Your Brain On

A podcast about the neuroscience of everything. From neurologists, researchers, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai, explore every aspect of our world through a neuroscientific lens, with science-based stories, interviews, anecdotes, and brain health facts. Equip yourself with neurologically sound answers to life’s everyday health questions and learn the essentials of brain health and optimization, one topic at a time.

Your Brain On... Eating Meat 11/05/2025

Your Brain On... Eating Meat Carnivorous diets have been woven into our history for millennia, but, with nutrition science advancing at an unprecedented pace over the past century... do we really still need to be eating meat? We live in a time of rising chronic disease, new longevity research, and a growing awareness of how our food choices shape our brain and our planet. We’re also constantly exposed to ‘nutrition tribalism’: social media communicators and influencers building identities (and livelihoods) around polarizing dietary debates. It’s a lot to navigate. So, we’re cutting straight to the data in this episode. Plus: we’re pulling on the work and research we’ve done in many different communities to explore how going plant-based can be as much a cultural or logistical hurdle as a health-driven or ethics-based choice. In this episode, we discuss: Whether protein deficiency is a realistic concern Protein myths: plant vs. animal What the actual protein science says (and why most Americans already get more than enough) The role of saturated fat, fiber, and the microbiome Processed vs. unprocessed meat — what matters most How identity, culture, and family can make going plant-based challenging How cooking method changes risk (yes, barbecue lovers… we go there) Meat alternatives: healthful option or “ultra-processed trap”? Practical, non-judgmental guidance for plant-forward or omnivorous eaters To give this divisive matter the nuance it deserves, we welcome three of the most authoritative voices in this space: DR. CHRISTOPHER GARDNER: the Stanford nutrition scientist behind landmark diet trials (including DIETFITS). DR. ADRIAN CHAVEZ: a nutrition researcher, educator, and consultant, who previously joined us for ‘Your Brain On... Supplements’. DR. MATTHEW NAGRA: a nutritionist and science communicator, who you might remember from ‘Your Brain On... Protein’. This is... Your Brain On Eating Meat. SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Eating Meat’ • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 3 LINKS Dr. Christopher Gardner Dr. Christopher Gardner at Stanford: Dr. Christopher Gardner on Instagram: Dr. Adrian Chavez Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: Dr. Adrian Chavez's website: Dr. Adrian Chavez's Podcast: Dr. Matt Nagra Dr. Matt Nagra on Instagram: Dr. Matt Nagra’s website: /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/38920730

Your Brain On... Nutrition (with Dr. Walter Willett) 10/29/2025

Your Brain On... Nutrition (with Dr. Walter Willett) Everyone eats. It’s the one thing we all have in common. And yet, nutrition has become one of the most confusing, divisive, and misunderstood sciences in modern life. Low-fat. High-fat. Keto. Vegan. Paleo. Superfoods. For every study, there’s a headline that seems to say the opposite. In this episode, we turn to one of the most trusted voices in nutrition research to cut through the noise: Dr. Walter Willett, MD, DrPH. Dr. Willett, Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has spent more than four decades studying how what we eat affects our health, longevity, and brain function. His work has helped reshape dietary guidelines around the world, replacing fear and fads with clarity and evidence. Together, we unpack what the science really says about diet and the brain: how food choices shape inflammation, cognition, and long-term disease risk, and what practical lessons decades of data can teach us about eating for life and longevity. In this conversation, we discuss: • How nutrition became so confusing (and what the data actually shows) • Why the quality of fat matters more than the amount • How refined carbohydrates fuel inflammation, insulin resistance, and brain fog • The power of fiber and the microbiome for mood and memory • Why plant-based proteins come out ahead for health and sustainability • How global dietary guidelines are changing (and what’s still misunderstood) • The intersection of nutrition, planetary health, and human wellbeing Dr. Walter Willett has authored over 2,000 scientific papers and several landmark books, including ‘Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy’. This is... Your Brain On Nutrition. SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Nutrition’ • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 2 LINKS Dr. Walter Willett at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Dr. Willett’s book, ‘Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy’: FOLLOW US Join NEURO World: Instagram: YouTube: Website: /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/38820155

