Joe Rogan Experience #2450 - Tommy Wood

Introduction to Future-Proofing the Brain00:01

Joe Rogan welcomes Tommy Wood, author of The Stimulated Mind, focused on future-proofing the brain from dementia and staying sharp at any age.

Tommy Wood's Background00:32

Tommy Wood has worked in newborn brain injury treatment, traumatic brain injuries and concussions, long-term cognitive decline and dementia, and with elite athletes like Formula 1 drivers to maintain peak performance. Across these areas, core elements support brain development and maintenance of cognitive function, applicable daily to improve focus, well-being, and reduce dementia risk.

What is Dementia?01:33

Dementia is a clinical diagnosis of losing enough cognitive function to be unable to care for oneself daily.

• Most common: Alzheimer's disease (60-80% of cases).
• Next: vascular dementia (10-20%).
• Others: frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's-related dementia. 70-90% of dementias are the first two types, directly tied to lifestyle and environment. 45-70%+ of dementias are preventable, mostly these categories.

Genetic components:

• Early-onset Alzheimer's: single mutation (e.g., amyloid precursor protein gene, presenilin genes); onset 30s-50s; rapid decline; ~1% of cases.
• Age-related Alzheimer's: environment-influenced.
• ApoE4 gene: 3 flavors (ApoE2, ApoE3, ApoE4); two copies inherited.
  • ApoE4 amplifies brain inflammation; worsens CTE with repetitive impacts.
  • One copy: 2-6x Alzheimer's risk.