Sharper, Stronger, Smarter: Build a Better Brain at Any Age

Mark Hyman

Jul 7, 2025

Episode description

Not long ago, conditions like Alzheimer’s were rare, but today, nearly one in two people over 80 are diagnosed with it. In contrast, in places like the Amazon, dementia affects only about one in a hundred—highlighting how modern lifestyle plays a major role in brain health. The brain isn’t an isolated organ; it’s deeply influenced by diet, sleep, movement, stress, toxins, and emotional well-being. Many people who once struggled with brain fog, depression, or memory loss have experienced dramatic improvements by healing their bodies—addressing gut health, detoxifying harmful substances, optimizing nutrition, and supporting the brain’s energy systems. With the right tools, including targeted nutrients, lifestyle changes, and even therapies like breathwork or plant medicines, it’s now possible not only to protect the brain from decline but also to enhance clarity, focus, and resilience at any age.

In this episode, I discuss, along with Dr. Daniel Amen and Alberto Villoldo, how the body and brain are intimately connected and how we can think and feel better when we address our overall health first.

Dr. Daniel Amen is a physician, double board-certified psychiatrist, twelve-time NY Times bestselling author, and founder and CEO of Amen Clinics, with 10 US locations. Dr. Amen is the author of many books including the mega-bestseller Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, as well as The End of Mental Illness, Memory Rescue, Healing ADD, and Your Brain Is Always Listening. In March 2022, Tyndale will publish his new book, You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type.  

Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D., is a medical anthropologist, psychologist and shaman, who studied the spiritual practices of the Amazon and the Andes for more than 30 years. While at San Francisco State University, he founded the Biological Self-Regulation Laboratory to study how the mind creates psychosomatic health and disease.  Founder of The Four Winds Society, he instructs individuals throughout the world in the practice of energy medicine. Dr. Villoldo has written numerous bestselling books, including Power Up Your Brain: The Neuroscience of Enlightenment (with David Perlmutter MD), Shaman, Healer, Sage; and WSJ bestseller One Spirit Medicine.  

This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers.

Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use code HYMAN10 to save 10%.

Full-length episodes can be found here:


What Damages Your Brain And How To Reverse ItHow Creating A Healthy Brain Creates A Happy Mind

Episode description

Not long ago, conditions like Alzheimer’s were rare, but today, nearly one in two people over 80 are diagnosed with it. In contrast, in places like the Amazon, dementia affects only about one in a hundred—highlighting how modern lifestyle plays a major role in brain health. The brain isn’t an isolated organ; it’s deeply influenced by diet, sleep, movement, stress, toxins, and emotional well-being. Many people who once struggled with brain fog, depression, or memory loss have experienced dramatic improvements by healing their bodies—addressing gut health, detoxifying harmful substances, optimizing nutrition, and supporting the brain’s energy systems. With the right tools, including targeted nutrients, lifestyle changes, and even therapies like breathwork or plant medicines, it’s now possible not only to protect the brain from decline but also to enhance clarity, focus, and resilience at any age.

In this episode, I discuss, along with Dr. Daniel Amen and Alberto Villoldo, how the body and brain are intimately connected and how we can think and feel better when we address our overall health first.

Dr. Daniel Amen is a physician, double board-certified psychiatrist, twelve-time NY Times bestselling author, and founder and CEO of Amen Clinics, with 10 US locations. Dr. Amen is the author of many books including the mega-bestseller Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, as well as The End of Mental Illness, Memory Rescue, Healing ADD, and Your Brain Is Always Listening. In March 2022, Tyndale will publish his new book, You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type.  

Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D., is a medical anthropologist, psychologist and shaman, who studied the spiritual practices of the Amazon and the Andes for more than 30 years. While at San Francisco State University, he founded the Biological Self-Regulation Laboratory to study how the mind creates psychosomatic health and disease.  Founder of The Four Winds Society, he instructs individuals throughout the world in the practice of energy medicine. Dr. Villoldo has written numerous bestselling books, including Power Up Your Brain: The Neuroscience of Enlightenment (with David Perlmutter MD), Shaman, Healer, Sage; and WSJ bestseller One Spirit Medicine.  

This episode is brought to you by BIOptimizers.

Head to bioptimizers.com/hyman and use code HYMAN10 to save 10%.

Full-length episodes can be found here:


What Damages Your Brain And How To Reverse ItHow Creating A Healthy Brain Creates A Happy Mind

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Understand depression diagnosis to uncover root causes

Diagnosing depression is like diagnosing chest pain; it doesn't identify the root cause, as there are multiple types requiring different treatments.

Recognize pharmaceuticals as a reorder business for brain dependency

The pharmaceutical industry consciously chooses to be in the 'reorder business,' creating medications that change your brain to need them to feel normal.

Clear senescent cells with quercetin and fisetin supplements

You can clear senescent 'zombie' cells, which cause inflammation and aging, using a short protocol of supplements like quercetin and fisetin.

Explore nature's experiment with human longevity through DNA insights

Unlike most species, humans, dolphins, and whales do not have a death program in their DNA, suggesting nature is experimenting with longevity in us.

Reduce sugar intake to combat Alzheimer's as type 3 diabetes

Alzheimer's is now considered a form of diabetes of the brain, largely caused by excessive sugar consumption.

Repair body to restore brain health

You can fix your broken brain by first fixing your body, addressing issues like diet, toxins, and nutrient deficiencies.

Choose saffron as a pro-sexual alternative to antidepressants

The supplement saffron has been shown in multiple controlled trials to be as effective as antidepressants like Prozac, but is pro-sexual instead of anti-sexual.

Beware serotonin depletion from birth control pills

Birth control pills can deplete serotonin, which may lead to anxiety or depression in teenage girls and young women.

Prioritize brain health to enhance mental quality

The quality of your mind, including your thoughts and feelings, is determined by the physical health and function of your brain.

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