Botanical Biohacking

A fortune teller says your future is fixed, and for most people, that can become a life sentence. This episode explores how one man challenged that prediction, changed his trajectory, and discovered that what looks like destiny may be a pattern that can be changed. Dr. Andrew Miles tells the story of Liao Fan and the monk Yun Gu meets Liao Fan sitting in stillness, he sees not enlightenment but resignation, then offers him a practical path toward change. You'll discover: - How wandering thoughts and fixed expectations can keep people stuck - What "Destiny is made by me" means for fate, effort, and personal growth - The six habits Liao Fan recognized as standing in his way - How a daily merit-and-fault ledger became a tool for tracking change - Why self-monitoring, self-efficacy, and small experiences of progress matter Andrew connects this centuries-old story with modern neuroscience and behavioral science, including the default mode network, nocebo effects, and the power of recording your own behavior. He also explores why a prophecy can shape expectations, why stillness alone isn't the same as transformation, and how a daily record can make progress visible over time. If you've felt limited by habit, fear, or someone else's prediction about your future, this episode offers a grounded way to reconsider what may be possible and what you can begin changing.

Seeing lights while meditating can be alarming or lead people to fantastical conclusions. Here Danel Zhang, an inheritor of the Wu Liu pai school fo Taoist yogic Alchemy describes what is really happening and I add some musings based on current neuroscience. Neither believe nor disbelieve what you see, neither advance nor retreat from it. Allow any sensations to find their bay back into the smooth functioning of the body and spirit.

What happens when a fortune teller can name your exam results, your promotions, and even the exact hour of your death? One Chinese scholar's life is shaped by a prophecy so precise it seems impossible to escape. Until the real question becomes whether fate is fixed, or whether the brain learns helplessness when it stops seeing a way out. Dr. Andrew Miles turns a centuries-old Ming dynasty story into a striking exploration of destiny, psychology, and Chinese medicine. A boy once destined for the imperial exams is redirected into studying herbs and pulses by his mother. Then he meets Kong from Yunnan, a mysterious figure who claims to hold the true transmission of Master Shao's Huangji numerology. What follows is a life mapped in exact ranks, dates, and outcomes. A growing sense that the future has already been written. In this episode, you'll discover why Liaofan's story resembles a real-life experiment in learned helplessness, how Kong's predictions about exam ranks, rice stipends, promotions, and death unfold with unnerving accuracy, why the story changes when one prediction appears to be wrong, how Dr. Andrew Miles connects this ancient account to modern research on stress and the brain, and why Chinese medicine's concept of qi stagnation parallels the brain's response to uncontrollable stress. Andrew also discusses the traditional formulas Yueju Wan and Kai Xin San, used for stagnation and low spirits, and connects them to animal studies exploring stress, passivity, and resilience. For anyone who has ever felt stuck, resigned, or quietly stopped trying in one area of life, this episode offers a new way to consider whether you're facing a true limit or a boundary your brain learned to expect. It's a thoughtful conversation about control, healing, and the possibility of change. Perfect for listeners interested in Chinese medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and the question of whether we're shaped by fate or by what we learn to believe is possible.

