Social Connection as a Cognitive Driver

Up to 70% of dementia may be preventable, so why aren’t more people talking about what actually drives cognitive decline? In this episode, I’m with Dr. Tommy Wood, neuroscientist and author of “The Stimulated Mind,” to explore the lifestyle levers that protect your brain across a lifetime. Learn how white matter hyperintensities develop and whether they can reverse, what MCTs and ketones actually do for a glucose-starved brain, and why social connection may be the most underrated variable in cognitive aging. What is the one change you could make today that would most protect your brain tomorrow?

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⏰Timestamps:

00:00 ​Intro of Show

01:52 Elite Athlete’s Brain and Emotional Regulation

06:51 How to Regulate Emotions

11:30 Mindset Impacting Hormonal Responses

15:39 Future-Proofing the Brain

19:42 Brain Development vs. Shrinkage

26:11 Dementia Types, Causes, and Prevention

39:29 Social Isolation Influencing Cognitive Function

50:00 Social Stress’ Drivers

52:34 Non-Negotiable’s to Avoid Dementia Risks

57:42 Seafood Consumption Beneficial for Brain Function

1:03:35 Alcohol and Sleep Impacting the Brain

1:10:16 Is Brain Function Recovery Possible?

1:18:43 Use of Ketones and Glucose for Cognitive Recovery

1:23:09 Power of Mindfulness

1:27:06 Get Dr. Wood’s Book

‼️Disclaimer: The Dr. Gabrielle Lyon Podcast and YouTube are for general information purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast, YouTube, or materials linked from this podcast or YouTube is at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professional for any such conditions.

This episode includes paid sponsorships.