Dr. Daniel Amen on The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett - Do you have ADHD?

The video from podcast The Diary of a CEO is about Dr. Daniel Amen, a world-leading expert on brain health, who has scanned over 250,000 brains.

With Steven Bartlett from The Diary of a CEO podcast, he discusses the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives, including our thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.

This video by The Diary Of A CEO was published on Oct 30, 2023.
Video length: 01:49:14.

Dr. Amen also talks about the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health. Dr. Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness. He also talks about the benefits of better cognitive performance, love, money, and health that come with a healthy brain.

The video ends with Dr. Amen promising to reveal the results of the brain scan he conducted on the host, Steven Bartlett. 

• Dr. Daniel Amen, a world-leading expert on brain health, is on the podcast The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett. 
• He has scanned over 250,000 brains.
• He discusses the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives.
• He talks about the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• Sugar can lead to obesity and a decrease in the physical size and function of the brain as it goes up in weight.
• Social media can cause wear and tear on the pleasure centers of the brain that bring happiness and drive.
• Improving brain health can lead to a better quality of life and a happier, more fulfilling existence.
• Dr. Amen's goal is to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health.
• By taking care of your brain, you can improve your overall health and well-being and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

The ADHD Doctor: “I’ve Scanned 250,000 Brains” You (Steven Bartlett) Have ADHD!!! Dr Daniel Amen - YouTube

Introduction to the episode of The Diary of a CEO with Dr. Daniel Amen

• Dr. Daniel Amen is a world-leading expert on brain health.
• He has scanned over 250,000 brains.
• He discusses the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives.
• He talks about the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.

The Negative Effects of Brain Damage

• Drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media can negatively affect brain health.
• Sugar can lead to obesity and a decrease in the physical size and function of the brain as it goes up in weight.
• Social media can cause wear and tear on the pleasure centers of the brain that bring happiness and drive.
• These pleasure centers can impact the rest of your life if they are damaged or affected.
• It is important to take care of your brain to avoid these negative effects and improve your overall health and well-being.

The Benefits of Better Brain Health

• Better cognitive performance, love, money, and health come with a healthy brain.
• Improving brain health can lead to a better quality of life and a happier, more fulfilling existence.
• Dr. Amen's goal is to end mental illness by creating a revolution in brain health.
• He believes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• By taking care of your brain, you can improve your overall health and well-being and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

The ADHD Doctor: “I’ve Scanned 250,000 Brains” You (Steven Bartlett) Have ADHD!!! Dr Daniel Amen - YouTube

• He discusses the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• By taking care of your brain, you can improve your overall health and well-being and live a happier, more fulfilling life.

• Dr. Amen discusses the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives, including our thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.
• He talks about the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• He also talks about the benefits of better cognitive performance, love, money, and health that come with a healthy brain.

Test Results

• The video discusses a test called the Connor's continuous performance test, which is a 15-minute test of attention.
• The test measures impulse control and inhibition response time, and the participant did fine on the test.
• However, there is other evidence that suggests the participant might have ADD or ADHD, such as getting bored easily, poor handwriting, and being disorganized.
• The participant is bright but struggled a bit in school.
• The test results are not conclusive, and further evaluation is needed.

Healthy Brain Scan

• The video shows a healthy brain scan, which is the image on the left.
• The healthy brain scan should show full, even, and symmetrical activity.
• The top left image is looking underneath the brain, showing the front part of the brain, the top is the prefrontal cortex, and the bottom is the cerebellum.
• The prefrontal cortex is hugely important in humans, being the largest in humans than any other animal.
• The cerebellum is involved in processing speed.

Toxins and Infections

• The video discusses toxins and infections that can affect brain health, such as alcohol, drugs, mold, heavy metals, and infections.
• The video suggests that toxins and infections can cause brain damage and affect cognitive function.
• The video recommends testing for toxins and infections to determine if they are affecting brain health.
• The video suggests that toxins and infections can be treated with natural remedies and supplements.
• The video emphasizes the importance of addressing toxins and infections to improve brain health and overall well-being.

The Importance of Brain Health

• Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes the importance of brain health and its impact on everything in our lives, including thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.
• He talks about the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• He talks about the benefits of better cognitive performance, love, money, and health that come with a healthy brain.