What if the way people respond to you is being shaped before you say a word? In this episode, Dr. Andrew Miles explores how heart rate variability (HRV), nervous system regulation, and emotional synchrony may influence trust, conflict, and connection. From couples caught in escalating arguments to people who naturally draw a group's attention, Andrew looks at how our bodies can affect the rhythm of an interaction. He discusses how stress and low HRV may shape the way we read facial expressions and tone, and how calm, breathing, and regulation can help people feel safer and more connected. In this episode, you'll hear about: - How heart rate synchrony can begin before a conversation - The role of emotional contagion in both conflict and connection - How HRV relates to social stress, loneliness, and nervous system regulation - Why some people seem to set the rhythm of a group - The connections Andrew draws between breath, posture, the vagus nerve, and HRV - His use of HRV sensors and EEG headsets in his Chinese medicine practice in Chengdu Andrew also shares traditional Chinese medicine and Taoist perspectives on resonance and the heart's capacity to rest. He closes with ways to observe HRV over time and discusses the customized support offered through his practice. For more about Botanical Biohacking and Andrew's work, visit botanicalbiohacking.com and chorusforlife.com. Want to know if we will be a good fit to work together? Schedule a 15 minute call: Here: https://scheduling.chorusforlife.com/dashboard     References: Cardiac physiological synchrony as a component of social behavior. Autonomic Neuroscience & Disorders, 2025. Mimicry, emotion contagion and HRV synchrony; stronger in close partners; heart-rate synchrony as a trust marker. Physiology & Behavior, 2024. Bidirectional HRV coupling in conversation. PMC, 2026. Therapist regulation transferring to clients; synchrony above chance. Family Process, 2026. HRV synchrony during marital conflict and daytime inflammation. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 2018. Loneliness and blunted HRV reactivity; loneliness induction and brain-heart interaction. Biological Psychology, 2024; Social Neuroscience, 2025. Resting HRV governed by the vagus. Biological Psychology, 2024. HRV in Spleen-qi deficiency as a differentiation biomarker. J Acupunct Meridian Stud, 2019; acupuncture vs. moxibustion on HRV in qi deficiency. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu, 2017. Breath-based HRV biofeedback for anxiety and depression, 2020-2025 evidence. European Psychiatry, 2026. Artwork: Sapho And Erinna by Simeon Solomon

The episode delves into the philosophy of herbal use, emphasizing that more isn't always better. It introduces three main approaches to health, highlighting the importance of creating space for healing. Modern health challenges, particularly the 'heart coldness' prevalent in today's society, affect relationships. A significant insight is the connection between the heart and spleen, stressing that true healing comes from embracing emptiness rather than avoiding it. The conversation flows from practical herbal philosophy to deeper emotional and spiritual healing. Chapters: 00:00:01 - Introduction to the Podcast 00:00:34 - Understanding Herbal Use 00:01:20 - Philosophy of Herbal Use 00:01:51 - Approaches to Health 00:03:38 - Importance of Space in Healing 00:05:19 - Creating Space for Healing 00:11:10 - Embracing Emptiness for Healing

I paid enough to buy a car for billionaire brain training. Was it worth it?

A scholar meets a rabbit fairy?? to discover how his headaches are caused by an imbalance in his gut brain axis? Yep, apparently Song dyansty college students were doing shrooms.

What really makes an expert? 10,000 hrs is not enough, there are four criteria which must be met for true expertise.

Nuance matters, remember the faucet.

A clinical case study with my approach to practice management interwoven into it. Follow this if you want to enjoy exponential growth. Kind of do it, if you only want to grow a little. Do the opposite if you want to be spinning your wheels in 20 years still out trolling for new patients.

How I escaped a burning skyscraper in China

Discover what is missing from modern remixes of stoicism and how looking deeper can lead you to have a richer and more fullfilling life. 

There is one glaring oversight that is hijacking anscestral diets from being truly beautiful.

Can new imaging finally provide objective measurement of qi?

What if you could reverse engineer the way even wealthy people can be brought to ruin and use that as a guide for success? We explore casinos and social media and turn the predators into our teachers. 

Discover how to cultivate sexy bacteria to help you heed the call of spring this mating season.

  How do we lose the innate instinct for self care? How do we start thriving again?

Like a stringed instrument your connective tissue can get out of tune leaving your uncoordinated, in chronic pain, and accident prone. Discover the simple concepts behind an ancient exercise ritual to get undeserved strength, speed, and flexibility and restore your natural athleticism.

Used since at least the bronze age, this common kitchen spice may deserve a second glance.

Mold remediation specialist Ben Wiscombe and Brehan Crawford L.Ac discuss internal and environmental mold remediation, how it contributes to chronic illness, and what to do about it.

  There is a waking dream which underlies logic as the sea beneath a boat. We think much of the boat and perhaps too little of the sea and her tides. Logic and genius alike are built upon these dreams and symbols and the more we deny them the hungrier and more dissatisfied we become with life. It is Autumn. The days are getting shorter. The empire is waning. Some want to escape to the past, while others want to rush ahead to the future. We live in an era of hope and memory. the Irish poet Yeats said,  “Hope and Memory have one daughter and her name is Art.”

