Podcast Summary: Change Your Brain Every Day

Episode: Is Your Memory Worse Than It Was 10 Years Ago?

Hosts: Dr. Daniel Amen & Tana Amen
Date: November 28, 2025

Main Theme

This episode centers around memory loss—how common it is, what worsening memory may signal, and actionable steps everyone can take to protect and improve their brain. Dr. Daniel Amen draws on decades of clinical experience and brain imaging research to empower listeners with knowledge about maintaining sharp memories and independence as they age.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Universality and Importance of Memory Lapses

• Everyone experiences moments of forgetfulness, whether it’s losing your phone, forgetting names, or struggling for words.
• Implication: If these lapses are increasing or significantly worse than a decade ago, it could predict future trouble with memory.

  “People who complain about memory loss have an 80% chance it will get worse unless they do something about it.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [00:30]

2. The Personal and Social Value of Memory

• Memory defines our sense of self, relationships, and independence:
  • Holds treasured life moments.
  • Essential for professional and personal success.
  • Critical for maintaining autonomy in old age.
• Lightheartedly, Dr. Amen warns against forgetting important dates:

  “Just forget your anniversary one time and see what happens.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [01:10]

• Guarding your memory is synonymous with guarding your independence.

  “If you value your independence, pay attention.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [01:25]

3. The “11 Risk Factors” Framework for Memory Rescue

• Dr. Amen introduces a core concept: memory rescue relies on identifying and addressing 11 primary risk factors that harm the brain.
  • Nearly all of these factors are preventable or treatable with lifestyle changes.

  “Memory rescue is based on one very simple idea...you have to prevent or treat the 11 major risk factors that destroy your brain.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [01:28]

• Having this knowledge is critical and can change the trajectory of your brain health.

4. The Hippocampus — The Brain’s “Seahorse Twins”

• Introduction to the hippocampus:
  • This brain structure (Greek for “seahorse”) is vital for learning, memory, and mood.
  • There are two hippocampi, nicknamed "Scarlet and Sam, the seahorse twins."
  • The hippocampus is one of the first regions affected in Alzheimer’s.
• Neurogenesis: The hippocampus generates up to 700 new cells daily.

  “Your hippocampus makes up to 700 new cells every day, which I think of as baby seahorses.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [02:08]

• Actions that help hippocampal cells ("baby seahorses") survive:
  • Taking fish oil
  • Listening to the right kind of music
• Actions that hurt them:
  • Consuming concentrated sugars like fruit juice

  “There are specific things you can do to help them survive and thrive, such as taking fish oil or listening to the right type of music. And there are things you can do to hurt them, such as drinking fruit juice because it’s concentrated sugar.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [02:19]

5. Lessons from Decades of Brain Imaging

• Dr. Amen shares findings from over 135,000 SPECT scans performed at Amen Clinics on patients from 111 countries.
  • SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) measures blood flow and activity in the brain, showing how it functions.
• A key, sobering insight: brain changes can begin long before symptoms appear.

  “One of the most frightening lessons...is that these negative changes happen in the brain years before you notice any trouble. Scarlet and Sam literally start dying long before you can’t find your way home.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [02:45]

6. Hope and Empowerment: Your Brain Is Changeable

• Despite genetic or historical tendencies, proactive changes can profoundly affect brain health.

  “Your brain’s history is not your destiny. You can make your brain better, which is a message that is deeply personal to me.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [03:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dr. Daniel Amen:
  • “Every day, you are making your brain better or you are making it worse.” [00:02]
  • “Memory is the treasure chest that holds our most precious moments.” [00:52]
  • “Of course, not everyone can prevent memory loss, but there are so many things you can do to help your brain.” [01:37]

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |---------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Opening and overview on brain health | | 00:30 | Signs of worsening memory—why it matters | | 01:10 | Memory’s role in life and relationships | | 01:28 | Introduction of the 11 risk factors | | 02:00 | The hippocampus & neurogenesis | | 02:19 | Lifestyle choices for hippocampal health | | 02:38 | Findings from brain SPECT imaging | | 03:00 | Empowerment: change is possible |

Episode Takeaways

• Memory loss is both common and a potential warning sign.
• There are practical, science-backed steps anyone can take (e.g., lifestyle, diet, brain stimulation) to protect or restore memory.
• Imaging reveals that problems often start long before symptoms, so early action is crucial.
• Fundamental message: the brain is dynamic—your choices shape your brain and your future.