Dr. Dani BrainLove

09/04/2026

For family members and care partners navigating progressive cognitive change, Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, and related conditions, I'm launching a new, free virtual monthly gathering called How Do We Live With This?.

Each month, we’ll take on a different real-life topic with thoughtful conversation, practical insight, shared experience, and occasional guest speakers. Participation is encouraged!

Our first topic is one I don’t think we talk about enough:

When Caregiving Dims the Spark in You, Me, and Us
We’ll explore how masculine and feminine roles, strengths, and identities can become depleted in caregiving relationships.

A woman may be extraordinarily capable of managing, organizing, anticipating, and carrying the mental load while slowly losing access to softness, spontaneity, pleasure, or the experience of being cared for.

A man may be deeply loving and excellent at caregiving while becoming increasingly disconnected from agency, vitality, purpose, play, adventure, sexuality, or freedom.

Competence does not equal nourishment.

We’ll talk about how caregiving can reshape identity, energy, and connection and how we can continue nourishing the parts of ourselves that make us feel most alive.

Thursday, October 1 | 9:00–10:15 AM AZ/PDT | Zoom
Free and open to the public.
To register: Email [email protected] or call (480) 470-8222.
See you there!

08/31/2026

One of the most fascinating areas of psychedelic research is neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new connections and reorganize itself.

In this clip, Dr. Dani Cabral and biomedical research analyst James Hosobe explore the idea that psychedelics may temporarily “shake up” the brain from rigid patterns of thinking and behavior.

James Hosobe uses a powerful analogy: a snow globe.

When the snow settles, everything stays in the same place. But shake it up, and suddenly there’s movement, possibility, and a chance for things to reorganize.

For conditions like depression and PTSD, where repetitive thought and behavioral patterns can become deeply ingrained, researchers are exploring whether psychedelics might create a temporary window of increased neuroplasticity, a period when new patterns and behaviors may be easier to learn.

But there’s an important distinction: potential is not proof. The science is still evolving, and much more research is needed to understand who may benefit, how these treatments should be administered, and what the long-term effects may be.

Watch the full BrainLove conversation to explore what we know, what we’re still learning, and where the future of psychedelic medicine may be headed. https://youtu.be/SqlA3nFrELg?si=uaKQzmRZZZKmgRZ4

08/28/2026

Can we actually prevent Alzheimer’s or at least change our odds?

Dr. Dani Cabral, Ivy League-trained neurologist and psychiatrist, recently joined Robert Todd Hurst, MD, FACC, FASE of Healthspan MD for an insightful conversation about one of the most important topics in brain health: how we can take action today to protect our brains for the years ahead.

And the message is hopeful.

Alzheimer's risk isn’t simply determined by age or genetics. There are meaningful steps we can take to support both brain health AND heart health and what’s good for one is often good for the other.

In this episode, they explore:

🧠 The latest science on Alzheimer’s prevention and why there’s reason for hope
❤️ The powerful connection between cardiovascular and brain health
🧬 What the APOE gene really means (and what genetic testing can and can’t tell you)
🩸 What to know about the emerging world of Alzheimer’s blood tests
🤝 Why social connection is an important part of protecting cognitive and overall health
🌱 How lifestyle changes can meaningfully influence your long-term risk

The goal isn’t to predict your future.

It’s to recognize what you can influence and start there.

If you’re thinking about your brain health before symptoms appear, this conversation is worth a listen.

Listen to the full episode and discover what proactive brain health can look like.

Dr. Dani Cabral, an Ivy League-trained neurologist and psychiatrist...

08/25/2026

A call to my fellow Geriatric Millennials, Gen Xers, and young Boomers who are thinking seriously about their brain health.

As a brain aging specialist, I’ve found myself pushing back more and more when my colleagues say, “It won’t change management.” In medicine, that usually means: even if we learn that someone has increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease, there may not yet be a specific medication we would start or a standard medical treatment we would change. So why test? Why look? Why know?

But I think that definition of “management” is far too narrow. Because if the only things that count as action are prescriptions and procedures, then yes, there may appear to be very little to do before memory loss begins. Exercise. Eat well. Stay socially and cognitively active. Control your blood pressure. Come back if something changes.

