65. Dr. Austin Perlmutter: Why You’re Addicted to Bad Habits (And How to Reverse It)

Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

What if the reason you can’t focus, feel chronically overwhelmed, or keep slipping into the same unhealthy habits… isn’t a discipline problem, it's your brain’s biology working against you?

In this episode of Extend, I'm joined by Dr. Austin Perlmutter, board-certified internal medicine physician and neuroscientist, to explore how inflammation hijacks your brain’s decision-making and what you can do to take back control.

We dig into why modern life wires your brain for reactivity over intention, the shocking impact of neuroinflammation on mood and behavior, and how daily habits are either fueling the fire or calming the system. You’ll learn practical tools to reduce brain-body inflammation, support cognitive clarity, and make better choices even under stress.

Dr. Austin Perlmutter, MD is a board-certified internal medicine physician, neuroscientist, and New York Times bestselling author.

Let's dive in!

We Also Discuss:

• Why Brain Health Isn’t Just in Your Head

• The Overlooked Link Between Metabolism and Mental Clarity

• What Chronic Inflammation Is Really Doing to Your Brain

• How Long-Term Stress Rewires Your Biology

• Rethinking Depression: It’s Not Just in the Mind

• Can You Rewire Your Brain? The Science of Neuroplasticity

• Are Psychedelics the Future of Mental Health?

• The Brain-Sleep Connection You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

TruNiagen: Whether you are looking to stay sharp, feel more energized or simple age better, go to https://www.truniagen.com/IFit: If you are looking to elevate your home gym fitness experience with the best in fitness tech, choose IFIT. Go to https://www.ifit.com/NextHealth: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/

Learn more about Dr. Shah:

Website: https://www.drshah.com/

Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/

Learn more about Dr. Austin Perlmutter:

Website: https://www.austinperlmutter.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draustinperlmutter/

Lichen air: Get 10% off at https://lichen-air.myshopify.com/?rfsn=8715882.7adc91 using code DRSHAH10

Sources: Effects of different physical activities on brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Dr. Austin's research on Tartary Buckwheat: www.bigboldhealth.com