Your Brain On... (Sherzai Family Holiday Special)
Your Brain On
Our incredible kids Sophia and Alex Sherzai join us for a special end-of-year episode of the ‘Your Brain On...’ episode! As a family of neuroscientists — Sophia in biomedical engineering, Alex in artificial intelligence, Ayesha in vascular neurology, and Dean in behavioral neurology — we have fascinating discussions (and debates) about all aspects of life and brain health almost every day. To close out the first year of the ‘Your Brain On...’ podcast, we’re bringing that energy to the show! We discuss: • Life as a family of neuroscientists • What we’ve been working on and...
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Your Brain On... Ketogenic Diets
Your Brain On
High in fats and low in carbs, ketogenic diets were originally developed in the 1920s to treat children with epilepsy. Now, they’ve gained popularity for weight loss, and even improved cognitive function. But how much truth is there in the purported brain health benefits we see on social media? In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’, we separate the facts from the fads, and discuss: • What one might eat on a typical ketogenic diet • How ketogenic diets affect brain metabolism • The different ways your brain uses sources of energy — glucose vs. ketones • The latest data on...
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Your Brain On... ALS
Your Brain On
ALS, a nervous system disease, ruled the headlines in the summer of 2014 thanks to the viral Ice Bucket Challenge. How has our knowledge of the disorder evolved a decade later? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ‘Lou Gehrig's disease’ (named after the iconic baseball player), is a progressive neurological disorder which breaks down a person’s motor neurons. The main symptoms are muscle weakness and impaired physical function — mild, at first, but in the latter stages of the disease’s progression, essential processes like breathing begin to fail. Most individuals face a life...
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Your Brain On... Ketamine
Your Brain On
For decades, ketamine has mainly been used as an anaesthetic, but in more recent years, it’s gained popularity in mental health treatment. Conversations around the benefits and risks associated with its therapeutic usage ignited towards the end of 2023, when actor Matthew Perry, star of the sitcom ‘Friends’, died from the acute effects of the ketamine he was using to treat anxiety. In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’, we discuss: • The neurochemical mechanisms of ketamine, and its interplay with depression • What we know about the opportunities and pitfalls of using ketamine in...
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Your Brain On... Sex
Your Brain On
From the first spark of attraction, all the way to climax, sex sets off chemical fireworks in your brain. And yet, this beautiful, powerful act has become mired in shame and stigma. But through open conversation and deeper scientific understanding, we can cast off those shackles, and even embrace sex as a marker for cognitive and overall health. In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’ — our Season 4 debut! — we discuss: • The neurological processes involved with sex, arousal, attraction, and desire • Why studying the cognitive effects of sexual stimuli can be so complicated • How...
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Your Brain On... Protein
Your Brain On
Protein — how much do we need? What’s the healthiest way to consume it? Can we get enough from plant-based diets? Until recent decades, protein hasn’t been quite as prominent in public health discussions as sugar and fats. However, with longer lifespans emphasizing the importance of protein for long-term health, and growing confusion around the quality and quantity of protein needed, it has become a highly debated macronutrient. In ‘Your Brain On… Protein’, we explore: • The brain health benefits (and general health benefits) of protein • Plant-based protein vs. meat...
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Your Brain On... Misinformation
Your Brain On
The digital age has made it easier than ever to access health information, but how can we know which sources to trust? Social media is saturated with misinformation. Some of it is inadvertent — many bold pseudoscientific claims seem very convincing, and anyone could be forgiven for sharing it with the best intentions. But, a more deliberate manipulation of scientific information has become commonplace, often used to push certain narratives or turn a profit. Combating this misinformation machine can feel impossible. So, we assembled five experts from different corners of the science...
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Your Brain On: A Brain Health Revolution Summit Special
Your Brain On
20 incredible conversations with leading scientists, in one hour. We’re excited to present this special installment of Your Brain On, featuring highlights from some of the speakers talking at our first ever Brain Health Revolution Summit. Our first summit, running September 30 through October 6 2024, features seven days of hour-long discussions with the scientists who are actually conducting the studies, publishing the papers, and pushing public health policy reforms that are shaping our world. No matter when you’re listening to this episode, visit for more information about the summit...
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Your Brain On... Having A Pet
Your Brain On
What are our animal companions thinking? And how does our friendship with them change their brains, and our brains? We all wish we could communicate with our pets. Though we may never share a language, modern neuroscience has enabled us to ethically understand the cognitive anatomy and emotional signals of other animals like never before. In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’, we discuss what we’ve learned so far, including: • The neurological phenomena that leads to domestication and, in turn, animal companionship • How oxytocin studies have signified that, yes, our dogs do love us...
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Your Brain On... Coffee
Your Brain On
What does the most-purchased beverage in the world — coffee — do to your brain? Five centuries after its discovery, coffee is deeply entrenched in our diets on a global scale. More than half the U.S. population drinks coffee daily. We wake up with coffee, and catch up with friends over coffee. Historically, coffee has been heralded as an inspiring muse. But many headlines have warned us about the adverse effects of coffee. Is there truth in the supposed risks, or can we keep sipping away without a worry? In this episode of ‘Your Brain On...’, we discuss: • What caffeine does to...
info_outlineMeditation: an ancient practice with brain health benefits proven by modern science.
Whether you’re focusing on your breathing to quieten peripheral distractions or using mindfulness to rebalance your emotional reactivity to everyday stresses, practicing meditation can spark long-term neuroplastic changes that will help you feel more attentive and calm in everything you do.
In ‘Your Brain On... Meditation’, we explore:
• How meditation alters your brain chemistry and ‘retrains’ your broader nervous system
• The neuroscience of attention and focus, including your default mode and salience networks
• Using mindfulness to break phone addiction, reduce stress, improve relationships, and practice self-care
• The studies which highlight the long-term cognitive benefits of meditation
• How we can all make time for meditation, no matter how busy our schedules
• The limitations and risks of meditation apps
Joining us for this important conversation are three fantastic guests:
DR. AMISHI JHA, a Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami, a pioneer in the study of mindfulness and attention, and the author of the acclaimed book ‘Peak Mind’
DR. CLIFFORD SARON, a neuroscientist and Associate Research Scientist at the Center for Mind and Brain at the University of California, Davis, renowned for his work on the neurobiological effects of meditation
DR. HELEN LAVRETSKY, a Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and a leading researcher in geriatric psychiatry, who has extensively studied the effects of meditation and yoga on mental health and aging
‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.
Drs. Ayesha and Dean are now welcoming patients via the Brain Health Institute: https://brainhealthinstitute.com/
‘Your Brain On... Meditation’ • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 4
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LINKS
Dr. Amishi Jha:
Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0062992155/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=&sr=
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amishipjha/
On Twitter: https://x.com/amishijha
Dr. Clifford Saron:
Center for Mind and Brain: https://mindbrain.ucdavis.edu/people/clifford-saron
Dr. Helen Lavretsky:
At UCLA: https://www.uclahealth.org/providers/helen-lavretsky
Study on yogic meditation for dementia caregivers: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3423469/