Since founding BrainLove, and having the freedom to think differently about this, I’ve become increasingly convinced that this seriously underestimates both what we can do and what people are capable of understanding. People are smarter, more curious, and more willing to engage with uncertainty than we often give them credit for. They can understand that science is still evolving, that risk is almost never destiny, and that some answers will be imperfect. And they can still say: I want to know what we know. I want an expert to help me understand what actually matters, and I want to make thoughtful decisions about the next 10, 20, or 30 years of my life.

That is why I am excited to announce the BrainLove Proactive Brain Health Program!

We look beyond a generic “brain healthy lifestyle” and consider cardiometabolic health, sleep, stress, genetics, cognitive performance, brain structure and integrity, medications, mindset, and, when appropriate, emerging Alzheimer’s biomarkers.

Then comes the most fascinating and most challenging part: putting all of it together, communicating it in a way that can be understood and used, and determining what kind of structure and support a person needs to make meaningful changes sustainable. Large prevention studies like U.S. POINTER are reinforcing that knowing what to do is not the same as having the support to actually do it.

BrainLove is not offering a generic longevity protocol, a stack of supplements without good evidence, or an isolated Alzheimer’s blood test without considering pre-test probability, context, and limitations. We are piloting an expert physician-led team program around different questions: What actually matters for this particular person? What deserves attention now? What can safely be left alone? What should we monitor over time? And what might change as the science changes?

If that sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about the BrainLove Proactive Brain Health Program or schedule a discovery call to see whether it’s the right fit a https://brainlove.health/services/

08/20/2026

What if psychedelics could play a role in how we age?

In this episode of BrainLove, Dr. Dani Cabral sits down with biomedical research analyst James Hosobe to explore the emerging science behind psychedelics and their potential role in healthy brain aging.

They discuss how compounds like psilocybin and other psychedelics may influence:

✔️ Neuroplasticity
✔️ Mental health and emotional well-being
✔️ Cognitive resilience
✔️ Healthy aging, particularly in older adults

But this conversation goes beyond the excitement surrounding psychedelics. Dr. Dani and James also examine the current evidence, limitations, safety considerations, and unanswered questions surrounding this rapidly evolving field.

James brings a unique perspective from his work with the Arizona Department of Health Services, spanning biomedical research, psychedelic policy, drug safety, harm reduction, and evidence-based public health. He has also contributed to Arizona's initiatives involving psilocybin and ibogaine. As research continues to evolve, understanding both the potential and the limitations of psychedelics will be essential.

Listen to the full episode of BrainLove and join the conversation about what the future of brain health and healthy aging might look like.

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/SqlA3nFrELg

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/can-psychedelics-heal-the-aging-brain-the/id1819239903?i=1000784138210

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1VgOSFZgYzx0k7zo8hpcQw?si=D7NPb9GzQwCFWo9hoyVWGw

08/19/2026

What if I told you your brain has its own cleaning system?

It's called the glymphatic system, and its job is to help wash away waste that builds up between your brain cells throughout the day.

Unlike the rest of your body, your brain doesn't have lymphatic vessels running through it. Instead, it relies on this unique clearance system to move waste out of the brain and one of the most fascinating things we've learned is that it's most active while you're asleep.

That's one more reason why sleep isn't just about feeling rested. It's an essential part of maintaining long-term brain health.

In this clip, neuroscientist Dr. Jeffrey Iliff, one of the researchers who helped discover the glymphatic system, explains this incredible process in a way that's easy to understand.

If you've ever wondered why sleep is so important for your brain, you won't want to miss the full conversation.

Watch the full episode on YouTube

for a deeper dive into the science behind the brain's natural cleaning system, what we've learned about Alzheimer's disease, and practical insights for protecting your brain health.

https://youtu.be/nKVKNhr8MQg?si=4A8v4Gf682rxOBi7

Apple: https://apple.co/4gnH9ez

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3607fJfYuinkQo76XXe9vU?si=4Nhw8P7hQdiv_7deImfdSQ

Have you ever heard of the glymphatic system before today? Let me know in the comments!

08/18/2026

In this episode of BrainLove, Dr. Dani Cabral sits down with biomedical research analyst James Hosobe to explore the emerging science of psychedelics and their potential role in healthy brain aging. Together, they discuss how compounds such as psilocybin and other psychedelics may support neuroplasticity, mental health, and cognitive resilience particularly in older adults while examining the current evidence, limitations, and future directions of this rapidly evolving field.