Your Brain On... Autism 10/22/2025

Your Brain On... Autism Autism isn’t new, but our understanding of it has changed dramatically. It’s now recognized as a broad neurodevelopmental spectrum that shapes how millions of people perceive, process, and interact with the world. In this episode, we explore what autism is AND isn’t, from its earliest signs in infancy to its deep genetic roots, and why misinformation about it continues to spread. We speak with three remarkable experts leading the field in early detection, genetics, and public education: DR. AMI KLIN, PhD, Director of the Marcus Autism Center at Emory University and a pioneer in early autism research, whose work shows autism can be identified in babies as young as two months old. DR. JOSEPH BUXBAUM, PhD, Director of the Seaver Autism Center at Mount Sinai and a global leader in autism genetics, uncovering hundreds of genes linked to the condition. DR. ANDREA LOVE, immunologist, microbiologist, and founder of ImmunoLogic, known for her clear, evidence-based communication about vaccines, immunity, and autism myths. Together, we discuss: • What autism really is, and how the definitions have evolved • How it develops in infancy (and why early diagnosis can be so critical) • The powerful genetic evidence behind autism • The persistence of vaccine myths, and how misinformation spreads • How technology like eye-tracking can detect autism early • The rise of “profound autism” and what it means for families • The future of genetics-based treatments and therapy Whether you’re autistic yourself, a parent navigating a new diagnosis, or simply seeking understanding, we’re thrilled to share this extensive, in-depth episode with you. This is... Your Brain On Autism. SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/ ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Autism’ • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 1 LINKS Dr. Ami Klin at Emory University: https://ctsn.emory.edu/faculty/klin-ami.html Dr. Ami Klin at Marcus Autism Center: https://www.marcus.org/about-marcus-autism-center/meet-our-leadership/ami-klin Dr. Joseph Buxbaum at Mount Sinai: https://profiles.icahn.mssm.edu/joseph-d-buxbaum Dr. Andrea Love’s website: https://www.immunologic.org/ Dr. Andrea Love on Instagram: REFERENCES Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Review. JAMA, 2023. Is There a Bias Towards Males in the Diagnosis of Autism? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children's Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability. Eye-Tracking–Based Measurement of Social Visual Engagement Compared With Expert Clinical Diagnosis of Autism. Rare coding variation provides insight into the genetic architecture and phenotypic context of autism. Rare coding variation illuminates the allelic architecture, risk genes, cellular expression patterns, and phenotypic context of autism. Andrew Wakefield and the fabricated history of the alleged vaccine-autism link. VACCINES & AUTISM 1. Major Cohort Studies Hviid et al., 2019 – Annals of Internal Medicine A nationwide study of 657,461 Danish children found no increased risk of autism in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated peers — even among those with risk factors such as a sibling with autism. Madsen et al., 2002 – New England Journal of Medicine In 537,303 Danish children, researchers found no difference in autism rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, and no relationship with age, timing, or date of vaccination. Jain et al., 2015 – Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) A U.S. cohort of 95,727 children — including those with siblings with autism — showed no link between MMR vaccination and autism risk, even in genetically predisposed children. Madsen et al., 2003 – JAMA A study of 467,450 Danish children found no relationship between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. DeStefano et al., 2022 – Vaccine A retrospective cohort of over 500,000 U.S. children with ASD found no increase in adverse events or worsening of autism-related symptoms following vaccination. 2. Population-Level Epidemiologic Evidence Taylor et al., 1999 – The Lancet One of the earliest large epidemiological studies found autism prevalence was the same in vaccinated and unvaccinated children, and the age of onset was unrelated to the timing of MMR vaccination. Institute of Medicine (U.S.) Immunization Safety Review, 2011 A global review of studies from the U.S., Denmark, Sweden, and the U.K. concluded there is no causal relationship between vaccination status and autism, and no plausible biological mechanism linking vaccines (including thimerosal) to ASD. 3. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Taylor et al., 2014 – Vaccine A comprehensive meta-analysis of 10 studies including over 1.2 million children found no association between vaccination and autism or ASD. Vaccine. 2014;32(29):3623–3629 Maglione et al., 2014 – Pediatrics Review of 67 high-quality studies covering the full U.S. immunization schedule concluded that vaccines are safe, adverse events are rare, and there is no link to autism, type 1 diabetes, or other chronic conditions. Parker et al., 2004 – Pediatrics Systematic review of 10 primary studies examining thimerosal exposure found no relationship between vaccines and ASD. Authors noted that studies showing an association were methodologically flawed or biased, while robust studies consistently showed safety. Offit & Hackett, 2003 – Clinical Infectious Diseases Review of immunology and epidemiology concluded that claims that vaccines “overwhelm” or “damage” the immune system are not biologically plausible based on how the immune system actually functions. /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/38738330

