Change Your Brain Every Day
Dr Daniel & Tana Amen
New York Times bestselling authors, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are your personal Brain Warrior Guides to help you win the war for your health and defeat anxiety, depression, memory loss, ADHD, addictions, disease, and obesity. Learn how you can take control of your brain and body for the rest of your life.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 8min
Brain Health Revolution: How Two Women are Changing Their Lives and the World One Brain at a Time
In this powerful episode, Dr. Daniel Amen sits down with two inspiring brain health coaches whose personal journeys prove that healing the brain can transform your life. From inherited trauma and destructive choices to purpose, peace, and passion—they discovered how understanding the brain was the key to lasting change. Now these Amen University brain health coaches on a mission to help others move from emotional pain to resilience, and from scattered focus to extraordinary success. You'll hear brain health strategies anyone can use, along with real stories of people who've overcome ADHD, depression, traumatic brain injuries, and more—and are now sharing the message of hope and healing around the world. 00:00 Intro 01:03 Sponsor 01:25 Barbara's Story 05:32 Laura's Story 10:56 Elite Brain Health Training 12:20 Why We Need a Revolution 14:25 Katie's Brain Health Discovery 17:35 You Need to Care About Your Brain 19:14 The Aftermath of Tragedy 23:00 Different Expressions of the Same Lifestyle 26:03 The Amen Whole 4 Blueprint 28:44 Galileo's Psychiatrist 30:55 Winning Over Skepticism 34:17 Creating Brain Health Leaders 36:04 The Younger Generation of 44:27 New Studies on Hope 45:55 Spreading the Message 54:46 First Steps for Aspiring Brain Health Leaders 1:06:39 Sponsor 1:07:22 Wrap Up For more on becoming a voice in the Brain Health Revolution, visit www.amenuniversity.com
Jun 23, 2025 • 30min
Intimacy Anorexia: Are You Starving Your Relationship?
What if the pain in your marriage isn't from fights, cheating, or resentment—but from a hidden condition you've never heard of? In this powerful episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen sit down with renowned sex therapist Dr. Doug Weiss to explore Intimacy Anorexia—a silent relationship killer that affects more couples than you might think. Discover the subtle signs, the root causes (including trauma and neglect), and how healing is possible. If you feel more like roommates than soulmates, don't miss this provocative conversation. 00:00 Intro 01:07 Sponsor 03:37 Intimacy Anorexia in Relationships 05:55 How Pain Manifests in Relationships 09:28 Married & Alone 11:31 Research on Relationship Traumas 13:30 Narcissism: Paying the Bill 16:22 Paradigm for Change 18:32 Origins of Intimacy Anorexics 21:45 Neglect & Spirituality 23:31 Clues to Intimacy Anorexia 25:15 Examining Gender Differences 28:40 Sponsor 29:40 Wrap Up Dr. Weiss' new book, Forgiveness for Everyone: https://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Everyone-Dr-Doug-Weiss/dp/1881292592
Jun 16, 2025 • 40min
Affairs, Porn, and Pain: The Unsexy Truth About Sex Addiction
Sex addiction isn't just about bad behavior—it's destroying relationships, hijacking brains, and feeding a cycle of guilt and secrecy. In this powerful episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen sit down with leading expert Dr. Doug Weiss to expose what's really driving unhealthy sexual behavior—from childhood trauma to modern porn culture. Discover the six types of sex addicts, how to know if you or someone you love is in trouble, and what real recovery looks like. Whether you're struggling, in a relationship with a sex addict, or just want to understand the growing crisis no one talks about—this conversation is for you. 00:00 Intro 01:27 Sponsor 01:50 Doug Weiss 05:27 What is Sexual Addiction? 07:27 The Evolution of Sexual Addiction 09:59 The Arousal Template 13:37 The Battle for Sexuality 15:22 The 6 Types of Addicts 18:04 The Effects of Sexual Trauma 21:29 Recovery 25:40 Help for the Partners 27:41 Bordeline Personality Disorder 31:27 Finding Support 33:28 Infidelity vs Sexual Addiction 35:26 Intimacy Anorexia 28:12 More About Dr. Weiss 39:13 Sponsor 40:01 Wrap Up drdougweiss.com sexaddict.com Dr. Weiss' new book, Forgiveness for Everyone: https://www.amazon.com/Forgiveness-Everyone-Dr-Doug-Weiss/dp/1881292592
