Your Brain On – Details, episodes & analysis

From 18th century London to the promise of a global cure: the 200-year history of Parkinson's disease.

To mark the release of our 'Ask the MD' conversation with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and to welcome a new influx of listeners, we're sharing one of our very first episodes, first aired in August 2024.

Watch our full 'Ask the MD' interview, focused on lifestyle strategies for boosting brain health, on the foundation's website: https://www.michaeljfox.org/news/lifestyle-strategies-boost-brain-health-ask-md-video 

Parkinson's, a neurodegenerative disorder most commonly characterized by tremors and other motor symptoms, is so complex, many medical professionals are starting to classify it as a group of diseases, rather than a single disease.

In this episode, we explain those complexities, including:

• The motor symptoms (e.g. cogwheel rigidity, bradykinesia) and non-motor symptoms (e.g. depression, sleep disorders)

• How the industrial revolution may have brought about environmental factors which contribute to Parkinson's

• The differences and similarities between Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer's

• How Parkinson's manifests in our brains

• Why one nurse was able to detect Parkinson's through smell

• The neurogenetics of Parkinson's, and the ethical quandaries of evolving genetic technology

• Why lifestyle — nutrition, exercise, etc. — is so key to preventing and managing Parkinson's

Joining us for this extensive conversation are three incredible guests:

• Dr. Rachel Dolhun, Senior Vice President of Medical Communications at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

• Dr. Michael Okun, evolutionary biologist, movement disorders specialist, and Director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases

• Dr. Matthew Farrer, neurogenetics expert and Professor Of Neurology at the University of Florida

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/ 

'Your Brain On... Parkinson's' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 4 (SEASON 3 REUPLOAD)

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LINKS

Dr. Rachel Dolhun:

At the Michael J. Fox Foundation: https://www.michaeljfox.org/bio/rachel-dolhun-md-dipablm 

'Ask the MD' series: https://www.michaeljfox.org/ask-md 

The Michael J. Fox Foundation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaeljfoxfoundation/videos 

Dr. Michael Okun:

At the University of Florida: https://neurology.ufl.edu/profile/okun-michael/ 

The book 'Ending Parkinson's Disease': https://endingpd.org/ 

The Norman Fixel Institute: https://fixel.ufhealth.org/

Dr. Matthew Farrer:

At the University of Florida: https://neurology.ufl.edu/profile/farrer-matthew/

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References:

1. Bloem, B. R., Okun, M. S., & Klein, C. (2021). Parkinson's disease. The Lancet, 397(10291), 2284-2303.

2. Morris, H. R., Spillantini, M. G., Sue, C. M., & Williams-Gray, C. H. (2024). The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. The Lancet, 403(10423), 293-304.

3. Dorsey, E., Sherer, T., Okun, M. S., & Bloem, B. R. (2018). The emerging evidence of the Parkinson pandemic. Journal of Parkinson's disease, 8(s1), S3-S8.

4. Dorsey, E. R., Okun, M. S., & Tanner, C. M. (2021). Bad Air and Parkinson Disease—The Fog May Be Lifting. JAMA neurology, 78(7), 793-795.

5. Tsalenchuk, M., Gentleman, S. M., & Marzi, S. J. (2023). Linking environmental risk factors with epigenetic mechanisms in Parkinson's disease. npj Parkinson's Disease, 9(1), 123.

6. Reynoso, A., Torricelli, R., Jacobs, B. M., Shi, J., Aslibekyan, S., Norcliffe‐Kaufmann, L., ... & Heilbron, K. (2024). Gene–Environment Interactions for Parkinson's Disease. Annals of Neurology, 95(4), 677-687.

7. Golsorkhi, M., Sherzai, A., & Dashtipour, K. The Influence of Lifestyle on Parkinson's Disease Management. In Lifestyle Medicine, Fourth Edition (pp. 919-924). CRC Press.

8. Sherzai, A. Z., Tagliati, M., Park, K., Pezeshkian, S., & Sherzai, D. (2016). Micronutrients and risk of Parkinson's disease: a systematic review. Gerontology and geriatric medicine, 2, 2333721416644286.

