I am honoured to be joined by an incredible guest today with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of neuroscience. 

Dr Andrew Scholey is the Professor of Human Psychopharmacology at Swinburne University in Melbourne, Australia. Having published over 250 peer reviewed journal articles, Professor Scholey’s is a leading authority on the neurocognitive effects of nutrition. He is particularly interested in the way nutra' interventions such as caffeine, drugs and alcohol change the human brain, physiology and behaviour.

In this episode, we dive into a discussion about nutritional interventions that improve mood and cognitive function. Professor Scholey talks about the impact of recreational drugs and alcohol on the brain, the things we can do to remain healthy and decrease the risk of future disease.

We also discuss the relationship between cognitive decline and mental illness and Professor Scholey shares some insights from a number of studies that are underway to discover more of what science is saying on the topic. 

Topics we cover and where to find them:

• [0:00]: Intro.
• [2:45]: Introducing Dr Andrew Scholey
• [6:10]: Improving cognitive function
• [7:20]: Publications on the effects of extracts 
• [9:00]: Increasing glucose and oxygen for brain function
• [11:25]: Whole dietary patterns
• [13:10]: The impact of high sugar on the hippocampus 
• [14:30]: The SMILEs Trial 
• [15:20]: The relationship between cognitive decline and mental illness
• [16:40]: Neurogenesis 
• [18:45]: Flavonoids and vitamin B
• [20:00]: What improved cognitive function means
• [21:15]: Caffeine 
• [23:00]: Consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs
• [25:05]: Hangovers and shrinkage of the brain 
• [27:00]: The role of the microbiome and it’s effect on mental health
• [28:15]: Proteins in the brain 
• [29:30]: The importance of getting to the truth
• [30:30]: Consistency in healthy eating 
• [32:30]: Where to find Dr Andrew Scholey

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Episode Resources:



• Dr Andrew Scholey | Twitter
• Website

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