Charley Gallay/Getty Dax Shepard, 50, told author and neuroscientist Chris Nowinski that he will donate his brain to science during the May 14 episode of his podcastArmchair Expert Nowinski spoke about the need for brains to study CTE, the progressive brain disease that impacts people who've had repeated concissions Shepard said he needed to clear the donation with his children first, in case they wanted to "reanimate me when the technology exists" Dax Shepardcommitted to donating his brain to science, saying he would be "delighted." On the May 14 episode of his podcast,Armchair Expert,Shepard, 50, talked with author and neuroscientist Christopher Nowinski aboutchronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. It's a "progressive degenerative" brain disease that affects people who have suffered repeated concussions and traumatic brain injuries — like those who play football — according to theIndiana University School of Medicine. Nowinski shared that he asks pro athletes to agree to donate their brains to CTE research, and asked Shepard and co-host Monica Padma the same. "Part of my gimmick is I ask everybody … have you ever considered donating your brain?" Armchair Expert "I'd be happy to," Shepard said. "I would totally donate," Padman agreed. "I really don't care what happens to my body afterwards," Shepard added. "[If] my brain could be of any help. Why not?" Padman asked, sharing that her former career as a cheerleader might offer some revelations about injuries in a female athlete's brain, suggesting "it might even present differently." "These girls are doing something more dangerous than the football players," Shepard said, noting that cheerleaders "don't practice with helmets on." Shephard reiterated "I'm delighted to donate my brain. Do I have to officially go to awebsiteor something?" He added he had to make sure his plans were ok with his family, daughtersLincoln, 11, and Delta, 9, whom he shares with wifeKristen Bell. "[I have to] double-check my children have no plans for my brain. Once they sign off on it—" JB Lacroix/Getty "Most people say "Let me check with the wife,' and then they never get back to you," Nowinski explained. "My wife is like, 'Get this — get that f—king brain out of here,' " Shepard said with a laugh.. "What are they going to do with your brain?" Padman asked. "Reanimate me," Shepard said, adding, "When the technology exists." Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article onPeople
