Change Your Brain Every Day

As a relational species, we are often inspired to step in and get involved in the lives of friends and family members who may be experiencing difficulties. However, there often comes a time where the physical and emotional costs cause us to question if our involvement is truly in our own best interest. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen reflect on their personal rewards from helping out a family member.

Did you know that the types of thoughts you have can cause a physiological reaction in your body? That's why it's crucial to banish those Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs) when they infest your mind. With the help of Captain Snout, the title character from Dr. Daniel Amen's new children's book, children and adults alike can ask themselves the "Superpower Questions" to stop negative thinking.

One of our most persistent enemies in life is the recurrence of automatic negative thoughts that infiltrate our minds, causing insecurity, anxiety, and doubt. In anticipation of Dr. Daniel Amen's newest children's book, Captain Snout and the Superpower Questions, he and Tana discuss the cognitive behavior therapy involved in getting those toxic thoughts out of your head.

Amen Clinics recently published the largest functional brain imaging study to date, examining the differences between the brains of men and women. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss the gender differences in how our brains are wired.

In the same way that sugar can go by many different names, so too is red dye. Because it is identified in so many different ways, it can be difficult to locate on the list of ingredients. Studies have shown that red dye can be very detrimental to your health. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana discuss this deadly ingredient and teach you how to find it in the items on your shopping list.

It goes by many names and comes in many forms and disguises, but no matter how you look at it, sugar is one of the biggest enemies of a healthy diet. It can cause inflammation in you system, and even lead to major diseases such as Diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen teach you how to identify the many faces of sugar in your own diet.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, the Dr. Amen and Tana shares their biggest takeaways from Tony Robbins "Unleash the Power Within" event.

A recent study on football players at various levels of competition found a high incidence of CTE brain damage among collegiate and professional athletes. In this episodes of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss their thoughts on the study, and what that means for young athletes and their parents.

In health circles, the topic of coffee can be controversial. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss how coffee can be both beneficial and detrimental to your health. By understanding how it affects the brain and body, coffee drinkers can be better informed to make the correct choices in how and when they drink their coffee.

A recent study was published on the accuracy of soldiers at the firing range based on the amount of sleep they had gotten the previous night. The surprising results indicate just how crucial it is to get enough sleep at night. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss ways to improve the quality of your sleep, so you can function better during the day.

Mental health issues among college students are on the rise, and often times these problems have roots in the parenting techniques applied during upbringing. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen highlight some of the issues a parent faces when trying to adequately prepare their son or daughter for their eventual path to independence, including overprotection, supervision, culture shock, being in-touch with the current culture, and the role that the rate of brain development plays

Treating depression is often the same as treating any other physical disease that manifests in the body, and therefore there should be no shame in recognizing the symptoms and getting the help you need. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss a "stepladder" approach to treating depression, which consists of trying the easiest, safest, and most accessible methods first, then working up to the more involved methods if those don't work.

In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen dive into the many toxins (which we may or may not know about) that are finding their way into our body. However, they also discuss the many ways to detox and get those toxins out of the body.

Dealing with grief is among the most difficult of all human experiences. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss the pitfalls that can accompany grief, such as isolation, using problematic comforts (like alcohol and sugar), or using your grief as an excuse to hurt yourself. They also discuss several ways that can make the grieving experience more tolerable.

In the final episode with Quest Nutrition co-founder Tom Bilyeu, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen dig into the topic of new learning. Success leaves clues, and therefore your role models and peers can often rub off on you in either a positive or negative way. Learn how to identify which is which, and how basing your self-esteem on the concept of you as a "learner" may help you evoke major positive changes in your life.

Certain skills may come easier to some than others, but no one learns anything without putting in some level of effort into execution. Quest Nutrition co-founder Tom Bilyeu, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss how leading with belief, adaptation, and killing those automatic negative thoughts can lead to success in business and in life.

It's easy to underestimate the role the brain plays in shaping our perception of circumstance. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by Quest Nutrition co-founder Tom Bilyeu, for a discussion on mission-based businesses and why it's important to know what you're fighting for.

Turning your life around is often an uphill battle, where the defeats seem to always outnumber the victories. It's important to remember, however, that losing the battle isn't the same as losing the war, and that next breakthrough may be just around the corner. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen share a personal story of family struggle, and how even the darkest days ultimately yielded light at the end of the tunnel.

Achieving fame and fortune and the lifestyle that comes with it doesn't necessarily make one immune to problems with mental health. In fact, many of the world's most high-profile role models, from Katy Perry to Selena Gomez, have made their personal struggles public. It is this vulnerability that demonstrates just how alike we all are, and reminds us just how important it is to have empathy for those that are in need.

In part 2 of a discussion on violence and the brain, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen dig deeper into the 4 circles that influence a person's behavior: psychological, biological, spiritual, and social. A significant lack in any of these circles can play a major role in inducing violent behavior, as seen in people such as former MMA fighter War Machine and Colorado shooter James Holmes.

With violent headlines continuing to dominate the media, it's important to look for root causes in dangerous individuals. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen take a look into the 4 circles that influence a person's behavior: psychological, biological, social, and spiritual.

Our habits are a result of our conditioning. When we slip up and do things we know may not be good for us, it's easy to blame ourselves and give up, thus continuing the cycle. Luckily, there are effective and realistic ways to address these bad habits and pave the way for positive change. In the last episode of a series with Andy Ramage, he discusses these methods with Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen continue their discussion with 'One Year No Beer' founder Andy Ramage. Andy discusses the effects of alcohol, particularly as they relate to such subjects as hangovers, sports injuries, anxiety, weight loss, and motivation.

In today's society, it seems like there is no escaping the social pressures of drinking alcohol. But cutting drinking from your daily life, it can play a major role in increasing performance and energy. In this episode of the Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by founder of 'One Year No Beer', Andy Ramage, who changed his life via a unique personal challenge.

In this special episode of the Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen take a fun look at the neuroscience behind some of the ghost stories in American folklore and mythology. Tales of vampires, zombies, and voodoo dolls have become deeply embedded in our culture, populating our books, movies, and TV shows. It's all fiction, or course, but the real-life origins behind these legends just might surprise you.

In this episode of the Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen dig into the mailbag to address some messages from our listeners. A common thread among Brain Warriors is the notion of transformation from a place of pain to one of purpose, gaining mastery over both brain and body. Other topics include nutrition, social isolation, spirituality, and your body as a temple.

Rachele Brooke Smith went from being a fearful and anxious child to acting in movies alongside actors, Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. In this episode of the podcast, Rachele reveals how stress management tools such as meditation, visualization, and "disruptive gratitude" helped her work out her brain and create miracles in her life.

Often times it is our own limiting beliefs that hold us back in life. In this episode of the Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana are joined by actress, Rachele Brooke Smith, founder of "The Disruptive Movement". Rachele discusses how she went from a fearful, anxious child to landing the lead role in a major Hollywood film, all by using visualization to see past her limiting beliefs.

Executive Director of The International Hyperbarics Association, Shannon Kenitz discusses with Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana the role that SPECT imaging plays in hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Shannon shares her story of how SPECT scan analysis allowed her to see the progress in her daughter's brain, allowing her to heal.

Doctors told Shannon Kenitz to try to make her child Grace comfortable in what would have been her final days, but Shannon wasn't going to let a serious disease end her daughter's life. Through Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments, not only did Grace survive, but she regained her sight, learned to walk, and got control over motor functions. Grace went from being written off as another tragic disease to attending prom and walking in her graduation.

When Shannon Kenitz' daughter Grace was first taken to the hospital at 3 months old, she would never have guessed that she wouldn't leave the hospital until she was 3 years old. When Grace was then diagnosed with Mitochondrial disease, the doctors told Shannon her best course of action was to make Grace comfortable and let her go. What happened next was unbelievable, heart-wrenching, and ultimately triumphant.

When it comes to autism treatment, acceptance is not a strategy. Neither is guilt. A sense of community, however, can be a major asset for families with autism. In the last installment of this series with Lisa Ackerman, founder of TACA (Talk About Curing Autism), Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen talk with Lisa about what may be the biggest resource of all for those treating autism: other people. TACA provides an abundance of helpful resources for these families, such as putting them in touch with a local chapter for help in facing their special challenges.

When you see a kid with autism, you've seen ONE kid with autism. Unfortunately, autism is not one thing, and you can't treat every brain the same. Fortunately, there are ways to scan the brain to determine the type of autism your child has, so you can treat them using appropriate methods. In part two of a series with Lisa Ackerman, founder of TACA (Talk About Curing Autism), hosts Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss the role SPECT imaging plays in autism treatment.

There may be 100 ways to autism, but with the right strategy, there are just as many ways to make vast improvements in the life of your autistic child. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by Lisa Ackerman, the founder of TACA (Talk About Curing Autism). Lisa shares stories of her personal journey in finding avenues for positive change for her autistic son, Jeff.

In part 3 of a discussion on music with Grammy Award winning producer Barry Goldstein, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen focus on the healing power of music. This episode will give insight into how musical nourishment can change the lives of stroke victims, people who struggle with Aphasia, and even those with Alzheimer's Disease. You will also learn about autobiographical songs, and how to take a "5 minute musical vacation" to travel the world.

In the second installment of our series with Grammy Award winning producer Barry Goldstein, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen continue the discussion on the benefits of music. Learn how the power of rhythm can decrease inflammation, how pop songs can help people with ADD, and why you should create your own personal playlists to connect to any mood you want.

Music can tell stories, increase brain power, and even influence our mood. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by Grammy Award winning producer Barry Goldstein to talk about all things music. Goldstein, also the author of the bestselling book "The Secret Language Of The Heart", provides scientific research to illustrate how what we hear can affect how we feel.

In this special edition, double length episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by the former first lady of California, Maria Shriver. After losing her father to Alzheimer's, Maria founded The Women's Alzheimer's Movement to help in research and awareness of this devastating disease. In this discussion, Dr. Daniel Amen, Tana, and Maria touch on the risk factors for Alzheimer's and what you can do to prevent it in your family. Maria also talks about Move For Minds, a special Alzheimer's benefit event held in eight cities across the country.

For many of us, panic attacks can strike at the most inopportune times. Fortunately, there are coping mechanisms you can employ to keep your anxiety at bay. In this episode of the Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen dive into the topic of anxiety to give you tips for dealing with that overwhelming feeling of stress that can occur during a panic attack.

In this episode of the Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen have a discussion on a topic that has been very personal for Tana: Depression. Learn the many causes and risk factors for depression, the 7 different types of depression, and natural methods a Brain Warrior can use to attack depression.

Not all marijuana use is recreational. Many people use marijuana purely for its medicinal effects. But are there healthier alternatives? Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana discuss many of the options available for those who believe medicinal marijuana is the only way to cope with their afflictions.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana discuss the controversial issue of marijuana. Both sides of the issue have strong proponents who argue passionately to defend their stance, but what do the actual brain scans say? The results may surprise you.

In the last episode of this sports-centric discussion with former football star Anthony Davis, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana dive into the subject of social influence, and the impact it has on young athletes and impressionable youth. Anthony Davis shares his backstory, and how relied on discipline, focus, and teamwork to make the right decisions necessary to rise from less than ideal circumstances.

In part 3 of the Brain Warrior's Way Podcast series with NFL and USC football star Anthony Davis, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana interview Davis, now 30 years removed from his professional playing days, to discuss how a post–football lifestyle can either powerfully influence positive brain health, or, as in the sad stories of many former teammates, can take its tragic toll.

In Part 2 of an interview with former NFL and USC football star, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana discuss growing up with sports, and how choices made on the field can affect all aspects of life down the road. Learn which sports are the worst for your children's health, as well as which ones could actually help them live longer.

Today on the Brain Warrior's Way podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana interview guest Anthony Davis, also known as A.D., also known as the legendary 'Notre Dame Killer,' who scored a combined 10 touchdowns in the 1972 and 1974 games against the Irish and was runner-up in the '74 Heisman vote. They discuss his struggles with brain fog, memory issues and overall health.

In the last installment of a series on sex and relationships, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana are joined by Dr. Emily Morse to talk about what you can do if ADD is causing problems in the bedroom.

In part 3 of an interview with Dr. Emily Morse, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana continue their discussion on intimacy. Learn how anxiety, blood flow, and overall health may be sabotaging your sex life, and what you can do about it.

Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana talk with Dr. Emily Morse about the common intimacy problems that can occur with long term couples. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, learn ways to avoid these relationship issues and keep the "novelty of the new" in your sex life.

Dr. Emily Morse is the host of "Sex with Emily," a live radio show and top downloaded podcast on iTunes. Morse has appeared as a guest expert on countless radio and television shows, as well as been featured in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle for her expertise in sex and relationships. Emily's first book Hot Sex: Over 200 Things You Can Try Tonight was released in October 2011. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana talk with Emily about how to prioritize intimacy, and how "communication is lubrication".