Robert Chu PhD. L.Ac, QME has specialized in Tung and Classical Acupuncture methods for over 20 years. He is the founder of the International Tung's Acupuncture Research Association. ITARA He lectures Internationally and is an adjunct professor in the DAOM program at Emperor's College and supervises externships an an integrative cancer center in California. 

Dr. Yan Liu explores the role of poison in medicine from the levels of acute care, chronic care, and the tradition of nourishing life for supplementing body and brain function. We dive into the darkest aspects of medicine in order to illuminate it for the future.

Tom Whalen MD and Brehan Crawford discuss scumbag celebrity doctor Mercola and common natural health scams linked to  misinformation.

Discover how to make mushroom coffee that will make an significant impact on your mental performance, creativity, and clarity. 

Please send this to an MD, Nurse, or other healthcare worker who could use some support.

Does being overweight disqualify experts? Does being in shape make one an expert in public health? How tattered is our society that I even have to ask these questions? Yep, this is rant. Buckle up.

Brodie Welch is a Licensed Acupuncturist, board-certified herbalist, and self-care strategist. Brodie helps self-aware, high-achieving women break the cycle of stress, overwhelm, and self-sabotage so they can enjoy the lives they’re working so hard to create, and truly embody self-respect. Working at the confluence of wellness and personal development, she has helped thousands of clients optimize their weight, digestion, hormones, sleep, mood, and vitality. A lifelong student of consciousness, Brodie has been practicing meditation, yoga, and qi gong for over twenty years and holds teaching certifications in each of these disciplines. She synthesizes ancient techniques from Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, and yoga with the latest research in neuroscience, functional medicine and habit change to help her clients thrive. Through her coaching programs, she helps people bridge the gap between what they know they should be doing to take care of themselves and actually doing it – without feeling guilty. She’s the founder of Life in Balance Acupuncture in Corvallis, Oregon, where she has been treating patients since 2003. She’s also the creator and host of A Healthy Curiosity: the podcast that explores what it takes to be well in a busy world. Learn more at https://Brodiewelch.com.

Just ...listen to this one. Its a little over an hr and well worth it. 

Modern Medicine still rests on the old biology. This has been a tremendous gift, but its only part of the picture. It leaves a lot of diagnostic noise which makes treating chronic disease challenging. The new biology looks at the body as a series of ecosystems and seeks to cultivate them like a garden.

Anxiety and Depression are linked with inflammation. Key regulator of the cellular antioxidant response NRF2 may play a role. Discover how an ancient herbal formula may help us better understand the relationship between depression and inflammation as well as the role of metabolites as possible biological markers for more objective diagnosis of major depression. Xiao Yao Chapter of Zhuangzi https://ctext.org/zhuangzi/enjoyment-... Xiong, Xingjiang, et al. "Efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine Xiao Yao San in hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis." Phytomedicine 61 (2019): 152849. Liu, Xiaojie, et al. "Plasma metabolomics of depressed patients and treatment with Xiaoyaosan based on mass spectrometry technique." Journal of ethnopharmacology 246 (2020): 112219. Ma Q. (2013). Role of nrf2 in oxidative stress and toxicity. Annual review of pharmacology and toxicology, 53, 401–426. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-pharm... Chen, Jia-Xu, et al. "Effects of Chai Hu (Radix Burpleuri) containing formulation on plasma β-endorphin, epinephrine and dopamine in patients." The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 33.05 (2005): 737-745. Martín-de-Saavedra, María Dolores, et al. "Nrf2 participates in depressive disorders through an anti-inflammatory mechanism." Psychoneuroendocrinology 38.10 (2013): 2010-2022. Martín-de-Saavedra, María Dolores, et al. "Nrf2 participates in depressive disorders through an anti-inflammatory mechanism." Psychoneuroendocrinology 38.10 (2013): 2010-2022. *Correction: At 8:10 I say 2,000 years. That should be 1,000 years. The formula its based on if nearly 2,000 years old being created at around AD 190.      

Corydalis has been used for pain and was a major herb in formula for opiate addiction following the Chinese opiate wars. Discover how its use as a topic can relieve pain and enhance quality of life for those suffering from sharp or throbbing pain associated with blood stasis.

