Do you ever feel like your brain is working against you? You try to focus, but the engine simply will not start. You try to relax, but the gears keep grinding. We often label these struggles as “mental health” issues. We go to therapy. We talk about our feelings. We try to fix the software.

But what if the problem is not the software? What if the problem is the hardware?

In this episode of The Vibe With Ky Podcast I sit down with Dr. Steven Storage from the world-renowned Amen Clinics. Dr. Steven is a child and adult psychiatrist who believes we are looking at mental health all wrong. He argues that we need to stop treating “mental” issues and start treating “brain” health issues.

This conversation completely shifted my perspective. If you have ever felt broken or wondered why standard treatments do not work for you, this episode provides the validation you have been looking for.

Listen or watch the full episode here:

Meet Dr. Steven Storage

Dr. Steven Storage is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He works at Amen Clinics, a facility famous for using brain SPECT imaging to look at the actual organ they are treating. Unlike traditional psychiatry which often guesses based on symptoms, Dr. Steven looks at blood flow and activity patterns in the brain to diagnose conditions like ADHD and anxiety accurately.

You can connect with Dr. Steven and learn more about his work here:

The Hardware vs Software Analogy

One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when Dr. Steven explained the difference between the mind and the brain. He used a computer analogy that made everything click for me.

“The analogy of the computer hardware versus the software. It’s just so validating to hear a doctor say that you can do all the therapy (the software work) you want, but if the actual organ (the hardware) isn’t healthy, you’re going to struggle.”

Think about it. You can have the best software in the world, but if your computer has a broken fan or a fried hard drive, that software will not run. Therapy is excellent for updating your software. It helps you process trauma and learn coping skills. But if your physical brain, the hardware, is inflamed, sleep-deprived, or malnourished, those therapy tools will not stick.

Dr. Steven emphasized that we must treat the organ first. This means looking at nutrition, sleep, and physical health as the foundation for mental wellness.

The “Sleepy” Prefrontal Cortex

We talked extensively about ADHD. Many people think ADHD means you have too much energy. Dr. Steven explained that on a brain scan, ADHD often looks like the opposite.

“Turns out that when our brain is depressed, it sends less blood to the prefrontal cortex. Makes sense, right? Most of us, if we go through a period of depression, we have a harder time focusing.”

The prefrontal cortex is the CEO of the brain. It handles focus, planning, and impulse control. In a neurotypical brain, when you try to concentrate, blood flow to this area increases. In an ADHD brain, when you try to concentrate, blood flow to this area often decreases. The harder you try, the sleepier your CEO becomes.

This explains why “trying harder” does not work for us. It is not a lack of willpower. It is a biological mechanism where the brain literally shuts down under pressure. Hearing this was incredibly validating. It proves that our struggle is not a character flaw. It is biology.

The 7 Types of ADHD

Another mind-blowing insight was learning that ADHD is not one single condition. Amen Clinics has identified seven different types of ADHD based on brain scan patterns. This explains why a medication that works for your friend might make you feel terrible.

“In Ring of Fire ADHD, it’s like it’s trying to focus next to a freeway during rush hour and big rigs are honking and fireworks are going off. And similar to anxious ADHD, Ring of Fire ADHD does not tend to respond as well to stimulants for the same reason.”

If you have “Ring of Fire” ADHD, your brain is already overactive. Adding a stimulant is like throwing gasoline on a fire. You need a completely different treatment plan than someone with “Classic” ADHD who has low activity in the prefrontal cortex. This nuance is missing from most standard psychiatric evaluations, which is why so many people get misdiagnosed or mistreated.

Parenting and Modeling Brain Health

We also touched on the importance of modeling brain health for our kids. Dr. Steven shared a personal story about how he handles his own mornings to set an example for his children.

“I tell parents and I tell the kid, this is not about being perfect. This is about being better.”

He emphasized that we do not need to be perfect. We simply need to show our kids that we care about our brains. If they see us prioritizing sleep, eating brain-healthy foods, and managing our stress, they will learn to do the same. It is about progress, not perfection.

Actionable Advice: Kill the ANTs

Dr. Steven gave us a practical tool we can use immediately to improve our mental health. He calls them ANTs: Automatic Negative Thoughts.

“I also love the part about ANTs, A-N-T-S, the automatic negative thoughts. We all have them, but learning to challenge them is such a key part of this journey.”

These are the thoughts that pop into your head uninvited and tell you that you are not good enough. Dr. Steven suggests writing them down and challenging them. Ask yourself: Is this thought true? Is it 100% true? How do I feel when I think this thought? Who would I be without this thought?

By questioning these automatic thoughts, we can stop them from taking over our emotional state.

Conclusion

This episode proved that you are not stuck with the brain you have. You have the power to change your brain and change your life. Whether it is through nutrition, sleep, or challenging your negative thoughts, every small step counts.

Start treating your brain like the precious organ it is. You might be surprised at how much better your mind feels when the hardware is running smoothly.

Much love. Good vibes. – Ky

Disclaimer: Kyrus Keenan Westcott is not a licensed mental health professional. The content in this blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult with a qualified professional for any medical or mental health advice.