65. Dr. Austin Perlmutter: Why You’re Addicted to Bad Habits (And How to Reverse It)

What if the reason you can’t focus, feel chronically overwhelmed, or keep slipping into the same unhealthy habits… isn’t a discipline problem, it's your brain’s biology working against you?

In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Dr. Austin Perlmutter, board-certified internal medicine physician and neuroscientist, to explore how inflammation hijacks your brain’s decision-making and what you can do to take back control.

We dig into why modern life wires your brain for reactivity over intention, the shocking impact of neuroinflammation on mood and behavior, and how daily habits are either fueling the fire or calming the system. You’ll learn practical tools to reduce brain-body inflammation, support cognitive clarity, and make better choices even under stress.

Dr. Austin Perlmutter, MD is a board-certified internal medicine physician, neuroscientist, and New York Times bestselling author.

Let's dive in!

 

We Also Discuss:

• Why Brain Health Isn’t Just in Your Head

• The Overlooked Link Between Metabolism and Mental Clarity

• What Chronic Inflammation Is Really Doing to Your Brain

• How Long-Term Stress Rewires Your Biology

• Rethinking Depression: It’s Not Just in the Mind

• Can You Rewire Your Brain? The Science of Neuroplasticity

• Are Psychedelics the Future of Mental Health?

• The Brain-Sleep Connection You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

 

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Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

 

Learn more about Dr. Austin Perlmutter:

 

Website: https://www.austinperlmutter.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draustinperlmutter/

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Sources: Effects of different physical activities on brain-derived neurotrophic factor  

Dr. Austin's research on Tartary Buckwheat: www.bigboldhealth.com