Energy, Awareness, and the Hidden Heart

Welcome to the number one radio health talk show in America, the Dr. Bob Martin Show. Dr. Martin is a chiropractic physician, a board certified clinical nutritionist and diplomate of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. The information presented on this show is educational in nature. Please consult your personal health care provider regarding health issues you may have. Got a health-related problem or challenge? Not feeling well, and you just don't know where to turn or what to do? Dr. Bob Martin is here for you and will do his very best to answer your health question. The toll-free number to ask Dr. Martin a health question or to make a health-related comment is 800-606-8822. 800-606-8822. That's 800-606-8822. It's the Dr. Bob Martin Show. Welcome, welcome, and thank you for making your health a priority today. I'm Dr. Adam Brockman, and wherever you're tuning in from, you are part of the collective conversation for better living. Let's begin here. Health isn't lost overnight. It's surrendered one overlooked choice at a time. But the same way habits drain energy, habits can deposit it back. If you're ready to reclaim those deposits, you've landed in the right place. The show where science meets common sense and natural solutions still hold the mic. And yes, the lines are open. I want you to jot this down. The number is 800-606-8822. Again, that's 800-606-8822. too. That's your toll-free connection to a healthier you. And also, if you want references, show notes, or deeper dives into anything we cover today, I want you to head over to drbob.com. That's spelled out the word doctor, D-O-C-T-O-R, bob.com. There you'll find our archives, products that we highlight on the show, and today's broadcast. They're all waiting for you over there at drbob.com. All right, folks, let's talk about mindset before medicine. And normal today, it means needing caffeine to wake up and medication to fall asleep. But normal is not the goal. That's the warning sign, the warning light, if you will. We believe that the body is built to heal when given the chance here on the show. So each week, we want to bring you the stories and the science and those strategies to give it that chance. And speaking of stories, I want to dive in and start with this week's most important health headlines. First up is this AI surgery that's under review worldwide. And it's a new Reuters investigation that has shaken the medical world. These AI-assisted robotic surgeries are now facing scrutiny after reports of misidentifying tissue during procedures. And several hospitals have already paused programs pending these safety reviews. So we know technology can cut fast, but this oversight must also cut even deeper. I want you to be never afraid to ask your surgeon those tough questions, like how is this AI trained? or who supervises it in real time. Because if we're talking about this AI, this innovation, it needs to come with some accountability. And without that, it's just experimentation. So again, folks, you know, continue to use technology that tracks and not controls the fitness data, the glucose sensors, the heart rate monitors. But we also need to keep that human intuition in the driver's seat. also another study another report that 40 percent of cancers are preventable and this is according to british broadcasting the corporation news it found that nearly 40 percent of cancers that could be avoided through diet and physical activity in removing those everyday toxins and again this is what we talk about on the show. This isn't fear. This is freedom. 40% of cancer cases within our lifetime, they could be gone if we act on the obvious, like eating the rainbow or moving your body daily. And also unplug from the processed junk. It's just about direction, that every vegetable, every clean glass of water, every step outdoors, it's a vote for longevity. So here's your micro mission to swap one processed meal for one home-cooked dish today. Your mitochondria, your body's cells, they will throw a parade for you. All right, next up we have a Pfizer reinvents the post-pandemic strategy. Reuters Health reports that Pfizer's profits are falling as COVID vaccine demand starts to wane. And so the pivot here is that they are making massive investments in mRNA-based therapies. And this is from anything from heart disease and cancer. Now, again, we got to look at this. This could be groundbreaking, but it also signals this dependence culture. We want to be healthier, right? I don't know if this is the right way because the more we rely on the new shots for old problems, the further we drift from true prevention. So if we're looking at real immunity, it still requires sunlight and nutrient-dense meals, balanced sleep, emotional peace, all of those, which none of them come in a syringe. I want you