Podcasts about Neurosurgery

What does a neurosurgeon actually do—and how can fast action save brain function? In this episode, Dr. Omofoye (neurosurgeon at Tidelands Health, Myrtle Beach, SC; training at UNC School of Medicine, UC Davis, Boston Medical Center, and a CAST-approved skull base fellowship in Los Angeles) sits down with Dr. Tamara Beckford to translate complex brain and spine topics into plain English.We unpack:Neurosurgery vs. Neurology—who treats what, and when surgery is neededStroke 101: ischemic vs. hemorrhagic, time-sensitive treatments (thrombolysis, mechanical thrombectomy)Aneurysms: why they form, genetic risk, rupture danger, and treatments (clipping, coiling)Traumatic brain bleeds in falls and car crashes (epidural, subdural, contusions)Spine surgery basics for herniated discs and sciaticaDeep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's—how an implanted electrode can stop tremorsClear warning signs to call 911 fast: face droop, arm weakness, speech changes, sudden severe headachePrevention you can control: blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking cessation, and follow-up imaging when aneurysms are foundPerfect for patients, caregivers, and health-curious listeners who want evidence-based guidance without the jargon.

Send us a textDr. Michael Lebenstein-Gumovski, Ph.D. is Senior Scientific Officer and Neurosurgeon, in the Neurosurgery Department, of the Sklifosovsky Clinical and Research Institute for Emergency Medicine, Moscow, Russian Federation ( https://sklif.mos.ru/ ), where his team is engaged in both neurosurgical and experimental practice, conducting advanced research in the field of spinal cord injury restoration, spinal cord transplantation and head transplantation.The Sklifosovsky Institute for Emergency Medicine is a large multidisciplinary scientific and practical center dealing with problems of emergency medical care, emergency surgery, resuscitation, combined and burn trauma, emergency cardiology and acute poisoning.Since 2013, Dr. Lebenstein-Gumovski has been studying spinal cord injury, and also developing methods for restoring the full functional and morphological repair of the spinal cord.Dr. Lebenstein-Gumovski's work is aimed at studying the effect of fusogens on nervous tissue, developing new methods and techniques for treating spinal cord injury, developing methods for its resection and transplantation. The lab develops and studies various methods of neuroprotection, combining methods to achieve better results and the current focus is the study of combination fusogen-induced (PEG-chitosan, Neuro-PEG) axonal restoration of the spinal cord after its complete transection.Dr. Lebenstein-Gumovski did his doctoral studies in the Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery of the Stavropol State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.Dr. Lebenstein-Gumovski is also a Scientific Advisor to Dowell Bio, Inc. ( https://dowell.bio/ ), a start-up company developing his various technologies.Andrei Panferov is the Chief Executive Officer of Dowell Bio, Inc.  Andrei is a deep-tech entrepreneur and does the Russian-English / English-Russian translations during this episode.#MichaelLebensteinGumovski #DowellBio #SklifosovskyClinicalAndResearchInstituteForEmergencyMedicine #Neurosurgery #SpinalCordInjuryRestoration #SpinalCordTransplantation #HeadTransplantation #EmergencyMedicalCare #EmergencySurgery #Resuscitation #Trauma #SpinalCordInjury #Fusogens #PEGChitosan #Neuroscience #SergioCanavero #Chitosan #PolyethyleneGlycol #EyeTransplant #BrainTransplant #ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #Podcasting #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Science #Technology #ResearchSupport the show

View the Show Notes Page for This Episode Become a Member to Receive Exclusive Content Sign Up to Receive Peter's Weekly Newsletter Edward Chang is a neurosurgeon, scientist, and a pioneering leader in functional neurosurgery and brain-computer interface technology, whose work spans the operating room, the research lab, and the engineering bench to restore speech and movement for patients who have lost these capabilities. In this episode, Edward explains the evolution of modern neurosurgery and its dramatic reduction in collateral damage, the experience of awake brain surgery, real-time mapping to protect critical functions, and the split-second decisions surgeons make. He also discusses breakthroughs in brain-computer interfaces and functional electrical stimulation systems, strategies for improving outcomes in glioblastoma, and his vision for slimmer, safer implants that could turn devastating conditions like ALS, spinal cord injury, and aggressive brain tumors into more manageable chronic illnesses. We discuss: The evolution of neurosurgery and the shift toward minimally invasive techniques [2:30]; Glioblastomas: biology, current treatments, and emerging strategies to overcome its challenges [10:45]; How brain mapping has advanced from preserving function during surgery to revealing how neurons encode language and cognition [16:30]; How awake brain surgery is performed [22:00]; How brain redundancy and plasticity allow some regions to be safely resected, the role of the corpus callosum in epilepsy surgery, and the clinical and philosophical implications of disconnecting the hemispheres [26:15]; How neural engineering may restore lost functions in neurodegenerative disease, how thought mapping varies across individuals, and how sensory decline contributes to cognitive aging [39:15]; Brain–computer interfaces explained: EEG vs. ECoG vs. single-cell electrodes and their trade-offs [48:30]; Edward's clinical trial using ECoG to restore speech to a stroke patient [1:01:00]; How a stroke patient regained speech through brain–computer interfaces: training, AI decoding, and the path to scalable technology [1:10:45]; Using brain-computer interfaces to restore breathing, movement, and broader function in ALS patients [1:28:15]; The 2030 outlook for brain–computer interfaces [1:34:00]; The potential of stem cell and cell-based therapies for regenerating lost brain function [1:38:00]; Edward's vision for how neurosurgery and treatments for glioblastoma, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease may evolve by 2040 [1:42:15]; The rare but dangerous risk of vertebral artery dissections from chiropractic neck adjustments and high-velocity movements [1:44:45]; How Harvey Cushing might view modern neurosurgery, and how the field has shifted from damage avoidance to unlocking the brain's functions [1:46:15]; and More. Connect With Peter on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

Show Highlights It’s Your Life With Dr James JC Cooley and Co-Host Dr Michael Mantell- Rational Emotive & Cognitive Behavior Coach have a sit-down conversation with Dr. Mickey E. Abraham - Neurosurgery resident at UC San Diego with a focus on bioethics, innovation, and regenerative neurosurgery. Stem cells for spinal cord injury Brain computer interface Bioethics Biography Dr. Mickey E. Abraham is a neurosurgery resident at UC San Diego with a focus on bioethics, innovation, and regenerative neurosurgery. Holding an MS in Philosophy from Columbia University, he has developed expertise in neuroethics and served as a resident member of the UCSD Bioethics Committee. His research spans gene therapy, stem cell interventions, and neuromodulation, with publications in Cell Stem Cell and bioethics literature. He has secured NIH and CIRM grants and co-investigated clinical trials in spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease. He is dedicated to integrating ethical principles into the development of novel neurosurgical therapies and advancing responsible medical innovation. Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickey-e-abraham-713222b5/Support the show: http://www.cooleyfoundation.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A conversation with Dr. Manjul Tripathi. Thank you to Elekta for sponsoring this conversation! Find the novel Krodh at https://tinyurl.com/5n84sh7h

In this episode, Dr. Xiaofei Zhou, Associate Program Director of Neurosurgery at University Hospitals, discusses her journey into endoscopic spine surgery, her priorities for advancing education and patient care, and how collaboration and innovation are shaping the future of minimally invasive spine procedures.

n this episode of Conversations in Lung Cancer Research, A/Prof Tim Clay discusses the multidisciplinary management of CNS metastases in the context of thoracic cancers. Joined by Dr. Keryn Davidson, a consultant neurosurgeon, and A/Prof Fiona Hegi Johnson, a radiation oncologist, the discussion focuses on the nuances of treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer presenting with brain metastases. Key topics include the role of neurosurgery, decision-making for radiation therapy, evolving approaches for oncogene-driven cancer patients, management of radiation necrosis, and the complexities of treating small cell lung cancer and leptomeningeal disease.  This episode is sponsored by Pfizer.(00:00) Introduction and Acknowledgements(00:35) Meet the Experts(01:44) Neurosurgery in CNS Metastases(07:00) Radiation Therapy Insights(13:59) Oncogene-Driven Lung Cancer(25:14) Challenges in Small Cell Lung Cancer(29:56) Advanced Treatment Strategies(32:23) Future Directions and Conclusion

Army neurosurgeon LTC Ryan Morton, MD, joins us for a compelling discussion on the high-stakes environment of combat neurosurgery. We delve into the strategies crucial for managing head trauma on the battlefield, where preventing hypoxia and hypotension is paramount for saving lives. Dr. Morton shares invaluable insights on how military medical teams maintain vigilance against these conditions despite the lack of advanced imaging capabilities. From arterial blood pressure monitoring to oxygen therapy, we cover the proactive measures used to manage intracranial pressure effectively, ensuring that even in the toughest settings, soldiers receive the best possible care.     Our conversation evolves into a detailed exploration of the surgical techniques employed in trauma response. We discuss the significance of patient positioning, the careful balancing of resuscitation efforts, and the pivotal role of Roll 3 hospitals with their advanced CT scanning capabilities. The episode also shines a light on the logistical aspects of performing complex procedures like spine surgeries and managing traumatic vasospasm in military environments. Dr. Morton touches on the challenges of treating severe injuries in combat zones and the thoughtful considerations involved in using endovascular techniques for managing carotid injuries. Join us for an episode packed with expert insights and real-world solutions for the unique challenges faced in military medical care.   Chapters:   (00:02) Combat Neurosurgery (11:14) Surgical Techniques in Trauma Response (17:18) Combat Medical Care and Consultation   Chapter Summaries:   (00:02) Combat Neurosurgery   Managing head trauma in combat zones requires vigilance against hypoxia and hypotension, with measures such as blood pressure monitoring and oxygen therapy.   (11:14) Surgical Techniques in Trauma Response    Maintaining brain health in trauma management through proper positioning, blood coagulation, and advanced capabilities of Roll 3 hospitals.   (17:18) Combat Medical Care and Consultation    Logistics of spine fusions, protocols for head trauma, challenges of treating vasospasm, and endovascular techniques for carotid injuries.   Take Home Messages: Combat neurosurgery requires a proactive approach to managing head trauma on the battlefield, emphasizing the prevention of hypoxia and hypotension. Despite the lack of advanced imaging capabilities, military medical teams can effectively monitor and manage intracranial pressure through vigilant use of arterial blood pressure monitoring and oxygen therapy.   Patient positioning, such as using the reverse Trendelenburg position, plays a crucial role in reducing intracranial pressure in trauma cases. Maintaining proper blood coagulation and sodium levels is essential to avoid complications, and the advanced capabilities of Roll 3 hospitals, like CT scanning, are vital for determining the appropriate neurosurgical interventions.   While immediate spine surgeries may be necessary in combat zones, complex procedures are often preferred to be performed in more sterile environments such as Landstuhl, Walter Reed, or BAMC. These facilities provide the necessary resources and expertise to manage severe injuries and offer comprehensive care.   The use of seizure prophylaxis, such as Keppra or Dilantin, should be carefully considered in cases of suspected head trauma. However, it is typically not an immediate priority unless the patient is actively seizing. If a severe traumatic brain injury is confirmed, seizure prophylaxis may be beneficial for a limited period.   Endovascular techniques for managing carotid injuries, such as deploying covered stents or performing balloon test occlusions, require careful consideration and are best performed in well-equipped facilities away from the battlefield. The treatment of traumatic vasospasm, which can occur days after the initial trauma, should be managed in specialized centers to ensure optimal patient outcomes.   Episode Keywords: combat neurosurgery, military head trauma, battlefield brain surgery, surgical techniques in combat, military medical care, head trauma management, Roll 3 hospitals, military neurosurgeon insights, intracranial pressure management, trauma care in austere settings, endovascular techniques in military, preventing hypoxia and hypotension, trauma surgery in military environments, Lieutenant Colonel Ryan Morton, War Docs podcast   Hashtags: #MilitaryMedicine #CombatNeurosurgery #BattlefieldTrauma #HeadTraumaCare #MilitarySurgery #NeurosurgeonInsights #CombatMedicalResponse #MilitaryHealthcare #WarDocsPodcast #TraumaSurgery   Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine The WarDocs Mission is to honor the legacy, preserve the oral history, and showcase career opportunities, unique expeditionary experiences, and achievements of Military Medicine. We foster patriotism and pride in Who we are, What we do, and, most importantly, How we serve Our Patients, the DoD, and Our Nation.   Find out more and join Team WarDocs at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/ Check our list of previous guest episodes at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/our-guests Subscribe and Like our Videos on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast Listen to the “What We Are For” Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm   WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in Military Medicine. A tax receipt will be sent to you. WARDOCS documents the experiences, contributions, and innovations of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called "Docs" as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield,demonstrating dedication to the medical care of fellow comrades in arms.     Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @wardocspodcast Facebook: WarDocs Podcast Instagram: @wardocspodcast LinkedIn: WarDocs-The Military Medicine Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast

Send us a textIn this episode of the Rare Enough Podcast, host DJ Stewart sits down with Dr. Phillip “Jay” Storm, Chief of Neurosurgery at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a leader in pediatric brain tumor research. Together, they explore why pediatric brain tumors are not just “smaller versions” of adult tumors, the unique challenges they present, and the groundbreaking work of the Children's Brain Tumor Network in advancing treatment through collaboration and data sharing. This conversation sheds light on the importance of innovation, teamwork, and hope in the fight against childhood brain cancer.Support the showRare Enough is a podcast powered by Head for the Cure, sharing real stories of resilience, hope, and community from those facing brain tumors and the people who walk beside them. Subscribe, listen, and share, because every story matters, and no one should face brain cancer alone. Follow on Instagram @RareEnoughPodcast Learn more at BrainsfortheCure.org

In this episode, Dr. Xiaofei Zhou, Associate Program Director of Neurosurgery at University Hospitals, discusses her journey into endoscopic spine surgery, her priorities for advancing education and patient care, and how collaboration and innovation are shaping the future of minimally invasive spine procedures.

In this episode, Dr. Xiaofei Zhou, Associate Program Director of Neurosurgery at University Hospitals, discusses her journey into endoscopic spine surgery, her priorities for advancing education and patient care, and how collaboration and innovation are shaping the future of minimally invasive spine procedures.

Dr. Safraz Mohammed is a neurosurgeon at The Ottawa Hospital specializing in the brain and spine. In this engaging conversation, you'll hear what led him to neurosurgery and how he's helping educate the next generation of medical talent. Dr. Mohammed also takes us behind the scenes of the highly skilled neurosurgical team at our hospital and shares an important message about the impact of philanthropy. (33:43)

Professors Karl Friston & Mark Solms, pioneers in the fields of neuroscience, psychology, and theoretical biology, delve into the frontiers of consciousness: "Can We Engineer Artificial Consciousness?". From mimicry to qualia, this historic conversation tackles whether artificial consciousness is achievable - and how. Essential viewing/listening for anyone interested in the mind, AI ethics, and the future of sentience. Subscribe to the channel for more profound discussions!Professor Karl Friston is one of the most highly cited living neuroscientists in history. He is Professor of Neuroscience at University College London and holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Zurich, University of York and Radboud University. He is the world expert on brain imaging, neuroscience, and theoretical neurobiology, and pioneers the Free-Energy Principle for action and perception, with well-over 300,000 citations. Professor Mark Solms is director of Neuropsychology in the Neuroscience Institute of the University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital (Departments of Psychology and Neurology), an Honorary Lecturer in Neurosurgery at the Royal London Hospital School of Medicine, an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists, and the President of the South African Psychoanalytical Association. TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) - Introduction (0:45) - Defining Consciousness & Intelligence(8:20) - Minimizing Free Energy + Maximizing Affective States(9:07) - Knowing if Something is Conscious(13:40) - Mimicry & Zombies(17:13) - Homology in Consciousness Inference(21:27) - Functional Criteria for Consciousness(25:10) - Structure vs Function Debate(29:35) - Mortal Computation & Substrate(35:33) - Biological Naturalism vs Functionalism(42:42) - Functional Architectures & Independence(48:34) - Is Artificial Consciousness Possible?(55:12) - Reportability as Empirical Criterion(57:28) - Feeling as Empirical Consciousness(59:40) - Mechanistic Basis of Feeling(1:06:24) - Constraints that Shape Us(1:12:24) - Actively Building Artificial Consciousness (Mark's current project)(1:24:51) - Hedonic Place Preference Test & Ethics(1:30:51) - ConclusionEPISODE LINKS:- Karl's Round 1: https://youtu.be/Kb5X8xOWgpc- Karl's Round 2: https://youtu.be/mqzyKs2Qvug- Karl's Lecture 1: https://youtu.be/Gp9Sqvx4H7w- Karl's Lecture 2: https://youtu.be/Sfjw41TBnRM- Karl's Lecture 3: https://youtu.be/dM3YINvDZsY- Mark's Round 1: https://youtu.be/qqM76ZHIR-o- Mark's Round 2: https://youtu.be/rkbeaxjAZm4CONNECT:- Website: https://tevinnaidu.com - Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/mindbodysolution- YouTube: https://youtube.com/mindbodysolution- Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu- Facebook: https://facebook.com/drtevinnaidu - Instagram: https://instagram.com/drtevinnaidu- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drtevinnaidu=============================Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only. The content is shared in the spirit of open discourse and does not constitute, nor does it substitute, professional or medical advice. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of listening/watching any of our contents. You acknowledge that you use the information provided at your own risk. Listeners/viewers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with their own experts in the respective fields.

Kevin J. Tracey is president and CEO and the Karches Family Distinguished Chair in Medical Research at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research; professor of Molecular Medicine and Neurosurgery at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell; and Executive Vice President, Research, at Northwell Health. A leader in the scientific fields of inflammation and bioelectronic medicine, his contributions include discovery and molecular mapping of neural circuits controlling immunity. Dr. Tracey received his BS in chemistry, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Boston College in 1979, and his MD from Boston University in 1983. He trained in neurosurgery from 1983 to 1992 at the New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center and was a guest investigator at the Rockefeller University before moving in 1992 to the Feinstein Institutes. There he directs the Laboratory of Biomedical Science and was appointed president and CEO in 2005.An inventor of more than 120 United States patents and author of more than 400 scientific publications, he cofounded the Global Sepsis Alliance, a non-profit organization supporting the efforts of more than 1 million sepsis caregivers in over 70 countries. Dr. Tracey is the author of Fatal Sequence (Dana Press) and delivers lectures nationally and internationally on inflammation, sepsis, the neuroscience of immunity, and bioelectronic medicine.

A conversation with Prof. Hani Marcus

In this episode of sMater, Mater Neurosurgeon Dr Martin Wood discusses robotic-assisted spine surgery and how it is transforming outcomes by enabling minimally invasive procedures and improving surgical precision.He highlights what GPs should look for when referring patients and how this technology is expanding access and reshaping care for patients across Queensland.#smater #mater #neurosurgery #neurosurgeon To learn more about Mater, visit https://www.mater.org.au/

Lots of talk these days about ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Along with confusion about what in the heck they are or what they're not, how bad they are for us, and what ought to be done about them. A landmark in the discussion of ultra-processed foods has been the publication of a book entitled Ultra-processed People, Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food. The author of that book, Dr. Chris van Tulleken, joins us today. Dr. van Tulleken is a physician and is professor of Infection and Global Health at University College London. He also has a PhD in molecular virology and is an award-winning broadcaster on the BBC. His book on Ultra-processed People is a bestseller. Interview Summary Chris, sometimes somebody comes along that takes a complicated topic and makes it accessible and understandable and brings it to lots of people. You're a very fine scientist and scholar and academic, but you also have that ability to communicate effectively with lots of people, which I very much admire. So, thanks for doing that, and thank you for joining us. Oh, Kelly, it's such a pleasure. You know, I begin some of my talks now with a clipping from the New York Times. And it's a picture of you and an interview you gave in 1995. So exactly three decades ago. And in this article, you just beautifully communicate everything that 30 years later I'm still saying. So, yeah. I wonder if communication, it's necessary, but insufficient. I think we are needing to think of other means to bring about change. I totally agree. Well, thank you by the way. And I hope I've learned something over those 30 years. Tell us, please, what are ultra-processed foods? People hear the term a lot, but I don't think a lot of people know exactly what it means. The most important thing to know, I think, is that it's not a casual term. It's not like 'junk food' or 'fast food.' It is a formal scientific definition. It's been used in hundreds of research studies. The definition is very long. It's 11 paragraphs long. And I would urge anyone who's really interested in this topic, go to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization website. You can type in NFAO Ultra and you'll get the full 11 paragraph definition. It's an incredibly sophisticated piece of science. But it boils down to if you as a consumer, someone listening to this podcast, want to know if the thing you are eating right now is ultra-processed, look at the ingredients list. If there are ingredients on that list that you do not normally find in a domestic kitchen like an emulsifier, a coloring, a flavoring, a non-nutritive sweetener, then that product will be ultra-processed. And it's a way of describing this huge range of foods that kind of has taken over the American and the British and in fact diets all over the world. How come the food companies put this stuff in the foods? And the reason I ask is in talks I give I'll show an ingredient list from a food that most people would recognize. And ask people if they can guess what the food is from the ingredient list. And almost nobody can. There are 35 things on the ingredient list. Sugar is in there, four different forms. And then there are all kinds of things that are hard to pronounce. There are lots of strange things in there. They get in there through loopholes and government regulation. Why are they there in the first place? So, when I started looking at this I also noticed this long list of fancy sounding ingredients. And even things like peanut butter will have palm oil and emulsifiers. Cream cheese will have xanthum gum and emulsifiers. And you think, well, wouldn't it just be cheaper to make your peanut butter out of peanuts. In fact, every ingredient is in there to make money in one of two ways. Either it drives down the cost of production or storage. If you imagine using a real strawberry in your strawberry ice cream. Strawberries are expensive. They're not always in season. They rot. You've got to have a whole supply chain. Why would you use a strawberry if you could use ethyl methylphenylglycidate and pink dye and it'll taste the same. It'll look great. You could then put in a little chunky bit of modified corn starch that'll be chewy if you get it in the right gel mix. And there you go. You've got strawberries and you haven't had to deal with strawberry farmers or any supply chain. It's just you just buy bags and bottles of white powder and liquids. The other way is to extend the shelf life. Strawberries as I say, or fresh food, real food - food we might call it rots on shelves. It decays very quickly. If you can store something at room temperature in a warehouse for months and months, that saves enormous amounts of money. So, one thing is production, but the other thing is the additives allow us to consume to excess or encourage us to consume ultra-processed food to excess. So, I interviewed a scientist who was a food industry development scientist. And they said, you know, most ultra-processed food would be gray if it wasn't dyed, for example. So, if you want to make cheap food using these pastes and powders, unless you dye it and you flavor it, it will be inedible. But if you dye it and flavor it and add just the right amount of salt, sugar, flavor enhancers, then you can make these very addictive products. So that's the logic of UPF. Its purpose is to make money. And that's part of the definition. Right. So, a consumer might decide that there's, you know, beneficial trade-off for them at the end of the day. That they get things that have long shelf life. The price goes down because of the companies don't have to deal with the strawberry farmers and things like that. But if there's harm coming in waves from these things, then it changes the equation. And you found out some of that on your own. So as an experiment you did with a single person - you, you ate ultra-processed foods for a month. What did you eat and how did it affect your body, your mood, your sleep? What happened when you did this? So, what's really exciting, actually Kelly, is while it was an n=1, you know, one participant experiment, I was actually the pilot participant in a much larger study that we have published in Nature Medicine. One of the most reputable and high impact scientific journals there is. So, I was the first participant in a randomized control trial. I allowed us to gather the data about what we would then measure in a much larger number. Now we'll come back and talk about that study, which I think was really important. It was great to see it published. So, I was a bit skeptical. Partly it was with my research team at UCL, but we were also filming it for a BBC documentary. And I went into this going I'm going to eat a diet of 80% of my calories will come from ultra-processed food for four weeks. And this is a normal diet. A lifelong diet for a British teenager. We know around 20% of people in the UK and the US eat this as their normal food. They get 80% of their calories from ultra-processed products. I thought, well, nothing is going to happen to me, a middle-aged man, doing this for four weeks. But anyway, we did it kind of as a bit of fun. And we thought, well, if nothing happens, we don't have to do a bigger study. We can just publish this as a case report, and we'll leave it out of the documentary. Three big things happened. I gained a massive amount of weight, so six kilos. And I wasn't force feeding myself. I was just eating when I wanted. In American terms, that's about 15 pounds in four weeks. And that's very consistent with the other published trials that have been done on ultra-processed food. There have been two other RCTs (randomized control trials); ours is the third. There is one in Japan, one done at the NIH. So, people gain a lot of weight. I ate massively more calories. So much so that if I'd continued on the diet, I would've almost doubled my body weight in a year. And that may sound absurd, but I have an identical twin brother who did this natural experiment. He went to Harvard for a year. He did his masters there. During his year at Harvard he gained, let's see, 26 kilos, so almost 60 pounds just living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. But how did you decide how much of it to eat? Did you eat until you just kind of felt naturally full? I did what most people do most of the time, which is I just ate what I wanted when I felt like it. Which actually for me as a physician, I probably took the breaks off a bit because I don't normally have cocoa pops for breakfast. But I ate cocoa pops and if I felt like two bowls, I'd have two bowls. It turned out what I felt like a lot of mornings was four bowls and that was fine. I was barely full. So, I wasn't force feeding myself. It wasn't 'supersize' me. I was eating to appetite, which is how these experiments run. And then what we've done in the trials. So, I gained weight, then we measured my hormone response to a meal. When you eat, I mean, it's absurd to explain this to YOU. But when you eat, you have fullness hormones that go up and hunger hormones that go down, so you feel full and less hungry. And we measured my response to a standard meal at the beginning and at the end of this four-week diet. What we found is that I had a normal response to eating a big meal at the beginning of the diet. At the end of eating ultra-processed foods, the same meal caused a very blunted rise in the satiety hormones. In the 'fullness' hormones. So, I didn't feel as full. And my hunger hormones remained high. And so, the food is altering our response to all meals, not merely within the meal that we're eating. Then we did some MRI scans and again, I thought this would be a huge waste of time. But we saw at four weeks, and then again eight weeks later, very robust changes in the communication between the habit-forming bits at the back of the brain. So, the automatic behavior bits, the cerebellum. Very conscious I'm talking to YOU about this, Kelly. And the kind of addiction reward bits in the middle. Now these changes were physiological, not structural. They're about the two bits of the brain talking to each other. There's not really a new wire going between them. But we think if this kind of communication is happening a lot, that maybe a new pathway would form. And I think no one, I mean we did this with very expert neuroscientists at our National Center for Neuroscience and Neurosurgery, no one really knows what it means. But the general feeling was these are the kind of changes we might expect if we'd given someone, or a person or an animal, an addictive substance for four weeks. They're consistent with, you know, habit formation and addiction. And the fact that they happened so quickly, and they were so robust - they remained the same eight weeks after I stopped the diet, I think is really worrying from a kid's perspective. So, in a period of four weeks, it re-altered the way your brain works. It affected the way your hunger and satiety were working. And then you ended up with this massive weight. And heaven knows what sort of cardiovascular effects or other things like that might have been going on or had the early signs of that over time could have been really pretty severe, I imagine. I think one of the main effects was that I became very empathetic with my patients. Because we did actually a lot of, sort of, psychological testing as well. And there's an experience where, obviously in clinic, I mainly treat patients with infections. But many of my patients are living with other, sort of, disorders of modern life. They live with excess weight and cardiovascular disease and type two diabetes and metabolic problems and so on. And I felt in four weeks like I'd gone from being in my early 30, early 40s at the time, I felt like I'd just gone to my early 50s or 60s. I ached. I felt terrible. My sleep was bad. And it was like, oh! So many of the problems of modern life: waking up to pee in the middle of the night is because you've eaten so much sodium with your dinner. You've drunk all this water, and then you're trying to get rid of it all night. Then you're constipated. It's a low fiber diet, so you develop piles. Pain in your bum. The sleep deprivation then makes you eat more. And so, you get in this vicious cycle where the problem didn't feel like the food until I stopped and I went cold turkey. I virtually have not touched it since. It cured me of wanting UPF. That was the other amazing bit of the experience that I write about in the book is it eating it and understanding it made me not want it. It was like being told to smoke. You know, you get caught smoking as a kid and your parents are like, hey, now you finish the pack. It was that. It was an aversion experience. So, it gave me a lot of empathy with my patients that many of those kinds of things we regard as being normal aging, those symptoms are often to do with the way we are living our lives. Chris, I've talked to a lot of people about ultra-processed foods. You're the first one who's mentioned pain in the bum as one of the problems, so thank you. When I first became a physician, I trained as a surgeon, and I did a year doing colorectal surgery. So, I have a wealth of experience of where a low fiber diet leaves you. And many people listening to this podcast, I mean, look, we're all going to get piles. Everyone gets these, you know, anal fishes and so on. And bum pain it's funny to talk about it. No, not the... it destroys people's lives, so, you know, anyway. Right. I didn't want to make light of it. No, no. Okay. So, your own experiment would suggest that these foods are really bad actors and having this broad range of highly negative effects. But what does research say about these things beyond your own personal experience, including your own research? So, the food industry has been very skillful at portraying this as a kind of fad issue. As ultra-processed food is this sort of niche thing. Or it's a snobby thing. It's not a real classification. I want to be absolutely clear. UPF, the definition is used by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization to monitor global diet quality, okay? It's a legitimate way of thinking about food. The last time I looked, there are more than 30 meta-analyses - that is reviews of big studies. And the kind of high-quality studies that we use to say cigarettes cause lung cancer. So, we've got this what we call epidemiological evidence, population data. We now have probably more than a hundred of these prospective cohort studies. And they're really powerful tools. They need to be used in conjunction with other evidence, but they now link ultra-processed food to this very wide range of what we euphemistically call negative health outcomes. You know, problems that cause human suffering, mental health problems, anxiety, depression, multiple forms of cancer, inflammatory diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's and dementia. Of course, weight gain and obesity. And all cause mortality so you die earlier of all causes. And there are others too. So, the epidemiological evidence is strong and that's very plausible. So, we take that epidemiological evidence, as you well know, and we go, well look, association and causation are different things. You know, do matches cause cancer or does cigarettes cause cancer? Because people who buy lots of matches are also getting the lung cancer. And obviously epidemiologists are very sophisticated at teasing all this out. But we look at it in the context then of other evidence. My group published the third randomized control trial where we put a group of people, in a very controlled way, on a diet of either minimally processed food or ultra-processed food and looked at health outcomes. And we found what the other two trials did. We looked at weight gain as a primary outcome. It was a short trial, eight weeks. And we saw people just eat more calories on the ultra-processed food. This is food that is engineered to be consumed to excess. That's its purpose. So maybe to really understand the effect of it, you have to imagine if you are a food development engineer working in product design at a big food company - if you develop a food that's cheap to make and people will just eat loads of it and enjoy it, and then come back for it again and again and again, and eat it every day and almost become addicted to it, you are going to get promoted. That product is going to do well on the shelves. If you invent a food that's not addictive, it's very healthy, it's very satisfying, people eat it and then they're done for the day. And they don't consume it to excess. You are not going to keep your job. So that's a really important way of understanding the development process of the foods. So let me ask a question about industry and intent. Because one could say that the industry engineers these things to have long shelf life and nice physical properties and the right colors and things like this. And these effects on metabolism and appetite and stuff are unpleasant and difficult side effects, but the foods weren't made to produce those things. They weren't made to produce over consumption and then in turn produce those negative consequences. You're saying something different. That you think that they're intentionally designed to promote over consumption. And in some ways, how could the industry do otherwise? I mean, every industry in the world wants people to over consume or consume as much of their product as they can. The food industry is no different. That is exactly right. The food industry behaves like every other corporation. In my view, they commit evil acts sometimes, but they're not institutionally evil. And I have dear friends who work in big food, who work in big pharma. I have friends who work in tobacco. These are not evil people. They're constrained by commercial incentives, right? So, when I say I think the food is engineered, I don't think it. I know it because I've gone and interviewed loads of people in product development at big food companies. I put some of these interviewees in a BBC documentary called Irresistible. So rather than me in the documentary going, oh, ultra-processed food is bad. And everyone going, well, you are, you're a public health bore. I just got industry insiders to say, yes, this is how we make the food. And going back to Howard Moskovitz, in the 1970s, I think he was working for the Campbell Soup Company. And Howard, who was a psychologist by training, outlined the development process. And what he said was then underlined by many other people I've spoken to. You develop two different products. This one's a little bit saltier than the next, and you test them on a bunch of people. People like the saltier ones. So now you keep the saltier one and you develop a third product and this one's got a bit more sugar in it. And if this one does better, well you keep this one and you keep AB testing until you get people buying and eating lots. And one of the crucial things that food companies measure in product development is how fast do people eat and how quickly do they eat. And these kind of development tools were pioneered by the tobacco industry. I mean, Laura Schmidt has done a huge amount of the work on this. She's at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in California. And we know the tobacco industry bought the food industry and for a while in the '80s and '90s, the biggest food companies in the world were also the biggest tobacco companies in the world. And they used their flavor molecules and their marketing techniques and their distribution systems. You know, they've got a set of convenience tools selling cigarettes all over the country. Well, why don't we sell long shelf-life food marketed in the same way? And one thing that the tobacco industry was extremely good at was figuring out how to get the most rapid delivery of the drug possible into the human body when people smoke. Do you think that some of that same thing is true for food, rapid delivery of sugar, let's say? How close does the drug parallel fit, do you think? So, that's part of the reason the speed of consumption is important. Now, I think Ashley Gearhardt has done some of the most incredible work on this. And what Ashley says is we think of addictive drugs as like it's the molecule that's addictive. It's nicotine, it's caffeine, cocaine, diamorphine, heroin, the amphetamines. What we get addicted to is the molecule. And that Ashley says no. The processing of that molecule is crucially important. If you have slow-release nicotine in a chewing gum, that can actually treat your nicotine addiction. It's not very addictive. Slow-release amphetamine we use to treat children with attention and behavioral problems. Slow-release cocaine is an anesthetic. You use it for dentistry. No one ever gets addicted to dental anesthetics. And the food is the same. The rewarding molecules in the food we think are mainly the fat and the sugar. And food that requires a lot of chewing and is slow eaten slowly, you don't deliver the reward as quickly. And it tends not to be very addictive. Very soft foods or liquid foods with particular fat sugar ratios, if you deliver the nutrients into the gut fast, that seems to be really important for driving excessive consumption. And I think the growing evidence around addiction is very persuasive. I mean, my patients report feeling addicted to the food. And I don't feel it's legitimate to question their experience. Chris, a little interesting story about that concept of food and addiction. So going back several decades I was a professor at Yale, and I was teaching a graduate course. Ashley Gerhardt was a student in that course. And, she was there to study addiction, not in the context of food, but I brought up the issue of, you know, could food be addictive? There's some interesting research on this. It's consistent with what we're hearing from people, and that seems a really interesting topic. And Ashley, I give her credit, took this on as her life's work and now she's like the leading expert in the world on this very important topic. And what's nice for me to recall that story is that how fast the science on this is developed. And now something's coming out on this almost every day. It's some new research on the neuroscience of food and addiction and how the food is hijacking in the brain. And that whole concept of addiction seems really important in this context. And I know you've talked a lot about that yourself. She has reframed, I think, this idea about the way that addictive substances and behaviors really work. I mean it turns everything on its head to go the processing is important. The thing the food companies have always been able to say is, look, you can't say food is addictive. It doesn't contain any addictive molecules. And with Ashley's work you go, no, but the thing is it contains rewarding molecules and actually the spectrum of molecules that we can find rewarding and we can deliver fast is much, much broader than the traditionally addictive substances. For policy, it's vital because part of regulating the tobacco industry was about showing they know they are making addictive products. And I think this is where Ashley's work and Laura Schmidt's work are coming together. With Laura's digging in the tobacco archive, Ashley's doing the science on addiction, and I think these two things are going to come together. And I think it's just going to be a really exciting space to watch. I completely agree. You know when most people think about the word addiction, they basically kind of default to thinking about how much you want something. How much, you know, you desire something. But there are other parts of it that are really relevant here too. I mean one is how do you feel if you don't have it and sort of classic withdrawal. And people talk about, for example, being on high sugar drinks and stopping them and having withdrawal symptoms and things like that. And the other part of it that I think is really interesting here is tolerance. You know whether you need more of the substance over time in order to get the same reward benefit. And that hasn't been studied as much as the other part of addiction. But there's a lot to the picture other than just kind of craving things. And I would say that the thing I like about this is it chimes with my. Personal experience, which is, I have tried alcohol and cigarettes and I should probably end that list there. But I've never had any real desire for more of them. They aren't the things that tickle my brain. Whereas the food is a thing that I continue to struggle with. I would say in some senses, although I no longer like ultra-processed food at some level, I still want it. And I think of myself to some degree, without trivializing anyone's experience, to some degree I think I'm in sort of recovery from it. And it remains that tussle. I mean I don't know what you think about the difference between the kind of wanting and liking of different substances. Some scientists think those two things are quite, quite different. That you can like things you don't want, and you can want things you don't like. Well, that's exactly right. In the context of food and traditional substances of abuse, for many of them, people start consuming because they produce some sort of desired effect. But that pretty quickly goes away, and people then need the substance because if they don't have it, they feel terrible. So, you know, morphine or heroin or something like that always produces positive effects. But that initial part of the equation where you just take it because you like it turns into this needing it and having to have it. And whether that same thing exists with food is an interesting topic. I think the other really important part of the addiction argument in policy terms is that one counterargument by industrial scientists and advocates is by raising awareness around ultra-processed food we are at risk of driving, eating disorders. You know? The phenomenon of orthorexia, food avoidance, anorexia. Because all food is good food. There should be no moral value attached to food and we mustn't drive any food anxiety. And I think there are some really strong voices in the United Kingdom Eating Disorder scientists. People like Agnes Ayton, who are starting to say, look, when food is engineered, using brain scanners and using scientific development techniques to be consumed to excess, is it any wonder that people develop a disordered relationship with the food? And there may be a way of thinking about the rise of eating disorders, which is parallel to the rise of our consumption of ultra-processed food, that eating disorders are a reasonable response to a disordered food environment. And I think that's where I say all that somewhat tentatively. I feel like this is a safe space where you will correct me if I go off piste. But I think it's important to at least explore that question and go, you know, this is food with which it is very hard, I would say, to have a healthy relationship. That's my experience. And I think the early research is bearing that out. Tell us how these foods affect your hunger, how full you feel, your microbiome. That whole sort of interactive set of signals that might put people in harmony with food in a normal environment but gets thrown off when the foods get processed like this. Oh, I love that question. At some level as I'm understanding that question, one way of trying to answer that question is to go, well, what is the normal physiological response to food? Or maybe how do wild animals find, consume, and then interpret metabolically the food that they eat. And it is staggering how little we know about how we learn what food is safe and what food nourishes us. What's very clear is that wild mammals, and in fact all wild animals, are able to maintain near perfect energy balance. Obesity is basically unheard of in the wild. And, perfect nutritional intake, I mean, obviously there are famines in wild animals, but broadly, animals can do this without being literate, without being given packaging, without any nutritional advice at all. So, if you imagine an ungulate, an herbivore on the plains of the Serengeti, it has a huge difficulty. The carnivore turning herbivore into carnivore is fairly easy. They're made of the same stuff. Turning plant material into mammal is really complicated. And somehow the herbivore can do this without gaining weight, whilst maintaining total precision over its selenium intake, its manganese, its cobalt, its iron, all of which are terrible if you have too little and also terrible if you have too much. We understand there's some work done in a few wild animals, goats, and rats about how this works. Clearly, we have an ability to sense the nutrition we want. What we understand much more about is the sort of quantities needed. And so, we've ended up with a system of nutritional advice that says, well, just eat these numbers. And if you can stick to the numbers, 2,500 calories a day, 2300 milligrams of sodium, no more than 5% of your calories from free sugar or 10%, whatever it is, you know, you stick to these numbers, you'll be okay. And also, these many milligrams of cobalt, manganese, selenium, iron, zinc, all the rest of it. And obviously people can't really do that even with the packaging. This is a very long-winded answer. So, there's this system that is exquisitely sensitive at regulating micronutrient and energy intake. And what we understand, what the Academy understands about how ultra-processed food subverts this is, I would say there are sort of three or four big things that ultra-processed does that real food doesn't. It's generally very soft. And it's generally very energy dense. And that is true of even the foods that we think of as being healthy. That's like your supermarket whole grain bread. It's incredibly energy dense. It's incredibly soft. You eat calories very fast, and this research was done in the '90s, you know we've known that that kind of food promotes excessive intake. I guess in simple terms, and you would finesse this, you consume calories before your body has time to go, well, you've eaten enough. You can consume an excess. Then there's the ratios of fat, salt, and sugar and the way you can balance them, and any good cook knows if you can get the acid, fat, salt, sugar ratios right, you can make incredibly delicious food. That's kind of what I would call hyper palatability. And a lot of that work's being done in the states (US) by some incredible people. Then the food may be that because it's low in fiber and low in protein, quite often it's not satiating. And there may be, because it's also low in micronutrients and general nutrition, it may be that, and this is a little bit theoretical, but there's some evidence for this. Part of what drives the excess consumption is you're kind of searching for the nutrients. The nutrients are so dilute that you have to eat loads of it in order to get enough. Do you think, does that, is that how you understand it? It does, it makes perfect sense. In fact, I'm glad you brought up one particular issue because part of the ultra-processing that makes foods difficult for the body to deal with involves what gets put in, but also what gets taken out. And there was a study that got published recently that I think you and I might have discussed earlier on American breakfast cereals. And this study looked at how the formulation of them had changed over a period of about 20 years. And what they found is that the industry had systematically removed the protein and the fiber and then put in more things like sugar. So there, there's both what goes in and what gets taken out of foods that affects the body in this way. You know, what I hear you saying, and what I, you know, believe myself from the science, is the body's pretty capable of handling the food environment if food comes from the natural environment. You know, if you sit down to a meal of baked chicken and some beans and some leafy greens and maybe a little fruit or something, you're not going to overdo it. Over time you'd end up with the right mix of nutrients and things like that and you'd be pretty healthy. But all bets are off when these foods get processed and engineered, so you over consume them. You found that out in the experiment that you did on yourself. And then that's what science shows too. So, it's not like these things are sort of benign. People overeat them and they ought to just push away from the table. There's a lot more going on here in terms of hijacking the brain chemistry. Overriding the body signals. Really thwarting normal biology. Do you think it's important to add that we think of obesity as being the kind of dominant public health problem? That's the thing we all worry about. But the obesity is going hand in hand with stunting, for example. So, height as you reach adulthood in the US, at 19 US adults are something like eight or nine centimeters shorter than their counterparts in Northern Europe, Scandinavia, where people still eat more whole food. And we should come back to that evidence around harms, because I think the really important thing to say around the evidence is it has now reached the threshold for causality. So, we can say a dietary pattern high in ultra-processed food causes all of these negative health outcomes. That doesn't mean that any one product is going to kill you. It just means if this is the way you get your food, it's going to be harmful. And if all the evidence says, I mean, we've known this for decades. If you can cook the kind of meal, you just described at home, which is more or less the way that high income people eat, you are likely to have way better health outcomes across the board. Let me ask you about the title of your book. So, the subtitle of your book is Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food. So, what is it? The ultra-processed definition is something I want to pay credit for. It's really important to pay a bit of credit here. Carlos Montero was the scientist in Brazil who led a team who together came up with this definition. And, I was speaking to Fernanda Rauber who was on that team, and we were trying to discuss some research we were doing. And every time I said food, she'd correct me and go, it is not, it's not food, Chris. It's an industrially produced edible substance. And that was a really helpful thing for me personally, it's something it went into my brain, and I sat down that night. I was actually on the UPF diet, and I sat down to eat some fried chicken wings from a popular chain that many people will know. And was unable to finish them. I think our shared understanding of the purpose of food is surely that its purpose is to nourish us. Whether it's, you know, sold by someone for this purpose, or whether it's made by someone at home. You know it should nourish us spiritually, socially, culturally, and of course physically and mentally. And ultra-processed food nourishes us in no dimension whatsoever. It destroys traditional knowledge, traditional land, food culture. You don't sit down with your family and break, you know, ultra-processed, you know, crisps together. You know, you break bread. To me that's a kind of very obvious distortion of what it's become. So, I don't think it is food. You know, I think it's not too hard of a stretch to see a time when people might consider these things non-food. Because if you think of food, what's edible and whether it's food or not is completely socially constructed. I mean, some parts of the world, people eat cockroaches or ants or other insects. And in other parts of the world that's considered non-food. So just because something's edible doesn't mean that it's food. And I wonder if at some point we might start to think of these things as, oh my God, these are awful. They're really bad for us. The companies are preying on us, and it's just not food. And yeah, totally your book helps push us in that direction. I love your optimism. The consumer facing marketing budget of a big food company is often in excess of $10 billion a year. And depends how you calculate it. I'll give you a quick quiz on this. So, for a while, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation was by far the biggest funder of research in the world on childhood obesity. And they were spending $500 million a year to address this problem. Just by which day of the year the food industry has already spent $500 million just advertising just junk food just to children. Okay, so the Robert V. Wood Foundation is spending it and they were spending that annually. Annually, right. So, what's, by what day of the year is the food industry already spent that amount? Just junk food advertising just to kids. I'm going to say by somewhere in early spring. No. January 4th. I mean, it's hysterical, but it's also horrifying. So, this is the genius of ultra-processed food, of the definition and the science, is that it creates this category which is discretionary. And so at least in theory, of course, for many people in the US it's not discretionary at all. It's the only stuff they can afford. But this is why the food industry hate it so much is because it offers the possibility of going, we can redefine food. And there is all this real food over there. And there is this UPF stuff that isn't food over here. But industry's very sophisticated, you know. I mean, they push back very hard against me in many different ways and forms. And they're very good at going, well, you're a snob. How dare you say that families with low incomes, that they're not eating food. Are you calling them dupes? Are you calling them stupid? You know, they're very, very sophisticated at positioning. Isn't it nice how concerned they are about the wellbeing of people without means? I mean they have created a pricing structure and a food subsidy environment and a tax environment where essentially people with low incomes in your country, in my country, are forced to eat food that harms them. So, one of the tells I think is if you're hearing someone criticize ultra-processed food, and you'll read them in the New York Times. And often their conflicts of interest won't be reported. They may be quite hidden. The clue is, are they demanding to seriously improve the food environment in a very clear way, or are they only criticizing the evidence around ultra-processed food? And if they're only criticizing that evidence? I'll bet you a pound to a pinch of salt they'll be food-industry funded. Let's talk about that. Let's talk about that a little more. So, there's a clear pattern of scientists who take money from industry finding things that favor industry. Otherwise, industry wouldn't pay that money. They're not stupid in the way they invest. And, you and I have talked about this before, but we did a study some years ago where we looked at industry and non-industry funded study on the health effects of consuming sugar sweetened beverages. And it's like the ocean parted. It's one of my favorites. And it was something like 98 or 99% of the independently funded studies found that sugar sweetened beverages do cause harm. And 98 or 99% of the industry funded studies funded by Snapple and Coke and a whole bunch of other companies found that they did not cause harm. It was that stark, was it? It was. And so you and I pay attention to the little print in these scientific studies about who's funded them and who might have conflicts of interest. And maybe you and I and other people who follow science closely might be able to dismiss those conflicted studies. But they have a big impact out there in the world, don't they? I had a meeting in London with someone recently, that they themselves were conflicted and they said, look, if a health study's funded by a big sugary drink company, if it's good science, that's fine. We should publish it and we should take it at face value. And in the discussion with them, I kind of accepted that, we were talking about other things. And afterwards I was like, no. If a study on human health is funded by a sugary drink corporation, in my opinion, we could just tear that up. None of that should be published. No journals should publish those studies and scientists should not really call themselves scientists who are doing it. It is better thought of as marketing and food industry-funded scientists who study human health, in my opinion, are better thought of as really an extension of the marketing division of the companies. You know, it's interesting when you talk to scientists, and you ask them do people who take money from industry is their work influenced by that money? They'll say yes. Yeah, but if you say, but if you take money from industry, will your work be influenced? They'll always say no. Oh yeah. There's this tremendous arrogance, blind spot, whatever it is that. I can remain untarnished. I can remain objective, and I can help change the industry from within. In the meantime, I'm having enough money to buy a house in the mountains, you know, from what they're paying me, and it's really pretty striking. Well, the money is a huge issue. You know, science, modern science it's not a very lucrative career compared to if someone like you went and worked in industry, you would add a zero to the end of your salary, possibly more. And the same is true of me. I think one of the things that adds real heft to the independent science is that the scientists are taking a pay cut to do it. So how do children figure in? Do you think children are being groomed by the industry to eat these foods? A senator, I think in Chile, got in hot water for comparing big food companies to kind of sex offenders. He made, in my view, a fairly legitimate comparison. I mean, the companies are knowingly selling harmful products that have addictive properties using the language of addiction to children who even if they could read warning labels, the warning labels aren't on the packs. So, I mean, we have breakfast cereals called Crave. We have slogans like, once you stop, once you pop, you can't stop. Bet you can't just eat one. Yeah, I think it is predatory and children are the most vulnerable group in our society. And you can't just blame the parents. Once kids get to 10, they have a little bit of money. They get their pocket money, they're walking to school, they walk past stores. You know, you have to rely on them making decisions. And at the moment, they're in a very poor environment to make good decisions. Perhaps the most important question of all what can be done. So, I'm speaking to you at a kind of funny moment because I've been feeling that a lot of my research and advocacy, broadcasting... you know, I've made documentaries, podcasts, I've written a book, I've published these papers. I've been in most of the major newspapers and during the time I've been doing this, you know, a little under 10 years I've been really focused on food. Much less time than you. Everything has got worse. Everything I've done has really failed totally. And I think this is a discussion about power, about unregulated corporate power. And the one glimmer of hope is this complaint that's been filed in Pennsylvania by a big US law firm. It's a very detailed complaint and some lawyers on behalf of a young person called Bryce Martinez are suing the food industry for causing kidney problems and type two diabetes. And I think that in the end is what's going to be needed. Strategic litigation. That's the only thing that worked with tobacco. All of the science, it eventually was useful, but the science on its own and the advocacy and the campaigning and all of it did no good until the lawyers said we would like billions and billions of dollars in compensation please. You know, this is an exciting moment, but there were a great many failed lawsuits for tobacco before the master settlement agreement in the '90s really sort of changed the game. You know, I agree with you. Are you, are you optimistic? I mean, what do you think? I am, and for exactly the same reason you are. You know, the poor people that worked on public health and tobacco labored for decades without anything happening long, long after the health consequences of cigarette smoking were well known. And we've done the same thing. I mean, those us who have been working in the field for all these years have seen precious little in the ways of policy advances. Now tobacco has undergone a complete transformation with high taxes on cigarettes, and marketing restrictions, and non-smoking in public places, laws, and things like that, that really have completely driven down the consumption of cigarettes, which has been a great public health victory. But what made those policies possible was the litigation that occurred by the state attorneys general, less so the private litigating attorneys. But the state attorneys general in the US that had discovery documents released. People began to understand more fully the duplicity of the tobacco companies. That gave cover for the politicians to start passing the policies that ultimately made the big difference. I think that same history is playing out here. The state attorneys general, as we both know, are starting to get interested in this. I say hurray to that. There is the private lawsuit that you mentioned, and there's some others in the mix as well. I think those things will bring a lot of propel the release of internal documents that will show people what the industry has been doing and how much of this they've known all along. And then all of a sudden some of these policy things like taxes, for example, on sugared beverages, might come in and really make a difference. That's my hope. But it makes me optimistic. Well, I'm really pleased to hear that because I think in your position it would be possible. You know, I'm still, two decades behind where I might be in my pessimism. One of the kind of engines of this problem to me is these conflicts of interest where people who say, I'm a physician, I'm a scientist, I believe all this. And they're quietly paid by the food industry. This was the major way the tobacco industry had a kind of social license. They were respectable. And I do hope the lawsuits, one of their functions is it becomes a little bit embarrassing to say my research institute is funded [by a company that keeps making headlines every day because more documents are coming out in court, and they're being sued by more and more people. So, I hope that this will diminish the conflict, particularly between scientists and physicians in the food industry. Because that to me, those are my biggest opponents. The food industry is really nice. They throw money at me. But it's the conflicted scientists that are really hard to argue with because they appear so respectable. Bio Dr. Chris van Tulleken is a physician and a professor of Infection and Global Health at University College London. He trained at Oxford and earned his PhD in molecular virology from University College London. His research focuses on how corporations affect human health especially in the context of child nutrition and he works with UNICEF and The World Health Organization on this area. He is the author of a book entitled Ultraprocessed People: Why We Can't Stop Eating Food That Isn't Food. As one of the BBC's leading broadcasters for children and adults his work has won two BAFTAs. He lives in London with his wife and two children.

    Army neurosurgeon LTC Ryan Morton, MD, takes us on an extraordinary journey through his military medicine career, sharing insights and personal stories that shaped his path. From the influence of his father's military service and choosing the ROTC HPSP route to fund his education at Notre Dame, to his pivotal decision to pursue neurosurgery over cardiology, Dr. Morton's narrative is both inspiring and enlightening. His experiences in building a neuro-neurosurgery program and witnessing the advancements in trauma and stroke care over the past decade provide a unique perspective on both the challenges and triumphs in military medicine.     Discover the groundbreaking work at Brooke Army Medical Center, where Dr. Morton played a key role in expanding stroke care capabilities and performed the center's first thrombectomies. His dedication to maintaining his skills through moonlighting and exploring endovascular techniques for battlefield applications underscores the complexity of military neurosurgery. One particularly impactful case involving an active-duty pilot with a large arterial venous malformation highlights the crucial balance between medical risks and personal aspirations, offering a poignant look at the decision-making processes in such high-stakes scenarios.      As Dr. Morton reflects on his training at major trauma centers like Harborview, which ignited his passion for trauma care, he also shares his vision for the future of Army military neurosurgery. Emphasizing mission readiness and comprehensive training for neurosurgeons, he highlights the importance of partnerships between military and civilian centers. With excitement about enhanced stroke care capabilities and a hopeful outlook on the evolving landscape of neurosurgery, Dr. Morton provides valuable insights into how experience and high-quality studies will continue to shape the field.   Chapters: (00:04) Military Neurosurgery (11:11) Endovascular Neurosurgery in Military Medicine (20:28) Traumatic Brain Injury Management Overview (33:54) Evolution of Military Neurosurgery   Chapter Summaries: (00:04) Military Neurosurgery     Army neurosurgeon Dr. Ryan Morton shares his journey and experiences in building a neuro-neurosurgery program, inspired by his military upbringing and chance encounter with neurosurgery during medical school.   (11:11) Endovascular Neurosurgery in Military Medicine    Expanding stroke care at Brook Army Medical Center, performing first thrombectomies, potential for endovascular neurosurgery on battlefield, and operating on complex AVM case.   (20:28) Traumatic Brain Injury Management Overview    Neurosurgery's critical role in trauma care, prioritizing cases based on severity, collaboration with trauma teams, and criteria for operative intervention.   (33:54) Evolution of Military Neurosurgery    Military neurosurgery's evolution, trauma care training, role in combat zones, and potential for enhanced stroke care.   Take Home Messages: Pathway to Military Medicine: The journey into military medicine can be deeply influenced by personal experiences and family backgrounds. Choosing pathways like the ROTC, HPSP route can provide valuable opportunities to fund education while also serving one's country.   Advancements in Military Neurosurgery: Over the past decade, significant advancements have been made in military neurosurgery, particularly in the fields of trauma and stroke care. Building specialized programs within military medical centers is crucial for keeping up with these developments.   Importance of Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The successful management of traumatic brain injuries and other complex neurosurgical cases often requires close collaboration between neurosurgeons and trauma teams. This synergy allows for effective handling of polytrauma patients and simultaneous surgical interventions.   Endovascular Techniques in Combat Zones: The potential application of endovascular neurosurgery techniques on the battlefield offers promising possibilities for managing traumatic injuries. Maintaining and expanding stroke care capabilities within military medical centers is vital for both civilian and military patient outcomes.   Future Vision for Military Neurosurgery: Ensuring mission readiness and comprehensive training for neurosurgeons is essential for the future of military medicine. Strengthening partnerships between military and civilian centers, as well as leveraging the reserves, can help maintain high standards of care and enhance neurosurgical capabilities in combat zones.   Episode Keywords: Military neurosurgery, Army neurosurgeon, Dr. Ryan Morton, stroke care, trauma care, Brooke Army Medical Center, thrombectomies, endovascular techniques, battlefield medicine, military-civilian partnerships, ROTC, HPSP, Notre Dame, interventional neurosurgery, traumatic brain injury, Harborview, Madigan, combat zones, mission readiness, pioneering stroke care, medical advancements, neurosurgical excellence, WarDocs podcast   Hashtags: #MilitaryMedicine #Neurosurgery #ArmyNeurosurgeon #StrokeCare #TraumaCare #EndovascularSurgery #BrookeArmyMedicalCenter #CombatMedicine #MedicalInnovation #WarDocsPodcast     Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine The WarDocs Mission is to honor the legacy, preserve the oral history, and showcase career opportunities, unique expeditionary experiences, and achievements of Military Medicine. We foster patriotism and pride in Who we are, What we do, and, most importantly, How we serve Our Patients, the DoD, and Our Nation.   Find out more and join Team WarDocs at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/ Check our list of previous guest episodes at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/our-guests Subscribe and Like our Videos on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast Listen to the “What We Are For” Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm   WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in Military Medicine. A tax receipt will be sent to you. WARDOCS documents the experiences, contributions, and innovations of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called "Docs" as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield,demonstrating dedication to the medical care of fellow comrades in arms.     Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @wardocspodcast Facebook: WarDocs Podcast Instagram: @wardocspodcast LinkedIn: WarDocs-The Military Medicine Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast

In today's VETgirl online veterinary continuing education podcast, we interview Dr. Nick Jeffery, BVSc, PhD, MSc, DECVS, DECVN, Professor in Neurology and Neurosurgery from Texas A&M on a recent study by Freeman et al entitled “Percutaneous enzymatic chemonucleolysis of intervertebral disks appears safe and effective in treatment of acute-onset paraparesis and paraplegia in small dogs,” published in JAVMA in March 2025. Can the use of intradiscal chondroitinase ABC (often called "CHASE") injections under fluoroscopic-guidance work as a safe, minimally invasive option for small dogs with acute nonambulatory paraparesis or paraplegia, especially when deep pain perception is intact? If you're a general practitioner who sees a lot of down dogs—and especially if you practice in a Dachshund-heavy region—you'll definitely want to tune in.

Tom Frieden is the president and chief executive officer of Resolve to Save Lives and former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Stephen Morrissey, the interviewer, is the Executive Managing Editor of the Journal. T.R. Frieden. Dismantling Public Health Infrastructure, Endangering American Lives. N Engl J Med 2025;393:625-627.

Updates on the Podcast and events to come, and a conversation with Dr. Dean Chou. Find the Brainwaves conference at https://web.cvent.com/event/d3a99f98-1c7f-4e9b-b24f-d5753af361af/summary

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Fanous, Section Chief of Neurosurgery at Inova Alexandria Hospital, shares how emerging technologies like AI, robotics, augmented reality, and endoscopy are improving precision, reducing complications, and advancing outpatient spine surgery.

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Fanous, Section Chief of Neurosurgery at Inova Alexandria Hospital, shares how emerging technologies like AI, robotics, augmented reality, and endoscopy are improving precision, reducing complications, and advancing outpatient spine surgery.

In this episode, Dr. Andrew Fanous, Section Chief of Neurosurgery at Inova Alexandria Hospital, shares how emerging technologies like AI, robotics, augmented reality, and endoscopy are improving precision, reducing complications, and advancing outpatient spine surgery.

In this episode of the Coaching Healthcare Leaders podcast, Dr. Lisa interviews Dr. Toshkezi, Clinical Director of Neurosurgery at Meredith Medical Center. Dr. Toshkezi shares his inspiring journey from Albania and France to becoming a neurosurgeon and leader in the U.S. They discuss his leadership approach, the challenges of balancing patient care with administrative demands, and strategies for thriving amid adversity. Dr. Toshkezi offers insights on leading by example, fostering teamwork, and maintaining work-life balance, while encouraging listeners to believe in themselves and pursue their goals despite obstacles. Follow Dr. Toshkezi here on LinkedIn Introduction and Welcome (00:00:02) Dr. Lisa introduces the podcast and welcomes Dr. Toshkezi, outlining the episode's focus. Dr. Toshkezi's Career Journey (00:01:30) Dr. Toshkezi shares his path from Albania and France to becoming a neurosurgeon in the U.S. Leadership Role as Medical Director (00:04:50) Discussion of Dr. Toshkezi's responsibilities and daily work as clinical director of neurosurgery. Leading by Example (00:06:40) Dr. Toshkezi explains his approach to leadership and fostering a positive team environment. Impact on Patient Care and Community (00:07:54) How Dr. Toshkezi's work directly benefits patients and the broader community. Challenges in Healthcare and Systemic Issues (00:09:05) Exploring healthcare challenges, including provider shortages, access, and the insurance-administration-doctor dynamic. Advice for Thriving Through Adversity (00:12:17) Dr. Toshkezi offers advice on overcoming adversity and building resilience in one's career. Work-Life Balance and Self-Care (00:15:44) Strategies Dr. Toshkezi uses to maintain balance and care for himself amid demanding work. Personal Interests and Hobbies (00:17:33) Dr. Toshkezi discusses his hobbies, including travel, fitness, and language learning. Closing Thoughts and Contact Information (00:19:19) Final words of encouragement from Dr. Toshkezi and information on how to connect with him online.

Gary, the visionary founder of the Neurosurgery department and Residency Program at Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, dedicated decades to advancing the field before retiring from clinical practice in 2020. Despite stepping back from surgery, his passion for education persists as he holds positions as Professor at Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience and VTCSOM. A sought-after speaker, Gary shares his expertise globally and has authored three books on combating burnout and fostering resilience. His debut novel, "Deaths Pale Flag," a gripping medical and psychological thriller, marks an exciting new chapter in his career. Connect with Gary and explore more at https//:garyrsimonds.com.

Title: Controversies in Neurosurgery: Brachytherapy in Cranial Oncology: Roles and Limits Guest Faculty: Wenya Linda Bi and Phillip Devlin Hosts: W. Christopher Newman and Seth Oliveria Intracranial brachytherapy has become an increasingly prominent part of the neurosurgical oncologist's toolbox. In this episode, we will explore some of the indications, active areas of exploration, and current controversies surrounding its use.

Today, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. John Rolston, a leading voice at the intersection of neurosurgery, epilepsy, and brain stimulation.Dr. Rolston is an Associate Professor of Neurosurgery at Harvard Medical School and the Director of Epilepsy Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital. His pioneering work bridges clinical neurosurgery and computational neuroscience, focusing on how electrical stimulation can modulate dysfunctional brain networks to treat epilepsy, movement disorders, and disorders of consciousness.In this episode, we explored the complexities of neuromodulation—what makes stimulation effective, why patient-specific targeting matters, and how brain states influence therapeutic outcomes. Dr. Rolston also shared his lab's work on traveling waves in the brain and how these insights are transforming seizure localization and surgical decision-making. From closed-loop stimulation to stem cell therapy for Parkinson's disease, Dr. Rolston walks us through the evolving landscape of functional neurosurgery and its future.

Send us a textToday's guest is The Teaching NP, Sunny Khangura. Sunny wears many hats—nurse practitioner, educator, mentor, entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for the non-traditional path. She began her nursing career back in 2005 and has since carved a dynamic and inspiring journey across clinical care, leadership, education, and business.From trauma units to neurosurgery, from mentoring NP students to creating exam prep courses and launching her own teaching platform, Sunny has made it her mission to elevate nurse practitioner education and empower others to see the value in their unique skill sets.In this episode, we explore how her career evolved, what it means to create impact beyond the bedside, and why every nurse's path—traditional or not—deserves to be celebrated.What really stands out is her unwavering commitment to mentorship and her deep belief in the value of every nurse's journey, no matter how unconventional it may seem.If you're an NP student, a new grad, or a seasoned nurse looking to explore new directions, I hope Sunny's story inspires you to trust your instincts, invest in your growth, and maybe even take that leap you've been considering. This was such a rich conversation—full of insight, experience, and heart.In the five-minute snippet: yep, she's a nurse.Contact The Conversing Nurse podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.comYour review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-reviewWould you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-formCheck out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast Thanks for listening!

In this episode of BirdsUp, we sit down with Laura Beth Garcia '06 — board-certified neurosurgical physician assistant, proud Roadrunner, and incoming President of the UTSA Alumni Association.From launching Homecoming traditions like the iconic foam Rowdy hands to leading with heart in the operating room, Laura Beth shares her incredible journey from UTSA student leader to healthcare professional and community changemaker. As both a UTSA and UT Health alumna, she offers a unique perspective on the upcoming UTSA/UT Health merger — and how this pivotal moment can strengthen connections, collaboration, and opportunities for alumni.With her deep Roadrunner roots and healthcare expertise, her leadership comes at the perfect time to help shape the future of the Alumni Association. Current Alumni President, Jacob Cavazos also joins the conversation. Tune in for an inspiring conversation packed with spirit, purpose, and pride from Alumni Leadership. ---------------------------Show Notes:UTSA Alumni GalaUTSA Alumni UTSA AthleticsUTSA Alumni Online Store Four from UTSA earn prestigious National Science Foundation fellowshipRecord number of 'Runners receive Gilman Scholarship to study abroad   Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget to like, follow, and subscribe for more great content! Birds Up!

Today we are talking to Drs. Dimitry Sayenko and Adam Thrasher about their SCI humanitarian project in Tanzania called “Peak to Peak.” Dimitry is an MD, PhD and an associate professor in Neuromodulation and Neurosurgery at Houston Methodist Hospital, in Houston, Texas. We interviewed him previously about his work in episode 93, which I encourage you to check out. Adam is a PhD Researcher, Associate Professor and Associate Chair of the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston, in Houston, TX. Dimitry and Adam are long time friends and colleagues, and they saw Adam's sabbatical at the Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology in Tanzania as an opportunity to More info: https://u2fp.org/get-educated/curecast/episode-127.html

Baba Put in Spiritual Genes in MeDr Anil Nanda, a pioneer in Neurosurgery, has been serving as Vice President of the American Academy of Neurological Surgery and Editor-in-Chief of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies journal since 2023. In 2012, he earned a Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health. With nearly 18,000 surgeries, including 2,000 on skull base tumors and aneurysms, he has authored 5 books, over 500 articles, and 80 book chapters.His deep bond with Bhagawan dates back to the early 1970s. In fact he had the opportunity to be part of Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality in those years. In June 2025, he addressed the Global Medical Conference at Prasanthi Nilayam and later shared his reflections, recounting his days with Bhagawan and, more significantly, how those moments brought about a miraculous metamorphosis in his thinking and approach to life. Listening to him now feels like being in the presence not of a doctor, but of a monk.

Katie Watson is a professor of medical education, medical social sciences, and obstetrics and gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Stephen Morrissey, the interviewer, is the Executive Managing Editor of the Journal. K. Watson. Brain Death in Pregnancy — Abortion, Advance-Directive, or End-of-Life Law? N Engl J Med 2025;393:313-315.

Curious about the manifestation secrets that can turn your dreams into reality? In this episode of the Manifested podcast, Kathleen Cameron is joined once again by Dr. Steven Resnick, who dives deep into the powerful connection between personal manifestation stories and the subconscious mind. Dr. Resnick shares his fascinating journey of manifesting multiple dream boats, illustrating how the subconscious mind plays a pivotal role in turning desires into tangible outcomes. The episode delves into the neuroscience behind manifestation, highlighting how imagination and sensory experiences influence intentions in the subconscious. Dr. Resnick explains how the subconscious constantly scans your environment, aligning actions with your goals to create what might feel like serendipitous moments. This episode is for you if you're ready to understand how the subconscious mind shapes your reality and how to use that knowledge to manifest your dreams.   Tips in this episode: The subconscious mind is constantly active, processing and valuing experiences in ways that can manifest external realities, even outside conscious awareness. Providing clear and vivid intentions allows the subconscious mind to prioritize and manifest those desires over default or negative patterns. Understanding brain networks, such as the salience and default mode networks, can shed light on how manifestation works from a neurological perspective. Evaluating and altering limiting beliefs can transform personal and professional life experiences by fostering a growth mindset and improving health outcomes.     About The Guest: Dr. Steven Resnick is the Medical Director of the Mount Sinai Comprehensive Stroke Center. Board-certified in Neurology and Vascular Neurology, Dr. Resnick is an attending Neurologist with direct supervision of internal medicine and medical students at Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Resnick has co-authored a textbook entitled Practical Neuroimaging in Stroke and has published articles in the Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, the Journal of Neurology, and the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. He has lectured extensively on stroke prevention, acute ischemic stroke, practical Neuroimaging in cerebrovascular disease, and other related topics. Clinical research includes studies of drug therapies to treat Neuromuscular diseases.   Connect with Dr. Resnick Website: https://drstevenresnick.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.stevenresnick Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrStevenResnick/ Podcast: https://drstevenresnick.com/the-healthy-mind-podcast/       Subscribe To The Manifested Podcast With Kathleen Cameron: Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify Connect With The Kathleen Cameron: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Youtube | TikTok | Kathleencameronofficial.com   Unlock Your Dreams with House of ManifestationA community where you take control of your destiny, manifest your desires, and create a life filled with abundance and purpose? Look no further than the House of Manifestation, where your transformation begins: https://houseofmanifestation.com/ About Kathleen Cameron: Kathleen Cameron, Chief Wealth Creator, 8-figure entrepreneur, and record-breaking author. In just 2 years, she built a 10 Million dollar business and continues to share her knowledge and expertise with all of whom she connects with.  With her determination, unwavering faith, and powers of manifestation, she has helped over 100,000 people attract more love, money, and success into their lives. Her innovative approaches to Manifestation and utilizing the Laws of Attraction have led to the creation of one of the top global success networks, Diamond Academy Coaching, thousands of students have been able to experience quantum growth. The force behind her magnetic field has catapulted many students into a life beyond their wildest dreams and she is just getting started. Kathleen helps others step into their true potential and become the best version of themselves with their goals met. Kathleen graduated with two undergraduate degrees from the University of Windsor and the University of Toronto with a master's degree in nursing leadership. Her book, “Becoming The One", published by Hasmark Publishing, launched in August 2021 became an International Best Seller in five countries on the first day.    This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

Dr. Juan Jimenez, Riverside Neurosurgeon, joins us to talk about spinal cord injuries - what they are, how they happen, and how they are treated.

Welcome back to Ditch the Lab Coat, the podcast where we break down the fascinating world of medicine with a blend of scientific skepticism and real-world insight. In today's episode, we dive deep into the mysteries of the vagus nerve—a nerve so ancient and essential, it's been called the “conductor” in the symphony of human physiology.Join host Dr. Mark Bonta as he sits down with Dr. Kevin Tracey, neurosurgeon, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, and a pioneer in the world of bioelectronic medicine. Dr. Tracey's breakthrough research has shown us that the vagus nerve is far more than just a conduit for signals—it's a key player in managing inflammation, regulating our immune system, and maybe even shaping the future of medicine.In this conversation, you'll explore the mind-bending complexity of the nervous system, discover how cutting-edge science is redefining how we treat diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and long Covid, and learn how a tiny chip implanted in the neck might one day replace whole classes of immune-suppressing drugs. Dr. Tracey shares metaphors, straight talk about medical myths, and a vision for a future where reprogramming the body's reflexes could offer relief to millions.Get ready for a journey that's equal parts awe-inspiring and practical, as we unpack the true potential (and real-world considerations) of harnessing the vagus nerve's power. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a science nerd, or just someone searching for new answers, this episode invites you to see medicine in a whole new way. Resources : ( https://feinstein.northwell.edu/ )Episode HighlightsVagus Nerve Complexity Unveiled — We're only scratching the surface of understanding the vagus nerve's vast, intricate network and its essential bodily roles.Inflammation: Friend and Foe — Inflammation is vital short-term, but when uncontrolled, it's destructive and underlies many autoimmune and chronic diseases.Nervous-Immune System Interplay — The nervous and immune systems communicate reflexively, with nerves directly capable of controlling immune and inflammatory responses.Bioelectronic Treatments Emerge — Vagus nerve stimulation—via implanted chips—shows promise for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis without full-body immunosuppression risks.Individualized Nerve Fiber Functions — Each of the 200,000 vagus fibers controls specific functions, forming a body-wide symphony of precision responses.Not All Self-Help Fits — Lifestyle hacks can support vagus health, but serious disease often requires targeted nerve stimulation, not general wellness.Caution Against Online Misinformation — Vagus nerve advice online is often oversimplified or inaccurate; nuance and scientific backing are essential.Lifestyle Still Matters — Balanced diet, sleep, exercise, and community all help regulate vagus nerve tone and reduce chronic stress.Future Disease Applications Possible — Vagus stimulation may treat IBD, MS, and neurodegenerative or psychiatric conditions as research evolves.Episode Timestamps6:25 — Exploring Nervous System Complexity9:08 — Vagus Nerve Controls Inflammation11:05 — Vagus Nerve: Brain Signals Control Inflammation15:45 — Nervous System's Role in Immunity20:43 — Understanding Your Vagus Nerves23:25 — Vagus Nerve Health and Research25:12 — Vagus Nerve Stimulation Insights29:36 — Vagus Nerve Stimulator: Inflammation Therapy32:13 — Neurotransmitter Effects on Cytokine Production38:22 — Minimizing Nerve Damage in Surgery39:30 — Vagus Nerve Stimulation Benefits43:42 — Exploring Vagus Nerve Mysteries46:42 — Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Autoimmune Diseases50:52 — Cold Plunges & Bioelectrical Future DISCLAMER >>>>>>    The Ditch Lab Coat podcast serves solely for general informational purposes and does not serve as a substitute for professional medical services such as medicine or nursing. It does not establish a doctor/patient relationship, and the use of information from the podcast or linked materials is at the user's own risk. The content does not aim to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and users should promptly seek guidance from healthcare professionals for any medical conditions.   >>>>>> The expressed opinions belong solely to the hosts and guests, and they do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Hospitals, Clinics, Universities, or any other organization associated with the host or guests.    Disclosures: Ditch The Lab Coat podcast is produced by (Podkind.co) and is independent of Dr. Bonta's teaching and research roles at McMaster University, Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Queens University. 

Harness the power of suggestion for well-being, pain management, and mental health.   Dr. Amir Raz is a world-renowned expert on the science of suggestion with recent positions as Canada Research Chair, Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Psychology at McGill University, and as Founding Director of The Institute for Interdisciplinary Brain and Behavioral Sciences at Chapman University. His most recent book is The Suggestible Brain: The Science and Magic of How We Make Up Our Minds. In this episode we talk about: How Dr. Raz transitioned from a career in magic to neuroscience  The science of suggestibility, how it's defined, and its relation to hypnosis  Stage  hypnosis vs medical hypnosis How the power of suggestion could be  therapeutically harnessed to impact our physiology, behavior, and well-being Practical exercises for increasing thought control The "magical ingredient" when it comes to dealing with life's challenges Why placebos may work even when you know you're taking them How we protect ourselves against mis–and–disinformation And much more   Join Dan's online community here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel To advertise on the show, contact sales@advertisecast.com or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris.

A conversation with Dr. Bente Skeie. Thank you to Elekta for sponsoring this conversation!

A conversation with Mr. Nigel Mendoza. Find the video of this conversation at https://youtu.be/5OkCgZ09-eg

Is there scientific proof of the soul? Joining Frank in this eye-opening podcast episode is Dr. Michael Egnor, a practicing neurosurgeon, neuroscientist, and Professor of Neurosurgery at Stony Brook University. In his new book, 'The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon's Case for the Existence of the Soul', co-authored with Denise O'Leary, Dr. Egnor draws from over 7,000 brain surgeries and decades of experience to challenge the popular materialist view of the human person. Together, Frank and Michael will tackle questions like:How did a spiritual experience involving his son change Dr. Egnor's worldview?What is the scientific evidence for the soul and the mind?Is there a difference between the mind and the brain?What do conjoined twins and patients with missing brain parts reveal about consciousness?How are verifiable Near Death Experiences evidence for the soul?Why do most neuroscientists still cling to materialism despite contrary evidence?From fascinating case studies to philosophical insights from Aquinas and Aristotle, this episode will challenge the materialist narrative that you are just your brain. If you know someone who's scientifically minded but open to deeper questions about human nature, this book is a must read! Be sure to grab your copy today and check out more of Dr. Egnor's work at the Discovery Institute website listed below.Resources mentioned during the episode:Mike's book: The Immortal Mind - https://www.discovery.org/b/the-immortal-mind/Mike's presentation: The Scientific Evidence of the Human Soul - https://youtu.be/41bIJ7hYbLsDiscovery Institute: Mind Matter News - https://www.discovery.org/p/mmnews/Mike's articles at the Discovery Institute - https://www.discovery.org/t/michael-egnor/

A generation ago, a big clot in the brain meant paralysis or worse. Today, doctors can diagnose clots on AI-enabled brain scans; provide life-saving, targeted medications; or snake a catheter from a patient's groin into the brain to vacuum out the clot. If they intervene in time, they can watch speech and movement return before the sedatives wear off. How did that happen—and what's still missing?In this episode of From Our Neurons to Yours, Stanford neuroscientist and neurocritical care specialist Marion Buckwalter, MD, PhD retraces the 70-year chain of curiosity-driven research—biochemistry, imaging, materials science, AI—behind today's remarkable improvements in stroke care. She also warns what future breakthroughs are at stake if support for basic science stalls.Learn MoreBuckwalter Lab siteHistory of Stroke Care:Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Ischemic Stroke (NINDS) On the development of the first-gen clot-busting drug, tPA Optimizing endovascular therapy for ischemic stroke (NINDS) On the development of mechanical clot clearance using thrombectomy.Mechanical Thrombectomy for Large Ischemic Stroke (Neurology, 2023) A literature meta-analysis shows that thrombectomy improves stroke outcomes by 2.5X, on top of 2X improvements from clot-busting drugsThe uncertain future of federal support for scienceThe Gutting of America's Medical Research: Here Is Every Canceled or Delayed N.I.H. Grant (New York Times, 2025)Trump Has Cut Science Funding to Its Lowest Level in Decades (New York Times, 2025)We want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu or... Send us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

A debate on the mind, soul, consciousness, and the afterlife. Michael Egnor, MD, is Professor of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He received his medical degree from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and trained in neurosurgery at the University of Miami. He has been on faculty at Stony Brook since 1991. He is the neurosurgery residency director and has served as the director of pediatric neurosurgery and as vice-chairman of neurosurgery at Stony Brook Medicine. He has a strong interest in Thomistic philosophy, philosophy of mind, neuroscience, evolution and intelligent design, and bioethics and has published and lectured extensively on these topics. His new book is The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon's Case for the Existence of the Soul. Christof Koch is a neuroscientist at the Allen Institute and at the Tiny Blue Dot Foundation, the former president of the Allen Institute for Brain Science, and a former professor at the California Institute of Technology. Author of four previous titles—The Feeling of Life Itself: Why Consciousness Is Widespread but Can't Be Computed, Consciousness: Confessions of a Romantic Reductionist, and The Quest for Consciousness: A Neurobiological Approach—Koch writes regularly for a range of media, including Scientific American. His latest book is Then I Am Myself the World.

Dr. Howard Weiner, Chief of Neurosurgery at Texas Children's Hospital, joins the podcast to discuss exciting advancements in neurosurgical technology, including the growing use of minimally invasive approaches. He shares recent breakthroughs in treatment and care delivery for pediatric patients and offers valuable advice for current and emerging leaders in the healthcare space.

