by Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai
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.
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April 24, 2025
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease are women — but why?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">We discuss:</p> <p dir="ltr">• Why women face a higher risk of Alzheimer’s than men</p> <p dir="ltr">• How menopause accelerates brain aging (and how it starts earlier than is often expected)</p> <p dir="ltr">• The role of estrogen in brain metabolism and neuroprotection</p> <p dir="ltr">• The real story behind hormone replacement therapy (HRT)</p> <p dir="ltr">• The impact of genes like APOE4 on women’s brain health</p> <p dir="ltr">• How lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and cognitive activity can help reduce the impact of neurological changes onset by menopause</p> <p dir="ltr">———</p> <p dir="ltr">Get our free curation of women’s brain health resources in our Brain Box: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox</p> <p dir="ltr">———</p> <p dir="ltr">To help us tell this story, we welcome three world-renowned women’s health experts to the podcast:</p> <p dir="ltr">DR. LISA MOSCONI: Director of the Women's Brain Initiative, author of ‘The Menopause Brain’, and pioneering researcher in brain imaging and hormonal neuroscience.</p> <p dir="ltr">MARIA SHRIVER: Founder of the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, journalist, and relentless advocate for gender equity in brain health research.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">This is... Your Brain On Menopause.</p> <p dir="ltr">‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.</p> <p dir="ltr">‘Your Brain On... Menopause’ • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 1</p> <p dir="ltr">———</p> <p dir="ltr">Our free Women’s Brain Health Brain Box includes:</p> <p dir="ltr">• Guides on how to speak with healthcare providers about menopause</p> <p dir="ltr">• Delicious brain-healthy Mother’s Day brunch recipes</p> <p dir="ltr">• Meaningful gift ideas for the women you love</p> <p dir="ltr">• Inspiring interviews with world-leading women’s health experts</p> <p dir="ltr">• And even a chance to check your cognitive health with an insightful, science-backed test</p> <p dir="ltr">Get the Brain Box for free! Here: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox</p> <p>———</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>References:</strong></p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Mosconi, L. (2017). Perimenopause and emergence of an Alzheimer's bioenergetic phenotype in brain and periphery. PloS One, 12(10), e0185926. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">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. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">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. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Rocca, W. A. (2012). Hysterectomy, oophorectomy, estrogen, and the risk of dementia. Neurodegenerative Diseases, 10(1-4), 175-178. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Scheyer, O. (2018). Female sex and Alzheimer's risk: The menopause connection. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 5(4), 225-230. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">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. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">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. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Whitmer, R. A. (2005). Midlife cardiovascular risk factors and risk of dementia in late life. Neurology, 64(2), 277-281. </p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Livingston, G. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572-628.</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Maki, P. M. (2016). Hormone therapy, dementia, and cognition: The Women's Health Initiative 10 years on. Climacteric, 19(3), 313-315. </p>
February 19, 2025
<p dir="ltr">Music is one of the most powerful forces of all time for human connection, cognitive stimulation, and therapeutic introspection.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">In this episode, we discuss:</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">• The cognitive, psychological, and mental benefits of music</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">• Why learning to play an instrument is one of the best things you can do for your brain</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">• The power of music as a means of connecting with others</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">• Therapeutic uses of music for patients living with neurodegenerative diseases</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">• The neuroscience of how we process sounds and perceive music</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">In this episode, we’re joined by:</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>DR. ANI PATEL, PhD</strong>, a cognitive psychologist at Tufts University known for his research on music cognition and the neuroscience of music.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>DR. CHARLES LIMB, MD</strong>, a surgeon, professor of otolaryngology, and musician at University of California in San Francisco. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>JONATHAN BISS</strong>, renowned pianist and author of the book ‘Unquiet’, which explores the intersection of music and mental health.</p> <p dir="ltr">This is... Your Brain On Music.</p> <p dir="ltr">‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.</p> <p dir="ltr">‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/</p> <p dir="ltr">‘Your Brain On... Music’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 10</p> <p dir="ltr">This is the Season 4 finale. We’ll be back in a few weeks with Season 5!