Podcast Summary: Unlocking Brain Health with Dr. David Stevens
Podcast: Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning
Host: Andrea Samadi
Guest: Dr. David Stevens, Clinical Psychologist & Neuropsychologist
Date: December 7, 2024
Episode: #350
Main Theme
This episode explores the critical, often misunderstood relationship between glucose, brain function, and mental health. Dr. David Stevens shares his research and personal journey into the science of brain restoration, emphasizing the vital role of glucose—distinct from other sugars—in cognitive, emotional, and physical well-being. Challenging common beliefs about sugar, the conversation aims to reveal practical, science-backed strategies to restore brain health for individuals of all ages.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Inspiration Behind Dr. Stevens' Work
- Divine Guidance: Dr. Stevens describes his journey as spiritually inspired, having received the insight to "try glucose" while deeply researching concussions and cognitive assessment in youth athletes.
"I was awakened in the middle of the night with, I would say, inspiration: try glucose. Which was a very weird thing to wake up with." – Dr. David Stevens [04:59]
- Professional Background: Broad experience, including oversight of mental health in correctional systems and academic psychology leadership, grounds his research in both science and real-world application.
2. Glucose vs. Other Sugars: Clearing Up Confusion
- Glucose is Vital, Not Harmful:
- Glucose (C6H12O6) is the brain’s and body’s primary fuel—an essential monosaccharide needed for survival.
- In contrast, sucralose (an artificial sweetener) and sucrose (table sugar, a disaccharide) do not fuel the brain in the same way; sucrose cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.
"Glucose is the fuel, the primary fuel for our bodies and our brains. If our body doesn't have enough glucose, we'll die. If our brains don't have enough glucose, we'll die." – Dr. David Stevens [10:31]
3. Glucose, Ketones, and Brain Fuel
- Ketones as Backup Fuel:
- The body uses ketones as an emergency fuel when glucose is insufficient, but this pathway is less efficient and only meant for short-term survival.
- Intermittent fasting and ketosis still involve some glucose delivery to the brain, just in limited amounts.
"Ketones are really a tertiary or safety net fuel… it's inefficient. The gold standard way we're designed to get glucose is via the mechanism of diet-derived glucose, not conversion from fat." – Dr. David Stevens [13:18]
4. How the Brain Uses Glucose and Signs of Deficiency
- Brainstem Gets Fuel First:
- The brain prioritizes vital survival functions, then allocates glucose to other neural processes as it’s available.
- Symptoms arise when the brain doesn't get enough glucose: the brain is constantly adapting, which can produce inconsistent symptoms.
- Distinction Between Blood and Brain Glucose:
- Low glucose in the brain can occur even if blood sugar is normal or high; the two systems are distinct.
"The brain glucose system and the body blood glucose systems are two distinct systems… you can have low glucose in your brain and high glucose in your blood." – Dr. David Stevens [19:51]
- Symptoms of Low Brain Glucose:
- Headaches, brain fog, difficulty finding words, sensitivity to light, fatigue, emotional issues, among many others, can often signal low brain glucose.
"Symptoms of any kind… headaches or ear ringing or light sensitivity or balance problems or pain or a number of illnesses, all those things are ultimately due to low glucose in the brain." – Dr. David Stevens [21:25]
5. Concussions, Stress, and the Fight-or-Flight Response
- Concussions as Chemical Injury:
- Most concussions are chemical rather than visible on scans.
- Both physical trauma and psychological stressors ("fight or flight" activations) increase blood-brain barrier permeability temporarily, flooding the brain with glucose, before the barrier tightens even more, reducing future glucose delivery.
"With each new concussive injury, with each new fight or flight activation, the amount of glucose getting to the brain drops every single time. And then when it drops enough, then you begin to have symptoms." – Dr. David Stevens [24:03]
6. Common Misconceptions: The Fear of Sugar
- Not All Sugars Are the Same:
- Public fear of sugar is largely driven by concerns about diabetes and inflammation due to other types of sugar (like sucrose and fructose), not glucose.
- Glucose is often used in hospitals (e.g., for infants in distress), acting quickly to restore brain function when delivered directly.
