Brain Health with Dr. Nissen

Deep sleep, also called slow-wave sleep, is the most restorative stage of the sleep cycle. During this phase, brain activity slows into synchronized, high-amplitude waves, allowing the body and mind to recover. Research shows that deep sleep is essential for mental clarity, memory consolidation, and learning: it helps the brain organize and store new information, clear metabolic waste, and reset n...

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is: A neurobiological disorder that presents in childhood with the core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulse control problems. The symptoms are present across multiple domains: social, domestic, academic, as well as cognitive and behavioral functioning. Pathogenesis: not very well understood. Deficits are in area of: - Frontal-subco...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based intervention for insomnia. Please enjoy this discussion with Dr. Michael Perlis.   Dr. Perlis is internationally known for his work in the area of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM). He is a co-author of the first textbook in this field and he is the senior author of a published CBT-I treatment manual and a larger text summar...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is an evidence-based approach to insomnia. Here is Doctor Nissen's description of the CBT-I methodology. Brain Health with Dr. Nissen brings you advancements in medicine, #neuroscience, psychiatry, and #nutrition to help you live a better life. Dr. Nissen’s expert interviews reveal new, evidence-based approaches to enhancing mental health, sharpeni...

Dr. Mansur is a staff psychiatrist at the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. Dr. Mansur completed his medical degree at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM), Brazil. He received his Psychiatry residency training and PhD at UNIFESP/EPM; and Fellowship training...

The age of the smartphone has created an unprecedented problem for society: limitless access to pornography. For the first time, young adults are coming to age after a lifetime of exposure to pornography, resulting in porn addiction, relationship problems, erectile dysfunction, and paraphilias (abnormal sexual behaviors). In this episode, we'll explore how porn acts like drugs, can create addictio...

#Schizophrenia is a very misunderstood mental illness. It is not "split personality" (or dissociative identity disorder), but rather a chronic, long-standing (6+ month) pattern of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized behavior, etc. There are #genetic risks to developing the illness and #cannabis likely increases risk. According to the "Dunedin" study, Archives of General Psychiatry 2000, those...

Doctors treating depression see promise in #ketamine, a cheap drug already approved for anesthesia. Some say it is the only legal #psychedelic.   Steven L. Mandel, M.D., is an internationally recognized expert and pioneer in the use of ketamine infusion therapy to treat mental health disorders and chronic pain. Dr. Mandel has more than 40 years of experience utilizing ketamine as a board-cert...

Owen Marcus is the cofounder of Evryman, one of the world's largest men's mental health organizations. Owen dove into men’s work in 1995 because he wanted more from life. In 2005, he wanted more from men’s work, so he began developing what became Evryman’s unique approach. Owen is an author, blogger, speaker, coach, and trainer for men’s leadership. Brain Health with Dr. Nissen brings you advancem...

Research into MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) shows impressive results. See my ABC News article on the trial results here Rick Doblin, Ph. D., is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He received his doctorate in Public Policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, where he wrote his dissertatio...

The Big 5 Personality Traits: what are they? What is personality psychology?   The big five personality traits are five essential traits that have been described in psychological research. They can be remembered with the acronym OCEAN: openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Brain Health with Dr. Nissen brings you advancements in medicine, #neuroscience, psy...

Dr. Nicholas Norwitz, PhD, is a new shining star in nutrition science. This 25-year-old Ivy League Valedictorian obtained his PhD at Oxford University in just two years and is now pursing his MD at Harvard Medical School. His research expertise is ketosis and brain aging; however, he has published scientific papers on topics ranging from neuroscience to heart disease to gastrointestinal health to...

Dr. Nicholas Norwitz, PhD, is a new shining star in nutrition science. This 25-year-old Ivy League Valedictorian obtained his PhD at Oxford University in just two years and is now pursing his MD at Harvard Medical School. His research expertise is ketosis and brain aging; however, he has published scientific papers on topics ranging from neuroscience to heart disease to gastrointestinal health to...

Chuck Raison, MD, is the Mary Sue and Mike Shannon Distinguished Chair for Healthy Minds, Children & Families and Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, in the School of Human Ecology, and Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of #Medicine and Public #Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Raison also serves as Director of Clinical and Translational #Research for Usona In...

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (#CBT) is a powerful treatment for #depression and #anxiety. Whether we struggle with mental illness or are trying to support our loved ones, being skilled in #empathy can be a powerful tool for #emotionalintelligence/#EQ. Mike is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psy...

In this series on "How the Brain Works", we're unpacking the neurotransmitters. The media often throws around terms like "the happiness chemical" or "the memory chemical", and it's important to be informed about what #neurotransmitters really are and what you can do to make sure your #brain is working at its optimal capacity. Listen to this episode to learn more about #GABA, #glutamate, #acetylcho...

How common are sleep problems? What should we do if we can't sleep well? What are common causes and the evidence-based approaches for better sleep? Dr. Nissen reviews the research and answers some of the most common questions. Paper referenced: Cénat, Jude Mary, et al. "Prevalence of Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Psychological Distress among Populati...

What is caffeine, its pharmacology, risks, effects? What is caused by caffeine intoxication and withdrawal? Here's a mini-episode so you can be an informed consumer of the world's most heavily used psychoactive drug. Brain Health with Dr. Nissen brings you advancements in medicine, #neuroscience, psychiatry, and #nutrition to help you live a better life. Dr. Nissen’s expert interviews reveal new,...

What are #psychedelics and can they help with #mental illness? What could #LSD and #psilocybin (magic mushrooms) do to help with #depression? Katrin Preller received her M.Sc. (Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology) from University of Konstanz, Germany. She joined the University of Zurich where she investigated the neurobiological long-term effects of cocaine, MDMA, and heroin use. After complet...

Andrew Hill, PhD is one of the top peak performance coaches in the country. He holds a Ph. D. in Cognitive Neuroscience from UCLA’s Department of Psychology and continues to do research on attention and cognition. Research methodology includes EEG, QEEG, and ERP.  He has been practicing neurofeedback since 2003. In addition to founding Peak Brain Institute , Dr. Hill is the host of the Head F...

Today we discuss the different types of major risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease, the different kinds of dementia, the role of insulin and diabetes, inflammation, and toxins in worsening Alzheimer's, and new evidence about possible preventative approaches. Brain Health with Dr. Nissen brings you advancements in medicine, #neuroscience, psychiatry, and #nutrition to help you live a bet...

Michelin-starred chef David Bouley described Dr. Uma Naidoo as the world’s first “triple threat” in the food as medicine space. She is a Harvard trained psychiatrist, professional chef, and Nutrition Specialist. Her niche work is in nutritional psychiatry and she is regarded both nationally and internationally as a medical pioneer in this more newly recognized field. In her role as a Clinical Scie...

Welcome, Brain Health Community!    Today, we’re talking about a pandemic. This pandemic is causing huge amounts of suffering around the world, ravishing the developing brains of children around the world, and leaving countless people injured for their entire lives. No, this is not COVID-19. This is pornography addiction.    I’m thrilled to be here with Mr. Ronald DeHaas - one...

I was asked by a patient: "Should I use e-cigs to stop smoking?" It's not a simple question. Here's my answer that explores the benefits and risks of e-cigs/vaping, the risk of EVALI, lung disease, and nicotine addiction (especially in youth) and special considerations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enjoy! Brain Health with Dr. Nissen brings you advancements in medicine, #neuroscience, psychiatry,...

In this show you’ll learn about: How what we eat affects how much inflammation we have in our body How diseases like depression and Alzheimer’s are related to inflammation Hello Brain Health Community! Today, I’m thrilled to be speaking with Dr. Paul Saladino, MD. Dr. Saladino is well known for his work with the carnivore diet. He is the host of the popular Fundamental Health podcast and the autho...