In this episode of What Drives You, “How Can We Best Help Our Brain Stay Sharp Till Our End w/ Neuroscientist Dr. Majid Fotuhi” we are in the information age and I don’t believe there are any new topics and there is little, actual new information. But we can discover new insights and new angles and information that is more relevant for the current culture. And sometimes I just interest myself in an individual and their role within a topic and I want to hear their take on it. So with that said, in this episode I’m with Dr. Majid Fotuhi. Harper Collins, one of the world’s big five publishers sent me a galley copy, which is a pre-copy before the book is actually published, of Majid’s new book, “The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan To Age-Proof Your Brain And Stay Sharp For Life.” I am very interested in brain health. I want to be cognitively sharp and able until my last breath. And I was interested in Majid’s background. He earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University and then his Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School, two institutions I greatly respect. Majid is currently an adjunct professor at the Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University, while also teaching at George Washington University and Harvard Medical School. With 37 years of experience in teaching, clinical practice, and neuroscience research, Majid is a pioneer in enhancing brain vitality and cognitive performance and he developed a “Brain Fitness Program” that targets lifestyle optimization and cognitive stimulation to improve memory, focus, and overall brain health. The program has delivered measurable success for patients dealing with memory loss due to aging, concussions, and ADHD. Mentions: Dr. Majid Fotuhi | The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan To Age-Proof Your Brain And Stay Sharp For Life. Sponsors: shopify.com/kevin ShipStation.com Follow @kevinmiller.co to never miss an episode!

Stay ahead with the latest in science, nutrition, and wellness by subscribing to Dr. Perlmutter’s newsletter at: www.drperlmutter.com. Thank you to our sponsors: EVY – https://www.optoceutics.com/perlmutter and the code perlmutter26 will be auto-applied to your order to get $200 off & free shipping (90 days risk-free). Fresh Pressed Olive Oil – https://www.getfresh389.com For a complimentary bottle of one of the greatest olive oils I’ve ever discovered. 3×4 Genetics – http://3x4genetics.com/DrPerlmutter for a special offer when you sign up to decode your genetics and get personalized, science-backed health recommendations. ==== Dr. Perlmutter’s groundbreaking new book, Brain Defenders, is now available for pre-order. Discover how to protect your brain and future health – reserve your copy today at https://www.braindefenders.com. ==== If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know that one of the central themes we return to on The Empowering Neurologist is this: your brain is far more adaptable, resilient, and improvable than conventional wisdom ever allowed us to believe. This week, I’m thrilled to share a conversation with someone who has spent more than three decades proving exactly that. Dr. Majid Fotuhi, neurologist, neuroscientist, Harvard- and Johns Hopkins-trained physician, and now author of the new book The Invincible Brain, has dedicated his career to helping people reclaim their cognitive potential. His message aligns powerfully with the philosophy behind my upcoming book, Brain Defenders: that the trajectory of your brain is not predetermined, and that meaningful change is possible at any age. In our interview, we explore the groundbreaking ideas that shaped The Invincible Brain. Dr. Fotuhi lays out why intelligence is not fixed, how memory can be strengthened through surprisingly simple practices, and why Alzheimer’s disease is not the single, linear condition we once imagined, but rather a complex “soup” of abnormalities with multiple entry points for intervention. ==== 00:00 Intro 01:44 Choices influencing brain trajectory and resilience 04:25 Redefining intelligence beyond IQ 08:20 Synergy of memory and habit change 13:09 Challenging genetic determinism with epigenetics 18:00 Ad Break: Optoceutics 20:23 Alzheimer’s as a metabolic and inflammatory soup 29:45 Ad Break: Fresh Pressed Olive Oil

Episode Summary: In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Majid Fotuhi discusses the multifaceted nature of brain health, emphasizing the importance of understanding different types of intelligence, the power of practice and learning, and the interconnectedness of brain and body health. He addresses common misconceptions about memory and cognitive function, the impact of negative memories, and the role of genetics versus lifestyle in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Fotuhi provides practical tips for enhancing brain function and encourages a holistic approach to maintaining cognitive health throughout life. Chapters 00:00 Exploring Brain Intelligence 03:02 The Power of Practice and Learning 06:01 Understanding Memory and Cognitive Function 08:39 The Interconnectedness of Brain and Body 12:02 Overcoming Negative Memories and Trauma 14:47 Alzheimer’s Disease: Genetics vs. Lifestyle 17:59 Holistic Approaches to Brain Health 20:54 The Role of Stress and Emotional Well-being 23:51 Practical Tips for Enhancing Brain Function 26:55 Final Thoughts on Brain Health and Longevity Sponsors: FATTY15

EPISODE REFLECTION: Rather than framing aging as loss, this conversation invites a shift in perspective: the brain is always adapting. Dr. Fotuhi shows how consistent, intentional choices quietly accumulate — shaping who we become cognitively, emotionally, and physically. WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE • Why brain aging is not inevitable • What it really means to be a “super-ager” • How neuroplasticity works in everyday life • The five pillars of brain health • Why midlife can be a new beginning for the brain ABOUT THE GUEST Dr. Majid Fotuhi is a neurologist, neuroscientist, and author of The Invincible Brain. He is an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins and founder of NeuroGrow Brain Fitness Center, where he focuses on preventing and reversing cognitive decline. LINKS & RESOURCES *Dr. Majid’s website *Invincible Brain *Dr. Majid on LinkedIn *Dr. Majid on YouTube ABOUT THOUGHT ECHOES Thought Echoes is a monthly podcast hosted by Beth Bonness, featuring conversations with authors, thinkers, and creatives exploring the nature of our thoughts — how they shape our lives, our work, and the meaning we make from experience.