"People will say, 'Oh, well, glucose isn't that sugar? Yes.' Oh, well, then it must be bad. But in fact, it is absolutely necessary for survival and function." – Dr. David Stevens [30:37]
7. Practical Applications: How to Use Glucose for Brain Health
- Recommended Dosage:
- For healthy people (especially under age 35 with no serious brain injury history): Start with 3 tablespoons of dextrose powder or 6 glucose tablets (totaling about 24g) three times a day, increasing gradually as needed.
- Dextrose (a form of glucose) and glucose gummies/tablets can be found over the counter.
- For complex cases (over 35, previous brain injuries), working with a professional is advised due to variability in symptoms and response.
- Safe for Most, With Guidance:
- Dr. Stevens and his trained associates work on a pay-what-you-can basis to ensure access to help.
"Literally, if you can't afford anything, you don't pay anything." – Dr. David Stevens [40:29]
8. Long-Term Impact and Paradigm Shift
- Universal Relevance:
- Dr. Stevens claims over 1500 individuals using his protocol have regained full function if they complete the program: "If you complete it, there's no way you cannot recover."
- Broader Implications:
- Proper brain glucose levels can impact emotional well-being, physical health, autoimmune conditions, and even deep-seated feelings of self-worth.
"Thoughts of self-doubt, thoughts of something's wrong with me, I'm not good enough, I'm not acceptable… all of those come from low glucose. And when a person's glucose level is restored… they are infinitely worthy." – Dr. David Stevens [45:54]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Divine Inspiration and Skepticism:
"It's kind of interesting that it was, in my view, inspired by God, but it also happens to be the most scientific thing out there as well, which works together kind of nicely, in my opinion." – Dr. David Stevens [08:51]
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Paradigm Shift for Host and Listeners:
"You're talking to someone that thinks sugar is evil and poisoned… I had to just let my shield down." – Andrea Samadi [09:19]
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On Everyday Symptoms:
"Everybody has symptoms of glucose limitation. They just attribute it to something else… It's not dehydration. It's insufficient glucose." – Dr. David Stevens [27:15]
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On the Impact of Self-Doubt:
"Thoughts of self-doubt, thoughts of something's wrong with me, I'm not good enough… all of those come from low glucose. And when a person's glucose level is restored… they are infinitely worthy." – Dr. David Stevens [45:54]
Important Timestamps
- [04:59] – Dr. Stevens describes the origin of his glucose research
- [10:31] – Explaining glucose as essential fuel, contrasting it with sucralose
- [13:18] – Why ketones are not the ideal brain fuel
- [19:51] – Differentiating brain glucose from blood glucose
- [21:25] – Discussing symptoms of glucose deficiency
- [24:03] – How concussions, trauma, and stress deplete brain glucose supply
- [30:37] – Societal sugar fears vs. biological necessity for glucose
- [34:41] – How quickly orally ingested glucose affects the brain
- [37:34] – Practical guidance for trying glucose supplementation
- [40:29] – Making treatment accessible for all
- [45:54] – Emotional and psychological implications of brain glucose recovery
Additional Resources
- Dr. Stevens’ Website: RestoredHumanity.com
- Contact Email: dstevens@restoredhumanity.com
- Recommended Reading:
- Restored Hope by Dr. David Stevens
Summary Takeaways
- Glucose is a vital, irreplaceable fuel for brain health—distinct from other forms of sugar often vilified in health conversations.
- Many everyday symptoms (headaches, brain fog, word-finding difficulties, emotional struggles) may stem from insufficient brain glucose, not just lifestyle or aging.
- Both physical and emotional traumas incrementally impair the brain’s ability to access glucose, which can lead to lasting mental health and functional issues if not addressed.
- Supplementing directly with glucose (as dextrose or glucose tablets/gummies) is a safe, fast, and effective method for most people to restore cognitive and emotional functioning—best supervised for those with complex histories.
- Dr. Stevens advocates for broader paradigm shifts in how we view sugar, mental health, and recovery, driven by both robust scientific evidence and a compassionate, inclusive mission.