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Daniel Gregory Amen (born July 19, 1954)[1] is an American celebrity doctor[1] who practices as a psychiatrist.[2] He is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Amen Clinics.[3] He is also the founder of Change Your Brain Foundation, BrainMD, and Amen University.[4][5] He is a twelve-time New York Times best-selling author as of 2023.[6][7]

Key Information

Amen has built a profitable business around the use of the controversial practice of SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) imaging for diagnostic purposes.[8] His marketing of SPECT scans and much of what he says about the brain and health in his books, media appearances, and marketing of his clinics have been condemned by scientists and doctors as lacking scientific validity and as being unethical, especially since the way SPECT is used in his clinics exposes people to harmful radiation with no clear benefit.[9][10][11][12]

Amen has studied brain injuries affecting professional athletes[2] and has consulted on post-concussion issues for the National Football League.[13]

Early life and education

[edit]

Daniel Amen was born in Encino, California, in July 1954 to American-born Lebanese parents.[1] After attending the University of Maryland, West Germany Campus from 1974 to 1975, he went to Orange Coast College, where he received an AA degree in 1976.[14] He subsequently obtained a BA degree in biology from Southern California College (now Vanguard University) in 1978,[15] and an MD degree from Oral Roberts University School of Medicine in 1982.[16][17] Amen did his general psychiatric training at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.,[17] and his child and adolescent psychiatry training at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu.[17] Amen is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry, with a subspecialty in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.[18]

Career in business

[edit]

Amen is the chief executive officer and medical director of the twelve Amen Clinics.[1][17]

SPECT scanning

[edit]

Amen's practices use single-photon emission computed tomography, or SPECT, scans of brain activity in an attempt to compare the activity of a person's brain to a known healthy model.[citation needed] Amen prescribes both medication and non-medicative courses of treatment, depending on the case. He also performs before-and-after SPECT scans, which claim to assess the effectiveness of treatment.[19] An initial evaluation with SPECT at Amen's clinics cost about $4,000 in 2020.[20] Amen's clinics claim to have the world's largest database of functional brain scans for neuropsychiatry.[17] As of 2009, Amen said he had scanned 50,000 people at an estimated cost of $170 million.[21]

The effectiveness of SPECT scans in treating psychiatric conditions has been the subject of scientific debate.[22] John Seibyl of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging has stated that it is settled that SPECT is of no value for diagnosing psychological disorders.[23] In 2008, Tufts professor and writer Daniel Carlat published an article on Amen's use of SPECT imaging.[24] After visiting Amen's clinics, Carlat called Amen's interpretations of the scans "spectacularly meaningless".[1]

A 2012 review by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) found that neuroimaging studies "have yet to impact significantly the diagnosis or treatment of individual patients."[25] The review also states that neuroimaging studies "do not provide sufficient specificity and sensitivity to accurately classify individual cases with respect to the presence of a psychiatric illness."[25] The APA has concluded that "the available evidence does not support the use of brain imaging for clinical diagnosis or treatment of psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents."[26] According to cognitive neuroscience researcher Martha Farah and psychologist S. J. Gillihan, "[t]he lack of empirical validation has led to widespread condemnation of diagnostic SPECT as premature and unproven."[12]

Ethics of SPECT scanning

[edit]

Questions have been raised about the ethics of selling SPECT scans on the basis of unproven claims: neuroscience professor Martha Farah calls such use "profitable but unproven" and says, "Tens of thousands of individuals, many of them children, have been exposed to the radiation of two SPECT scans and paid thousands of dollars out of pocket (because insurers will not pay) against the advice of many experts".[9] Professor of psychology Irving Kirsch has said of Amen's theory: "Before you start promulgating this and marketing it and profiting from it, you should ethically be bound to demonstrate it scientifically in a peer-reviewed, respected journal", as otherwise, "you're just going down the path of being a snake oil salesman".[1]