Your Brain On... Diabetes 07/23/2025

Your Brain On... Alzheimer’s (Mythbusting Special) 07/09/2025

Your Brain On... Purpose (Sherzai Family Special) 06/25/2025

Your Brain On... Creatine 06/18/2025

Your Brain On... Creatine Creatine for Alzheimer’s — let’s separate the hype from the hope. A new study has caused a stir in June 2025, but lead researcher Matthew K. Taylor told us: “ I don’t think I can recommend it to a patient that this is going to ultimately have some sort of cognitive influence.” We speak to Dr. Taylor and Dr. Russell Swerdlow in this episode, discussing: • Role of creatine in your brain, and why it matters for energy metabolism • What the 2025 study found (and why it wasn’t designed to prove effectiveness) • How scientific nuance gets lost in supplement hype • Why even promising early data must be handled with care • The vital difference between hype and hope Dr. Russell Swerdlow, MD is Director of the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Dr. Matthew Taylor, PhD, RD is Associate Professor of Dietetics & Nutrition at the University of Kansas Medical Center. This is... Your Brain On Creatine. SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Creatine’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 8 LINKS Dr. Taylor at the University of Kansas: Dr. Swerdlow at the University of Kansas: REFERENCES 1. Smith AN, Choi IY, Lee P, Sullivan DK, Burns JM, Swerdlow RH, Kelly E, Taylor MK. Creatine monohydrate pilot in Alzheimer's: Feasibility, brain creatine, and cognition. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. 2025 Apr;11(2):e70101. 2. Taylor MK, Burns JM, Choi IY, et al. Protocol for a single-arm, pilot trial of creatine monohydrate supplementation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Pilot Feasibility Study. 2024;10(1):42. 3. Habeck C, Risacher S, Lee GJ, et al. Relationship between baseline brain metabolism measured using [18 F]FDG PET and memory and executive function in prodromal and early Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Imaging Behav. 2012;6(4):568-83. 4. Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al. International Society of Sports. Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2017;14:18. /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/37052450

Your Brain On... Stress 06/12/2025

Your Brain On... Stroke 05/29/2025

Your Brain On... The Food Industry 05/22/2025

Your Brain On... Lyme Disease 05/15/2025

Your Brain On... Brain-Computer Interfaces 05/07/2025

Your Brain On... Brain-Computer Interfaces Restoring a person’s ability to speak, enabling individuals with paralysis to regain movement, and detecting neurodegenerative diseases earlier than ever — these are just some of the breakthroughs brain-computer interfaces are making possible. In this episode, we explore the astonishing world of BCIs: technologies that are giving autonomy and independence back to people with diseases like ALS. We discuss: • How BCIs are helping people with neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries communicate using decoded brain signals • How brain-computer interfaces actually work (and why they’re NOT just reading your mind) • Why motor cortex implants may help decode speech, even when inserted in unexpected regions • The ethical challenges of privacy, data ownership, and access in the era of brain-connected devices • The future of the field, from restoring language after stroke to enabling communication in children with cerebral palsy We speak with three world-leading researchers and clinicians who are helping shape this rapidly-advancing area of neuroscience: • Dr. Leigh Hochberg, director of the Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery at Massachusetts General Hospital, and principal clinical investigator of the pilot clinical trials of the BrainGate Neural Interface System. • Dr. David Brandman, neurosurgeon and co-director of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab. • Dr. Sergey Stavisky, neural engineer and co-director of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab. For more information about the Braingate project, and to volunteer as a participant, visit: This is... Your Brain On Brain-Computer Interfaces. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Brain-Computer Interfaces’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 3 ——— FOLLOW US Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thebraindocs Website: https://thebraindocs.com/ /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/36466040

