Why Should I Care About My Brain?
Daniel G. Amen, M.D.
Double Board-Certified Psychiatrist, 12-Time New York Times Best-Selling Author, Founder of Amen Clinics
When your brain works right your decisions tend to be effective and add joy and energy to your life. When your brain is troubled, for whatever reason, you are much more likely to make bad decisions that steal your health, lead to your early destruction, and create trouble for future generations.
Everywhere you go someone is trying to shove bad food down your throat that will kill you early; news corporations repeatedly pour fear and disaster images into your brain to boost their ratings, and tech companies create addictive gadgets that hook your attention and distract you from your loved ones.
In a new branch of science, epigenetic studies have shown that your habits turn on or off certain genes that make illness and early death more or less likely in you, but also in your children and grandchildren. The war is not just about you; it is about generations of you.
But the good news, as I have long said, is that you are not stuck with the brain you have…you can make it better, and I can prove it. I have spent over three decades helping tens of thousands of patients at Amen Clinics have better brains and better lives.
Determine Your Brain Health Now
The single most important factor in determining your health is the quality of the decisions that you make every day. You can take the time to start the necessary steps to improve your health today by beginning with the following:
? Know about the health of your brain – get a base line brain health assessment.
? Know your health numbers – you need to optimize your important health numbers, not just normalize them.
? Avoid anything that hurts your brain and may cause brain injuries – engage in regular brain healthy habits.
The health of your brain is much more about your actions than your age.
This is good news because it means that you possess the power to change your brain. There are many ways to become sick, but there is a clear path to wellness and it’s simpler than you think. If you are ready to transform your life, we can help you!
Biomedical Consulting; Naturopathic Medical Doctor
7 年Dr Amen, I was wondering if you've made any observations regarding the generalized effects of cannabis consumption on brain function, especially long term effects.
"Living healthy and passing it on."
7 年We are our brain. To not try to optimize brain health is counterproductive. Likewise, we also only have one body to house ours brains. The same lifestyle choices that improve our overall health and fitness benefit our brain and genes. Unfortunately, too many do not employ the knowledge we have and resort to satisficing and bad habits to manage life's stress. We know to eat right, get sleep, exercise and practice stress management, but, we don't do it! Why? Because it takes effort and change is uncomfortable. Our current health status is the sum of our genetics and lifestyle choices. If we don't like our body, brain or some part of our life, for that matter, we can break old habits and start new, better ones today!
Educator & Facilitator in evolving strong leadership skills \ Managing \ Building Thriving Culture
7 年"You are not stuck with the brain you have…you can make it better......" This is such powerful information, such a powerful message and so true. Thanks for the post.