Jun 9, 2025 • 57min
Tarek El Moussa: The Painful Secrets Behind His Wild Success
"Flip or Flop" star Tarek El Moussa seemed to have it all—hit TV shows, fame, fortune—but behind the scenes, his life was falling apart. In this deeply revealing episode, Tarek opens up to Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen about the hidden brain struggles that shaped his life: birth trauma, multiple mental health diagnoses, alcoholism, cancer, toxic self-talk, and a near breakdown at the height of his career. After a revealing brain scan and emotional conversation, he begins to understand why he's struggled for so long—and what he can do to finally heal. This is a relatable story of turning pain into passion and rebuilding from within. 00:00 Intro 00:44 Sponsor 01:08 Chance Encounter 05:45 Why I Am the Way I Am 08:13 Your Brain is Hurt 13:23 Coming Off of Meds 16:09 Turning Pain into Fuel 18:03 The Birth of the "Flip" Empire 24:04 The Brain's Rejection of Success 26:06 The Last Day as a Family 31:46 Self-Medication 34:32 Tarek's Brain SPECT Scan (Surface) 36:30 Neuropsychological Testing 42:04 Mental Hygiene 48:48 Parents/Self-Talk 51:33 The Plan 57:48 Sponsor 58:36 Wrap Up
Jun 4, 2025 • 46min
Heather Rae El Moussa: On Her Hormones Battle, Past Trauma and Hashimotos Disease
Heather Rae El Moussa has spent years in the public eye—becoming a star on Selling Sunset and launching a successful beauty brand. But after giving birth to her son, Heather faced a new set of challenges: crashing energy, mood swings, and a worsening thyroid condition that left her feeling like she was dying. In this deeply personal episode, Heather joins Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen to share how motherhood reshaped her body, brain, and priorities. She opens up about being diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, the toll stress and hormones took on her mental health, and why she turned to brain imaging to understand what was really going on inside. Find out what her brain reveals and what she's doing to stay sharp, centered, and thriving. If you've ever felt off after a major life shift, this episode is a must-listen. 00:00 Intro 00:44 Sponsor 01:08 Chance Encounter 05:45 Why I Am the Way I Am 08:13 Your Brain is Hurt 13:23 Coming Off of Meds 16:09 Turning Pain into Fuel 18:03 The Birth of the "Flip" Empire 24:04 The Brain's Rejection of Success 26:06 The Last Day as a Family 31:46 Self-Medication 34:32 Tarek's Brain SPECT Scan (Surface) 36:30 Neuropsychological Testing 42:04 Mental Hygiene 48:48 Parents/Self-Talk 51:33 The Plan 57:48 Sponsor 58:36 Wrap Up
May 12, 2025 • 56min
Todd Herman: How to Become the Hero Inside You
What if the key to becoming your best self… is already inside you—waiting to be activated? In this inspiring episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen talk with performance coach and bestselling author Todd Herman about the proven mental strategies used by Olympic athletes, Super Bowl champions, and top executives to crush self-doubt and perform at the highest level. Drawing on decades of coaching experience and insights from his bestselling book The Alter Ego Effect, Todd shares how stepping into a powerful identity—like Kobe Bryant's "Black Mamba" or Beyoncé's "Sasha Fierce"—can help you overcome fear, unlock confidence, and tap into your hidden strengths. Whether you're chasing a big goal or trying to heal from past pain, this episode will show you how to bridge the gap between who you are and who you need to be. 00:00 Intro 00:45 Sponsor 02:11 The Alter Ego Effect 04:37 Origin Story 09:09 Olympic Redemption 12:30 Creating an Alter Ego 17:57 Death of a Persona 22:17 The 5 Steps to Create an Alter Ego 26:12 Positive vs Negative Motivation 31:05 Defining the Conditions 41:57 The Uniform 45:30 Todd's Work 54:38 Sponsor 55:52 Wrap Up For more on Todd's work: https://alteregoeffect.com
May 5, 2025 • 28min
Stronger, Sharper, Longer: The Brain-Boosting Power of Muscle