</p> <p dir="ltr">———</p> <p dir="ltr">LINKS</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dr. Ani Patel, PhD</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">At Tufts University: <a href= "https://as.tufts.edu/psychology/people/faculty/aniruddh-patel">https://as.tufts.edu/psychology/people/faculty/aniruddh-patel</a> </p> <p dir="ltr">The Sound Health Network: <a href= "https://soundhealth.ucsf.edu/">https://soundhealth.ucsf.edu/</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dr. Charles Limb, MD</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">At UCSF: <a href= "https://ohns.ucsf.edu/charles-limb">https://ohns.ucsf.edu/charles-limb</a> </p> <p dir="ltr">Dr. Limb’s TED Talk: <a href= "https://www.ted.com/talks/charles_limb_your_brain_on_improv">https://www.ted.com/talks/charles_limb_your_brain_on_improv</a></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Jonathan Biss</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Jonathan’s website: <a href= "https://www.jonathanbiss.com/">https://www.jonathanbiss.com/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">On Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_biss_official/">https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_biss_official/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Jonathan’s book, ‘Unquiet’: <a href= "https://www.jonathanbiss.com/projects/unquiet">https://www.jonathanbiss.com/projects/unquiet</a> </p> <p dir="ltr">———</p> <p dir="ltr">FOLLOW US</p> <p dir="ltr">Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com</p> <p dir="ltr">Instagram: @thebraindocs</p> <p dir="ltr">Website: TheBrainDocs.com</p> <p dir="ltr">More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast</p>
February 12, 2025
<p dir="ltr"><strong>Supplements have become a hundred-billion dollar industry. But can they really boost your brain health in the ways they claim?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">Social media influencers won’t stop talking about them, and they seem to appear in TV commercials every five minutes.</p> <p dir="ltr">And yet... the evidence supporting most of the claims these supplements make is next-to-nought. So what’s the truth?</p> <p dir="ltr">In ‘Your Brain On... Supplements’, we discuss:</p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The differences between supplements and medication</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Why supplements are so loosely regulated</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The most popular supplements, and the lack of evidence supporting their purported benefits</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Identifying between the placebo effect and real effects</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Some supplements with actual evidence-based potential</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">The psychology behind why we all feel compelled to try supplements</p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">Tips for navigating supplement claims we see on social media</p> </li> </ul> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">He is the host of <a href= "https://www.thenutritionsciencepodcast.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">The Nutrition Science Podcast</a>, a top-rated nutrition podcast that provides bite-sized episodes covering important topics in nutrition.</p> <p dir="ltr">This is... Your Brain On Supplements.</p> <p dir="ltr">‘Your Brain On’ is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.</p> <p dir="ltr">‘Your Brain On...’ is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: <a href= "https://neuroworldretreat.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://neuroworldretreat.com/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">‘Your Brain On... Supplements’ • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 9<strong><br /></strong></p> <p dir="ltr">———</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>LINKS</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/dr.adrian.chavez">https://www.instagram.com/dr.adrian.chavez</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Dr. Adrian Chavez’s website: <a href= "https://www.dradrianchavez.com/">https://www.dradrianchavez.com/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Dr. Adrian Chavez’s Podcast: <a href= "https://www.thenutritionsciencepodcast.com/">https://www.thenutritionsciencepodcast.com/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">———</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>SELECTED CITATIONS</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Dietary Supplement Studies</strong> </p> <p dir="ltr">Supplements adulterated with drugs: <a href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35285963/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35285963/ </a></p> <p dir="ltr">Prohibited contaminants in dietary supplements: <a href= "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5753965/">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5753965/ </a></p> <p dir="ltr">Dietary Supplement Fraud: <a href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33412717/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33412717/ </a></p> <p dir="ltr">Unapproved Ingredients: <a href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646238/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646238/ </a></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Ashwagandha</strong> </p> <p dir="ltr">Ashwagandha on Physical Performance <a href= "https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8006238/">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8006238/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Ashwagandha on sleep <a href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34559859/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34559859/ </a></p> <p dir="ltr">Ashwagandha on stress <a href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017529/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017529/ </a></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Creatine</strong> </p> <p dir="ltr">Creatine on Memory <a href= "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35984306/">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35984306/</a></p> <p dir="ltr">———</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>FOLLOW US</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Join the NEURO Academy: <a href= "https://thebraindocs.com/neuro-academy/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">NEUROacademy.com</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Instagram: <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">@thebraindocs</a></p> <p dir="ltr">Website: <a href="http://thebraindocs.com/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">TheBrainDocs.com</a></p> <p dir="ltr">More info and episodes: <a href= "https://thebraindocs.com/Podcast/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast</a><strong id= "docs-internal-guid-916a5526-7fff-1329-1421-c12c473a8438"></strong></p>
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