Wade has lived in ashrams, competed at the Mr. Universe as a drug free vegetarian, written several books, and co-founded a nutrition company. He's also served as an advisor to the American Anti-Cancer Institute. Why is this good for you? Because you get to discover how enzymes can help you look better, think clearer, and fix your tummy.

This is our filter for tradition and science in natural medicine. This is a huge time saver that can save you from wasting time and energy. It helps keep you focussed on the time tested, evidence backed natural health practices that actually work.

With his Ph.D in the various schools of Chinese Medicine, Dr. Jin Zhao is uniquely positioned to reveal the one true school of Classical Chinese Medicine.

Dr. Jin Zhao is a 5th generation doctor with his Ph.D in the history and development of schools of thought in Chinese Medicine. He is a professor and a very busy clinician who sees over 200 patients a day. He holds that mastery is not about esoteric knowledge or secret techniques, but better organizing what you already know in a more efficient way.

In this whiskey fueled discussion kilt clad Herbalist Brehan Crawford discusses The Tiger King, Horny cat ladies, and a dangerous parasite linked to behavioral changes. Discover the herbs shown to kill this parasite. 

After a round of antibiotics Cathy felt exhausted and was losing her memory. Her job was suffering as a result. By using herbs to "warm" her gut she recovered. What is behind the thermal nature of herbs? Recent studies have shown that it may have to do with gene expression with regard to metabolism, the immune system, endocrine system, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and blood circulation.

Stillness gives birth to movement. We explore a top down and bottom up approach to aligning the major joints of the body (seven stars) for greater tensegrity and then springing into life with white gibbon footwork. I then talk about the fabled "Lightness skill" of martial arts fantasy and explore the truth behind the myth as taught by Daoists near Qing Cheng Mountain in Sichuan.

Patchouli, aka Huo xiang is great for damp loving pathogens and you can grow it fairly easily. We explore its cultivation, uses, and recipes.

I learned some amazing Tantric Sex Secrets on Qing Cheng Mountain. If you apply these I guarantee it will improve your entire life. Discover where Tantra, Daoist sexuality, and botanical medicine converge and how you can apply this internal alchemy immediately.

We can't always reach for medicine. We can't always depend on others for healthcare, but as long as we are breathing, we can adjust our breathing to halt viral transcription. This is knowledge every human should have to keep our global tribe healthy.

Dr. Sandra Subotich got a call from an old friend. Her partner had just returned from Mardi Gras and was infected. Soon after she fell ill. Discover the three herbal formulas which she used to break the fever and return back to a normal life.

Dr. Jin Zhao has been working with a team of TCM doctors to successfully treat patients with the Corona virus (Covid-19) both in an integrative setting and using botanical medicine alone. 

Dr. Ayla Wolf and Dr. Clayton Shiu discuss neurological testing and Chinese Medicine as well as their upcoming classes.

Epidemics are not new to Chinese society. Dr. Liu Qingquan (刘清泉),  director of Beijing TCM hospital and Dr. Tong Xiaolin (仝小林)， vice director of Guang An Men hospital, were among the first doctors entering SARS infected area and both treated hundreds of SARS patients in 2003.  Dr. Tong Xiaolin helped formulate the TCM treatment protocols which were used nationally and tremendously helped China to win the battle with SARS.  16 years later, they arrived in Wuhan, the frontline of fighting the novel coronavirus. They saw patients from both the inpatient departments and ICU.  After carefully checking the patients, they and the expert panel came to the conclusion that the novel coronavirus causing pneumonia fell into the TCM categories of   “疫病”Yi Bing (Plague) and more specifically “湿瘟” Shi Wen (Damp Plague).   

A man becomes possessed during a Lakota ceremony gone wrong. An evil wind causes nightmares in Sichuan. A man wakes up with a sensation of a ghost pressing on him. Could there be a microbial component to our experiences with the supernatural? What can this teach us about consciousness and who we truly are?

Seeing a kid with a fever can be scary. Understanding how digestion plays a role can help make complex cases simple.

This simple breathing exercise will help you align, power up, and have a beautiful day.

In Sichuan I would go to a special clinic whenever I had a cold and this special mixture fixed restored me right away. They also used it to treat chronic pain and had many patients who swore by this formula. Then as I was about to return to the US, the owner let me in on his secret recipe.