©2025 – Amy Morin, LCSW. All Rights Reserved
©2025 – Amy Morin, LCSW. All Rights Reserved
While there’s a lot of information about improving your physical health, there’s much less information about improving your brain health. Improving your brain health isn’t just about doing puzzles to improve your memory. There are lots of other ways to improve your brain health.
Dr. Austin Perlmutter is a physician who studies brain health and decision-making. Some of the things he talks about today are the everyday things that can take a toll on your brain, the biggest dangers to your brain health, and the small steps you can take to improve your brain health every day.
“Mental health is brain health… our mental health, is a reflection of our brain health.” – Dr. Austin Perlmutter
“The best chance we have of doing something about these diseases is prevention, is talking about these things decades before they ever show up.” – Dr. Austin Perlmutter
“If you just do what most people are doing, then chances are you’re going to experience the results that most people experience, which is poor brain health outcomes.” – Dr. Austin Perlmutter
“You want to eat foods that naturally contain sugar as opposed to foods with added or artificial sweeteners.” – Dr. Austin Perlmutter
“Get some nature, some Vitamin N each week… nature exposure can be such an amazing antidote to the modern hectic world.” – Dr. Austin Perlmutter
0:00:00 The lack of focus on brain health in society.
0:03:10 Amy and Austin define brain health and its connection to mental health.
0:05:55 Austin emphasizes the importance of mental health and its connection to brain health.
0:08:12 Amy and Austin discuss the need for a shift towards preventive measures for brain health.
0:09:28 Austin highlights the challenges of modern society for brain health and the need for change.
0:12:01 Challenging the status quo for better brain health outcomes.
0:13:04 Simple steps for better brain health that are not marketed.
0:16:18 The impact of air pollution on brain health.
0:17:10 Striving for balance in an imperfect environment.
0:19:09 Focusing on controllable factors like avoiding sugar sweetened beverages.
0:20:07 Addressing air pollution through indoor air quality control.
0:21:14 Understanding the impact of air pollution on mental health.
0:22:21 Minimizing exposure to outdoor air pollution when necessary.
0:23:31 Avoiding toxic indoor air fresheners for better indoor air quality.
0:24:06 Minimizing exposure to air fresheners and scented candles.
0:25:02 Using indoor air purification systems and air purifiers with HEPA filters.
0:26:03 Added sugar in sugar-sweetened beverages is the worst.
0:27:26 Avoiding foods with added sugar and ultra-processed foods.
0:29:13 Nuances of sugar alternatives and reprogramming the brain’s craving for sweetness.
0:31:22 Tips for reducing added sugar: eat foods with natural sugar, throw away foods with added sugar, and make swaps.
0:34:43 Healthier alternatives to highly sweetened cocktails.
0:35:21 Non-alcoholic beers as a sugar and alcohol-free alternative
0:36:04 Checking ingredient lists for hidden sugars in foods
0:38:04 Benefits of spending time in nature for stress reduction and cognitive health
0:39:14 Nature exposure improves decision-making and impulse control
0:40:09 Practical ways to incorporate nature time into daily life
0:42:23 Dr. Austin Pearlmutter’s website and work on plant-based healing
0:43:03 Consider the impact of air quality on brain health
0:44:01 Cut back on sugar for brain health
0:44:56 Spend time in nature for improved mood and brain health
0:45:57 Mentally Stronger Premium and sharing the podcast with others
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