Change your brain, change your life. It’s the concept Daniel G. Amen, MD, first introduced in his mega-bestselling book of the same name. The idea of improving brain health to help overcome symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADHD, memory problems, and more has inspired millions of people around the world to adopt better daily habits. The result for many of them? Feeling happier, calmer, more focused, and sharper. But they often wonder just how much the brain can physically improve in a short amount of time.
That’s what Jeff Wittek, a superstar YouTuber with over 3 million subscribers, wanted to know. And it’s why he got a follow-up brain SPECT scan 6 months after his first one. It revealed some very interesting findings.
JEFF WITTEK: BEFORE-TREATMENT BRAIN SCANS
In 2020, Wittek experienced a terrible accident in a stunt gone wrong that not only left him with serious injuries to his eye and face but also had a negative impact on his mental health. It left him feeling depressed, anxious, and lost. In May 2021, Wittek visited Amen Clinics and filmed an episode of Scan My Brain. During the visit, the YouTuber had a brain SPECT scan to evaluate his brain function and find out why his mental health was suffering.
His brain scan showed that the accident had damaged his brain by reducing blood flow, especially in the frontal lobes, and had increased activity in the emotional and anxiety centers of the brain. Low blood flow in the frontal lobes is associated with problems with forethought, judgment, decision-making, and impulse control. Too much activity in the emotional brain is linked to depression and anxiety.
He walked away from the consultation with recommendations to improve his anxiety and to heal depression after a head injury and started implementing them in his life. In an effort to improve his brain health and his psychological well-being, Wittek engaged in hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), started taking nutritional supplements, and began killing the ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) that infested his mind. How much would it help, he wondered?
JEFF WITTEK: AFTER-TREATMENT BRAIN SCANS
Fast forward 6 months. Wittek returned to Amen Clinics for a follow-up SPECT scan to evaluate his progress. In a new episode of Scan My Brain, he says he feels happier and is doing much better. These days, he rates his mood as an 8 out of 10 (on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being best) compared to a 4 just half a year ago. Even better, he says his brighter moods are shining through in his YouTube videos and getting better responses from his viewers.
After 6 months of following Dr. Amen’s brain-healthy recommendations, Wittek’s whole outlook has shifted. “I wake up with a purpose…a sense of this is what life’s about more than just stupid jokes,” says Wittek. “I’m still going to do the stupid jokes, but I feel like I’m back to myself.”
After 6 months of following Dr. Amen’s brain-healthy recommendations, YouTuber Jeff Wittek says, “I feel like I’m back to myself.”
Wittek says one of Dr. Amen’s recommendations has been particularly helpful. “Something you said to me last time stuck with me, and I’ve been using it, and I think it’s really helped me out,” he says. Wittek’s talking about killing the ANTs. He says he’ll hear something that in the past might have gotten him riled up, but now he recognizes the thought is just an ANT. “I don’t waste my energy on something that’s out of my control,” he says. Instead, he takes that energy and tries to use it in a productive way.
Feeling better is one thing. Wittek wanted to see if his brain was better too. His follow-up SPECT scans didn’t disappoint. The overactivity in the emotional and anxiety centers of the brain was much calmer, which is associated with less depression and anxiousness. In his frontal lobes, where blood flow was too low on his previous scan, the blood flow had improved, which is linked to better decision-making, judgment, and planning.
WITH THE BRAIN, THERE’S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Even though Wittek’s brain function showed improvement, there is room for further optimization. Wittek admits to a few bad habits that aren’t helping his brain, such as smoking marijuana and boxing. If he can curtail these habits, it will help his brain heal even faster, according to Dr. Amen.
The most surprising thing Wittek has experienced in his post-accident journey back to brain health and mental health is how people have reacted to his story. After sharing the truth about his injuries and his efforts to get healthy, he has become a motivational and inspirational figure to people. It’s not something he ever anticipated. In fact, he admits, “I used to make fun of those guys… but it’s given me a purpose.”
With a purpose and a plan, brain health is more attainable than ever. And as follow-up brain SPECT scans show, it can happen quickly when you stick to the recommendations. Getting a follow-up SPECT scan can often provide the motivation needed to stay on track and keep improving.
Depression, anxiety, head injuries, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples.Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834or visit our contact page here.