Brain Scans and Brain Health

• Dr. Amen has scanned over 250,000 brains and discusses the importance of brain scans in understanding brain health.
• He talks about the colors of the brain and how they don't matter as much as the shape, with holes in the brain indicating less blood flow than is optimal.
• Dr. Amen explains that a program he has can tell him if someone does what he asks them to do and their brain will improve over time.
• He talks about the negative effects of traumatic brain injury and toxins on brain health and how they can cause problems if not addressed.

Mold and Toxins in the Brain

• Dr. Amen talks about mold and toxins in the brain and how they can cause problems if not addressed.
• He explains that if someone has mold or toxic brain, it may be due to a traumatic brain injury or toxins in the body.
• He talks about the importance of getting rid of mold and toxins in the body to improve brain health.
• He explains that if someone has mold or toxic brain, it can cause problems in the brain and affect their thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.

The Diamond Pattern and Emotional Trauma

• Dr. Amen talks about the diamond pattern in the brain and how it can indicate emotional trauma.
• He explains that he has high levels of accuracy in separating emotional trauma from physical trauma.
• He talks about the diamond pattern in the brain of the person being scanned and how it looks like a diamond.
• He explains that the diamond pattern in the brain can indicate past emotional trauma and that it's important to address it to improve brain health.

Growing Up in a Stressful Environment

• The speaker grew up in a stressful and hostile environment where their parents were at war.
• This trained their emotional brain to become hyperactive, always on guard for danger.
• Even when there was no danger, their body still looked for it, waiting for the next bad thing to happen.
• The speaker now has ADHD, which they attribute to their upbringing.
• They believe that mental illness is a brain disorder that can be treated by improving brain health.

Family History of ADHD

• ADHD often runs in families, with children who have ADHD often having one or both parents with the condition.
• The speaker's mother is the most likely candidate for having ADHD, based on their observations of her behavior.
• The speaker's father is more organized and structured, while their mother is messy and disorganized.
• The speaker believes that their mother's behavior is more indicative of ADHD than their father's.
• The speaker's mother's handwriting is also poor, which is another symptom of ADHD.

Teacher's Perception

• The speaker went back to their school to speak to GCS CNA level students.
• One teacher remembered the speaker as a "useless student" who was "nice" but not interested in schoolwork.
• The speaker spent most of their time in the exclusion unit, which is where students go if they don't do their homework or attend class.
• The speaker is good at not doing things they're not interested in, but struggles when they're interested.
• The speaker is a "remarkable quitter" and believes that people with ADHD are often good at quitting things they're not interested in.

University and Career Choices

• The speaker went to University for one day but never returned.
• The speaker believes that people with ADHD should pick something they love for their career, rather than a job that pays more money.
• The speaker's prefrontal cortex is likely busy due to their father's organized nature, but there is less creativity associated with it.
• The speaker is creative and believes that their entrepreneurial skills are a result of their creativity.
• The speaker is a marketeer and believes that their success in that field is due to their creativity and entrepreneurial skills.

The Importance of Brain Health

• Dr. Daniel Amen discusses the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives, including our thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.
• He emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• Better cognitive performance, love, money, and health come with a healthy brain.

Awareness and Realization

• The first step to improving brain health is awareness.
• The realization that we can do something about our brain health is empowering.
• We can change our brain and make it better.

Things that Make the Brain Worse

• Dr. Amen discusses common things that most of us do without thinking that make the brain worse.
• Hitting a soccer ball with your head is bad for the brain.
• Sugar is the gateway drug to diabetes and obesity and can cause depression and dementia.

Increasing Blood Flow to the Brain

• Low blood flow in important areas of the brain can cause problems.
• Things that cause low blood flow, such as caffeine and nicotine, should be avoided.
• Exercise and a healthy diet can increase blood flow to the brain and improve brain health.

The Importance of Brain Health

• Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder.
• Improving brain health can end mental illness.
• Better cognitive performance, love, money, and health come with a healthy brain.
• Dr. Amen discusses the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.