Strength isn't just for looks—it's protection for your brain, body, and longevity. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen reveal why building muscle is one of the best ways to prevent dementia, depression, and frailty. Learn how strength training boosts memory, mood, and focus—and why it's your body's insurance policy against life's unexpected setbacks. Tana shares her personal story of trauma and healing through fitness, and the science behind real brain-healthy enhancers like creatine, protein, and sleep. Whether you're recovering from injury or just want to stay sharp, this episode will inspire you to get stronger—inside and out. 00:00 Intro 01:10 The Connection Between the Physical Strength & the Brain 03:56 Clearing the Cobwebs 06:31 What Robs Your Strength? 08:21 Strength Enhancing Fakers 13:38 Healthy Ways to Build Strength 14:06 Sponsor 14:46 Diet & Lifestyle 16:37 Creatine 23:01 Brain & Body Reserve 27:07 Wrap Up Smart Creatine, Brain T-Max, and other brain-healthy supplements: https://brainmd.com
Apr 28, 2025 • 37min
Low Moods, Dark Thoughts? Why Your Brain Needs More Than a Pill
Feeling stuck in low moods, negativity, or the never-ending "blahs"? It's not just in your head—it's in your brain. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen expose the hidden biological, psychological, social, and spiritual mood stealers that quietly hijack your happiness. Tana opens up about how a cancer diagnosis—and the wrong antidepressant—sent her spiraling into darkness, and the life-saving strategies that helped her fight her way back. Plus, find out how an everyday spice—saffron—could work as well as antidepressant medication, backed by decades of research. 00:00 Intro 00:57 Mood is a Brain Function 02:45 Your Physical Brain Function Affects Your Mood 05:48 The Physical Causes of Mood Disorders 09:00 Taking the Wrong Medication 11:50 Psychological/Social/Spiritual Factors 13:46 Mood Robbers 17:49 Sponsor 18:30 Mood Enhancing Fakers 24:53 Saffron 31:53 TMG/SAMe 35:16 Wrap Up https://brainmd.com
Apr 21, 2025 • 33min
Energy Robbers, Fakers & Enhancers: What's Fueling Your Fatigue?
If you're tired of being tired, this episode is for you. Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen break down the three biggest categories that affect your energy: what steals it, what fakes it, and what truly enhances it. From toxic people (known as "energy vampires") to tech overload, caffeine crashes to clean supplements, you'll learn what's draining your spark and the best ways to boost lasting energy—without burning out. 00:00 Intro 00:58 Energy Robbers, Fakers, & Enhancers 03:11 Uncontrolled Thoughts 04:29 Energy Vampires 07:43 Poor Sleep Habits 10:00 Processed Foods & Sugar 13:43 Decision Fatigue 16:09 Sponsor 16:56 Caffeine 18:57 Adrenaline Addiction 19:51 Social Media 20:08 Breakfast/Nutrition 25:08 Sunlight/Movement 25:39 Cold Plunges/Boundaries 27:05 Peak Energy 32:28 Wrap Up Peak Energy and other brain-healthy supplements: https://brainmd.com
Apr 14, 2025 • 47min
Dave Asprey: Meditation Power, Dopamine Reset & the Truth About Triggers
In this mind-expanding episode, Dr. Daniel Amen sits down with biohacker and Heavily Meditated author Dave Asprey to explore how meditation—and a few unexpected brain hacks—can rewire your nervous system in real time. You'll learn Dave's go-to "reset process" to calm your brain and body within seconds of being triggered, why most relationship conflicts have nothing to do with your partner, and the two emotional concepts adults dread most. Plus, discover a rapid-fire breathing technique to instantly destress, a controversial one-minute trick to reset your dopamine, and how intimacy can become one of the most transformative meditations of all. https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/ 00:00 Intro 00:38 Sponsor 02:03 The Father of Biohacking 05:08 Training Your Brain for Meditation 07:40 Our Inner States Don't Have Words 10:40 Managing Alerts 12:21 What Meditation Does to the Brain 14:06 The Reset Process 19:19 Compassion 22:24 Joe Rogan Incident 24:52 Building Resilience 27:36 Connections/Removing Friction 32:08 Creating a Meditation Practice 33:47 Breathwork 36:18 Entrainment Methods 38:40 Gaining Control Over Your Nervous System 42:48 Conscious Loving Intimacy 45:21 Sponsor 46:35 Wrap Up


