Episode 579: Dr. Masud Husain: Motivation, Memory, and the Truth About Aging Brains
Descripción del Episodio
Is a lack of motivation a personality flaw, or a signal from your brain that something needs attention?
We tend to think brain decline begins with memory loss, but changes in motivation, behavior, attention, and decision-making can show up much earlier. Apathy can look like laziness. Poor sleep can feel like memory loss. Doom scrolling gets blamed on dopamine, even though the science does not support many of the claims people repeat online. And the habits we rely on for brain health are often based more on trends than evidence.
This matters because your brain is constantly deciding whether a reward is worth the effort. When that calculation becomes harder, doing even simple things can feel overwhelming. Understanding how motivation works can help you reduce friction, take action before you feel ready, build routines that support your brain, and pay closer attention to changes in yourself or someone you love. Purpose matters. Curiosity matters. Relationships matter. And movement may be one of the most effective tools we have for protecting cognitive health.
Dr. Masud Husain is one of the world's leading neurologists studying memory, motivation, attention, and cognitive decline. He is a professor of neurology at Oxford University, co-leads Dementia Research at Oxford University, and serves as editor-in-chief of Brain, one of the most respected journals in neurology. He is also the author of Our Brains, Ourselves, which explores how the brain shapes our behavior, identity, relationships, and sense of self.
What's Discussed:
(06:01) Why losing motivation can appear before memory problems and signal early cognitive decline.
(08:07) How apathy differs from depression, even when the behavior looks almost identical.
(12:14) What two tiny strokes revealed about the brain circuit responsible for motivation.
(20:55) How purpose, curiosity, and strong relationships help protect the aging brain.
(22:23) Why unmotivated people may use more brain energy deciding whether something is worth the effort.
(24:54) What dopamine actually does and why it is not the brain's pleasure chemical.
(26:31) Why the idea that social media gives you constant dopamine hits is not supported by evidence.
(34:50) Whether Alzheimer's can be reversed and what current treatments can realistically accomplish.
(45:17) How breaking tasks into smaller steps, starting before you feel ready, and building routines can create motivation.
(57:12) Whether relying on AI is making our brains lazier and changing how we think.
(01:01:36) How loneliness and isolation affect cognitive performance and long-term brain health.
(01:07:22) How poor sleep, anxiety, and low mood can create memory problems that feel like dementia.
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Magic Mind: Head over to magicmind.com/jen and use code JEN at checkout.
Momentous: Ready to try supplements that actually do what they claim? Head to livemomentous.com and use code JEN for 35% off your first subscription.
Therasage: Visit therasage.com and use code JEN to get 15% off your order. Your skin
Prolon: Prolon is offering listeners 30% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Program! Just visit prolonlife.com/JENNIFERCOHEN and use code JENNIFERCOHEN to claim your discount and your bonus gift.
Kion: Visit getkion.com/habits for 20% off.
Tru Niagen®: For supplements that are rigorously tested, third-party verified, and actually deliver what's on the label, head to truniagen.com
Find more from Jen Cohen:
Website: jennifercohen.com
Instagram: @therealjencohen
Books: jennifercohen.com/books
Speaking: jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagements
Find more from Dr. Masud Husain:
Website: masudhusain.org
X: @MasudHusain
Instagram: @masudhusainoxford
Book: Our Brains, Our Selves
LinkedIn: Masud Husain
Episodios Recientes
Más podcasts de Sociedad y Cultura
Ver toda la categoría →
We!
By shows
<p>The #1 U.S. How To podcast for emotional growth, WE is a movement for reconnection—heart to heart, soul to soul. Hosted by Joe Mittiga, WE explores emotional healing, mental health, personal growth, relationships, and spiritual awakening in a world that feels increasingly disconnected. Each episode reveals why you feel the way you do—and the emotional, mental, and spiritual growth that leads to healing, peace, purpose, and deeper human connection. Through honest conversations and real-life experiences, WE helps you better understand yourself, others, and your place in a changing world. Healing doesn't happen alone. It happens when we remember WE. <br><br></p><p>Visit <a href="http://www.wepodcast.global"><b>www.WEPodcast.global</b></a> to learn more<br><br></p><p>Download my books free at <a href="http://www.joemittiga.com"><b>www.JoeMittiga.com</b></a>.<br><br></p><p><b>Voices of WE</b></p><p><em>Healing humanity, one story at a time.</em></p>
The Permanent Questions With David Brooks
By shows
What makes us human? How can I find purpose in life? How can my relationship survive a rough patch? What do I say to a friend who’s suffering? Does any of this mean anything at all? It’s easy to lose sight of fundamental human concerns amid the churn of the news cycle and the demands of every day. Each week on The Permanent Questions, host David Brooks seeks to return them to our attention through thoughtful conversation with the world’s deepest thinkers.
