Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa

Dr. Dharma S. Khalsa became a student of Yogi Bhajan in 1978 and, under his guidance, became a leader in brain longevity and healthy aging, with multiple renowned books and scientific papers published on the integration of mind-body medicine and the scientifically measurable impact of Kundalini Yoga. He founded the Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation (ARPF) in 1993. Based in Tucson, AZ, ARPF is dedicated to preventing memory loss and Alzheimer's by educating people about a holistic lifestyle by means of meditation and integrative medicine. 

Dr. Khalsa graduated from Creighton University School of Medicine in 1975, and received his postgraduate training in anesthesiology at the University of California, San Francisco where he was chief resident. As chief resident, he conducted highly acclaimed research on anesthesia for cardiac surgery and obstetrical anesthesiology. He is also a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Acupuncture for Physicians Program, and has studied mind/body medicine at Harvard Medical School’s Mind/Body Medical Institute. Dr. Khalsa is board certified in anesthesiology and pain management, and he is a diplomat of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

In 1987, Dr. Khalsa established the first holistic pain program in the Southwestern United States at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1990, he was recruited to become the founding director of the Acupuncture, Stress Medicine, and Chronic Pain Program at the University of Arizona, College of Medicine’s teaching hospital in Phoenix. In this position, he became the first director of acupuncture in an American medical school.

After founding the ARPF in 1993, he became the first physician to advocate a lifestyle approach to the prevention and treatment of memory loss, including Alzheimer’s. He is among the world’s leading authorities on integrative medicine, and has written extensively on a wide range of health and healing issues.

His book Brain Longevity (Warner Books, 1997) is the original work of this kind to be written for the general public, and has been translated into twelve languages Since then, Dr. Khalsa has been honored as a medical pioneer by the integrative medical establishment, the media, and the public many times over.

Dr. Khalsa has also authored six other books for the general public, as well as several medical textbook chapters, including one for Harvard Medical School and one for the University of Arizona, Huffington Post blogs, and medical articles. He has been invited to share his work at workshops and seminars, as well as medical meetings, in the USA and around the world.

In May 2003, Dr. Khalsa was invited to testify before the Congress of the United States of America about his pioneering work in the area of lifestyle influence on Alzheimer’s disease, and called on Congress to fund a national education and outreach campaign designed to inform the public of the benefits of an integrative medical approach to Alzheimer’s prevention.

At that time he also met with the U.S. Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Richard Carmona, M.D., M.P.H. At this meeting, Dr. Carmona stated: “Your work in the field of memory loss should now be considered mainstream.”

He spearheaded the groundbreaking research projects carried out by the Foundation since 2003. Dr. Khalsa and the ARPF continue to fund and support innovative research, including the FINGER study, the largest study in history on preventing Alzheimer’s disease through a lifestyle approach.

In March 2015, Dr. Khalsa was appointed Clinical Associate Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Integrative Medicine at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he continues innovative research work on behalf of the ARPF. He also serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.