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Carnivorous diets have been woven into our history for millennia, but, with nutrition science advancing at an unprecedented pace over the past century... do we really still need to be eating meat?

We live in a time of rising chronic disease, new longevity research, and a growing awareness of how our food choices shape our brain and our planet.

We're also constantly exposed to 'nutrition tribalism': social media communicators and influencers building identities (and livelihoods) around polarizing dietary debates.

It's a lot to navigate. So, we're cutting straight to the data in this episode.

Plus: we're pulling on the work and research we've done in many different communities to explore how going plant-based can be as much a cultural or logistical hurdle as a health-driven or ethics-based choice.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Whether protein deficiency is a realistic concern

• Protein myths: plant vs. animal

• What the actual protein science says (and why most Americans already get more than enough)

• The role of saturated fat, fiber, and the microbiome

• Processed vs. unprocessed meat — what matters most

• How identity, culture, and family can make going plant-based challenging

• How cooking method changes risk (yes, barbecue lovers… we go there)

• Meat alternatives: healthful option or "ultra-processed trap"?

• Practical, non-judgmental guidance for plant-forward or omnivorous eaters

 To give this divisive matter the nuance it deserves, we welcome three of the most authoritative voices in this space:

DR. CHRISTOPHER GARDNER: the Stanford nutrition scientist behind landmark diet trials (including DIETFITS).

DR. ADRIAN CHAVEZ: a nutrition researcher, educator, and consultant, who previously joined us for 'Your Brain On... Supplements'.

DR. MATTHEW NAGRA: a nutritionist and science communicator, who you might remember from 'Your Brain On... Protein'.

This is... Your Brain On Eating Meat.

SUPPORTED BY: the 2026 NEURO World Retreat. A 5-day journey through science, nature, and community, on the California coastline: https://www.neuroworldretreat.com/  

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On... Eating Meat' • SEASON 6 • EPISODE 3

LINKS

Dr. Christopher Gardner

Dr. Christopher Gardner at Stanford: https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/christopher-gardner  

Dr. Christopher Gardner on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cgardnerphd 

Dr. Adrian Chavez 

Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.adrian.chavez 

Dr. Adrian Chavez's website: https://www.dradrianchavez.com/  

Dr. Adrian Chavez's Podcast: https://www.thenutritionsciencepodcast.com/ 

Dr. Matt Nagra

Dr. Matt Nagra on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.matthewnagra 

Dr. Matt Nagra's website: https://drmatthewnagra.com/ 

How can we eat better when we're constantly marketed to in a way that hijacks our attention and habits?

To complement the incredible discussions we regularly have about brain-healthy nutrition, in this episode, we've having a very important conversation about how the food industry works against our best intentions, and how we can break through the psychological barriers they use to hold us back.

We're joined by Marion Nestle, Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University, whose name is practically synonymous with food policy: a pioneering nutritionist, public health advocate, and author of some of the most important books in this space, including Food Politics, What to Eat, and Unsavory Truth.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The neuroscience of why food choices aren't "just willpower"
• Why access, not just knowledge, is the biggest barrier to good nutrition
• The importance of schools, policy, and local food programs in shaping food culture
• The role of stress, fatigue, and decision overload in weakening dietary choices
• Why social media is a double-edged sword for nutrition information 
• How we can make a difference at the community level

This is... Your Brain On The Food Industry.

SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/ 

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

Find out more about Marion Nestle's work: https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/people/marion-nestle

'Your Brain On... The Food Industry' • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 5

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Website: TheBrainDocs.com

 A tiny bite from a tiny tick can trigger a complex disease which speaks to some huge problems with our healthcare system.

In this episode, we explain the biology, controversy, and cultural blind spots around Lyme disease, a condition that reflects much more than just a bacterial infection. It's also a mirror for our most urgent public health issues: inequality, misinformation, climate change, and the growing mistrust of science.