In a 2011 paper, neuroscientist Anjan Chatterjee discussed example cases that were found on the Amen Clinic's website, including a couple with marital difficulties and a child with impulsive aggression. The paper noted that the examples "violate the standard of care" because a normal clinical diagnosis would have been sufficient and that there "was no reason to obtain functional neuroimaging for diagnostic purposes in these cases."[21] Most patients do not realize that the SPECT scans rely on unproven claims.[8] In 2021, Steven Hyman, director of the Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, stated, "people who are desperate are vulnerable to snake oil, and this has all of the look and feel of a clinic that's preying on people's desperation."[27][28]

As reported by The Washington Post in 2012, officials at major psychiatric and neuroscience associations and research centers see Amen's claims for the use of SPECT as "no more than myth and poppycock, buffaloing an unsuspecting public."[1]

Work for athletes

[edit]

One of Amen's clinics provides brain scans for current and former National Football League players.[13][29] Amen made the initial diagnosis of brain damage in NFL kicker Tom Dempsey.[2] During medical examinations and scans, Amen found three holes in Dempsey's brain, along with other damage.[2] He has also provided diagnosis and therapy for hockey player Paul Kariya, related to his concussion issues; Amen advised Kariya to retire as a professional, which he did.[2][13]

Dietary supplements

[edit]

Amen's websites market vitamin supplements and a branded range of other dietary supplements.[10] These supplements have been promoted for a number of purported health benefits, including a claimed ability to prevent or stop Alzheimer's disease. There is, however, no known benefit from taking such supplements except for specific substance deficiencies.[30][31] Neurologist Robert Burton has written that he was "just appalled" by the things offered for sale on Amen's "big business" websites,[10] and Harriet Hall has said that Amen prescribes "inadequately tested natural remedies" and "irrational mixtures of nutritional diet supplements" as part of his treatment.[32]

Career in media

[edit]

Writing

[edit]

Amen's first book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, was published in 1999 and unexpectedly reached The New York Times best seller list after selling tens of thousands of copies in the first year. Publishers Weekly noted that the book "apparently struck a nerve with readers who love a 'scientific' hook."[33][34]

In his book Making a Good Brain Great, he provided his analysis and recommendations for brain improvement purported to enhance a person's overall happiness and ability. For example, he suggested that hobbies which challenge the brain are important to ensure a happy life, as he believes they force the brain to learn and evolve over time.[35] Davi Thornton characterized the book as consisting of "commonplace recommendations for self-improvement."[33]

Healing the Hardware of the Soul, written by Amen in 2008, was reviewed in the American Journal of Psychiatry by Andrew Leuchter. "Dr. Amen makes a good case for the use of brain imaging to explain and medicalize mental disorders", Leuchter said. "However, the reader who has any degree of familiarity with mental illness and brain science is left unconvinced that his [Amen's] highly commercialized use of scanning is justified." Leuchter concluded that Amen "has not subjected his treatment approaches to the level of systematic scientific scrutiny expected for scientifically based medical practice."[36]

In Amen's The Brain in Love, he described the brain activity that occurs during chanting meditation as similar to that which takes place during the feeling of love and sexual activity.[37]

In 2013, Amen co-authored with pastor Rick Warren The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a Healthier Life, on "how to lead a healthy life".[38] Amen was one of the people—others included Mark Hyman and Mehmet Oz—that Warren recruited to help devise the program.[39] Warren encouraged adoption of the plan by all member churches in his network of Saddleback churches.[40] According to Janice Norris, "The Daniel Plan is...more than a diet. It is a lifestyle program based on biblical principles and five essential components: food, fitness, focus, faith, and friends."[41] Amen, Warren, and Hyman appeared on the television show The View to discuss the Daniel Plan, and 3,000 people came to a rally at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, to hear the three talk about the plan.[42][43]

In 2013, Amen released an updated version of Healing ADD from the Inside Out: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the Seven Types of Attention Deficit Disorder.[44]

In 2017, Amen and his wife, Tana, published The Brain Warrior's Way: Ignite Your Energy and Focus, Attack Illness and Aging, Transform Pain into Purpose, which Harriet Hall reviewed; she wrote: "Much of the advice in this book is mainstream medical advice, and there are helpful practical hints like putting your food on a smaller plate and not shopping for food when you are hungry. The problem is that the good advice is inextricably mixed with false information and misleading statements, and with detailed recommendations that are not supported by science."[11]

Television programs

[edit]

