Confronting Dr. Amen On His Viral Brain Scans

Doctor Mikhail Varshavski interviews and challenges Dr. Daniel Amen regarding the scientific validity of using SPECT brain scans for psychiatric diagnoses.

We reached out to the Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine for their comments regarding what Dr. Amen says at 1:03:31. They responded with the following statement on December 12th 2025: “At this time, CANM considers that the guidelines require further rigorous review and validation through an independent, expert-led editorial and peer-review process. Until such a process has been completed, CANM believes it would be premature to adopt, endorse, or formally comment on the recommendations contained therein.” I'll teach you how to become the media's go-to expert in your field. Enroll in The Professional's Media Academy now: professionalsmediaacademy.com/ Listen to my podcast, The Checkup with Doctor Mike, here: Spotify: go.doctormikemedia.com/spotify/CheckUpSpotify Apple Podcasts: go.doctormikemedia.com/applepodcast/ApplePodcasts Dr. Daniel Amen's new book "Change Your Brain, Change Your Pain" is available here: amazon.com/Change-Your-Brain-Pain-Emotional/dp/0063426706/re… 00:00 Intro 01:55 Origins 07:42 Lifestyle Changes vs. Pharmaceuticals vs. Therapy 12:38 Does imagining change treatment? 18:48 Overprescription 26:08 How Your Thoughts Affect Your Pain 30:32 Over-testing / CTE 34:28 His Supplement Company 44:35 Patient Compliance 54:06 Kim Kardashian’s Brain Scan 1:02:48 Randomized Control Data 1:37:10 Shaming Psychiatrists 1:47:23 Would You Give It Up? Correction: 1:03:31 Canadian Association of Nuclear Medicine, December 12th 2025 “At this time, CANM considers that the guidelines require further rigorous review and validation through an independent, expert-led editorial and peer-review process. Until such a process has been completed, CANM believes it would be premature to adopt, endorse, or formally comment on the recommendations contained therein.” Help us continue the fight against medical misinformation and change the world through charity by becoming a Doctor Mike Resident on Patreon where every month I donate 100% of the proceeds to the charity, organization, or cause of your choice! Residents get access to bonus content, and many other perks for just $10 a month. Become a Resident today: patreon.com/doctormike Let’s connect: IG: go.doctormikemedia.com/instagram/DMinstagram Twitter: go.doctormikemedia.com/twitter/DMTwitter FB: go.doctormikemedia.com/facebook/DMFacebook TikTok: go.doctormikemedia.com/tiktok/DMTikTok Reddit: go.doctormikemedia.com/reddit/DMReddit Contact Email: DoctorMikeMedia@Gmail.com Executive Producer: Doctor Mike Production Director and Editor: Dan Owens Managing Editor and Producer: Sam Bowers Editor and Designer: Caroline Weigum Editor: Juan Carlos Zun