Caffeine Consumption and Brain Health

• There is a correlation between caffeine consumption and a shrinking brain.
• A shrinking brain is associated with things like dementia and aging.
• 100 milligrams of caffeine per day is probably fine for most people.
• However, one 20-Starbucks coffee has 330 milligrams of caffeine, which can be harmful.

Other Things Harmful to Brain Health

• Sugar, erectile dysfunction, and blood flow problems are associated with each other.
• Sedentary lifestyle, overweight, smoking, and using marijuana can also harm brain health.
• Exercise, genko, and hyperbaric oxygen can improve blood flow to the brain.
• Genko, a supplement that increases blood flow to the brain, has been shown to improve cognitive function in studies.

Inflammation and Brain Health

• Inflammation increases the risk of brain problems like dementia and depression.
• Low omega-3 fatty acid levels and gum disease are also associated with inflammation.
• Eating more fish or taking an omega-3 supplement can help reduce inflammation and improve brain health.
• Head trauma and toxins like mercury and anesthesia can also harm brain health.

The Importance of Brain Health

• Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives, including our thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.
• He discusses the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.
• Dr. Amen talks about the negative impact of mental illness on brain health and how it can lead to chronic stress, dysfunction, and other negative effects.
• He emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• Dr. Amen talks about the benefits of better cognitive performance, love, money, and health that come with a healthy brain.

The Impact of Medication on Brain Health

• Dr. Amen discusses the impact of medication on brain health, including the side effects of stimulants for ADD and ADHD.
• He emphasizes that the side effects of medication should be weighed against the impact of untreated mental illness on brain health.
• Dr. Amen talks about the negative impact of untreated mental illness on business, money, relationships, and health.
• He emphasizes that living with untreated mental illness can lead to chronic stress, dysfunction, and other negative effects.
• Dr. Amen talks about the importance of optimizing brain health and how it can lead to better access to our own brains.

The Role of Supplements and Medication in Improving Brain Health

• Dr. Amen discusses the role of supplements and medication in improving brain health.
• He emphasizes that medication should not be the first or only thing considered when improving brain health.
• Dr. Amen talks about his own experience with medication and how he prefers to go through severe pain rather than take medication.
• He discusses the importance of understanding and processing traumas in improving brain health.
• Dr. Amen talks about the importance of killing the automatic negative thoughts that steal our happiness and how it can improve brain health.

The Impact of Low Testosterone on Brain Health

• Dr. Amen discusses the impact of low testosterone on brain health, particularly in males.
• He talks about the toxins that can lead to low testosterone in young males.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing the root cause of low testosterone.
• He talks about the negative impact of low testosterone on brain health and how it can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
• Dr. Amen talks about the importance of improving brain health through lifestyle changes and other interventions.

The Importance of Reading Labels and Understanding What Goes on Our Bodies

• Dr. Amen emphasizes the importance of reading labels on food, drinks, and other products that go on our bodies.
• He talks about the epidemic of low testosterone in males due to toxins in products.
• Dr. Amen discusses the importance of understanding and addressing the root cause of health issues.
• He talks about the negative impact of toxins on brain health and how it can lead to mental health issues.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes the importance of making informed choices about what we put in our bodies.

The Importance of Brain Health

• Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives, including our thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.
• He talks about the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• He talks about the benefits of better cognitive performance, love, money, and health that come with a healthy brain.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

• ADD and ADHD are different terms for the same thing.
• The American Psychiatric Association's DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies ADD as attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity.
• The name ADD was changed to ADHD in 1987, which basically threw out half the people who had it because half the people with ADD or ADHD are never hyperactive and don't get diagnosed.
• Dr. Amen talks about the importance of managing ADD by having extra help for the things you're not good at with exercise, good habits, and other strategies.

Medication for ADD

• Dr. Amen talks about the fact that medication can be used for professional optimization, but it's not always necessary or the best option.
• He talks about the fact that medication can decrease creativity and interest in some people.
• Dr. Amen talks about the fact that medication can be used for professional optimization, but it's not always necessary or the best option.
• He talks about the fact that medication can decrease creativity and interest in some people.