Amen has produced television programs about his theories. One of them, "Change Your Brain, Change Your Life", was aired by PBS affiliates 1,300 times in 2008 during fund-raising drives.[10] Another, "Magnificent Mind at Any Age with Dr. Daniel Amen", was aired before January 1, 2009.[30] Neurologist Michael Greicius, director of the Stanford Center for Memory Disorders and principal investigator of the Functional Imaging in Neuropsychiatric Disorders Laboratory at Stanford, stated, "The PBS airing of Amen's program provides a stamp of scientific validity to work which has no scientific validity."[10][45] These programs have been described as infomercials for Amen's clinics. The program's depiction of the "wonders of ginkgo and other 'natural' products such as St. John's wort." was also criticized.[10][30] Alternative-medicine skeptic and physician Harriet A. Hall and neurologist Robert A. Burton criticized PBS for the airing of these programs.[10][32] Michael Getler, the PBS ombudsman, replied that "PBS had nothing to do with the 'Brain' program's content and did not vet the program in any way." Local PBS affiliates "make their own editorial decisions based on their own guidelines about what to air", he wrote.[32][46]

Reception of ideas

[edit]

In 2012, The Washington Post Magazine ran a cover story titled "Daniel Amen is the most popular psychiatrist in America. To most researchers and scientists, that's a very bad thing." The Washington Post detailed Amen's lack of acceptance among the scientific community and his monetary conflict of interest.[1] Journalist Sanjiv Bhattacharya wrote that Amen's critics likened him "to a self-help guru rather than a scientist, on account of all the books, DVDs and nutritional supplements which he hawks so shamelessly on infomercials" and that Amen was "the most controversial psychiatrist in America [who] may also be the most commercially successful."[23] Amen has responded to such criticism by claiming that the criticism comes from jealousy of his financial success and also claiming that his largest source of referrals is from previous patients.[23]

Memberships and recognition

[edit]

Amen is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.[1][47] He has also been an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of California, Irvine, College of Medicine.[17]

Amen is the author of more than 30 books, with combined sales of about one million copies.[1][23] Five of his books have been The New York Times bestsellers as of 2012.[7] In 2015, Amen's The Daniel Plan received the Christian Book of the Year Award.[48]

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Daniel Amen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Daniel Gregory Amen (born July 19, 1954) is an American psychiatrist, author, and television personality renowned for pioneering the clinical use of (SPECT) brain imaging to diagnose and treat conditions. He founded in 1989, a network of outpatient facilities now spanning 11 locations across the , where nearly 300,000 SPECT scans have been performed on patients from 155 countries to evaluate brain blood flow and activity patterns associated with disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, and . Amen earned his medical degree from the School of Medicine (now part of ) in 1982, followed by a residency, and became double board-certified in general and child/adolescent . Early in his career, after serving in the U.S. Army as an technician, he developed an interest in , establishing the first Amen Clinic in , to integrate SPECT scans with traditional psychiatric care. His approach emphasizes personalized treatment plans based on scan results, often incorporating supplements, lifestyle changes, and medications, and he has co-authored over 95 peer-reviewed articles on brain imaging and . A Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Amen has authored or co-authored more than 40 books, including bestsellers like Change Your Brain, Change Your Life (1998), Healing ADD (2001), and The End of Mental Illness (2020), many of which have been translated into multiple languages and sold millions of copies; his upcoming book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain, is scheduled for release in December 2025. He has hosted 19 public television specials, appeared on programs like The Dr. Oz Show and The View, and collaborated on initiatives such as The Daniel Plan, a health program with Saddleback Church that promotes brain-healthy nutrition and exercise. Despite his popularity—described by The Washington Post in 2012 as making him "the most popular psychiatrist in America"—Amen's promotion of SPECT scans for routine psychiatric diagnosis has drawn significant criticism from neuroscientists and psychiatrists. Experts argue that the technique lacks sufficient scientific validation for identifying specific mental disorders, with organizations like the not endorsing its diagnostic use, and some labeling his claims as pseudoscientific or commercially driven due to high scan costs (approximately $4,000 or more as of 2020). Amen maintains that his database of scans from diverse patients supports the method's efficacy in guiding treatment.

