Your Brain On – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Your Brain On

Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai

Science

Health & Fitness

Frequency: 1 episode/13d. Total Eps: 69

A podcast about the neuroscience of everything. From neurologists, researchers, and public health advocates Drs. Ayesha and Dean Sherzai, explore every aspect of our world through a neuroscientific lens, with science-based stories, interviews, anecdotes, and brain health facts. Equip yourself with neurologically sound answers to life's everyday health questions and learn the essentials of brain health and optimization, one topic at a time.

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

No recent rankings available

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://thebraindocs.com/
42 shares
https://neuro.world/
30 shares
https://brainhealthinstitute.com/
24 shares

https://www.instagram.com/thebraindocs
59 shares
https://www.instagram.com/dr.matthewnagra
4 shares

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 68%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

Your Brain On... Parkinson's (2025)

Season 6 · Episode 4

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 • Duration 01:16:41

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)

—————

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/

—————

References:

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

—————

Join NEURO

Instagram: @thebraindocs

Website: TheBrainDocs.com

More info and episodes: TheBrainDocs.com/Podcast

Read moreCollapse

Your Brain On... Eating Meat

Season 6 · Episode 3

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 • Duration 01:58:42

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'.

Your Brain On... The Food Industry

Season 5 · Episode 5

Thursday, May 22, 2025 • Duration 27:44

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

———

Your Brain On... Lyme Disease

Season 5 · Episode 4

Thursday, May 15, 2025 • Duration 50:20

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

Your Brain On... Brain-Computer Interfaces

Season 5 · Episode 3

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 • Duration 51:37

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

Your Brain On... Gluten

Season 5 · Episode 2

Thursday, May 1, 2025 • Duration 01:00:43

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

———

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

Your Brain On... Menopause

Season 5 · Episode 1

Thursday, April 24, 2025 • Duration 01:01:07

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

———

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

———

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... Music

Season 4 · Episode 10

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 • Duration 01:02:01

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... Supplements

Season 4 · Episode 9

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 • Duration 48:09

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... Traumatic Brain Injury

Season 4 · Episode 8

Thursday, February 6, 2025 • Duration 43:10

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

—

LINKS

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

Your Brain On – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Your Brain On – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other99+

Instagram30

PubMed21

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other99+

Instagram30

PubMed21