to remember that your own biological lab is the most advanced one out there. Treat it as such. We also have this digital addiction that is declared as a public health concern. And this is Healthline covered this one. That chronic smartphone use now qualifies as a public health concern. This excessive screen time is being linked to rising anxiety, depression, and even hormonal disruption. So we think of this like sugar. A little enhances life and too much starts to hijack it. Our devices were meant to connect us, but now our nervous systems never log off. and so do yourself a favor schedule three digital detox windows a day where there's no phone no scrolling just light air and movement and that 10 minutes your eyes will start to recalibrate your brain starts to rewire itself and your hormones stabilize and that's that's how it is it's neurophysiology and finally this week we have 11 minutes of exercise a day can reverse brain aging And this is researchers at the University of Cambridge. A study found that only 11 minutes of brisk activity daily can slow brain aging by up to 10 years. That's 11 minutes. That's the time it takes for your coffee to brew or your news feed to load. And forget those fancy gyms. You can walk at a pace that makes conversation comfortable but breathing noticeable. So do yourself something that's joyful like dancing or gardening, even climbing stairs. Movement is the mindset that's on the move and your neurons crave it just like your muscles crave oxygen. So if we connect the dots here from AI surgery to screen addiction or from diet to movement, all of it boils down to energy management. Your body runs this economy of vitality. The mitochondria, those are your currency printers. And they pump out the ATP and that's the true wealth of cells. And like any economy, you can invest it or you can waste it or you can go bankrupt. So I encourage you to invest in it wisely. Feed those cells with unprocessed foods or antioxidants, clean air and gratitude. and also avoid the debt of chronic stress or sugar binges and sleep deprivation. That steals your reserves. And finally, stimulate growth, like meaningful connection or purpose or sunlight and a laugh that rattles the ribs. That's all boosting your biological gross domestic product. And folks, you can't supplement your way out of burnout. You must audit your energy spending habits. So ask yourself, what drains me and what restores me? Then start to legislate accordingly. So, you know, here's the part where listening turns into living. I want you to pick one headline from today and extract one action. Maybe you're concerned about the AI surgeries. Research with your providers and ask the questions before surgery. Or if you're moved by the cancer report, just try to add two colors of vegetables or fruits to your plate each day. Even better if it's at each meal. And if you're tired of the screen fatigue, protect yourself first and use the first and last 15 minutes of every day and remove yourself from technology. Or maybe you're inspired by the 11-minute movement study. set a timer or alarm and just move maybe it requires writing that that choice on a sticky note where you'll see it or like i said set an alarm in your phone every day you honor it you start to build proof of possibility healing it's just successful repetition so you know never underestimate that the the purpose of good health so folks coming up after the break, we're going to get into a continuation of our series to support your heart during Heart Health Month. I'm Dr. Adam Brockman, reminding you that prevention is power and alignment is medicine and also optimism is the oldest supplement in the world. Folks, stay close. You're listening to the Dr. Bob Martin Show, where facts outmuscle the fads and wellness always gets the last word. We'll be right back. Thank you. Are you tired of swallowing handfuls of pills just to cover nutrition basics? The future of supplements is here with Healthy Cell Microgels. Imagine replacing up to 18 pills with just one easy, delicious gel pack. Microgels absorb 165% better than tablets, so you actually get the nutrients your body needs instead of flushing them away. From complete gel multivitamins to targeted formulas like heart and vascular health and joint health and mobility, every pack includes science-based levels of clinically studied ingredients. Want to support normal cholesterol and healthy blood pressure? The heart and vascular health gel replaces 13 pills and is loaded with essentials like coenzyme Q10, omega-3s, K2, magnesium, potassium, beetroot, and more. In the best part, it tastes just like a strawberry gummy. Try Healthy Cell Microgels today at HealthyCell.com and get 20% off with the code DrBob at checkout. That's DrBob for 20% off at HealthyCell.com. Welcome back, friends. You're listening to The Dr. Bob Martin