TMHS 720: Improve Your Focus, Promote Neuroplasticity, & Increase Your Attention Span - with Dr. Adam Gazzaley

The Model Health Show

Shawn Stevenson

Fitness, Health & Fitness, Nutrition

4.8 • 7.3K Ratings

🗓️ 11 September 2023

⏱️ 79 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In our fast-paced, technology-centric society, it’s easy to focus on the ways in which our devices are making us more distracted and disconnected. But what if we harnessed the power of technology for good? What if we could utilize technology in a way that could promote neuroplasticity and improve cognition? Today’s guest, Dr. Adam Gazzaley, is the founding director of Neuroscape at University of California, San Francisco and a professor in neurology, physiology, and psychiatry. He is also the chief scientific advisor and board member at Akili, a company that is dedicated to changing the landscape of cognitive medicine. In this interview, Dr. Gazzaley is sharing the details behind the first-of-its-kind treatment for ADHD—a video game experience. In this interview, we’re going to talk about the importance of harnessing your attention and how technology can impact your attention span. You’ll learn about the future of experiential medicine, how to improve cognition and neuroplasticity, and so much more. I hope you enjoy this interview with the incredible Dr. Adam Gazzaley! In this episode you’ll discover: Why our attention is our most valuable asset. The challenges that our technology-driven world has created for our brains. How accessibility to technology changed our attention spans. Why humans are essentially cyborgs. The importance of disconnecting from technology. How your brain handles single-tasking vs. multitasking. Why awareness about the inefficacy of multitasking is critical. How to make single-tasking gratifying. Why technology is a double-edged sword. What neuroplasticity is, and how it occurs. The link between neuroplasticity and technology. How video games can improve cognition. Why experiences can target systems in the brain. The difference between molecular medicine and experiential medicine. Why “chemical imbalance” is an oversimplification. The history of the first FDA approved video game. What experiential medicine is. Why the placebo effect works. Other important modalities for improving mental health. Items mentioned in this episode include: Beekeepersnaturals.com/model -- Save 20% on raw honey & other natural remedies! Foursigmatic.com/model -- Get an exclusive discount on your daily health elixirs! EatSmarterCookbook.com -- Preorder the cookbook today & claim your bonuses! EndeavorOTC EndeavorRx Akili The Distracted Mind by Adam Gazzaley Connect with Dr. Adam Gazzaley Website Join TMHS Facebook community - Model Nation Be sure you are subscribed to this podcast to automatically receive your episodes: Apple Podcasts Stitcher Spotify Soundcloud

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	You are now listening to The Model Health Show with Sean Stevenson.
0:04.9	For more, visit TheModelHealthShow.com.
0:12.0	Welcome to The Model Health Show.
0:13.4	This is Fitness and Nutrition expert, Sean Stevenson, and I'm so grateful for you tuning
0:17.0	into me today.
0:18.4	For years, it was believed that the human brain, as we age, only experiences degradation.
0:24.9	That producing new brain cells, a process called neurogenesis, was something that just
0:29.4	simply didn't happen, especially as we get to our senior years.
0:34.4	More recently, we've discovered that, number one, neuroplasticity, the ability of the
0:40.2	brain to change and adapt and evolve and to create new connections, literally the chemistry
0:46.4	and also the physical structure of the brain can change, continue to change even in our
0:53.0	senior years.
0:54.7	And we also have the ability to create new brain cells, specifically the most data is affirming
1:00.7	new brain cells being produced in the hippocampus or the memory center of the brain.
1:06.6	So memory, attention, problem solving, speed at which we're thinking all of these things
1:13.6	are vital aspects of our experience as human beings, especially today.
1:20.4	We want to be able to maintain these faculties and even potentially improve them as we age.
1:26.6	So not just getting older, but getting better.
1:29.4	And there's unfortunately these statements like you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
1:33.5	Well, today I've got news for you.
1:35.4	We've got a leading neuroscientist and he's going to be sharing some data with you.
1:39.4	I promise you it is going to change your life.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Shawn Stevenson, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Shawn Stevenson and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.