The Hidden Link Between Addictions & Alzheimer's| Dr. Josh Helman & Dr. Cali Estes #70

Get Dr. Josh's Top 10 Supplements for Alzheimer's at http://drjosh.com/gift. For personalized guidance and support with reversing & preventing Alzheimer's, you can reach out to Dr. Josh Helman directly. Visit his website at http://drjosh.com or contact his office at (407) 221-8841 to learn more about how he can help your journey to a healthier brain. Buy my BRAND NEW supplement: BrainEase™ is a cherry-flavored drink mix that combines four targeted forms of magnesium — including Magtein® (Magnesium L-Threonate), the most researched form for crossing the blood-brain barrier and supporting memory, learning, and cognitive function. https://greenbrainsmd.myshopify.com/products/brainease-magnesium-l-threonate Could the same habits that fuel addiction also increase your risk of Alzheimer's disease? In this episode of Alzheimer's Breakthrough, Dr. Josh Helman sits down with renowned addiction and recovery expert Dr. Cali Estes to explore the surprising connection between addiction, brain health, dopamine, and cognitive decline. This conversation goes far beyond alcohol and drugs. They discuss how sugar, stress, shopping, social media, and other everyday behaviors can hijack the brain's reward system, affect mental health, and potentially contribute to long-term neurological problems. You'll also learn why low dopamine, chronic stress, gut health, mold toxicity, and inflammation may play a larger role in addiction than most people realize—and what practical steps can help restore healthier brain function. Whether you're concerned about Alzheimer's prevention, addiction recovery, or simply optimizing your brain health, this episode offers science-backed insights and actionable advice. **In this Episode:** 00:00 Could Addiction Be Fueling Alzheimer's? 02:20 Addiction Isn't Just Alcohol: Sugar, Stress & Screens 09:05 Dopamine, Exercise & Why We Self-Medicate 17:30 Black Mold, Gut Health & Hidden Brain Toxins 29:00 Shopping Addiction & Healthy Ways to Boost Dopamine 38:40 Alcohol, Depression & Alzheimer's Risk 46:55 Breaking Addiction Without Going Cold Turkey 52:15 Retraining the Brain: Habits That Actually Stick **Connect with Dr. Cali Estes:** \- Website: https://caliestes.com/ \- Sober On Demand: https://soberondemand.com \- Addictions Academy: https://theaddictionsacademy.com \- Phone: (800) 706-0318 **Connect with Dr. Josh Helman, MD:** \- Substack - https://drjoshmd.substack.com/ \- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/greenbrainsMD \- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/greenbrainsmd/ \- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctorjosh \- TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@greenbrainsmd \- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUMtFP2icmNEhOaSsd-CrSg?sub\_confirmation=1 \- Others - https://linktr.ee/greenbrainsmd If you found this episode valuable, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who wants to protect their brain and improve their health. #Alzheimers #BrainHealth #AddictionRecovery #Dopamine #MentalHealth #AlcoholAddiction #SugarAddiction #GutHealth #MoldToxicity #Neuroscience #HealthyAging #CognitiveHealth #BrainOptimization #Wellness #DrJoshHelman **Disclaimer**: Please remember that this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your doctor or healthcare professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.