Show. And I'm your host, Dr. Adam Brockman, picking up right where we left off. And here's your reminder, if you've got health questions, don't hesitate to give us a call at 800-606-8822. Again, that's 800-606-8822. Or head over to our website at drbob.com. Again, that's drbob.com, spell out the word doctor. D-O-C-T-O-R-Bob.com. Folks, if you just rejoined us from break, I want you to lean in because this next segment continues our conversation from last week on Heart Health Month. But today we're taking a deeper look, not at the cholesterol charts or the treadmill stats, but at what I call the hidden heart. because here's the headline, stress, not sugar, has quietly become the number one fuel of cardiovascular decline in modern adults. A Harvard Health Review calls it the silent amplifier. It doesn't just quicken pulses, it corrodes that elasticity in your arteries and it thickens your blood chemistry and it rewires metabolism itself. So today, we're going to get away from panic and try to empower you in how to spot modern heart strain before it headlines your own personal medical record. So I want to start by introducing you to Russ. He was 45 years old, a project manager, a father of two, coffee in one hand and a laptop in the other, and the poster child for trying to do everything right. He was a non-smoker, an occasional jogger, and he had his annual checkups that all seemed fine. But that was until last spring when his smartwatch started sounding alarms. He had heart rate spikes during Zoom meetings and chest tightness that vanished when vacation started. And he just brushed this off and said maybe it was too much coffee. Then one Saturday morning, he was mowing his lawn and he collapsed. And the diagnosis was early stage heart failure His left ventricle had weakened And it wasn't from the plaque But from the adrenaline exhaustion Russ didn't have clogged arteries He had a clogged calendar And that sentence says everything wrong With what's going on with modern adults And after treatment and rest He committed to what we call his unplug protocol. He used 10 hours of tech-free time per week. He used magnesium-rich foods or supplements nightly. And he also did one screen-free Sunday a month. And then six months later, his cardiologist couldn't believe the recovery. His blood pressure had normalized. His resting pulse was down 20 points. and his ejection fraction was up 10%. That's not a miracle. It's biology, but it's under new management. So Russ's story is today's reality check. The modern heart doesn't just fail from fat. It fails from frantic. And here's what the current research says. The Cleveland Clinic just published a 2026 update, and that was that chronic stress increases coronary inflammation markers by up to 27% within weeks of sleep loss. And there's another news thread from the Journal of American Medical Association, the cardiology report. It found that people who work over 55 hours per week show double the risk of heart events even when their diet and exercise are solid. And if you ask why, it's because cortisol, the body's stress hormone, it's not just evil but it's meant just for short-term use and it when becomes that long-term roommate it starts to steal magnesium and constrict vessels and it also tells the liver to dump glucose into the blood as fuel for a fight that's never going to happen it's your body's it's essentially revving up in neutral all day long until something finally gives. And in Russ's case, his heart stepped in to say, it's me or the schedule. So what can you do beyond the usual eat right and exercise? Well, let's upgrade that phrase into restore and rewire. And let's talk about some heart breathing, so to speak. And this is a method that came out of Stanford in the HeartMath Institute. If you breathe slow and even for five minutes a day, even for five seconds, out of those five seconds, while remembering one emotion you associate with appreciation. And it sounds simple, but monitors show that the average heart rate variability, and that's a key longevity marker, it increases by 25% after just three weeks. That's nature's built-in software patch. And if we look at magnesium, it's basically a mineral of mercy that every heartbeat, it relies on magnesium to relax that arterial wall. Yet 70%, again, that's 70% of Americans are deficient. So we need to increase our dark greens, our pumpkin seeds, and even Epsom salt baths that restore what stress steals. And if you think of magnesium, it's like your your heart's night it's a night shift crew and and we need to look at daylight before looking at our phone if we're looking at that morning sunlight it resets your circadian rhythm and it steadies your blood pressure so i encourage you to make this swap look out a window before you look at your phone and that's just one habit that rewinds your nervous system