Kim Kardashian recently learned that a brain scan showed unexpectedly low activity in a key area linked to focus and stress regulation.
According to Today, the results came from a scan conducted by psychiatrist and brain imaging specialist Dr. Daniel Amen, who explained that the frontal regions of her brain appeared less active than expected.
According to Amen, reduced activity in this part of the brain can make it harder to process stress over long periods—an issue he noted given everything Kardashian currently has on her plate.
Kardashian was immediately skeptical of the finding. “That just can’t be,” she said, reacting in disbelief when the results were explained to her. “It just can’t — not accepting.”
Amen emphasized that the scan didn’t suggest anything extreme. He told Kim she showed no significant patterns associated with anxiety, depression, or an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
He also described her brain overall as healthy, adding that her outlook and emotional baseline appeared unusually optimistic for someone under sustained pressure.
The doctor suggested that the lower activity could be connected to chronic stress, particularly as Kim continues working toward passing the California bar exam.
While she has often spoken about being disciplined and high-functioning, Amen pointed out that long-term stress doesn’t always manifest in obvious ways. His recommendation was direct but straightforward: stress management would be critical if she plans to maintain both her mental health and performance level.
“I’ve got to get on a plan and really figure this out,” Kardashian said later, acknowledging that ignoring the issue wasn’t an option given her schedule.
The scan and its aftermath were shown during the latest season of The Kardashians, which has leaned heavily into Kardashian’s behind-the-scenes reality rather than her public-facing image.
This season highlights a series of overlapping stressors, including her legal studies, co-parenting with ex-husband Kanye West—who now goes by Ye—and the emotional toll of testifying at the Paris robbery trial.
The brain scan visit took place when the SKIMS founder went to see Amen alongside Scott Disick, a moment framed less as a medical emergency and more as a check-in after her past brain aneurysm diagnosis. Amen has appeared on the show before, having previously scanned Khloé Kardashian and Kendall Jenner.
Elsewhere this season, Kim has also opened up about failing the California bar exam and preparing to retake it—another pressure point layered onto an already demanding year.