Your Brain On... Gluten 05/01/2025

Your Brain On... Menopause 04/24/2025

Your Brain On... Menopause Two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are women — but why? In this episode, we unpack the neurological, hormonal, and social drivers that uniquely affect women's brain health during the menopausal transition — from estrogen’s protective role in the brain to the misunderstood history of hormone replacement therapy. We discuss: • Why women face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s than men • How menopause accelerates brain aging (and how it starts earlier than is often expected) • The role of estrogen in brain metabolism and neuroprotection • The real story behind hormone replacement therapy (HRT) • The impact of genes like APOE4 on women’s brain health • How lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and cognitive activity can help reduce the impact of neurological changes onset by menopause ——— Get our free curation of women’s brain health resources in our Brain Box: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox ——— To help us tell this story, we welcome three world-renowned women’s health experts to the podcast: DR. LISA MOSCONI: Director of the Women's Brain Initiative, author of ‘The Menopause Brain’, and pioneering researcher in brain imaging and hormonal neuroscience. MARIA SHRIVER: Founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, journalist, and relentless advocate for gender equity in brain health research. DR. LISA GENOVA: Neuroscientist and bestselling author of ‘Still Alice’, which was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore, who won the 2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland. This is... Your Brain On Menopause. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Menopause’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 1 ——— Our free Women’s Brain Health Brain Box includes: • Guides on how to speak with healthcare providers about menopause • Delicious brain-healthy Mother’s Day brunch recipes • Meaningful gift ideas for the women you love • Inspiring interviews with world-leading women’s health experts • And even a chance to check your cognitive health with an insightful, science-backed test Get the Brain Box for free! Here: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox ——— References: Mosconi, L. (2017). Perimenopause and emergence of an Alzheimer's bioenergetic phenotype in brain and periphery. PloS One, 12(10), e0185926. Belloy, M. E. & Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. (2019). A quarter century of APOE and Alzheimer's disease: Progress to date and the path forward. Neuron, 101(5), 820-838. Rahman, A. (2019). Sex and gender driven modifiers of Alzheimer's: The role for estrogenic control across age, race, medical, and lifestyle risks. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 11, 315. Rocca, W. A. (2012). Hysterectomy, oophorectomy, estrogen, and the risk of dementia. Neurodegenerative Diseases, 10(1-4), 175-178. Scheyer, O. (2018). Female sex and Alzheimer's risk: The menopause connection. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 5(4), 225-230. Women's Health Initiative Memory Study Investigators. (2003). Estrogen plus progestin and the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women: The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study—a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 289(20), 2651–2662. Women's Health Initiative Investigators. (2002). Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: Principal results from the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 288(3), 321-333. Whitmer, R. A. (2005). Midlife cardiovascular risk factors and risk of dementia in late life. Neurology, 64(2), 277-281. Livingston, G. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572-628. Maki, P. M. (2016). Hormone therapy, dementia, and cognition: The Women's Health Initiative 10 years on. Climacteric, 19(3), 313-315. /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/36291585

Your Brain On... Music 02/19/2025

Your Brain On... Music Music is one of the most powerful forces of all time for human connection, cognitive stimulation, and therapeutic introspection. We’ve seen music help Alzheimer’s patients find their voice, children with speech disorders unlock new ways to communicate with rhythm and melody, and communities express their identity through song. In this episode, we discuss: • The cognitive, psychological, and mental benefits of music • Why learning to play an instrument is one of the best things you can do for your brain • The power of music as a means of connecting with others • Therapeutic uses of music for patients living with neurodegenerative diseases • The neuroscience of how we process sounds and perceive music We’re absolutely thrilled to be speaking to THREE incredible experts on music and cognition today, discussing an element of the human experience that does so much for our brains without us even thinking about it. In this episode, we’re joined by: DR. ANI PATEL, PhD, a cognitive psychologist at Tufts University known for his research on music cognition and the neuroscience of music. DR. CHARLES LIMB, MD, a surgeon, professor of otolaryngology, and musician at University of California in San Francisco. JONATHAN BISS, renowned pianist and author of the book ‘Unquiet’, which explores the intersection of music and mental health. This is... Your Brain On Music. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/ ‘Your Brain On... Music’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 10 This is the Season 4 finale. We’ll be back in a few weeks with Season 5! ——— LINKS Dr. Ani Patel, PhD At Tufts University: The Sound Health Network: Dr. Charles Limb, MD At UCSF: Dr. Limb’s TED Talk: Jonathan Biss Jonathan’s website: On Instagram: Jonathan’s book, ‘Unquiet’: ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/35346460