And it's entire clock by hours. And also, let's look at loneliness. It ranks as the new smoking. According to a recent Surgeon General brief, social isolation raises cardiovascular risk by 30%. And the solution is not to get more followers online. It's more fellowship. Call your friend that you've been meaning to. That's your vagus nerve that's paying attention. And earlier this month, we heard from Jan. She emailed us and said that she works in a hospital and she feels like a machine that runs on the breakdowns and then she tries to fix it. So what she did is she started a three-minute shift habit that we talked about on the show where every hour she steps away, she stretches, and she takes just three deep breaths. And week one, there wasn't much difference. Week two, she noticed that she had less jaw clenching. And by week four, she had no palpitations for the first time in a year. So it turns out she just needed a break and more oxygen. So Jan's message, it says it all. We don't heal in spreadsheets or apps. We heal when our systems remember what calm feels like. so i want you to grab a pen and if you answer yes to any of these these five questions or just say two of them your heart might be asking for an intervention before that medicine even enters the conversation so did you wake up more tired than when you went to bed or do you eat while multitasking? Or has your irritation threshold shrunk in the past month? Or when was the last time that you laughed so hard that your stomach hurt in a good way? And can you notice that your heartbeat when you are just sitting still? So again, if two or more hit home this heart month, It's time to redeem yourself. So if modern medicine has taught us anything, it's that we can measure everything. But we've also forgotten how to feel anything. Heart health isn't managed solely with files or formulas. It's cultivated each week with awareness. So for Russ and Jan, they prove the same truth. When you slow the mind, the heart finds its beat again. So I'll leave you with this invitation. This week, practice heart coherence, like breathe and move and connect and repeat. Not later, not someday in the future, today. Because for all our smart watches and smart cars, real intelligence still beats just below your sternum. Asking for a little quiet and a lot more care. All right, folks. Coming up after the break will be our health alternative of the week You listening to The Dr Bob Martin Show where modern science meets natural wisdom Living everything that you've got. Running in a monster town. Welcome back, friends. You're tuned into the Dr. Bob Martin Show, the place where natural solutions meet real-world results. Now, let's talk about something most folks, they don't think about until it's too late, and that's your mouth. That's right, oral health. Here's the truth. Your mouth isn't just where wellness begins. It's where protection begins. Every part of your body depends on that front door defense. If you keep it clean and balanced, you're supporting everything from heart health to immune strength. And that's exactly why I love introducing listeners to the Spry dental defense system. Spry isn't your average toothpaste plus mouthwash combo. it's a smarter it's a more natural way to care for your teeth and gums without the chemical baggage that's hiding in very many brands the secret ingredient that makes spry stand apart is xylitol now this isn't another synthetic additive xylitol is a pure plant-based sweetener that works for your mouth and not against it. Bad bacteria, they crave sugar. But when you feed them xylitol, they actually starve. The bad bacteria starves. And that little shift in chemistry helps your mouth stay at a healthy pH, and it reduces plaque, it calms gum irritation, and it genuinely freshens breath. And here's how I use it, and you can mirror this routine word for word. I start my day and I also end my day by brushing with Sprite toothpaste. I follow that with Sprite mouthwash. And after every meal, I chew Sprite gum. And that's a three-step rhythm that it doesn't just neutralize acids. It helps preserve enamel and fights the hidden inflammation that can ripple through the rest of the body. And listen, this isn't just online. You can find Sprite right where you already shop. at CVS, Target, Sprouts, and Natural Grocers, and you name it. They've made taking care of your oral ecosystem effortless. And here's another reason I trust the folks behind Spry. They're the same innovators who bring you clear nasal spray. That's spelled clear, X-L-E-A-R, but pronounced clear. Clear uses xylitol too, but this time it's for your airways. It's a gentle saline spray that moisturizes and clears nasal passages naturally. And there's no stain, no harsh chemicals, just clean breathing inside the system you already rely on every second of the day. So if you think