TEDxOrangeCoast - Daniel Amen - Change Your Brain, Change Your Life

Innovation relies on the brain's physical health, influencing thoughts, feelings, actions, and social interactions. At Amen Clinics, extensive research involving over 63,000 brain scans reveals that the brain governs judgment and creativity; when it functions well, so do we. SPECT imaging helps identify areas of optimal activity versus those with too little or excessive function to achieve balance. A healthy scan displays symmetrical activity while an alcoholic scan shows detrimental effects from alcohol consumption on cognitive function.

A healthy brain leads to happiness, health, wealth, wisdom, creativity, and innovation. Conversely, an unhealthy brain—due to injury or poor lifestyle choices—results in sadness and sickness while diminishing intelligence and flexibility. This rigidity stifles innovative thinking.

The human brain is the most complex organ, containing approximately 100 billion nerve cells with up to 10,000 connections each. This results in more neural connections than stars in the universe. Information travels at speeds of about 268 miles per hour within it and despite being only 2% of body weight, it consumes a significant portion (20-30%) of daily calories. On average, individuals lose around 85,000 brain cells daily; however, behaviors can influence the aging process positively or negatively.

Protecting Brain Health: Key Threats to Avoid Brain health significantly impacts innovation and overall well-being. Injuries, obesity, substance abuse, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, environmental toxins and negative thoughts can harm brain function. Studies show that as weight increases the size of the brain decreases; thus maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for cognitive health. Positive social connections enhance longevity while new learning fosters neural growth. Diet plays a vital role in mental clarity—poor nutrition correlates with various psychological disorders.

Enhancing Cognitive Function: Strategies for Improvement To support optimal brain function engage in positive relationships and continuous learning which foster resilience against cognitive decline. A balanced diet acts as medicine or poison affecting mood and cognition directly linked to sleep quality—a critical factor often neglected today due to lifestyle changes leading to increased cravings and potential obesity risks over time. Managing anxiety through awareness rather than avoidance promotes better decision-making regarding personal health choices; practicing gratitude has been shown more effective than medication for enhancing happiness levels.

Three brain scans of 60-year-olds illustrate stark differences: one shows Alzheimer's disease, another reveals the effects of obesity and sleep apnea detrimental to cognitive function, while the third represents a healthy brain. The contrast highlights the importance of maintaining brain health for optimal functioning.

Brain imaging reveals the impact of lifestyle choices on brain health, leading to personal insights and motivation for improvement. After scanning his own brain in 1991, he recognized detrimental habits like poor sleep and chronic stress that contributed to its condition. By making healthier decisions over time, significant improvements can be seen within months due to the brain's plasticity. This newfound awareness extends beyond personal health; it influences parenting decisions regarding activities like tackle football based on understanding when brains fully develop—around age 25 or later—and emphasizes vigilance against environmental toxins.

Creating a brain-smart world involves enhancing individual potential across various sectors, including schools, churches, businesses, and communities. The Amen Clinics focus on improving mental health through targeted programs. A notable success story is Andy's transformation; ten years ago at age 53 his brain scans showed significant issues. After committing to a comprehensive brain health program over the decade, his latest scans reveal remarkable improvement.

While attending a large church, frustration arose from the abundance of unhealthy food options like donuts and hot dogs. This irritation peaked during the minister's talk about an ice cream festival, leading to humorous thoughts about how these indulgences might be sending people 'to heaven early.' Despite being in church, focus shifted towards writing down concerns instead of listening to the sermon. Two weeks later, an unexpected call from Rick Warren offered a chance for collaboration on promoting health within his congregation.

The Daniel Plan is a health initiative launched at Saddleback Church, engaging 30,000 members with nearly 15,000 participating in research. The program emphasizes group support for wellness and has already led to significant weight loss among participants while improving various health metrics like energy levels and mood. There’s an urgent need to reform food quality not just in churches but also schools and hospitals; poor nutrition contributes to behavioral issues in children. Studies show that eliminating unhealthy foods can drastically reduce symptoms of attention problems within months. A call for collective action aims to foster a brain-healthy society.