Your Brain On... Supplements 02/12/2025

Your Brain On... Supplements Supplements have become a hundred-billion dollar industry. But can they really boost your brain health in the ways they claim? They’re everywhere: shelves and shelves of pills and powders promising everything from improved immunity, boosted energy, and faster weight loss to better sleep, happier moods, and enhanced sexual wellness. Social media influencers won’t stop talking about them, and they seem to appear in TV commercials every five minutes. And yet... the evidence supporting most of the claims these supplements make is next-to-nought. So what’s the truth? In ‘Your Brain On... Supplements’, we discuss: The differences between supplements and medication Why supplements are so loosely regulated The most popular supplements, and the lack of evidence supporting their purported benefits Identifying between the placebo effect and real effects Some supplements with actual evidence-based potential The psychology behind why we all feel compelled to try supplements Tips for navigating supplement claims we see on social media Joining us for this episode is Dr. Adrian Chavez a nutrition researcher, educator, and consultant. He has a PhD in Nutrition and Health Promotion where he conducted research developing and delivering lifestyle interventions in community settings for improving cardiovascular and metabolic health. After graduating he opened up a private practice and has worked with hundreds of clients helping people to lose weight and improve a variety of health problems with science-based nutrition strategies. He is the host of , a top-rated nutrition podcast that provides bite-sized episodes covering important topics in nutrition. This is... Your Brain On Supplements. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: ‘Your Brain On... Supplements’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 9 ——— LINKS Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: Dr. Adrian Chavez’s website: Dr. Adrian Chavez’s Podcast: ——— SELECTED CITATIONS Dietary Supplement Studies Supplements adulterated with drugs: Prohibited contaminants in dietary supplements: Dietary Supplement Fraud: Unapproved Ingredients: Ashwagandha Ashwagandha on Physical Performance Ashwagandha on sleep Ashwagandha on stress Creatine Creatine on Memory ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/35251895

Your Brain On... Traumatic Brain Injury 02/06/2025

Your Brain On... Omega-3 01/22/2025

Your Brain On... Omega-3 Omega-3 supplements have become a multi-billion-dollar industry, promising to enhance your memory, boost your mood, and protect your brain. But where does the science end, and the marketing hype begin? Omega-3 fatty acids are a special category of ‘good fats’ that play vital roles in both brain and body health. Unlike some species, we can’t produce our own Omega-3s, so we must rely on our diets to get these essential fats. In this episode, we discuss how to get more brain-healthy quantities of Omega-3 into your diet, plus: • The brain health benefits of Omega-3 • The differences between Omega-3 and Omega-6 • The neurochemical intricacies of ALA, EPA, and DHA • Why Omega-3s are essential for development at a young age • The current (and future) state of Omega-3 research • Who needs Omega-3 supplements, and why Enriching the discussion this week are two celebrated experts in the field: DR. RICHARD BAZINET, a professor and researcher whose work focuses on the regulation and role of brain lipid metabolism in neurodegenerative diseases DR. BILL HARRIS, an internationally-recognised expert on omega-3, and the pioneer behind the Omega-3 Index This is... Your Brain On Omega-3. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/ ‘Your Brain On... Omega-3’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 7 ——— LINKS DR. RICHARD BAZINET Dr. Bazinet at University of Toronto: https://nutrisci.med.utoronto.ca/faculty/richard-bazinet DR. BILL HARRIS Dr. Harris at OmegaQuant: https://omegaquant.com/dr-william-s-harris/ ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com Instagram: @thebraindocs Website: TheBrainDocs.com More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/34953560

