Chasing Life

The podcast explores the relationship between food and brain health, discussing the impact of nutrition on academic performance and overall well-being. It highlights the benefits of probiotics and certain foods in preventing memory loss and dementia. The negative effects of excessive sugar consumption and processed foods are also discussed, as well as the connection between diet and anxiety as a therapeutic tool for mental health.

Psychiatrist and author Dr. Gail Saltz joins Dr. Sanjay Gupta to discuss coping with the overwhelming news cycle. They address the toll violent images can have on mental health, offer tips on managing stress and anxiety, and provide guidance on talking to children about current events.

Julie Stamm, clinical assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Kinesiology, discusses the risks and benefits of youth sports, including the presence of CTE in young individuals and the challenges in diagnosing concussions and CTE. The importance of minimizing head impacts and responsible coaching is emphasized, along with a preview of the upcoming episode on brain health and the preference for yoga.

Learn about the brain remodeling and rewiring during menopause. Discover the positive aspects of this phase and how to prepare for it. Explore the possible connection between menopause and Alzheimer's. Embrace menopause as a learning experience and challenge negative connotations. Find out about the benefits of aerobic exercise and potential hormone usage in achieving balance in the postmenopausal brain.

Discover the fascinating history of caffeine and its impact on civilization and consciousness, as science writer Michael Pollan shares his research. Explore the effects of caffeine on the brain, including increased alertness and subsequent crashes. Gain insights into the power of quitting caffeine and experiencing its effects firsthand.

Learn about the importance of rest for our brains and how it affects our overall health. Discover the benefits and best practices of napping, and explore the relationship between rest and brain health. Find out how to create nap-friendly spaces and prioritize rest in our busy lives.

Explore the challenges of staying focused in a distracting world, learn how attention spans have shortened over time, and discover techniques for improving attention and productivity.

Over the last year on the podcast Sanjay has been having some very candid conversations with his family. On this special episode of Chasing Life, we revisit conversations with his wife, Rebecca and daughters, Soleil, Sage and Sky about smartphones, social media and their impact on young people. Sanjay also speaks with his brother, Suneel and parents, Damyanti and Subhash, about the myth of the midlife crisis and the ways that we approach life as we age.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Sanjay Gupta examines the potential benefits of medical marijuana. Over the last 10 years, Dr. Gupta's reporting on the topic has produced seven CNN documentaries. In his most recent investigation, he meets scientists and families who found success using marijuana for patients suffering with dementia. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 6, 2023.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chasing Life is taking a short break and will be back with new episodes next month. This week, we are sharing Dr. Gupta’s most recent documentary examining the potential benefits of medical marijuana. His investigation explores the fastest growing group of cannabis users, people who are 65 and older. This special report originally aired on CNN on August 6, 2023.To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices