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Thursday, February 5, 2026 - Week 6 Happy #RareDisease & #BlackHistory Month! #NaturalHistory means how this disease progresses. Reminder: We have only been at this for 17 years, first patients were identified via Hamdan, 2009. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19196676/ Retrospective Digital NHS: cureSYNGAP1.org/Citizen (Growing list of tools available to families, for free) Prospective Multi-disciplinary Multi-site NHS: ProMMiS cureSYNGAP1.org/ProMMiS Reminder, only possible by CS1 support for non-CHOP sites and travel plus huge gift to Penn. https://www.chop.edu/news/25-million-gift-penn-medicine-and-children-s-hospital-philadelphia-establishes-center-epilepsy Potential for being a control arm in the future. Protocol: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/curesyngap1_syngap1-stxbp1-dee-activity-7425223573134327808-SVEQ & early data: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40119723/ Join the ~160 families who have enjoyed excellent clinical care and contributed tot he future of SYNGAP1. Today, a 4 month old is going! CHOP: 119 new, V2- 67, V3- 32, V4- 10, V5- 4 CHCO: 37 new, V2- 7 Stanford: 8 new, V2- 2 Total: 164 (double counting one family who goes to multiple sites) Survey English: https://curesyngap1.org/SurveyProMMiS Spanish: https://curesyngap1.org/encuestaProMMiS 94 Responses to survey, so far: Why not? Did not receive an invitation, Too far to travel, Too expensive Barriers: Logistics, Cost, Time off, Behaviors, Insurance ETC. Pubmed 2026 is at 6! But will soon be 7 with the McKee paper! https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=syngap1&filter=years.2026-2026&sort=date Biorepository needs more samples. Check out the list and map here https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1IjaHILXj7AlBDlbTJgvYrkBS_0bnI8VCnTIiPXJ7JGM/edit?usp=sharing and contribute blood. The data and research we do with these samples is invaluable. May 28, San Francisco, CA: cureSYNGAP1.org/SF26 SOCIAL MATTERS 4,668 LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/curesyngap1/ 1,520 YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CureSYNGAP1 11.2k Twitter https://twitter.com/cureSYNGAP1 45k Insta https://www.instagram.com/curesyngap1/ $CAMP stock is at $3.59 on 5 Feb. ‘26 https://www.google.com/finance/beta/quote/CAMP:NASDAQ Like and subscribe to this podcast wherever you listen. https://curesyngap1.org/podcasts/syngap10/ Episode 198 of #Syngap10 #CureSYNGAP1 #Podcast
In this podcast episode, the speaker shares his personal journey of quitting THC, explaining his reasons, the gradual process over several years, and the impacts on his life. He recounts his history with THC, from early recreational use to daily dependence for sleep aid during medical school and residency. The speaker emphasizes that he does not oppose cannabis, recognizing its medicinal value, but wanted to overcome his dependency. He details his method of reducing THC use through vaping and CBD alternatives, ultimately leading to his last use in January 2025. Alongside his personal story, he discusses the benefits and potential negative impacts of THC and other cannabinoids, offering insights into who might consider quitting and why. Cannabis, THC & Quitting Cannabis (Marijuana) — NIDA overview: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/cannabis-marijuana Cannabis Use Disorder — NCBI Bookshelf (StatPearls): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/ Sleep, REM & Withdrawal Cannabis and sleep architecture — systematic review (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40967124/ Effects of cannabinoids on sleep — review (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8116407/ Non-Intoxicating Cannabinoids Mentioned CBD + anxiety — systematic review (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11595441/ CBG — acute effects + cognition (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11246434/ THCV — overview/commentary (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33526143/ CBC — therapeutic potential review (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11493452/ Potency: Concentrates Marijuana Concentrates — NIDA DrugFacts PDF: https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/df-marijuana-concentrates.pdf Supplements Mentioned Omega-3 Fatty Acids — NIH ODS (Consumer): https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/ Vitamin D — NIH ODS (Consumer): https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/ Show Notes 00:00 Introduction: Why I Quit THC 02:18 My History with THC 06:10 Transition to Medical Use 13:53 The Quitting Process 20:11 Benefits and Challenges of Quitting 25:07 Thoughts on THC and Other Cannabinoids 33:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Hart2Heart podcast is hosted by family physician Dr. Michael Hart, who is dedicated to cutting through the noise and uncovering the most effective strategies for optimizing health, longevity, and peak performance. This podcast dives deep into evidence-based approaches to hormone balance, peptides, sleep optimization, nutrition, psychedelics, supplements, exercise protocols, leveraging sunlight, and de-prescribing pharmaceuticals — using medications only when absolutely necessary. Beyond health science, we explore the intersection of public health and politics, exposing how policy decisions shape our health landscape and what actionable steps people can take to reclaim control over their well-being. Guests range from out-of-the-box thinking physicians such as Dr. Casey Means (author of "Good Energy") and Dr. Roger Sehult (Medcram lectures) to public health experts such as Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Marty Mckary (Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and high-profile names such as Zuby and Mark Sisson (Primal Blueprint and Primal Kitchen). If you're ready to take control of your health and performance, this podcast is for you.We cut through the jargon and deliver practical, no-BS advice that you can implement in your daily life, empowering you to make positive changes for your well-being. Connect with Dr. Mike Hart Instagram: @drmikehart Twitter: @drmikehart Facebook: @drmikehart
Send us a textMore of us are being seen by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates/assistants (PAs); for routine care outcomes look similar to physician visits, but for complex, new, or worsening problems you should push to see the doctor and ask for clear oversight.Key topicsWhy this is happening: Longer waits and rising demand meet a physician shortfall, so systems lean on NPs/PAs to expand access. New-patient waits average ~31 days, varying widely by city and specialty (AMN). Fewer people have a usual source of care, pushing visits to urgent care/ER (Milbank Scorecard).The scope shift: NP involvement in Medicare outpatient visits rose from 14% in 2013 to ~26% in 2019 (Harvard/Tradeoffs summary). Projections show rapid growth in NP and PA roles through 2030 (ValuePenguin analysis).Training differences (at a glance): NPs typically complete a master's/DNP with ~500–700 supervised clinical hours and, in many states, can practice independently; PAs complete a master's with ~2,000 supervised hours and practice with physician collaboration; physicians complete medical school plus 3–5+ years of residency (~10,000+ hours) and broad rotations—critical for complex differential diagnosis (AJMC overview).Quality of care, by the evidence: For common, protocol-driven issues, outcomes are generally similar. A Cochrane-summarized evidence base finds comparable results for blood pressure control, mortality, and patient satisfaction, with longer counseling time in NP visits (AJMC summary of RCTs). Patients often feel PAs spend more time with them (JAAPA survey). Diabetes care quality appears similar across clinicians (PubMed); NPs tend to deliver more smoking-cessation counseling (AANP brief).Where this works well: Routine follow-ups (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes), protocol-based care, minor acute concerns (UTI, simple URI), post-op checks when all is going well—especially with clear physician involvement.When to push for the doctor: New, unclear, or non-resolving problems (e.g., complex headaches, persistent back pain, ongoing fatigue or depression), multiple chronic conditions, many medications, or when a serious alternative diagnosis must be ruled out (e.g., “heartburn” vs. cardiac disease).Advocate for transparency: Ask in advance who you'll see, whether your case will be reviewed with a physician, and how escalation works if you're not improving.TakeawaysAccess will keep driving NP/PA growth; use it to be seen sooner.For routine care, NPs/PAs are often a solid choice with similar outcomes and more counseling time.For complexity, insist on physician evaluation or documented oversight.You have the power to ask questions, confirm the plan, and request escalation when needed.Links mentioned in this episode AMN wait-time trends →
Matt Roeske, the master of rabbit holes, is back for our third interview and as usual, this one does not disappoint.One of my goals is to encourage everyone to rethink what they already know (I put myself in that target audience) and Matt is definitely one to cause us to do just that.Many of us are seeing that what we have been told about pretty much everything is either a flat out lie or twisted in some regard. In this mind-expanding conversation, Matt once again challenges conventional wisdom on every level—from eating raw meat to understanding the real value of silver, from mouldy berries that heal to the suppressed knowledge of a man who cured himself of C in the 1970s.We also learn of the fascinating tree resin, Dragon's Blood. Truly one of mother nature's healers.Whether you're ready to question the food pyramid, rethink precious metals, or discover why your grandparents knew more about health than modern doctors, this conversation will shake your assumptions and offer practical solutions for true independence in 2026 and beyond.In today's show:5:11 - Silver at $90/ounce, highest ever, expected to keep rising due to Federal Reserve money printing6:35 - 2026 mirrors 1890s McKinley Tariffs playbook: tariffs, farmers struggling, precious metals surging - Trump quoted McKinley as inspiration10:17 - Asia blocked silver trade agreements, creating scarcity - bullion stores sold out everywhere11:30 - Germany's currency 1933-1950s was silver after hyperinflation destroyed paper money13:36 - Copper penny eliminated a month ago because copper value exceeded penny's face value16:05 - Matt's raw diet for 11-12 months: raw meat, raw milk, raw honey18:18 - How Matt's new diet activated his super smelling sense19:15 - Chemtrails deployed most heavily during full moons20:30 - Mouldy berries pull heavy metals from body21:01 - Aajonus Vonderplanitz healed afflictions with raw diet in 1970s-80s23:43 - Vonderplanitz said viruses are fake, parasites don't harm in 1980s-90s30:30 - The mysterious stories around Aajonus's death one year after Doctor's show appearance39:38 - Dr. Pottenger study: 900 cats on raw meat/milk became lions, cats on processed food became disabled and infertile44:10 - Pork and nitric oxide content and how Viagra replaced it46:51 - 5,000 PubMed studies show parasites grow in animals to eat heavy metals, not contagious51:10 - Mouldy berries create trippy, mushroom-like detox effect51:30 - Grandmothers traditionally added mouldy berries to soup, applesauce, raw milk for health52:30 - Penicillin shots as children and allergies to natural mould54:25 - Mouldy blueberries and heavy metals60:30 - Dragon's blood and severe eczema head-to-toe, receding gums60:50 - Dentists reported patients' gums regenerating with coconut oil and dragon's blood61:05 - Testimonial: arthritis inflammation 99% gone with four dragon's blood capsules daily64:07 - Electro culture book coming spring 2026 proving no scarcity exists65:43 - AI clones of Matt's voice/image scamming people, DO NOT purchase from these fake companies!and more!If you enjoyed this episode, please share if you dare and consider going to www.sovereigncollective.org/shop to check out my offerings and get a deal while supporting the podcast. I'll be adding more great offerings there over time.Matt is highly censored, so you'll have a hard time finding him on the major mainstream channels, or you'll have to look hard to find him.Peruse his site and use code Sascha10 to save on some goodies including Dragon's Blood:https://cultivateelevate.com/Matt posts on various platforms and does a regular live every week on Monday, among other videos and posts. Find him here:https://rumble.com/user/CultivateElevatehttps://odysee.com/@CultivateElevate:e2telegram: @ElevateThyMindhttps://www.instagram.com/cultivateelevate/--------------------------------------------Find me:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saschakalivoda/IG: https://www.instagram.com/saschaksays/Website: www.sovereigncollective.orgYou Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@saschasays/videosBitchute: https://www.bitchute.com/channel/Tfl1Zo021FcXEmail: sascha @ sovereigncollective.org
In this episode, Cheryl McColgan discusses the concept of habit stacking, a technique that involves attaching a new habit to an existing one to make it easier to adopt. She shares her personal struggles with maintaining new habits and provides practical examples of how to effectively implement habit stacking in daily routines. The conversation emphasizes the importance of cues and motivation in forming lasting habits, as well as the value of research in validating health information. Takeaways Habit stacking is a technique to make new habits easier to adopt. Attaching a small habit to a daily routine can enhance consistency. The perceived importance of a habit affects motivation to maintain it. Using strong cues can help in forming new habits. Daily routines can serve as effective cues for new habits. Habit stacking can reduce decision fatigue. Disclaimer: Links may contain affiliate links, which means we may get paid a commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through this page. Read our full disclosure here. CONNECT WITH CHERYL Shop all my healthy lifestyle favorites, lots of discounts! 21 Day Fat Loss Kickstart: Make Keto Easy, Take Diet Breaks and Still Lose Weight Dry Farm Wines, extra bottle for a penny Drinking Ketones Wild Pastures, Clean Meat to Your Doorstep 20% off for life Clean Beauty 20% off first order DIY Lashes 10% off NIRA at Home Laser for Wrinkles 10% off or current promo with code HealNourishGrow Instagram for daily stories with recipes, what I eat in a day and what’s going on in life Facebook YouTube Pinterest TikTok Amazon Store The Shoe Fairy Competition Gear Getting Started with Keto Resources The Complete Beginners Guide to Keto Getting Started with Keto Podcast Episode Getting Started with Keto Resource Guide Episode Transcript Cheryl McColgan (00:00.174)I’m Cheryl McColgan founder of Heal Nourish Grow and welcome to day 22 of the 30 days healthy habits challenge. Today is something that we’ve talked about a little bit throughout the challenge, but I haven’t really dedicated an episode to it yet and I haven’t challenged you to actually do it as part of the habit challenge and that is to habit stack. So habit stacking is really simple. It can sometimes be hard to find ones that put together that make sense. But when you can find those ones that go together that make sense, it just really makes this such an easier thing. So today’s challenge is to attach a small habit to something you already do every single day. So I think I just even mentioned this in the last recording for day 21 in the reflection thing is about if you missed habits, know, habit stacking is a great way to do those. Because if you’re finding them challenging to fit in your day, sticking them to something you already do is going to be one of the easiest way that you can make that stick. And then so I’ll give you an example of the one since I started making this challenge, I’ve been thinking about this a lot for myself. And here’s the one that I’m working on right now. So I have had this hair trauma for the last three years. It’s a really long story that you don’t need to hear about in this episode, which I have actually done a podcast episode on it before. But at any rate, it’s, you know, I’ve had a lot of trauma to my hair. I’ve had a lot of hair falling out. I’ve had some scalp irritation, things like that. And so I’ve been very focused on that. And one of the things I purchased to help me deal with this is this OS one supplement. I’ve been using their skincare for a while now. Absolutely love it. I have an article over at the website all about it. He says a peptide science. It’s really cool technology and it actually works and there’s some good clinical data behind it all. But anyway, oh, and just because I mentioned that If you read about it, you do get a little extra discount with my link or something. But anyway, the point of none of that is the point here. The point is that I find it difficult. I bought this hair serum and I bought like I can’t remember if I bought a three month supply or six month supply because you definitely get a bigger discount if you buy more. And plus, if you’re doing anything with your hair, it’s going to take you a little bit longer to actually notice results. Right. So anyway, I’m getting to the point I promise is that I bought that serum, probably a good Cheryl McColgan (02:20.305)six months ago now or maybe even longer. And I’ve only used it maybe a total of five times and I’ll start to think, okay, I’m going to use it today and then I’ll get on the new habit of doing this every day because you got to do it every day for it to really be effective. So I haven’t been able to do that up to this point. I don’t know why it’s such a simple thing. It’s not difficult. You literally split your hair, you put the serum on the scalp, you rub it in, you go to bed. Easy peasy, right? Can’t seem to make myself do it, but The one thing I do every single night is wash my face, brush my teeth and put on my skincare. put on the same skincare by the same brand that I put on my face every single night without fail. Doesn’t matter how late I’m out. Doesn’t matter what else I’ve done. I will not go to bed without washing my face, putting my skincare on and brushing my teeth. That is a solid set in habit that does not fail. for the last few days or since this challenge when I was talking about habit stacking several times, I’m like, this is just ridiculous. have this perfect habit that this pairs with, which is like I mentioned, my teeth and skincare routine in the evening, I just need to put that hair serum like literally where I cannot miss it. And so I had it on the counter next to my toothbrush. I don’t know why, but that wasn’t quite working because the flow. But what I found was I put the hair serum inside of a drawer that has the skincare. I took the hair serum out of the cabinet off the counter. put it in the drawer like literally right next to the moisture. And this is so dumb right, you’re like, why can’t you just put that in your hair every night? I don’t know why. This is why anybody has trouble with habits, right? This is why we’re doing this whole challenge. But put it right next to my skincare so that it’s literally right where I take them both out. I do the skincare part, I put that back and then I take the hair stuff and then I put it and rub it and put it right back next to the moisturizer. So that seems to be working. So that is a habit stack. So that was a very long winded way of telling you. But I also think it speaks to the fact that, you know, obviously none of us are perfect. Even those of us that are very good at discipline, very good habits. And also there’s something about the perceived importance of the habit, I think. So this particular thing, like if I put this stuff in my hair or not, it really doesn’t matter. It doesn’t affect anything. I’m not even sure 100 % that it will help or that it will work. So it’s not a high Cheryl McColgan (04:40.651)value habit, right? There’s not a whole lot of motivation example for me to continue that habit. Whereas something like changing your nutrition or changing your diet, if you’re say your goal is to lose weight, there’s a lot higher of motivation or importance. I won’t want to say motivation because motivation like we talked about that comes and goes. But the importance of that to your health or to your future goals, looking a certain way or having a certain body composition, the importance of that is a lot greater. than something like putting this stuff in your hair that may or may not work. You know if you change your nutrition behavior, change your eating behavior, that that will have a positive outcome. So I think you also have to look at the importance of any particular habit in relation to how hard that’s gonna be to maintain or how hard it’s gonna be to force yourself to do. So the whole reason this works is pretty obvious. The habit stacking, the first habit, the existing habit is the cue and there’s no motivation there. The second habit just comes right after it, because that’s where you’re sticking it now. And so again, this creates less decision fatigue. It just makes it easier for you to just go ahead and do it. So here’s an example. made this little formula that I wrote out so that we are all on the same page with this. It’s so ridiculously simple. But just for clarity, it’s after I blank, I will blank. So for example, after coffee, I will drink water. But I would put that in reverse, because as we talked about, It’s stacked like that can still be stacked even though we’re supposed to drink the water before the coffee because well the coffee is still the cube. We’ll go to the thing to get coffee and we’ll be like oh yes I’m Annie and I’m going to drink this water first. And the other thing is after brushing teeth I will stretch two minutes. So you’re picking a cue that happens every single day because we want this new habit we want it to be a habit that’s like an everyday habit we just stick it with there. So that is really it for today. If you keep forgetting then you might need a stronger cue. the more automatic the queue is, the easier it’s going to be to get this new habit to stick. So look for those things, like I said, like brushing my teeth or things that you’ve never missed. Those are the ones you want to stick it to. And as always, the links for the research, the links for the research, this week aren’t exactly tied to or for today aren’t exactly tied to habit stacking, but they’re just kind of the. Cheryl McColgan (07:01.517)way that goal setting interacts with habits and things. So I think those are pretty interesting, but those are in your email and in the tracker. As always, the optional journal prompt is there if you want to do that. And the research is always optional to read, but hopefully it’s, know, mostly if you just skim the abstract or skip down to the results, that would be a super quick read for you less than a minute. So also that could be a come a new habit, just like looking at, you know, looking at the research or especially, I don’t know, this one’s turning into a longer little episode here. But just this is a totally random unrelated thing, but to encourage you whenever you hear certain things online, before I repeat them, or before I invest a whole lot of time in belief or disbelief or whatever, I’ll go search the topic in the PubMed and just see if there’s any existing literature or research on the topic and see if it’s even in the direction of what the person is claiming online. Because there’s a lot of bad information out there nowadays. I’m sure you already know this. but it’s always nice to just consider the source, number one, and then go check, do a little research on your own and see. And the reason I like to go to PubMed first is because too many articles on the internet are all full of opinion, right? So just looking at the existing literature is a pretty good hint and a good signal to whether something is valid or not. So anyway, sorry to be a little tangential on this one, but hope you… Enjoy today’s habit. I hope you can find a habit that you can stack with one of your existing ones. And I’d love to hear all about it as always in the comments below. Or if it’s something you don’t want to share publicly, you’re always welcome to email me as well. And if you’re not signed up for this challenge yet, if you just randomly found this on YouTube and you’re like, what is this all about? You can go to healnourishgrow.com slash habits and you can start this 30 days of healthy habits anytime for free. just check that link out and you’ll get started that very same day or the next day, you’ll get the emails and then you’re onto your 30 days of creating new healthy habits. So that is it for today and I will see you again tomorrow.
This week Abby and Alan continue exploring the intersection of winter and horror, this time through the lens of of isolation. Sources: A Medical News Today article by Danielle Dresdon: What to know about cabin fever.JAMA Network, scientific study by Eugene Ziskind, M.D. called Isolation Stress in Medical and Mental IllnessPubMed study from 2021, Social Isolation and Psychosis: An Investigation of social interactions and paranoia in daily life Study we found on PubMed from 2008: Psychological effects of polar expeditionsAnd another study listed on PubMed The role of circadian phase in sleep and performance during Antarctic winter expeditions from 2022Slash Film article by Danielle Ryan: The Haunted History Behind The Shinings Stanley HotelSyFy article by Josh Weiss: The Thing Oral History: Cast and Crew Reveal Secrets of John Carpenter's Sci-Fi Horror MasterpieceGet Lunatics Merch here. Join the discussion on Discord. Check out Abby's book Horror Stories. Available in eBook and paperback. Music by Michaela Papa, Alan Kudan & Jordan Moser. Poster Art by Pilar Keprta @pilar.kep.We started a seasonal tarot mailer! Join us here: https://www.patreon.com/lunaticsproject/membership Support your favorite podcast by wearing some haunting and highly specific clothing. Check out our merch store here. Consider joining our Patreon for bonus episodes, spooky literature and deep dives into horror and history. Click here to learn more. Follow us on TikTok, X, Instragram and YouTube. Join the conversation on Discord. Support us on Patreon. Support the show
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from leaving a half a cut banana at room temperature for 24 hours. Dr. Don - risky ☣️ Professor Ben - risky ☣️ 14: Budnik's Banana — Risky or Not? Justin Ekins on X: "@bugcounter @benjaminchapman My parents routinely leave half-eaten bananas in the bowl for later consumption. Is this risky? Assume 24 hours between splitting and eating the second half. https://t.co/76VwOdFD39" / X Banana peel: a possible source of infection in the treatment of nipple fissures - PubMed
Supporting Physician Health: Identifying and Addressing Impairment Evaluation and Credit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/medchat86 Target Audience This activity is targeted toward primary care physicians and advanced providers. Statement of Need This podcast will highlight how providers can recognize their impairment or a colleague. Additionally, the responsibility of providers will be addressed once impairment is suspected. A study published in PubMed, indicated that a physician's rate of substance use disorder is slightly higher than the general population. As a result of long hours, high responsibility and emotional stress physicians face an increased risk for burnout, depression and substance use. Even though there is the risk of patient safety, physicians delay seeking help due to the stigma or fee of professional consequences. Objectives Discuss the common causes, symptoms and factors that contribute to physician impairment. Describe the impact of impairment on patient safety and professional responsibility. Identify appropriate intervention strategies and available support systems. ModeratorJames Jennings, M.D., MBA Executive Medical Director Norton Medical Group Louisville, Kentucky Speaker Tina Simpson, M.D. Medical Director Kentucky Physicians Health Foundation Louisville, Kentucky Planners, Moderator and Speaker Disclosures The planners, moderator and speaker of this activity do not have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. Commercial Support There was no commercial support for this activity. Physician Credits Accreditation Norton Healthcare is accredited by the Kentucky Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Designation Norton Healthcare designates this enduring material for a maximum of .75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Resources for Additional Study/References The Impaired Surgeon https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26612022/ Family Medicine Physicians With Substance Use Disorder: A 5-year Outcome Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28067757/ Date of Original Release | Jan. 2026; Information is current as of the time of recording. Course Termination Date | Jan. 2028 Contact Information | Center for Continuing Medical Education (502) 446-5955 or cme@nortonhealthcare.org Also listen to Norton Healthcare's podcast Stronger After Stroke. This podcast, produced by the Norton Neuroscience Institute, discusses difficult topics, answers frequently asked questions and provides survivor stories that provide hope. Norton Healthcare, a not for profit health care system, is a leader in serving adult and pediatric patients throughout Greater Louisville, Southern Indiana, the commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond. More information about Norton Healthcare is available at NortonHealthcare.com.
Friday, January 9, 2026 - Week 2 Big news in SYNGAP-land, Becky Quick and Matt Quayle have a beautiful SynGAPian named Kaylie & they are launching CNBC Cures! - Wonderful to have more awareness of SYNGAP1, I hope it leads to more diagnoses. - My two favorite quotes from the episode and podcast: “There is no Mission without Money”-BQ & “She has reset our whole life plan…one day I'm going to be gone and is Kaylie going to be ok?”-MQ - Here is our page with all the links! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/curesyngap1_syngap1-curesyngap1-cnbccures-activity-7415094066675216387-32wF curesyngap1.org/kaylie It's important for us all to remember that it can take time to find our voice. And then use it. Speaking of using our voice, what can you say? We worked yesterday on Key Talking points which will live here and I will talk about them in the next episode. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lXaDQEVwF1K_yAU-RicaJibxb8xoJtldSvnVgopwu00/edit?usp=sharing First paper of 2026, Challenges of Caregiving in SYNGAP1, STXBP1, and TSC. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41405416/ PUBMED is at 1 for the year. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=syngap1&filter=years.1998-2026&timeline=expanded&sort=date SOCIAL MATTERS 4,546 LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/curesyngap1/ 1,500 YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CureSYNGAP1 11.2k Twitter https://twitter.com/cureSYNGAP1 45k Insta https://www.instagram.com/curesyngap1/ $CAMP stock is at $6.20 on 8 Jan. ‘26 https://www.google.com/finance/beta/quote/CAMP:NASDAQ Like and subscribe to this podcast wherever you listen. https://curesyngap1.org/podcasts/syngap10/ Episode 194 of #Syngap10 #CureSYNGAP1 #Podcast
David Jernigan 0:15Hello! Dr. Deb 0:16Hi there, sorry for all the confusion. David Jernigan 0:19Oh, no worries, you gotta love it, right? Dr. Deb 0:21Oh, I can’t hear you. David Jernigan 0:23No way, let’s see, my mic must be turned off? Dr. Deb 0:27Hang on, I think it’s me. Let’s see…Okay, let’s try now. David Jernigan 0:40Okay, can you hear me? Dr. Deb 0:42Yep, I can hear you now. David Jernigan 0:43Excellent, excellent. And, how are you today? Dr. Deb 0:48I am good, thank you. How about yourself? David Jernigan 0:50I’m good. Well, it’s good to finally meet you and get this thing rolling. Dr. Deb 0:56Yes, yes, I’m so sorry about that. David Jernigan 0:58That’s alright, that’s alright.So… Dr. Deb 1:01Yeah, go ahead. David Jernigan 1:03So, tell me about yourself before we get going. Dr. Deb 1:06Yeah, so I am a nurse practitioner. I’m also a naturopath. I have a practice here in Wisconsin. I’ve been treating Lyme for about 20 years, so I’m really excited to have this conversation and learn what you’re doing, because it’s so exciting and new. David Jernigan 1:21Well, thank you. Dr. Deb 1:22Yeah, so we treat a lot of chronic illness patients, do some anti-aging regenerative things as well, so… David Jernigan 1:30Yeah, I went to your website and saw you guys are killing it, looks like. Dr. Deb 1:35Yeah. David Jernigan 1:35Got a lot of good staff, it looks like. Dr. Deb 1:37Yeah, we’ve got great staff, great patients, busy practice. We have 5 practitioners, so we have about 15,000 patients in our practice right now. David Jernigan 1:46Well, excellent. Yeah. Excellent. Yeah, yeah.So, I’m excited for this discussion. Dr. Deb 1:53Good, me too. So I pre-recorded our intro, so we can just kind of dive right in, and I’ll just ask you to kind of introduce yourself a little bit, tell us a little bit about yourself, and, and then we can just dive right into it. David Jernigan 2:08All right. I’m Dr. David Jernigan, and I own the Biologic Center for Optimum Health in… Franklin, Tennessee, and I’ve been in practice for over 30 years. I shook Willie Bergdurfer’s hand, if anybody knows who that is. It’s kind of infamous now with some of the revelations that have happened about Lyme being a bioweapon and weaponized. But, you know, I’ve been doing this, probably longer than almost anybody that’s still in the business in the natural realm. It chose me. I did not choose Lyme. Matter of fact, there were many times in my career that I was like. You know, cancer’s easier because of the fact that everybody agrees, you know, what we’re dealing with. And in the 90s, it was a whole different reality, where nobody actually understood that you could have Lyme disease and not be coming from New England.You know, so I had actually the first documented case of a Lyme disease, CDC positive.Patient that had never left the state of Kansas before. So they couldn’t say that it wasn’t in Kansas, and so she had actually been, pregnant with… twin boys, and they were born CDC-positive as well, and so it is transmitted across the placenta we know.So, I, you know, the history of how I did all this was, in the 90s, probably 1996, probably, somewhere in there, 97. With this woman, you know, I… if you go into Robin’s pathology books from back then. Which we all used, medical doctors and everybody else studying. you know, there was basically a paragraph about Lyme disease, and on the national board tests, as you recall, it was probably like, what causes, or what is, bullseye rash associated with? And you’d had to guess Lyme disease, of course. Dr. Deb 4:07Female. David Jernigan 4:08But that was, you know, considered to be more a New England illness, and you would never see it anywhere else. But here was this woman. I knew… nothing about Lyme beyond what we had gotten taught in college, which was, like I say, next to nothing. And she would not let me stop feeding me information. I mean, you gotta remember, the internet wasn’t even hardly in existence in those years. I mean, it was brand new. It was supposed to be this information highway, and So I started purchasing, like a lot of doctors do even now, they start purchasing every kind of new supplement that’s supposed to work for bacteria. There was no product in those days that actually was Lyme-specific. I mean, nobody was really dealing with it naturally. It was always a pharmaceutical situation. Dr. Deb 5:04And a very short course at that. David Jernigan 5:06Yeah, 2 weeks of doxy and you’re cured, whether your symptoms are gone or not, which… she’d had the 2 weeks of doxy, and her symptoms and her son’s symptoms were not gone. And so, I absolutely just purchased everything I could find. Nothing would work. I mean, I could name names of products, and you would recognize them, because they’re still out there today. Dr. Deb 5:28Which is. David Jernigan 5:30Kind of a… A sad thing that natural medicine is still riding on these things that have the most marketing. Dr. Deb 5:37As opposed to sometimes the things that actually have the documented research. David Jernigan 5:42Behind it, and I am a doctor of chiropractic medicine, and I specialized all these years in chronic, incurable illnesses of all types. That may sound odd to a lot of people, but doctors of chiropractic medicine are trained just like a GP typically would be. The medical schools, as I understand it, got together, decades ago and said, wow, if all we did was… Crank out general practitioners for the next 10 years, we wouldn’t have still enough general practitioners to supply the demand. Dr. Deb 6:17Right. Everybody in medicine, in medical schools, wanted to be a specialist, because that’s where the money was, and it was… David Jernigan 6:24Easier, kind of, also, to… you know, just focus on one part of the body, and specialize in that. Dr. Deb 6:31Expert in that one area. David Jernigan 6:32So we all now have the same training. We all go through pre-med. We got a bachelor’s degree, I got my bachelor’s degree in nutrition, and through, Park University in Parkville, Missouri. And so, you know, when I ran out of options to purchase, I just used a technology that I developed, which was an advancement upon other technologies, but I called it bioresonance scanning. And I coined the term back in the 90s. It was a way to kind ofKind of like a sensitive test, you know, like you might. Dr. Deb 7:09I wouldn’t. David Jernigan 7:09Of applied kinesiology, then clinical kinesiology, then chiro plus kinesiology, then, you know, you can just keep going with all the advancements that were made. Well, this was an advancement upon those things, so… I developed… I was the first in… in… my known world of doctors to develop a way to detect adjunctively, obviously we can’t say it’s a primary diagnosis. Adjunctively detect the presence of a given specimen. So we could say, thus saith my test. It’s highly likely you have Borrelia burgdurferi. And, but I had to have the specimen on hand to be able to match what I call frequency matching to the specimen. Brand new concept in those days. And so I was able to detect whether or not my treatments were successful or not. This is something even now that’s really difficult for doctors, because antibody tests, even the most advanced ones, it’s still an antibody test. It’s still an immune response to an infection.And accurately, you know, some doctors will slam those tests, saying, well. That doesn’t mean you actually have the infection, that just means your body has seen it before, which is a correct statement, kind of. So being able to detect the presence, and even where in the body these infections are was a way huge advancement in the 90s, for sure it’s kind of funny, I think about a conference I went to, and cuz… I’m kind of jumping ahead. Because I ended up developing my own formula, just for this woman and her children, and it worked. And I was like, wow! Their symptoms were gone, all the blood tests came back negative. In those days, we were using the iGenX. Western blot, eventually. And the, what was called a Lyme urine antigen test. I don’t know if you remember that, because it… Only decades later did I meet, the owner of iGenX, Nick Harris. Dr. Deb 9:17Person. And I was like, whatever happened to the Luwat test? Because I took it off the market after a while. He said, honestly, we lost the antigen and couldn’t find it again. Oh, no. David Jernigan 9:27And so… but that was a brilliant test. It was the actual gold standard in those days. Again, the world… it can’t be understated how different the world was in the 90s. Dr. Deb 9:40Yeah. David Jernigan 9:41Towards natural medicine, even. Dr. Deb 9:44Oh, yeah. We think… we think it’s bad now, but, like, when I started, too, I started in the early 2000s, like, we were all hiding under the radar, like, you didn’t market, we would have never been on social media, we didn’t run ads, we didn’t do any. David Jernigan 10:00Right. Dr. Deb 10:01Because the medical boards were coming for us. David Jernigan 10:04Came after me. Dr. Deb 10:05Because I had the word Lime on my page, my website. David Jernigan 10:10You know, not saying that I treat Lyme. Dr. Deb 10:13Hmm? David Jernigan 10:13Yes Dr. Deb 10:15Just talking about mind. David Jernigan 10:16And it’s funny, because, once I had this formula, it was something… and I trained in Germany, in anthroposophical medicine, and they’ve been trained in herbal… making herbal extracts, making homeopathic remedies in the anthroposophical methodology, and I trained with the Hahnemann versions of homeopathy, which is just slightly different. Yeah. And, so I was well-versed with making some of my own formulas by that time. And so, it was really something that I wrote on the bottle, you know, and I had to call it something, so I called it Borreligin, which is still in existence, and it’s still a phenomenal herbal remedy right now. And to my knowledge, it’s the only frequency-matched herbal formula. Maybe still out there. Because unless you knew how to do my testing, the bioresonent scanning, there was no way to actually do frequency matching. Matter of fact, as a really famous herbalist attacked me online, saying, oh, none of these herbs will kill anything. And I’m like, that wasn’t what I was saying. I was saying, back in those days, I was saying, well, if… what would the body need to address these infections?You know, not, like, what’s gonna kill the infections for the body. Dr. Deb 11:38Right. David Jernigan 11:39Right? So it was a phenomenal way, but the LUAT test was amazing because what you’d do is you would give your treatment, like an MD would give an antibiotic for a week, ahead of time. Trying to increase the number of dead spirochetes showing up in your urine one day out of 3 days urine catch. So you’d wake up in the morning, you’d collect your urine 3 days in a row, and any one of those being positive is a positive. But it was a brilliant test because it wasn’t an antibody test. They were literally counting the number of dead pieces of Lyme bacteria in your urine. I mean, it was pretty irrefutable. So I had a grand slam on the… the Western blot on patients, and I’d also have a grand slam on the LUAT, and their medical doctors would say, oh, that doctor in the lab are probably in cahoots change some lab. Dr. Deb 12:38Of course. David Jernigan 12:39That come in. And I still see that today. You know, it’s like, oh my gosh, the better the tests are getting. There’s still a bias if you do your own research. Well, if you happen to be a doctor who loves research. And you’re a clinician, so you actually treat patients who’s gonna write the research study? Well, of course, the doctor who did the study, well, he’s biased, and I’m like, I still can’t influence lab tests. Well, lab tests aren’t everything. People scream over the internet at me. It’s like, well, a negative lab test doesn’t mean anything. I was like… I get that with the old Western blot testing. Dr. Deb 13:16Right. David Jernigan 13:16The more sensitive tests, which are very close to 100%, Sensitivity, and 100% specificity. So, meaning, like, they can… if you have the infection, they’re gonna find it. Dr. Deb 13:30They’ll find it, yeah. David Jernigan 13:31And if they… if you have the infection, they’re going to be able to tell you exactly 100% correctly what kind of infection it is. Back in those days, you couldn’t, you could just count the dead pieces, which was… Dr. Deb 13:43Yeah. David Jernigan 13:43Significant, but It’s funny, because when medicine does that, you know, mainstream medicine that’s backed by all the nice foundations who donate millions of dollars towards the research. Their negative tests are significant, but if you fund your own, Yours isn’t that significant. Dr. Deb 14:04Right, or what if we call something a seronegative autoimmune disease, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, because none of the tests are positive, but you have all the symptoms. Here, let me give you this $100,000 a year drug. David Jernigan 14:19Yeah. Dr. Deb 14:19And instead of looking for what might actually be causing the symptoms. That’s all okay, but what we do is not okay. David Jernigan 14:27Right. Yeah, it’s a double standard, and it’s getting better. I want to do… tell the world it is getting better. Some of the dinosaurs are retiring. Dr. Deb 14:36No. David Jernigan 14:37Way for people who are… Are more open-minded to new ideas. But, getting back to that woman, she… that formula that I made just for her and her son, I… She went online. Dr. Deb 14:54Which, I had never been on a news group. David Jernigan 14:58Not even sure I knew what one was, you know? Imagine, I’m kind of that dinosaur that… Cell phones were, like, these really big things with a big antenna sticking out of it, and… Dr. Deb 15:09Nope. David Jernigan 15:10So I thought I was pretty hot stuff, just that I actually had a computer software program that was running my front desk. And even then, it was an Apple IIe computer. Dr. Deb 15:21Right. David Jernigan 15:22Probably be pretty valuable right now if I’d kept it, but… Dr. Deb 15:25Mmm… David Jernigan 15:26It being an antique. But, suddenly people were calling my clinic, because the lady with the twin boys that was well was telling people on these research, I mean, these Lyme disease forums and boards online. And, I started going, oh my gosh, you know, as a doctor, it’s one thing to treat a person in your clinic, it’s a different thing to have your clinic name on the label. Like, we all do, Even now, and you’re supposed to write everything that’s on the label, and… all these guidelines, and I’m like, wow, I need to split this off. I mean, I def… I definitely want to help people, and this is… I was pretty excited about the results we were getting. Pre-treat… Pre-treatment and post-treatment. And, so… that’s where I developed, my nutraceutical business in the 90s called Journey Good Nutraceuticals. My advice to anybody thinking about doing the same thing, don’t put your last name on it. Dr. Deb 16:25– David Jernigan 16:25You know, because anytime negative anything comes out, there goes the Jernigan name, you know, the herbal, you know, there’s just all these, and especially nowadays, with all the bots that are just designed to slam natural medicine. Dr. Deb 16:38Yeah. David Jernigan 16:39And that is out there in a… and just ugly people. Dr. Deb 16:42Or should we just say, people with a different opinion? How’s that? David Jernigan 16:46Yeah. That are being less than supportive. Dr. Deb 16:49But. David Jernigan 16:51It was amazing, because by 1999, I presented my research, my first research, I’d never done research. This is what I would… I would say to a lot of people who go, my doctor did… I don’t know, my doctor doesn’t know what you’re doing, my doctor… I was like going, you know, most doctors don’t do research. They don’t publish anything. Their opinion is their opinion, but they don’t back it up in peer review, right? And so that’s what I always tried to do, was back it up in peer review and publish. And so, in 1999, I presented at the International Tick-Borne Diseases Conference in New York City. I’m telling you, it was like the country boy going to the city, you know, I got my… I got my suit on, and I looked all right, and my booth was wonderful, and all these different things, and it was just a big wake-up call.Because what we had demonstrated… let’s get back to the… and this was what I demonstrated with that first study. was that… A positive LUAC test, that Lyme urine antigen test for my Gen X, was a score of 32. Meaning, one of those 3 mornings urine had 32 pieces in the amount of urine they checked of deadline bacteria spirochetes. Okay? Okay. With antibiotic challenges, a highly positive was a score of 45. Dr. Deb 18:19Wow when I would give one dropper 3 times a day for a week. David Jernigan 18:24Ahead of time, and then do the person’s LUAT test, We were getting scores 100, 200… And at that point, we only had a couple, but we had a couple that were greater than 400. Yeah, dead pieces, where the lab just quits counting. They just said, somewhere over 400, right? Dr. Deb 18:45Yeah. David Jernigan 18:46Which, when the medical system at the conference, you know, I was the only natural doctor in the world that was… had any kind of proof of anything naturally that could outperform antibiotics. Can you imagine? Dr. Deb 18:59Yeah. And… David Jernigan 19:01They were just, oh my gosh, incredulous. They’re like, I’ve given the most… one guy came up to me, and to my face, and he goes, I’ve given the most aggressive antibiotic protocols And I’ve only seen one patient over 100. I was like, that makes this pretty significant, doesn’t it? But, it didn’t just, like, make us take off, because guess what? In Lyme world, if a pharmaceutical antibiotic made you feel horrible. That meant it was working. Dr. Deb 19:28That’s right. We used to, back in the day, if you didn’t herx. And had that horrible die-off reaction, for those of you who don’t know what a herx is, but if we didn’t make you herx, we weren’t doing our job right. David Jernigan 19:40You’re looking for your patients to feel horrible, and sometimes to the level of committing suicide. Dr. Deb 19:46Yes. David Jernigan 19:47So bad. Dr. Deb 19:48Yes. David Jernigan 19:49And I was the first doctor, I think, in the world to start screaming and hollering and saying, stop using the worsening of your patient’s symptoms as a guide to good treatment, because they’re… I wasn’t seeing it with my formulas. Because I was doing a comprehensive program of care. I think I was also one of the first doctors to say, we need to detoxify these people as we’re doing this. And you would sit there and say, well, sure you were. I was like, well, remember, there wasn’t a lot of communication. There wasn’t anybody on the internet saying, do this, do that. And, It was, it was interesting in those days. It was, how do you… How do you help the world heal from these things? That they don’t know they have. So later, I actually had a beautiful booth at a health… a big health expo in Texas, I remember, and I was like, you know, you spend a lot of money on the booth, and… Dr. Deb 20:43Yup. David Jernigan 20:43And you’re thinking about it because you’re funding the whole thing, you say, wow, if I only sell one case, I’ll at least cover my cost. Dr. Deb 20:51Yep. Yeah, you’re great. David Jernigan 20:52And I had this beautiful banner of, like, a blown-up tick’s mouth under microscope. You know those beautiful pictures of, like, all the barbs sticking out, and how they anchor themselves in your skin, and… And, thousand people walking by my booth, and they’re just like, keep walking, because they didn’t know they had Lyme. There was, like, and they had MS, maybe, but they don’t have Lyme, and so they just would keep walking. Nobody even knew. Why would I go to a conference in Texas? And I’m trying to say, no, guys, it’s everywhere. Dr. Deb 21:24Yeah. David Jernigan 21:24And… and everybody, you know, yes, you probably have this, you know, kind of thing. If you’re… if you… are chronically ill, almost, of any kind of way. You know, kind of trying to tell people this was… Again, in Robin’s pathology textbooks, one of the few things that it did tell you about Lyme was that it was called the Great… the New Great Imitator. Because it would imitate up to 200 or more different illnesses. So, it’s been an interesting journey, of… educating people, writing articles, but it was interesting, the lady who I first fixed, Laboratory verified, everything like that, symptoms went away, all that kind of fun stuff. Her children were fine, they’ve been fine for years now. When she went on the newsboards in the Lyme disease support groups, It created a war. Oh my goodness, it was like, how dare you? And, say that something natural might actually help, right? Dr. Deb 22:30Right, exactly. David Jernigan 22:32And, I even had… A… one of those first calls to… with a marketing company at one point, way a long time ago. And the lady got on the phone, the owner of the marketing company goes, I would have blood on my hands if I actually took your clinic on. Yeah, you can’t treat Lyme disease, and… Even the big, big associations that are out there are still largely that way. I mean, they’re getting better, but it’s just like… you know, a lot of the times, it’s herbs are good. Herbs will help. Good, you know, but they’re safe. So, it’s still a challenge to… to… present in mainstream Lyme communities, even. Because there’s this… Fear of doing anything outside of antibiotics. Dr. Deb 23:32Yeah, so let me ask you this. From your perspective. Why do you think so many chronic infections exist these days, like Lyme and the co-infections, Babesia, Bartonella, mold illness? And we talked a little bit about herbs and why they, antibiotics and things like that fail, but let’s talk a little bit about that. David Jernigan 23:53So, it’s fascinating. When I trained in Germany, they said that we, as humanity, has moved away from what they called the inflammatory diseases. You know, in the old days, it was. Lots of high fevers, purulent, pus-generating bacterial infections. And I said, as a society, we have… Dr. Deb 24:14Have shifted from those to what they call cold sclerotic diseases, which are your… David Jernigan 24:21Cancers, your diabetes, your atherosclerosis, your… and they said, we’re starting to see what used to only be geriatric diseases in our children. That’s how bad it’s gotten. We have suppressed fevers, we don’t… we don’t respect the wisdom of the human body. So, you know, the doctors say, step aside, body, I will fix this infection for you with this antibiotic. And so, what we’ve done with the, overuse of antibiotics, and this isn’t me just talking from a natural perspective, this is… Right, it’s everybody around the world is acknowledging. I’ll show you… I could show you a, a presentation, if we can do a screen-sharing situation. Yeah. About the antibiotic situation in the world, because it’s really concerning. But what I would say, and kind of like an advancement forward, is we are seeing mutated bacteria. You know, they talked about… do you remember when they found the Iceman, you know, the… You know, the prehistoric guy that’s… In the eyes, and he had Lyme bacteria. I was like, he had spirochetes, maybe. Dr. Deb 25:33Yeah. David Jernigan 25:33That isn’t a modified, mutated version. That’s just maybe the… Lyme… you know, Borrelia… call it Borrelia something, you know, it’s a spirochete, but what we’re dealing with today. Even under strep or staph, as you know, you know, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, you name it, whatever kind of infection a person has is not the same bacteria that your grandparents dealt with. Dr. Deb 26:01That’s right. David Jernigan 26:32It’s a much mutated, stronger, more resistant to treatment type of thing. So, I think that’s one reason. I think the, It’s great that we’re seeing, you know, Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. bringing awareness to things that Like it or not, yeah, seed oils do create inflammation, and everyone in the natural realm, as you know. Has been trying to say this for probably how long? Dr. Deb 26:35Yeah, 25, 30 years. 20 years each. David Jernigan 26:48Yes. You know, thank goodness for people like Sally Fallon and her beautiful book, Nourishing Traditions, that started you know, Dr. Bernard Jensen’s books way back in the day, Dr. Christopher’s books way back in the day. Dr. Deb 26:48Damn. David Jernigan 26:49You know, all of them were way ahead of their time, saying, by the way, your margarine is only missing one ingredient from being axle grease. Dr. Deb 26:58Yeah. David Jernigan 26:58I think that was Dr. Jensen saying that at one point, probably 50, 60 years ago, I don’t know. Dr. Deb 27:03Yep. David Jernigan 27:04So, we’ve created this monster. We, we live in a very controlled environment, you know, of 72, 74 degrees at all times, we don’t sweat, we don’t have to work that hard, typically. You know, most of us aren’t out there like our ancestors were, so that’s making us more and more… Move towards the cold sclerotic diseases, of which even Lyme disease is, you know, which… Yes, it has inflammation, yes, but as a presentation, it’s very often associated with some of these Cold sclerotic diseases of mankind that we see now. Dr. Deb 27:46You have it. David Jernigan 27:47Yeah. Dr. Deb 27:48So, tell me, what is phage therapy? David Jernigan 27:52Well, may I show you a cool video? Dr. Deb 27:55Yeah, I’d love that. David Jernigan 27:56I did not make this video, this is just one of my favorites, because it’s from the National Institute of Health. Let’s see if I can just… Click the share screen thing. And get that to pop up. That’s not what I’m looking for, but it’s gonna be soon. Let’s go here… Alright, can you see that? Dr. Deb 28:18Yeah. David Jernigan 28:19Okay. Modern medicine faces a serious problem. Thanks in part to overuse and misuse of antibiotics, many bacteria are gaining resistance to our most common cures. Researchers are probing possible alternatives to antibiotics, including phages. So, bacteriophages, or we like to call them phages for short, are naturally occurring viruses that infect and kill bacteria. The basic structure consists of a head, a sheath, and tail fibers. The tail fibers are what mediate attachment to the bacterial cell. The DNA stored in the head will then travel down the sheath and be injected inside the cell. Once inside the cell, the phage will hijack the cellular machinery to make many copies of itself. Lastly, the newly assembled phages burst forth from the bacterium, which resets their phage life cycle and kills the bacterium in the process. Someday, healthcare providers may be able to treat MRSA and other stubborn bacterial infections using a mixture of phages, or a phage cocktail process would be first to identify what the pathogen is that’s causing the infection. So the bacterium is isolated and is characterized. And then there’s a need to select a phage in a process known as screening of phage that are either present in a repository or in a so-called phage library. That allows for many of the phages to be evaluated for effectiveness against that isolated I don’t know, bacterium. Phages were first discovered over 100 years ago by a French-Canadian named Felice Derrell. They initially gained popularity in Eastern Europe, however, Western countries largely abandoned phages in favor of antibiotics, which were better understood and easier to produce in large quantities. Now, with bacteria like these gaining resistance to antibiotics, phage research is gaining momentum in the United States once again. NIAID recently partnered with other government agencies to host a phage workshop, where researchers from NIH, FTA, the commercial sector, and academia gathered to discuss recent progress. NIH… So… That is… That is what phage therapy in… is. in what I call conventional phage. Let’s see, how do I get out of the share screen? Hope you already don’t see it. Dr. Deb 30:58Yep, at the top, there should just be a button. David Jernigan 31:00I don’t. Dr. Deb 31:00Stop sharing, yeah. David Jernigan 31:01So… Conventional phage therapy, as you just saw, is a lot like what it is that we’re doing, only the difference is they’re taking wild phages from the environment. They’re finding phages anywhere there’s, like, a lot of bacteria. And then they isolate those phages, and like he said, the gentleman at the very end said we put them in a library, and so there are banks of phages that they can actually now use, and One of the largest banks that I know of has about 700 different bacteriophages, or phages. In their bank that they can pull from. Dr. Deb 31:43Wow. Do you want to take a guess? David Jernigan 31:46How many bacteriophages they’ve identified are in the human gut, on average? Dr. Deb 31:52Oh my god, there’s gotta be more… David Jernigan 31:53Kinds, different kinds of phages, how many? Dr. Deb 31:56There’s gotta be millions. David Jernigan 31:57Well… In population, there’s… humongous numbers, numbers probably well beyond the trillions, okay? Hundreds of trillions, quadrillions, maybe, even. But in the gut, a recent peer-reviewed journal article said that there were 32,242 different types of bacteriophages that live naturally in your intestines, your gut. Dr. Deb 32:25Boom. David Jernigan 32:2632,000. Okay, so… If you read any article on phage therapy that’s in peer review, almost every single one in the very first paragraph, they use the same sentence. They go, Phages are ubiquitous in nature. They’re ubiquitous in nature. So my brain, when I find… when all this finally clicked together, and when we clicked together 5 years into my research, I could not get it to work for 5 years. I just kept going. But that sentence really got me going. I was, like, going, you know. If you look at what ubiquitous means, it says if Phages were the size of grains of sand. Like sand on the beach. They would completely cover the earth and be 50 miles deep. How crazy is that? Dr. Deb 33:24Wow. David Jernigan 33:25That’s how many phages are on the planet. There’s so many… they outnumber every species collectively on the planet. So, it’s an impossibility in my mind. I went, huh, it’s an impossibility that… You catching a, a sterile Bacteria, it’s almost an impossibility. Since the beginning of time, phages have been needing to use a reproductive host. And it’s very specific, so every kind of bacteria has its own kind of phage it uses as a reproductive host. Because phages are… and this is a clarification I want to make for people. just like in the old days, we were talking about the 90s, I talked to a veterinarian that had gotten in trouble with the veterinary board in her state. Dr. Deb 34:14Back in the old days. David Jernigan 34:16Because she gave dogs probiotics. And the board thought she was giving the dogs an infection so that she could treat them and make money off of the subsequent infection. Dr. Deb 34:28Oh my god. David Jernigan 34:29Nobody actually had heard of good, friendly bacteria in the veterinary world, I guess she said she had gotten in trouble, and she had to defend herself, that, no, I’m giving friendly, benevolent, beneficial bacteria. Okay, to these animals, and getting good results.So, phages… Are friendly, benevolent, beneficial viruses. That live in your body, but they only will infect a certain type of bacteria. So… What that means is if you have staff.Aureus, you know, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. That bacteria has its own kind of phage that infects it called a staph aureus phage. E. coli has an E. coli phage. Each type of E. coli has its own phage, so Borrelia burgdurferi has its own Borrelia burgdurferi type of phage, whereas Borrelia miyamotoi alright? Or any of the other Borrelia species, or the Bartonella species, or the… you just keep going, and Moses has its own type of phage that only will infect that type of bacteria. So that’s… You know, when you realize, wow, why are we going to the environment Was my thought. Dr. Deb 35:54Yeah. David Jernigan 34:55Trying to find wild phages and put them into your body, and hopefully they go and do what you want them to do. What if we could trigger the phages themselves that live in your body to, instead of just farming that bacteria that it uses as a host, because what I mean by farming is the phages will only kill 40% of that population of bacteria a day. Dr. Deb 36:20Wow. David Jernigan 36:20And then they send out a signal to all the other phages saying, stop killing! Dr. Deb 36:24It’s like. David Jernigan 36:2560% of the bacteria population left to be breeding stock. It’s kind of like the farmer, the rancher, who… he doesn’t send his whole herd to the butcher. Dr. Deb 36:35Right. David Jernigan 36:36Just to, you know, he keeps his breeding stock. He sends the rest, right? So, the phages will kill 40% of the population every day, just in their reproduction process. Because once there’s so many, as you saw in the video, once the phage lands on top of the bacteria, injects its genetic material into the bacteria, that bacteria genetic engine starts cranking out up to 5,200 phages per bacteria. Dr. Deb 37:06I don’t know who counted all those… David Jernigan 37:08Inside of a bacteria, but some scientists peer-reviewed it and put it out there. that ruptures, and it literally looks like a grenade goes off inside of the bacteria. I wish I’d remembered to bring that video of a phage killing a bacteria, but it just goes, oof. And it’s just a cloud of dust. So, you’re breaking apart a lot of those different toxins and things. So… That’s… That was the impetus to me creating what I did. That and the fact that I looked it up, and I found out that phages will sometimes go… Crazy. I don’t know how to say it. Wiping out 100% of their host. And it could be a trigger, like change in the body’s pH levels, it could be electromagnetically done, you know, like, there’s been documentation of… I think it was, 50 Hz, electricity. Triggering one kind of phage to go… Crazy and annihilate its host population. There’s other ways, but I was, like, going, none of those fit me, you know? It’s not like I’m gonna shock somebody with a… Jumper cable or something to try to get phages to… to do that kind of thing. But the fact that it could be done, they can be triggered, they can switch and suddenly go crazy against their population. But what happens when they kill 100% of their host? The phages themselves die within 4 days. Dr. Deb 38:45Hmm. Because they can’t keep reproducing. David Jernigan 38:47There’s nothing to reproduce them, yeah. Dr. Deb 38:49Yeah. Especially… unless they’re a polyvalent phage, that means a phage that can segue and use. David Jernigan 38:54One or two other kinds of bacteria. To, as a reproductive host. But a lot of phages, if not the majority, are monovalent, which means they have one host that they like to use. And so… Borrelia, so… my study that I ended up doing, and I published the results in 2021, And it’s a small study, but it’s right in there at the high end, believe it or not, of phage research. Most phage research is less than 30 people. In the study. But, we did 26 people.And after one month of doing the phage induction that I invented, which only… Appears to only, induce or stimulate the types of phages that will do the job in your body. I don’t care what kind of phage it is. I don’t care if it’s a Borrelia phage, it may be a polyvalent phage that normally doesn’t use the Borrelia burgdurferi as its number one. Host, but it can. To go and kill that infection. And the fascinating thing is, there was a brand new test that came out at the same time I came out with the idea, literally the same weekend they presented. Dr. Deb 40:1511. David Jernigan 40:15ILADS conference in Boston in 2019. It was called the Felix Borrelia phage Test. So the Felix Borrelia phage test. Because Borrelia are often intracellular, right, they’re buried down in the tissue, they’re not often in the blood that much. And therefore, doing a blood test isn’t really that accurate. But you remember how there’s, like, potentially as many as 5,200 phages of that type erupt from each bacteria when it breaks apart. It’s way easier to detect those phages, because they’re now circulating, those 52, as you saw in the video. 5,200 different phages are now seeking out another Borrelia that they can infect. And so, while they’re out in circulation, that’s easy to find in the bloodstream. So, 77% of the people, so 20 out of 26, were tested after a 2-week period. After only a 4-day round of treatment. Because according to my testing, remember, I can actually test adjunctively to see if I can find any signatures for those kinds of bacteria. And I couldn’t after 4 days, so we discontinued treatment and waited Beyond the 4 days that would allow the phages themselves to die, so we waited about a week and a half.And redid the test. And 77%, so that 20 out of 26 of the people, were completely negative. Dr. Deb 41:50Wow. David Jernigan 41:52Which, you go, well, it’s just a blood test. Well, no, we actually had people that were getting better, like, they’d never gotten better before. We had one woman who was wheelchair-bound, and in two weeks was able to walk, and even ultimately wanted to work for my clinic. I’m just, like, going… Dr. Deb 42:07I didn’t want to write about all that. I wanted to write about the phages. I was like… David Jernigan 42:12article, I probably should have put some of those stories, because, Critics would say, well, you got rid of the infection, maybe, but… Did you fix the Lyme disease? Well, that’s… there’s two factors here that every doctor needs to understand. There’s the infection in chronic illness, there’s the infection, and then there’s the damage that’s been done. Because sometimes I have these people that would come in and say, well, Dr. Jernigan, it didn’t work for me, I’m still in the wheelchair. And I’m like, no, it worked. Repeat lab test over months says it’s gone, it’s gone, it’s gone. It’s like, we would follow, and 88% of the people we followed long-term were still negative, which is amazing to me. Dr. Deb 42:56And then they have to repair the damage. David Jernigan 42:59It’s the damages why you still have your symptoms. And that’s where the doctor has to get busy, right? Dr. Deb 43:06Right David Jernigan 43:06They were told erroneously by their doctor that originally treated them that they’d be well, they’d get out of the wheelchair, if he could actually kill all these infections. Dr. Deb 43:15It’s not true. David Jernigan 43:16Unless it’s caught early. So I love the analogy, and I’ve said it a thousand times.that Lyme disease and chronic infections are much like having termites in the wood of your house. If you find the termites early, then yeah, killing the infection, life goes back to normal, the storm comes and your house doesn’t fall down. But if it’s 20 years later. Killing the termites is still a grand idea. Right. But you have the damage in the wood that needs to be repaired as well. All the systems… when I talk about damage to the wood, I mean, like. All the bioregulatory aspects of the body, how it regulates itself, all the biochemical pathways, the metabolic pathways we all know about, getting the toxins that have been lodged in there for many years, stopping the inflammatory things that have been running crazy. Dealing with all those cytokines that are just running rampant through the body, creating this whole MCAS situation. Which are largely… Dr. Deb 44:21Coming from your body’s own immune cells called macrophages, which are not even… David Jernigan 44:26It’s not… a virus at all, it’s part of the immune system, it’s like a Pac-Man, and research shows that especially in spirochetes. There is no toxin. Now, I wrote 4 books. I think I wrote the very first book on the natural treatment of people with Lyme disease back in the 90s. Why did I write that? Not because I wanted to be famous, it’s a tiny book, actually, the first one was.I was just trying to help people get out of this idea that you will be well when you kill all the bugs. I was saying, it’s… you need to be doing this. If you can’t come to my clinic, at least do this. Try to find somebody that will do this for you. And that ultimately led to a bigger book.as I kept learning more, and I was like, going, well, okay, now at least do this amount of stuff. And you need to make sure your doctor is handling this, this, this, and this. And so, the third book was, like, 500 and something pages long. And then the fourth book was 500 and something pages long, and now they’re all obsolete with the whole phage thing, because this just rewrites everything. Dr. Deb 45:34Yeah. David Jernigan 45:34It’s pretty fascinating. Dr. Deb 45:37Do you think the war on bugs, mentality created more chronic illness than it solved? David Jernigan 45:44Because of the tools that doctors had to use, yes. We’re a minority, we’re still a minority, you and I. Dr. Deb 45:54Yep. Our doctoring… David Jernigan 45:56Methods I never had, and you’d never… maybe you did, but I’d never had the ability to grab a prescription pad and write out a prescription. I had to figure out, how do I get… and this was… and still my guiding thing, is like, how do I identify, number one, everything that can be found that’s gone wrong in the human body. And what do I need to provide that body? Like, the body is the carpenter. That has to do the repair, has to regenerate, has to do everything, has to get… everything fixed right? We can’t fix anything. If you have a paper cut, there isn’t a doctor on the planet that can make that go away. Dr. Deb 46:38Right. David Jernigan 46:39Of their own power, much less chronic illnesses. So, all the treatments are like the screws, saws, hammers, you know the carpenter must be able to use. So a lot of the time, doctors are just throwing an entire Home Depot on top of the carpenter. In the form of, like, bags of supplements, you know, hundreds of supplements, I’ve seen patients walk in my door with two suitcasefuls. And they were taking 70 bottles, 65 to 70 bottles of supplements, and I’d be just like, wow, your carpenter who’s been working for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He’s exhausted. There’s chaos everywhere, you don’t know where to. Dr. Deb 47:22Starting. David Jernigan 47:22He goes, you want me to do what with all this stuff? Dr. Deb 47:25Yep, I’ve seen the same thing. People… thousands, you know, several thousand dollars a month on supplements, and not any better. But they’re afraid to give up their supplements, too, because they don’t want to go backwards, either, and… there’s got to be a better way on both sides, the conventional side and the alternative side, although you and I don’t say it’s alternative, that’s the way medicine should be, but… David Jernigan 47:48Right. Dr. Deb 47:49We have to have a good balance on both sides. David Jernigan 47:52And I will say, too, in defense of doctors using a lot of supplements, I do use a lot of supplements. Dr. Deb 47:57Yeah, I do too. David Jernigan 47:58but I want to synergize what I’m giving the patient so that the carpenter isn’t overwhelmed and can actually get the job done. Like, everything has to work harmoniously together, so it’s not that… It’s not the number of supplements, and why would you need a lot of supplements? Well, because every system in your body is Messed up. My kind of clientele for 30 years. Our clientele, yours and mine. Dr. Deb 48:25Yeah. David Jernigan 48:26They have been sick, For decades, many of them. Dr. Deb 48:31Yeah. David Jernigan 48:31And if they went into a hospital, they honestly need every department. They need endocrinology, they need their kidney doctor, they need their… They’re a cardiologists, they need a neurologist, they need a rheumatologist. I mean, because none of those doctors are gonna deal with everything. They’re just gonna deal with one piece of the puzzle. And if they did get the benefit of all the different departments they need, yeah, they’d go out with a garbage bag full of stuff, too. Dr. Deb 48:57Hey, wood. David Jernigan 48:58Only, they’re not synergized. They don’t work together. You’re creating this chemistry set of who knows how much poison. And I want to tell your listeners, and I mean, you probably say this to your patients as well. There is a law of pharmacy that I learned eons ago, and it applies to natural medicine, too. Dr. Deb 49:21Yep. David Jernigan 49:22But the law says every drug’s primary side effect Is its primary action. So, if you listen to TV, you can see this on commercials. I love… I love listening to these commercials, because I’m like, wow. let’s… let’s… I don’t want to say I’ve named Brandon. I don’t know if that’s…Inappropriate to name a name brand, but let’s just say you have a pharmaceutical that is for sleep. After they show you this beautiful scene of the person restfully sleeping and everything like that, they tell you the truth. It’s like, this may cause sleepiness… I mean, sleeplessness. Dr. Deb 50:04Yeah. David Jernigan 50:04Found insomnia. Dr. Deb 50:06And headaches, and diarrhea. David Jernigan 50:08All the other things, and if it’s an antidepressant, what does the commercial do after it finishes showing you little bunny foo-foo, jumping through a green, happy people? They tell you, this may create depression, severe depression, and suicidal tendencies, which is the ultimate depression. So, I want everyone to understand you need to figure out what your doctor’s tools are that they’re asking you to take, and they’re wanting you to take it forever, generally in mainstream medicine, right? In the hospitals and everything. They don’t say, hey, your heart has this condition, take this medicine for 3 months, after which time you can get off. Dr. Deb 50:48Yep. David Jernigan 50:49not fixing it, right? So… That, on a timeline, there is a point, if it was truly even fixing anything. That you… it’s done what it should do, and you should get off, even if it’s a natural product. It’s just like. Dr. Deb 51:03Right David Jernigan 51:03It’s done what it should do, and you should get off, but instead. you go through the tree… the correction and out the other side, and that’s where it starts manifesting a lot of the same problems that it had. So, anti-inflammatories, painkillers, imagine the number one side effects are pain inflammation. So, the doctor says, well. If you say, hey, I’m having more pain, what does he do? He ups the dosage. And if he… if that doesn’t work, if you’re still in a lot of pain, which he would be, he changes it to a more powerful thing, right? But it starts the cycle all over again. So when you ask me, it’s like, why are we having so much chronic illness? It’s because of the whole philosophy. is the treatment philosophy of mainstream medicine that despises what you and I do. Because we’re… our philosophy from the start is the biggest thing. It’s like… We’re striving for cure. That dirty four-letter word, cure, we’re not even supposed to use it. And yet, if you look it up in Stedman’s Medical Dictionary, it just means a restoration of health. Remission. Everyone’s like, oh, I’m in remission. I’m like, remission is a drug term. It’s a medical term. Again, look it up in a medical dictionary. It is a pharmaceutical term for a temporary pause Or a reduction of your symptom, but because it’s just… symptom suppression, it will come back. It’s… remission is great, I suppose, in… At the end of, like, where you’ve exhausted everything, because I can’t fix everything, I don’t know about you. Dr. Deb 52:41No, I can’t either, yeah. David Jernigan 52:43you know, on my phone consults, I try to always remind people, as much as I get excited about my technologies gosh, I see so much opportunity to fix you. I always try to go, please understand, I’m gonna tell you what most doctors may not tell you on a phone consultation. I can’t fix everything. Dr. Deb 53:03Yeah. David Jernigan 53:03For all of my tricks, I can’t fix everything. Not tricks, but you know, all my technologies, and all my inventions. Phages, too. They are a tool. You know, antibiotics. I think I wrote a blog one time, it should be on my website somewhere, that says, Antibiotics do not… fix… neurological disease, or… I don’t know, something like that. You know, you’re using the wrong tool. I mean, it does what it does. Dr. Deb 53:32Yeah, you’re using a hammer to do what a screwdriver needs to. David Jernigan 53:35Yeah, you know, it’s like it’s… And yet, you can probably tell her… that you’ve had patients, too, that they go, Dr. Jernigan. My throat was so sore, and as soon as I swallowed that antibiotic. I felt better, and I’m, like, going… How long did it take? Oh, it was immediate! I was like, dude, the gel cap didn’t even have time to dissolve, I mean… Dr. Deb 53:58SIBO. David Jernigan 54:00But, it’s not going to repair the tissues that were all raw. kind of stuff. So, I mean, that ulceration of your throat that’s happening, the inflammation, there’s no anti-inflammatory effect of these things. So, I digress a little bit, but phages, too… I wrote an article that’s on the website, that’s setting healthy expectations for phages, because they want… we can see some amazing things happen, things that in my 30 years, I wish I had all my career to do over again, now having this tool. It’s just that much fun. I… when doctors around the country now are starting to use our inducent formulas, there’s, 13 of them now, formulas. For different broad-spectrum illness presentations. I tell them all the same thing, I was like, you are gonna have so much fun. Dr. Deb 54:53That’s exciting. Women. David Jernigan 54:54Winning is fun, you know? I was like. You know, mainstream medicine may never accept this, I don’t know. I feel a real huge burden, though, to do my best to follow a, very scientific methodology. I’ve published as much as I can publish at this time by myself. I never took money from the… the sources that are out there, because what do they do? They always come… money comes with strings. Dr. Deb 55:22Yes, it does. David Jernigan 55:23I don’t trust… I don’t trust… I mean, if you listen to the, roundtable that Our Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Dr. Deb 55:35Yeah. David Jernigan 55:36On Lyme disease last week the first couple of speakers were, like, pretty legit. I mean, all of them were legit, but I mean, they were, like, senators and congressmen or something like that, I think. And then you have… RFK Jr. himself, who’s legit. Yeah they were fessing up to the fact that, yes, they were suppressing anything to do with Lyme. Dr. Deb 56:00Yeah. David Jernigan 56:00Our… our highest levels of, marbled halls and pillars and… of medicine were doing everything the way I thought they were. They were suppressing me. I was like, how can you ignore the best formulas ever, and still, I think Borreligen, and now, induced native phage therapy are still, I believe, I don’t… I’ve never seen it, I could be wrong. The only natural things that have been documented in a medical methodology. Dr. Deb 56:34Hmm in the natural realm. I mean, all the herbs that we talk about. David Jernigan 56:39You know, there’s one that was really famous for a while, and it said, we gave… so many patients. This product, and other nutritional supplements. And at the end, X number of them were… dramatically better. That’s not research. Dr. Deb 56:57Right. That’s observation. David Jernigan 56:59The trick there was we gave this one thing, and then we gave high-dose proteolytic enzymes, we gave high dose this, we gave high dose that, but at the end of the study, we’re going to point back at the thing we’re trying to sell you as being what did it. Dr. Deb 57:12Which is what we do in all research, pretty much. David Jernigan 57:15Well… Dr. Deb 57:16tried to… David Jernigan 57:17Good guys, I hope. Dr. Deb 57:18Do the way we want, right? In… in conventional… David Jernigan 57:22Yeah. Dr. Deb 57:22Fantastic David Jernigan 57:23Very often, yeah, in conventional medicine, definitely. Yeah. And, it’s kind of scary, isn’t it, how many pharmaceuticals are slamming us with, because they’re… Dr. Deb 57:33Okay. David Jernigan 57:34There’s a new one on TV every day, and there’s. Dr. Deb 57:36Every day, yes. David Jernigan 57:37It’s like, who comes up with these names? They’re just horrible. Dr. Deb 57:40Yeah, you can’t pronounce them. David Jernigan 57:41I want to be a marketing company and come up with some Zimbabwehika, or something that actually they go with, and I’m like, I just made a million bucks coming up with it. I’ll be glad when that’s not on the TV anymore, which… Oh, me too. Me too. Dr. Deb 57:54Dr. Jaredgen, this was really wonderful. What do you want to leave our listeners with? David Jernigan 58:00Well, you know, everyone’s calling for a new treatment. Dr. Deb 58:05Yeah. You bet. David Jernigan 58:08I have done everything I can do to get it out there, scientifically, in peer review, so that if you want to look up my name. Dr. Deb 58:16I published an open access journal so that you didn’t have to buy the articles. Like, PubMed, you have to be a member. If you want to look at a lot of the research, you have to buy the articles. David Jernigan 58:26I’ve done everything open access so that people had access to the information. I honestly created induced native phage therapy to fix my own wife. I mean, I… I was… I used to think I could actually fix almost anything. Gave me enough time. And, I could not fix her. You know, the first 10 years, she was bedridden. Dr. Deb 58:49Wow. David Jernigan 58:50People go, oh, it’s easy for you, Dr. Jernigan, you’re a doctor. Dr. Deb 58:54Oh yeah, right? Yeah. David Jernigan 58:56Oh my gosh, how many tears have been shed, and how much heartache, and how much of this and that. I mean, 90% of our marriage, she was in, bed, just missing Christmas. All the horror stories you hear in the Lime world, that was her, and I could not get her completely well. And, she’s a very discerning woman. I say that in all my podcasts, because it’s. Dr. Deb 59:19Just… David Jernigan 59:16Amazing. It’s like, every husband, I think, should want a wife that’s… Always, right? Not that you surrender your own opinion, but it’s like, it’s… it was literally, I don’t know what, 6 months before the ILADS conference in Boston in 2029… in 2019 that She said, are you going to the ILADS conference this year? And I’m like, I’ve been going for, like, 15, 20 years, however long it’s been going on, and I was like, I’m not gonna go to this one. And, 3 days before the conference, she says, I think you should go. And I go, okay. Like I say, she’s generally right. And that… I bought a Scientific American magazine at the newsstand in the Nashville airport. Started reading a story about phages in that that copped that edition of the Scientific American, and It was a good article, but it wasn’t super meaty, you know. very deep on those, but I just was stimulated. Something about being at elevation. Dr. Deb 1:00:02Yeah. Your own mountains, I don’t know, I get all inspired. David Jernigan 1:00:25And I wrote in the margins and highlighted this and that until it was, like, ultimately, I spent the entire conference hammering this out. And it worked. And it’s been working, it’s just amazing. It’s… We’re over 200 different infections that we’ve… we’ve clinically or laboratory-wise documented. There’s a new test for my GenX called the CEPCR Lyme Panel. like, culture. 64 different types of infections, and I believe right now the latest count is something like 10 for 10 were completely negative. Dr. Deb 1:01:03Wow. David Jernigan 1:01:03These chronically infected people. And so, that hadn’t been published anywhere. So, in my published article, remember I was talking about that 20 out of the 26 were tested as negative for the infection? That doesn’t mean they’re cured, okay? Remember, they’re chronically damaged. That’s how we need to look at it. Dr. Deb 1:01:23funny David Jernigan 1:01:24damaged. You’re not just chronically infected. And, but with 30-day treatment.24 out of the 26 were tested as negative. Dr. Deb Muth 1:01:34That’s amazing. David Jernigan 1:01:35So 92% of the people were negative.Okay? The chances of that happening, when you run it through statistical analysis.The chances… when you compare the results to the sensitivity percentages, you know, the 100% specificity and 92% sensitivity of the…Of the lab testIt’s a 4.5 nonillion to 1 chance that it was a fluke. Isn’t that amazing? Now, nearly… I’m not even sure how many zeros that is, but it’s a lot. Dr. Deb Muth 1:02:08That’s is awesome. David Jernigan 1:02:09Like, if I just said, well, it’s a one in a million chance it was a fluke.Okay.So, lab tests don’t lie. You’re not done, necessarily, just because you got rid of the infections. Now that formula for Lyme has grown to be 90-plusmicrobes targeted in the one formula. So, we figured out we can actually target individually, but collectively, almost like an antibiotic that’s laser-guided to only go after the bad guys that we targeted.So, all the Borrelia types are targeted, all the Babesias, for,the Bartonellas, the anaplasmosis, you name it, mycoplasma types are all targeted in that one formula, because I said.Took my collective 30 years of experience and 15,000 patients.that I would typically see as co-infections and put them into that one formula, so…When we get these tests coming back that are testing for 64, it’s because of that.So, there’s a lot of coolnesses that I could actually keep going and going. Dr. Deb Muth 1:03:15That’s exciting. David Jernigan 1:03:15I love this topic, but I thank you for letting me come on. Dr. Deb Muth 1:03:18Thank you for joining us. How can people find you? David Jernigan 1:03:22Two ways. There’s the Phagen Corp company that is now manufacturing my formulas.That is P-H-A-G-E-N-C-O-R-P dot com. Practitioners can go there, and there’s a practitioner side of the website that’s very beefy with science, and… and all the formulas that were used, what’s inside of all the formulas, meaning what microbes are targeted by each one. Like, there’s a GI formula, there’s a UTI formula, there’s a SIRS formula, there’s a Lyme formula, there’s a central nervous system type infection formula, there’s… And we can keep going, you know, SIBO, SIFO formula, mold formula… I mean, we’ve discovered so many things that I could just keep going for hours, and… Dr. Deb Muth 1:04:05Yeah. David Jernigan 1:04:06About the discoveries, from where it started in its humble beginnings, To now, so… There’s another way, if you wanted to see our clinic website, is Biologics, with an X, so B-I-O-L-O-G-I-X, Center, C-E-N-T-E-R dot com. And, if somebody thinks they want to be a patient and experience this at our clinic, typically we don’t take just Easy stuff. All we see is chronic.Chronic cases from all over the world. Something like 96% of our patients come from other states and countries. And typically, I’ve been close to 90% for my whole career.About 30-something percent come from other countries in that, so… we’ve gotten really good and learned a lot in having to deal with what nobody else knows what to do with. But if you do want to do that, you can contact us. And, if you… If you don’t get the answers from my patient care staff, then I do free consultations. With the people that are thinking about, whether we can help them or not. Dr. Deb Muth 1:05:13Well, that’s excellent. For those of you who are driving or don’t have any way of writing things down, don’t worry about it, we’ve got you. We will have all of his contact information in our show notes, so you will be able to reach out to him. Thank you again for joining me. This has been an amazing conversation. David Jernigan 1:05:30Thank you, I appreciate you having me on. It was a lot of fun. The post Episode 252 – Induced Native Phage Therapy (INPT) & advanced natural therapies first appeared on Let's Talk Wellness Now.
Autism content is not the same thing as autism science. In this episode, Dr. Theresa Lyons joins me to talk about what it really means to follow the science of autism, and why parents cannot rely on headlines, algorithms, or outdated assumptions when the stakes are this high. Theresa is a Yale trained scientist and autism parent, and she breaks down how peer reviewed research actually moves, how easily it gets distorted, and why it can take 20 to 30 years for scientific conclusions to become common medical practice. We talk about how misinformation spreads online, including research showing that 70% of the most viewed autism videos on TikTok were classified as wrong or over generalized. Theresa explains why credibility does not come from views, and why parents need to get closer to the source, or choose trusted interpreters who do. We also dig into the bigger picture that often gets missed when families are only offered behavioral therapies. Theresa shares how she thinks about risk, genetics, environment, and total load on the body, and why broad buckets like sleep, diet, hydration, and gut health matter when you are trying to support a child. This is a powerful reminder to trust your intuition, be willing to do the work, and stay curious. The goal is not to chase every rabbit hole. The goal is to build clarity, prioritize what matters, and change the trajectory one step at a time. Key Takeaways "Follow the science" should mean peer reviewed publications, not headlines. Theresa explains why going to sources like PubMed, or using trusted interpreters of that research, matters when mainstream summaries can be rushed, incomplete, or wrong. It can take 20 to 30 years for research to reach common practice. That lag matters when your child is five now, not thirty five later, and it is why parents often need to be proactive rather than waiting for systems to catch up. Mainstream media can sound credible while still being misinformation. Theresa shares how even well meaning articles can be based on shallow research done under deadline pressure, which can derail a family's decisions if they are not careful. Online engagement is not the same thing as accuracy. Research discussed in this episode found that 70% of top autism videos on TikTok were classified as wrong or over generalized, which is a wake up call about where many families are getting "education." Parents have to balance curiosity with discernment. The goal is not to chase everything. The goal is to build enough scientific literacy to ask better questions, recognize weak claims, and avoid fruitless rabbit holes. Autism is diagnosed through observation, which can hide the "why" underneath. Theresa explains how biology, chemistry, and health factors can be missed until developmental delays become obvious, and then families are left sorting out root contributors after the fact. Broad health buckets deserve attention alongside therapies. Sleep, hydration, digestion, and diet can meaningfully affect regulation and behavior, and Theresa points out that these basics are often dismissed as "just autism" when they deserve real investigation. Diet interventions require clarity about goals and consistency. Theresa discusses why families need to identify symptoms first, understand mechanisms like gut permeability and immune load, and avoid comparing "partial" changes to results from structured clinical trials. Risk is complex because genetics and environment interact. Theresa describes why research often speaks in terms of increased risk rather than simple causation, and why what is relevant depends on the individual child's context. Trust your intuition and commit to the long game. Theresa's closing message is that change is like turning a boat. It takes effort and time, but a parent's willingness to learn and keep going can meaningfully change a child's trajectory. .About Theresa Lyons Dr. Theresa Lyons is an international autism educator, Ivy League scientist, and autism parent. She holds a PhD in computational chemistry from Yale University and previously worked in the pharmaceutical industry in research and development and as a medical strategist. After her daughter was diagnosed with autism, she applied her scientific training to understanding autism research and now teaches parents how to navigate the science with clarity and confidence. She is the founder of Navigating AWEtism, a platform designed to turn autism complexity into clarity by organizing scientific information and making it accessible and actionable for families. Through her work, she has supported parents in 21 plus countries and reaches a growing global audience through years of science backed education on YouTube and social media. About Your Host, Gabriele Nicolet I'm Gabriele Nicolet, toddler whisperer, speech therapist, parenting life coach, and host of Complicated Kids. Each week, I share practical, relationship-based strategies for raising kids with big feelings, big needs, and beautifully different brains. My goal is to help families move from surviving to thriving by building connection, confidence, and clarity at home. Complicated Kids Resources and Links:
Hey guys! Happy 2026! I know Dry January is super popular, so I wanted to take today's episode to dive into alcohol and fat loss. We're diving into how and why it affects fat loss, and specifically how it's harder as we age. Research published on PubMed shows that women tend to reach higher blood alcohol levels than men drinking the same amount, partly because they generally have less body water and a smaller volume for alcohol to distribute into (PMID 10890798, PMID 11329488). Research also shows that as we age, total body water and lean body mass decline, so the same amount of alcohol results in higher blood alcohol concentrations in older adults (PMID 837653, PMID 18090653).Join the Shred (starts Jan 12th)Apply for coaching CURED Serenity gummies (code Emma saves 20% through jan)HAPI supplements The EmPowered Community free Facebook group Follow Emma on InstagramFollow Emma on Facebook
Friday, January 2, 2026 - Week 1 #SynGAPCensus = 1,707 https://curesyngap1.org/blog/syngap1-census-2025-update-32-q4-2025-1707/ From the Cantor Report on CAMP4 The Stockdale Paradox. The best way to succinctly describe CAMP4 and the parties driving progress in this field (Cure SYNGAP1, families, researchers) is, for anyone familiar with Jim Collins' book "Good to Great," they have fully embraced the "Stockdale Paradox": To succeed in difficult circumstances you must 1) confront the brutal facts (severity of the disorder, devastating impact on patients and families, lack of treatment) while 2) maintaining unwavering faith that you can and will prevail in the end. It gives us conviction that there WILL be a therapy approved for SYNGAP sooner than later and CAMP is most likely to deliver it. Read more on Jim Collins site: https://www.jimcollins.com/concepts/Stockdale-Concept.html This is exactly what SYNGAP1 Argentina achieved at our conference. Acting with certainty that they can and will prevail. Check out their exceptional flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O_DldABKTkB9ZLIiUBqXGBMrtlzie-7i/view?usp=share_link PUBMED is at 59 for the year, that is +4 over our best year, last year. 177 since 2022, almost half of our SYNGAP1 Knowledge (366) has been created in the past 4 years! https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=syngap1&filter=years.1998-2026&timeline=expanded&sort=date #20Posters Speaking of publications, I talked about 16 posters at AES this year and shared on LI, but I was wrong in the responses I realized we are up to 20! https://www.linkedin.com/posts/graglia_syngap1-curesyngap1-activity-7408291479187755008-rMru Mutation Tattoo Story https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shriya-bhat-0b845b203_at-a-patient-advocacy-meeting-in-nashville-activity-7409304451821277184-TO0t SOCIAL MATTERS 4,529 LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/curesyngap1/ 1,500 YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CureSYNGAP1 11.2k Twitter https://twitter.com/cureSYNGAP1 45k Insta https://www.instagram.com/curesyngap1/ $CAMP stock is at $6.00 on 2 Jan. ‘26 https://www.google.com/finance/beta/quote/CAMP:NASDAQ Like and subscribe to this podcast wherever you listen. https://curesyngap1.org/podcasts/syngap10/ Episode 193 of #Syngap10 #CureSYNGAP1 #Podcast
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks from eating 1 or 2 bites of undercooked ground pork. Dr. Don - not risky
Chris Garvin is a neuroscientist working at Neuronic, where he helps bridge the gap between emerging neurotechnology and real-world impact. With a background in neuroscience and experience in neurotech diagnostics, Chris is passionate about advancing brain health and recovery. Having grown up playing contact sports and experiencing concussions himself, he brings both personal and professional insight into the discussion of innovative recovery tools.Description/Summary: In this episode of the Concussion Coach Podcast, host Bethany Lewis chats with Chris Garvin about Neuronic, a photobiomodulation device that uses specific wavelengths of light to support brain healing. Chris explains the science behind how light therapy can reduce inflammation, boost cellular energy, and improve symptoms like brain fog, sleep issues, and emotional regulation following a concussion. He shares his own experience with concussion recovery, the development of the Neuronic helmet, and the promising results he's seen in both clinical and at-home settings. Whether you're exploring new recovery modalities or curious about the future of neurotech, this conversation sheds light on a non-invasive, accessible option for brain health and concussion rehabilitation.Resources Mentioned by Chris:Neuronic Website: Learn more about the photobiomodulation device and its applications: https://www.neuronic.online/about-neuronic/aboutClinical Locator Map: Neuronic has a network of clinics across North America where the device is available. Discount code: THECONCUSSIONCOACH https://checkout.neuronic.online/THECONCUSSIONCOACHResearch Databases: For those interested in the science, Chris suggests searching "photobiomodulation" on PubMed or Google Scholar to explore the growing body of research.Link to webpage with research articles Chris mentioned: https://neuronic.teamaligned.com/room/692f56ac329350b5b8b91129/overview?avk=ee3c909fPaper Chris mentioned on photobiomodulation showing how 1070 light can switch microglia from an inflammatory M1 to an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202304025Guest Contact Information:Email: chris.garvin@neuronic.onlineLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgrvinneuro/Bethany Lewis & The Concussion Coach:Free Guide: "5 Best Ways to Support Your Loved One Dealing with a Concussion" - Download at www.theconcussioncoach.comConcussion Coaching Program: For personalized mentorship in recovery. Sign up for a free consultation HERE Website: www.theconcussioncoach.com
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3243: Hrefna Palsdottir explores how specific probiotic strains may aid in weight loss by improving gut health, reducing inflammation, and regulating appetite-related hormones. The article highlights evidence supporting the role of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains in lowering belly fat and preventing weight gain, offering a natural complement to a healthy lifestyle. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-and-weight-loss Quotes to ponder: "Probiotics may reduce the number of calories you absorb from food." "Evidence indicates that Lactobacillus gasseri may help people with obesity lose weight and waist circumference." "Certain probiotic strains, such as VSL#3, may be able to reduce weight gain." Episode references: Lactobacillus gasseri and weight loss (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24912386/ VSL#3 Probiotic Blend (VSL#3 Official Site): https://vsl3.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3243: Hrefna Palsdottir explores how specific probiotic strains may aid in weight loss by improving gut health, reducing inflammation, and regulating appetite-related hormones. The article highlights evidence supporting the role of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains in lowering belly fat and preventing weight gain, offering a natural complement to a healthy lifestyle. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-and-weight-loss Quotes to ponder: "Probiotics may reduce the number of calories you absorb from food." "Evidence indicates that Lactobacillus gasseri may help people with obesity lose weight and waist circumference." "Certain probiotic strains, such as VSL#3, may be able to reduce weight gain." Episode references: Lactobacillus gasseri and weight loss (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24912386/ VSL#3 Probiotic Blend (VSL#3 Official Site): https://vsl3.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cheryl McColgan introduces a 30-day healthy habits challenge to help people learn to practice dicipline. The program focuses on discipline over motivation, emphasizing daily practices and habits that can be easily integrated into busy lives. With a flexible approach, participants are encouraged to find joy in movement and consistency, allowing for personal growth and self-improvement throughout the challenge. Takeaways The 30-day challenge is designed to help maintain resolutions.Discipline is a skill that can be trained over time.Daily movement, mindset, and consistency are the program’s pillars.Small, manageable habits lead to sustainable change.Participants can choose their own joyful movement activities.The challenge is not about dieting or weight loss.Flexibility in daily practices is encouraged.Missing a day doesn’t mean starting over; just pick up again.The program is evergreen, allowing for repeated participation.Building a foundation of small habits leads to larger goals. Disclaimer: Links may contain affiliate links, which means we may get paid a commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase through this page. Read our full disclosure here. Watch on YouTube Episode Transcript Cheryl McColgan (00:00.184)Hi everyone, I’m Cheryl McColgan, founder of HealNourishCrew. And today I wanted to chat with you about a new program that I’m starting. And it’s basically this time of year, know, everyone’s interested in making a lot of resolutions and starting new habits, but they’re really hard to maintain over time. And that’s where I really wanted to be able to help you and hopefully create a program that will actually help you meet your goals and make the challenges. that you want to make this year. So what I’m starting is a 30 day healthy habits challenge. If you’re tired of starting over, this is going to be the program for you. Everybody starts the new year, you know, with a lot of motivation. And that is something that wanes over time quite often before even the end of January people have given up. But the challenge is to create something that you can maintain for the whole year, right? And that really comes down to discipline. because while motivation may wax and wane, discipline is something that’s very real and it’s also something, a skill that you can actually train so that you will be better and better at it the more that you practice. And that’s what this program is all about. So building that skill over 30 days, it’s going to be small habits each day so we can learn to train that skill and it’s free. It’s totally free. I’ve wanted to do this for a long time because habits and consistency and discipline are something that has been in my content for years now. And I’ve always wanted to do this and I can never just quite figure out a great way to deliver it and to make it make sense. But basically it’s built on three pillars. And this is how I wanted to challenge you with this because I think it’s habits that will sustain you for your whole life, obviously. And that is daily movement, mindset and consistency. And so each day that we practice these short habits, it’s only going to take five to 15 minutes total each day, get a short video. And that’s why I’m starting this now, because this is the introduction, tell you all about it. And then there will also be audio on my podcast feed. And so if you are in a big rush and you are driving to work, you can still listen to the habit, learn the research behind it, learn a little bit about why we’re trying it. And you’ll be able to listen to that. Cheryl McColgan (02:21.898)on your daily movement, you’re taking walks or you’re biking or whatever it is you’re doing. So there’ll be the podcast feed. And then you also get an email that lays out the challenge for the day, gives you the research links. There’s a handy tracker. I’m suggesting some apps for tracking. Also, if you’d like to do that and make it completely digital. the habit tracker spreadsheet still works perfectly great too. So you don’t, if you want to keep it simple and old school, that’s totally fine. So what this is not, this is not another weight loss challenge. This is not all or nothing like a lot of you have heard of or tried 75 hard. This is not about perfect. This is about just practicing consistency day after day. And if you miss a day, it doesn’t mean you have to start over. It doesn’t mean you failed. It just means that you start over again. And that is really what I have learned over the years. And what I when I practice my discipline, it’s not that I’m perfect all the time. It’s just that I always start over and I don’t wait till Monday. I don’t wait till the next day. Once I realize that in the moment, I notice that and start again, right? That moment. And that’s the kind of practice that we’re going to be doing throughout this whole challenge. So your daily checklist will look something like this. You’ll either watch or listen to the day’s video. You’ll do the habit of the day. You’ll do your daily movement of 10 minutes. If you’re somebody that already exercises a whole lot more, this is already part of your lifestyle. Obviously you’re going to continue to do that, but I will challenge you to maybe make some different kind of choices in your movement patterns. So if you’re a runner, let’s say, maybe challenging yourself to try some yoga or try some mobility work or strength training, if that’s not something that you do currently. So you’ll do the habit, you’ll do your movement and you’ll check these off in the tracker. Hopefully it’ll give you a great sense of accomplishment. It always does for me when I’m checking off things off my list. And then optional things. are to do the journal prompts. So you’ll get a journal prompt each day and to read the PubMed link, because I don’t want you to just think I’m picking habits here at random. Obviously, a lot of these are based on my own personal experience, habits that I think are very, very helpful and contribute to your health. But the reason that we do these habits is because they’re based on research. So that there’s at least some… Cheryl McColgan (04:36.43)something behind it that why it’s good for you and you can read the study or not, or just read the abstract and read the conclusion just to get an idea. But basically, you can dig into this as much as you want. So if there’s a particular habit that really speaks to you when you try it, that might be the day where you take those items that were optional and add them in. And the reason I’m trying to keep this to five to 15 minutes is because we want the small wins here. You don’t want to take on something that’s so challenging that you set yourself up for failure for the very beginning. Small habits build into big habits and you’ve got to take it one step day by day to get to these bigger habits that we have in mind for ourselves in the future. So it’s like you wouldn’t, you know, if you want to build a beautiful house, right, you’re not just going to get a bunch of two by fours and start nailing them together. You have no foundation. It won’t hold up over time. And so that’s the same. thing that we can do here. We’re going to build the foundation and then later after you’ve built these small habits or found things that really help you on a daily basis, then you can tackle the bigger things and bigger goals and goals that are five-year goals, 10-year goals, that kind of thing. But it really starts with these everyday little habits. So we’re going to set up so that these systems help you beat willpower. You’re just going to do it every day and they’re so easy you almost can’t skip them. That’s what I like about them. You just return quickly to it if you missed one. And there’s no shame, there’s no judgment. It’s just, we’re all human, right? We’re all gonna miss a day or we’re gonna have a day that’s so busy, but these are really small. So hopefully you’ll be able to do that. The movement is very flexible. It’s really whatever works for you. I like to say that find something that’s like a joyful movement that you can do once in a while. So for me, it’s like, you know, dancing around the kitchen while I’m cooking or something like that. That just makes me happy. Put on some good music. But then of course I have my strength training that I do and walking and all of that. but you’re going to pick one that works for you. So if it’s hard to squeeze these things into work, it’s only 10 minutes. You might walk a little bit over your lunch break. You could walk five minutes in the morning, five minutes at night. And of course, if you can do more and want to do more and you have more time that day, please feel free. This is not, this is just the minimum. This is just getting you into the habit of moving your body every single day. And then we’re going to just realize that even on busy days, that’s where you fit in these little tiny things. Cheryl McColgan (06:58.31)So let’s see here. I want to make sure that I don’t miss anything. Okay, we’re not dieting. We’re not losing weight. You’ll have the tracker. So yeah, I think I covered all of the points. just was going through my notes just to make sure that I didn’t miss anything. But I think that that gives you a good sense of what this challenge is about. If you don’t know me already and you come across this, you’re like, well, who is this that’s leading this challenge? I have a whole about page over at my website, but basically my degree is in psychology. have some graduate training in psychology. I’m a registered, experienced yoga teacher. I’ve practiced yoga for over 20 years. I have been strength training now, consistent. I’ve done it my whole life, but really only gotten consistent the last three years. And so that’s been a really exciting thing for me as what I classify now as an older person. It’s so important to health. And so you’ll probably learn a little bit about that somewhere along in the challenge as well. And then I’m also studying for my personal training certification. I don’t know if ever use it, but I’ve just been so into learning all the things around strength training that I thought, hey, why not? And then it’s something that I can share with you guys and hopefully, you know, give you some further information to benefit you and your goals. But yeah, so that’s a little bit about who I am. If you want to learn more and go over to the about page of my website and I am on stories daily and Instagram. And as we start this challenge, I’m to be starting at January 1st. I’m going to be doing it along with you. A lot of you will be starting on January 1st is awesome, but the great thing about this is I’ve set it up to be evergreen content on the website. So anytime you go to the website and click and sign up, you can start the challenge that very next day. So it’s something also that if you get, like I said, there’s no off track. Hopefully you want to complete the 30 days and just if you miss a day, go again. But say you get busy and you kind of just give up on it, but you come to a time in your life again where you want to restart. You can always do that. It’ll be there for you to do 30 days. at a time, anytime of year, because like I said, that’s what I always believe in. I don’t think you should wait. I think whenever you have the inkling to make a change, to start something, start it today, start it now. Just the only thing I will say is if you happen to find this before January 1st of 2026, I am in the process still of completing the content. At this point, it is Monday, December 29th. So hopefully it’s further along by the time you find this. Cheryl McColgan (09:20.59)and it should be available. But if for whatever reason it’s up and you sign up before January 1st, then you’re just going to have to wait a couple of days before you get started. So now the most important thing, if you’re listening on audio on the podcast feed to sign up, you’re going to go to healnourishgrow.com slash habits. And if you’re here on YouTube, the link will be down below. But yeah, I hope you join me. I think this should be fun. Like I said, it is a challenge. It’s 30 days of consistency, but it is nothing that you can’t handle. And I think it’ll give you a lot of confidence and a lot of interest in learning more about discipline and practicing them on a daily basis. And it’s just like your muscles, the more you practice it, the stronger it gets. So let’s all get more disciplined in 2026 together. And I’d love to have you join me and help you meet your goals. anyway, until, if well, you’re listening to the podcast, I’m gonna say until tomorrow, I will see you soon. Okay, thanks, bye.
The FiltrateJoel Topf @kidneyboy.bsky.social (COI)Sophia Ambruso @sophia-kidney.bsky.socialSwapnil Hiremath @hswapnil.medsky.social and on LinkedInSpecial Guests Jonathan Barratt Professor of Renal Medicine, University of Leicester Google Scholar (COI: all the companies)Editing and Show Notes byNayan Arora @captainchloride.bsky.socialThe Kidney Connection written and performed by Tim YauShow NotesProteinuria Reduction as a Surrogate End Point in Trials of IgA Nephropathy (Aliza Thompson, 2019 PubMed)The number, quality, and coverage of randomized controlled trials in nephrology (PubMed 2004)A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Rituximab in IgA Nephropathy with Proteinuria and Renal Dysfunction (PubMed 2017)BLISS Belimumab in lupus nephritis (NephJC | PubMed)The Phase 2 trial of atacicept A phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of atacicept for treatment of IgA nephropathy (PubMed)The phase 3 trial of atacicept, the subject of this podcast A Phase 3 Trial of Atacicept in Patients with IgA Nephropathy (PubMed | NephJC)The use of Gd-IgA1 in the Testing Trial Role of Systemic Glucocorticoids in Reducing IgA and Galactose-Deficient IgA1 Levels in IgA Nephropathy (PubMed)If you can't get enough Jon Barratt, take a look at his grand rounds at The University of Ottawa. Updates to the KDIGO Guidelines for the treatment of IgA nephropathy, with Prof Jonathan Barratt (YouTube)Tubular SecretionSwapnil Hiremath Pluribus on Apple TV (Wikipedia)Jon Barratt Lynyrd Skynyrd (Wikipedia) Slow Horses (Wikipedia) on AppleTVJoel Topf the new ASN
Saturday, December 20, 2025 - Five days till Christmas, 11 days left to raise funds to CURE SYNGAP1 AES was exceptional in many ways, here are a few: Rare & SYNGAP1 were both very visible, posters with our Logo and names of staff were seen! Posters: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/graglia_syngap1-curesyngap1-activity-7408291479187755008-rMru Our conference was standing room only and had investors! Even got a mention in their research report! https://www.investing.com/news/analyst-ratings/cantor-fitzgerald-reiterates-overweight-rating-on-camp4-therapeutics-stock-93CH-4403281 ProMMiS Launch was a massive win for patients. Collaboration. Praxis and Lundbeck recruited for exciting drugs and CAMP4 talked about their ASO and recruiting next year. Our community's presence was felt well into AES. Aaron's post on growth! https://www.facebook.com/aaron.j.harding.5/posts/pfbid0231DtMVUtkZa4eXLv8C8qbf4xEN95aRP1xJ8sGNNvun7aDuUyZVatMWUjjigdXfg1l Pre-register now for Denver: cureSYNGAP1.org/Pre26 Fundraising. We are YTD $1.68M which is below $1.86M in '23 and $1.97M in '24. We need to really double down on fundraising for the next two weeks and into next year. Support our campaign at curesyngap1.org/unlock ACTION ALERT
Introduction After a stroke, recovery doesn't end when rehab does. For many survivors, that's when confusion begins. Fatigue, brain fog, limited appointment time, and conflicting advice make it incredibly hard to know what actually helps. And while research is advancing rapidly, most survivors are left trying to piece together answers from podcasts, Facebook groups, and late-night Google searches. That's why this conversation with Jessica Dove London, founder of turnto.ai, matters. The Hidden Problem in Stroke Recovery: Information Overload Stroke survivors aren't lacking motivation. They're drowning in disconnected information — and often too exhausted to process it. Bill shares how, after stroke and brain surgery, even short bursts of research felt impossible. Jessica explains how parents and patients are expected to become full-time researchers — on top of surviving life-changing diagnoses. Why “Just Ask Your Doctor” Isn't Enough Doctors care deeply. But no clinician can keep up with thousands of new stroke-related publications every week. This gap leaves survivors feeling dismissed — not because professionals don't care, but because systems aren't built for rapid knowledge sharing. “You shouldn't have to rely on luck or Facebook groups to find something that could change your recovery.” How Tunrto.ai Changes the Stroke Recovery Equation turnto.ai doesn't replace doctors. It reduces the cognitive load on survivors. Jessica explains how the platform: Reads thousands of new stroke resources weekly Filters by your stage of recovery and priorities Surfaces research, patient experience, and expert insight together Updates automatically as your needs change For survivors managing fatigue, this alone is transformative. Real Examples: From Spasticity to Stem Cells Bill demonstrates how Tunrto.ai can instantly surface: Evidence and cautions around emerging treatments Patient experiences that add real-world context Research trends and unanswered questions Instead of hours of searching, survivors gain clarity — and better conversations with their care teams. Why This Restores Hope After Stroke Hope doesn't come from miracle cures. It comes from visibility — knowing what exists, what's emerging, and what's worth asking about. Tunrto.ai doesn't promise answers. It promises orientation — and that changes everything. Conclusion & CTA If you're a stroke survivor who feels lost, overwhelmed, or unsure where to look next, tools like turnto.ai represent a new way forward. Learn more at turnto.ai Read Bill's book at recoveryafterstroke.com/book Support the podcast at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke You're not alone — and better answers are closer than you think. Footer disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your health or recovery plan. When Stroke Recovery Meets AI — Finding Clarity Faster with Jessica Dove London After stroke, finding answers shouldn't depend on luck. Discover how AI is changing stroke recovery with Jessica Dove London. Turnto.ai Jessica’s LinkedIn Support The Recovery After Stroke Podcast on Patreon Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to the Journey 09:17 The Birth of Turn2.ai 19:07 Navigating Information Overload 27:10 The Onboarding Process Explained 35:28 Real-Life Applications and Success Stories 43:57 Empowering Patients Through Collaboration Transcript: Introduction to AI for stroke recovery Bill Gasiamis (00:00) Hey everyone, if you’ve ever struggled to find information about tools, treatments, or resources that could actually help you on your stroke recovery journey, this interview is a game-changer. One of the reasons I’m so passionate about doing this podcast is because of my purpose behind it. And that purpose is simple, to connect people with information, to connect people with tools, and to connect people with other people. who truly understand what this journey is like. After a stroke, finding reliable up-to-date information is exhausting. You’re dealing with fatigue, brain fog, limited time, and often very little guidance beyond rehab. In today’s episode, you’re going to hear from Jessica Dove London, my new hero, the founder of Turnto.ai, a tool designed to help people like us find relevant stroke recovery information much faster with less effort and far less energy delivered straight into your email inbox. This is not a sponsored episode, but it is an episode about a solution I genuinely believe can change how stroke survivors find answers. Let’s get into it. Bill Gasiamis (01:13) Jessica Dove London, welcome to the podcast. Jessica Dove London (01:16) Great to be here Bill Bill Gasiamis (01:17) Sometimes when people send me emails, they go into the inbox and then they’re kind of like, I’ll look at that when I get back to it, when I get back to it, I get back to it. And I saw the email that you sent to me when you reached out to tell me about this amazing new product. And I thought, well, another amazing new product. There’s plenty of them. And usually the products that people kind of email me about are not relevant to Stroke. And people are just trying to get onto podcasts and all that kind of stuff. And I get it. I’ve got no issue with that. If they’re relevant, I love sending new information to people. And one of the biggest challenges is determining what’s going to be the most helpful thing. How can I get things out that are not just another thing to talk about for the sake of talking about it? And then I didn’t respond to your email because it kind of goes down to the bottom of the list when all the other new ones come in and I’ll get to that. get to that. And then I saw a link in my I comment on my LinkedIn and I thought, okay, this is familiar. I’ve seen this before. Let me check it out. And then I checked it out and thought, what an idiot. Why haven’t I contacted this person back quicker? This product is amazing. But before we talk about turnto.ai, give me a little bit of a background. I just want to get a sense of how it is that somebody comes up with the idea. I know what I’m going to do. I’m going to create a product that brings information to people. more rapidly than ever before so that they can decrease the amount of time it takes to learn new and amazing things that are coming up about their condition. Jessica Dove London (02:50) Yeah, well, Bill, I did really like your podcast. That’s why I linked in you as well. I actually really liked your podcast because, you know, from where I come from, my son has a rare type of cerebral palsy. We actually don’t have a podcast like this where it’s a patient-led, you know, quest for finding the most useful, cutting-edge, relevant type information. So I really liked your channel. But I guess where do, where do, you know, where do a lot of these things come from? from my lived experience. So when my son was 18 months old, he was diagnosed with a rare type of cerebral palsy, which is a little bit similar to Parkinson’s in his rare type. And when I went along, when he got diagnosed, I went along to his appointment, we knew he had something and I took a big research paper along systematic review and the doctor said, nothing you can do to help him. There’s no medication, surgery. She even told me, don’t bother reading those papers. And I just, went on this journey that maybe a lot of people listening relate to when you are given something or you’re recovering, we have this huge life change of wondering what can I do to improve my son’s quality of life? And this real question, like, can I do anything? He’s amazing as he is, but we want to unlock the whole world for him. So I just went on this journey for years, finding treatments for him. And we just kept finding treatments and some were incredibly life impacting. And almost all of them were in the medical literature. I just had to decipher them. I traveled the world, how did every world leader ended up studying neuroscience? We, we had a big YouTube channel where we shared our stories and I went to a huge conference with all these academics and this one world leader got up on the stage and she shared these incredible things coming for cerebral palsy, which actually is some relevance for stroke because there’s a lot of things that are free. They’re, sort of based on neuroplasticity. They’re very accessible. And I actually put my hand up and said, I shouldn’t have to fly around the world. to learn about cutting edge things that could help my son or help people right now. you know, I guess I just live this experience that think many people do where all the cutting edge information can be all over the place. It can live in these research papers. It can live in the patient community. It can live in those incredible healthcare providers, but you have to sign or in clinical trials, you know, you don’t know, you have to piece it all together and then work out what’s relevant for me. because you know, you could be sitting in a Facebook group, you could be listening to podcasts like this, but there’s so much time that is wasted and opportunity that is wasted while you’re trying to work out all these things. And for most people, you don’t have the world leading best healthcare providing team. Who knows everything doing that work for you. You have to do it on your own. So yeah, just live that problem of trying to find the cutting edge thing to help my son and you know, For two years, it took me two years, we did find a whole lot of things. Bill Gasiamis (05:40) Yeah, two years. my gosh. And I mean, you’d give more than two years to your son, but it’s not about that. It’s about, doing it more quickly than two years. And from stroke perspective, do you have a stroke? Your brain doesn’t work properly. And then trying to sit there and get through, data, texts, videos, all that kind of stuff. I only was able to find like very small amounts of time in between. ⁓ feeling terrible most of the time. And then, ⁓ my gosh, I’m feeling good right now. And then it’s a priority. Like what do I do now that I’m feeling good for five minutes or 10 minutes or an hour? And for me, I, I was very keen to kind of, understand what I can do to support myself. And I knew for certain there was stuff that doctors weren’t delivering when able to deliver, didn’t know about, weren’t telling me that if I did the research that, and I found that I could implement something that was easy for me to implement. for me, just perfect example would be nutrition. But in my conversations with doctors, when I asked them about, this something I can stop eating or start eating to help my brain? There was no information out. There’s probably nothing that wouldn’t matter. Just go about the treatment that we’re offering. And then as a mom or a parent, let’s say as a parent who has a child who has needs beyond the quote unquote normal. It’s like, I’ve got to do all these extra things as a parent for my child. And I’ve got to have my life. I’ve got to do work and do all the things that parents do other than just parenting. And then somehow in there, I’ve got to find a flight to a conference to the other side of the world to hear a researcher maybe, and it’s only like a maybe share something that’ll be life-changing and supportive. And that’s kind of… where I was at, was in the same place. And I thought, what I’ll do is I’ll create a conversation so that people can come to me. We can chat about it amongst other things, share stories. But then hopefully somebody on my YouTube channel says, do you know about this? And then that happened. And then that was a problem as well, because it’s like, I don’t know about this. I don’t even know where to begin to have a conversation about that with you. And if I needed to… do the research on something that I was asked about will take ages. Now, one of the questions I had recently was, you know about methylene blue? And it’s this ridiculously kind of current topic about improving mitochondrial function for people. And as a result of that, people are finding out how you can take that and they’re taking it, which I wouldn’t recommend. And, and now I don’t… The Birth of Turnto.ai And now I’ve got to go and do, I don’t know how many searches to find all the data on Methylene Blue and I don’t know where they’re hiding. Read them, spend my entire time to read them, know, spend all my time to read them and then somehow kind of give people feedback on what I’ve read because that’s the role that I’ve decided to play. And now that’s what they’re expecting of me, but it takes ages. It’s forever. So then a little while later, what happened was you, you said, you know, have a look at turnto.ai. check it out, tell me what you think. And then I did. And I was able to see the power of being able to have the research just sent to me in my inbox because I asked the AI to do it and it does it on a regular basis. And in a moment we’ll share about it. But then tell me a little bit about that transition for you from I’m traveling all over the world to nah, stuff that. I’m gonna do that from. my office in Brisbane, in Australia. I’m not going to travel the whole world to find out this information. It’s not efficient enough. How do you move from mum with a problem to mum with a massive solution? Jessica Dove London (09:31) I mean, I guess, you know, those first five years I was just full-time mom and just doing, you know, we did all the things we did into all the therapy centers. And I, you know, I guess it’s really interesting that question you had. you have these really tricky questions or people ask you questions or you’re on a Facebook group and you see people talking about something you’ve never heard about. Yeah. I was just trying to pull those pieces together because I had the capacity to do that reading. Often it was late at night. think one of the biggest challenges is often at the beginning of your journey, you don’t have the context. You don’t know the map that you’re even looking at. All you know is the impact it’s having immediately and the potential future impact and all those really hard things that you’re facing. so probably for those first five years, I was just pulling everything together messily and someone’s trying things, low risk things, all these different things, trying to get the best people to give us that advice. However, you know, after those five years, I went to that REITs big conference and actually initially got an AI grant to do a research project, an AI research project. And I had a really good friend get lung cancer, stage four lung cancer and a good friend get MS. And they just had the same problem that I was having. And so I just knew there was something here. And so initially what we did is we actually just brought all the treatments that exist for cerebral palsy in one place. And there were over 220 treatments and most patient knew about five to 10. And these are, science backed different protocol treatments people are doing and having some impact on. They having some evidence of things that are working. And so the problem is just really wild because you again, you’re told, I’ll just try these few things, but there’s actually legitimate scientific leading people with all these other ideas and some of it’s really working. So I just, I initially I did that. And then when my kids started school, ⁓ I decided to start a tech platform because I saw this as a really huge problem, but I knew I needed a world-class engineering team because I knew AI had to be part of this. And this was before all the LLM, all the open AI. don’t know if people’s familiar with AI, familiarity with AI is. Before all of this amazing sort of last few years, I was using sort of different, more sort of machine learning to try and just bring the data in and categorize it. but really just trying to make it accessible for people. Bill Gasiamis (11:51) Before we continue, want to pause for just a moment. If you’ve been listening to this conversation and thinking, I don’t have the energy to search research papers, Facebook groups, podcasts, and forums just to find one useful thing, you’re not alone. exact problem is why this episode matters. What Jessica has built with turnto.ai is a way to reduce the mental and physical effort it takes to stay informed. after a stroke. Instead of searching endlessly, relevant information is found for you based on where you are in your recovery and sent straight to your inbox. There’s a listener discount available which you’ll find in the show notes and I’ve also created a page with more details at recoveryafterstroke.com/turnto that’s recoveryafterstroke.com/turnto But stay around, listen to the rest of this episode before you go and check out recoveryafterstroke.com/turnto, to get the discount code. All right, let’s get back to the conversation. Jessica Dove London (12:55) yeah, I guess it was definitely a journey I didn’t go from, know, the first few years it was just heads down, fully in care mode, trying to deliver all the care, trying to access all the experts. And then slowly I just went on this journey to eventually being full time running this team of amazing people from the tech space. I knew this should be a tech solution because You know, I think one of the unfortunate things is, is amazing groups out there, amazing orgs out there, but they often are technology specialists. So I don’t build things that can continue to be relevant. They often make really high quality resources and then the resources are actually not relevant even for you doing a search. You know, you do a search and then what happens in a month when there’s something new that’s come out about that. So yeah, we’re on that journey and probably the cornerstone of what we’ve built is this belief we have that all the voices matter. And so research matters, patient experience matter, leading professionals, experts matter. And actually they sometimes can hold different pieces of the puzzle. probably unlike other tools that you’ll see out there and when we show what we’ve built and how we build it, that’s the key thing. The other thing we believe is that new information matters and it’s too much work for one person, let alone a doctor, a specialist can’t even stay up to date on the disease because know, stroke is actually got an unbelievable amount of things that are created every week. can be over 2000 new things every week in stroke that are being published from expert interviews to new research to clinical trials to patient discussions to incredible events. It’s just wild. Like there’s actually so much incredible stuff happening. But you can’t find it all and you can’t read it all. Bill Gasiamis (14:39) Yeah, absolutely. And that’s why when I had a little bit of a play with Tony, with Turn 2… It was cool because I’m not interested in everything that stroke has to offer me. The research has taught me, but I’m interested in certain things and I’m interested on things specifically that my followers and listeners on my podcast want to know about, you know, so I’d love to be able to bring that to them. So then I had a bit of a play and then we’re going to move to that. I’m going to share the screen in a minute and we’ll talk about that actual screen and the solution, but there is an onboarding process, which we’re not going to. show today but can we talk about it a little bit just to give people a sense of how people they’ll come across turn to and then they’ll go okay ⁓ i want to start and then i want to make sure i get information information for just the stuff that i’m interested in how does the onboarding work Jessica Dove London (15:21) Yeah. Yeah, I guess this is again, thing of like, you know, we’ve built a tool that you’re about to see where we want to keep you up to date, read every single new thing and just give you a handful of things. So how do we do that? And so the way we designed this is to find out what’s on top right now. If you’ve just had a stroke, you’re in a very different stage to one year post, two year post, five year post. the reality is of a patient journey is Bill Gasiamis (15:40) Hmm. Jessica Dove London (16:02) you are always changing, know, you know, we have things, new things come up and then you suddenly feel like you’re at the beginning again or new symptoms come up and you get very confused. Like, is this related? I’m like, I have to talk to my doctor. What’s happening here? I’ve just started a new medication. There’s always things happening. So we ask just five questions and the questions are just all about right now. and sort of some key different attributes around your recovery journey or your journey because Sometimes some information is less relevant for certain groups than others. I’m in a cerebral palsy space, your subtype really matters because it’s actually completely different neurology. And so you might find this incredible breakthrough and it just not be relevant for the subtype, which is actually the case for my son. My son has a very rare subtype, which makes like, you know, anything published on his subtype is like gold because you’re like, wow, a new sort of thing has come out. Yeah. So what we’ve done is, made the onboarding about what are you facing this week with your stroke recovery? You know, what is the symptom you’re worried about? And the thing about the tool is, you know, that week it’ll, it’ll go and read the thousands of new things and it will then match you according to what’s on top for you. And it’ll also go and do specific searches on your location. So if you’re living in Sydney, you’re living in anyway, Los Angeles, London, it’ll search for that week for stroke. what is happening in that city. And the reason that’s so helpful sometimes is there are groups, there’s new clinical trials, there’s so many things that are all these incredible people are putting on webinars, like online support, online educational things. So we match you to all of those things every single week. But yeah, really it’s what are you doing with dealing with right now? And then if you get to Sunday, cause that’s when we send our update out and you’ve got something new that’s come up, you just can talk or type and say, hey, I’m not interested, I’m now interested in keto and I’m interested in this and it will just make you, it’ll create new priorities. Cause that’s the real journey of living with a competition. Bill Gasiamis (18:05) I love that it does change at the beginning. It was all about fatigue. How do I improve my fatigue? And then later on it was like, how do I improve my sleep? And then later on it was after, you know, after brain surgery, it’s a completely different, uh, um, inquiries that I was making on YouTube, Google, wherever I was like, you know, how do I overcome a brain surgery, all that kind of stuff. Um, and then also at the beginning, some of those problems I solved like, then Jessica Dove London (18:25) Yeah. Yeah. Exactly. Bill Gasiamis (18:35) I thought, okay, what’s the next one I need to solve? Jessica Dove London (18:38) Yeah, that’s right. The funny thing about health information is though, cause one of the things we’ve built, if let’s say you’ve tried something though, and there has been new research that’s come out about post impact, you may get that in your update because, know, let’s say you did a surgery or you did sort of some sort of intervention there. Sometimes studies coming out about five years post that intervention. And actually that’s really useful for you because what if it, this new potential thing you should be testing for? I think the key to what we, Navigating Information Overload Have learned from building these tools is you don’t actually know what you don’t know. And like, I think most people here have had that experience of sitting in a Facebook group, listening to your podcast. You learn something new and you go, ⁓ I wish I knew this. ⁓ it feels like luck. And I think that is just a really challenging thing because your health is so much more important than luck, but it can feel like that. You know, I can literally remember when I’ve been in a Facebook group and someone first mentioned this surgery that we ended up doing. took us a year to make the decision, but it was like, ⁓ my goodness, what is this they’re talking about? And then I went to my, our surgeon and the surgeon was very, very dismissive even though there was huge body of literature behind this particular intervention. So then I had to find another specialist and so it begins. Bill Gasiamis (19:53) Yeah. That’s a great thing too, as well. Like if you could be facing roadblocks that are based on other people and that, and then if you don’t have like some kind of ammunition to take to them to say, but you know, how about this? That’s one of the challenges. Cause then, you know, they kind of say, well, there’s no data. I haven’t seen it. If I haven’t seen, I’m a doctor. Like, you know, what do you know? How are you going to be the perfect person that makes the decision? gatekeepers of information bother the hell out of me. Like I hate people who have information and think that because they have it, that they sort of hold the key to how that information is disseminated. But then also people who discourage people from doing searches on what may help them, you know, this is my life, it’s my condition. I wanna be able to find things to help me to make my life better. So I don’t have to be in the hospital system so I can go back to life. so I can improve things. So luck is not part of the equation. If I didn’t jump into that Facebook group today and didn’t see that post, I would have missed it for years maybe. Jessica Dove London (20:56) And this stuff just is always happening. It is pretty wild. And again, the reality is that there is just information is everywhere. And I think even for people who favor research, research takes years to come out. And who decides what should be researched? When we did our first research project, when I started this work, one of the things we did is we collected patient stories of treatment reviews. popular treatment at the time, had no research behind it in the cerebral palsy space, but very low risk. It was like an intensive physio type protocol. And I actually shared this with a whole bunch of academics and a world leader came up to me and said, she’s now going to study this treatment. Because again, you know, are not academics sitting in Facebook groups. or they’re not always, know, they’re not, you know, it takes years for these things to even begin to be getting researched. However, at the same time, are, like research has been, can be very, very helpful and it can also, you know, there are definitely a variety of things out there. Some things are snake oil, some things are, some things can look like snake oil and actually be the next best thing because there’s actually a sign, you know, reason why it’s working or we don’t know why it’s working. It is very hard to decide for all of this. Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (22:17) used to be hard. Now it’s a lot easier. Thank you very much. So I’m going to share my screen now so we can have a bit of a look at what we’re talking about. Jessica Dove London (22:19) Yeah. Bill Gasiamis (22:26) so this is the screen. Now, I’ve purposely resisted from clicking on the first two weekly updates at the top because I wanna kind of tell people what happened, why they’re there. But then I wanna go all the way down to the very first catch up that ⁓ I had with the software after I was onboarded, after I answered all the questions and did all that stuff. It came to me, it said, these are some things that we found for you. And, ⁓ it said it found 18 things. It gave me this, ⁓ bar chart thingy, me jiggy here, which is not a bar chart. It’s actually an audio file telling me what it found. ⁓ and it gave me top insights, six things, and it told me one thing that was near me now, just for context. said, I’m in Australia, in Melbourne, but I said I was in New York, New York. Okay. Just so that I can kind of get a sense of what happens when people from ⁓ other places in the world do a search. I kind of have an idea that if I had done the same thing, what type of results I would have got here. But the reason I did that is because I believe it or not, stroke survivors have reached out to me from New York and said, do I know any stroke survivors in New York? I’m in Australia, in Melbourne. Like technically that answer should be no. but I know heaps of people in other areas. But what I don’t know is what’s happening in those other areas. And what Tony found was ⁓ groups, meetups or something along those lines that were happening in New York for people. So I found that really interesting. So I could immediately do that search and get that I click near you, all right, I’m not in New York guys, but if I click near you, look what it found. Hybrid event stroke support groups at Mount Sinai, Sinai, I know I butchered that, but it’s. probably an event that is happening ⁓ in that area. Union Square, I think I know what that is. I think that is in Manhattan. And then it gives its thoughts. It says, this group could help you connect with survivors for emotional regulation and post-traumatic growth. Like, what? That was like a few minutes of searching immediately now. If I had even moved. to New York, it was a brand new place where I’m living and I want to connect with people, I’ve automatically found that. mean, that is fantastic. Jessica Dove London (24:58) So Bill, when you get your update, you go to the, I found you, you can actually flick through all of the updates. And for people as well, can, if you go to click on what I found you, or if you just go back into it and then you can actually flick through them all. So you can flick through the research, the expert interviews, the patient discussions, the online events. And also for people who like email, you can get it all in an email. That’s sort of an easier experience for you, but you can just really quickly flick. Bill Gasiamis (25:06) what I found. Yeah. Jessica Dove London (25:28) through all the relevant things that have found you. And it’s just matching to what you’ve said. So you would have said all those different sort of key things that are important to you. And then the whole thing we believe is we try not to use AI to give you necessarily a generic answer. We’re trying to use AI to find you the most interesting resources that already exist. Bill Gasiamis (25:30) Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I love it. this one, this week’s daily update. So I’ve had a few of those updates and I’ve clicked a lot of them. And they, as I was going through my mind a few weeks after I logged in for the first time, I would then put in a new search. And then the most recent email that I got or update that I got was this one here. And It has found 17 new things for me and the top insights have been updated because one of the additional searches that I put in later after I did the onboarding was about hand spasticity. And then also I did, and look at this, I did a podcast with, a stroke survivor called Jonathan and it has already found it and brought that to my attention as if I didn’t know about it. And Jonathan Aravello shares his story. That’s an interview that I did with a stroke survivor a little while ago and it already knows that it’s there. And then if you scroll down, I found if you scroll down, you just go through other things that people are talking about. Vivastim is a new product that stroke survivors are talking about because it’s an implantable and it attaches to autonomic, to the vagus nerve and somehow it supports people to improve function and it helps with neuroplasticity and all that kind of stuff. I’m just stunned by all the information that came to me and… The Onboarding Process Explained And I had a question this week in my YouTube channel. Let me tell you what it is. And let’s see if we can just do a search and find some information on that product. STC30 stem cell treatment. I’ve got no idea where to start. How would I answer that question for the person? They asked me a lovely question. What can you say about the effectiveness of STC30 stem cell treatment? So I’m getting asked like I’m an expert in these areas. I don’t mind, but that’s the kind of information that people are looking for. They’re going, how do I find information about that thing when nobody else out there will talk to me about it? They’re kind of like doing a Hail Mary shot. They’re going, I’m going to ask this guy on the podcast, maybe he knows about stem cells. Who would know about that? But check this out. If I do ask a question, if I say,tell me. about ST. C 30. stem cells. I’m going to generate. And I love this part about it too, the searching and the thinking that it does. ⁓ What specific outcomes or improvements are you hoping to achieve? And I’ll just say. ⁓ Less brain fatigue. That’s brain fatigue. Jessica Dove London (28:52) It’s okay. It’s actually you can make spelling mistakes. Bill Gasiamis (28:56) It knows it’s smarter than me. Jessica Dove London (28:58) mean, AI is very good at that. And probably for people watching this, you what would be the difference of this with ChatGPT? Because ChatGPT is amazing and it’s going to get better and better. But the difference of people to understand is we actually have an intelligent data set on stroke. So what we’ve done is we’ve taken the past 10 years of all the stroke information. So from research papers, we’ve actually gone through YouTube and found webinars with experts. We’ve gone through patient discussions, we’ve collected resources. And the reason we’ve done this is because Bill Gasiamis (29:00) Yeah. Jessica Dove London (29:27) Again, I really love Chatjibity. I highly recommend people use it. However, the difference is our belief is all voices matter. So when you ask questions, we’re actually going to give you answers from experts, from patients and from research. So that would be the difference of this tool. And the reason it can take probably up to a minute to find you an answer is Stroke actually has, I Stroke has 450,000 resources in the database that we built for Stroke. So Stroke’s a really, really big database. I mean, it’s trying to look for that answer and then it’s trying to match you to it. I think that’s just, it hasn’t actually restarted. It’s just. Bill Gasiamis (30:05) It’s doing its thinking. It did seventy nine thousand searches. Jessica Dove London (30:09) And it’s trying to just match it to your profile, give you that answer. And it can get, there we go. Bill Gasiamis (30:15) Wow. And then here we go, ST stem cells is marketed as a supplement that claims to support cellular repair and regeneration, but its efficacy and safety are not well established in clinical research. So that’s like a little bit of ⁓ initial information. And then here you go, the patient view, which is so important in this, isn’t it? It’s important to find people who may have had a procedure and have something to share about it. That’s so, so helpful. And then what the research says, how many research papers has it got here? Wow. Look at that one, two, three, four, five, six, seven already research papers. And they’ll all have links to other research papers that, you know, made those ⁓ studies that sort of give those studies the initial information to get the ball rolling on them. And then, systemic review here which check Jessica Dove London (31:15) Sometimes there’s not actually even a full paper on that. I actually don’t know this topic, obviously, but if you go up to the summary, might even say, sometimes you might learn, there’s actually not specific papers on this. However, here are papers that are relevant. you click show style. It’s on the research here. you click post. So if you go down to what research says. Bill Gasiamis (31:31) Where’s the summary? do I do that? Jessica Dove London (31:37) You just scroll down, yep. And then you click show summary, see that pink little, but here we go. It shows you research trends, key findings, unknowns and mixed opinions, and all of it’s referenced. And that’s just because again, we’re trying to show patients as quickly as possible. Is there information? Is there mixed opinions? Because I think sometimes there’s been a tendency to have one answer to these things and there isn’t one answer. And sometimes there isn’t papers, you know? So we actually have trained our tool to Bill Gasiamis (32:01) Yeah. Yeah. Jessica Dove London (32:07) to sometimes not make up answers. And so, you know, we tested it on very rare protocols and it often says, hey, there is no protocol for your subtype. However, here are protocols that are being studied in other sort of use cases. Bill Gasiamis (32:19) Yeah. And then if I do this view source, this is cool too, right? It just goes directly to the article PubMed article. And you can read that. That’s brilliant. Okay. So then, ⁓ And look, here we go again. It’s found my podcast two times here. ⁓ that is brilliant. love it. And then I did this. went, I think I went back and then I asked the question here because I had like a thing that popped up in my brain today. Right. Somebody kind of said, Hey, have you heard about that? And, ⁓ somebody did that. And, ⁓ and then I just can go. immediately into that and go okay where is it i’m just trying to search on my Jessica Dove London (33:05) While you’re searching, guess the thing that we built with our weekly tool as well, so let’s say you really want to learn about STC 30. I think that’s it’s called. You can just put that in your weekly, your profile, and every week our tool will look for that specific topic because that’s the other thing. So if you click strengthen my profile, can you see that purple box down at the bottom? Yep. If you click on strength, you click on that, you can just say, you can type anything new in here and it’s going to then keep searching it. Bill Gasiamis (33:20) How do I do that? Why would I do that? ⁓ yeah? There you go, there’s all of my data that I put in at the beginning, New York, New York, early 50s age group, approximately 13 years post stroke, all the topics that I was interested in. And where would I put that? Would I put that here, add new? Jessica Dove London (33:34) Or if you Yeah, yeah. And if you start, then we’ll know that that’s at the top. Yeah. But you can, to be act, to actually be honest, you can actually, if you go back, I’ll show you an easier way. So at the end of every weekly update, there’s a huge box that just says, me anything new. but if you go back, I’ll show you something on the dashboard as well. Yep. So if you see, do you see want to do a deep dive, see how this says update me the top on the right. Bill Gasiamis (33:52) ⁓ dashboard. Jessica Dove London (34:13) next to ask, yeah, if you just talk at it and say, I’m now interested in this as a priority, it’ll then put it at the top for your next week’s update. Bill Gasiamis (34:13) ⁓ ⁓ okay. Next question I had a day ago, somebody wanted to know about red light therapy. So why don’t I do that? If I press that and then do that, right? Click this button here. Is that the one? Jessica Dove London (34:31) Or you can talk or type, whatever works for you. Bill Gasiamis (34:34) I’m gonna talk, let’s see if it does. Jessica Dove London (34:36) Let’s see if it works with the podcast, whether it’s taken them. Yeah, I think it’s not working just because you’re doing a podcast, because you’re using the speaker. Bill Gasiamis (34:39) Alright. ⁓ no. Okay, so I’ll type I’ll just say ⁓ red light therapy. Jessica Dove London (34:53) This won’t give you an answer. This is just going to go on to your weekly update now, Bill. Bill Gasiamis (34:58) Okay, okay, so if I if I do that Jessica Dove London (34:59) Yeah. And now, yep. So now it’s actually just added it to your health profile whenever you want to know. So for your next Sunday’s update, you’re now going to have red light therapy in there. But yeah, but the reason we put the voice box is it’s actually sometimes useful to talk a bit more like, Hey, I’m thinking about doing red light therapy. I’m really worried about this, this, this, just actually giving more context. Cause at the of the day, if there’s a thousand new things a week in stroke, you know, this is just a matter of how do you, how does Bill Gasiamis (35:11) my gosh, that’s ugly. Jessica Dove London (35:28) How does any sort of system get you what’s relevant? AI for Stroke Recovery – Real-Life Applications and Success Stories Bill Gasiamis (35:32) It’s a game changer. I’m telling you now. ⁓ I mean, you know that, I don’t know why I’m telling you, but you know that this is the one that was the weirdest thing, methylene blue. Do know it’s a food dye? Sorry. No, it’s not a food dye. It’s a clothes dye. I think it’s like a Indigo clothes dye and people take it. And it’s very risky because, ⁓ it’s very few people that, ⁓ actually experiencing the exact condition that’s related to, ⁓ Jessica Dove London (35:41) Okay. Really? Bill Gasiamis (36:01) neurological dysfunction or mitochondrial dysfunction that methylene blue can help for. And then if you take methylene blue and you take too much of it, ⁓ then it decreases mitochondrial function if you don’t have a need for it. And there’s no way of knowing whether you have mitochondrial dysfunction unless you have the right kind of doctor take you through that process and determine whether your mitochondria are functioning properly. I mean, not many people have access to that, but this is what happened when I, ⁓ put that in there, came up with a whole bunch of information again. This is just like the most obscure thing that everyone’s talking about now. And unfortunately, people are taking Methylene Blue ⁓ without knowing whether or not they’re a candidate. And when they request information from me, I want to be able to give them accurate information and don’t be like that. person who holds onto the data and then doesn’t release it. But I’m confident it could say if you’re somebody considering taking Methylene Blue, do not take Methylene Blue. is so, ⁓ it’s such a nuanced bit of like tool. It’s such a nuanced tool and you need to know like the most amazing people in that space and there’s probably only two of them in the world. So it’s like great that everyone’s talking about it. But I feel really confident now about having the information in front of me to share with stroke survivors. And I would not have felt like that if this tool did not exist. Jessica Dove London (37:34) Again, you could also put that into your weekly updates so that it keeps looking for that particular topic. Because I guess the challenge, the reality is, and the challenge for all of us is we hear these things or we don’t even know things exist. And I think, you know, there is the reality. Like I think you’re always looking for that one thing as well, right? Particularly with any sort of neuro condition, you’re like, is there something really big I’m missing? Bill Gasiamis (37:40) Yeah. you Jessica Dove London (38:00) You know, is there something that could really improve when you’re facing something that maybe, maybe there’s a symptom that won’t go away or, you know, in cerebral palsy, it’s a lifelong condition. So you’re all often like, looking for that. Is there something we’re missing kind of experience or there’s a new topic. like just to give you one example, which is a real example is I was worried about my son having osteoporosis. So I told the tool, I’m worried about my son having osteoporosis. I went to the doctor’s consultant and the consultant said, don’t worry, we don’t need to scan. He said we’re going try and them. But the doctor said, don’t worry. And then the week later, my son got very bad knee pain. We ended up doing an x-ray, which showed potential osteoporosis. I pushed and we got a dextrose. And doctor rings me and he says, yes, your son has osteoporosis. And I said, what can we do to treat this? And he actually told me. we wait for children to break their bones when they have cerebral palsy. Now, if you’re a wheelchair user and you break a bone, that could be a year of rehab for your life. Now I’d put this into the tool and in the period of two to three weeks, it had found me two papers studying children with osteoporosis with cerebral palsy and an expert interview. I said to the doctor, why are we not testing his calcium? Why are we not looking at his vitamin D? And the doctor said, you’re right. We need to test those levels. Now like, One, the reality is that consultant just can’t stay to date. Like I actually understand he’s busy. He’s actually serving lots of different conditions. And so like my passion and my hope is that we can do that work for people. because I have organized my son to get these blood tests now because we’re being proactive. Cause I don’t want him to break, break his bones. You know, I care more than anybody. He, know, it’s quality of life. And also when you have a label like cerebral palsy or stroke, Sometimes things can be disregarded, you know, it’s really, they think, ⁓ this is complex. We don’t really know. Well, maybe we just haven’t read the paper from three months ago or that really useful webinar from a conference that was last week. I’m talking about that exact symptom that is legitimate. So yeah, that’s my real passion, Bill is empowering people because, know, I think we all have these stories of being disregarded or. You know, and I do have a lot of hope for the future and I love medical professionals. I have some incredible people that I work with, but curiosity is just not usually the experience of most professionals when they’re, you know, they are just humans doing their best overwhelmed and usually not fully up to date. Bill Gasiamis (40:39) Yep. And they also don’t know what they don’t know. It’s no different to us, right? If they have, if it hasn’t fallen onto their lap and if they haven’t had a lucky day where they saw an article or, know, they’re in the same boat and as frustrating as it can be, and as much as you want to kind of dude, you know, you’re the guy leading my, my healthcare, you know, like I, I’m entrusting you with more than just this blasé attitude at that, like Jessica Dove London (40:43) Yes! That’s right. Bill Gasiamis (41:06) And that’s not helpful either. I totally get it as well. Jessica Dove London (41:08) That’s right. That’s right. You want to do it together. You know, I was on a call this week with not someone from stroke or cerebral palsy, but it was a consult specialist from another disease. I won’t mention what disease, but they said to me on the call, they picked up something from their desk and they said, I have a journal sitting here from early October and I’ve been trying to read it every day. But this person is a surgeon and is very, very busy. And they were telling me to build my tool, like this tool for doctors. She was like, We can’t stay up to date and we really want to, and we do. Like she will read that paper. But it’s such a burden on healthcare professionals. So my real hope in the future is that we go to our professionals and we look together at the evidence. know, there is that, cause you know, the truth is some world leaders obviously in a lot of professionals know a lot more and their lens is very useful of going, actually that is interesting. this is something we hadn’t thought about, or let’s look at this. Just that there’s time limitation. All right, sound good. Bill Gasiamis (42:08) I know they care. And when you’re a surgeon and somebody says, ⁓ emergency just rocked up through the door and it’s 1am, they drop everything and they go right. So then you want to give that person a break as well and say to my care what what do you want to sleep tomorrow morning? Okay, no worries, by all means sleep. And it makes complete sense why a journal could be on somebody’s desk and not get read. I mean, that happens with my taxes. They’re there forever. Jessica Dove London (42:19) Yeah. actually. Bill Gasiamis (42:35) and they need to get done. And I can come up with a million things that I prioritize over that thing because it’s actually a priority. I’m not saying that I don’t pay my taxes. I definitely do. But with a surgeon, you can understand where they would rather spend their time is helping people get through that particular situation that they’re finding themselves in. the, what is it like? It’s like, ⁓ by the way, there’s this journal there yet. I’m going to spend an hour reading that. what somebody needs surgery. No problem. Let’s go. I totally get it. I get it. And this tool kind of enables patients, I think, to have more information and take that to a meeting with a surgeon with a clinical, you know, in a clinical setting, wherever they are, and begin a conversation that perhaps wouldn’t have begun again. That information then does go kind of in that Jessica Dove London (43:09) That’s right. Bill Gasiamis (43:31) either at the front of the mind of that person or at the back of the mind of that person so that they can access it when they need it and then go, you know, I’m going to be curious about that. I’m going to go down that path. Or if you take that to your doctor or a clinician or someone in that space and they say, don’t worry about that, then that’s also a good sign for I need to find a new doctor. I need to find a new clinician, someone who’s going to take the feedback and the information that I bring them seriously. Empowering Patients Through Collaboration Jessica Dove London (43:57) Yeah. 100%. 100%. I think it’s that collaboration. know, we have a person on our team right now. He’s not the most knowledgeable, but just, and he isn’t the specialist, but he’s very supportive and really wants to look at evidence and is always helping us find the right specialist. And it’s just an incredibly wonderful experience to have someone who’s on that side of always validating. then she knows that we’re reading more than she is on some of these topics. And I want to help. don’t want to be doing this alone. Like that’s the other thing you want. You want people to help you and have the answers and give you better. You know, you don’t want to be doing the wrong treatment or wasting that, you know, I always think you can’t try everything even if lots of things worked. But you can do things that don’t work or you can do things that are risky. And I think for so long, has been very risk averse. However, there are so many treatments that are You know, have huge outcomes. You know, we, one of the things we did with our son, he started school in continent. And I listened to a podcast interviewing a world leader out of UCLA. They, um, you know, we’ve actually got a lot of these stories, barely we’ve been able to talk before about some of the things we’ve tried, but it’s a, an external device giving, uh, this is a different one building what we talked about, but it’s a device you put on your back. And it was this new breakthrough about, uh, the spine is connected to motor planning and he. within two days became fully continent. And this is a $300 machine. It was free. The protocol was free and he’s completely continent at school. Like that’s his whole life changed. And the reason I did it is because I listened to a podcast with a world leader and it’s heaps of evidence. There just wasn’t yet evidence in cerebral palsy because they just brought it to cerebral palsy from spinal cord injury. And his whole life changed and I actually have a friend who’s a world leading researcher in this space in cerebral palsy and me and him have spoken about this technology and it’s very exciting. But not everyone can go and talk to this world leading research to go, yeah, this is valid. This makes total sense. You should be trying this. And so how many people are incontinent because of that one particular insight that’s not being shared. know, there’s just so many stories like this of things that are low risk, that have really good. ⁓ potential to change people’s lives. Bill Gasiamis (46:17) Yeah, that’s brilliant. We’re going to obviously get the link to that particular device and we’re going to put it in the show notes. Jessica Dove London (46:23) We should do a session just on devices. I love technology. ⁓ Bill Gasiamis (46:28) Yeah, but that’s the beauty of it, right? We wouldn’t have had that information hadn’t it been for this particular product coming up in the search in the results. ⁓ Jessica Dove London (46:37) That’s right. So one of the things I tell Tony is I want new technology and new equipment. And so last week in my update, it found me a patient comment of someone who’s built a device, a hand device to hold things and they have a web link, but they themselves went and built this device. All the plans are online. And because I’m obsessed with new technology, it’s doing that for me. I’m also obsessed with like new wheelchairs and new, you know, know, new scooters and it’s all. Bill Gasiamis (46:44) you Jessica Dove London (47:06) I love this, like that’s one of my personal sort of like things I’m always looking for. But again, that tool is doing some of that, a lot of that lifting for me, because I can’t read it all. Bill Gasiamis (47:17) Yeah, brilliant. love it. I can’t read it all either. And I definitely don’t know what the obscure things are that people ask for my podcast. And I’m expected to know which is a really, it’s a really lovely thing. Like, you know, like people are coming to me for advice and I want to, I want to be the guy I want to be the connector. want to see people to read. Jessica Dove London (47:37) You can actually share that page when you ask Tony, you can do a URL and share that for your listeners so they can get access to it. Just so you know the bottom so they can just share it and see if it’s useful or not. And that’s the thing like it’s more about is it useful or not for you. Bill Gasiamis (47:44) Yeah, I will be doing that. Yeah, I think what I’ll be doing is answering people’s questions because they’re so lovely to ask them. What I’ll do is I’ll do a search for them on tourney. I’ll record the whole thing and I’ll tell them, you know, one of my stroke survivors who listens to my podcast wants to know about this information. Give me the data. We’ll come up with some research. I’ll answer the question. And then like, I’ll feel amazing that that happened relatively quickly as well, which is going to before for me to actually my gosh, I just had that feeling where I’m like that doctor who gets asked these questions and doesn’t know. So says, my God, I’m going to leave that unanswered or or I’ll tell them there’s nothing about that that we can talk about because there’s no information. I just felt like that doctor where somebody asked him the question and I was like, I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about. Just keep doing what you’re doing or what I’m telling you to do. Whereas now that goes away. That feeling of I don’t think I can help you, goes away. We might not be able to have the answers. We might find out that in fact there is nothing available yet in that space, right? So that’s kind of where Tony will also go. It’ll go, well, there’s nothing here. Jessica Dove London (49:04) and might just find things that are related because that’s the other thing. Like if I’d asked Tony about this, this technology, it’s called spinal. It’s confusing because there’s a few things called spinal stimulation, but it’s trans trans. I’m not going to, I’ll give, can put it in a note. So it’s a technical term, but in the cerebral palsy community, call it spinal stim. Yeah. If I’d put that in, nothing would come back because it was only last year that two research papers had come out about this. However, it would find related things because there is a lot of related concepts. that particular technology and that thinking. Like there was actually a surgery of how that was using the same, doing the same amount of healing. But the benefit of obviously using a machine that you put on your back is it’s not, or brain surgery, which is hugely risky or implanting devices and all that. It’s just not always answers. There’s not always evidence, but there is things, there’s not much happening. And that’s probably my last thought to share is just. Bill Gasiamis (49:49) Yeah. Jessica Dove London (49:57) There is so much happening and I think you’ve lived this bill, like there is a lot of new technologies, new treatments, lifestyles. There’s so much happening in the recovery space and you know, there’s a lot of hope to be had. And that’s one of my biggest feelings of this tool when I use it for myself is hope. literally it found me an advantage. my son is very adventurous and wants to be a, I do not want him to be this, but he wants to be like a wheelchair stunt person. And there was an online event about teenagers getting into skate parks. And I just had such hope that there’s all these people out there trying to make like a Yeah, I didn’t attend because I’m like, he’s only 10. I’m like, no, we can’t do this yet. Bill Gasiamis (50:40) I love that you don’t want to I love that you don’t want him to break his arm roller skating. Jessica Dove London (50:47) You Bill Gasiamis (50:48) I love it. love it. That’s what normal, normal moms do. Right. But there you go. Yeah. Oh, of course it does. That’s Yeah, I love it. Absolutely. Um, that’s exactly why I like Tony because it will do things that we’ve struggled to do for a long time is find resources, information, all that kind of thing. And it’ll do it quickly and it’ll do it. Jessica Dove London (50:51) That’s right. dad does take him to the skate park. His dad takes him. And he goes down. It’s terrible. It’s so scary. Bill Gasiamis (51:15) specifically for you and it’ll send it to your inbox. You don’t have to go anywhere. Now there will be a link for people to click on and go across and get a little discount or some kind of like a, can we talk about that briefly? Jessica Dove London (51:31) Yeah, yeah. So we, this is a low cost AI tool. So we charge two US dollars a week for that weekly update. And it actually costs us $2.80 per update just because we read a million tokens per person to generate that. And we want to provide the most valuable, those value and the most accessible, valuable focus. Not everybody can be spending $30, $40 a month on the really advanced AI tools either. But you can try it for free. So you can just try it for three weeks and see if it’s valuable because end of the day, that’s all we want. And you know, we want your feedback. If you’re like, I’d love it to do this, to do that. We’re a team that really just want to, you know, that’s the beauty of being a technology team is we can build some of these solutions pretty easily. So yeah, you can go through the link and get a 10 % discount, but you can also just try it for free and see if this is valuable for you. Bill Gasiamis (52:22) Yeah, I tried it for free for three weeks and the it’s like having subscribed to the full thing because you’ve got everything that it can possibly do in that three weeks. I’ve got a really good feel for it. So I’ll have that linked as well in the show notes. And then if you’re watching this video and you want to get a sense of ⁓ what this thing is like, what it’s like when I use it, et cetera, I’ll be doing my answers to red light therapy and STC 30. Jessica Dove London (52:29) Yeah, 100%. That’s right. That’s right. Bill Gasiamis (52:49) I’ll be doing all those types of videos. People will be able to see it. The website is turnto.ai. So it’s T-U-R-N-T-O.ai. I’ll have the links in the show notes for that as well. Jessica, thank you so much for reaching out, persevering when I was being a little bit slack with my inbox and then, yeah, kind of developing this tool with your team and bringing it to us. really appreciate it. that you’ve done that and that it’s there because it’s definitely going to improve. It’s going to decrease the amount of time that I take to find information to help me as well because I’m a stroke survivor and I’ve got my own stuff I go through. So thank you for that. Jessica Dove London (53:30) been great to be here, Bill Gasiamis (53:31) You’ve just heard how AI can fundamentally change the way stroke survivors find recovery information, not by replacing doctors, but by reducing overwhelm and helping us ask better questions. In this episode, we explored why stroke recovery information feels so scattered, how fatigue and brain fog makes searching harder and how tools like turnto.ai can bring clarity, speed and hope back into the process. If this conversation resonated with you, I encourage you to explore the tool for yourself. You’ll find a listener discount code in the show notes. More information at recoveryafterstroke.com/turnto, and remember this podcast exists so that no stroke survivor ever has to feel like they’re doing this alone. If you would like to support the work that I do here, you can support me on Patreon at patreon.com/recoveryafterstroke. Your support helps me continue recording these conversations and working toward my goal of a thousand episodes. Thanks for listening. I’ll see you in the next episode. The post Tunrto.ai for Stroke Recovery: Why This Tool Is a Game Changer for Survivors appeared first on Recovery After Stroke.
Co-hosts Ryan Piansky, a graduate student and patient advocate living with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and eosinophilic asthma, and Holly Knotowicz, a speech-language pathologist living with EoE who serves on APFED's Health Sciences Advisory Council, interview Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD, an allergist and immunologist, at Northwestern Medicine, about receiving two APFED HOPE on the Horizon Grants. Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast is designed to support, not replace, the relationship between listeners and their healthcare providers. Opinions, information, and recommendations shared in this podcast are not a substitute for medical advice. Decisions related to medical care should be made with your healthcare provider. Opinions and views of guests and co-hosts are their own. Key Takeaways: [:50] Co-host Ryan Piansky introduces this episode, brought to you thanks to the support of Education Partners GSK, Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda. Ryan introduces co-host Holly Knotowicz. [1:14] Holly introduces today's topic, two APFED HOPE on the Horizon Pilot Grant Projects and today's guest, Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD, an Assistant Professor in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. [1:42] Dr. Kuang is a physician-scientist who takes care of patients with eosinophilic disorders and also performs laboratory research on these disorders in her lab, often using patient samples. Holly thanks Dr. Kuang for joining us. [2:05] As a child, Dr. Kuang always wanted to be a scientist. She is so grateful to live out her childhood dream, and it's because of the amazing people who have supported her, most importantly, her parents. [2:29] In graduate school, Dr. Kuang studied B cells. When she went on to do an allergy fellowship, she thought she would study B cells and care for patients with B cell problems. Instead, she fell in love with allergy and eosinophilic disorders. [2:50] Dr. Kuang is here, in part, because of the different mentors she has had, and in large part, because of the patients she has met along the way. [3:20] Dr. Kuang had the opportunity to work with Amy Klion at the NIH in a clinical trial to treat patients with a drug that gets rid of eosinophils. She says it was a dream come true after her training. [4:02] She says she learned so much about eosinophils, their unusual biology, and the mystery behind what they are here for. She got hooked. [4:15] Dr. Kuang thinks the patients you meet in a clinical trial in a special place like NIH occupy a space in your heart that makes you want to keep working on the subject area. [4:34] Patients in a clinical trial have given up a bunch of their time to travel to Bethesda, Maryland. For the trial Dr. Kuang participated in as a Fellow, it was a good year of their time to come out and do it. [4:47] Dr. Kuang felt there were so many interesting questions, from an intellectual point of view, but there was also a real need from patients with chronic conditions. It was a beautiful opportunity to marry scientists with physicians in training. [5:36] Dr. Kuang shares some knowledge about eosinophils. They are white blood cells that are in all of us. They have little pink packages or granules that "jumped out" in the light microscope almost 200 years ago, when we first identified them. [6:00] Dr. Kuang says that animals, dating back to reptiles, and different species of dolphins, all have eosinophils. A veterinary scientist, Dr. Nicole Stacy of the University of Florida, has taken photos of eosinophils from all these different species. [6:21] They've been around for a long time. What are they good for? What we know is that they are associated with disease conditions, such as asthma and others, including leukemia. Those were the classic first studies of eosinophils. [6:42] Now, we have a different mindset about eosinophils from work by the late James Lee at Mayo Clinic, Arizona. [6:58] Dr. Kuang credits Dr. Lee with suggesting that eosinophils not just cause us problems but also help treat parasitic infections, maintain tissue homeostasis, help wound healing, and tissue repair. That's a new area we are beginning to appreciate. [7:41] Dr. Kuang says we need to be open-minded that in some circumstances, eosinophils may be helpful or innocent. Now we have tools to start to understand some of that. We need to collect information from patients being treated with medicines. [8:10] Ryan tells of being diagnosed as a kid. Doctors explained to him that eosinophils fight parasites, but in some people, they get confused and attack the esophagus. That's EoE. That was easy to understand, but he knew that the researchers knew more. [8:53] Ryan is grateful to the patient population around eosinophilic esophagitis, and is proud of APFED's support of patients and caregivers with HOPE Grants. APFED has the HOPE on the Horizon Research Program, entirely funded by community donations. [9:13] To date, APFED has directed more than $2 million toward eosinophilic disease research initiatives through various grant programs. As a patient advocacy organization, APFED works with fantastic researchers who submit innovative research ideas. [9:32] These research ideas go through an extensive and competitive peer-review process, supported by researchers and clinicians in the APFED community. [9:42] Today, we're going to discuss two different projects supported by HOPE Pilot Grants with Dr. Kuang. [10:00] Dr. Kuang thinks there are two ways these grant programs are important to patients. One is advancing research by nurturing seedling investigators. Dr. Kuang got her first grant when she was a Fellow. It was an incredible opportunity. [10:25] These grant programs also nurture seedling ideas that don't have enough evidence yet to garner the larger NIH grants, and so forth. There are other sources for grants: pharmaceutical companies. The grant programs are for seeds. [10:49] Patients need to know that there are new things that are given some chance of being tested out. Research takes some time, and the FDA process of getting a drug approved is long. [11:04] For the newly diagnosed patient, it can feel overwhelming. It feels like there's a loss of control. Sometimes, participating in something like APFED, being part of a community, gives back a sense of control that is lost when you're handed a diagnosis. [11:45] For patients who have had it for a long time, when they participate in research and become engaged in organizations like APFED, they know they may not directly benefit today, they may benefit later, but they hope future patients will benefit. [12:21] That gives them a sense of control and hope that things will be better for the next generation. We all want that, especially in medicine, in something that we don't have a very deep understanding of. [12:58] Dr. Kuang received two HOPE Pilot Grants, one in 2018 and one in 2022. The first grant was awarded when she was a Fellow at the NIH. [13:05] That first grant explored some effects of eosinophilic depletion of pathogenic lymphocytes in hypereosinophilic syndrome and overlaps with EGIDs. Ryan asks for a broad overview of that research. [13:25] When Dr. Kuang was a Fellow at the NIH, they were doing a Phase 2 clinical trial, looking at "blowing up" eosinophils in patients who have a lot of them, hypereosinophilic syndrome patients. [13:39] They included patients who had eosinophilic GI disease, often beyond the esophagus. They may have esophageal involvement, but sometimes their stomach is impacted, sometimes their large bowel is impacted, with related symptoms. [13:57] What Dr. Kuang and the team noticed in the trial was that just within that little group of patients, there were people who did well, and people who did much better than before, but would have recurrent symptoms, and with no eosinophils in their GI tissues. [14:16] The researchers wanted to know what was causing these problems for the patient. If you take eosinophils away, what other factors will impact the immune system of the patient, semi-long-term? [14:32] Their focus was on these groups of patients who had different responses. They looked at the white blood cells that had been previously described as being the responsible, "bad" T cells that lead to eosinophils in the gut. [14:49] They found that the patients who had recurrent flares of the disease had more of the bad T cells, and the patients who responded well and never complained again about symptoms did not. [15:03] That allowed researchers to identify that there were subsets of patients with the disease that they were calling the same thing. [15:18] Dr. Kuang says that work also led them to find that those cells were being reported in patients who had food allergies for which they needed an epinephrine auto-injector. [15:27] The researchers were curious whether that was just a food allergy issue, or only applied if you had food allergies and eosinophilic GI disease. That HOPE project allowed them to do a pilot study to look at food allergy patients, too. They did, and published it. [15:45] They published that in patients who have a food allergy and have these T cells, the insides of those cells make different messages for the immune system than the ones that the researchers had previously described. [16:01] In looking for why there were differences in those responses, they accidentally found that there were differences inside these cells in a completely different disease, which also had these T cells. [16:21] Dr. Kuang says that the finding was kind of a surprise. If they had found anything in the eosinophilic GI disease patients, that would have been good. They also looked at the epithelial cells and the structure of the GI lining. [16:42] Even though there were no eosinophils in the GI lining in the patients who had been treated with a biologic that depleted eosinophils, their GI lining still looked like the GI lining of patients who had eosinophilic GI disease. [16:55] Dr. Kuang asked what was creating those spots. Our gut lining sheds, so there should have been an opportunity for the GI lining to turn over and look new. Something was there, making signals to create these spots. They did a different publication on that. [17:21] The data from the HOPE Pilot study allowed Dr. Kuang to apply for larger grants. It allowed her to propose to the company that made this drug, when they did the Phase 3 trial, to insert into that special study the study on eosinophilic GI disease. [17:48] Do patients with eosinophilic GI disease do better or worse on this drug, and how do the T cells look in that trial? That HOPE Grant gave Dr. Kuang the data to ask the drug company to give her money to study it in an international cohort of patients. [18:17] There were only 20 patients in that first NIH trial, who gave a year of their life, coming to NIH all the time. They continued to be in the study until the drug was approved for asthma. [18:28] Dr. Kuang says the main reason the company did the Phase 3 trial, which is expensive, and the market share is not huge because it's a rare disease, is that two of the patients went to bat for this disease population. [18:47] The two patients went and showed the business people what they looked like before, what the drug had done for them, and how their lives had changed. It wasn't the doctors or the great paper from the trial, but the patients who convinced the company. [19:01] Dr. Kuang says she was so floored by that and moved by what they did for the community. She is grateful. [19:24] Since the Phase 3 trial, Dr. Kuang and the other researchers realized they had not fully studied the eosinophils. They had studied them in part. They found differences in response. This inspired the second APFED HOPE Pilot Grant. [21:19] In 2022, Dr. Kuang received a two-year APFED HOPE Pilot Grant to examine how blood eosinophils in Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases differ from those of other eosinophilic diseases and how T cells in EGIDs differ from those in food allergies. [21:49] Dr. Kuang says normally, the biggest place of residence for eosinophils is the GI tract. That's where they are normally seen in people who do not have eosinophilic disorders. [21:59] People who have eosinophilic disorders that attack other parts of the body, asthma, and rarely, the heart. Dr. Kuang was curious to know why one person and not the other? [22:15] Patients who have eosinophilic GI disease often ask, How do you know this high level in the blood is not going to attack my heart or my lungs in the future? Dr. Kuang does not know. [22:29] Dr. Kuang says, looking at the cohort at the NIH, that for many patients who have both GI organ involvement and some other space, when they first went to see a provider, their first complaint was a GI condition. [22:54] If the doctor had only diagnosed a GI condition, nothing else, that would have been wrong. Those patients may not have been monitored as well. A third of the patients originally presented like that. [23:11] What that meant was that we should be paying attention to patients who have GI disease who have lots of eosinophils in their blood. Moving forward, if there are new complaints, we need to investigate. We can't forget they have that. [23:27] Dr. Kuang asks, Wouldn't it be great if we had a better tool than needing to wait? Wouldn't it be great if we had a biomarker that said the eosinophils have switched their target location and are going somewhere else? [23:41] One way to do that is to take different groups of eosinophils and look for differences between those that never target the GI tract and those that do. In patients who have EoE, the eosinophils only target or cause problems in the esophagus. [23:58] Are their eosinophils any different than those of a healthy person, with none of these conditions? That was the goal of that study. [24:10] T cells are another type of white blood cell. They contain a memory of foreign things they have encountered, which allows them to glom onto flu, COVID, peanuts, pollen, that kind of thing. They remember. [24:32] Dr. Kuang says they learned that T cells, at least in the mouse model, are required in the development of eosinophilic esophagitis. The mice in the old study, where mice were forced to develop EoE, did not get EoE if you removed their T cells. [24:50] In the first APFED HOPE grant study, Dr. Kuang found T cells in the blood and tissue of both EGIDs and food allergy patients, but the insides of the T cells were different. The food allergy patients were children recruited by a pediatric allergist. [25:19] In the second APFED HOPE grant study, at Northwestern, Dr. Kuang recruited her adult food allergy patients. That was a way to validate what they found in the first study and move further to better characterize those T cells in the two different diseases. [25:47] Dr. Kuang says we're at a point where we've recruited a lot of people. She says it's amazing what people are willing to do. It's very humbling. [26:06] Dr. Kuang's team in the lab is really great, too. To accommodate patients, they would see them after work, if that's what they had to do to isolate eosinophils. So they did that, and now they are in the process of analyzing that data. It's really exciting. [26:28] What's exciting is that they are seeing results that show that eosinophilic GI disease patients have circulating eosinophils that are different from the eosinophils of people who don't have GI involvement, and from people who have EoE. [26:46] The EoE patients have eosinophils different from those of healthy donors. Dr. Kuang says there's a lot of promise for perhaps unique signatures that could help define these conditions; maybe someday without biopsying, but that's a long time away. [27:16] Dr. Kuang says they will focus on some candidate targets and try to recreate some of that in a dish with eosinophils from healthy people. [27:26] What are the signals that lead eosinophils to do this, and can we translate that back to available drugs that target certain cytokines or other pathways, and maybe give some insight to develop drugs that target other pathways for these diseases? [28:17] Ryan thinks it's exciting that this research is narrowing in on not only the different symptoms, but also how the eosinophils are acting differently in these populations. [28:44] Dr. Kuang is super excited about this research. You could imagine that all eosinophils are the same, but you don't know until you look. When they looked, using the newest technology, they found there were differences. [29:33] Dr. Kuang says it is thought that T cells respond to triggers. We don't think eosinophils have a memory for antigens. T cells do. That's one of their definitions. When T cells react to a trigger, they give out messages through cytokines or by delivery. [30:20] Those are the messages that recruit eosinophils and other cells to come and stir up some trouble. [30:28] In the mouse model, where you don't have the T cells, and you don't get eosinophilic esophagitis in the particular way they made it happen in a mouse, that middle messenger is gone, so the eosinophils don't know where to go. [30:44] With drugs that take out eosinophils, you think that you've gotten rid of the cell that creates all the problems. It shouldn't matter what the message says because there's no cell there to cause the damage. [30:58] What Dr. Kuang learned is that, at least in certain eosinophilic GI diseases, that's not true. You erase the eosinophils from the picture, but that message is still coming. [31:10] Who's carrying out the orders? Or is that message maintaining the wall of epithelial cells in a certain way that we didn't appreciate because the eosinophils were also there? [31:24] It's important to study both, because one is the messenger and the other is one of the actors. Whether all of the actions taken by eosinophils are bad, or maybe some of them were meant to be good, we have yet to learn. [31:40] At the moment, we're using it as a marker for disease activity, and that may change in the future, as we learn more about the roles of these cells in the process. [31:50] We have drugs now that target eosinophils and drugs that target T cells. Dr. Kuang thinks it's important to study both and to study the impact of these drugs on these cells. [32:02] You could theoretically use these drugs to understand whether, if someone responds to it, what happens to these cells, and if someone doesn't respond to it, what happens to these cells, and how this disease manifests in this flavor of patients. [32:54] Dr. Kuang says, Often in science, we take a model. We think this works this way. Then, if this works this way, we expect that if we remove this, these things should happen. We did that with the first clinical trial, with NIH patients. [33:10] It didn't quite happen the way we thought, so we had to go looking for explanations. These were unusual setbacks. Sometimes you have unusual findings, like the food allergy part. [33:24] When Dr. Kuang went to Northwestern, she saw different cohorts of patients than she saw at NIH. She saw people who were seen every day, which is a different spectrum than those who are selected to be enrolled in a study protocol at the NIH. [33:42] That broadened her viewpoint. It's maybe not all food-triggered. They were seeing adults who'd never had food allergies or asthma their whole life, and they had eosinophilic esophagitis suddenly as a 50-year-old. There's a significant group of them. [34:10] What Dr. Kuang learned and tries to be open-minded about is that where you train, what sorts of patients you see, really shape your viewpoint and thinking about the disease process and the management process. [34:24] Dr. Kuang says she was so lucky to have experienced that at a quaternary care referral center like the NIH and at an academic center like Northwestern, where there are fantastic gastroenterologists who see so many of these patients. [34:56] Dr. Kuang and an Allergy Fellow knew they were going to get a wonderful data set from the NIH patients they had recruited, so they thought they had better look deeply at what had been learned before with older technology, with mice and people. [35:13] They decided to gather previous research, and that ultimately got published as an article. From that research, they learned that people did things in many different ways because there was no standard. They didn't know what the standard should be. [35:28] Different things you do to try to get eosinophils out of tissue impact how they look, in terms of transcript, gene expression, and what messages they make to define themselves as an eosinophil. [35:43] They also learned that because eosinophils are hard to work with, they die easily, and you can't freeze them and work on them the next day; you can introduce issues in there that have to be accounted for. [35:59] They learned that as an eosinophil research community, they ought to come up with some standards so that they can compare future studies with each other. Dr. Kuang says it was impossible to compare the old studies that used different premises. [36:50] Dr. Kuang says we need to be proactive in creating the datasets in a standard way so that we can compare and have a more fruitful and diverse community of data. It's hard to use the old data. [37:57] Dr. Kuang says they get fresh blood from patients, and because eosinophils are finicky, they need to be analyzed within four hours, or preserved in a way to save whatever fragile molecules are to be studied. [38:19] If you let it sit, it starts dying, so you won't have as many of them, and they start changing because they're not in the body. Dr. Kuang experimented with putting a tube of blood on the bench and checking it with the same test every two hours. It changes. [38:38] Four hours is a standard to prevent the eosinophils from dying. Patients need treatment. If a patient is hospitalized and needs treatment, Dr. Kuang's team needs to be there to get a sample before treatment is started. [39:03] The treatment impacts it, changing the situation. Much of the treatment, initially, is steroids. When you give lots of steroids, the eosinophils go away. It's no good to draw their blood then. [39:27] Dr. Kuang also gets a urine sample. The granules of the eosinophils can get into the urine. As they study people with active disease, they want to capture granule proteins in the urine as a less invasive way to monitor activity in different disease states. [40:04] The patient just needs to give Dr. Kuang either arm and a urine sample. [41:04] Dr. Kuang explains, you can count your eosinophils after four hours, but to study them, they have different flags of different colors and shapes. Those colors and shapes may mean that it's an activated eosinophil, or they may have other meanings. [41:41] Dr. Kuang focused on markers that look at whether it's going to spill its granules and some traditional markers of activation. [41:50] Everyone chooses a different marker of activation. So they decided to look at as many as they could. One marker is not sufficient. They seem to be different in different conditions. The markers are on the surface; you need to analyze them right away. [42:20] Then, Dr. Kuang breaks open the eosinophils and grabs the messenger RNA. They preserve it to do sequencing to read out the orders to see what this eosinophil is telling itself to make. RNA chops up messages. [43:00] When you open an eosinophil, a protein you find is RNA, which chops up messages, destroying parts of the cell. You want to save the message. There's a brief time to analyze the eosinophil. Dr. Kuang works to preserve and read the message. [44:04] Dr. Kuang hopes someday to run a tube of blood, look at the flags on the eosinophils, and say, "I think your eosinophilic GI disease is active," or "You have a kind of eosinophilic GI disease we need to monitor more frequently for organ damage." [44:38] If another patient doesn't have those flags, Dr. Kuang could say, "I think the chances that you're going to have involvement elsewhere are low." That can give reassurance to folks who are worried. [45:15] Dr. Kuang hopes that someday we can understand better why some people have food allergies vs. eosinophilic GI disease. They both have T cells, but the T cells have different packages inside with messages to deliver. [45:34] Every day, Dr. Kuang has to tell patients she doesn't have that answer. Someday, she hopes she can tell a patient she does have that answer. [46:35] Dr. Kuang tells about an NIH grant she's excited about and the patients she recruits after therapy, or elimination diets, to examine eosinophils and T cells, to see the impacts their treatments or diets have had on eosinophilic GI disease. [47:18] Dr. Kuang believes there will be predictors of who will respond to an elimination diet and who will respond to steroid therapy. She hopes one day to have that, rather than going through rounds of six to eight weeks followed by a scope. [47:34] If you have an elimination diet for six to eight weeks, every time you add back a food, you have to do a scope. Dr. Kuang says it would be great if you could be more precise ahead of time for therapy. [47:48] Dr. Kuang says these wonderful drugs selectively take out parts of the pathway in the immune system. They provide real-life opportunities to ask, why is this important in human biology and the human immune system? [48:15] Dr. Kuang finds the knowledge itself fascinating and useful. She hopes it informs how we choose future drugs or therapeutic avenues to get the best we can out of what we've learned, so we have more targeted ways of treating specific diseases. [48:48] Ryan is grateful for all the research happening for the eosinophilic disease community and all the patients participating in the research. He asks Dr. Kuang how a patient can participate in research. [49:12] There are lots of ways to be involved in research. Dr. Kuang says her patients come away from participating in research feeling good about having done it. [49:22] Answer a survey, if that's what you have bandwidth for. Where therapies are changing, being a part of a community is good for the community, for the future, but it's good for you, too. It's healing in ways that are not steroids or biologics. [49:58] Being part of a community is healing in ways we all need when we feel alone and bewildered. You're not alone. [50:12] There are many ways to participate: APFED, CEGIR, individual institutions, and clinical trials. They all have different amounts of involvement. It's worthwhile to participate, not only for future patients but for yourself. They're fantastic! [50:56] Dr. Kuang talks about the privilege as a physician of working with APFED and other organizations to do this work. [51:09] Holly thanks Dr. Kuang for sharing all of this research and exciting information. [51:25] Dr. Kuang is excited about what her group is doing and is hopeful. Besides showing up for this disease, we have to show up for research, in general, in this country. It's a dark time for NIH research funding. [51:55] Dr. Kuang asks the young listeners who are thinking of choosing a field to see the potential and get into it, study this, and believe that there's going to be a future with a more nurturing research environment. [52:36] Dr. Kuang would hate to lose generations of scientists. She says that once she was a little girl who was trying to be a scientist. Her parents had no connections with scientists or doctors, but she was able to get into research, and she thinks you can, too. [53:48] As a graduate student, Ryan has always been interested in trying to improve things, and he sees hope on the horizon. He's very grateful to the APFED community for supporting these research HOPE Pilot Grants. [54:17] Ryan is very grateful to Dr. Kuang for joining us today. [54:22] For our listeners who want to learn more about eosinophilic disorders, we encourage you to visit apfed.org and check out the links in the show notes. [54:28] If you're looking to find a specialist who treats eosinophilic disorders, we encourage you to use APFED's Specialist Finder at apfed.org/specialist. [54:37] If you'd like to connect with others impacted by eosinophilic diseases, please join APFED's online community on the Inspire Network at apfed.org/connections. [54:57] Dr. Kuang thanks Ryan and Holly and says she enjoyed the conversation. Holly also thanks APFED's Education Partners GSK, Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda for supporting this episode. Mentioned in This Episode: Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD, Allergist and Immunologist, Northwestern Medicine Grants and publications discussed: Apfed.org/blog/apfed-announces-2018-hope-apfed-hope-pilot-grant-recipient/ Apfed.org/blog/fei-li-kuang-hope-pilot-grant-award/ Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39213186/ Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37487654/ APFED on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram Real Talk: Eosinophilic Diseases Podcast apfed.org/specialist apfed.org/connections apfed.org/research/clinical-trials Education Partners: This episode of APFED's podcast is brought to you thanks to the support of GSK, Sanofi, Regeneron, and Takeda. Tweetables: "I think the patients that you meet in a clinical trial, especially in a special place like NIH, occupy a space in your heart — I don't mean to be all too emotional about this — that makes you want to keep working on the subject area." — Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD "When I was a Fellow at the NIH, we were doing a Phase 2 clinical trial, looking at, for want of a better word, "blowing up" eosinophils in patients who have a lot of them, hypereosinophilic syndrome patients." — Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD "We're at a point where we've recruited a lot of people. I've had patients drive from the northern part of Illinois … come down and give me blood. It's amazing what people want to do and are willing to do. It's very humbling, actually." — Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD "You erase the eosinophils from the picture, but that message is still coming. Who's carrying out the orders? Or is that message maintaining the wall of epithelial cells in a certain way that we didn't appreciate because the eosinophils were also there?" — Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD "We need to be proactive in creating the datasets in a standard way so that we can compare and have a more fruitful and diverse community of data." — Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD "I think it's worthwhile to participate [in a clinical trial], not only for the future people but for yourself." — Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD Guest Bio: Fei Li Kuang, MD, PhD, is currently an Assistant Professor in the Division of Allergy and Immunology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL. She is a graduate of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine Medical Scientist Training Program with both a PhD in Cell Biology/Immunology and an MD. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, she did her Fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) in Bethesda, Maryland. She is a physician-scientist who takes care of patients with eosinophilic disorders and also performs laboratory research on these disorders in her lab, often using patient samples.
Two questions I get a lot from people who are new to Biohacking and cognitive enhancers are...❓ Which Smart Drugs actually work and have science behind them?❔ Which Nootropic should I get started with?⚡ My answer to both questions is the same: PiracetamIt has a significant body of scientific evidence behind it; over 750 human studies and academic papers have been published about Piracetam on PubMed, with over ten meta-analysis papers in just the past decade.9:51 Scientific Research11:52 Memory Enhancement17:50 Mitochondrial Nootropic19:47 Stroke Recovery20:12 Cognitive Enhancer20:50 Verbal Fluency22:45 Cognitive Decline24:26 Vs Alzheimer's24:53 Mechanism of Action26:42 History27:13 Vs Depression29:50 Sources35:43 Piracetam Non-Responders?37:10 Tolerance37:28 Post-Piracetam Intelligence Deficit43:09 Addiction or Dependence?43:50 Experiential46:47 Featured in Fiction47:21 Dosage & Cofactors49:22 Side Effects & Risks56:23 ConclusionRead Meta-Analysis
Why do your migraines always strike right before your period? What if your body is actually trying to tell you something—something that could help you prevent the next one?In this episode of Migraine Heroes Podcast, host Diane Ducarme explores the intricate connection between your menstrual cycle and migraine attacks. Together, we decode what your body is signaling in those fragile days before your period—and how to work with it, not against it.You'll discover:
The skincare industry is worth over $180 billion globally. The science backing most of it? Let's just say your liver isn't the only organ that doesn't need a detox.This episode is sponsored by Osmia, Science-backed skincare formulated by a physician who actually reads PubMed. Use code YDS20 for 20% off your first order at osmiaskincare.com.This week we're doing something a little different: a partner episode with Osmia, one of our sponsors this season. But if you know YDS, you know we don't do puff pieces. Dr. Sarah Villafranco is a board-certified emergency medicine physician who left the ER to formulate skincare, and brought her doctor brain with her. She's here because she shares our allergy to pseudoscience, not because she's paying us to be nice—and we approached this conversation with the same critical lens we'd bring to any industry deep-dive. (You can read more about how we handle sponsorships and editorial independence at yourdietsuckspodcast.com/our-advertising-ethics-policy.)We talk about why tallow is the new wellness grift (sorry, ancestral girlies), what "natural" actually means when the FDA doesn't regulate it, and why your 20-step TikTok routine is probably making your skin worse. Sarah breaks down the three products that actually matter, explains why thicker doesn't mean more hydrating (remember: hydrate has "water" in it), and makes the case for the least sexy skincare advice ever spoken aloud: consistency.We also get into the ethics of beauty marketing, why "anti-aging" language is completely absent from everything Osmia does, and how to be your own N of 1 experiment when it comes to your skin, which should sound familiar if you've been listening to this show.Plus: the St. Ives Apricot Scrub accountability moment we all needed, why medicated lip balms are a scam, and the skincare equivalent of taking 500 supplements a day.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by serums, confused by "clean beauty" claims, or suspicious that the wellness industry just found a new way to sell you a crisis and then the cure, this one's for you.
Send us a textIn episode #164 we discussed some important science around heat and performance with Dr. Melani Kelly:The differences between heat exhaustion, heat injury, and heat stroke, and the role hydration and nutrition play in preventing them.How certain medications can increase the risk of exertional heat illness, and how they can alter our physiological responsesPractical advice and strategies for athletes on preparing for and managing heat exposure during training and competition.Melani Kelly is an Assistant Professor at Utah Valley University, where she teaches and mentors students in the Department of Exercise Science and Outdoor Recreation. She holds a PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kansas, a MS in Sport and Exercise Sciences from West Texas A&M, and a BS in Athletic Training from Eastern Washington University. Dr. Kelly's current research focuses on identifying exertional heat illness (EHI) risk factors and assessing kidney damage in 100-mile ultramarathon runners. Her work has highlighted various risk factors, including how mental health medications may increase EHI risk, and individualized gastrointestinal responses to limit damage and perceived symptoms experienced with physical activityPlease note that this podcast is created strictly for educational purposes and should never be used for medical diagnosis or treatment.Follow Dr. Melani Kelly: Google Scholar: scholar.google.com/citations?user=vBhJYmsAAAAJ&hl=enSelf Reported Exertional Heat Illness and Risk Factors among Collegiate Marching Band ArtistsCore Body Temperature in Collegiate Marching Band Artists During Rehearsals and PerformancesCollegiate Marching Band Artists Experience High Core Body Temperature during Rehearsals and PerformancesMentioned:Drugs.com: https://www.drugs.com/PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/NIH Stat Pearls: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430685/MORE NR New customers save 10% off all products on our website with the code NEWPOD10 If you would like to work with our practitioners, click here: https://nutritional-revolution.com/work-with-us/ Save 50% off your 1st Trifecta Nutrition order with code NR50: https://trifectanutrition.llbyf9.net/qnNk05 Save 20% on all supplements at our trusted online source: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/kchannell Join Nutritional Revolution's The Feed Club to get $20 off right away with an additional $20 Feed credit drop every 90 days.: https://thefeed.com/teams/nutritional-revolution If you're interested in sponsoring Nutritional Revolution Podcast, shoot us an email at nutritionalrev@gmail.com.
Send us a textWhat happens when AI becomes powerful enough to diagnose—not just one disease, but entire fields of medicine at once? In this episode of DigiPath Digest #33, I break down four new PubMed abstracts shaping the future of digital pathology, clinical AI integration, federated learning, and multidisciplinary cancer care. Across every study, one message is clear: AI is accelerating, but human oversight defines its safe adoption.Below are the full timestamps, key insights, and referenced research to help you explore each topic more deeply.TIMESTAMPS & HIGHLIGHTS0:00 — Welcome & Opening Question How far can AI safely scale across medicine—and where must humans stay in control?4:10 — AI in Forensic Medicine: Accuracy Meets Ethical LimitsBased on a systematic review, we discuss:AI advances in personal identification, pathology, toxicology, radiology, anthropology.Benefits: reduced diagnostic error, faster case resolution.Challenges: data diversity gaps, limited validation, lack of ethical frameworks.
In this high-impact solo episode, Darin strips away the noise, hacks, and hype to deliver a clear, no-BS roadmap for transforming your body, brain, energy, and direction in life. This is a straight-talk breakdown of the 5 foundational habits that matter most — the habits backed by science, ancient wisdom, and Darin's decades-long experience living this work every day. Expect practical steps, micro-experiments, timing rules, and the mindset needed to reclaim sovereignty in a world full of distraction. If you're ready to build a stronger, clearer, more powerful version of yourself… this is the episode. What You'll Learn 00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife How this podcast helps you build sovereignty through real habits, real truth, and real practices. 03:07 – Why this episode is different Darin lays out the mission: habits, hacks, hard truths — without dogma or fluff. 03:44 – The 5 foundational moves that change your biology A preview of the metabolic, physical, mental, and behavioral levers that create huge shifts. 1. METABOLIC EDGE — Eat Like You're Building a Future 04:03 – Terrain theory + why your food timing matters How altering the internal environment of your cells changes everything. 05:02 – The two levers that unlock metabolic health Time-restricted eating + plant-forward whole foods. 05:23 – Compressing your eating window Why 8–10 hours is ideal, how it improves glucose, insulin, weight, and inflammation. 06:18 – Practical weekly ramp-up Week 1: 12 hours. Week 2: 8–10 hours. Simple, sustainable, achievable. 07:10 – Darin's personal eating window 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — and why eating earlier aligns with digestive fire. 2. MOVEMENT THAT MATTERS — Strength Is Survival 11:04 – Why strength training is non-negotiable Muscle protects metabolism, bone density, insulin sensitivity, and longevity. 11:51 – What the evidence says Huge cohort studies show strength training reduces all-cause mortality. 12:23 – The perfect weekly formula 3x/week compound lifts + daily movement + micro-bursts every hour. 13:06 – Real-life practicality Darin's routine of walking, sprinting dogs, mountain biking, and breaking up the day with movement. 3. SLEEP — The Ultimate Biological Reset 16:26 – The truth everyone ignores You cannot out-supplement or out-biohack poor sleep. 16:40 – The real impact of chronic sleep loss Cognition, memory, hormones, emotional regulation — all decline. 17:37 – The universal rule: consistent timing Same bedtime ± 30 minutes, every night. 17:52 – 60-minute wind-down protocol Screens off, light down, nervous system softening. 18:32 – Using sauna as a down-regulation tool Infrared benefits + why Darin does it twice a day in winter. 4. MINDSET & CONSCIOUSNESS — Your Attention Is Your Power 20:00 – Why optimization fails without attention training You can master food, workouts, and sleep — but scattered attention destroys progress. 20:48 – Darin's morning protocol Water → elixir → infrared pad → meditation → visualization → journaling. Every day. Everywhere. 21:01 – Meta-analysis proof Meditation reduces anxiety, depression, stress — and rewires your brain. 21:23 – The perfect 10-minute breathwork formula 5–5–5–5 or 4–4–4–4 cycles for nervous system reset. 21:56 – Journaling as medicine Stream-of-consciousness to activate clarity and emotional release. 5. WEALTH — Treat Your Time Like Capital 22:36 – Redefining wealth It's not money — it's your magnetism, output, relationships, and purpose. 23:16 – The compounding effect of tiny decisions Time batching, micro-actions, and protecting your attention from the social media attention economy. 24:02 – Mini productivity framework 90 seconds → 3 important calls. Every Friday → 1 paragraph on what scaled this week. 25:14 – Darin's post-meditation rule No scrolling — replace with proactive actions: reading, outreach, Patreon replies. FINAL TAKEAWAYS 26:02 – The master checklist: • Time-restricted eating • Plant-focused meals • Resistance training • Daily meditation • Consistent sleep • Sauna recovery • Treating time like capital 26:11 – The real danger Chasing hacks before mastering fundamentals leads to burnout, confusion, and stress. 27:58 – Your power is in the basics These are simple, accessible, and life-changing. 28:04 – Closing message "Have your best Super Life Day ever." Thank You to Our Sponsors Our Place: Toxic-free, durable cookware that supports healthy cooking. Go to their website at fromourplace.com/darin and get 35% off sitewide in their largest sale of the year. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences Key Takeaway "Your biology changes when your decisions change. Nail your sleep, nail your strength, honor your attention, and treat your time like capital — and you will build a Super Life from the ground up." Bibliography Time-restricted eating (human RCTs / reviews) — Wilkinson et al., 10-hour TRE reduced weight and improved cardiometabolic markers (2019). PMC Intermittent fasting / metabolic health review — comprehensive reviews showing metabolic switching benefits. PMC+1 Plant-forward/vegetarian diets & cardiometabolic outcomes — BMJ/Nutrition reviews and JAMA network evidence showing improved CVD risk markers and metabolic benefits. BMJ Nutrition+1 Sleep and cognition / brain health — Nature/Harvard coverage & meta-analyses: short sleep impairs cognition and links to amyloid processes. Nature+1 Resistance training & mortality / physical function — systematic and cohort evidence that muscle-strengthening activity lowers risk and preserves function. British Journal of Sports Medicine+1 Mindfulness & mental health meta-analysis — Goyal et al. 2014 and subsequent meta-analyses showing reductions in anxiety/stress. PubMed+1 Sauna bathing and cardiovascular outcomes — JAMA Internal Medicine / Mayo Clinic Proceedings reviews on sauna and lower CVD risk signals.
Dr. Monty Pal and Dr. Jason Westin discuss the federal funding climate for cancer research and the persistent problem of drug shortages, two of the major concerns facing the oncology community in 2026. TRANSCRIPT Dr. Monty Pal: Hello and welcome to the ASCO Daily News Podcast. I am your host, Dr. Monty Pal. I am a medical oncologist and vice chair of academic affairs at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. There are always multiple challenges facing oncologists, and today, we discuss two of them that really stand out for 2026: threats to federal funding for cancer research and the persistent problem of drug shortages. I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Jason Westin, who believes that one way to meet these challenges is to get oncologists more involved in advocacy, and he will share some strategies to help us meet this moment in oncology. Dr. Westin is a professor in the Department of Lymphoma and Myeloma at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, but he actually wears a lot of hats within ASCO. He is a member of the Board of Directors and has also previously served as chair of ASCO's Government Relations Committee. And he is also one of the inaugural members of ASCO's Political Action Committee, or PAC. He has testified before Congress about drug shortages and many other issues. Dr. Westin, I am really excited to have you on the podcast today and dive into some of these elements that will really impact our community in 2026. Thanks so much for joining us today. Dr. Jason Westin: Thank you for having me. Dr. Monty Pal: You've had such a range of experience. I already alluded to you testifying before Congress. You've actually run for office before. You wear so many different hats. I'm used to checking my PubMed every other day and seeing a new paper out from you and your group, and you publish in the New England Journal [of Medicine] on practice-setting standards and the diseases that you treat. But you've also done all this work in the domain of advocacy. I can't imagine that balancing that is easy. What has sort of motivated you on the advocacy front? Dr. Jason Westin: Advocacy to me is another way to apply our skills and help more people than just those that you're sitting across from at the time. Clinical research, of course, is a tool to try and take what we know and apply it more broadly to people that you'll never meet. And advocacy, I think, can do the same thing, where you can have a conversation with a lawmaker, you can advocate for a position, and that hopefully will help thousands or maybe even more people down the road who you'd never get to directly interact with. And so, I think it's a force multiplier in the same way that research can be. And so, I think advocacy is a wonderful part of how doctors care for our patients. And it's something that is often difficult to know where to start, but once people get into advocacy, they can see that the power, the rewarding nature of it is attractive, and most people, once they get going, continue with that through the rest of their career. Dr. Monty Pal: So, I'll ask you to expand on that a little bit. We have a lot of our younger ASCO members listening to this podcast, folks that are just starting out their careers in clinical practice or academia. Where does that journey begin? How do you get to the point that you're testifying in front of Congress and taking on these bigger sort of stances for the oncology community? Dr. Jason Westin: Yeah, with anything in medicine and in our careers, you have to start somewhere. And often you start with baby steps before you get in front of a panel of senators or other high-profile engagement opportunities. But often the first setting for junior colleagues to be engaged is doing things – we call them "Hill Days" – but basically being involved in kind of low-stakes meetings where you're with a group of peers, some of whom have done this multiple times before, and can get engaged talking to members of representatives' offices, and doing so in a way where it's a natural conversation that you're telling a story about a patient in your clinic, or that you're telling a personal experience from a policy that impacted your ability to deliver optimal care. It sounds stressful, but once you're doing it, it's not stressful. It's actually kind of fun. And it's a way that you can get comfort and skill with a group of peers who are there and able to help you. And ASCO has a number of ways to do that, both at the federal level, there's the Hill Day where we each April have several hundred ASCO members travel to Capitol Hill. There's also state engagement that can be done, so-called visiting at home, when representatives from the U.S. Congress or from state legislators are back in district. You can meet with your own representatives on behalf of yourself, on behalf of your organization, and advocate for policies in a way that can be beneficial to your patients. But those initial meetings that are in the office often they're low stakes because you could be meeting not with the representative but with their staff. And that staff sometimes is as young or even younger than our junior colleagues. These sometimes can be people in their 20s, but they're often extremely knowledgeable, extremely approachable, and are used to dealing with people who are new to advocacy. But they actually help make decisions within the office. So it's not a waste of time. It's actually a super useful way to engage. So, it's that first step of anything in life. The activation energy is always high to do something new. But I'd encourage people who are listening to this podcast already having some level of interest about it to explore ways that they could engage more. Dr. Monty Pal: You know, I have to tell you, I'm going to riff on what you just said for a second. ASCO couldn't make it any easier, I think, for folks to participate and get involved. So, if you're listening to this and scratching your head and thinking, "Well, where do I begin? How do I actually sign on for that meeting with a local representative?" Go to the ASCO ACT Network website. And I'll actually talk to our producer, Geraldine, to make sure we've got a link to that somewhere associated with this podcast after it's published, Jason, but I actually keep that on my browser and it's super easy. I check in there every now and then and see if there's any new policy or legislation that ASCO, you know, is sort of taking a stance on, and it gives me some fodder for conversation with my local representatives too. I mean, it's just an awesome, awesome vehicle. I'm going to segue right from there right to the issues. So, you and I are both at academic centers. You know, I think this is something that really pervades academia and enters into implications for general clinical practice. There's been this, you know, massive sort of proposal for decreased funding to the NCI and to the NIH and so forth. Tell us what ASCO is doing in that regard, and tell us perhaps how our community can help. Dr. Jason Westin: We live in interesting times, and I think that may be an understatement x 100. But obviously investments in research are things that when you're at an academic center, you see and feel that as part of your daily life. Members of Congress need to be reminded of that because there's a lot of other competing interests out there besides investing in the future through research. And being an elected representative is a hard job. That is something where you have to make difficult choices to support this, and that may mean not supporting that. And there's lots of good things where our tax dollars could be spent. And so, I'm sympathetic to the idea that there's not unlimited resources. However, ASCO has done an excellent job, and ASCO members have led the charge on this, of stating what research does, what is the benefit of research, and therefore why should this matter to elected representatives, to their staff, and to those people that they're elected to serve. And ASCO has led with a targeted campaign to basically have that message be conveyed at every opportunity to elected representatives. And each year on Hill Day, one of the asks that we have is to continue to support research: the NCI, NIH, ARPA-H, these are things that are always in the asks to make sure that there's appropriate funding. But effectively playing offense by saying, "It's not just a number on a sheet of paper, this is what it means to patients. This is what it means to potentially your loved ones in the future if you are in the opposite situation where you're not on the legislative side, but you're in the office receiving a diagnosis or receiving a difficult piece of news." We only have the tools we have now because of research, and each breakthrough has been years in the making and countless hours spent funded through the engine of innovation: clinical research and translational research. And so ASCO continues to beat that drum. You mentioned earlier the ACT Network. Just to bring that back again is a very useful, very easy tool to communicate to your elected representatives. When you sign up on the ASCO ACT website, you get emails periodically, not too much, but periodically get emails of, "This is a way you can engage with your lawmakers to speak up for this." And as you said, Monty, they make it as easy as possible. You click the button, you type in your address so that it figures out who your elected representatives are, and then it will send a letter on your behalf after like five clicks to say, "I want you to support research. I want you to vote for this particular thing which is of interest to ASCO and by definition to members of ASCO." And so the ACT Network is a way that people listening can engage without having to spend hours and significant time, but just a few clicks can send that letter to a representative in Congress. And the question could be: does that matter? Does contacting your senator or your elected representative do anything? If all they're hearing is somebody else making a different argument and they're hearing over and over again from people that want investments in AI or investments in something else besides cancer research, whatever it is, they may think that there's a ground shift that people want dollars to be spent over here as opposed to at the NIH or NCI or in federally funded research. It is important to continue to express the need for federal funding for our research. And so, it really is important for folks to engage. Dr. Monty Pal: 100%. One of the things that I think is not often obvious to a lot of our listeners is where the support for clinical trials comes from. You know, you've obviously run the whole gamut of studies as have I. You know, we have our pharmaceutical company-sponsored studies, which are in a particular bucket. But I would say that there's a very important and critical subset of studies that are actually government funded, right? NCI-funded clinical trials. If you don't mind, just explain to our audience the critical nature of the work that's being done in those types of studies and if you can, maybe compare and contrast the studies that are done in that bucket versus perhaps the pharmaceutical bucket. Dr. Jason Westin: Both are critical, and we're privileged that we have pharma studies that are sponsored and federally funded clinical research. And I think that part of a healthy ecosystem for us to develop new breakthroughs has a need for both. The pharma sponsored studies are done through the lens of trying to get an approval for an agent that's of interest so that the pharma company can then turn around and use that outside of a clinical trial after an FDA approval. And so those studies are often done through the lens of getting over the finish line by showing some superiority over an existing treatment or in a new patient population. But they're done through that lens of kind of the broadest population and sometimes relatively narrow endpoints, but to get the approval so that then the drug can be widely utilized. Clinical trials done through cooperative groups are sometimes done to try and optimize that or to try and look at comparative things that may not be as attractive to pharma studies, not necessarily going for that initial approval, but the fine tuning or the looking at health outcomes or looking at ensuring that we do studies in representative populations that may not be as well identified on the pharma sponsored trials, but basically filling out the gaps in the knowledge that we didn't gain from the initial phase 3 trial that led to the approval. And so both are critical. But if we only do pharma sponsored trials, if we don't fund federally supported research and that dries up, the fear I have, and many others have, is that we're going to be lacking a lot of knowledge about the best ways to use these great new therapies, these new immune therapies, or in my team, we do a lot of clinical trials on CAR T-cell therapies. If we don't have federally funded research to do the important clinical studies, we'll be in the dark about the best ways to use these drugs, and that's going to be a terrible shame. And so we really do need to continue to support federal research. Dr. Monty Pal: Yeah, there are no softball questions on this podcast, but I think everybody would be hard pressed to think that you and I would come on here and say, "Well, no, we don't need as much money for clinical trials and NCI funding" and so forth. But I think a really challenging issue to tackle, and this is something we thought to ask you ahead of the podcast, is what to do about the general climate of, you know, whether it's academic research or clinical practice here that seems to be getting some of our colleagues thinking about moving elsewhere. I've actually talked to a couple of folks who are picking up and moving to Europe for a variety of considerations, other continents, frankly. The U.S. has always been a leader when it comes to oncology research and, one might argue, research in general. Some have the mindset these days that we're losing that footing a little bit. What's your perspective? Are you concerned about some of the trends that you're seeing? What does your crystal ball tell you? Dr. Jason Westin: I am highly concerned about this. I think as you said, the U.S. has been a leader for a long time, but it wasn't always. This is not something that's preordained that the world-leading clinical research and translational research will always be done in the United States. That is something that has been developed as an ecosystem, as an engine for innovation and for job development, new technology development, since World War II. That's something that through intentional investments in research was developed that the best and brightest around the world, if they could choose to go anywhere, you wanted them to come to work at universities and academic places within the United States. And I think, as you said, that's at risk if you begin to dry up the investment in research or if you begin to have less focus on being engaged in research in a way that is forward thinking, not just kind of maintaining what we do now or only looking at having private, for profit sponsored research. But if you don't have the investment in the basic science research and the translational research and the forward-thinking part of it, the fear is that we lose the advantage and that other countries will say, "Thank you very much," and be happy to invest in ways to their advantage. And I think as you mentioned, there are people that are beginning to look elsewhere. I don't think that it's likely that a significant population of researchers in the U.S. who are established and have careers and families – I don't think that we're going to see a mass exodus of folks. I think the real risk to me is that the younger, up-and-coming people in undergraduate or in graduate school or in medical school and are the future superstars, that they could either choose to go into a different field, so they decide not to go into what could be the latest breakthroughs for cancer patients but could be doing something in AI or something in a different field that could be attractive to them because of less uncertainty about funding streams, or they could take that job offer if it's in a different country. And I think that's the concern is it may not be a 2026 problem, but it could be a 2036 or a 2046 problem that we reap what we sow if we don't invest in the future. Dr. Monty Pal: Indeed, indeed. You know, I've had the pleasure of reviewing abstracts for some of our big international meetings, as I'm sure you've done in the past too. I see this trend where, as before, we would see the preponderance of large phase 3 clinical trials and practice setting studies being done here in the U.S., I'm seeing this emergence of China, of other countries outside of the U.S. really taking lead on these things. And it certainly concerns me. If I had to sort of gauge this particular issue, it's at the top of my list in terms of what I'm concerned about. But I also wanted to ask you, Jason, in terms of the issues that are looming over oncology from an advocacy perspective, what else really sort of keeps you up at night? Dr. Jason Westin: I'm quite concerned about the drug shortages. I think that's something that is a surprisingly evergreen problem. This is something that is on its face illogical that we're talking about the greatest engine for research in the world being the United States and the investment that we've made in drug development and the breakthroughs that have happened for patients all around the world, many of them happen in the United States, and yet we don't necessarily have access to drugs from the 1970s or 1980s that are cheap, generic, sterile, injectable drugs. This is the cisplatins and the vincristines and the fludarabine type medications which are not the sexy ones that you see the ads in the magazine or on TV at night. These are the backbone drugs for many of our curative intent regimens for pediatrics and for heme malignancies and many solid tumors. And the fact that that's continuing to be an issue is, in my opinion, a failure to address the root causes, and those are going to require legislative solutions. The root causes here are basically a race to the bottom where the economics to invest in quality manufacturing really haven't been prioritized. And so it's a race to the cheapest price, which often means you undercut your competitor, and when you don't have the money to invest in good manufacturing processes, the factory breaks down, there's no alternative, you go into shortage. And this has been going on for a couple of decades, and I don't think there's an end in sight until we get a serious solution proposed by our elected officials. That is something that bothers me in the ways where we know what we should be doing for our patients, but if we don't have the drugs, we're left to be creative in ways we shouldn't have to do to figure out a plan B when we've got curative intent therapies. And I think that's a real shame. There's obviously a lot of other things that are concerning related to oncology, but something that I have personally had experience with when I wanted to give a patient a CAR T-cell, and we don't have a supply of fludarabine, which is a trivial drug from decades ago in terms of the technology investments in genetically modified T-cells, to not then have access to a drug that should be pennies on the dollar and available at any time you want it is almost like the Air Force investing in building the latest stealth bomber, but then forgetting to get the jet fuel in a way that they can't use it because they don't have the tools that they need. And so I think that's something that we do need to have comprehensive solutions from our elected officials. Dr. Monty Pal: Brilliantly stated. I like that analogy a lot. Let's get into the weeds for a second. What would that proposal to Congress look like? What are we trying to put in front of them to help alleviate the drug shortages? Dr. Jason Westin: We could spend a couple hours, and I know podcasts usually are not set up to do that. And so I won't go through every part. I will direct you that there have been a couple of recent publications from ASCO specifically detailing solutions, and there was a recent white paper from the Senate Finance Committee that went through some legislative solutions being explored. So Dr. Gralow, ASCO CMO, and I recently had a publication in JCO OP detailing some solutions, more in that white paper from the Senate Finance. And then there's a working group actually going through ASCO's Health Policy Committee putting together a more detailed proposal that will be published probably around the end of 2026. Very briefly, what needs to happen is for government contracts for purchasing these drugs, there needs to be an outlay for quality, meaning that if you have a manufacturing facility that is able to deliver product on time, reliably, you get a bonus in terms of your contract. And that changes the model to prioritize the quality component of manufacturing. Without that, there's no reason to invest in maintaining your machine or upgrading the technology you have in your manufacturing plant. And so you have bottlenecks emerge because these drugs are cheap, and there's not a profit margin. So you get one factory that makes this key drug, and if that factory hasn't had an upgrade in their machines in 20 years, and that machine conks out and it takes 6 months to repair or replacement, that is an opportunity for that drug to go into shortage and causes a mad dash for big hospitals to purchase the drug that's available, leaving disparities to get amplified. It's a nightmare when those things happen, and they happen all the time. There are usually dozens, if not hundreds, of drugs in shortage at any given time. And this has been going on for decades. This is something that we do need large, system-wide fixes and that investment in quality, I think, will be a key part. Dr. Monty Pal: Yeah, brilliantly said. And I'll make sure that we actually include those articles on the tagline for this podcast as well. I'll talk to our producer about that as well. I'm really glad you mentioned the time in your last comment there because I felt like we just started, but in fact, I think we're right at our close here, Jason, unfortunately. So, I could have gone on for a couple more hours with you. I really want to thank you for these absolutely terrific insights and thank you for all your advocacy on behalf of ASCO and oncologists at large. Dr. Jason Westin: Thank you so much for having me. I have enjoyed it. Dr. Monty Pal: Thanks a lot. And many thanks to our listeners too. You can find more information about ASCO's advocacy agenda and activities at asco.org. Finally, if you value the insights that you heard today on the ASCO Daily News Podcast, please rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Thanks so much. ASCO Advocacy Resources: Get involved in ASCO's Advocacy efforts: ASCO Advocacy Toolkit Crisis of Cancer Drug Shortages: Understanding the Causes and Proposing Sustainable Solutions, JCO Oncology Practice Disclaimer: The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement. Find out more about today's speakers: Dr. Monty Pal @montypal Dr. Jason Westin @DrJasonWestin Follow ASCO on social media: @ASCO on X ASCO on Bluesky ASCO on Facebook ASCO on LinkedIn Disclosures: Dr. Monty Pal: Speakers' Bureau: MJH Life Sciences, IntrisiQ, Peerview Research Funding (Inst.): Exelixis, Merck, Osel, Genentech, Crispr Therapeutics, Adicet Bio, ArsenalBio, Xencor, Miyarsian Pharmaceutical Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Crispr Therapeutics, Ipsen, Exelixis Dr. Jason Westin: Consulting or Advisory Role: Novartis, Kite/Gilead, Janssen Scientific Affairs, ADC Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Celgene/Juno, AstraZeneca, Genentech/Roche, Abbvie, MorphoSys/Incyte, Seattle Genetics, Abbvie, Chugai Pharma, Regeneron, Nurix, Genmab, Allogene Therapeutics, Lyell Immunopharma Research Funding: Janssen, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, AstraZeneca, MorphoSys/Incyte, Genentech/Roche, Allogene Therapeutics
The FiltrateJoel Topf @kidneyboy.bsky.social (COI)Sophia Ambruso @sophia-kidney.bsky.socialSwapnil Hiremath @hswapnil.medsky.social and on LinkedInSpecial Guests Jonathan Barratt Professor of Renal Medicine, University of Leicester Google Scholar (COI: all the companies)Editing and Show Notes byNayan Arora @captainchloride.bsky.socialThe Kidney Connection written and performed by Tim YauShow NotesProteinuria Reduction as a Surrogate End Point in Trials of IgA Nephropathy (Aliza Thompson, 2019 PubMed)The number, quality, and coverage of randomized controlled trials in nephrology (PubMed 2004)Updated here (PubMed | NephJC discussion)A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Rituximab in IgA Nephropathy with Proteinuria and Renal Dysfunction (PubMed 2017)BLISS Belimumab in lupus nephritis (NephJC | PubMed) The Phase 2 trial of atacicept A phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of atacicept for treatment of IgA nephropathy (PubMed)The phase 3 trial of atacicept, the subject of this podcast A Phase 3 Trial of Atacicept in Patients with IgA Nephropathy (PubMed | NephJC)Christos' Bluesky post:https://bsky.app/profile/christosargyrop.bsky.social/post/3m5bsujwg3s2q The use of Gd-IgA1 in the Testing Trial Role of Systemic Glucocorticoids in Reducing IgA and Galactose-Deficient IgA1 Levels in IgA Nephropathy (PubMed)If you can't get enough Jon Barratt, take a look at his grand rounds at The University of Ottawa. Updates to the KDIGO Guidelines for the treatment of IgA nephropathy, with Prof Jonathan Barratt (YouTube)Tubular SecretionSwapnil Hiremath Pluribus on Apple TV (Wikipedia)Jon Barratt Lynyrd Skynyrd (Wikipedia) Slow Horses (Wikipedia) on AppleTVJoel Topf the new ASN
About the Guest(s): Dr. Kristin Hieshetter is the host of the "Functional Health Radio" podcast. Dr. Kristen is an expert in holistic health practices and functional medicine, bringing years of experience in treating patients with a focus on integrative approaches. Her keen interest lies in enabling individuals to reach optimal health through informed decisions and lifestyle changes. Dr. Kristen is known for her engaging discussions on contemporary health topics, as well as her dedication to improving public health awareness internationally. Episode Summary: In this episode of "Functional Health Radio," Dr. Kristin Hieshetter delves into the intriguing topic of Ivermectin, exploring its potential use beyond its historical application as an anti-parasitic medication. Spurred by questions from her patients, Dr. Kristen investigates whether Ivermectin could be effectively repurposed for cancer treatment, a subject gaining them significant attention and research interest in recent years. She discusses how Ivermectin has a history of effectiveness in treating parasitic infections, but also reveals new and promising research that suggests its potential role in oncology. The episode highlights Dr. Kristen's detailed exploration of scientific studies on Ivermectin's effect on various cancer types, including bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. Dr. Kristen refers to multiple research articles and findings, emphasizing Ivermectin's mechanism of action, which includes inducing oxidative stress and DNA damage in cancer cells. Throughout the discussion, she provides a compelling narrative about the potential paradigm shifts in cancer treatment and urges listeners to consider these findings, especially if they or their loved ones are affected by these conditions. Key Takeaways: Ivermectin, originally discovered as an anti-parasitic drug, is being researched for its potential use in cancer treatment, thanks to its ability to induce cancer cell death. Recent studies have shown that Ivermectin may enhance the efficacy of existing chemotherapy treatments, particularly for difficult-to-treat cancers like pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancer. Ivermectin has demonstrated the ability to selectively target and cause apoptosis in cancer cells without harming normal cells. While historical usage of Ivermectin in human treatments is well-established, ongoing research into its applications in oncology could mark a significant shift in therapeutic strategies. Despite its promising potential, listeners are cautioned about the importance of consulting medical professionals before considering any new treatments. Notable Quotes: "Ivermectin is much more than a horse dewormer; it's cheap, effective, and has been widely used for human treatment since 1987." "This study primarily looked at ivermectin, and it wasn't a combination therapy. It was just ivermectin, showing very good results against bladder cancer." "Pancreatic cancer is characterized by a really high death rate and very poor prognosis, making ivermectin's potential effects particularly exciting." "You've got this modulated electrohyperthermia, you can exploit the difference in the electromagnetic field and bioelectrical properties between cancer cells and regular tissues." "Ivermectin exerts anti-cancer effects by activating the same pathways it targets in parasites, which is an extraordinary finding." Resources: PubMed: A source of numerous articles Dr. Kristin referenced in her research on Ivermectin and its potential in cancer treatment PubMed. World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines: Inclusion of Ivermectin as an essential anti-parasitic treatment. YouTube Channel: Dr. Kristin may reference visual media for additional context on various topics discussed in the podcast. Dr. Kristin Hieshetter shares her insights and encourages listeners to explore these discussions further with their healthcare providers. Don't miss the opportunity to hear the complete episode for an in-depth understanding of Ivermectin's potential impact on cancer therapy and more enriching health content each week on "Functional Health Radio." Stay tuned for progressive updates and responsible health discussions led by Dr. Kristin.
In this episode, Brendan and Landry delve deep into the benefits of torque training. They discuss two types of torque workouts: Torque Max and Torque Endurance, highlighting a recent study from PubMed that shows the benefits of low-cadence, high-force training. Learn how to properly execute these workouts, the science behind increased muscular recruitment, lactate threshold improvements, and how to become a more resilient cyclist. Whether you're climbing steep hills or driving breakaways, this podcast covers all the essential tips for incorporating torque training into your routine. Perfect for all cycling enthusiasts looking to enhance their performance!Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Torque Training00:40 Scientific Evidence Supporting Torque Training02:00 Understanding Torque and Its Benefits03:39 Torque Max: Maximizing Your Training07:02 Torque Endurance: Building Muscular Endurance09:04 Practical Tips for Effective Torque Training14:14 Conclusion and Additional Resources
Vom Erholungs- und Wassersportgebiet zum Ursprung für Extremwetterereignisse: Wie beeinflussen die Ozeane unsere Gesundheit? Die Ozeane bedecken etwa 70 Prozent der Erdoberfläche und trotzdem geraten sie zu oft in Vergessenheit. Denn: Geht es den Meeren schlecht, hat das auch teils dramatische Folgen für uns Menschen. Dabei denken wir vor allem an Inselstaaten wie Kiribati, die durch den Klimawandel existenziell bedroht sind, da sie wenige Meter über dem Meeresspiegel liegen und dadurch extrem anfällig sind für Überflutungen. Doch auch tiefergelegene Gebiete in Europa sind bedroht - und nicht nur das: Die Meere sind in großen Gebieten krank. Im Gespräch mit Host Beke Schulmann erklärt Synapsen-Autorin Yasmin Appelhans, woran der Patient Ozean leidet: Was machen beispielsweise Überfischung und Munitionsreste in der Ostsee mit dem Wasser - und wie wirken sie sich auf unsere Gesundheit aus? Auf welche Extremwetterereignisse müssen wir uns künftig einstellen? Wie steht es um die Artenvielfalt? Und gibt es überhaupt Hoffnung auf Besserung? HINTERGRUNDINFORMATIONEN Naturgeräusche helfen bei der Entspannung: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep45273 Fan L, Baharum MR. The effect of exposure to natural sounds on stress reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Stress. 2024;27(1): 2402519. https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2024.2402519 Ozeangeräusche helfen gegen Tinnitus, nach Bypass-OP oder mit Verkehrslärm klarzukommen: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2019.05.005 The effects of ocean sounds on sleep after coronary artery bypass graft surgery - PubMed https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0012222 Buch zum "Blue Mind": https://www.hirzel.de/blue-mind/9783777628417 Menschen, die am Meer leben, leben länger: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.121981 Der Ocean Health Index: https://oceanhealthindex.org/ Aufruf von Deutscher Physikalischer und Deutscher Meteorolologischer Gesellschaft zum Klimaschutz: https://www.dpg-physik.de/veroeffentlichungen/aktuell/2025/klimaforschende-wenden-sich-an-die-deutsche-politik Ozeanversauerung beeinflusst menschliche Gesundheit: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17124563. Polar Engineering: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsci.2025.1527393. Hier geht's zum neuen Podcast ARD Klima Update: https://1.ard.de/ARD_Klima_Update?cp=synapsen Hier geht's zur Synapsenseite: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/podcastsynapsen100.html Hier geht's zu ARD Gesund: https://www.ndr.de/ratgeber/gesundheit Habt ihr Feedback oder einen Lifehack aus der Welt der Wissenschaft? Schreibt uns gerne an synapsen@ndr.de.
