How The Better Brain Update Makes Neuroscience Accessible With beehiiv

With a seemingly endless stream of health information flooding our screens, it can be overwhelming to differentiate what is credible.

For many, the challenge is not just finding reliable sources but also translating complex scientific research into practical advice.

So, how can we prioritize our well-being, particularly in the realm of brain health—a subject often sidelined in conversations about overall wellness?

Enter The Better Brain Update, a newsletter that is more than just a collection of tips; it serves as a lifeline for those seeking clarity and direction in their health journeys.

We will explore the challenges the founder faced in democratizing neuroscience and the critical role that the beehiiv platform played in amplifying their message.

Join us as we unravel the story behind this impactful newsletter and discover how it is transforming the way we think about and prioritize our brain health.

Mission to Wake Up Our Neurons for Brain Health

Meet Dr. Austin Perlmutter, an internal medicine doctor and researcher who passionately advocates for brain health through his innovative newsletter, The Better Brain Update.

Frustrated by the limitations of traditional one-to-one patient interactions, he recognized the need to expand health education beyond the exam room. "I wanted to expand health education beyond the exam room," he explains, emphasizing his desire to make crucial knowledge on brain health more accessible.

Dr. Perlmutter’s mission is clear: He aims to elevate brain health to a top priority alongside other essential aspects of life. He asserts, “Brain health is the most important thing, and we should and must take steps each day to promote it.”

This commitment led him to create what he calls “lifestyle neuroscience,” a framework highlighting how our daily choices significantly influence our mental well-being.

How to Rewire Brain Health Education

As he reflects on his practice, Dr. Perlmutter notes, “Those [one-to-one patient interactions] were wonderful ways to interact with people, but it didn't really allow me to have a regular cadence of interacting with people to provide them with the latest updates on what the scientific research has been telling us about what we can do to improve brain health."

Through his newsletter, Dr. Perlmutter bridges the gap between complex medical research and practical lifestyle advice, making it a beacon for those seeking science-backed strategies to enhance cognitive well-being.

He points out a troubling trend in the information landscape: “The majority of [information] is trying to focus on things that are not specifically related to improving brain health.”

Yet, he believes more people are becoming excited about lifestyle strategies to promote better brain health and prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s disease (which affects around 60 million people worldwide), viewing this as a “very niche market.”

Dr. Perlmutter underscores the importance of individual choices, stating, “Our choices have a huge impact on how we think, how we act, and how we feel.”

Through The Better Brain Update, he has transformed his insights into easily digestible content, proving that understanding brain health doesn’t have to be rocket science—even if it involves neurons!

He also highlights a common oversight: “The science is being published every day in top-tier medical journals… it's not always what you'll see on the news, largely because it's not monetizable.”

Dr. Perlmutter is not only sharing knowledge but also fostering a community of individuals empowered to take charge of their brain health every day.

From Social to Substance, the Quest for Depth

During our call, Dr. Perlmutter reminisced about his start with social media, “I got a little bit involved in social media, creating content there.”

With social media, Dr. Perlmutter discovered a common shortcoming: the inability to dive deep. While platforms like Instagram offer quick bites of information—think 30-second reels—they often skim the surface of complex topics.

“You can do a small post, but it doesn't really get to some of the science and the practical information that people want.”

This realization propelled Dr. Perlmutter toward a format that allows for more comprehensive discussions: the newsletter.

Having done a lot of lecturing, I recognized there was something in between where I wanted to be able to reach a large number of people and give them access to the latest science and to be able to address some of the feedback people had.”

He confidently claims the newsletter is “the single best thing” for fostering “in-depth conversations with your audience.”

Growing From a Few to a Flood of Followers

Dr. Perlmutter’s journey wasn’t a fairy tale; it began with just a handful of early subscribers whose feedback ranged from constructive to, let’s say, less than enthusiastic.

“You start with a very small group of people. Some are encouraging and some, honestly, not,” he recalls.

He added, “The bottom line is you’re always getting feedback from your audience, regardless of the size of your newsletter.”

To battle the noise, he leaned into his mission: making neuroscience accessible and actionable.

Reflecting on his growth, he notes, “I think people come into the newsletter from a number of different sources now, but the core value proposition is the same: take the science that I spend time trying to understand and research and convey it to an audience of people who are receptive to those ideas.”

Fast forward to the present day, and his subscriber count has soared to over 120,000.

Perseverance became his secret weapon. He remained laser-focused on translating complex research into tangible advice for enhancing brain health.

Finding the Perfect Match with beehiiv and Brain Health

When Dr. Perlmutter set out to launch his newsletter, he faced the daunting task of choosing the right platform. 

“I have used multiple newsletter platforms in the past. Some people in my circle recommended beehiiv because it was a very streamlined version of a newsletter writing platform,” he recalled. “I had some initial reservations about it because of how new it was.”

Despite his initial doubts about beehiiv’s newness, he was quickly swayed by its streamlined functionality and cost-effectiveness, ultimately saving him 35-40% in costs compared to previous solutions.

“beehiiv has done better than any other platform by providing the necessary tools to create a beautiful and highly functional newsletter,” he remarks, praising its user-friendly interface that allows him to focus on delivering value rather than navigating unnecessary complexities.

What’s Dr. Perlmutter’s favorite beehiiv feature? (You know we had to ask.) He has many!

“I think the forms feature has been good. I think automation has also been as easy as automation can be. The bottom line is just building an email, setting it to go out to the right audience, clicking it in, and feeling confident that things won’t break has been the nicest thing. It’s the most reliable email platform that I’ve participated in,” said Dr. Perlmutter with confidence.

According to Perlmutter, a newsletter's special quality is its ability to foster in-depth conversations with an audience unhindered by fickle social media algorithms.

“Most social platforms are either pay-to-play or biased towards sensationalism,” he cautions. “With a newsletter, you own your audience and can communicate directly.”

Why Trust Me

Linda Hwang has extensive experience in B2B marketing and previously worked at a renowned international facilities management company. There, she played a crucial role in creating effective content and social media marketing plans. Now, Linda is a marketing consultant who helps small businesses create compelling brand stories.

Perlmutter’s Pearls of Wisdom

For those looking to start their newsletters, Dr. Perlmutter offers sage advice: begin with a blog to build consistency, don’t expect immediate viral success, and always focus on delivering value.

He appreciates beehiiv’s efficient and focused approach, remarking, “Every moment that goes by that is creating unnecessary complexity is an opportunity cost.”

beehiiv allows him to cut through the clutter and deliver meaningful content that resonates with his audience.

Success With Support and Reliability

Dr. Austin Perlmutter's transition from medical practice to becoming a newsletter maven highlights the importance of choosing the right medium to disseminate essential health information.

With beehiiv, Dr. Perlmutter found partners "invested in my success."

This support has allowed him to effectively launch The Better Brain Update, where he empowers thousands to improve their brain health, a mission he describes as fundamentally driven by his belief that "the only thing that matters in life is your brain state."

By sharing vital insights and practical advice, Perlmutter is not just delivering information; he is equipping people to take control of their most valuable asset: their brain health.

For anyone looking to make a similar impact, beehiiv is the platform that can help turn your vision into reality.

Start your journey today!