Early years

Childhood and family background

Daniel Amen was born on July 19, 1954, in , to parents of Lebanese descent. His father, Louis Amen, immigrated from poverty and became chairman of the board of Unified Grocers, a multibillion-dollar grocery in , while his mother, Dolores, supported the family over their 70-year marriage. As one of seven children and the , Amen grew up in a large family. This background influenced his transition to formal pursuits.

Education and medical training

Daniel Amen began his undergraduate studies in 1974 at the University of Maryland's Campus, where he explored early interests in medicine during his military service abroad. He then transferred to , earning an Associate of Arts degree in 1976. Amen completed his bachelor's degree in at Southern California College (now ) in 1978, laying the foundation for his medical career with a focus on biological sciences. Following his undergraduate education, Amen attended School of Medicine, where he earned his degree in 1982. Amen's postgraduate training commenced with a medical internship at in , from 1982 to 1983. He continued there for his psychiatric residency from 1983 to 1985, specializing in general while serving on in the U.S. Army. To further his expertise, he completed a fellowship in at in , , from 1985 to 1987. During his early , which began in 1972 as an , Amen was retrained as an and stationed in for nearly three years, providing his initial exposure to techniques that later informed his interest in . He rose to the rank of major during his as a physician from 1982 to 1989, honing his clinical skills in psychiatric practice.

Professional career

Founding of Amen Clinics and SPECT imaging

In 1989, Daniel Amen established the first Amen Clinic in Newport Beach, California, as a psychiatric practice focused on treating mental health conditions through a combination of traditional therapy and emerging diagnostic approaches. Initially operating as a single facility, the clinic emphasized comprehensive patient evaluations to address issues such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mood disorders. Amen introduced (SPECT) scans to his practice in 1991, following attendance at a lecture on the technology. SPECT is a imaging technique that uses a to measure blood flow and activity patterns in the , providing functional insights rather than structural details like those from CT or MRI scans. By the early , Amen integrated SPECT into routine assessments, viewing it as a tool to visualize dysfunction underlying psychiatric symptoms. Under Amen's leadership as CEO, the network expanded to 11 clinics across the by 2025, with the organization having performed over 250,000 SPECT scans as of 2025. The core methodology involves analyzing SPECT images to identify specific "brain types" or patterns associated with conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and ; for instance, scans often reveal overactivity in the anterior cingulate —a region involved in error detection and emotional regulation—for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), while patterns may show similar cingulate overactivity linked to low serotonin levels. These patterns guide personalized treatment plans, including medication, supplements, and lifestyle interventions. The use of SPECT in psychiatric diagnostics has raised ethical concerns, including the high cost of scans—typically $3,500 or more for an initial evaluation including two images—and the lack of FDA approval for its routine application in diagnosing disorders, as it is primarily cleared for neurological conditions like . Neurologists and organizations such as the (APA) have criticized its clinical utility, stating in a 2018 resource document that like SPECT is not recommended for positively defining diagnoses of primary psychiatric illnesses due to insufficient evidence of reliability and impact on treatment outcomes.

Applications in athletics and nutritional supplements

Since the early 2000s, Daniel Amen has collaborated with professional athletes, particularly in the (), to address brain health issues related to . His work began notably in 2000 with retired player Brent Boyd, leading to broader involvement with active and former players from 27 teams across all positions. Amen employs (SPECT) imaging to diagnose concussions and post-injury cognitive impairments, revealing patterns of reduced cerebral blood flow in areas like the and temporal lobes associated with repetitive head trauma. Amen has developed brain rehabilitation programs tailored for sports-related trauma, integrating SPECT scans with therapeutic and lifestyle interventions to promote recovery. These protocols typically include to enhance brainwave patterns, to manage symptoms like anxiety and , and lifestyle modifications such as and dietary adjustments to improve cerebral . A 2011 study co-authored by Amen demonstrated measurable improvements in cognitive function and brain blood flow among former players following a multimodal regimen that combined these elements over six months, with statistically significant improvements in cognitive function, including , , and reasoning, and some participants showing greater than 50% increases in scores. In 2009, Amen founded BrainMD, a nutraceutical company offering supplements formulated to support brain health based on his clinical observations. Key products include , a comprehensive designed to provide essential nutrients for overall cognitive maintenance, and , which combines extract, , and ashwagandha to enhance mental clarity and stamina without caffeine-related side effects. These supplements emphasize brain-specific nutrients, such as high-potency omega-3 fatty acids in products like , purported to reduce and support neuronal membrane integrity. Amen integrates BrainMD supplements into Amen Clinics treatments, customizing regimens according to SPECT scan results to target identified brain patterns. For instance, patients with low frontal lobe activity—common in post-concussion cases—may receive protocols recommending 2,000–3,000 mg of omega-3s daily alongside antioxidants to bolster blood flow and reduce oxidative stress, with Amen's research suggesting improvements in focus and mood after 3–6 months. Such approaches aim to complement imaging-guided therapies, though benefits are based on observational data from his clinics rather than large-scale randomized trials. Amen has also discussed factors contributing to telomere shortening in the context of brain aging and health, identifying chronic inflammation—often promoted by free radicals—as a key mechanism that damages DNA and accelerates cellular aging. According to Amen, additional factors include free radicals directly damaging DNA, vitamin deficiencies such as vitamin D, and lack of omega-3 fatty acids, which can exacerbate oxidative stress and inflammation. These insights inform his recommendations for nutritional interventions to preserve telomere length and support long-term brain health.

Business expansion and operations

Amen Clinics, founded by Daniel Amen in 1989 as a single facility in Newport Beach, California, expanded steadily to 11 locations across the United States by 2025, including sites in major metropolitan areas such as Orange County, Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Dallas, San Francisco Bay Area, Washington D.C., Bellevue (Seattle), Phoenix, Walnut Creek, and Reston. This growth reflects a focus on increasing accessibility to brain health services nationwide, with the clinics maintaining a database of over 250,000 SPECT scans from patients in over 155 countries as of 2025, though operations remain U.S.-based without confirmed international clinic openings as of late 2025. As a for-profit entity, Amen Clinics operates as a private company under Amen Clinics, Inc., generating estimated annual revenues exceeding $100 million in the mid-2020s primarily from diagnostic scans, treatment services, and related offerings. The emphasizes scalable outpatient care, with revenue streams supported by a network of specialized facilities that prioritize high-volume consultations and imaging procedures. Beyond core clinical operations, Amen Clinics has pursued additional ventures including partnerships with health professionals and organizations, such as collaborations with Peak Brain Institute for neurofeedback programs and Love and Logic for mental health education initiatives. The organization also offers online brain health assessments through its website, allowing users to complete initial evaluations remotely before in-person visits, and provides corporate wellness programs via the Peak Brain Performance initiative, which tailors brain optimization plans for professionals seeking enhanced cognitive function. Amen University extends this reach with online courses on brain health topics, further diversifying revenue through educational content. The operational model at relies on multidisciplinary teams comprising board-certified psychiatrists, therapists, nutritionists, and imaging specialists, all trained in the Amen Clinics Method to deliver holistic care. This approach integrates SPECT imaging with , nutritional guidance, and lifestyle coaching to create personalized treatment plans addressing root causes of issues, emphasizing prevention and long-term brain optimization over symptom management alone.

Media presence

Authorship and publications

Daniel Amen is a prolific author in the field of health and , having written or co-authored more than 40 books that emphasize practical strategies for improving mental and physical . His works have collectively sold millions of copies and been translated into 50 languages, making his ideas accessible to a global audience. Amen has achieved several New York Times bestseller statuses, highlighting the widespread appeal of his approaches grounded in and lifestyle interventions. His debut book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Life (1998), introduced readers to (SPECT) imaging as a tool for understanding and treating brain-based issues like anxiety, depression, and disorders. This seminal work has sold over one million copies and laid the foundation for Amen's ongoing exploration of how brain function influences behavior and health. Across his bibliography, recurring themes include the brain-body connection, techniques for managing mental disorders, and the role of and exercise in optimizing brain performance. For instance, The Brain Warrior's Way (2016), co-authored with his wife Tana Amen, focuses on dietary and lifestyle protocols to combat , aging, and cognitive decline. In recent years, Amen has continued to update and expand his core ideas with publications addressing contemporary challenges. Change Your Brain Every Day (2023) offers daily practices to enhance , mood, focus, and relationships through -backed habits. Similarly, You, Happier: The 7 Secrets of Based on Your Type (2022) provides personalized strategies for boosting happiness by identifying individual types via self-assessments. His book Change Your , Change Your Pain (published December 2025) examines the neurological links between chronic physical and emotional pain, advocating for targeted interventions like diet, supplements, and mindset shifts to disrupt pain cycles. Amen frequently collaborates with family members and experts, as seen in co-authored titles like Raising Mentally Strong Kids (2024) with Charles Fay, which applies science to . Many of Amen's books have been adapted into companion workbooks, online courses, and apps through platforms like BrainMD and Amen University, extending their reach beyond print to interactive tools for readers. These publications have popularized concepts of preventive care, often cross-promoted through his television appearances to amplify their impact on public awareness of .

