The Unplanned Podcast with Matt & Abby

Episode: Brain Expert on Tylenol, Autism, and Anti-Depressants w/ Dr. Daniel Amen
Date: October 29, 2025
Guest: Dr. Daniel Amen

Overview

In this powerful episode, Matt and Abby welcome renowned psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr. Daniel Amen to discuss hot-button topics at the intersection of neuroscience, family life, and public health. The trio dives deep into the possible links between common medications (like Tylenol), environmental toxins, the autism spike, grief and emotional pain, antidepressant use, and the effects of social media and substance use on developing brains. Through candid, heartfelt exchanges—including Matt and Abby opening up about a recent pregnancy loss—listeners gain rich insights into both the science and lived experience of pain and healing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Social Media and Brain Health

[00:18–00:38], [51:01–53:55]

• Dr. Amen warns that social media platforms are "purposefully pissing you off" to keep you engaged longer, which is detrimental to mental health.
• Early and excessive device exposure, especially in children, is tied to increased anxiety, depression, and even suicide risk.
• Quote: “There’s a direct correlation to suicide and social media and cell phones.” — Dr. Amen [51:00]
• Policy Note: Australia banned social media for kids under 16; Dr. Amen advocates similar measures and more neuroscience-driven public policies.

2. Tylenol, Autism, and Environmental Toxins

[00:46–04:54]

• Dr. Amen highlights the spike in autism cases since Tylenol became the standard pain reliever for pregnant women. He cites environmental toxins, including BPAs, phthalates, and aspartame, as contributing risk factors.
• Quote: “It’s not a genetic issue. Genetic issues don’t all of a sudden go from 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 31. It’s an environmental vulnerability.” — Dr. Amen [04:19]

3. Physical and Emotional Pain Interconnected

[05:17–07:31]

• Emotional pain (like grief) shares neural pathways with physical pain. Medications like Tylenol can reduce both physical and emotional suffering, but underlying causes should be addressed.
• Quote: “You always want to be curious, not furious. With things like headaches, ask: What did I eat, what did I drink, what’s my stress?” — Dr. Amen [06:06]
• Abby relates her own recent grief and physical symptoms, forming a personal connection to Dr. Amen’s work.

4. Healing Techniques for Trauma

[08:28–10:32]

• Dr. Amen recommends EMDR and havening techniques for processing trauma and reducing pain triggers.
  • Havening: Bilateral hemisphere stimulation + emotional distraction can quickly reduce distress.
• Quote: “Go into the sadness for 30 seconds, then distract yourself… Often, my patients go from a 10 to a 4, then a 2.” — Dr. Amen [09:27]

5. Antidepressants: Power, Pitfalls, and Alternatives

[14:08–22:59]

• Matt shares his experience being quickly prescribed Zoloft in a 10-minute telehealth consult, sparking a discussion on the pharmaceutical industry's influence and the limitations of not examining the brain.
• Quote: “Psychiatrists are the only medical doctors who never look at the organ they treat.” — Dr. Amen [15:23]
• SSRIs like Zoloft are useful but can have emotional numbing and sexual side effects. Dr. Amen urges alternatives:
  • Exercise (“walking like you’re late” 45 min, 4x/week)
  • Omega-3s (high EPA content)
  • Saffron (studies show it's as effective as popular SSRIs, with pro-sexual benefits)
  • Cognitive habits: “Don’t believe every stupid thing you think.”
• Quote: “Head-to-head against Zoloft, walking… equally effective. But what do you have at the end? You’re cuter, your brain works better.” — Dr. Amen [19:13]

6. Substance Use (Alcohol, Marijuana, Psilocybin) and the Developing Brain

[35:18–40:40]

• Marijuana is not a harmless substitute for alcohol; Dr. Amen’s imaging studies show it accelerates brain aging and lowers blood flow.
• Quote: “Marijuana… Every area of the brain was lower in blood flow.” — Dr. Amen [36:53]
• Early, casual psilocybin use is also problematic—it may help under supervision, but the narrative of it being harmless is dangerous, especially amid rising youth mental health crises.
• Social media and device “dopamine dumping” worsens these challenges.