James Hosobe is a biomedical research analyst with the Arizona Department of Health Services, where his work spans preclinical and clinical research, psychedelic policy, and evidence-based public health.

He holds degrees in biochemistry with an emphasis in medicinal chemistry, East Asian studies, and pharmaceutical sciences. James has also contributed to Arizona's state initiatives involving psilocybin and ibogaine. His expertise centers on psychoactive pharmacology, drug safety, harm reduction, and the development of thoughtful, evidence-based approaches to psychedelic regulation.

Full episode here:

In this episode of BrainLove, Dr. Dani Cabral sits down with biomed...

08/17/2026

The Hidden Brain Cleaning System Activated by Sleep

Most people think sleep is simply about feeling rested the next day.

But while you're sleeping, your brain is doing something remarkable.

Research suggests that deep sleep activates your brain's natural clearance system, a process that helps remove waste products, including proteins like amyloid and tau, which are associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Even more interesting? Many of the factors that increase the risk of Alzheimer's, such as aging, high blood pressure, diabetes, traumatic brain injury, and chronic sleep disruption, are also linked to a less efficient brain clearance system.

That doesn't mean poor sleep causes Alzheimer's, but it does remind us that sleep is one of the most important pillars of brain health we can influence.

You don't have to be perfect. Every step you take to improve your sleep is an investment in your brain for years to come.

Full episode here: https://youtu.be/nKVKNhr8MQg?si=4A8v4Gf682rxOBi7

Apple: https://apple.co/4gnH9ez

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3607fJfYuinkQo76XXe9vU?si=4Nhw8P7hQdiv_7deImfdSQ

What's one habit that's helped you get better sleep? Share it in the comments. I'd love to hear what's worked for you.

08/14/2026

BrainLove is one year old. 🧠💜

This year has brought some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. Building a medical practice from the ground up has stretched me in every way imaginable, while life outside of work has reminded me just how fragile and precious life is.

But one year in, I’m more convinced than ever that there is another way to care for people and families living brain aging changes, Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, and other progressive brain diseases.

BrainLove is not a model built only around tests, diagnoses, medications, and what might happen next. It’s a model built around helping people continue to live.

Our patients, families, and community have taught us so much. A few lessons I keep coming back to:

1. Choose connection over fear.
Fear makes us withdraw, avoid difficult conversations, or brace for what is coming. Connection reminds us that we were never meant to navigate uncertainty alone.

2. Remain curious instead of trying to control everything.
There is so much we cannot predict. Curiosity creates room for adaptation, discovery, and possibility.

3. Keep investing in relationships despite uncertainty.
Loving someone when the future feels uncertain is one of the most courageous things we do.

4. See the whole person, not just the disease.
A diagnosis may change someone’s brain. It does not erase their humor, preferences, purpose, relationships, or humanity.

5. Care for yourself as compassionately as you care for someone else.
Sustainable care cannot be built on one person disappearing in service of another.

And perhaps the biggest lesson of all:

Knowledge must lead to action.

People don’t just need more information about their brains. They need help understanding what matters, deciding what to do next, adapting when things change, and continuing to create a meaningful life along the way.

One year of BrainLove.

We are still learning, experimenting, and building. And I especially want to celebrate Mia Joslin, our incredible BrainLove Medical Assistant and a future doctor. She has been part of the heart, hustle, and growth of this first year, and I’m so grateful for everything she brings to our patients, families, and team. She is wise and empathetic beyond her years.

And incredibly grateful to every patient, family, colleague, friend, and community member who has helped us imagine what brain aging health care can become.

Here’s to year two. 🧠💜
Learn more at https://brainlove.health/

07/31/2026

This conversation with Dr. Jeffrey Iliff blew my mind. 🤯🤯🤯 He is one of the pioneering scientists behind the discovery of the glymphatic system, the brain's waste clearance mechanism.

Together, we explore how the brain removes harmful proteins, why addressing sleep, cerebral vessel health, and neueoinflammation is essential for this process, and what happens when this system becomes impaired. The conversation also dives into groundbreaking MRI techniques that allow researchers to study brain clearance in humans, the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and how these discoveries may lead to earlier detection and future treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Watch on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKVKNhr8MQg&t=562s

Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3607fJfYuinkQo76XXe9vU?si=4Nhw8P7hQdiv_7deImfdSQ

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hidden-brain-cleaning-system-that-could-change/id1819239903?i=1000778900972