Television and public speaking

Daniel Amen has produced and hosted 19 public television specials on brain health as of 2025, with his series titled "The Brain with Dr. Daniel Amen" airing extensively on stations nationwide. These programs, which explore topics such as memory improvement and mental resilience, were broadcast over 50,000 times and generated approximately $40 million in funding for outlets as of 2012. A live taping of a new special occurred in June 2025, continuing to address contemporary brain health trends like cognitive optimization. Beyond PBS, Amen has made numerous guest appearances on major television programs to discuss neuroimaging and mental wellness. He has featured multiple times on The Dr. Oz Show, including segments in 2013 on brain SPECT imaging and female leadership wired in the brain, as well as a 2015 visit where Dr. Mehmet Oz toured Amen Clinics in New York. In 2025, he appeared on Fox News to address the effects of cannabis on youth brain development, warning of potential permanent stunting based on SPECT scan evidence from his clinics. Amen is an active public speaker, delivering keynotes at health conferences and events focused on brain optimization. He has presented at TEDx events, including a 2013 talk at TEDxOrangeCoast titled "The Most Important Lesson from 83,000 Brain Scans," which has garnered over 22 million views online. Other engagements include speeches at the National TACA Autism Conference and the What Boys Need Conference in 2025, emphasizing practical strategies for mental health. Through Amen Clinics, he hosts annual interactive workshops and live events, such as a November 2025 SPECT scan demonstration in Phoenix, to educate audiences on brain imaging applications. In his presentations and broadcasts, Amen frequently incorporates visuals from SPECT scans to illustrate brain function, a strategy that enhances audience engagement with his research findings. His media outreach extends to digital platforms, including a YouTube channel that, by 2025, boasts millions of subscribers and features discussions on celebrity brain scans and health tips. This approach has amplified his message, with online videos exceeding 300 million views collectively.

Public perception

Scientific reception and controversies

Daniel Amen's use of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging for diagnosing and treating psychiatric conditions has faced substantial criticism from the mainstream medical community, with many neurologists and psychiatrists labeling it as lacking empirical validation. Experts, including those affiliated with and the , have argued that Amen's interpretations of SPECT scans are subjective and not supported by rigorous clinical evidence, potentially leading to of conditions through his proprietary "brain type" classifications. In a 2010 letter published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, a group of psychiatrists highlighted the ethical concerns of exposing over 45,000 patients, including children, to radioactive isotopes for unproven diagnostic purposes, urging physicians to report such practices to state medical boards. Specific controversies have intensified scrutiny, particularly around and the influence of celebrity endorsements. Amen's clinics have been accused of promoting subjective scan readings that categorize patients into vague "brain types," which critics say encourages unnecessary treatments and supplements without standardized validation. In 2022, model publicly credited a SPECT scan from Amen's clinic for her decision to quit alcohol, citing revealed brain damage; however, this endorsement drew sharp rebukes from peers, with neurologist describing Amen's approach as "" that exploits vulnerable individuals amid broader from the psychiatric community. Amen has defended his methods by citing peer-reviewed studies, including his own publications demonstrating SPECT's potential utility in distinguishing conditions like from healthy controls. He has also referenced clinic data showing improved patient outcomes, such as reduced symptoms in treated cases of , though these claims are often based on internal reviews rather than large-scale, independent trials. Critics have questioned the scientific backing for BrainMD supplements marketed alongside SPECT results, arguing that claims of brain benefits lack robust, independent trials and may mislead consumers. Amen's heightened public cautions against —linking it to reduced cerebral blood flow and increased risks based on his imaging studies—have sparked ongoing discussions, with some experts viewing them as alarmist while others call for more balanced research amid rising .

