010 | "Neuroscientist on Mental Illness" (Daniel at McGill Univ.)

Jul 26

Today’s guest on the “Phil with Forbes 30” podcast is Daniel Almeida – Neuroscientist at McGill University

Forbes List: USA
Year: 2020
Category: Science

Daniel Almeida is a neuroscientist based at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He uses post-mortem human brain samples, coupled with psychological autopsies to understand the molecular impacts of severe childhood abuse on the brains of depressed individuals who died by suicide.

So, before you glimpse over his bio and think this podcast isn’t for me, I want to tell you that my conversation with Daniel was stimulating and exciting. He really knows how to translate neuroscience in a way that we lay people can use it. He shares real-world examples, so we can improve our thinking, brain health and daily life.

Daniel’s inspiration came in high school when his Dad had a stroke. A nurse gave him a book to help him understand what was happening to his Dad and as they say, the rest is history.

As a coach, I find it fascinating that Daniel’s research into brain tissue can teach us how our habits, routines, life traumas, joys and mindfulness can physically change our brain and how it is wired. Our topics ranged the gamut from microbiomes, learning, use of language, PTSD and social connections.

Daniel shares his own research and that of other scientists on how controlling brain inflammation can help with depression, toxic stress, emotions and brain development.

We also discussed resilience and susceptibility, plus the concept of epigenetics. And, of course, we spoke about mental health and the proper way of speaking about suicide.

My biggest takeaway from this conversation were all the practical approaches we can make in our own brain health for long and short-term goals based on the science and research of Daniel and others in his community. He gave numerous examples of things we can learn from and put into practice immediately.

“Under 30 Seconds Round”

What is the book you’ve gifted more often than any other book, and why?
- My Stroke of Insight, Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor
What’s one of the best investments and one of the worst investments you’ve ever made and why?
- Best and Worst - There were some research projects that weren’t fruitful. But I don’t regret the time investment.
What’s the most impactful thing you do in your Morning routine and most impactful thing you do in your Evening routine?
- AM - I practice a mindfulness exercise in the shower.
- PM - Practicing mindfulness when I’m cooking. And I bring mindfulness practices to my everyday routines.
Pretend you won the Peter Thiel Fellowship and you were going to get money to start a business instead of go to college, what’s the very first thing you’d do to start a new business?
- Mental Advocacy - I’d create some type of organization that reduces the stigma by creating freely accessible workshops. It would be something similar to the international Mental Health First Aid program, or something along those lines.
What’s something you never knew you needed?
- Social connection, especially with new friendships is really important to me.

Additional references: “Babies” documentary on Netflix; “Shock and Awe” documentary on psychedelics treatment -- on Amazon Prime Video

In the REVIEW SECTION, please let me know…

The city / country you’re tuning in from!
How Daniel Almeida’s story has inspired you! And, your favorite part of this episode!
Tell me the questions you’d like me to ask future Forbes 30 Under 30 Members!

GUEST INFO: Daniel Almeida – Neuroscientist at McGill University