about it, your two main gateways for health are the mouth and nose. Spry and Clear work together to protect both. They're the ultimate tag team for whole body wellness, supporting cleaner airways. healthier gums, and yes, even better immune defense from the inside out. You can explore the full lineup and the research behind it at clear.com. Again, that's clear.com spelled X-L-E-A-R.com. Because when your mouth and your airways stay clear, everything gets a boost from digestion to focus to energy and even your confidence. So go spry, breathe clear, and live better. And folks, keep that smile and that breath naturally unstoppable with spry. It's time for this week's health alternative of the week. Now, this is the part of the show where we dig into natural science-informed alternatives that actually work safely, effectively, and budget-friendly to help you take charge of your health. Now, today's show, we've been spotlighting the heart and circulatory system, but let's take a step back and ask what keeps every cell, including those cardiac muscle fibers, running clean? And the answer might surprise you. Today, let's talk about activated coconut charcoal. Now, you've probably seen it trending in clean living circles from detox smoothies to toothpaste. But the benefits of medical grade activated charcoal stretch far beyond the social media hype. This isn't for your barbecue. it's a highly porous, purified carbon created from sustainable coconut shells. Those microscopic pores, they act like magnets for toxins and gases and even metabolic waste, and it binds them in the gut before they can recirculate through your bloodstream. In simple terms, it's a filter for your internal engine. So let's unpack the science that makes this natural remedy more than just folklore. So in toxicology research, activated charcoal is clinically known for absorption, the process of attracting certain molecules to its surface like a sponge. So each gram of high quality coconut charcoal has the surface area of roughly 10,000 square feet. So imagine like setting up a football field inside every capsule. That's the level of absorption potential working quietly through your digestive tract, helping to capture harmful byproducts and histamines and even residues from occasional poor food choices. So for everyday wellness, this matters. These fewer toxins mean less oxidative stress and less liver burden and steadier energy levels. So charcoal can be made from wood or bone, but the coconut shells are denser, cleaner, and more renewable So these coconut-sourced charcoal, it contains ultrafine pores that are ideal for binding smaller molecules Like the chemical residues or alcohol or bacterial endotoxins And unlike synthetic detox powders, this is inert, meaning it doesn't react chemically with your gut or your bloodstream. And researchers at the National Institute of Health have found that properly dosed activated charcoal can lower systemic load of certain organic toxins by up to 60%. So it's simply chemistry that's serving your biology. biology. So activated coconut charcoal. So activated coconut charcoal is the perfect blend of an old remedy in new research. It transformed a simple shell into scientific sponge that helps your body do what it's built to do. And that's clean house. When you support natural detoxification, you're not just helping your gut, you're taking pressure off your liver and your blood vessels in even your skin and brain. So you'll find coconut-activated charcoal capsules through most major health food stores, again, like Natural Grocers and Sprouts and Whole Foods, and from also specialty brands online. And look for labels that mention medical-grade activated coconut charcoal. That's USP certified for purity and consistency. So activated coconut charcoal, it reminds us that the path to better health is often from subtraction and not addition. By lightening the toxic load that your body is carrying, you free up energy for circulation and immunity and mental clarity. It's simple chemistry that's strengthened by ancient wisdom, proof that sometimes the best filters don't plug into the wall, they come from the earth. So if you're ready to support your digestive health and give your heart a cleaner environment to thrive in, consider adding coconut-activated charcoal to your wellness toolkit. And this has been your health alternative of the week. Now more than ever, it is important to have a healthy immune system. Many health professionals agree that probiotics are a leading natural therapy for boosting immune health. Why? Because 70% of your body's immune cells reside in the GI tract. By taking a superior probiotic daily, like Dr. O'Hara's probiotics, you can enhance your overall immune system and immune response. The key to Dr. O'Hara's success is the 500-plus postbiotic metabolites that are in each capsule. Postbiotic metabolites are important to the regulation of most systems in our body. For a short-term immune boost, try Dr. O'Hara's Propolis Plus. Merging nature and science, Dr. O'Hara's Propolis Plus combines Brazilian green propolis, vitamin E, astaxanthin, and tocotrienols for additional and powerful immune support. Be proactive about your immune health. Ask your retailer today about Dr. O'Hara's probiotics and Dr. O'Hara's Propolis Plus today. Also available online. So you did, I am. I'm unstoppable. I'm a push-up with no brakes. I'm invincible. I win every single game. Minds are powerful. I don't need batteries to play. I'm so confident. I'm unstoppable today. Welcome back, my health-savvy friends. You're listening to the Dr. Bob Martin Show, and I'm Dr. Adam Brockman. And we want to keep your wellness sharp your curiosity sharper in your medicine cabinet under constant review So let go ahead and get to our product recall of the week Now, let me start with a question that hits home. When was the last time that you looked at that bottle of cold medicine in your cupboard? The one that you reflexively grab every winter the minute your voice starts sounding like a blues singer in a sandstorm. Well, this week's product recall might have you reaching for your magnifying glass because the villain isn't some pathogen. It's on your label. That's right. We're talking about a nationwide recall affecting over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines that are sold under various store brands but manufactured by Aura Health, LLC. And if that name doesn't ring a bell, don't worry. It's behind generic labels like maximum strength cold and cough, nighttime relief gel caps, or daytime multi-symptom relief. And the packaging looks familiar. The price is friendly, but under the label, there's a glitch large enough to cause some serious medical misfires. So here's what's happening. The dosage information printed on tens of thousands of these boxes is wrong. Some bottles contain higher than listed concentrations of active drugs like pseudoephedrine. And the translation is that you may be taking double what you think you're taking every four hours. So your heart, your blood pressure in your nervous systems may not be amused. So according to this FDA's 2026 update, the problem traces back to batch coding software issues at Aura Health's labeling facility late last year. And while the ingredients themselves are legit, the listed strengths on certain lots didn't update when a new formulation line was installed. So the results are there's an issue with the label that causes real risk. So the numbers, and it's about 1.2 million bottles nationwide have been affected, and the recall is ongoing. And so far, there's six reports of side effects, the heart palpitations, dizziness, feigning spells, even one late night ER visit. They've all been logged. Thankfully, there's no fatalities. Still, I always say, if your health news includes the words batch misprint, it's time to read very closely. So here's what to check. Look for the lot code starting with AVF23 and AVF24. Check the bottom of the cart in the white sticker on the bottle itself. If you see these codes, stop using them immediately and call Aura Health's consumer line at 888-504-9052. Again, that's 888-504-9052 or visit aurahealth.com backslash recall. And that's aurahealth.com backslash recall. And we're looking at retailers from Walmart and Kroger to CVS and Target. They've all pulled inventory off their shelves, but these products often linger in home medicine cabinets for months. So don't assume that you're past it, that you've missed it. it still may be there hiding. Now, you might be wondering, well, what's the big deal, doc? It's just cold medicine. Well, friends, let me paint a picture. If you take too much of the, like a pseudoephedrine, it constricts your blood vessels, which raise blood pressure and ramps up your heart rate. And you combine that with extra of the active ingredient of cough suppressant that can act on the brain serotonin pathways. And you have this potential for serious interactions, especially if anyone or yourself is already on antidepressants or stimulant medications. So yes, just cold medicine can sneak its way into the cardiology department faster than a box of donuts at a staff meeting. So while we're on topic here, let me offer a few alternatives to keep those winter sniffles at bay without the side effects or the label shock. So this is natural defense toolbox, And we're looking at NAC, N-acetylcysteine. It thins congestion and supports liver detox. And elderberry syrup, it reduces the flu duration and it strengthens your immune system. And you can also try to use some eucalyptus in your steam inhalation and it clears the airways naturally. So, and my favorite dual action hero is a mix of curesin and vitamin C. That's nature's antihistamine team. I mean, you see your sinuses in your lungs don't care what brand name is on the box. They care that you're balanced and you're hydrated and you're rested. So let's make it personal. If you've taken any of these recalled products within the past two weeks and noticed racing heart rates or shortness of breath or tremors or anxiety, don't just tough it out. Call your physician right away and share the name and the lot number from the label. A simple EKG or a blood pressure check, it could save you an ER visit and also your health altogether. And so parents, also here's an extra alert. Some of these bottles look nearly identical to children's formulas. So keep them separate and locked up. So one wrong swig from a confusing label can deliver adult strength medication to a toddler system. And that's just a danger we don't need. so again check those lot numbers nurture your immune system and keep your health journey safe steady and also side effect free this has been your product recall of the week and we'll be right back you're listening to the dr bob martin show cold and flu season is here and my listeners want to know how to build an amazing immune system and stay healthy. Dr. Bob Martin here. Yes, you can build an amazing immune system and avoid colds and flu when you order Tahiti Trader Noni juice and get a free copy of How to Build an Amazing Immune System book when you order. I'm 86 years old and a few weeks I'll be 87. I've been drinking this Noni juice ever since 1996. It's been 26 years up to the date. The Noni juice has really did a wonderful thing for me. It makes me feel good. I've never had a cold since 1996. I would say that the Noni Juice have done a lot for me, period. Order two bottles of Tahiti Trader Noni Juice and get your free $10 value book. Go to TahitiTrader.com and look for the Dr. Bob Martin special or call 1-800-842-5309. This is my fight, so I take back my life. Welcome back, friends. This is the Dr. Bob Martin Show, and I'm Dr. Adam Brockman. And we're going to end this hour bringing you the stories behind the body's most fascinating mysteries. And today's final story proves the brain still has a few tricks left to teach modern science. So let's go ahead and open our health mystery of the week file. And this week is personal because who among us hasn't walked into a room and then forgotten why we came in? But according to a new research study from the University of California and also Cambridge Neuroscience, the problem isn't always distraction or aging. it may be a built-in mechanism of protection called the memory paradox. And here's how it works. Under stress, your body pours out cortisol. That's the hormone designed to keep you alert when life throws curveballs. And in some people, it sharpens attention like a lens. Maybe think of it as your brain switching to record mode. But for others, the same cortisol acts like an eraser and it blurs the details just when they matter most. And researchers found the difference hides in genetic wiring inside the hippocampus, and that's the memory control center in the brain. So if your NR3C1 receptor genes are turned a certain way, stress activates focus instead of clarity, or vice versa. If not, the same hormone floods the neurons essentially locks the file cabinet of your brain. It's why some people perform beautifully under pressure and others go blank. Both reactions are intelligent. One prepares for battle and the other guards the system against overload. So I actually had a patient once, an air traffic controller, who could manage 10 planes at once on calm days, but during stress tests, his memory flatlined. And not because he was flawed, but because his brain was protecting him from data overload, a circuit breaker for the mind, but in real time. So what can you do if you're one of those forget under fire types? Well, first, tame the signal. Five minutes of deep, slowed breathing, it lowers that cortisol by up to 25%. and you can also train resilience, expose yourself to manageable pressure and then figure out how to recover. Each of these flexes, they use your stress muscles, but without breaking it. So if you want one more hack, it's gratitude. And seriously, write three things that you're grateful for before bed. It's been shown to quiet the alarm center that tells your brain life is an emergency 24-7. And once that downshifts, memory storage goes right back online. So that wraps up this week's health mystery. Next time you blank on someone's name, smile, it may be your nervous system keeping your hard drive from crashing. I'm Dr. Adam Brockman for the Dr. Bob Martin Show, thanking you for sharing this hour of wellness and wonder with us. And until next week, stay curious, breathe deep, and trust your biology. Because your body isn't broken. It's designed brilliant. Have a great week.