Team, Our brains are, like, kind of a big deal. Since they don’t come with owner’s manuals, we may need a little help keeping them healthy and functioning well. That’s where Dr Fotuhi comes in . He’s spent decades learning about the brain, helping others change their brain health and, in turn, their lives. In this episode, we dive into easy(ish) ways to adjust your habits for a healthier brain. I hope you love it! All my love, Sarah PS My book is out in the wild, and it’s changing lives! Order Growing Executive Function at Solution Tree ⁠ or on Amazon. I’m also training educators and organizations across this beautiful globe, and we’re finding improving executive function is game-changing! If that sounds like what your school or organization needs, reach out! Sarah at sarahkesty.com. Meet Dr. Majid Fotuhi , who earned his PhD in Neuroscience from Johns Hopkins University in 1992 and his Medical Degree from Harvard Medical School in 1997. Currently, he serves as an adjunct professor at the Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University, while also teaching at George Washington University and Harvard Medical School. With 37 years of experience in teaching, clinical practice, and neuroscience research, Dr. Fotuhi has pioneered a multidisciplinary approach to enhancing brain vitality and cognitive performance at any age. His groundbreaking “Brain Fitness Program” combines a comprehensive baseline “Brain Portfolio” assessment with 12 bi-weekly brain training sessions. This program targets lifestyle optimization and cognitive stimulation to improve memory, focus, and overall brain health. Dr. Fotuhi’s program has delivered measurable success for patients dealing with memory loss due to aging, concussions, and ADHD, as documented in several peer-reviewed journals. He is also the author of three books, including the highly acclaimed Boost Your Brain: The New Art and Science Behind Enhanced Brain Performance.

Your keys aren’t lost. Your mind isn’t going. And no, that’s not Alzheimer’s. Dr. Majid Fotuhi, Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins University & author of The Invincible Brain, busts the biggest myth in women’s brain health: that the fog, the forgetfulness, and the “wait, why did I walk in here?” moments of perimenopause are a sign of something sinister. Spoiler: they’re not. And your brain? It can literally grow. From the surprising science of how walking three times a week can give you a measurably bigger brain, to why your hearing aid might be the best thing you ever do for your memory, Dr. Fotuhi gives us proof that midlife isn’t a decline — it’s a new childhood. And this time, you’re in charge. Episode Overview (timestamps are approximate): (0:00) Intro/Teaser (5:00) Why Perimenopause Causes Brain Fog (8:00) Estrogen & How Hormones Affect Memory (13:00) Exercise Is the #1 Pillar of Brain Health (16:00) Exercise That Grows Your Brain (21:00) Brain Fog vs. Alzheimer’s (26:00) Your Genes Are Not Your Destiny (30:00) Medications & Hearing Loss (43:00) Beyond IQ: The 30 Forms of Intelligence (50:00) Brain Training & Neuroplasticity (1:01:00) The After-Party with Dr. Stephanie Resources mentioned in this episode: https://drstephanieestima.com/podcasts/ep458 We couldn’t do it without our sponsors: QUALIA CREATINE+ – If you want to feel stronger, sharper, and more resilient, Qualia’s Creatine+ is my recommendation.Go to https://qualialife.com/better and use code BETTER to save up to 50%, plus an additional 15% off. COZY EARTH – Cozy Earth helps you feel better by keeping your temperature perfect overnight to facilitate deep restorative sleep. Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code BETTER for up to 20% off. TROSCRIPTIONS – There’s a completely new way to optimize your health. Give it a try at https://troscriptions.com/BETTER or enter BETTER at checkout for 10% off your first order. PIQUE LIFE – If you want to redefine your evening ritual and still feel like yourself the next day, you can get 10% off for life. Yes, for life at https://piquelife.com/better

Around the world, more than 50 million people are living with some form of dementia – a number expected to triple by 2050 as populations age. But the thing is, dementia is often talked about as a kind of genetic lottery. You either get lucky and escape it, or unlucky and develop it. But what if that framing is wrong? What if far more of our brain health is within our control than we’ve been led to believe? Our guest today is Dr Majid Fotuhi, a neuroscientist who has spent decades treating and studying people with cognitive impairment. His message is a bold one: dementia is largely preventable – not with a miracle pill or silver-bullet treatment, but through the way we live. The 12-week programme he and his team have developed has helped his patients improve their memory, regain independence, and even grow new brain connections. Today, he talks us through the essentials of the programme – and what it really takes to stay sharp for life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conversations about brain health have been dominated by a competing mix of fatalism and over-promising, with aging framed as inevitable decline and “brain optimisation” sold through weak evidence. So how should we think about cognition across the lifespan? In this episode, we explore the idea that neuroplasticity does not disappear in adulthood, but instead continues to respond, for better or worse, to repeated behaviours and exposures. Much of what is labelled age-related cognitive decline may in fact reflect an accumulation of modifiable risk factors. We also dig into how to critically evaluate brain-health claims and how lifestyle pillars such as exercise, sleep, diet, stress reduction and cognitive training fit into a coherent framework. The discussion extends to emerging multimodal intervention programs, their promising signals and their clear limitations, and to a broader, multifactorial view of Alzheimer’s disease that moves beyond a narrow amyloid-centric model. Finally, we examine the role of genetics, including ApoE4, and why genetic risk does not equate to biological destiny, even later in life. Dr. Majid Fotuhi is a neurologist and an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins Mind/Brain Institute. He earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and completed a Ph.D. in neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University.