Dr. Tommy Wood discusses his book The Stimulated Mind, arguing that learning new skills combined with good diet, sleep, and exercise drives neuroplastic changes that improve daily cognition and reduce dementia risk at any age.
Hey, I'm here with Dr. Tommy Wood, and this is such a treat. You know, sometimes you're just lucky that you end up with the right environment, with the right person on the right theme. And look at his new book, The Stimulated Mind, neuroscientist, University of Washington. Tommy, what a treat to meet you. You too. Tell us a little bit quickly about your book, because it's an exciting new entry into the whole field of brain plasticity. Where are we going?
Thanks. So The Stimulated Mind, my book, is all about this idea that how we use our brains determines how they function. So thinking about all the amazing things that we can do with our brains at any age, knowing that your brain can change at any age, that if you learn new skills and then you help support the response and adaptation to those skills through lifestyle and diet and sleep, you can see incredible improvements in brain health, day-to-day cognitive function, and ideally over the long term, decrease your risk of dementia.
So what I would say is that there's a million questions I'd like to talk with Tommy about, but I just want you to find the answers to those questions here in this book. This is going to be a really great read. I recommend The Stimulated Mind for your own stimulated mind. Tommy, thanks a million. Thank you.
