David Perlmutter

Born: December 31, 1954 – Miami, Florida, United States

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David Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist and six-time New York Times bestselling author whose books, including Grain Brain and Brain Maker, focus on the relationship between nutrition, brain health, and metabolic diseases. His work has been published in 32 languages, selling over a million copies and earning multiple awards for contributions to medicine and nutrition.

Biography & Author's Journey

David Perlmutter, MD, was born on December 31, 1954, in Miami, Florida, into a family deeply rooted in neuroscience—his father Irwin was a neurosurgeon. Perlmutter attended the University of Miami School of Medicine, earning recognition for his research with the Leonard G. Rowntree Research Award. After his M.D., he specialized in neurology and nutrition, becoming a board-certified neurologist and a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, embedding himself at the intersection of clinical practice and scientific research.

Quotes

The simple act of moving your body will do more for your brain than any riddle, math equation, mystery book, or even thinking itself

-Grain Brain

Researchers have known for some time now that the cornerstone of all degenerative conditions, including brain disorders, is inflammation. But what they didn’t have documented until now are the instigators of that inflammation—the first missteps that prompt this deadly reaction. And what they are finding is that gluten, and a high-carbohydrate diet for that matter, are among the most prominent stimulators of inflammatory pathways that reach the brain

-Grain Brain

Obesity – and its metabolic consequences – has almost nothing to do with dietary fat consumption and everything to do with our addiction to carbs. The same is true about cholesterol: Eating high-cholesterol foods has no impact on our actual cholesterol levels, and the alleged correlation between higher cholesterol and higher cardiac risk is an absolute fallacy

-Grain Brain

Science is only recently discovering that both fat and cholesterol are severely deficient in diseased brains and that high total cholesterol levels in late life are associated with increased longevity

-Grain Brain

The microbiome affects our mood, libido, metabolism, immunity, and even our perception of the world and the clarity of our thoughts. It helps determine whether we are fat or thin, energetic or lethargic. Put simply, everything about our health–how we feel both emotionally and physically–hinges on the state of our microbiome

-Brain Maker

Some of my most remarkable case studies involve people changing their lives and health for the better through simple brain-making edits to their dietary choices. They cut carbs and add healthy fats, especially cholesterol – a key player in brain and psychological health. I’ve watched this fundamental dietary shift single-handedly extinguish depression and all of its kissing cousins, from chronic anxiety to poor memory and even ADHD

-Grain Brain

WE’RE ALL SEARCHING FOR THE same things in life. We want happiness, success, and a sense of purpose. We want to be physically and mentally fit. We want to enjoy deep interpersonal bonds. We want our lives to have direction and meaning. But through bad habits and self-sabotaging behaviors, we can often get in our own way when we attempt to achieve these

-Brain Wash

Beyond simply serving as a source of calories, protein, and fat, food actually regulates the expression of many of our genes

-Grain Brain

Modern food manufacturing, including genetic bioengineering, have allowed us to grow grains that contain up to forty times the gluten of grains cultivated just a few decades ago

-Grain Brain

Dementia is our most-feared illness, more than heart disease or cancer

-Grain Brain

Popular Books

Grain Brain

David Perlmutter

Exposes how carbs and gluten harm brain health, offering a ketogenic diet solution.

Brain Maker

David Perlmutter

Revolutionize your brain health by nurturing gut microbes. Discover how intestinal ecology impacts neurological conditions and overall wellbeing.

Drop Acid

David Perlmutter

Uncover the hidden dangers of uric acid and learn practical strategies to improve health, longevity, and weight management.

Brain Wash

David Perlmutter

Uncover how modern life hijacks your brain and learn practical strategies to reclaim control, improve decision-making, and cultivate happiness.

Grain Brain

David Perlmutter

Exposes how carbs and gluten harm brain health, offering a ketogenic diet solution.

Brain Maker

David Perlmutter

Revolutionize your brain health by nurturing gut microbes. Discover how intestinal ecology impacts neurological conditions and overall wellbeing.

Drop Acid

David Perlmutter

Uncover the hidden dangers of uric acid and learn practical strategies to improve health, longevity, and weight management.

Brain Wash

David Perlmutter

Uncover how modern life hijacks your brain and learn practical strategies to reclaim control, improve decision-making, and cultivate happiness.

Discover more

Study Mind, Brain, Behavior & Nutrition

LEARNING PLAN

Study Mind, Brain, Behavior & Nutrition

This plan bridges the gap between neuroscience, psychology, and nutrition to provide a holistic approach to mental performance. It is ideal for professionals, students, or health enthusiasts looking to optimize their brain health and decision-making capabilities.

2 h 17 m•4 Sections

Master Mind, Body, Health & History

LEARNING PLAN

Master Mind, Body, Health & History

This multidisciplinary path bridges the gap between cutting-edge neuroscience, longevity science, and historical wisdom. It is designed for high-performers and lifelong learners seeking a holistic framework for physical health and mental clarity.

2 h 53 m•4 Sections

Neuro, Mental Health & Nutrition

LEARNING PLAN

Neuro, Mental Health & Nutrition

This plan bridges the gap between neuroscience and daily wellness, offering a holistic approach to mental health. It is ideal for individuals seeking to optimize their cognitive performance or those looking for science-backed strategies to manage anxiety and depression.

3 h 24 m•4 Sections

BLOG

Your Brain is Cooked: How to Unf*ck Your Brainrot

Breaking free from brainrot isn’t about willpower—it’s about understanding how overstimulation rewires your brain.

BeFreed Team

BOOKS

Books Recommended by Andrew Huberman

Unlock peak performance and mental clarity with top book recommendations from Andrew Huberman's reading list on neuroscience, growth, and mastery.

BeFreed team

Community Voices

"David Perlmutter is an American celebrity doctor, author, low-carbohydrate diet advocate and promoter of functional medicine"

— Wikipedia

"David Perlmutter received the Linus Pauling Award in 2002 and the American College of Nutrition Communication & Media Award in 2015"

— Bookdelivery

"David Perlmutter is a board-certified neurologist and six-time New York Times bestselling author"

— New York Times

"David Perlmutter has been widely criticized by dietitians and physicians for promoting misinformation about gluten-containing grains"

— Wikipedia

"David Perlmutter wrote the best-selling book Grain Brain, which argues that gluten causes neurological conditions"

— Wikipedia

"David Perlmutter has published books such as Grain Brain and Drop Acid, focusing on nutrition and neurological health"

— ThriftBooks

"David Perlmutter’s books have been published in over 30 languages and include the #1 New York Times bestseller Grain Brain"

— New York Times

"David Perlmutter’s work, including Grain Brain and Brain Maker, has changed many lives and expanded how people view brain health"

— Hachette Book Group

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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David Perlmutter

Biography & Author's Journey

Quotes

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Popular Books

Grain Brain

Brain Maker

Drop Acid

Brain Wash

Grain Brain

Brain Maker

Drop Acid

Brain Wash

Discover more

Study Mind, Brain, Behavior & Nutrition

Master Mind, Body, Health & History

Neuro, Mental Health & Nutrition

Community Voices

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Body, Pleasure, Neuroscience & Business

Work through brain fog blocking my output