Building Mental Fitness & Healing The Modern Brain with Drew Ramsey, MD

In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, Dr. Emeran Mayer speaks with Dr. Drew Ramsey, psychiatrist, author, and leading voice in nutritional psychiatry, about how to cultivate mental fitness, a proactive, evidence-based approach to brain health.

Their conversation explores the biological and lifestyle factors that influence mental well-being, from the foods we eat to the way we sleep, move, and connect with others. Dr. Ramsey explains how modern stressors like ultra-processed foods, digital overload, and social isolation impact inflammation and brain function, and why small, intentional lifestyle choices can have profound effects on mood and resilience.
Grounded in both neuroscience and clinical experience, this discussion highlights how mental fitness is not about perfection, but about daily practice – nurturing the brain’s capacity to adapt, grow, and thrive.

Key Topics Covered:

• What “mental fitness” means and how to strengthen it
• The biological and environmental roots of the mental health crisis
• How nutrition and the gut microbiome shape mood and resilience
• The role of connection, movement, and purpose in emotional health
• How modern food and technology influence brain function
• Practical steps to protect and restore mental well-being

This episode shows us that through cultivating mental fitness, we can strengthen the brain’s ability to meet life’s challenges with clarity, flexibility, and optimism.