Fasting and the Brain: What 25 Years of Research Has Taught Us — Dr. Mark Mattson

Fasting is often discussed as a way to lose weight. But what happens in the brain when we go without food—and can fasting help the brain become more resilient as we age?In this episode of iFasting Expert Conversations, Doug McCafferty and Karla Beasley sit down with Dr. Mark Mattson, one of the leading researchers on intermittent fasting, exercise, and brain health.Dr. Mattson is an Adjunct Professor of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University and the former Chief of the Laboratory of Neurosciences at the National Institute on Aging. Drawing on more than 25 years of research, he explains how fasting moved from animal studies into human trials and what scientists are learning about metabolic switching, ketones, BDNF, autophagy, insulin sensitivity, learning, memory, and the aging brain.The conversation also explores:• Why fasting and exercise create a beneficial cycle of challenge and recovery• What a 5:2 fasting trial found in older adults at risk for Alzheimer’s disease• Fasted exercise, protein intake, mTOR, and cellular cleanup• Ketones, Mediterranean-style eating, and long-term diet quality• The difference between lifespan and healthspan• Whether it is ever too late to benefit from fasting and exercise• What science still cannot tell us about the best fasting approachCHAPTERS00:00 How Fasting Research Evolved10:40 Challenge, Recovery, and Cell Defense19:17 BDNF, Cognition, and the Aging Brain29:08 Fasted Training, Protein, and mTOR37:37 Ketones, Diet Quality, and Hormesis47:27 Healthspan and Starting Later in Life56:00 What Science Knows—and Doesn’t YetiFasting Expert Conversations goes directly to researchers, clinicians, and technical experts to separate fasting science from the noise.Hosted by Doug McCafferty and Karla Beasley, founders of iFasting.org.Learn more about iFasting, NOVA AI, and future expert conversations at iFasting.org.This conversation is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.