We speak with two world-class experts:

• Dr. John Aucott: Director of the Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Clinical Research Center and leading voice on post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS)

• Dr. Richard Marconi: Professor of microbiology and immunology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a pioneering scientist behind next-generation Lyme vaccines

Together, we explore:

• Why Lyme disease symptoms can linger long after treatment

• What makes Lyme so neurologically disruptive (and so hard to diagnose)

• How climate change, suburban development, and racial disparities intersect with the rise of tick-borne illness

• The dangers of alternative medicine grifters preying on desperate patients

• The truth about the original Lyme vaccine, and what's coming next...

We also share practical prevention tips and discuss how Lyme disease is shaping the future of infectious disease research, diagnostics, and brain health.

This is... Your Brain On Lyme Disease.

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

SUPPORTED BY: NEURO World. Help your brain thrive, now and into the future: https://neuro.world/ 

'Your Brain On... Lyme Disease' • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 4

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FOLLOW US

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Website: https://thebraindocs.com/

Restoring a person's ability to speak, enabling individuals with paralysis to regain movement, and detecting neurodegenerative diseases earlier than ever — these are just some of the breakthroughs brain-computer interfaces are making possible.

In this episode, we explore the astonishing world of BCIs: technologies that are giving autonomy and independence back to people with diseases like ALS.

We discuss:

• How BCIs are helping people with neurodegenerative diseases and spinal cord injuries communicate using decoded brain signals
• How brain-computer interfaces actually work (and why they're NOT just reading your mind)
• Why motor cortex implants may help decode speech, even when inserted in unexpected regions
• The ethical challenges of privacy, data ownership, and access in the era of brain-connected devices
• The future of the field, from restoring language after stroke to enabling communication in children with cerebral palsy

We speak with three world-leading researchers and clinicians who are helping shape this rapidly-advancing area of neuroscience:

• Dr. Leigh Hochberg, director of the Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery at Massachusetts General Hospital, and principal clinical investigator of the pilot clinical trials of the BrainGate Neural Interface System.

• Dr. David Brandman, neurosurgeon and co-director of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab.

• Dr. Sergey Stavisky, neural engineer and co-director of the UC Davis Neuroprosthetics Lab.

For more information about the Braingate project, and to volunteer as a participant, visit: https://braingate.org/

This is... Your Brain On Brain-Computer Interfaces.

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On... Brain-Computer Interfaces' • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 3

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FOLLOW US

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thebraindocs

Website: https://thebraindocs.com/

Gluten has become one of the most misunderstood aspects of modern nutrition. Let's set the record straight.

In this episode, we untangle the medical, neurological, and cultural narratives surrounding gluten, from celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity to real (and rare) cases of gluten-induced brain dysfunction.

We discuss:

• The differences between celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and wheat allergy
• How gluten affects the gut, and what 'leaky gut' really means
• Whether gluten can trigger neurological symptoms like ataxia and brain fog
• Why cutting out gluten without a diagnosis may do more harm than good
• How wheat contributes to a healthy microbiome (and why fiber matters)
• What role zonulin plays in gut permeability and immune activation
• Why brain fog isn't yet well understood (and the theories behind it)

To help us decode the science (and bust the myths) of gluten, nutrition, and the brain, we're joined by two world-renowned experts:

DR. ALESSIO FASANO: pediatric gastroenterologist, research scientist, and chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition at Mass General for Children (MGfC), and director of the Center for Celiac Research.

DR. FRANK CUSIMANO: gastroenterologist, physician-scientist, and gut-brain health communicator with a PhD in Nutritional and Metabolic Biology from Columbia University Institute of Human Nutrition.

This is... Your Brain On Gluten.

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On... Gluten' • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 2

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Your Brain On... is supported by the FREE monthly Brain Box, available in our NEURO World community: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox

Two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease are women — but why?

In this episode, we unpack the neurological, hormonal, and social drivers that uniquely affect women's brain health during the menopausal transition — from estrogen's protective role in the brain to the misunderstood history of hormone replacement therapy.

We discuss:

• Why women face a higher risk of Alzheimer's than men

• How menopause accelerates brain aging (and how it starts earlier than is often expected)

• The role of estrogen in brain metabolism and neuroprotection

• The real story behind hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

• The impact of genes like APOE4 on women's brain health

• How lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, and cognitive activity can help reduce the impact of neurological changes onset by menopause

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Get our free curation of women's brain health resources in our Brain Box: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox

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To help us tell this story, we welcome three world-renowned women's health experts to the podcast:

DR. LISA MOSCONI: Director of the Women's Brain Initiative, author of 'The Menopause Brain', and pioneering researcher in brain imaging and hormonal neuroscience.

