#486: Unlocking Brain Plasticity: How Speed Training Can Help Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline With Dr. Henry Mahncke

📍 Good news! My original Instagram is back! Please follow my original account at https://www.instagram.com/nathalieniddam/ and also my backup account at https://www.instagram.com/longevitywithnat/. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Henry Mahncke, an innovative neuroscientist and the CEO of BrainHQ, who has dedicated over two decades to uncovering the powerful ways targeted training can help the brain process information faster and more efficiently. In our conversation, Dr. Mahncke shares his deeply personal motivation behind this work, recalling early experiences with his grandfather’s cognitive decline and how witnessing that loss inspired a lifelong mission to challenge outdated beliefs about the aging brain. Visit BrainHQ.com/nat, and register for free with no credit card and receive one exercise per day, plus access to the BrainHQ brain-health blog. Episode Timestamps: The brain is not a fixed organ ... 00:00:00 Personal story: family and early memories of dementia ... 00:06:06 Origins of the myth that adult brains can’t change ... 00:08:30 Breakthrough research on neuroplasticity at UCSF ... 00:09:29 How processing speed underpins healthy cognitive function ... 00:16:37 Noisy, slow processing as a hallmark of aging brains ... 00:18:14 Speed training to synchronize and strengthen neural networks ... 00:19:32 Brain training as underlying “strength training” for cognition ... 00:20:40 Problems with current dementia research funding priorities ... 00:21:33 ACTIVE study: speed training reduces Alzheimer’s risk ... 00:24:46 Everyday, real-world benefits of brain training ... 00:28:04 Why brain training isn’t just crosswords and games ... 00:30:00 Neurochemistry of attention, reward, and adaptive challenge ... 00:31:16 Scientific rigor and industry skepticism ... 00:56:53 Expanding use: from seniors to athletes and special forces ... 01:00:12 Personal evolution in thinking about brain health ... 01:03:29 Brain training as an essential pillar for longevity ... 01:06:42 Learn more from Dr. Henry Mahncke below: Website: BrainHQ.com/nat LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henry-mahncke-3b89072/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brainhq Our Amazing Sponsors: LongeFera by Regenerive - A precision-formulated ashwagandha supplement that isolates four key bioactive compounds to support a healthy stress response, cognitive function, balanced inflammation, and cellular longevity—without the fillers and inconsistent extracts found in many products. Head to regenerive.co and use code NAT25 for 25% off your order. Countdown Insiders by Countdown — Join a community helping fund groundbreaking mitochondrial research while receiving exclusive events, science briefings, partner perks, and a voice in what Countdown does next. Get your first month free with code NATHALIE at joincountdown.org/membership. Vampire Exosomes by Young Goose — an easy twice-daily serum designed to support smoother-looking, firmer, more hydrated, radiant skin, with 3 trillion quantified exosomes per bottle and a 90-day user study showing reported improvements in overall skin quality and fine-line smoothness. CLICK HERE and use code NAT10 to save on Vampire Exosomes. Nat's Links: YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter Original Instagram Backup Instagram Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode