In this episode of Get the STUCK Out, Dr. Will Bulsiewicz (Dr. B) explores the role of gut health on diseases like autoimmunity, allergy cancer and inflammation. We talk about the best diets to support gut health, and how the microbiome shapes us. We compare different diets (e.g keto and more plant based) for their effects on health and talk actionable strategies to improve gut health.

You can find out more about Dr. B's new book on his website, theplantfedgut.com.

For more tips and science on how to get your brain and body unstuck, join the thousands receiving my newsletter at austinperlmutter.com/newsletter.

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How does nature influence our brain function?

In this episode we'll review the science connecting exposure to nature, or "vitamin N" with improvements in general as well as brain health, and the pathways that might help explain some of these findings. We'll cover the connection between nature and stress, the sympathetic nervous system and the immune system, and how our lives spent away from nature may be negatively influencing those pathways. Then we'll dive into the research connecting nature with brain function including better cognition, better interpersonal skills and even more creativity!

Links from this episode:

How air pollution changes our decisions:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-brain/201910/how-air-pollution-changes-our-decisions

How to dose vitamin N: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-modern-brain/201910/how-dose-vitamin-n

Deep dive episode!

With millions reporting symptoms of brain fog, depression, anxiety and trouble focusing alongside infection with COVID-19, many want to know: how is the virus influencing the brain? In this video, we'll explore: Historical context for microbes influencing brain function. Methods by which SARS-CoV-2 could enter the brain. Evidence for infection in the brain. Alternative explanations for brain-related symptoms related to COVID-19.

For more on the confluence between COVID-19, the brain and depression, see "Immunological Interfaces: The COVID-19 Pandemic and Depression" on pubmed or my website

Full write up of studies cited soon available

My website: Austinperlmutter.com

Social: IG:@austinperlmutter

Twitter: @Austinperlmd

FB: @austinperlmuttermd

Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change itself over the course of our lives. Impairments in neuroplasticity have been linked to depression, and many antidepressive therapies may actually work in part by boosting neuroplasticity. In this podcast we'll cover:

-How neuroplasticity changes over the lifespan

-The connection between impaired neuroplasticity and depression psychology

-How neuroplasticity maps onto imaging studies in depresssion

-How antidepressants may increase neuroplasticity

-How psychedelics may augment neuroplasticity

-How lifestyle modification including diet and sleep and exercise can improve neuroplasticity

I will be updating the complete show notes on my website, austinperlmutter.com

Noted article from Peter Attia:

https://peterattiamd.com/my-nutritional-framework/

Trauma is certainly a popular topic of conversation these days. But few in this space share the level of expertise offered by Dr. James. S. Gordon. Dr. Gordon has been helping people around the world to understand and heal from their trauma for decades. Listen as he shares his years of clinical and research experience on how trauma manifests in the brain, body and psychological state, and what to do to start healing it. Dr. Gordon's new book Transforming Trauma is exceptional, and we discuss it in depth in this powerful interview. You can connect with Dr. Gordon at cmbm.org.

Anxiety is one of the most common states of stuckness today, and COVID-19 hasn't made it any better. In this episode I interview psychiatrist Dimitrios Tsatiris about his area of expertise: anxiety. We talk about what the term means, how it manifests, and what to do about it. Dr. Tsatiris is full of wonderful insight about this highly prevalent state, so you don't want to miss this one!

You can find Dr. Tsatiris at:

Twitter:@drdimitrios or dimitriostsatiris.com.

In this episode, I explore brain health with two physician scientists, Dr. Ayesha Sherzai and Dr. Dean Sherzai. It was one of my favorite conversations, filled with science, philosophy and psychology. We discuss the need for nuance and updated perspectives in scientific recommendations, the importance of listening to the community, and their powerful journey to becoming some of the leading brain health and brain nutrition experts. Be sure to check out their new book, The 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution!

The Sherzai's website: teamsherzai.com

The Sherzai's social accounts: @SherzaiMD

In this episode I speak with Psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Angela Reiersen about her recent publication in JAMA, "Fluvoxamine vs Placebo and Clinical Deterioration in Outpatients With Symptomatic COVID-19." We discuss:

-How she stays focused and gets things done

-Her research on fluvoxamine (an antidepressant) and COVID-19

-Why we need to go beyond the serotonin receptor in depression

-What the sigma 1 receptor is, and why it matters

-How sigma 1 agonists may reduce inflammation

-The need for a wider view of antidepressant mechanisms

-The importance of the connection between inflammation and depression

-How understanding newmolecular patterns of depression opens the door to treatment

-The importance of executive function interventions for children

-How sleep may improve executive functions

In this episode of GTSO, I interview Wendy Wood, Ph.D. Wendy is a the Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at the University of Southern California and a prolific researcher in the field of habits. Her research addresses the ways that habits guide behavior—and why they are so difficult to break. She's one of the world's experts on habits, and shares some powerful wisdom on how to leverage this information for behavior change. She is author of the book, Good Habits, Bad Habits (2019), which I highly recommend. Tune in to learn more!

In this short solo episode, I dissect the concept of plasticity and its role in enabling humans to be successful and adapt to changing environmental pressures. I discuss plasticity as it relates to our psychology, immune function and most notably, our brain function (neuroplasticity). I conclude by explaining why this is so relevant in the age of stress, fear and anxiety inducing content as well as our generally poor dietary choices.