7. Steps to Get Off Antidepressants

[41:03–42:37]

• Dr. Amen emphasizes working with physicians, adopting brain-healthy diets, and building self-loving, disciplined habits.
• Quote: “Love plays the biggest role in my life. I do the right thing not as discipline, but as love.” — Dr. Amen [42:42]

8. The Impact of Head Injuries

[48:08–50:12]

• Matt’s concussions possibly contributed to depression. Dr. Amen discusses brain imaging, the role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and brain rehabilitation for post-concussive symptoms.
• Quote: “Maybe your depression is post-concussive… Zoloft’s not the right long-term treatment for that… You are not stuck with the brain you have. You can make it better.” — Dr. Amen [48:49, 50:07]

9. Policy Ideas for Healthier Brains

[57:04–58:02]

• Dr. Amen supports starting high school no earlier than 8:30am and integrating brain health education at every grade level.
• Wants to see stricter controls on chemicals in consumer products (phthalates, parabens, aspartame).

10. The Dangers of Aspartame

[58:02–60:41]

• Personal story: Dr. Amen’s chronic pain vanished after quitting daily Diet Pepsi; pain returned immediately upon consuming aspartame again.
• Quote: “Aspartame unleashed 1981, 5,000 products. Their babies were anxious—and grandbabies.” — Dr. Amen [59:20]

11. Managing Automatic Negative Thoughts and Self-Compassion

[24:46–31:41]

• Naming your mind (e.g., Dr. Amen’s “Hermie” the raccoon) helps achieve distance from negative or intrusive thoughts.
• “It’s not the thoughts you have that make you suffer. It’s the thoughts you attach to.” — Dr. Amen [31:13]

12. Holistic Recovery from Grief

[26:43–28:41]

• Sharing pain divides it; connection is crucial in healing from trauma or loss.
• Take care of the four circles: biological, psychological, social, spiritual.

13. The Power of Hypnosis & Relaxation / Migraine, Pain Relief

[64:08–68:03]

• Daily hypnosis or diaphragmatic breathing (4 seconds in, 8 out) is recommended for headaches, relaxation, improved heart rate variability.
• Find “the good mom” within to nurture and quiet a stressed mind, avoiding abusive self-talk.

14. Relationships & The Brain

[70:19–72:24]

• The best “foreplay” is “forethought”—thoughtfulness and emotional management support intimacy and resilient relationships.
• "Every day you're shaping each other's behavior by what you notice." — Dr. Amen [71:00]
• Choose kindness and conscious action to build supportive partnerships.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tylenol and Autism:
  “So Tylenol, which was not big, all of a sudden became the star pain reliever… and then we also saw an explosion of autism. Now, I don't think it's the only thing. But it's a thing.” — Dr. Daniel Amen [01:33]

• On Pain and Emotional Health:
  “Our pain is repressed rage… if you're such a nice person you could never say, often comes out in back pain or head pain.” — Dr. Amen [06:47]

• On SSRIs:
  “As you raise serotonin, it's on a teeter totter with dopamine. As serotonin goes up, dopamine goes down.” — Dr. Amen [16:56]

• On Brain Health and Living Well:
  “You are not stuck with the brain you have. You can make it better.” — Dr. Amen [50:07]

• On Parenting and Technology:
  “If it was me, I would get paper and draw the letters out with him. The less screen time, the more attention he will build naturally.” — Dr. Amen [55:49]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:18 – Social media’s manipulation & brain effects
• 00:46 – Tylenol, environmental toxins & autism
• 05:17 – Connection between physical pain and grief
• 08:28 – Healing trauma: havening, EMDR, hypnosis
• 14:08 – Antidepressant prescribing, SSRIs, mental health care critique
• 19:13 – Natural treatments for depression
• 35:18 – Marijuana and psilocybin’s brain effects
• 41:03 – Steps to taper off antidepressants
• 48:08 – Concussions, depression, and brain rehabilitation
• 51:01 – Social media in schools, policy in Australia
• 55:49 – Parenting, tech, and cognitive development
• 57:12 – Dr. Amen’s public policy wish list
• 58:02 – The dangers of aspartame
• 64:08 – Hypnosis and relaxation for chronic pain
• 70:19 – Relationships: forethought and foreplay

Closing Thoughts

Dr. Amen leaves listeners with actionable advice: love yourself and your brain, make conscious lifestyle choices, teach the next generation how to manage emotions, and scrutinize both societal trends and personal habits through the lens of brain health. This episode blends scientific perspective with real-world vulnerability, making it both informative and deeply human.

For more, check out Dr. Amen’s new book: Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain.