MENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF CHILDHOOD LEAD EXPOSURE

For developing brains and bodies, lead exposure can be devastating in a variety of ways. The CDC warns that childhood exposure to lead increases the risk of:

• Brain and nervous system damage
• Impaired growth and development
• Learning and behavior problems, including lower IQ, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and criminal behavior
• Problems with hearing and speech

Researchers have been studying the mental health effects of lead exposure for decades. One long-term study, which tracked 579 children from New Zealand over more than 30 years, examined the link between lead exposure in childhood and mental health effects in adulthood.

Lead exposure had already been established as disrupting the behavioral development of children who were exposed, but researchers wanted to pinpoint its lasting effects. They found that with more lead exposure in childhood, individuals were more likely to exhibit mental illness across their lifetimes, as well as challenging personality traits in adulthood.

Increased levels of lead in blood were associated with increased mental health symptoms, especially internalizing and thought disorders. And personality tests revealed higher lead levels were related to increased neuroticism, as well as a decrease in agreeableness and conscientiousness.

In other words, researchers concluded, childhood exposure could have a lifelong impact on mental health and even personality.

A 2019 article in JAMA that evaluated this study added that previous research had linked prenatal or childhood lead exposure with greater risk for mental health issues in adulthood, including schizophrenia and antisocial behavior.

But the New Zealand children studied were of particular interest because their birthplace registered “some of the highest gasoline lead levels in the world,” according to the article. Therefore, unusually high levels of lead contaminated the air and soil through the exhaust from automobiles.

These same children were also shown, in a separate study, to experience negative health outcomes when tested in adulthood, at 38 years old. Their increased lead exposures were associated with more significant declines in both IQ and occupational socioeconomic status, which itself can further impact health.

LEAD EXPOSURE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN ADULTS

It’s important to look at how lead exposure affects mental health. In 1999, a five-year study evaluated the connection between lead levels in blood and three common mental health concerns: major depressive, panic, and generalized anxiety disorders. The results showed that higher lead levels in blood increased the odds of depression and panic disorder.

Related: 10 Scary Ways Toxins Poison Your Brain

Those with the highest lead levels were 2.3 times more likely to have depression and 4.9 times more likely to develop a panic disorder, compared to subjects with the lowest levels. Higher lead levels did not show the same association with generalized anxiety disorder.

The nearly 2,000 participants were young adults (20-39 years old) who were considered to have low levels of exposure. Therefore, researchers concluded that lead exposure “at levels generally considered safe could result in adverse mental health outcomes.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that lead causes devastating health impacts globally. Lead contaminates the environment through activities like mining and manufacturing, and it’s present in products from paints and toys to cosmetics and jewelry. It can even be found in drinking water.

The WHO lists numerous harms caused by this heavy metal, including:

• Increased risk of high blood pressure
• Cardiovascular problems
• Kidney damage
• Reduced fetal growth and premature birth among pregnant women

• Severe damage to the brain and central nervous system, causing coma, convulsions and even death (with high levels of exposure)
• Compromised brain development, resulting in reduced IQ and behavioral changes, including reduced attention span
• Anemia
• Hypertension
• Immunotoxicity
• Toxicity of the reproductive organs

Ultimately, environmental toxins like lead will steal your mind over time. A toxic brain, as shown in SPECT scans, tends to have a scalloped appearance, with decreased overall activity and blood flow. And because the symptoms of neurotoxicity from lead and other dangerous substances may mimic other conditions, this issue can easily be misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.

Related: 23 Everyday Toxins That Destroy Thinking

LEADED GASOLINE AND MENTAL ILLNESS

An article in 2024 noted that exposure to leaded gasoline affected millions of Americans, creating long-term impacts on mental health and personality changes. Generation X (those born between the mid-1960s and early 1980s) showed the greatest related risks for mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

The article also pointed to the possible connection between falling crime rates and reduced lead exposure in the 1990s and 2000s. This theory, known as the lead-crime hypothesis, links criminal behavior (including homicide) and lead exposure.

Authors cited a 2022 study with alarming stats regarding lead exposure in the United States. It estimated that more than 170 million Americans alive were exposed to high lead levels in early childhood. And several million of them “were exposed to five-plus times the current reference level.”

Leaded gasoline significantly contributed to these high exposure levels. The article explained that this increase could trigger “an estimated 151 million additional mental disorders, including heightened risks for anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).”

Authors called for more lead screening, particularly among children, and psychiatric recognition of lead poisoning as a neurodevelopmental disorder. With more awareness, they hope for increased efforts toward both prevention and intervention.

HEALING A TOXIC BRAIN

While lead poisoning at any age is devastating, there are steps you can take to heal if you suspect toxin exposure.

CANNABIS AND HEART HEALTH

In March 2025, findings were presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session that linked cannabis use with heart attacks. This presentation combined a study with more than 4.6 million participants and a meta-analysis of 12 previous studies that, in total, involved 75 million-plus people.

The study found that cannabis users under the age of 50 were more than six times likelier to have a heart attack, compared to non-users. And the meta-analysis showed that users had a 50% increased risk of heart attack.

The study also noted cannabis users had a fourfold risk of ischemic stroke, double the risk of heart failure, and a threefold risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, or stroke. Participants had no “significant cardiovascular comorbidities,” such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco use, or preexisting coronary artery disease.

These findings supported a previous study that was presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session in 2023. It found that daily marijuana users were one-third more likely to develop coronary artery disease, compared with those who’d never used the drug.

Similarly, in 2024, the Journal of the American Heart Association reported research that found any use of cannabis (smoking, vaping, or eating) was correlated with an increased risk for stroke and heart attack. Again, this held true even without other underlying cardiovascular risk factors present, including smoking tobacco.

This study analyzed survey data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tracking 434,104 U.S. adults from 2016 to 2020. It found that “any marijuana use was linked to a higher risk for heart attacks and strokes, but people who used it most frequently had the highest odds.”

Daily users had 25% higher odds of having a heart attack and 42% higher odds of stroke than non-users. Among men under age 55 and women under age 65, marijuana use created 36% higher combined odds for coronary heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.

HOW MARIJUANA AFFECTS YOUR HEART AND BRAIN

It’s no surprise that cardiovascular issues are associated with negative effects on overall cognitive function and mental health. What’s bad for the heart is bad for the brain. Marijuana and brain health don’t mix.

 Amen Clinics founder Dr. Daniel Amen wrote in The End of Mental Illness about his early experience witnessing the connection between cardiovascular disease and depression. After his grandfather, Daniel Ara, had a heart attack at age 69, his personality drastically changed.

Once a happy and positive man, after the heart attack he cried easily, suffered from sleeping troubles, and lost his usual joyful attitude. Eventually, he was diagnosed with major depression and prescribed antidepressant medication.

“He’s one of the main reasons why I fell in love with helping people who are suffering from brain health/mental health issues,” Dr. Amen wrote. “I wish I had known then what I know now about sugar, blood flow, heart disease, and depression.”

Blood flow is critical for the human body—transporting nutrients, including oxygen, to cells while flushing toxins. And the brain especially needs blood flow to function. Though it makes up only 2% of a human’s body weight, it uses 20% of the body’s oxygen and blood flow.

Related: 11 Ways You’re Lowering Blood Flow to Your Brain (and Why You Should Care)

That’s one reason why marijuana, and anything else that inhibits blood flow, will damage the heart and blood vessels—and inevitably harm the brain. Conversely, maintaining heart health helps promote optimal brain health. The link between cardiovascular and mental health has been firmly established in the field of study known as psychocardiology.

Research in this field has shown that those with mental health conditions (including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia) are more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases, even at young ages. And the relationship is bidirectional: People with cardiovascular disease are more likely to suffer from conditions like depression and dementia.

Therefore, protecting the blood vessels that feed the body’s neurons will boost not only heart health, but brain health. The result is a sharper mind as well as improved mental health.

On the other hand, low blood flow has been observed through SPECT brain scans to accompany numerous mental health conditions and symptoms. These include depression, suicide, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse, and more. Studies have shown that using marijuana is associated with lower cerebral blood flow.

The effects over time can be devastating. A study of more than 7,700 brain images found that vascular dysregulation within the brain was a key signal in the early development of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, low blood flow (detectable by SPECT scan) is the #1 predictor that a person will develop this condition.

CANNABIS AND MENTAL HEALTH RISKS

Clearly, the potential mental health effects of cannabis are alarming. Numerous studies have examined the links between marijuana use and brain health, with dangerous implications for mental health.

These effects are particularly insidious for young users (adolescents, teens, and young adults), whose brains are still developing. Studies have found numerous dangers of using cannabis during neurodevelopment, including:

• Disruption of the endocannabinoid system
• Interference with crucial brain processes, including synaptic pruning and neuroplasticity
• Reduced hippocampal neurogenesis, leading to memory deficits and cognitive decline
• Effects on neurotransmitter systems, including the dopaminergic, glutaminergic, and GABAergic systems
• Structural and functional brain changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus
• Decline in cognitive performance, attention, and memory
• Risk for developing dependence, known as marijuana use disorder

In addition, cannabis use boosts the risk for mental health issues. These include psychosis and schizophrenia, as well as mood disorders, such as clinical depression and anxiety disorders. Users may also experience emotional dysregulation.

Related: Scary Ways Cannabis Impacts the Developing Brain

Finally, cannabis inhibits normal functioning, interfering with everyday tasks. The World Health Organization warns that the drug impairs psychomotor skills, affecting coordination and attention.

For example, cannabis can interfere with safe machinery operation for as long as 24 hours after smoking it, raising the risk of dangers like car accidents. Accidents can lead to concussion and traumatic brain injury, which trigger their own negative impacts on the brain and mental health.

Press Play to Discover More About Cannabis and Mental Health

In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen reveal the darker side of marijuana no one’s talking about. Discover what brain SPECT scans show about its effects on brain health, mental well-being, and mood regulation—and learn why it’s important to know the full story before you decide if it’s right for you.

WHAT IS NOMOPHOBIA?

According to a systematic review in a 2021 issue of PloS One, the term nomophobia was coined by the U.K. Post Office in 2008, when it worked with research organization YouGov to examine mobile phone-related anxiety. It combines the words “no mobile phone phobia.”

Related: What Is Digital Dementia? And How to Overcome It

In that study, nearly 13 million people (53% of survey respondents) reported being anxious about their phones. Losing or forgetting their phone, running out of battery or network coverage, and not receiving calls, texts, or emails for a while were all reported sources of anxiety.

A 2019 study in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care notes that nomophobia is a type of “over-connection syndrome,” wherein face-to-face interactions are reduced to accommodate virtual ones. It also relates to the term “techno-stress,” which refers to avoiding face-to-face socialization in favor of technology, leading to withdrawal and possibly depression.

The study authors outlined numerous nomophobia symptoms, including:

• Anxiety when faced with loss of a cell phone, loss of signal, or a drained phone battery
• Using the smartphone impulsively or as a protective mechanism to avoid social communication
• Carrying multiple mobile phones and/or battery chargers to avoid disconnection
• Preferring virtual over face-to-face social interactions
• Keeping the phone in reach and powered on at all times, even during sleep
• Frequently looking at the phone to avoid missing a notification (also called “ringxiety”)
• Respiratory changes, trembling, perspiration, agitation, disorientation, or rapid heartbeat induced by phone-related anxiety

In addition, nomophobia can lead to larger problems in life. These include financial distress due to mobile phone charges, compromised face-to-face relationships, or physical problems like pain in the body (such as in the hands or neck) due to constant smartphone use.

NOMOPHOBIA AND MENTAL HEALTH

A 2021 systematic review study in Addiction & Health explained that recent studies pointed to certain psychological characteristics as being associated with smartphone addiction. These include: 

• Stress
• Extroversion (greater need for socialization and communication)
• Lack of self-responsibility (because online communication has no limitations and rules)
• Emotional instability (indirect communication like messaging reduces neurotic or stressful incidents)
• Low self-esteem
• Lack of self-discipline

Does phone addiction cause anxiety or depression? According to this review, nomophobia and excess phone usage were found in various studies to be linked to traits like depression, anxiety, perfectionism, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, and neuroticism.

Press Play to Discover How Your Phone Habits Can Affect Your Mood

In this video, Dr. Daniel Amen explores how excessive use of digital devices can impact your energy and outlook.

Click below to tune in:

THE VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY EPIDEMIC

When the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) monitored the vitamin D status of more than 71,000 Americans from 2001-2018, results showed that:

• 6 percent had severe vitamin D deficiency
• 22 percent had moderate vitamin D deficiency
• 6 percent had some level of vitamin D insufficiency

In other words, just over one-third (34.5 percent) of people studied had sufficient levels of vitamin D. Severe and moderate deficiencies were more common during the wintertime, as well as among certain populations—females, non-Hispanic black populations, and individuals ages 20-29.

Overall, the most significant predictors of severe vitamin D deficiency were: age, sex, ethnicity, season, sun-protective behaviors, lower BMI, lower socioeconomic status, drinking alcohol, and less milk consumption.

These numbers echo the findings at Amen Clinics. All patients receive vitamin D tests, and a surprising number of them have low levels. Modern lifestyle choices, like sunscreen application and less time spent outdoors, have diminished vitamin D levels.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to check your vitamin D levels the next time you visit a doctor. A simple blood test, called 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, will let you know where you fall in the range of results:

Deficient: <30 ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter)

Low-Normal: 30-50 ng/mL

Normal: 30-100 ng/mL

Optimal: 50-100 ng/mL

Ensure you receive the actual number of your result—not just the category it falls in (such as “normal”). You want to reach the optimal range to offer the best protection against a range of health issues.

Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with more than 200 conditions, from depression and dementia to autism and heart disease. On the other hand, optimal levels will support both physical and mental health in numerous ways.

Related: 7 Reasons to Take Vitamin D

HOW VITAMIN D AFFECTS THE BRAIN

Numerous studies have linked vitamin D to effects on the brain. A 2014 study found that vitamin D prevented cognitive decline and enhanced the synaptic function in the hippocampus of aging rats. Those given higher vitamin D3 diets were able to perform complex memory tasks, unlike rats with low or normal dietary amounts of vitamin D.

That’s because, as the study noted, vitamin D helps regulate calcium and is responsible for diverse functions in various tissues, including the brain. The authors cited increasing evidence associating vitamin D with maintaining cognitive function (and its deficiency with accelerated cognitive decline with age).

These findings have been echoed in human studies, too. A 2022 study linked vitamin D with better cognitive function. Subjects with higher brain concentrations of vitamin D showed 25-33 percent lower odds of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) before death.

Similarly, research from 2015 determined that those with deficiencies in vitamin D had greater rates of decline in episodic memory and executive function, compared to those with adequate levels. And participants with MCI had lower levels of vitamin D than those who were cognitively healthy.

These findings backed up an earlier study, published in the journal Neurology in 2014, that tracked 1,658 people over the age of 65 over an average of six years.

Researchers found that not getting sufficient vitamin D may more than double the risk of developing dementia in older populations—a 53 percent increase. And those who were severely deficient had a 125 percent increased risk, compared to participants with normal vitamin D levels.

These results were similar when looking at Alzheimer’s disease. Participants with lower levels of vitamin D were nearly 70 percent more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Severe deficiency was associated with a 120 percent increase in the likelihood of developing the disease.

Related: What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia?

CAN VITAMIN D REDUCE DEMENTIA RISK?

The links illustrated above are not surprising, because we know that vitamin D receptors are present throughout the brain. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in protecting cognitive function, learning, and making memories.

A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease points to another possible reason for the link between cognitive decline and vitamin D. It suggested that vitamin D may stimulate the immune system, helping rid the brain of beta-amyloid, which are the plaques seen in Alzheimer’s disease.

What does this mean about the connection between vitamin D and Alzheimer’s disease? If low vitamin D is linked to dementia risk and cognitive decline, researchers were quick to ask: Does vitamin D prevent dementia? And could vitamin supplements help?

A Canadian study published in 2023 explored this link between vitamin D supplementation and dementia in 12,388 individuals who did not have dementia. Researchers reported that “vitamin D exposure was associated with significantly longer dementia-free survival and lower dementia incidence rate than no exposure.”

Furthermore, in 2024, a systematic review of literature explored the potential relationship between vitamin D deficiency and risk of cognitive impairment or dementia. The resulting meta-analysis considered 23 studies on the subject.

Results showed that vitamin D deficiency was associated with a higher risk for dementia (1.42 times the risk) and a 34 percent elevated risk for cognitive impairment. But vitamin D was non-linearly related to dementia risk, meaning that benefits peak at a certain level.

This review established optimal vitamin D levels at 77.5-100 nmol/L vitamin D for reducing dementia risk and >40.1 nmol/L for decreasing risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

HOW TO BOOST VITAMIN D

Maintaining optimal vitamin D levels won’t only protect your brain from dementia—it will boost your mood, promote mental health, and improve your immunity. Here are three ways to make sure you’re getting enough of this crucial vitamin:

1. Mind your diet. Load up on foods rich in vitamin D. These include mushrooms, fatty fish (such as salmon and tuna), and eggs (especially yolks).