Your Brain On... Social Media 01/15/2025

Your Brain On... (Sherzai Family Holiday Special) 12/25/2024

Your Brain On... Ketogenic Diets 12/18/2024

Your Brain On... Ketogenic Diets 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 ketogenic diet in Alzheimer’s disease patients • What we know about how ketogenic diets and treatment of Alzheimer’s • The outcome differences between ketogenic diets and ketone supplements in Alzheimer’s • Other evidence-based nutritional approaches for brain health For this episode, we welcome two world-renowned professionals in the field of nutrition and neuroscience: DR. MATTHEW TAYLOR, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor, Dietetics and Nutrition, Kansas University Medical Center DR. RUSSELL SWERDLOW, MD, Gene and Marge Sweeney Professor of Neurology; Director, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Kansas University Medical Center This is... Your Brain On Ketogenic Diets. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Ketogenic Diets’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 4 FOLLOW US Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: REFERENCES 1. Wheless, James W. "History of the ketogenic diet." Epilepsia 49 (2008): 3-5. 2. Krolak-Salmon, Pierre, Russell H. Swerdlow, Thibault Mastain, Catherine Dive-Pouletty, Nick Pooley, and Masoumeh Kisomi. "Efficacy and Safety of Exogenous Ketones in People with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Literature Review." Nutrition Reviews (2024): nuae098. 3. Taylor, Matthew K., Debra K. Sullivan, Jonathan D. Mahnken, Jeffrey M. Burns, and Russell H. Swerdlow. "Feasibility and efficacy data from a ketogenic diet intervention in Alzheimer's disease." Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions 4 (2018): 28-36. 4. Taylor, Matthew K., Russell H. Swerdlow, and Debra K. Sullivan. "Dietary neuroketotherapeutics for Alzheimer’s disease: an evidence update and the potential role for diet quality." Nutrients 11, no. 8 (2019): 1910. 5. Koppel, Scott J., and Russell H. Swerdlow. "Neuroketotherapeutics: a modern review of a century-old therapy." Neurochemistry international 117 (2018): 114-125. 6. O'Neill, Blair, and Paolo Raggi. "The ketogenic diet: Pros and cons." Atherosclerosis 292 (2020): 119-126. 7. Crosby, Lee, Brenda Davis, Shivam Joshi, Meghan Jardine, Jennifer Paul, Maggie Neola, and Neal D. Barnard. "Ketogenic diets and chronic disease: weighing the benefits against the risks." Frontiers in nutrition 8 (2021): 702802. /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/34498890

Your Brain On... ALS 12/11/2024

Your Brain On... ALS 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 expectancy of two to five years. A small percentage live five to ten years. And an even tinier group survive beyond a decade. Most famously, renowned physicist Stephen Hawking survived more than 50 years past his diagnosis, in part due to the intensive care he was able to afford. In this episode of the ‘Your Brain On...’ podcast, we discuss: • What ALS is, and how it affects the brain and the body • The onset and progression of ALS, from the earliest symptoms to the end-stage impacts • How ALS patients are diagnosed, treated, and cared for • Likely causes of ALS, including genetic predispositions and potential environmental risk factors • How new technologies are rapidly accelerating our understanding of ALS, especially in genetics Joining us for this installment of the show are two world-class experts on the disease: • Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi PhD, Professor of Neurology and Complex Disease Genetics at the Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute at King's College. • Merit Cudkowicz, Director of the Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Massachusetts General Hospital. ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... ALS’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 3 ——— LINKS PROFESSOR AMMAR AL-CHALABI at King’s College: at Motor Neurone Disease Disease Association: Project MinE: MERIT CUDKOWICZ at Massachusetts General Hospital: at Harvard University: ——— ANNOUNCING: NEURO WORLD RETREAT 2025 We’re so excited to share something very close to our hearts, which we’ve been working on over the past few months: our first ever brain health retreat! You’re warmly invited to join us in San Diego, California for the inaugural NEURO World Retreat 2025, taking place September 2–5, 2025 at the breathtaking Paradise Point Resort. For more information, and to book, visit: ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: ——— References: Brown, Robert H., and Ammar Al-Chalabi. "Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." New England Journal of Medicine 377.2 (2017): 162-172. Benatar, Michael, et al. "A roadmap to ALS prevention: strategies and priorities." Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 94.5 (2023): 399-402. Voigtlaender, Sebastian, et al. "Artificial intelligence in neurology: opportunities, challenges, and policy implications." Journal of Neurology 271.5 (2024): 2258-2273. Zinman, Lorne, and Merit Cudkowicz. "Emerging targets and treatments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." The Lancet Neurology 10.5 (2011): 481-490. Raghav, Yogindra, et al. "Identification of gene fusions associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." Muscle & Nerve 69.4 (2024): 477-489. Su, Feng-Chiao, et al. "Association of environmental toxins with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis." JAMA neurology 73.7 (2016): 803-811. Talbott, Evelyn O., et al. "Case-control study of environmental toxins and risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis involving the national ALS registry." Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration (2024): 1-10. /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/34391445