MARIA SHRIVER: Founder of the Women's Alzheimer's Movement, journalist, and relentless advocate for gender equity in brain health research.

DR. LISA GENOVA: Neuroscientist and bestselling author of 'Still Alice', which was adapted into a film starring Julianne Moore, who won the  2015 Best Actress Oscar for her role as Alice Howland.

This is... Your Brain On Menopause.

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On... Menopause' • SEASON 5 • EPISODE 1

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Our free Women's Brain Health Brain Box includes:

• Guides on how to speak with healthcare providers about menopause

• Delicious brain-healthy Mother's Day brunch recipes

• Meaningful gift ideas for the women you love

• Inspiring interviews with world-leading women's health experts

• And even a chance to check your cognitive health with an insightful, science-backed test

Get the Brain Box for free! Here: http://thebraindocs.com/brainbox

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References:

Mosconi, L. (2017). Perimenopause and emergence of an Alzheimer's bioenergetic phenotype in brain and periphery. PloS One, 12(10), e0185926. 

Belloy, M. E. & Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. (2019). A quarter century of APOE and Alzheimer's disease: Progress to date and the path forward. Neuron, 101(5), 820-838. 

Rahman, A. (2019). Sex and gender driven modifiers of Alzheimer's: The role for estrogenic control across age, race, medical, and lifestyle risks. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 11, 315. 

Rocca, W. A. (2012). Hysterectomy, oophorectomy, estrogen, and the risk of dementia. Neurodegenerative Diseases, 10(1-4), 175-178. 

Scheyer, O. (2018). Female sex and Alzheimer's risk: The menopause connection. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 5(4), 225-230. 

Women's Health Initiative Memory Study Investigators. (2003). Estrogen plus progestin and the incidence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment in postmenopausal women: The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study—a randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 289(20), 2651–2662. 

Women's Health Initiative Investigators. (2002). Risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin in healthy postmenopausal women: Principal results from the Women's Health Initiative randomized controlled trial. JAMA, 288(3), 321-333. 

Whitmer, R. A. (2005). Midlife cardiovascular risk factors and risk of dementia in late life. Neurology, 64(2), 277-281. 

Livingston, G. (2024). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. The Lancet, 404(10452), 572-628.

Maki, P. M. (2016). Hormone therapy, dementia, and cognition: The Women's Health Initiative 10 years on. Climacteric, 19(3), 313-315. 

Music is one of the most powerful forces of all time for human connection, cognitive stimulation, and therapeutic introspection.

We've seen music help Alzheimer's patients find their voice, children with speech disorders unlock new ways to communicate with rhythm and melody, and communities express their identity through song.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The cognitive, psychological, and mental benefits of music

• Why learning to play an instrument is one of the best things you can do for your brain

• The power of music as a means of connecting with others

• Therapeutic uses of music for patients living with neurodegenerative diseases

• The neuroscience of how we process sounds and perceive music

We're absolutely thrilled to be speaking to THREE incredible experts on music and cognition today, discussing an element of the human experience that does so much for our brains without us even thinking about it.

In this episode, we're joined by:

DR. ANI PATEL, PhD, a cognitive psychologist at Tufts University known for his research on music cognition and the neuroscience of music.

DR. CHARLES LIMB, MD, a surgeon, professor of otolaryngology, and musician at University of California in San Francisco. 

JONATHAN BISS, renowned pianist and author of the book 'Unquiet', which explores the intersection of music and mental health.

This is... Your Brain On Music.

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On...' is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On... Music' • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 10

This is the Season 4 finale. We'll be back in a few weeks with Season 5!

