In this week's episode of Change Your Brain Every Day, Dr. Amen sits down to evaluate actor Paul Wesley. Paul discusses his childhood, start in acting, goals for his mental health and happiness

00:00 Intro

01:47 Sponsor

02:57 Paul

05:24 Growing Up In New Jersey

08:18 Acting in New York City

15:03 Intention/The 18/40/60 Rule

20:30 The Four Circles

22:19 Head Trauma

27:05 Paul's SPECT Brain Scans

31:02 Dr. Amen's Recommendations

34:13 Turn Bad Days into Good Data

35:19 Sponsor

36:44 Wrap Up

Do you struggle to stick to your goals and feel discouraged when you fall short? It's time to change the way you set and achieve your aspirations. In this empowering episode, Dr. Amen and Tana Amen introduce you to the life-changing One Page Miracle, a simple yet powerful tool to clarify your vision, identify your purpose, and stay on track. Learn how to align your daily decisions with your goals to create the life you truly want—one step at a time.

00:00 Intro

00:41 The Starting Point

03:17 The Prefrontal Cortex

06:31 The One Page Miracle

08:40 Intention in Relationships

15:14 Sponsor

15:37 Intention at Work

20:48 Intention with Money

22:41 Intention with Physical Health

24:30 Does it Fit?

26:57 Intention with Emotional Well-being

27:35 Intention with Spirituality

28:46 Wrap Up

If you want a better body, it starts by getting a better brain. Discover the secrets to enhanced physical health and mental well-being in the second episode of this two-part series. Dr. Amen and Tana dive into the "MINDS" risk factors behind mood struggles, focus problems, weight issues, diabetes, and other physical health issues. Revealing some of their own personal struggles, they guide you to simple solutions to brighten your moods, enhance mental clarity, and bolster physical well-being.

00:00 Intro

00:51 Brain Health Risk Factors

01:38 M is for Mindstorms/Mental Health

08:20 I is for Immunity/Infections

14:37 Sponsor

15:55 N is for Neurohormones

20:28 D is for Diabesity

25:09 S is for Sleep

26:36 The One Thing to Do

28:20 Supplementation

33:26 Wrap Up

Discover how to transform your brain and body in 2025! In the first episode of this two-part series, Dr. Amen and Tana dive into the BRIGHT risk factors behind memory loss, mental health struggles, and physical health issues. Through personal stories and science-backed strategies, they'll show you how to prevent or overcome these risks for a healthier, happier future.

00:00 Intro

00:44 The Foundation of Brain Health

03:13 B is for Blood Flow

09:08 R is for Retirement & Aging

12:20 I is for Inflammation

16:02 Sponsor

17:17 G is for Genetics

21:48 H is for Head Trauma

27:31 T is for Toxins

32:52 BRIGHT Strategies

34:55 Wrap Up

Elizabeth Smart shares her powerful journey after being kidnapped at age 14 in 2002, revealing how she turned unimaginable adversity into hope and posttraumatic growth. Join Dr. Amen and Elizabeth as they review her brain scans and discuss the brain's response to trauma, the resilience factors that foster growth, and the actionable steps you can take to heal and thrive after life's toughest challenges.

00:00 Intro

01:30 Sponsor

02:38 Elizabeth

05:39 Before the Kidnapping

07:07 The Kidnapping

13:18 The First Days

19:46 The Kidnappers

32:25 Mental State During Captivity

39:10 Rescue

53:15 The Aftermath/Panic Attacks

58:45 Processing the Trauma

1:04:24 Post-Traumatic Growth

1:09:50 The 4 Circles/BRIGHT MINDS Risk Factors

1:16:00 Elizabeth's SPECT Brain Scans

1:23:12 Final Impressions

1:24:36 Sponsor

1:26:02 Wrap Up

Psilocybin—the active compound in magic mushrooms—is being hailed as a game-changer for mental health. But what's the truth behind the buzz? In this must-see episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen share brain imaging insights, discuss the potential benefits for depression, and raise important questions about safety and long-term risks. Is this psychedelic drug the breakthrough people hope for—or another psychiatric misstep?

00:00 Intro

00:43 Psilocybin

05:00 Why Take Mushrooms?

8:44 Transcendental Experiences

11:15 The Negative Effects of Psilocybin

15:06 Sponsor

16:20 The Neuropsychological Effects of Nicotine

21:19 What are the Drawbacks?

23:23 Second Hand Smoke

27:33 Quitting Smoking

29:09 Wrap Up

Cannabis is often hailed as a natural remedy for stress, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and chronic pain. But is it the miracle cure it's made out to be? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Amen and Tana Amen reveal the darker side of marijuana no one's talking about. Discover what SPECT scans show about its effects on brain health, mental well-being, and mood regulation—and learn why it's important to know the full story before you decide if it's right for you.

00:00 Intro

00:48 Cannabis

02:03 Why Do People Use?

10:41 Sponsor

12:00 The Trouble with Marijuana

18:48 The Psychological Consequences

22:53 The Risk Factors Associated with Cannabis

24:42 Taking Action

25:16 Dr. Amen's 12 Steps

28:11 Your Why

29:31 Supplements

31:20 Habit Replacement

36:30 Wrap Up

You lied to me! Dr. Daniel and Tana Amen introduce a new miniseries of podcasts with a focus on misinformation. In this episode, the Amens discuss some of the truths (and misconceptions) of alcohol, including how it affects the brain.

00:00 Intro

00:40 You Lied to Me

02:53 Society Programming

8:46 Alcohol

11:10 Why Do People Drink?

14:19 Sponsor

14:42 How Alcohol Works

22:36 The Social Factor

25:37 Spiritual Connection

26:23 What's the Trouble with Alcohol?

34:26 Alcohol Risk Factors

40:13 Alcohol Effects in SPECT Scans

42:08 Wrap Up

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain shares the deeply personal story of how he survived a deadly fire at his Catholic school that claimed the lives of 93 classmates and three nuns—a trauma that left an indelible mark on his life and, as Dr. Amen explains, his brain.

00:00 Intro

01:50 Sponsor

03:10 Jonathan's Journey/Goals

06:35 Jonathan's History

08:03 Chicago Fire Tragedy

21:32 BRIGHT MINDS Risk Factors

24:39 Head Trauma

27:27 Mold Exposure

28:45 BRIGHT MINDS Continued

30:11 SPECT Scan Analysis (Surface)

37:16 SPECT Scan Analysis (Active)

39:23 The Plan

42:17 Bad Days, Good Data

44:45 Sponsor

46:12 Wrap Up

In this week's episode, the Amens discuss the impact of childhood trauma on the brain and how it can set the stage for long-term physical and mental health problems. Tana also shares deeply personal insights into her own traumatic upbringing and healing journey.

00:00 Intro

00:42 Overcoming the Lasting Impact of Childhood Trauma

01:48 ACES Study

03:56 The ACES Questionairre

09:44 Overcoming Trauma

11:44 EMDR

16:45 ACES/SPECT Study

19:09 Sponsor

19:32 Face Recognition Study

20:45 Trauma and the 4 Circles

25:58 The Most Important Lessons from Trauma

29:19 Post-Traumatic Growth

30:06 Comparing Traumas

31:51 Resources/Wrap Up

EMDR International Association:

https://www.emdria.org