Simulacro
By shows
Marcos Oliveira, uno de los padres de la inteligencia artificial, desaparece de forma misteriosa en Canarias y lo único que saben es que iba buscando una puerta. El escritor Santiago Álvarez recorre la última ruta que hizo el científico para intentar resolver el misterio pero, cuanto más lo busca, más perdido se encuentra en un laberinto entre la realidad y la simulación.<br /><br />Simulacro es un thriller psicológico especulativo creado por <b>Julio Rojas</b> (autor de 'Caso 63') y protagonizado por Isak Férriz, Mónica López y Alberto San Juan.<br /><br />Producido por El Extraordinario para Turismo de Islas Canarias y financiada con fondos Next Generation de la Unión Europea.
Cisne Rojo
By shows
<p>Sara es la principal accionista de Summer-Petersen, una importante compañía de servicios financieros. Es la ejecutiva más agresiva. La que no tiene miedo. Si se trata de negocios, la información es poder y Sara ve lo que otros no ven. Hasta hoy. Este lunes, reaparece en su vida Miranda Celis, una analista de grandes datos y experta en predicciones basadas en algoritmos. A partir de una sola llamada, Miranda conectará recuerdos del pasado con el anuncio de trágicos e irreversibles eventos futuros. Si Sara piensa que todo es estable, que las personas que ama, que la ciudad que habita, y que todo lo que la rodea estará mañana, hoy Sara deberá pensar otra vez.</p><p> </p><p>Protagonizada por Blanca Lewin e Ignacia Baeza. Creada y escrita por Julio Rojas, el creador de Caso 63. Producida por <a href="http://emisorpodcasting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Emisorpodcasting.com</a></p>
Franco Escamilla Canal Oficial
By shows
¡Bienvenidos al canal oficial de Franco Escamilla! Suscríbete para escuchar un nuevo episodio cada día. Martes: La Mesa Reñoña Miércoles: Los Amos Del Universo Jueves: Toy Aburrido Viernes: Psico y Psico Domingo: Cabareteando Recuerda que no tengo otro canal de audio, no aceptes imitaciones.
Café Francés ~ Aprende francés!
By shows
<p>Café Francés es el rincón preferido de hispanohablantes para aprender francés de forma estructurada y paso a paso. </p><p><br></p><p>Aprenderás frases útiles, diálogos reales, vocabulario esencial, gramática y todo sobre la cultura, costumbres y vida en Francia. Cada episodio se conecta con el anterior e incluye ejercicios practicos. </p><p><br></p><p>Además, tú también formas parte de esta aventura! Conversa conmigo y propon nuevos temas en las redes sociales. Juntos creamos una comunidad apasionada por el idioma y la cultura francesa. </p><p><br></p><p>Bienvenue à Café Francés – on y va !</p><p><br></p><p>Sébas</p>
La Cultureta
By shows
Rubén Amón, Rosa Belmonte, Guillermo Altares, Isabel Vázquez JF León y Sergio del Molino hablan sobre cine, música, libros, series y mucho más...
Espías: clave secreta
By shows
Hay guerras que no aparecen en los libros de historia. Se libran en silencio, en los despachos más discretos y en las calles más concurridas. Sus protagonistas no llevan uniforme. Sus victorias no se celebran. Y sus derrotas, a veces, cambian el mundo. Espías: Clave Secreta es un podcast de Vicente Vallés sobre los hombres y mujeres que operaron en la sombra durante el siglo XX. Topos que pasaron décadas infiltrados en el corazón del enemigo. Operaciones diseñadas para engañar a ejércitos enteros. Traiciones que costaron miles de vidas. Y espías que, en secreto, evitaron una guerra nuclear. Cada episodio, un caso y cada caso una historia que parece imposible y que, sin embargo, ocurrió. Créditos Dirección y guion: Vicente Vallés y Cristina de Juan Narración: Vicente Vallés Diseño de sonido: Andrés Moraleda Una producción de Onda Cero Podcast y Antena 3 Noticias