Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark – Episode Summary

Episode: Does Cry It Out Damage A Child's Brain? | Dr. Daniel G. Amen, MD
Release Date: May 30, 2025
Host: Turning Point USA – Alex Clark
Guest: Dr. Daniel G. Amen, MD
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Culture Apothecary with Alex Clark, host Alex engages in an enlightening conversation with Dr. Daniel G. Amen, a renowned psychiatrist, brain scan pioneer, and founder of the Amen Clinics. Dr. Amen’s groundbreaking work has revolutionized our understanding of brain behavior and emotional health. Together, they delve into a variety of topics spanning parenting techniques, mental health diagnoses, dietary impacts on the brain, and strategies for maintaining optimal brain health.

The "Cry It Out" Method and Child Brain Development

Cry It Out (CIO) Method:
Alex initiates the conversation by questioning the efficacy and potential harm of the "cry it out" sleep training method for infants. Dr. Amen offers a nuanced perspective:

"I think when they're really young you want to go, are they wet, are they hungry? And if they're not wet and not hungry, I think it's okay to not go rescue them so they can learn how to self soothe." [06:33]

Dr. Amen argues that CIO can be beneficial if applied correctly, allowing children to develop self-soothing mechanisms. However, he cautions against prolonged crying as it may indicate underlying issues such as ear infections or the need for parental attention.

Screen Time and Its Impact on Children's Brains:
The discussion shifts to the effects of screen time on young children. Dr. Amen strongly advises limiting screen exposure before the age of five or six:

"Development in children, they're dopamine destroyers... these things are addictive and they're created that way." [03:00]

He emphasizes that excessive screen time disrupts dopamine pathways, impairing the brain's pleasure centers and leading to addictive behaviors.

Daycare, Attachment, and Child Stress

Normalization of Daycare:
Alex probes whether the societal shift towards daycare has been detrimental to child development. Dr. Amen acknowledges the complexity:

"It's very stressful for children to constantly go from this place to that... it takes a toll on their development." [05:02]

He notes that while daycare can aid in social bonding, frequent transitions between caregivers can increase stress levels, potentially affecting emotional growth.

Attachment Issues and Emotional Resilience:
When addressing emotional challenges, Dr. Amen highlights the importance of fostering independence:

"If you do too much for a child, you build your self esteem by stealing theirs... competence feeds self esteem." [19:48]

He advocates for intentional parenting practices that encourage problem-solving and emotional resilience in children.

Discipline and Behavioral Management

Handling Aggressive Behaviors:
Dr. Amen discusses effective strategies for managing toddlers who exhibit hitting and biting:

"I'm a huge fan of rules... but there's also got to be some consequences. Simple, like time out whenever they do that." [05:46]

He underscores the necessity of establishing clear boundaries and consistent consequences to promote respectful behavior.

Avoiding Physical Aggression:
When asked about the impacts of spanking, Dr. Amen advises against it:

"Any physical aggression decreases the bond you have with a child... I'm a fan of timeout and natural consequences." [13:03]

He emphasizes that non-violent disciplinary methods foster healthier parent-child relationships and better emotional outcomes.

Mental Health Diagnoses in Children

Overdiagnosis of Bipolar Disorder:
A significant portion of the conversation addresses the potential overdiagnosis of bipolar disorder in children, possibly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry:

"I'm always very suspicious of children being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I have seen... 340 million prescriptions for antidepressants without anybody ever looking at these people's brains." [08:53]

Dr. Amen advocates for thorough brain imaging and understanding underlying brain health issues before resorting to medication.

Association Between Head Trauma and Behavioral Disorders:
Exploring the link between brain injuries and behavior, Dr. Amen reveals:

"I published a study on murderers and we've scanned and treated over 150 murderers. They do not have healthy brains, especially in the front third of their brain." [11:00]

He highlights that head trauma, particularly to the frontal lobes, can significantly impair decision-making and increase violent behaviors.

Diet's Influence on Brain Health

Dietary Impact on Mental Health:
Dr. Amen elaborates on the profound impact of diet on brain health and the risk of dementia:

"People who had a fat-based diet... had 42% less risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. People who had a simple carbohydrate-based diet... had a 400% increased risk." [48:21]

He emphasizes adopting diets rich in healthy fats and proteins while minimizing processed carbohydrates to support cognitive functions and reduce Alzheimer's risk.

Ketogenic Diet for Epilepsy:
Addressing epilepsy treatment, Dr. Amen shares successful outcomes with dietary interventions:

"I have a granddaughter with epilepsy and she responded beautifully to the ketogenic diet... decreasing seizure frequency by more than 50%." [52:17]

Technological Impacts on the Brain

Video Game and Screen Addiction:
Dr. Amen expresses concern over the addictive nature of modern video games and their effect on children's dopamine centers:

"Less activity in the dopamine centers of the brain... addicted to their phones, addicted to these video games." [22:31]

He warns that overstimulation can desensitize pleasure centers, leading to increased risks of ADHD and reliance on medications like Ritalin.

