Most of us assume cognitive decline is an inevitable part of getting older. But what if the science says otherwise? Dr. Tommy Wood says this is a modern health myth. His argument: if stimulated in the right way, the adult brain can stay sharp and high-functioning well into retirement age.
A neuroscientist, performance consultant, and recent author of The Stimulated Mind, Tommy has spent his career applying the principles of brain performance to a wide range of lifestyles - from Formula 1 drivers to busy professionals. This week, he sits down with Charlie and Greg, to explore what it actually takes to keep your brain healthy and adaptable across time.
Starting with the science, Tommy will walk us through how the brain develops, and why being challenged through learning is good for neuroplasticity. He helps us wrap our heads around this with a helpful shorthand he calls “the 3-S Model”: Stimulus, Supply, and Support. Our guest also makes a case for freeing up “headroom”; we’ll let you find out what that means. Together, we’ll explore why cognitive decline is so often the result of a more sedentary lifestyle, and find out how to circumvent that.
In the practice segment, Tommy, Greg, and Charlie will get into tangible exercises and small habits we can all try to improve our brain's ability to learn. Including:
- Why video games are actually good for us (31:30)
- Which physical activity sustains brain health best (35:05)
- The case for learning a language - and yes, this includes coding (38:19)
- How to stay challenged in a world where AI starts doing the thinking for us (40:55)
Finally, in the experience section, we turn to real-life learning challenges and answer your listener questions. We’ve got a fascinating discussion on access to information in the age of the internet, and how that impacts our memory capacity. We also bring you practical answers to reconcile the enjoyment of learning new things with long-term cognitive benefits.
Enjoy this conversation, and if you'd like to send us your health questions for future episodes, remember to email us a voice note or write in at
themethod@thriva.co
To explore further:
What is The Method - Health in the Real World?
Health advice is everywhere. Cold plunges, macro tracking, strength training, microplastics. Everyone's got an opinion. So what's actually worth your time? That's what this show is for.
Dr Greg Potter is an expert in sleep, nutrition & metabolism. Charlie Edmondson isn’t. She's someone trying to feel better, get better sleep and not get fooled by wellness trends. They work through health topics together, with Charlie asking the questions you’re probably already asking yourself, and Greg cutting through the noise with what the science really says.
This isn't about chasing the next biohack. It's about the long game of building a healthier, longer life without losing your mind trying to optimise every minute of it.
Whether you're just getting curious about your health or you've been deep in it for years, The Method is here to give you advice you can actually trust. Explained by someone who knows, questioned by someone who wants to know too.
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About Thriva
The Method is brought to you by Thriva, a proactive health platform built for the modern age. The promise of longevity often comes with years spent in poor health. We want to bridge the gap between lifespan - how long we're living - and healthspan - how well we're living.
We combine powerful at-home blood testing with wearable insights and expert guidance. So you can know exactly what’s going on inside your body - and what to do about it - before issues arise. With this podcast, we hope to bring listeners confidence in everyday health decisions.
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