Cass

Welcome to Mind Your Being.

Whether you're a new listener or a regular or returning listener, I'm so grateful you've taken time out to listen today and I'm really excited for you to hear this conversation.

So today's topic is about brain health, dementia and looking at the risk factors with regard to prevention.

Because dementia is now one of the leading causes of death here in Australia and in many other countries as well.

And at the same time, there's been a lot of conversation and noise on social media, particularly around menopause and women's risk of dementia.

So I really wanted to bring on an expert, someone who is not only incredibly qualified in this space, but also thoughtful and careful in how she communicates the science without any of the fear-based messaging.

I'm so grateful to be joined by Dr. Sarah Mackay, a neuroscientist, Oxford University graduate, author and science communicator, who has spent decades studying the brain and translating complex neuroscience into practical, evidence-based insights we can actually use in our everyday.

In today's episode, we explore what dementia actually is, what's happening in the brain as we age,

particularly through midlife, and what the science really says about dementia risk.

Because while there's a lot we can't control, there are also some key risk factors that we can influence across our lives.

And some of them might surprise you.

This is a really thoughtful, nuanced conversation, one that cuts through the noise and helps you better understand what's within your control when it comes to brain health.

Let's get into it.

Thank you so much for coming on today.

Could you please share a bit about your background in neuroscience and how you came to be a science communicator in all things brain health?

I love that.

I love that you've followed your own curiosities and you've made your own path.

I follow you on social media.

I love that you're not a fear monger and you provide real evidence-based, common sense information that people can trust.

And I think in this day and age of social media, it's really hard to find that.