2. Bask in the sun. While too much sun exposure can be harmful, you’ll want to aim for getting some sun (without sunscreen) in short bursts. Go outside twice a week for 5-30 minutes to activate vitamin D production.

3. Take a supplement. Vitamin D supplements are helpful to ensure your levels are optimal. This is especially important in winter months, when full sun exposure is less available. Try to add 2,000-5,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day to your system through high-quality supplements.

Press Play to Learn Tips for Better Vitamin D Activation

In this video, Amen Clinics integrative nutritionist Cindy Santa Ana reveals the other nutritional supplements your body needs to fully activate vitamin D.

Click below to tune in:

ROAD RAGE, A COMMON PROBLEM

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) defines road rage as “aggressive or violent behavior stemming from a driver’s uncontrolled anger at the actions of another motorist.” Aggressive driving is more common than you might imagine, causing 66% of traffic fatalities, according to statistics.

Related: Does Anger and Violent Behavior Mean You’re a Bad Person?

Nobody likes being the victim of dangerous driving, and it can make you feel anxious or angry. Data shows that about half of all drivers who are the victim of road rage behavior respond with aggressive behavior by making a rude gesture, shouting, honking their horn, tailgating, or flashing their lights.

In some cases, this leads to an escalation of rage and aggressive behavior. Drivers may:

• Try to run the other car off the road
• Intentionally run into the other vehicle
• Exit their vehicles to engage in a physical altercation
• Use a weapon to harm the other driver

ROAD RAGE QUIZ: ARE YOU AT RISK FOR AGGRESSIVE DRIVING?

Think road rage is only a problem for other drivers? You might be surprised. Many of us exhibit aggressive driving habits without realizing it. Take a moment to answer these questions honestly:

• Do you often speed or race through red or yellow lights to save time?
• Do you frequently use your horn out of frustration?
• Do you find yourself tailgating or flashing your headlights when someone is driving slower than you’d like?
• Do you ever make rude hand gestures or yell at other drivers?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, you may be an aggressive driver prone to road rage. Often, aggressive driving isn’t just about traffic—it’s a sign brain health issues or a sign of stress bubbling over from other areas of life. Crowded roads can act as a pressure cooker, and when another driver does something that seems inconsiderate (even if it’s unintentional), that pressure can erupt.

Other driving behaviors may also contribute to road rage in fellow drivers, such as:

• Making turns or changing lanes without using your turn signal
• Using your phone or being otherwise distracted
• Cutting people off when changing lanes
• Keeping high beams on at all times, even when there is oncoming traffic

If you engage in these driving habits, you may put yourself at risk of being involved in a road rage incident. It’s a good idea to reflect on your behavior and get to the root cause. 

UNDERSTANDING ROAD RAGE AND THE BRAIN

The human brain is involved in everything you think, do, and feel, and it’s involved in every decision you make while driving. The brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics shows that when there is abnormal activity in certain areas of the brain, it may contribute to anger, impulsivity, violent behavior, and other issues associated with road rage.

Amen Clinics uses single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), a brain-imaging  technology that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. Here’s a look at what over 250,000 SPECT scans from tens of thousands of patients at Amen Clinics reveals about road rage and the brain.

In general, there are three important brain systems that can play a role in road rage behavior.

1. Anterior Cingulate Gyrus (ACG)

The ACG and surrounding areas of the frontal lobes are involved in shifting your attention from one thing to another. When the ACG is working effectively you’re more able to roll with the circumstances of the day. However, if this part of the brain works too hard, there’s a tendency to get locked into negative thoughts or behaviors.

Something happens to some drivers when they get behind the wheel of a car; a territorial animal comes growling to the surface. When another driver makes an unsafe move, they can’t just express frustration, call the person a bad name, and continue driving.

Instead, the anger festers, and they get locked into a course of aggressive action—swearing, gesturing, chasing, or harassing the other driver. This is due to trouble with shifting attention.

Related: Getting Unstuck

Some examples of attention shifting issues in the ACG brain include:

• Getting stuck on ineffective thoughts and behavior patterns
• Argumentativeness
• Oppositional behavior
• Holding onto hurts from the past
• Excessive worrying

2. Temporal Lobes

The temporal lobes are located on either side of the brain below the temples and behind the eyes. The temporal lobes are involved in emotional stability and mood control among other important processes.

