Podcast Summary: "Do You Feel Like Your Memory Is Getting Worse?"
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Release Date: July 14, 2025

In this enlightening episode of "On Purpose with Jay Shetty," host Jay Shetty welcomes back Dr. Rahul Jandial, a renowned neurosurgeon and neuroscientist, to delve deep into the complexities of memory, its decline, and strategies to enhance cognitive function. The conversation navigates through various aspects of memory, the impact of aging and diseases like Alzheimer's, and practical approaches to maintain and improve mental health.

1. Introduction to Memory Concerns

Dr. Rahul Jandial begins by addressing the common anxieties surrounding memory loss. Many individuals experience minor forgetfulness, such as misplacing keys, which often leads to worries about Alzheimer's disease or natural aging.

Dr. Jandial [02:07]: "Everybody should do things to prevent memory loss because if you go down the Alzheimer's path or just normal cognitive decline, the guidance is still the same."

2. Understanding the Types of Memory

Dr. Jandial breaks down memory into distinct categories, emphasizing that memory is not a singular entity but a collection of different types, each with its unique functions and vulnerabilities.

• Procedural Memory: Involves skills and tasks like riding a bike or tying shoelaces. This type remains intact even in Alzheimer's patients.

• Semantic Memory: Relates to facts and information, such as knowing one's phone number.

• Episodic Memory: Concerns personal experiences and events, which are often the first to decline in dementia.

Dr. Jandial [05:13]: "Memory's not one word. So let's take one that we rarely lose, procedural memory. Once you learn how to ride a bike, once you learn how to tie your shoelaces..."

3. Memory Loss: Aging vs. Alzheimer's

The discussion distinguishes between normal age-related memory decline and pathological conditions like Alzheimer's. While occasional forgetfulness is natural as one ages, significant memory impairment, such as forgetting autobiographical details or loved ones, indicates a more serious condition.

Dr. Jandial [08:35]: "Not a big deal at all. So those glitches are age appropriate."

4. Preventive Measures for Memory Decline

Dr. Jandial outlines a universal approach to preventing both age-related and Alzheimer's-related memory loss, centered around three key pillars:

1. Diet: Adopting the Mediterranean diet rich in plants, fatty fish, beans, and nuts.
2. Exercise: Regular physical activity to maintain healthy brain arteries.
3. Brain Training: Engaging in activities that challenge and stimulate the working memory.

Dr. Jandial [15:53]: "There is guidance and training for that. There is brain training for that type of memory."

5. The Importance of Working Memory

Working memory is highlighted as a crucial component for day-to-day functioning and creativity. It involves juggling multiple thoughts and tasks simultaneously, essential for professions requiring high cognitive demands, such as surgeons or athletes.

Dr. Jandial [12:48]: "Working memory can be trained. Working memory is the digital therapeutic for Alzheimer's."

6. Enhancing Focus and Attention

The conversation explores how modern lifestyles, filled with distractions and multitasking, can impair working memory. Dr. Jandial emphasizes the need to cultivate focused attention to enhance memory and overall cognitive health.

Dr. Jandial [24:20]: "What are we doing every day that's distracting and disrupting our working memory?"

7. Emotional Memories and Trauma

Emotional imprints significantly influence memory retention. Traumatic or highly emotional events are more easily recalled without deliberate focus, often resurfacing involuntarily. Dr. Jandial discusses therapeutic techniques to decouple negative emotions from memories, allowing individuals to retain memories without the associated trauma.

Dr. Jandial [36:04]: "An emotional imprint on a memory requires no focus and attention. So emotional imprinting of a memory and trauma makes it sometimes too easy to remember."

8. The Role of Diet and Lifestyle in Brain Health

A substantial portion of the discussion is dedicated to how diet, particularly the intake of omega-3 fatty acids from sources like fatty fish, supports brain health by insulating neurons and enhancing electrical signal transmission.

Dr. Jandial [19:13]: "The insulation lets the electricity fire faster. That insulation is literally made of omega-3 fat."

9. Mental Health and the Importance of Therapy

Addressing the stigma surrounding therapy, Dr. Jandial advocates for its role in maintaining mental health. He encourages a nuanced approach, likening therapy to medical treatments where individuals can choose what works best for them without judgment.

Dr. Jandial [63:12]: "It's more of an invitation, an exploration that has benefited me. You may want to consider it."

10. Myth Busting: The "5% of Brain" Myth

Debunking the popular misconception that humans only use 5% of their brains, Dr. Jandial clarifies that brain imaging shows active usage across all regions, with different areas responsible for various tasks.

Dr. Jandial [66:10]: "There's no hidden corner, and we know that categorically now. With brain scans, the whole region lights up."

11. Rising Cancer Rates Among Young People

The episode also touches upon the alarming trend of increasing cancer rates among younger populations. Dr. Jandial discusses potential causes, emphasizing environmental factors like pollution and advocating for earlier screening and reduced barriers to healthcare.

Dr. Jandial [68:11]: "We need to make sure the medicine and the care we have get to everybody. So that's reducing the barriers to care."

12. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Summarizing the key takeaways, Dr. Jandial and Jay Shetty encourage listeners to take proactive steps in managing their cognitive health through diet, exercise, mental training, and seeking professional help when needed. The episode underscores the interplay between mind and behavior, advocating for a balanced approach to mental and physical well-being.

Jay Shetty [73:36]: "What would you say to them?"

Dr. Jandial [73:33]: "Develop your arsenal... There are steps in the way we negotiate our wants."

Key Quotes:

• Dr. Jandial [05:13]: "Episodic memory is what's lost with dementia, with aging. And people worry about that."

• Dr. Jandial [15:53]: "Working memory is the digital therapeutic for Alzheimer's."

• Dr. Jandial [36:04]: "Emotional imprinting of a memory and trauma makes it sometimes too easy to remember."

• Dr. Jandial [66:10]: "There's no hidden corner, and we know that categorically now. With brain scans, the whole region lights up."

This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone concerned about memory decline, offering scientific insights and practical advice to foster a healthier, more resilient mind.