Psychiatrist Identifies the Biggest Mistake Americans Make for Their Brain Health

The brain is essential to maintaining focus, emotional well-being, and longevity, yet many people fail to prioritize its care, according to psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen. In a recent episode of longevity researcher Dan Buettner’s podcast, where Buettner explored how to “hack your brain for a longer life,” Amen identified neglect as the most significant mistake Americans make when it comes to their brain health.

“They don’t think about it. They never really develop a relationship with [their brain],” Amen said. “And it’s arguably the most important relationship you will ever have.”

Amen explained that despite his medical background, he did not focus on brain health until 1991, when he began conducting brain imaging at his clinics. Scanning his own brain revealed poor health. “I was only getting four hours of sleep at night. I was overweight, and I had just never really thought about the physical health of my brain,” he said.

People in a running competition | Source: Pexels

Since then, Amen has changed his lifestyle and dedicated his career to teaching others how to protect their brains. His upcoming book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain, will expand on these insights.

Amen recommends several practices for maintaining brain health, including regular exercise, lifelong learning, consuming omega-3 fatty acids, avoiding sugar and processed foods, and getting adequate sleep. He also advises minimizing alcohol and drug use, avoiding head injuries, and using saunas for detoxification.