Jud Brewer, MD, PhD

At OpenMind AI, I focus on building evidence-based, AI-supported tools that help people understand and change unhelpful habit loops. I work at the intersection of neuroscience, clinical expertise, and product development, helping guide scientific strategy, ethical frameworks, and the translation of research into practical user experiences. Our aim is to create scalable, accessible mental-health solutions grounded in real-world clinical insight and rigorous science.

I am a professor at Brown University, where my work focuses on the neuroscience and clinical science of habit formation, anxiety, and behavior change. I direct research examining how the brain learns habits—and how awareness, curiosity, and reward learning processes can be harnessed to help individuals change maladaptive patterns of behavior. At Brown, I serve as Director of Research and Innovation at the Mindfulness Center, leading an interdisciplinary team of clinicians, neuroscientists, psychologists, and data scientists. Our group integrates neuroimaging, computational modeling, and clinical trials to study the mechanisms of craving, worry, and reinforcement learning in real-world contexts. We develop and test scalable interventions—including app-based programs and digital therapeutics—and translate findings into practical clinical applications. My research spans basic and translational science, bridging laboratory methods (fMRI, EEG, real-time neurofeedback) with clinical populations experiencing anxiety disorders, addiction, and related conditions. I am actively involved in mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, residents, and postdoctoral fellows, and I collaborate widely across institutions and disciplines. Core research areas include: • reinforcement learning mechanisms in habit formation and change • neural and psychological processes underlying craving and anxiety • mindfulness and curiosity as mechanisms of behavior change • digital interventions and real-world clinical translation • neuroimaging and computational psychiatry approaches The goal of my work is to deepen scientific understanding of how the mind learns—and to translate that knowledge into effective, accessible tools to reduce suffering and support lasting behavior change.

MindSciences (acquired by Sharecare in 2020) develops and markets leading evidenced based behavior change applications. The apps are based on my research combining proven mindfulness training, digital delivery and a high touch community environment. Our evidence-based products include digital therapeutics for behavior change (e.g. smoking, eating, anxiety).

Direct research efforts for the Center for Mindfulness, including population-based, clinical, translational and neuroimaging studies.

I study the neural mechanisms and clinical efficacy of mindfulness training and meditation.