115. Nourish Your Mind: The Surprising Connection Between Food and Mental Health

Welcome back everyone! In this episode of Anxiety Rx Podcast, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with my friend Dr. Drew Ramsey—he’s a rockstar psychiatrist and the author of Healing the Modern Brain. We dove into the fascinating world of nutritional psychiatry (yes, your brain really does care about what's on your plate!) and explored how food, family, and mental fitness all tie together. Dr. Drew shared some eye-opening insights on taking a proactive approach to mental health—think of it as personal training, but for your mind. We talked about the emotional bonds we build through food, the underrated magic of family meals, and simple, realistic ways to boost your brainpower every day. It was a fun, inspiring convo that reminded me (and hopefully you too!) that mental fitness isn't just about coping—it's about thriving. So whether you're whipping up dinner or just thinking about your next snack, this episode is a great reminder to stay curious, stay connected, and take care of that incredible brain of yours. Thank you for listening and you can find me on IG: @theanxietymd P.S. If you would like to join the MBRX family of 4500+ anxiety WARRIORS who are shifting from coping with their anxiety to actually HEALING it, click the link below: https://www.theanxietymd.com/MBRX To dive deeper into Dr. Drew’s work, here’s where you can find him: https://drewramseymd.com/ ______________________________ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Healing the Modern Brain 03:07 The Nine Tenets of Mental Fitness 05:55 Nutrition's Role in Mental Health 08:59 Family Dynamics and Food Relationships 11:49 The Importance of Connection 15:02 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact 17:56 The Role of Self-Care in Mental Fitness 20:52 Exploring Therapy and Treatment Options 24:02 The Intersection of Mind and Body 27:03 Integrative Approaches to Mental Health 35:04 Exploring Ketamine and Psychedelics 38:48 The Role of Neuroplasticity in Mental Health 40:28 Mental Fitness: Beyond Symptom Management 42:16 The Importance of Therapeutic Relationships 44:15 Building Resilience Through Knowledge and Support 46:10 Engaging with Nature for Mental Health 49:47 The Power of Purpose and Connection 52:20 Journaling and Self-Reflection Techniques 56:35 Understanding Emotional Regulation and Tolerance 01:01:31 The Interconnectedness of Mental Health and Society