Adam Gazzaley

Join Dr. Daniel Amen, renowned psychiatrist, as he shares daily practices to enhance brain health and prevent decline. Memory guru Jim Kwik dishes out tips on boosting reading and focus, while neuroscientist Dr. Adam Gazzaley introduces Endeavor RX, a game that improves attention in children and adults alike. Dr. Patrick Porter unveils BrainTap technology, combining guided meditation and light therapy for cognitive enhancement. Together, they explore the intersection of brain health, mindfulness, and innovative tools to amplify cognitive function.

How do you focus a distracted mind? Attention and focus come up a lot in the Kwik Brain community. In the world of dings and pings, staying on task can become increasingly difficult, especially when your to-do list is a mile long. But attention exists to help you not only survive, but to thrive—if it’s trained. To go in-depth on this topic, I’m thrilled to have Dr. Adam Gazzaley, M.D., Ph.D. on our show today. Dr. Gazzaley is the David Dolby Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Physiology, and Psychiatry at UCSF. He’s the founder of Neuroscape, host of a national PBS show, and the co-author of The Distracted Mind: Ancient Brains in a High-Tech World. It’s impossible to put all of your focus everywhere at the same time. That’s simply not how the brain works. But being able to ignore certain stimuli isn’t a process that comes naturally. You have to learn how to direct where your attention goes. If you’ve been struggling with how to concentrate, focus, and minimize distractions in your daily life, this episode is for you. ***If you’re inspired, I want to invite you to join me in my brand NEW 10-day course, specifically designed to boost your productivity. I know it sounds too good to be true, but I give you step-by-step guides using the accelerated learning model to help you get more done and achieve your goals. Visit http://kwikbrain.com/productivity to join me today.***See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you’re like me, you have a love-hate relationship with your digital devices. On the one hand, they give us access to unlimited amounts of information, connect us with friends and family, and allow us to work from pretty much anywhere. On the other hand, they can captivate our attention so much that we feel distracted and angsty. And try as we might, we often find it hard to ignore the itch to stop scrolling through Instagram and really listen to what a loved one is saying. Why do these devices feel so dang addictive?My guest today is a neuroscientist who’s studied that question in depth. His name is Adam Gazzaley and he’s the founder of Gazzaley Labs at the University of California at San Francisco. There, he and his team have researched what goes on in our brains when we use our digital devices, why they distract us, and what we can do about it.Today on the show, Adam and I discuss the science of distraction and focus. Adam walks us through the cognitive functions we use to focus our attention and to avoid distraction. He then explains why these evolved cognitive functions are mismatched to today’s constantly buzzing digital devices, using a theory of optimal food foraging borrowed from biology. We then discuss action steps grounded in science on how you can beat distraction and stay more focused throughout the day. We end our conversation talking about Adam’s work creating prescription video games (yes, prescription) that can be used to help elderly patients and individuals with ADHD.

Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a neurology professor, discusses the impact of technology on attention span and cognition. He shares details about a video game treatment for ADHD, the importance of disconnecting from technology, and how single-tasking improves flow state. They also explore the role of thoughts and emotions in health, limitations of drug targeting in the brain, and the power of experiential medicine.

Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a trailblazer in brain optimization and digital medicine, shares his insights on the intersection of technology and mental health. He discusses groundbreaking video games designed to enhance cognitive function, emphasizing long-term benefits for older adults. The conversation dives into advancements in psychedelic research, exploring their potential in therapeutic practices and neuroplasticity. Gazzaley also highlights the importance of calculated risk-taking for innovation, paving the way for a new era in mental health and neuroscience.