Awards, memberships, and recognition

Daniel Amen is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, the highest honor bestowed upon its members for outstanding contributions to the field of psychiatry. He holds double board certification from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in both general psychiatry and child psychiatry. Amen has received several professional awards recognizing his work in brain health and leadership. In 2015, he was awarded the Lifetime Global Achievement Award by Oral Roberts University for his advancements in psychiatric care and brain imaging research. That same year, his book The Daniel Plan earned the Christian Book of the Year Award from the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. In 2016, the Invisible Disabilities Association presented him with the Healthy Living Award for his advocacy in mental health and brain wellness. The 2019 John C. Maxwell Transformational Leadership Award was given to Amen by the Equip Leadership organization for his innovative approaches to personal and professional development through brain health. In 2023, Oral Roberts University honored him with the Distinguished Service to the Community Award as part of its alumni recognition program. Amen's contributions have garnered public recognition, including repeated mentions as one of America's top psychiatrists by outlets such as , which ranked him as the web's most influential expert in . His work has attracted high-profile clients, including celebrities like and , who have publicly credited his brain imaging techniques for personal health insights. In 2025, he was featured in a profile on "LA Stories," highlighting his ongoing advocacy for brain health in addressing conditions like depression and PTSD.

Bibliography

  • A.D.D. in Intimate Relationships: A Comprehensive Guide for Couples and Others (1997)
  • New Skills for Frazzled Parents (1997)
  • Change Your Brain, Change Your Life (1998)
  • Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program That Allows You to See and Heal the Six Types of Attention Deficit (2001)
  • Healing the Hardware of the Soul (2002)
  • Healing Anxiety and Depression (2003)
  • Making a Good Great (2005)
  • How to Get Out of Your Own Way (2005)
  • What I Learned from a Penguin (2005)
  • on the Brain (2007)
  • The Brain in Love (2008)
  • Magnificent Mind at Any Age (2008)
  • Unchain Your Brain (2010)
  • Change Your Brain, Change Your Body (2010)
  • The Amen Solution (2011)
  • Use Your Brain to Change Your Age (2012)
  • Unleash the Power of the Female Brain (2013)
  • The Brain Warrior's Way (2016)
  • Captain and the Super Power Questions (2017)
  • Memory Rescue (2017)
  • Stones of Remembrance (2017)
  • Feel Better Fast and Make It Last (2018)
  • Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades (2019)
  • The End of Mental Illness (2020)
  • Conquer Worry and Anxiety (2020)
  • Your Brain Is Always Listening (2021)
  • You, Happier (2023)
  • Change Your Brain Every Day (2023)
  • Raising Mentally Strong Kids (2024)
Amen has authored or co-authored over 40 books as of 2025.