Social Media and AI Concerns:
Discussing broader technological influences, Dr. Amen praises policies like Australia's social media ban for minors and stresses the lack of long-term neuroscience studies on AI's impact.

"We're unleashing this technology without any long term neuroscience study. Australia banned social media for kids under 16... California, you cannot start public high school before 8:30 in the morning." [24:07]

Strategies for Maintaining Brain Health

Holistic Brain Health Approach:
Dr. Amen introduces an acronym encompassing 11 major risk factors for brain health, emphasizing a holistic approach:

"Get your body as healthy as it can be and your memory will be better. M is retirement and aging... H is head trauma... T is toxins." [47:24]

He advocates for addressing factors like diet, exercise, sleep, and mental health to prevent cognitive decline.

Managing Panic Attacks:
Offering practical advice, Dr. Amen explains techniques to overcome panic attacks without reliance on benzodiazepines:

"Do diaphragmatic breathing... write down what thoughts you're having, correct them... do not take Xanax or Valium." [39:54]

He emphasizes natural methods to regulate breathing and challenge negative thoughts.

Sleep Hygiene:
Highlighting the critical role of sleep, Dr. Amen connects adequate rest to brain detoxification:

"Sleep is probably the single most mental health strategy because when you get good sleep your brain cleans and washes itself." [25:45]

He supports later school start times to enhance sleep quality among children.

Brain Health in Relationships and Society

Impact of Breakups on the Brain:
Dr. Amen discusses how emotional trauma from breakups can increase vulnerability to depression:

"Your emotional brain flares because it can't find the person you're attached to. It makes you more vulnerable to depression." [27:50]

He advises caution in romantic relationships to safeguard emotional well-being.

Compatibility in Relationships:
Exploring how brain health influences romantic compatibility, Dr. Amen notes:

"If your frontal lobes work too hard, you're going to want things your way... Knowing your brain's functioning helps understand relationship dynamics." [35:22]

He suggests brain scans can offer insights into potential relationship challenges.

Reversing Mental Health Conditions

OCD Reversal:
Dr. Amen affirms that Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) can be reversed, sometimes attributing it to infections such as strep:

"Sometimes OCD is the result of an infection... antibodies attack a part of your brain called the basal ganglia." [43:28]

He underscores the importance of treating underlying causes to alleviate OCD symptoms.

Treating Epilepsy with Diet:
Reiterating the effectiveness of dietary interventions, Dr. Amen shares:

"Dr. Amen’s granddaughter responded beautifully to the ketogenic diet, decreasing seizure frequency by more than 50%." [52:17]

Celebrity Insights and Personal Stories

Impactful Celebrity Cases:
Dr. Amen shares his experiences treating high-profile individuals, illustrating the practical application of his methods:

• Miley Cyrus:

  "I often tell Miley I was a complete failure for eight years and a wild success for six. She gets it, gives it away, lives it." [55:32]

• Justin Bieber:

  "He was actually diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt and bipolar disorder... he had Lyme disease and his brain was really low in activity. Eight months later it was dramatically better." [56:06]

These anecdotes highlight the transformative potential of targeted brain health strategies.

Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations

National Brain Health Initiative:
Dr. Amen advocates for a national movement to prioritize brain health, aiming to replace the stigmatized term "mental illness" with "brain health issues":

"Call these things what they really are, brain health issues, and then work to have a brain healthy society. That's how we tackle this mental health epidemic." [35:26]

Book Recommendations:
For listeners interested in diving deeper, Dr. Amen recommends:

• Parenting: "Raising Mentally Strong Kids"
• General Brain Health: "Change Your Brain Every Day" – a compilation of his most impactful insights.

Follow Dr. Amen:
Listeners are encouraged to connect with Dr. Amen on Instagram (@docamen) and TikTok (@docamen) for ongoing brain health tips and updates.

Notable Quotes:

• "Get your children's brains healthy, their minds will follow." – Dr. Daniel G. Amen [02:03]

• "These things are addictive and they're created that way." – Dr. Daniel G. Amen [03:00]

• "Any physical aggression decreases the bond you have with a child." – Dr. Daniel G. Amen [13:10]

• "The brain isn't finished until you're about 25." – Dr. Daniel G. Amen [26:40]

• "Chronic negativity, chronic catastrophizing, just puts you at great risk for anxiety disorders and mental health challenges." – Dr. Daniel G. Amen [39:12]

• "Benzos are not great medications because they hurt people." – Dr. Daniel G. Amen [41:54]

• "Aging well isn't luck, it's strategy." – Alex Clark [Various Ads, Skipped]

• "Competence feeds self esteem." – Dr. Daniel G. Amen [19:48]

Conclusion

This episode of Culture Apothecary offers invaluable insights into the intricate relationship between parenting practices, diet, mental health, and overall brain wellness. Dr. Daniel G. Amen provides evidence-based strategies and emphasizes the importance of proactive brain health management. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply interested in optimizing your mental well-being, the discussions in this episode serve as a comprehensive guide to fostering a healthier, more resilient society.

Note: Advertisements and promotional segments interspersed within the transcript have been omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions between Alex Clark and Dr. Daniel G. Amen.