Impact of ADD in Different Cultures

• Dr. Amen talks about the impact of ADD in different cultures and how it can cause exclusion and shame.
• He talks about the fact that ADD is a genetic condition and can be caused by head trauma.
• Dr. Amen talks about the fact that ADD can be a difference rather than a defect.
• He talks about the fact that medication can be used for professional optimization, but it's not always necessary or the best option.

Brain Scanning and ADD

• Dr. Amen talks about the fact that brain scanning can be used to understand the effects of medication on the brain.
• He talks about the fact that medication can activate the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex.
• Dr. Amen talks about the fact that medication can give the brain better energy.
• He talks about the fact that medication can be used for professional optimization, but it's not always necessary or the best option.

The Importance of Brain Health

• Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives, including our thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.
• He discusses the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.
• Dr. Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• He talks about the benefits of better cognitive performance, love, money, and health that come with a healthy brain.

Diagnosing ADHD

• Dr. Amen discusses how he diagnosed Steven Bartlett, the host of The Diary Of A CEO YouTube channel, with ADHD.
• He explains that he scanned Bartlett's brain and found that his frontal lobes deactivated when he tried to concentrate, indicating ADHD.
• Dr. Amen also talks about how he has scanned over 250,000 brains and found similar patterns in people with ADHD.

Treating ADHD

• Dr. Amen explains that taking medication for ADHD is like wearing glasses for your frontal lobes, helping you focus.
• He talks about how people with ADD are not dumb, crazy, or stupid, but their frontal lobes deactivate when they take medication.
• Dr. Amen also discusses how people with ADD can improve their brain health by killing negative thoughts through habit formation.

Managing Negative Thoughts

• Dr. Amen explains that negative thoughts are more stimulating than positive thoughts and that people with ADD tend to go more towards negative thoughts.
• He talks about an exercise where people can write down what they're thinking and then ask themselves if it's true, which can help them manage negative thoughts.
• Dr. Amen also discusses how people can turn negative thoughts to positive thoughts by directing their thoughts and managing them rather than being a victim of them.

The Importance of Brain Health

• Dr. Daniel Amen emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder.
• Improving brain health can end mental illness.
• Better cognitive performance, love, money, and health come with a healthy brain.
• Dr. Amen has scanned over 250,000 brains.
• He discusses the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.

Repetitive Thinking and Brain Health

• Dr. Amen says that repetitive negative or positive thinking can change the shape of our brain.
• He has a new book called "Change Your Brain Every Day" that discusses this topic.
• Dr. Amen scanned Noel Nelson's brain while she was appreciating it and her brain looked beautiful.
• When Nelson was told to hate herself, her brain became deactivated.
• Dr. Amen explains that athletic slumps are caused by negativity turning off the cerebellum.

Anxiety and Brain Health

• Dr. Amen says that stress plays a role on our brains, especially chronic unremitting stress.
• He explains that trauma shows up when you scan someone's brain as a diamond pattern.
• EMDR, a specific psychological treatment for trauma, can calm the diamond pattern.
• Dr. Amen asks people to write down 10 big traumas in their life and process them to find less bother.
• He says that CR, chronic trauma, takes longer to heal but is still helpful.

The Importance of Brain Health

• Dr. Daniel Amen discusses the importance of brain health and how it affects everything in our lives, including our thoughts, feelings, actions, and relationships with others.
• He emphasizes that mental illness is not a mental disorder but a brain disorder and that by improving brain health, we can end mental illness.
• Dr. Amen talks about the negative effects of drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, sugar, fruit juice, caffeine, and social media on brain health.
• He highlights the benefits of better cognitive performance, love, money, and health that come with a healthy brain.

Trauma and Brain Health

• Dr. Amen talks about the effects of trauma on brain health, including how it can trigger negative emotions and behaviors.
• He explains that the brain's ability to cope with trauma is dependent on its strength and health.
• Dr. Amen discusses the concept of brain reserve, which refers to the level of health and resilience of the brain before it is exposed to trauma.
• He highlights the importance of addressing the root causes of trauma, such as adverse childhood experiences, to improve brain health.

Watch the video on YouTube:
The ADHD Doctor: “I’ve Scanned 250,000 Brains” You (Steven Bartlett) Have ADHD!!! Dr Daniel Amen - YouTube