References

  1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/daniel-amen-is-the-most-popular-psychiatrist-in-america-to-most-researchers-and-scientists-thats-a-very-bad-thing/2012/08/07/467ed52c-c540-11e1-8c16-5080b717c13e_story.html
  2. https://www.webmd.com/bio/daniel-g-amen
  3. https://www.amenclinics.com/about-us/
  4. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2001400/daniel-g-amen-md/
  5. https://www.businessinsider.com/bella-hadid-brain-doctor-daniel-amen-psychiatrist-to-celebs-2022-1
  6. https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.10020157
  7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3597411/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2569353/
  9. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/louis-amen-obituary?id=7916175
  10. https://theshelbyreport.com/2021/08/16/middle-child-forged-own-path-as-leading-physician/
  11. https://danielamenmd.com/about/
  12. https://health.usnews.com/doctors/daniel-amen-434619
  13. https://unbeatablemind.com/amens/
  14. https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/brain-spect-made-ridiculously-simple-part-1/
  15. https://singjupost.com/daniel-amen-on-the-most-important-lesson-from-83000-brain-scans-transcript/
  16. https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/dr-amens-top-10-mental-health-tips-for-2025/
  17. https://www.amenclinics.com/conditions/obsessive-compulsive-spectrum-disorders/
  18. https://www.amenclinics.com/conditions/behavioral-addictions/
  19. https://www.amenclinics.com/approach/why-spect/
  20. https://researchopenworld.com/the-american-psychiatric-association-fails-to-recognize-the-value-of-neuroimaging-in-psychiatry/
  21. https://www.psychiatry.org/getattachment/a60203f4-a158-4ed4-9870-ef0ec430d41a/Resource-Document-2018-Neuroimaging.pdf
  22. https://www.danielplan.com/healthyhabits/nflstudy/
  23. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21304145/
  24. https://www.amenclinics.com/services/sports-psychiatry-program/
  25. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51167572_Reversing_Brain_Damage_in_Former_NFL_Players_Implications_for_Traumatic_Brain_Injury_and_Substance_Abuse_Rehabilitation
  26. https://brainmd.com/focus-and-energy
  27. https://brainmd.com/omega-3-power
  28. https://www.amenclinics.com/services/supplement-and-medication-management/
  29. https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/7-natural-adhd-treatments-you-can-start-today/
  30. https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2010/10/integrated-medicine-optimizes-brain-function
  31. https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/how-old-is-your-brain-and-how-to-make-it-younger/
  32. https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/amen-clinics-inc
  33. https://growjo.com/company/Amen_Clinics
  34. https://www.amenclinics.com/partnershipaz/
  35. https://peakbraininstitute.com/amen-peak-partnership/
  36. https://www.loveandlogic.com/pages/amen-clinics-partnership
  37. https://www.amenclinics.com/result/
  38. https://www.amenclinics.com/services/peak-brain-performance/
  39. https://www.amenuniversity.com/
  40. https://www.amenclinics.com/approach/amen-clinics-method/
  41. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/treatment-rehab/amen-clinics-new-york-new-york-ny/702006
  42. https://www.amenuniversity.com/pages/about-us
  43. https://danielamenmd.com/
  44. https://www.tyndale.com/p/you-happier/9781496454522
  45. https://brainmd.com/books-and-media/books
  46. https://www.facebook.com/drdanielamen/posts/be-part-of-the-live-taping-of-dr-amens-next-public-television-special-date-tuesd/1244426003718086/
  47. https://www.facebook.com/drdanielamen/videos/dr-amen-on-dr-oz-show-part-1-women-are-wired-to-be-leaders/10151318863927413/
  48. https://www.facebook.com/drdanielamen/photos/click-here-httpbitly1uxcfsj-to-watch-a-some-clips-from-yesterdays-episode-of-the/10153021866537413/
  49. https://www.foxnews.com/health/heres-what-marijuana-really-does-developing-brain-according-psychiatrist
  50. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esPRsT-lmw8
  51. https://danielamenmd.com/speaking-events/
  52. https://gurianinstitute.com/dr-daniel-amen-to-speak-at-our-what-boys-need-conference/
  53. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/experience-brain-health-in-action-live-spect-scan-event-at-amen-clinics-tickets-1735458365689
  54. https://www.amenclinics.com/webinars/
  55. https://www.youtube.com/c/DrDanielAmen_BrainHealth
  56. https://gothamartists.com/dr-daniel-amen/
  57. https://quackwatch.org/research-projects/amen/
  58. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8653781/
  59. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0091088
  60. https://www.eomega.org/workshops/teachers/daniel-amen
  61. https://oru.edu/news/oru_news/50_lifetime_global.php
  62. https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdanielamen
  63. https://invisibledisabilities.org/award-recipients/2016-ida-award-honorees/2016-healthy-living-award-daniel-g-amen-md/
  64. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/daniel-g-amen-md-wins-2019-john-c-maxwell-transformational-leadership-award-300907165.html
  65. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQHaLevDvKw
  66. https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/la-stories/2025/06/08/unlocking-the-mysteries-of-the-mind-with-the-groundbreaking-dr--daniel-amen
  67. https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/28913.Daniel_G_Amen
  68. https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Mentally-Strong-Kids-Neuroscience/dp/1496484797
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