“It should be possible to maintain stable cognitive function into your eighth and ninth decades. But we don't really internalize that. We expect decline, and because we expect decline, we're less likely to engage in those things.”
Dr. Tommy Wood is a neuroscientist, Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and author of The Stimulated Mind. With degrees from Cambridge and Oxford, he has published more than 100 scientific papers and lectured worldwide on brain health, metabolism, and human performance. He also serves as a performance consultant to world-class athletes, including Olympians and Formula 1 drivers, and co-founded the British Society for Lifestyle Medicine.
This podcast was created in sponsorship with Toyota. Find a vehicle that makes memorable moments happen, from the 2026 RAV4 and Sienna to the Highlander and Grand Highlander. Plan the trip, pack the trunk, gather your crew, and go places—together. Toyota: People are the destination.
00:00 - What we know about brain biomarkers
03:59 - Dementia risk is modifiable
06:29 - Why you should get your steps in
08:52 - The effect of exercise on the hippocampus
15:05 - Muscle is a brain organ
20:42 - Give your brain the fuel it needs
25:12 - Creatine & brain health
27:22 - The convenience crisis
29:54 - The importance of making mistakes
31:30 - How to stimulate your brain enough
33:31 - Social connection = medicine
35:45 - Tommy’s dream study
38:12 - The optimization trap
Referenced in the episode:
Buy Tommy’s book here: https://a.co/d/0aUGHI9s
Find Tommy on his website: https://www.drtommywood.com/
The Pointer Study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2837046
The Lancet Study: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01296-0/abstract
London Cab Driver Study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.070039597
We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