Your Brain On... Ketamine 12/04/2024

Your Brain On... Sex 11/20/2024

Your Brain On... Protein 10/17/2024

Your Brain On... Protein 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 protein, and supplements like protein powders • How much protein we really need to eat every day • Ways we can all introduce more protein into our diets • Why ‘health’ influencers are suddenly recommending unusually high levels of protein consumption • How we measure the quality of proteins, including digestibility and absorption In this episode, we’re joined by two fantastic nutrition experts: DR. MATTHEW NAGRA, nutritionist and science communicator. DR. ALAN FLANAGAN, esteemed nutrition scientist (previously featured in ‘Your Brain On… Sugar’ and ‘Your Brain On… Fats’ ‘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... Protein’ • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 10 (SEASON 3 FINALE!) ——— LINKS: Dr. Matt Nagra Instagram: Website: Dr. Alan Flanagan Alan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenutritionaladvocate Alinea Nutrition: ——— REFERENCES: Dietary Patterns and Risk of Dementia: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies. Dietary fat composition and dementia risk. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.03.038 Dietary Protein and Amino Acids in Vegetarian Diets—A Review. Animal vs Plant-Based Meat: A Hearty Debate. High-Protein Plant-Based Diet Versus a Protein-Matched Omnivorous Diet to Support Resistance Training Adaptations: A Comparison Between Habitual Vegans and Omnivores. Vegan and Omnivorous High Protein Diets Support Comparable Daily Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Rates and Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy in Young Adults. Digestibility issues of vegetable versus animal proteins: protein and amino acid requirements--functional aspects. Soy and Isoflavone Consumption and Multiple Health Outcomes: Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Observational Studies and Randomized Trials in Humans. No Difference Between the Effects of Supplementing With Soy Protein Versus Animal Protein on Gains in Muscle Mass and Strength in Response to Resistance Exercise. Neither soy nor isoflavone intake affects male reproductive hormones: An expanded and updated meta-analysis of clinical studies. The health effects of soy: A reference guide for health professionals. The Effect of Plant-Based Protein Ingestion on Athletic Ability in Healthy People—A Bayesian Meta-Analysis with Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Effects of high-quality protein supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in individuals with metabolic diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Vegan and Omnivorous High Protein Diets Support Comparable Daily Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Rates and Skeletal Muscle Hypertrophy in Young Adults. /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/33496442

Your Brain On... Misinformation 10/09/2024

Your Brain On... Misinformation 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 communication community to help equip you for the fight: Dr. David L. Katz, MD, MPH, a renowned figure in the field of preventive medicine, public health, and nutrition. (Website: ) Steven Novella MD, clinical neurologist and associate professor at Yale University School of Medicine, a host of The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe podcast, and a founder of the New England Skeptical Society. (Website: ) Dr. Jessica Steier PhD, public health scientist and host of the wildly popular Unbiased Science podcast. (Instagram: ) Dr. Jonathan Stea PhD, clinical psychologist and author of the book ‘Mind the Science’. (Instagram: / Website: ) Dr. Idrees Mughal, AKA ‘Dr. Idz’, one of the most popular online misinformation-debunking social media icons. (TikTok: / Website: ) Together, we discuss: • The telltale signs of pseudoscientific messaging. • Where misinformation comes from, and why it often spreads faster than evidence-based facts. • Why we can be so susceptible to believing misinformation. • Who profits by poisoning the science communication space. • How we can improve our scientific literacy and avoid echo chambers. • Ways academics can improve their public health communication. • ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. ‘Your Brain On... Misinformation’ • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 9 /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/33387437