Brain scans show that when there is abnormal activity in this area, it can be associated with temper problems, aggressive behavior, emotional outbursts, and violence. Abnormal activity in the temporal lobes is often seen in people with a condition called intermittent explosive disorder.

3. Prefrontal Cortex (PFC)

Located in the front part of the brain, the PFC is involved in impulse control, planning, judgment, empathy, and more. On SPECT scans, low activity in the PFC is linked to impulsivity, poor judgment, and trouble with planning.

These issues can make a person do something or say something they shouldn’t that they will regret later.

In addition to these brain function issues, psychological factors such as chronic stress may also contribute to road rage.

THE CHRONIC STRESS-ROAD RAGE CONNECTION

For some people, road rage isn’t just a random emotional outburst—it’s a sign that their brain is stuck in a chronic state of stress and overactivation. When stress builds up over time, it alters brain function, making it harder to stay calm in frustrating situations.

Related: How Chronic Stress Rewires Your Brain (and What To Do About It)

Stress isn’t just a feeling; it physically changes the brain. When someone experiences ongoing stress—whether from work pressure, financial struggles, or personal challenges—the brain becomes wired for overreaction. Here’s how:

• Overactive Stress Circuits: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s central stress response system, stays in a heightened state, making small irritations (like getting cut off in traffic) feel like major threats.
• Weakened Emotional Control: Chronic stress suppresses the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain responsible for rational thinking and self-control. This makes it easier to snap in the heat of the moment.
• Increased Sensitivity to Triggers: A constantly stressed brain becomes hypervigilant, interpreting even minor inconveniences as personal attacks, which can fuel aggressive driving behavior.

WHY SOME STRESSED-OUT DRIVERS SNAP FASTER THAN OTHERS

Not everyone reacts to stress the same way. Some people stay composed, while others spiral into rage. Several factors influence how stress impacts road rage, including:

• Unresolved Trauma: Past emotional wounds can make perceived slights on the road feel personal, triggering an exaggerated response.
• Lack of Sleep: Sleep deprivation increases emotional reactivity, making people more likely to lash out.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Low levels of key nutrients, like magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids, can contribute to mood instability and impulsivity.
• Toxic Thought Patterns: Negative thinking—such as assuming other drivers are intentionally rude—can fuel anger and hostility.

Understanding how stress rewires the brain gives us a critical tool for managing road rage. By calming the brain, reducing daily stress, and improving self-regulation skills, drivers can stay in control—even in the most frustrating traffic situations.

A CASE STUDY IN ROAD RAGE

Be careful when you notice yourself or another driver becoming furious with road rage. It can quickly turn into a downward spiral.

That’s what was happening with a 37-year-old attorney. When other drivers cut him off, he would chase them, and on two occasions, he got out of his car and bashed in their windows with a baseball bat.

After the second incident, he decided he needed to see a mental health professional and made an appointment at Amen Clinics. He said, “If I don’t get help for this, I’m sure to end up in jail.”

His brain scan revealed two abnormal findings:

• Increased activity in the ACG, causing him to get locked into negative thoughts and actions.
• Hyperactivity in the left temporal lobe, which correlated with angry outbursts.

Following recommendations to calm activity in the ACG and temporal lobes helped him gain better control over his anger and avoid future road rage issues.

CALM YOUR BRAIN WHEN ROAD RAGE STRIKES

When a road rage incident begins, remind yourself that you are responsible for your actions and take steps to diffuse the situation. If you’re getting angry or find yourself thinking about engaging in aggressive driving behaviors, follow these tips.

• Pull your car over in a safe place.
• Take a few deep breaths.
• Turn on soothing music.
• Mouth “I’m sorry” to the other driver.
• Allow enough space for the other driver to pass you.
• Think about the consequences of your actions (damage to one or more vehicles, physical harm, and legal issues).

On a day-to-day basis, you can minimize the risk of road rage by working to optimize your brain function.

Press Play to Discover How to Calm Your Temper

In this video, Dr. Daniel Amen reveals several of the calming strategies he shares with the people who visit Amen Clinics to learn how to deal with out-of-control anger issues.

