creative outlets, music, art, literature, being in nature, doing things that are good for the community."

Integrative Medicine in Psychiatry: Breaking the Traditional Mold

The conversation delves into the challenges and advancements in integrating integrative medicine within psychiatry. Dr. Newberg shares insights on the creation of the first Department of Integrative Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University, highlighting the shift towards a more holistic and personalized approach in treating mental health.

Dr. Andrew Newberg (32:09):
"Psychiatry is stuck at a kind of paradigm... We created a fellowship so that people graduating from a residency... can spend one year with us."

Dr. Amen discusses his perspective on the limitations of traditional psychiatry, advocating for a whole-person approach over the often fragmented, medication-centric treatments.

Dr. Daniel Amen (06:47):
"Psychiatry is just being siloed from surgery, from oncology, from cardiology... 15 minute med check really replaced good medicine."

Education and Outreach: Shaping Future Healthcare Providers

Dr. Monti and Dr. Newberg emphasize the importance of educating healthcare providers about integrative approaches. They aim to instill comprehensive knowledge in medical students and professionals, promoting practices that address both disease and wellness.

Dr. Daniel Monti (24:12):
"I teach a class on nutrition to the medical students each year... People need to eat lower carbs... how to tell them to do that."

Community Initiatives: Building Healthy Habits Early

The guests discuss initiatives targeting children and schools to instill healthy eating and cooking habits from a young age. Dr. Monti highlights partnerships with local restaurants to educate kids about nutrition, believing that early intervention is crucial for long-term brain health.

Dr. Daniel Monti (24:12):
"Children develop those habits young... teaching kids how to cook properly, how to cook healthy."

Spirituality and Happiness: Linking Inner Values to Well-being

Dr. Amen shares insights from their 30-day happiness challenge, underscoring the importance of aligning daily behaviors with personal values and purpose. He stresses that fostering meaningful relationships and self-awareness are integral to mental health.

Dr. Daniel Amen (27:26):
"Why do you have to be sick before we actually teach you to be well?... How do we transmit that information to the people who need it most?"

Overcoming Paradigm Shifts in Psychiatry

Dr. Amen references Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions to illustrate the stages of paradigm shifts in psychiatry. He advocates for a new model that integrates brain health into the treatment of mental illness, predicting that this approach will gain widespread acceptance.

Dr. Daniel Amen (36:26):
"It's the future, no question... it’s close. That it's almost more normal to have anxiety, depression, addiction, ADHD than not to have a problem."

Final Thoughts: The Path Forward

In concluding remarks, the guests emphasize the critical need for continued research, education, and community engagement to promote integrative brain health. Dr. Newberg shares their new initiative to assess and treat veterans with traumatic brain injuries using their comprehensive integrative model.

Dr. Andrew Newberg (40:06):
"We’ve created a brain health program that is just recently launched for veterans who have traumatic brain injuries... we start our three-week treatment program where we have a three-week day program."

Dr. Daniel Amen (41:52):
"Mild traumatic brain injury is a major cause of psychiatric illness that nobody knows... the American College of Radiology actually recommends SPECT for traumatic brain injury."

Resources and Further Engagement

• Book: Brain Weaver by Dr. Andrew Newberg & Dr. Daniel Monti is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and brainweaver.net.
• Marcus Institute: Visit marcusinstitute.jeffersonhealth.org for more information on training programs, CME events, and fellowship opportunities.
• Amen Clinics: Interested listeners can use the code podcast10 for a 10% discount on a full evaluation at amenclinics.com or call 855-978-1363.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. Daniel Amen (08:00):
  "Whenever I see a new patient, I go to my whiteboard and I draw four big circles... biology, psychology, social, and spiritual."

• Dr. Daniel Monti (09:27):
  "Foods that are pro-inflammatory, foods that have a lot of carbohydrates, foods that have a lot of the bad oils and fats, you're not going to be able to... those are the building blocks of what your brain is going to do."

• Dr. Andrew Newberg (11:12):
  "Inflammation as a principle that actually fuels almost all of the illnesses that we think about, especially once we reach adulthood."

• Dr. Daniel Amen (36:26):
  "It's the future, no question... it’s close. That it's almost more normal to have anxiety, depression, addiction, ADHD than not to have a problem."

Conclusion

This episode of Change Your Brain Every Day offers a profound exploration of integrative brain health, emphasizing a holistic approach that intertwines biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. Through the expertise of Dr. Andrew Newberg and Dr. Daniel Monti, listeners gain valuable insights into the future of psychiatry, the importance of comprehensive education, and the actionable steps needed to foster a healthier society.