Your Brain On: A Brain Health Revolution Summit Special 10/02/2024

Your Brain On: A Brain Health Revolution Summit Special 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 — be it our first 2024 edition, or a future installment! Day 1: The Brain Health Landscape: From Insights to Action Day 2: Mental Health Matters and Heart Health for a Stronger Brain Day 3: Women’s Brain Health: Hormones, Longevity, and Vitality Day 4: Emerging Challenges in Brain Health Day 5: Fuel for Thought: Nutrition, the Gut, and the Brain Day 6: Move, Breathe, Thrive: Exercise and Stress Management Day 7: Recharge and Optimize: Sleep and Cognitive Performance This special episode includes excerpts of our conversations with: Rachel Dolhun, MD Michael Okun, MD Charles DeCarli, MD Ari Tuckman, PsyD Amishi Jha, PhD Danielle Belardo, MD Margarett McCarthy, PhD Lisa Mosconi, PhD Lisa Genova Idrees ‘Dr. Idz’ Mughal, MBBS, MRes, DipIBLM Daniele Piomelli, PhD Frank Lin, MD, PhD Alan Flanagan, PhD Matthew Nagra, ND Stuart Phillips, PhD Natali Edmonds, PhD Satchin Panda, PhD Donn Posner, MD Sujay Kansagra, MD Yaakov Stern, PhD For more information about the Brain Health Revolution Summit, visit: The Brain Health Revolution Summit 2024 is presented in partnership with Healthy Minds Initiative: thymindsinitiative.org ‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai. /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/33294667

Your Brain On... Having A Pet 09/25/2024

Your Brain On... Having A Pet 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 back • The research that has shown how some companions might value social rewards from humans just as much as they value the food we provide for them • The differences (and similarities) between canine brains and human brains • How dogs do understand us to a degree, but not quite in the linguistic sense we might like to believe • The incredible things dogs can do for dementia patients • The importance of ethics in animal research • Why understanding the emotional capacity of other animals is vital Our guests for this episode are two of the foremost voices in animal cognition: BRIAN HARE: Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology, Psychology, and Neuroscience at Duke University, and a core member of their Center of Cognitive Neuroscience. Plus: co-author of ‘The Genius of Dogs’ and ‘Survival of the Friendliest’. GREGORY BERNS: Professor of Psychology and Distinguished Professor of Neuroeconomics, researcher of dogs (and more recently, cows), and author of ‘How Dogs Love Us’ and ‘Cowpuppy: An Unexpected Friendship and a Scientist’s Journey into the Secret World of Cows’. ‘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: ‘Your Brain On... Having A Pet’ • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 8 ——— LINKS Brian Hare: Brian Hare’s website: The Hare Lab at Duke University: Brian’s book, ‘Survival of the Friendliest’: Gregory Berns: Gregory Berns’ website: Gregory’s book, ‘Cowpuppy’: ——— FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/33199162

Your Brain On... Coffee 09/18/2024

Your Brain On... Coffee 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 your brain, and why it makes you feel awake • How much coffee is too much, and how caffeine affects us all differently (depending on our metabolism) • The antioxidant benefits of coffee • How coffee can improve concentration, and even potentially protect against neurodegenerative diseases • How different kinds of coffee affect our brains differently (black vs. cream and sugar, brewed vs. filter, caffeinated vs. decaf) • The risks of caffeine addiction • A brief history of how coffee became so ubiquitous in our lives Bringing the buzz to this episode are two coffee geniuses: DR. ASTRID NEHLIG, a neuroscientist out of the French Institute of Health and Medical Research who has studied the health impacts of coffee with impressive extensiveness. PROFESSOR JONATHAN MORRIS, AKA ‘The Coffee Historian’, author of ‘Coffee: A Global History’ and co-creator of the History of Coffee Podcast. ‘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: ‘Your Brain On... Coffee’ • SEASON 3 • EPISODE 7 — LINKS Dr. Astrid Nehlig’s research: Professor Jonathan Morris’ website: Professor Morris at the University of Hertfordshire: — FOLLOW US Join the NEURO Academy: Instagram: Website: More info and episodes: /episode/index/show/e67587a1-99c5-40a9-9410-66bde068803d/id/33103682

Your Brain On... Grief 09/11/2024

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