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LINKS

Dr. Ani Patel, PhD

At Tufts University: https://as.tufts.edu/psychology/people/faculty/aniruddh-patel 

The Sound Health Network: https://soundhealth.ucsf.edu/

Dr. Charles Limb, MD

At UCSF: https://ohns.ucsf.edu/charles-limb 

Dr. Limb's TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/charles_limb_your_brain_on_improv

Jonathan Biss

Jonathan's website: https://www.jonathanbiss.com/

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_biss_official/

Jonathan's book, 'Unquiet': https://www.jonathanbiss.com/projects/unquiet 

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FOLLOW US

Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com

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Website: TheBrainDocs.com

More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Supplements have become a hundred-billion dollar industry. But can they really boost your brain health in the ways they claim?

They're everywhere: shelves and shelves of pills and powders promising everything from  improved immunity, boosted energy, and faster weight loss to better sleep, happier moods, and enhanced sexual wellness.

Social media influencers won't stop talking about them, and they seem to appear in TV commercials every five minutes.

And yet... the evidence supporting most of the claims these supplements make is next-to-nought. So what's the truth?

In 'Your Brain On... Supplements', we discuss:

• The differences between supplements and medication

• Why supplements are so loosely regulated

• The most popular supplements, and the lack of evidence supporting their purported benefits

• Identifying between the placebo effect and real effects

• Some supplements with actual evidence-based potential

• The psychology behind why we all feel compelled to try supplements

• Tips for navigating supplement claims we see on social media

Joining us for this episode is Dr. Adrian Chavez a nutrition researcher, educator, and consultant. He has a PhD in Nutrition and Health Promotion where he conducted research developing and delivering lifestyle interventions in community settings for improving cardiovascular and metabolic health.

After graduating he opened up a private practice and has worked with hundreds of clients helping people to lose weight and improve a variety of health problems with science-based nutrition strategies.

He is the host of The Nutrition Science Podcast, a top-rated nutrition podcast that provides bite-sized episodes covering important topics in nutrition.

This is... Your Brain On Supplements.

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists and public health advocates Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On...' is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On... Supplements' • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 9

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LINKS

Dr. Adrian Chavez on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.adrian.chavez

Dr. Adrian Chavez's website: https://www.dradrianchavez.com/

Dr. Adrian Chavez's Podcast: https://www.thenutritionsciencepodcast.com/

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SELECTED CITATIONS

Dietary Supplement Studies 

Supplements adulterated with drugs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35285963/ 

Prohibited contaminants in dietary supplements: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5753965/ 

Dietary Supplement Fraud: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33412717/ 

Unapproved Ingredients: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30646238/ 

Ashwagandha 

Ashwagandha on Physical Performance https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8006238/

Ashwagandha on sleep https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34559859/ 

Ashwagandha on stress https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017529/ 

Creatine 

Creatine on Memory https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35984306/

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FOLLOW US

Join the NEURO Academy: NEUROacademy.com

Instagram: @thebraindocs

Website: TheBrainDocs.com

More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Traumatic Brain Injury is a major cause of death, disability, and cognitive decline. Thankfully, evolving research is helping us protect our heads and lessen the long-term impacts of TBIs.

In this episode of 'Your Brain On...' we discuss:

• The effects and symptoms of TBI, from mild concussions to more severe head injuries

• What actually happens to your brain when you sustain a TBI

• The links between TBI and neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive impairment

• The prevalence of TBI in military personnel and sportspeople, and how we're improving protective technologies

• Steps to take after experiencing concussions or head traumas

• How brain-healthy preventative lifestyle habits can lessen the long-term impacts of TBI

Our guest for this episode is Dr. David Brody, MD, PhD, Chief Science Officer/Chief Innovation Officer, Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.

Dr. Brody is a pre-eminent researcher of traumatic brain injuries, particularly in military personnel who experience TBIs during combat. 

This is... Your Brain On TBI.

'Your Brain On' is hosted by neurologists, scientists, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai.

'Your Brain On...' is supported by the NEURO World Retreat, taking place in San Diego, September 2–5 2025: https://neuroworldretreat.com/

'Your Brain On... TBI' • SEASON 4 • EPISODE 8

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LINKS

David Brody, MD, PhD: https://www.usuhs.edu/profile/david-brody-md-phd 

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 Website: TheBrainDocs.com

More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast