Brain on Fire: How Dietary Induced Neuroinflammation Causes Mental Illness, Aggression, Violence and Dementia

Mark Hyman

May 22, 2024

Episode description

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We live in a time with more money, medical interventions, and knowledge than ever before—so why are we getting sicker? While this might seem depressing, there are actually many exciting discoveries changing the future of wellness, like our increased understanding of the microbiome and how it interacts with the brain. This dynamic has profound implications for mental health, reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, and even supporting positive behavior in our children. I’m excited to talk to board-certified internal medicine physician, bestselling author, and published researcher Dr. Austin Perlmutter about all this and more on this episode of the podcast. 

We explore:

  • Why don’t we try to prevent brain dysfunction the same way we do cardiovascular disease and other illnesses?

  • Neuroinflammation and how to modulate it to improve mood, behavior, and neurodegenerative diseases

  • Having an “adult in the room” versus our lizard brain

  • The inundation of Big Food and Big Pharma marketing we’re up against

  • Psychobiotics: The future of probiotics for brain health 

I know you’ll love this conversation as much as I did. I hope you’ll tune in wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, Magnesium Breakthrough, LMNT, and Pique. 

Streamline your lab orders with Rupa Health. Access more than 3,000 specialty lab tests and register for a FREE live demo at RupaHealth.com.

Tackle an overlooked root cause of stress with Magnesium Breakthrough. Visit BIOptimizers.com/Hyman and use code HYMAN10 to save 10%. 

LMNT is giving listeners a FREE eight-count sample pack of their vital electrolyte drink mix with any purchase. Just visit DrinkLMNT.com/Hyman today.

Enjoy Pique's Sun Goddess Matcha. Just head over to piquelife.com/hyman with code HYMAN for 15% off + Right now, get up to 15% off + a complimentary beaker and rechargeable frother.

Episode description

View Show Notes From This Episode

Get Free Weekly Health Tips from Dr. Hyman

Sign Up for Dr. Hyman’s Weekly Longevity Journal

We live in a time with more money, medical interventions, and knowledge than ever before—so why are we getting sicker? While this might seem depressing, there are actually many exciting discoveries changing the future of wellness, like our increased understanding of the microbiome and how it interacts with the brain. This dynamic has profound implications for mental health, reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, and even supporting positive behavior in our children. I’m excited to talk to board-certified internal medicine physician, bestselling author, and published researcher Dr. Austin Perlmutter about all this and more on this episode of the podcast. 

We explore:

  • Why don’t we try to prevent brain dysfunction the same way we do cardiovascular disease and other illnesses?

  • Neuroinflammation and how to modulate it to improve mood, behavior, and neurodegenerative diseases

  • Having an “adult in the room” versus our lizard brain

  • The inundation of Big Food and Big Pharma marketing we’re up against

  • Psychobiotics: The future of probiotics for brain health 

I know you’ll love this conversation as much as I did. I hope you’ll tune in wherever you listen to podcasts!

This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, Magnesium Breakthrough, LMNT, and Pique. 

Streamline your lab orders with Rupa Health. Access more than 3,000 specialty lab tests and register for a FREE live demo at RupaHealth.com.

Tackle an overlooked root cause of stress with Magnesium Breakthrough. Visit BIOptimizers.com/Hyman and use code HYMAN10 to save 10%. 

LMNT is giving listeners a FREE eight-count sample pack of their vital electrolyte drink mix with any purchase. Just visit DrinkLMNT.com/Hyman today.

Enjoy Pique's Sun Goddess Matcha. Just head over to piquelife.com/hyman with code HYMAN for 15% off + Right now, get up to 15% off + a complimentary beaker and rechargeable frother.

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Address neuroinflammation to reduce societal division

Neuroinflammation disrupts communication between the rational prefrontal cortex and the primitive amygdala, leading to increased societal polarization, aggression, and violence.

Address chronic sickness behavior triggered by modern life

The depressed, socially withdrawn state known as 'sickness behavior' may be chronically activated by inflammatory aspects of modern life, not just acute illness.

Reduce maternal inflammation to lower ADHD risk in children

A mother's inflammation during pregnancy, known as maternal immune activation, can increase her child's risk of developing ADHD by 40% ten years later.

Understand microglia's role in brain health and neuroinflammation

The brain contains billions of its own immune cells called microglia, which are the master orchestrators of neuroinflammation and brain health.

Leverage vagus nerve to enhance mental state through gut health

The vagus nerve acts as a superhighway for communication, with most signals traveling from the gut to the brain, influencing your mental state from the bottom up.

Reduce junk food to lower bullying risk

A study of over 13,000 adolescents found that increased junk food consumption was associated with a 55% higher odds of bullying others.

Utilize Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Sprout Powder for immune support

Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat Sprout Powder is a food product specifically developed to be a potent source of polyphenols that modulate inflammation and the immune system.

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