Imagine being trapped in your own body, unable to move or communicate effectively. This may seem like a nightmare, but it is a reality for many people living with brain or spinal cord injuries.We're re-releasing one of our favorite episodes from the archives: our 2024 conversation with Jaimie Henderson, a Stanford neurosurgeon leading groundbreaking research in brain-machine interfaces. Henderson shares how multiple types of brain implants are currently being developed to treat neurological disorders and restore communication for those who have lost the ability to speak. We also discuss the legacy of the late Krishna Shenoy and his transformative work in this field.Learn moreHenderson's Neural Prosthetics Translational LabBrainGate Consortium – "Turning thought into action"‘Unprecedented' level of control allows person without use of limbs to operate virtual quadcopter (University of Michigan, 2025)Brain Implants Helped 5 People Recover From Traumatic Injuries (New York Times, 2023)The man who controls computers with his mind (New York Times Magazine, 2022)Software turns ‘mental handwriting' into on-screen words, sentences (Stanford Medicine, 2021)Related video: Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, 2021Related publication: Nature, 2021Learn about the work of the late Krishna ShenoyKrishna V. Shenoy (1968–2023) (Nature Neuroscience, 2023)Krishna Shenoy, engineer who reimagined how the brain makes the body move, dies at 54 (Stanford Engineering, 2023)Episode CreditsThis episode was produced by Michael Osborne at 14th Street Studios, with sound design by Morgan Honaker. Our logo is by Aimee Garza. The show is hosted by Nicholas Weiler at Stanford's Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute and supported in part by the Knight Iniative for Brain Resilience.Get in touchWe want to hear from your neurons! Email us at at neuronspodcast@stanford.edu.Send us a text!Thanks for listening! If you're enjoying our show, please take a moment to give us a review on your podcast app of choice and share this episode with your friends. That's how we grow as a show and bring the stories of the frontiers of neuroscience to a wider audience. Learn more about the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute at Stanford and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Another conversation with Dr. Jim Schuster Find the video of this conversation at https://youtu.be/LPi7LmATano God bless America

Our guest in this episode, is Dr. Jeff Gross, a pioneering neurological surgeon turned regenerative medicine specialist, is passionate about helping people live healthier, more vibrant lives. He shares his journey from traditional medicine to a holistic approach, emphasizing the importance of health span over lifespan. Key points discussed include:* Prioritize health span: Focus on quality of life, not just quantity of years.* Combat inflammation: Adopt lifestyle habits to reduce cellular stress.* Activate natural healing: Leverage sleep, exercise, and nutrition for regeneration.Listen to the podcast for the full conversation.Unlocking Longevity: Dr. Jeff Gross on Extending Health SpanWhen you listen to Dr. Jeff Gross in conversation with Jürgen Strauss, you quickly realize this isn't just another chat about living longer. It's a masterclass in living better for longer—a distinction that's both subtle and profound. Dr. Gross, a pioneering neurological surgeon turned regenerative medicine specialist, brings a refreshing blend of scientific rigor and practical wisdom to the table.At its heart, this conversation is about empowering listeners to activate their body's natural healing and longevity mechanisms. Dr. Gross and Jürgen Strauss explore not just how to add years to life, but how to fill those years with health, energy, and meaning.Key Takeaways* The distinction between lifespan and health span is crucial; the goal is not just to live longer, but to live healthier for longer. [0:01:30]* Chronic inflammation is the common pathway for most age-related decline; suppressing it is central to healthy longevity. [0:05:30]* Regenerative medicine leverages both ancient wisdom and modern science, focusing on natural healing, stem cells, and anti-inflammatory strategies. [0:07:00]* Sleep, exercise, and hormesis (beneficial stress) are foundational for activating the body's own regenerative capacity. [0:16:00]* Nutrition, especially minimizing processed foods and sugars while prioritizing protein, healthy fats, and micronutrients, is medicine for longevity. [0:36:00]* Anyone, regardless of current health, can benefit from adopting small, consistent longevity habits. [0:29:30]The Journey from Neurosurgery to Regenerative MedicineDr. Gross's professional journey is as inspiring as it is instructive. He began in the high-stakes world of neurosurgery, but it was his patients' questions and needs that nudged him toward regenerative medicine. He realized that fixing what's broken isn't enough; true healing means addressing the root causes. This shift wasn't about abandoning science, but about expanding it—embracing both cutting-edge research and time-tested wisdom from around the world. [0:01:30]The Science of Aging: Inflammation, Stem Cells, and the Body's Natural WisdomDr. Gross has a gift for making the complex simple. He explains that chronic inflammation is the silent saboteur of healthy aging, quietly eroding our vitality. Stem cells, meanwhile, are the body's natural repair crew—ready to leap into action if we give them the right environment. He draws on both modern biochemistry and ancient traditions, showing that the best solutions often blend old and new. [0:05:30] [0:07:00]Practical Strategies for Extending Health SpanWhat's truly empowering is how actionable Dr. Gross's advice is. Sleep, exercise, and hormesis (those little, beneficial stresses like cold showers or fasting) are all within reach. He doesn't preach perfection; instead, he encourages small, sustainable changes that add up over time. It's about building habits, not chasing hacks. The message: start where you are, and keep moving forward. [0:16:00] [0:29:30]Nutrition as Medicine: What to Eat, What to Avoid, and Why It MattersFood, in Dr. Gross's world, is both fuel and medicine. He urges us to minimize processed foods and sugars, and to embrace proteins, healthy fats, and micronutrients. It's not about deprivation, but about making choices that support our body's natural resilience. He reminds us that every meal is an opportunity to invest in our future health. [0:36:00]Mental Wellbeing and the Mind-Body ConnectionDr. Gross doesn't neglect the mind. He highlights the importance of sleep, breathwork, and stress management—not as afterthoughts, but as pillars of health. Simple practices, like deep breathing or mindful movement, can have outsized effects on our well-being. He's candid about his own journey, admitting he's not a meditation guru, but he's always learning and experimenting. [0:33:00]The Future of Regenerative Medicine: Hope, Innovation, and EmpowermentLooking ahead, Dr. Gross is optimistic. He sees regenerative medicine moving toward prevention, root-cause solutions, and less reliance on surgery or pharmaceuticals. The future, he believes, is about empowering individuals to take charge of their health, with science and tradition working hand in hand. It's a vision that's both hopeful and practical—a roadmap for anyone ready to invest in a longer, healthier, more vibrant life. [0:48:00]Action Items* Start or increase regular exercise, even if it's just walking—movement is the most accessible longevity tool. [0:50:30]* Add one new longevity habit: floss daily, try a cold shower, or introduce sublingual melatonin at bedtime. [0:31:00]* Reevaluate your nutrition: reduce processed foods and sugars, increase protein and healthy fats, and treat food as medicine. [0:36:00]* Track your sleep and experiment with improvements—consider a wearable or app, but always check in with how you feel. [0:22:00]* Share feedback or questions with the podcast host to guide future deep-dives on topics that resonate. [0:49:30]Next Steps* Explore more about regenerative medicine and Dr. Gross's work at recelebrate.com [0:49:00]* Consider which longevity habits you can implement this week—start small, but start now. [0:50:30]* If interested in specific topics (e.g., hormone optimization, stem cell therapies, mental health strategies), suggest them for future episodes. [0:49:30]SummaryDr. Jeff Gross's conversation is a breath of fresh air in the world of health and longevity. He combines expertise with empathy, and science with soul. If you're ready to rethink what's possible for your own health span, his insights are a great place to start. Remember, it's not just about living longer, but about living better for longer.ActionWrite comments to Jürgen on his podcast pages and let him know, like and subscribe to his material and share the comments. If you're not exercising, get to it. If you are exercising, let's get more out of it.Reach OutYou can reach out and thank Jeff at his ReCELLebrate website.Links:* Website - ReCELLebrate* LinkedIn* Facebook* Instagram - @recellebrateCool Things About Jeff* Scientist-Turned-Healer Evolution: He began his career focused on virology research and surgical intervention but evolved to embrace regenerative approaches—showing a rare intellectual flexibility to completely shift paradigms mid-career based on patient needs rather than staying in his comfort zone.* Personal Biohacker: Beyond just treating patients, Dr. Gross appears to practice what he preaches, likely experimenting with various longevity protocols on himself before recommending them—making him both the scientist and the experiment.* Bridging Elite and Accessible Care: He works with high-profile business leaders while simultaneously seeking to democratize knowledge about regenerative practices that anyone can implement, regardless of their access to advanced treatments.* Textbook Author Who Challenges Textbooks: Despite writing medical textbooks himself, he's willing to challenge established medical paradigms—showing a rare combination of establishment credibility and disruptive thinking.Imagine being a part of a select community where you not only have access to our amazing podcast guests, but you also get a chance to transform your marketing and podcast into a growth engine with a human-centered, relationship-focused approach.That's exactly what you'll get when you join the Flywheel Nation Community.Tap into the collective wisdom of high-impact achievers, gain exclusive access to resources, and expand your network in our vibrant community.Experience accelerated growth, breakthrough insights, and powerful connections to elevate your business.ACT NOW – secure your spot and transform your journey today! Visit innovabiz.co/flywheel and get ready to experience the power of transformation.Video This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit innovabiz.substack.com/subscribe

Theodore Schwartz stands at the pinnacle of neurosurgical expertise. With over 500 published articles, 200 pieces of commentary, and 5 patents to his name—effectively producing a scholarly work every two weeks for three decades—Schwartz has spent most of his career at Weill Cornell Medicine, where he pioneered new minimally-invasive surgical techniques and led the Epilepsy Research Laboratory, among many (many) other things. His recent book Gray Matters: A Biography of Brain Surgery offers readers an insider's view of one of medicine's most demanding specialties. Tyler and Ted discuss how the training for a neurosurgeon could be shortened, the institutional factors preventing AI from helping more in neurosurgery, how to pick a good neurosurgeon, the physical and mental demands of the job, why so few women are currently in the field, whether the brain presents the ultimate bottleneck to radical life extension, why he thinks free will is an illusion, the success of deep brain stimulation as a treatment for neurological conditions,  the promise of brain-computer interfaces, what studying epilepsy taught him about human behavior, the biggest bottleneck limiting progress in brain surgery, why he thinks Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, the Ted Schwartz production function, the new company he's starting, and much more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video. Recorded January 31st, 2025. Help keep the show ad free by donating today! Other ways to connect Follow us on X and Instagram Follow Tyler on X Follow Theodore on X Sign up for our newsletter Join our Discord Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Learn more about Conversations with Tyler and other Mercatus Center podcasts here.

A conversation with Dr. Shweta Kedia Thank you to Elekta for sponsoring this conversation!

Could our healthcare system be making us sicker rather than healthier? In the UK, autism diagnoses have increased by a staggering 787% between 1998 and 2018, and one in five people now has some form of mental health disorder. But what if some of our health struggles aren't diseases to be cured, but normal human experiences being medicalised? This week, I'm joined by Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan, a consultant in clinical neurophysiology and neurology at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, who specialises in the investigation of complex epilepsy and also has an active interest in psychogenic disorders.  Her latest book, The Age of Diagnosis: Sickness, Health, and Why Medicine Has Gone Too Far, aims to challenge long-held assumptions about medical progress and change the way we think about our health.  In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore: Why giving someone a diagnosis is never neutral – it can fundamentally change how a person views themselves, their body and their future possibilities How the definition of autism has dramatically expanded over the past few decades from its original concept of "extreme autistic aloneness" to now potentially including 1 in 20 children in Northern Ireland Why screening for diseases like prostate cancer can lead to unnecessary treatment The potential problems of genetic testing - when results are misinterpreted or used without proper context, especially with tests that aren't clinical grade Why early detection and treatment aren't always better, particularly when it turns healthy people into patients decades before they might develop symptoms The profound story of how Suzanne diagnosed a rare genetic condition in a 15-year-old girl, only to question whether she had actually done the right thing by medicalising someone who believed herself to be healthy This is a nuanced, compassionate discussion that challenges many of the widely held assumptions in modern healthcare and I would urge you to listen with an open mind. Throughout our conversation, Suzanne emphasises that she's not arguing against the existence of these conditions or suggesting everyone should refuse diagnosis. Rather, she encourages both patients and doctors to consider whether medicalising our struggles is always the right approach. I hope you enjoy listening.   Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore.  For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.   Thanks to our sponsors: https://thriva.co https://drinkag1.com/livemore https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore https://airbnb.co.uk/host   Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/553   DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.