Click below to tune in:

WHY BIPOLAR DISORDER IS OFTEN MISSED OR MISDIAGNOSED

Many people assume bipolar disorder always involves extreme manic episodes, but that’s not the case. There are several types of bipolar disorder, including bipolar 1, bipolar 2, and cyclothymia. When it comes to bipolar 1 vs bipolar 2 and cyclothymia, the latter two involve milder forms of mania (hypomania), making them harder to recognize.

RELATED: The Surprising Differences Between Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2

These episodes may not disrupt daily life in obvious ways, which is why people often don’t realize they have a mood disorder. The early signs of bipolar disorder in adults can include subtle mood shifts, impulsive behaviors, chronic irritability, and periods of extreme productivity.

Often, these symptoms can be spotted by those around you or if you’re aware and tracking your own behaviors. Unfortunately, there are often missed symptoms or confusing bipolar disorder signs most people miss that aren’t always discussed in mental health circles.

Related: What Your Doctor Might Be Missing About Your Bipolar Disorder

Common Misdiagnoses of Early Signs of Bipolar Disorder in Adults

Bipolar disorder is frequently mistaken for other mental health conditions, leading to delayed or incorrect treatment. This can be devastating if you’re unsure of how to talk about your symptoms with your doctors.

Other mental health conditions can “mask” early symptoms of bipolar disorder in adults, so it’s just as important to know the most common misdiagnoses to talk about it early.

• Depression – Many people with bipolar disorder experience more depressive episodes than manic ones, also known as “rapid cycling”, leading doctors to diagnose unipolar depression instead.
• ADHD – Impulsivity, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating are hallmark symptoms of both conditions.
• Anxiety disorders – Periods of excessive worry and racing thoughts in bipolar disorder can be confused with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) – The emotional instability in BPD can resemble the mood swings seen in bipolar disorder. Though some may mistakenly interchange these mental disorders, their symptoms are distinct.

Press Play for More on Bipolar Disorder vs ADHD

In this video, Dr. Steven Storage, a psychiatrist at Amen Clinics, discusses three key dissimilarities in these two mental health conditions.

WHAT IS THE RISK PERCEPTION GAP?

The risk perception gap is the discrepancy between how risky something actually is based on statistics or facts and how risky people think it is based on their personal beliefs, feelings, or instincts. According to research, this is a case of risk misperception where people categorize threats based on emotions rather than rationality or reason. 

For instance, some people may have an intense fear of occurrences like plane crashes, even though they are very rare, yet they underestimate more common and fatal risks like car accidents or heart disease. Such misperception leads to complacency or unnecessary fear as people try to manage real-world risks. 

COGNITIVE BIASES THAT DISTORT RISK PERCEPTION

Our brains often rely on mental shortcuts, also known as cognitive biases, to simplify information processing. 

These biases can be useful in quick decision-making, especially when managing complex life situations in limited time. Even so, cognitive bias and fear usually work hand in hand, bypassing logical thinking in favor of past experiences or instincts.

So, what are some of the most common cognitive biases? Here are four mental shortcuts that distort thinking:

Availability Heuristic

This is an important element of the risk perception psychology that explains how we judge the probability of an event based on how easily we can recall instances or examples. In most cases, this results from the level of attention some of these events receive from the media.

For example, after hearing about a plane crash, you are more likely to believe that air travel is riskier than it actually is. You may overestimate such a risk just because that memory is still fresh in your mind. 

Related: Phobias: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Neutral Bias

Our brains are hardwired to focus more on negative information than positive or neutral information. Naturally, your mind is attracted to negative emotions, experiences, or events because they are usually viewed as threatening or urgent.

For instance, if you see numerous positive reviews about a product but only one negative review, you’re more likely to focus on and remember the negative review. This can influence your decisions based on fear and caution rather than rationality. 

Probability Neglect 

Probability neglect is the cognitive bias where emotions like excitement or fear can cloud your judgment, making you overlook the actual likelihood of an event taking place.

For instance, watching a horror movie can make you so scared that you believe something dangerous could be lurking around you. This feeling of fear can make you exaggerate the risk in your mind and overlook the reality of the matter. 

Anchoring Bias

This is about how we tend to rely heavily on the first bit of information we come across, to make judgements or decisions. This piece of information is called the anchor. Anchoring bias causes your brain to cling to the first information you received and use it to judge everything that follows.

As an example, let’s say you hear that a certain purse costs $1,000. That price will stick in your mind. But later when you see a similar bag being sold for $700, it will feel like a bargain even though it’s still costly.