Tired of conflicting fitness and health advice online and not sure what to trust? Amy Hudson and Dr. James Fisher dive deep into how to separate fact from fiction in health, exercise, and wellness. In today's episode, they unpack how to spot trustworthy research, avoid hype, and make smart decisions for your fitness journey. They break down the biggest myths, why social media isn't enough, and how a personal trainer can guide you to results that actually stick. Amy starts by explaining why most people feel overwhelmed by fitness advice online. Dr. Fisher explains that not all research is unbiased—big companies often fund studies to sell products. You have to ask, "Who benefits from this claim?" This is the first step to spotting marketing dressed as science. Amy covers why magic bullet fitness solutions are everywhere, but progress takes hard work. She explains why shortcuts rarely work and how to focus on what actually delivers results. For Dr. Fisher, experts don't know everything, and the more you learn, the more you realize you don't know much. He shares how to stay humble, curious, and avoid overconfidence in fitness claims. Amy and Dr. Fisher agree that one viral Instagram post doesn't make a method true. You need to question the hype, check the evidence, and avoid being swept up in trends. Amy walks you through how to do it without stress. Before trying a new routine you saw online, check in with a personal trainer. They can help you interpret research and apply it safely. Dr. Fisher reveals why lab-based studies often don't reflect real-world outcomes. Just because something works in a controlled setting doesn't mean it works for you. Amy and Dr. Fisher cover how AI tools like ChatGPT can help you find solid research quickly—but only if you ask the right questions. Look for references, meta-analyses, and reviews. Scrolling on Facebook isn't research. Facebook and social media are designed to sell, not educate. If your goals matter, scrolling alone won't get you the answers you need. Before adding a new exercise or routine, check the evidence. Ask yourself, "Does research support this?" and "What contradicts it?" These two questions save time and frustration. According to Dr. Fisher, people tend to seek confirmation rather than truth. If you only look for evidence that supports your beliefs, you miss the bigger picture. He explains how to uncover research that challenges you. Wonder why fitness fads come and go so quickly? Amy explains that many are just marketing campaigns in disguise. She shares how to spot trends that are hype versus those backed by science. Dr. Fisher explains that big research can be misleading when the funder has an agenda. Even credible-looking studies can push products. He teaches how to critically evaluate who benefits from the research. Dr. Fisher covers how hard work beats shortcuts every time. He explains why real fitness results require consistency and how to identify programs that actually deliver. Dr. Fisher reveals that using Google Scholar or PubMed isn't as complicated as it seems. He walks you through finding studies, reviews, and meta-analyses to make your own evidence-based decisions. For Amy, working with a personal trainer, coach, or medical expert is still the safest way to reach your goals. Social media can't replace personalized guidance. Amy explains how to combine online research with real-world support. Mentioned in This Episode: The Exercise Coach - Get 2 Free Sessions! Submit your questions at StrengthChangesEverything.com The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail--but Some Don't by Nate Silver This podcast and blog are provided to you for entertainment and informational purposes only. By accessing either, you agree that neither constitute medical advice nor should they be substituted for professional medical advice or care. Use of this podcast or blog to treat any medical condition is strictly prohibited. Consult your physician for any medical condition you may be having. In no event will any podcast or blog hosts, guests, or contributors, Exercise Coach USA, LLC, Gymbot LLC, any subsidiaries or affiliates of same, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, or agents, be responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to you or others due to any podcast or blog content.
Dr. Don and Professor Ben talk about the risks of consuming in date but fizzy grapefruit juice from a mechanically stressed container. Dr. Don - not risky
Do the many clinical trials into high-dose vitamin C prove it can actually treat the common cold and cancer, rather than just boost the immune system? Why is there ongoing scepticism? Why are multifactorial chronic diseases so hard to study in clinical trials? What is the right dosage to get the best results from vitamin C?In this episode we have the often misunderstood topic of Vitamin C as an antioxidant to get clear on, particular the high-dose approach and particularly delivered intravenously. Despite a very clear consensus that Vitamin C is a great booster to immune function, research that shows that it helps fight the common cold or flu have been dismissed by doctors and medical researchers; as well as claims that higher doses can increase its efficacy. Other claims that Vitamin C can help fight cardio-vascular disease and even cancer have been with even greater scepticism. So what exactly can vitamin C do to assist our immune function to fight disease, and why is there so much confusion about the answer given the high quantity of clinical trials data?Fortunately today's guest has exactly the right skill set and research knowledge to separate the science from the here-say, medical doctor and orthomolecular medicine researcher, Dr. Richard Z Cheng. Dr. Cheng has a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology; he's served as a doctor in the US military; he has consulted for the National Cancer Institute, and presented at the National Institute of Health (NIH); he has conducted clinical trials; He is the editor in Chief of the Orthmolecular Medicine New Service; He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Anti- Aging medicine; and has run anti-aging and regenerative medicine clinics in both China and the US for over 20 years.What we discuss:00:00 Intro05:15 Most animals produce Vitamin C in the body, but not primates.06:00 Oxidation & Redox: Giving or receiving an electron.11:00 After reducing oxidation the body recycles it back into vitamin C.14:00 Teamwork: sharing electrons between nutrients and vitamins.18:20 Conventional consensus: good for prevention but not treatment.21:00 Over 80K papers on Vit C on Pub Med!21:30 Linus Pauling Intravenous Vitamin C for cancer and heart disease.27:00 Shortening of common cold and lowering of symptoms - Harri Hemila.29:00 Low dose studies dilute the data on the efficacy of the high dose studies.31:00 Intravenous treatment allows much higher doses safely.33:00 Differences in absorption between IV and oral application.35:20 Pro-oxidant effect only possible at IV high dose.36:30 IV clinical trials.39:20 Cytokine storm cascades in acute respiratory distress.44:00 High Dose IV Vitamin C saved lives in China during Covid 19.50:00 Attacks following Richard's NIH presentation on Vitamin C during covid.57:00 Cardio vascular disease - Vit. C research history.01:01:00 Collagen Synthesis for vascular walls & Vitamin C deficiency.01:07:20 Is the taboo for life style medicine lifting?01:09:30 Issues of gold standard RCT trials not working for multifactorial integrative interventions.01:16:00 Recommendations for preventative use of Vitamin C for listeners. References:E Cameron & Linus Pauling - 'Supplemental ascorbate in the supportive treatment of cancer: Prolongation of survival times in terminal human cancer', 1976E.T. Creagan, 'Failure of high-dose vitamin C (ascorbic acid) therapy to benefit patients with advanced cancer', 1979Harri Hemilä - over 200 meta-analyses and clinical trialsPing Chen et al. 'Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Intravenous Vitamin C'Richard Z Cheng, ‘Can early and high intravenous dose of vitamin C prevent and treat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?'KU Cancer Center researchers announce study of high-dose intravenous vitamin C to treat muscle-invasive bladder cancer, 2024National Cancer Institute overview of IV Vitamin C cancer research.
In this solo episode, Darin reframes one of the most misunderstood forces in life — stress. Instead of seeing it as the enemy, he explores how stress is actually a messenger, guiding you back to alignment, safety, and awareness. Through science, spirituality, and lived experience, Darin breaks down how stress shows us where we're trying to control, where we're disconnected, and where our nervous system is calling for attention. He unpacks the layers of modern stress — from trauma and environment to community and purpose — and offers practical, embodied tools to restore calm, clarity, and resilience. What You'll Learn 00:00:00 – Welcome to Super Life: Solutions for a Healthier Life and Better World 00:00:32 – Sponsor Spotlight: TheraSauna - Natural Healing Technologies (15% off with code Darrandai) 00:02:10 – The Super Life Podcast: Finding Contentment, Happiness, and Purpose 00:02:51 – Today's Topic: Stress - Reframing Stress as an Ally and Dashboard Light 00:04:54 – The "No Choice" Universe: Reconnecting to Infinite Possibilities 00:05:16 – The Reality of Stress: Statistics and the Impact of Chronic Stress 00:06:21 – Stress is Layered: Beyond a Single Cause, Addressing Chronic Stress 00:08:29 – Solutions for a Super Life: Safety over Calm and the Vagal Response 00:09:38 – The Inner Dialogue Layer: Trauma, Unconsciousness, and Spiritual Bypassing 00:11:47 – The Social Field Layer: Relationships, Community, and Finding Your Way Home 00:14:20 – Sponsor Spotlight: Bite Toothpaste - Sustainable, Non-Toxic Tabs (20% off with code Darin20) 00:16:35 – Creating Your Own Vision: Setting Boundaries with Media and Social Algorithms 00:17:29 – Finding Your Purpose: From Raising Children to Healing Injuries 00:18:35 – Environmental and Existential Stress Layers: Clutter, Noise, and Service 00:19:26 – Stress Load and Resiliency: Why Small Triggers Cause Blow-Ups 00:20:02 – Understanding the Dashboard Light: Acknowledging Unwillingness 00:20:35 – Safety as the Signal: Body Relaxation and Providing Inner Security 00:23:44 – Reframing Trauma: Was it the Protector You Needed at the Time? 00:25:00 – Releasing Trauma: Techniques, The Healing Code, and Waking the Tiger 00:26:06 – Finishing the Survival Response: Shaking, Crying, Screaming, and Stretching 00:26:38 – Stress as a Multiplier: Impact on Immune System, Heart, and Aging 00:28:10 – Stress Slows Repair: Inflammation, Cardiovascular Risk, and Cellular Aging 00:29:48 – The Integrative Approach: Changing Your Environments to Support Anti-Stress 00:30:07 – Actionable Stress Solutions: Circadian Rhythm, Nature, and Noise Reduction 00:30:44 – Actionable Stress Solutions: Gratitude, Conscious Breath, and Movement 00:31:32 – Energy Drains to Eliminate: Conflict, Clutter, Scrolling, and Late Caffeine 00:32:17 – Connecting to Greater Purpose: The Super Life Patreon Platform 00:32:54 – Morning/Night Questions: Letting Go, Creating, and Contributing 00:33:17 – Final Toolkit: Slow Breathing, Movement, Nature, Sauna, and Sleep 00:34:25 – The Invitation: Digging into all Layers of a Super Life on Patreon Thank You to Our Sponsors Therasage: Go to www.therasage.com and use code DARIN at checkout for 15% off Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order. Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences Key Takeaway "Stress isn't your enemy — it's your compass. Every wave of tension points you back to what's asking for care, attention, and love. When you stop fighting stress and start listening to it, you don't just survive — you evolve." Bibliography (selected, peer-reviewed) Sources: Gallup Global Emotions (2024); Gallup U.S. polling (2024); APA Stress in America (2023); Natarajan et al., Lancet Digital Health (2020); Orini et al., UK Biobank (2023); Martinez et al. (2022); Leiden University (2025). Cohen S, Tyrrell DA, Smith AP. Psychological stress and susceptibility to the common cold. N Engl J Med.1991;325(9):606–612. New England Journal of Medicine Cohen S, et al. Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2012;109(16):5995–5999. PNAS Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Slowing of wound healing by psychological stress. Lancet. 1995;346(8984):1194–1196. The Lancet Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Hostile marital interactions, proinflammatory cytokine production, and wound healing.Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(12):1377–1384. JAMA Network Tawakol A, et al. Relation between resting amygdalar activity and cardiovascular events. Lancet.2017;389(10071):834–845. The Lancet Epel ES, et al. Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.2004;101(49):17312–17315. PNAS McEwen BS, Stellar E. Stress and the individual: mechanisms leading to disease. Arch Intern Med.1993;153(18):2093–2101. PubMed McEwen BS, Wingfield JC. Allostasis and allostatic load. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998;840:33–44. PubMed Felitti VJ, et al. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many leading causes of death in adults (ACE Study). Am J Prev Med. 1998;14(4):245–258. AJP Mon Online Edmondson D, et al. PTSD and cardiovascular disease. Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(3):316–327. PMC Afari N, et al. Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychosom Med. 2014;76(1):2–11. PMC Goyal M, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357–368. PMC Qiu Q, et al. Forest therapy: effects on blood pressure and salivary cortisol—a meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;20(1):458. PMC Laukkanen T, et al. Sauna bathing and reduced fatal CVD and all-cause mortality. JAMA Intern Med.2015;175(4):542–548. JAMA Network Zureigat H, et al. Physical activity lowers CVD risk by reducing stress-related neural activity. J Am Coll Cardiol.2024;83(16):1532–1546. PMC Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Layton JB. Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS Med.2010;7(7):e1000316. PMC Chen Y-R, Hung K-W. EMDR for PTSD: meta-analysis of RCTs. PLoS One. 2014;9(8):e103676. PLOS Hoppen TH, et al. Network/pairwise meta-analysis of PTSD psychotherapies—TF-CBT highest efficacy overall.Psychol Med. 2023;53(14):6360–6374. PubMed van der Kolk BA, et al. Yoga as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD: RCT. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014;75(6):e559–e565. PubMed Kelly U, et al. Trauma-center trauma-sensitive yoga vs CPT in women veterans: RCT. JAMA Netw Open.2023;6(11):e2342214. JAMA Network Bentley TGK, et al. Breathing practices for stress and anxiety reduction: components that matter. Behav Sci (Basel). 2023;13(9):756.
In this illuminating conversation of Be It Till You See It, aesthetic nurse and biohacker Rachel Varga joins Lesley Logan to discuss how to achieve lasting radiance by aligning health, mindset, and beauty. She shares how lowering inflammation, managing stress, and purifying your environment can help you look and feel your best—proving that confidence and feeling at peace are the real anti-aging secrets.If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:How Rachel's nursing career evolved into a holistic approach to beauty and biohacking.The science behind lowering inflammation to boost vitality and radiance.Why redefining vanity as self-respect empowers confidence and self-care.Everyday habits that support graceful aging through stress management and sleep.How cultivating peace and integrity supports inner and outer radiance.Episode References/Links:The School of Radiance Website - theschoolofradiance.comPromo Code: LesleyLogan15 for 15% off one-on-one sessions, tutorial, and membershipSchool of Radiance Podcast - https://www.theschoolofradiance.com/podcastsInstagram: @RachelVargaOfficial - https://www.instagram.com/rachelvargaofficialGuest Bio:Rachel Varga, BSN, RN, CANS, is a Double Board Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist. Since 2011, Rachel has been offering medical aesthetic rejuvenation in the specialty of Oculoplastics and is known for providing a natural and healthy-looking transformation and educating through her show "The School of Radiance" podcast. She has performed over 20,000 rejuvenation procedures and is also a trainer for other practitioners on rejuvenation procedures including medical grade skin care, laser skin rejuvenation, injectables including neuromodulators and dermal fillers, and slowing aging in general. Rachel is passionate about delivering the highest standard of care, with a focus on what the patient's specific rejuvenation goals are, and a tailored approach to suit their needs, values, and lifestyle. She has published multiple research articles on rejuvenation protocols for the eyelids, jawline, and overall skin health transformation. Rachel is known for her gentle touch, natural-looking results, and making her patients feel comfortable, and at ease with her caring bedside manner that originated in pediatric nursing before beginning her career in medical aesthetics in 2011. She will guide you in creating your customized rejuvenation plan and skincare routine to achieve your goals through one-on-one sessions, expert 7-week seasonal skincare tutorials, and year-long membership for the deeper layers of being beautifully radiant at TheSchoolofRadiance.com. Rachel Varga is one of the first to blend Western approaches to skin care and rejuvenation, functional insights, and biohacking optimization strategies. By blending the best of these worlds and observing what her most radiant patients are doing she will also help guide you on your path to healthy skin and vibrancy for many years… If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! 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And the more radiant we are, the more high vibe we are, the more we can get what we desire out of life, in both our personal and professional lives, and be great people, because our bodies are operating properly.Lesley Logan 0:32 Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Lesley Logan 1:11 Hi, Be It babe. Okay, this is gonna be a really fun conversation. I wanted to have this conversation for a while, and it's really like, I'm intrigued by all this, right? I want to, I want to actually look and feel good for as long as possible, but not in like, a crazy, like, change how I look dramatic way, but like, as in a no, this is like, I want to look like me. And so when I met our guest today, because I was on her amazing podcast, Rachel Varga, she's the host of the School of Radiance, and I was like, oh, I vibe with this person. I really like what they're saying. It's intelligent. It's from a place of research and science and methodologies, and she is so knowledgeable about biohacking and things we can do when it comes to med spas and what we're doing with to support ourselves and how we feel and how we look, and then we go on a wide range of topics. We don't hit everything I want to talk about, so I'm going to have to do this again. But I really think you're going to, one, learn a ton and have a lot of permission get granted, because maybe it's not something you have to do to you, maybe it's something you would get to do around you, or maybe it's about changing something in your environment, right? So now I'm going to let Rachel Varga give you all of her amazing wisdom. Lesley Logan 2:26 All right, Be It babe, this conversation is one I've been really wanting to have, but it had to be with a special person, and so I've been waiting the 500 plus episodes to find the person who we can have a conversation about radiance and how we how our how we can age the way we want to, and look good doing it without feeling like we're being vain or going too far. And so Rachel Varga is our guest today. Rachel, can you tell, can you tell everyone who you are and what you rock at? Rachel Varga 2:51 Yes, Lesley, so great to be here, and we had a fantastic interview on my show recently, the School of Radiance podcast. And, so technically, I'm a nurse, and I've been an esthetics nurse since 2011 so I've been in the game for the rejuvenation side of things for a while. Been in that game, published research papers. You can look my name up on PubMed, Rachel Varga, you'll see my eye rejuvenation papers, jawline rejuvenation papers. And then I also teach other doctors and nurses internationally how to do rejuvenation from the non surgical side of things that like injectables. And I know we're going to talk a little bit about that, what we can do that's cleaner options, what's actually going to work and give us the results that we desire. And so I love to teach, and I love to talk about what we can actually do at home. So on this podcast, we'll talk about the lifestyle side of things, and kind of delineate what we can do at home and then what's available in the clinic. But I take this approach of longer lasting beauty through biohacking, because when we reduce inflammation and toxins on all fronts, we then set our body up for success, for being our most radiant versions. And the more radiant we are, the more high vibe we are, the more we can get what we desire out of life, in both our personal and professional lives, and be great people, because our bodies are operating properly.Lesley Logan 4:23 I love this because I love that you can they it's almost like a there's a few different prongs. So if you're someone who's like, I don't want to do surgery, I don't want to do the injectables like people start to look like cat ladies at some point. And I'm sure that's not all injectables do that. I'm sure there's a point which one could stop. But the idea that we there's things we could do at home, it sounds why wouldn't you, like, Why? Why wouldn't you want to do something at home? So before we get into that, though, I do want to kind of know, like, did you always want to get into esthetics? Was this something that you could wear, like, interested as a kid? Like, were you doing makeup? Like, how? Like, what was the journey that got you here?Rachel Varga 4:59 Yeah. Okay, well, practically speaking, my mom's an RN, and I saw how hard she worked, but I also saw that it was a great job. It's a great way to be in that nurturing, supportive, healthy role in the family. It's like something happens to the kiddos, like you know what's going on, or your partner or yourself. It's just great knowledge to have from a nursing perspective for yourself and those you love. My father's are carpenter and so I always had this eye for, oh, that bumper is a little not so straight, or that picture is a little canted. So I had this eye for symmetry and proportions from that, and then also the health side of things. But I saw my mother really struggle as a night nurse. And she did night nursing, so shift work, it's just brutal in extended care for her pretty well entire career, she got breast cancer. She was, at one point, weighed 220 pounds. So she was the type of woman, great woman over gave, did the shift work. So I learned early in my career that I didn't want to be that kind of nurse. And did Pediatric Nursing, pediatric ICU care for a couple years. And during that time in my nursing education, I'd had a few rejuvenation procedures myself too, both surgically and non surgically, and to myself, the aftercare information like the pre post care wasn't great, and for me, going through nursing training, I was obviously watching all the vlogs online. There aren't really a lot of professionals actually talking about this stuff, and I think it's kind of interesting, and people want to know how to get the most out of what they're investing in in the clinic, and, of course, at home, and how to recover before and after non surgical or non surgical rejuvenation options. And thought I wanted to be a doctor. So did all the med school prerequisites, chem, Organic Chem, biochem. And while I was doing prerequisites and applying to med school, which I did for one year, I got a job as an esthetics nurse, did my injectable training, started in ocular plastics in 2011 and just loved the field. I loved the pace. The hours were great, and I would get access to anything and everything. Then something happened. I met my good friend Dave Asprey. Actually helped get his face ready for superhuman so when you look at that book cover, that's my work. Oh, what's this biohacking stuff? This is pretty cool. Started to do some of it myself, cold plunging, intermittent fasting, more protein, adding antioxidants, amino acids, all sorts of great stuff that's in the biohacking world, red light therapy. And then I was in two car crashes. I had to really lean into the biohacking and recovery side of things and supplementation so that I wasn't hurting all the time, and so that I would recover faster. And partner has been a pro athlete as well, so very in tune with the athletic recovery side of things too. Then something interesting happened. The better I cared for myself from an inflammation perspective, I didn't need as much rejuvenation. Scars were fading after just a couple of days post breakout, instead of for months, and I'd have to laser that redness away. I didn't need to do neuromodulators every three months, I would actually go anywhere from like, a year to a year and a half in between.Lesley Logan 8:45 For the people who are like, what's a neuromodulator,Rachel Varga 8:49 The brand names that you probably know about are Botox, Xeomin, Dysport, Nuceiva, Jeuveau. There's always new ones growing up. So the technical term for those is neuromodulators. And then I also started to notice, oh, wow, I'm not burning in the sun in 10 minutes anymore. These deoxidants, this reducing inflammation, is actually allowing me to go outside and enjoy my life more. And I as a researcher, put together a paper for the biohacking community a couple years ago. What are some of the biohacks that actually can support slowing aging in sort of like a methodical framework, kind of way, because there's so many bright, shiny objects in the in the biohacking and wellness space, like, what actually should we start with?Lesley Logan 9:42 This is insane. So this journey that you went on, like, first of all, you met the person. Like, yeah, you were like, you just met them. And then you needed what they had. Like, thank goodness you met them, because you put, who knows how long would have taken you to stumble upon biohacking in that way. And then it got you to see how it worked on the things that you already do. I can it's interesting to me because, like, I think some people in your field would be like, what is the need for me if I could just biohack my way to blemish-free skin that can be out in the sun, you know what I mean. But obviously, like, there's, there's kind of a place for everything. You know, there's also like, what works for you and what helps with what you need. And so I love the idea for those at home who are like, well, what are some like, what are like? Maybe they could Google what an antioxidant is. But like, what are some things that they should be thinking about when it comes to inflammation and things that can affect how they look? Because I think sometimes people go, Oh, I'm just older. And we were taught like, Oh, you're 40, so now you're 50. Like, these things happen. But from what I understand in biohacking, you can actually do a whole lot. It's not about the age, it's kind of about what you're eating and what you're doing.Rachel Varga 10:54 Yeah, you could actually test instead of guess what your biological age is. And I do this usually about once a year, and my biological age, last time I tested it was nine years younger than my chronological age. So doing something right. Lesley Logan 11:11 I love that. Rachel Varga 11:14 When I started to speak on the anti aging, the functional, integrative and wellness sides of things, being an aesthetic nurse, like a traditionally trained nurse, and then in the specialty of aesthetic medicine, I was kind of the odd one out, a little bit misunderstood, especially in the rare community that I'm in, people didn't really get it. It's more like a California and Florida kind of thing, where people in there, in those states in particular, really big into anti aging medicine, and so that was a bit tough for me. But you know what, some of us were just pioneers in the space. And Dave is more of a disruptor, and I'm more of like an encourager. If I can do it, you can do it too. Lesley Logan 11:59 Yeah. And I think, like, you know, the I, what a great place where you can go, okay, here are your options. We can do these things, and here's how often you'd have to do them, and we can absolutely do them, or we can do this thing, and then this is how often, or you could also do this at home. And then it would make whatever we're doing here would support that, or it would reduce your need for that, is that what I'm hearing, like, the biohacking, like, really supports what you do?Rachel Varga 12:26 Bingo. So for me to speak on things, because I am a traditionally trained RN, I have to be able to speak on things that are published in the literature. There wasn't really anything, and I knew this worked. I would see it in my before and after photos. See, you know, 70 to 90 year olds looking fantastic, and they barely need anything. They were aging better. So the jawline paper that I wrote, I basically put in that paper an algorithm for rejuvenation, starting with skin care, then getting into maybe at home peels and at home dermarolling, doing some in-clinic lasers for reds, browns and collagen, you know, resurfacing pore size, polishing the skin, and then the non surgical injectables. So say you guys all probably hear the word Botox, so neuromodulators and fillers and then surgery. So to start from a space of least invasive, you know, do some things, see if you're happy with those results, you might not need the surgery, but surgery definitely does have a place, coming from ocular plastic surgery for the eyelids. And so I wrote a paper on that, basically an algorithm do least invasive to most invasive, and then the Oxidative Stress Status and Its Impacts on Skin Aging paper that was more like a framework of what's the lifestyle stuff that we can do to actually clean up and purify our environment by purifying our air, water, lighting, electromagnetics, testing, instead of guessing the foods that we're eating and then getting into detoxing. And when you do all those things, you should actually be able to get better results from your treatments. And if you go on message boards for people that have issues after injectables or lasers, chances are there was a degree of autoimmune conditions running in the background, or their toxic bucket was really full. They had rejuvenation bucket tipped over, and they had a manifestation of some underlying things that were happening. And then also, during the process of writing those papers, I came across some data. This is why it's not a nice to do. It's a need to do, to look after yourself, that autoimmune conditions, or, more precisely, deaths of unknown causes, which I reached back to the source of you know, what does this category actually mean, autoimmune condition or someone passing away before diagnosis, it actually doubled in 2019 compared to the data six years earlier in Canada, this is Canadian information, and then it doubled again in 2021. So autoimmune stuff for skin is like, eczema, psoriasis, those are typically the skin stuff that we see. Lesley Logan 15:25 It's interesting that you brought that up because it is like, I think people are like, there's so many people with autoimmune it's like, well, now that we know what to test for. The thing about tests, that's the thing, when we it was all, there, it has probably been there for a really long time. The doubling in such a short period of time is scary, but also it, you know, if the tests weren't right arranging or the doctors don't know to test for these things. But I love that you brought that. I like how you bring that up. It's like if you had stuff run in the background, if you were already inflamed, and then you do something that can add to that, like, it is just like the needle that broke the haystack. And so then the things get the blame when it's a whole host of things that are going on. And so I think this is really cool. You know it's and I don't want to be ignorant, so I think it's really, to me, what I find interesting is that, like, I would never have associated a biohacker with someone who would also be doing any of these treatments. Like I would, you know what I mean? Like, I think people think you're either nothing goes in your body except for these things, or you're, like, whatever, It's a free rein, I can do whatever I want. And so to find someone who sits in the middle, I actually think it gives people a lot more permission. And I actually one of the things I want to talk with you about is, like, just permission, like, I think a lot of people feel bad or feel embarrassed or feel like they shouldn't talk about that they want to make any changes to how they look, because we do live in a place now where, thankfully, people are more accepting and people have been taught to not hate their bodies like we should love our bodies. In fact, your body is listening to you. So part of biohacking would actually be to not talk about the things you don't like about your body because your body's listening. But how can we think about like is it vain for us to want to want to change things on our face, or to want to look a little younger, to want to look a little fresher? Is that? Is that a bad thing? Like, should we not be wanting to change these things? We just be happy with how we look?Rachel Varga 17:11 I think that there's a similarity here with this concept of imposter syndrome. Everyone who starts to do something new is like, Oh my gosh. I don't know of like, Can I do this? Am I gonna get laughed at? I think it's that's just as common as the shadow side of beauty, which is, is this vain? Am I doing something that's selfish to care for myself? One of the reframes that I love to talk about is self-care, self-love. I get so many sweet downloads when I'm doing my skincare, I'm blow drying my hair, I'm doing my beautification, my makeup, putting on a cute outfit, looking at myself in the mirror, it's like, Oh, wow. I had three hours of sleep last night. How the heck do I look this good? Well, there's some biohacks that I did to hack a bad sleep and why I had a bad sleep, which is hilarious. So we can definitely talk about that. But the vanity component is essentially the shadow side of beauty and radiance at its core. So I love to investigate the psychological, the energetic things behind everything as well, because everything is energy. And we're seeing a shift now, though. In about 2018, a number of my clients started to ask me, Rachel, what can I do for healthier skin I want to improve my skin health. So I really started to notice the shift. And then now fast forward to the year that we are in now, every med spa, well, the ones that are, you know, up with the current times, are doing things like NAD infusions, they're offering weight loss, they're offering hormone support, and all of these different things that we're now seeing a really exciting time in the med spa industry, the functional space, integrative and biohacking space, coming together. It's almost like this bifurcation point a couple years ago, but I did see the writings on the wall back in about 2018 that this was going to happen, and now this is what the most notable med spas in the world are doing, is they're incorporating all these things because people want to go to a one-stop shop and not necessarily just look at rejuvenation as being vain, but a form of self-care. They're doing other things as well that they're investing time and energy in, or they might have a health spending account that makes them feel better, because when you feel better, you look better, and when you look better, you feel better. So what I like to suggest, if someone is really grappling with, okay, money's tight or I feel vain about doing this, feel like that money should go to my kids or whatever. But if something's bothering you for a while, say, for example, lines between the brows, or lines to the forehead, or hooded upper eyelids, lower eye bags, melasma, pigmentation, red acne scars, large pores, acne scarring, losing sharpness to the jaw, lines, jowls, fullness to the neck, the list goes on. But if something is really bothering you and you're looking at yourself in the mirror, be like, I really love to do something about that, because it's the one thing that kind of bugs me. I think that the benefit of knowing that, hey, there are some really great health non surgical, or surgical things that we can do to actually support those things. But my angle is, okay, what's the least toxic thing that we can do to give the best results? What is going to give the most long term benefits? So that's why sometimes surgery, like eyelid surgery, is one of the most common surgeries performed to remove excess eyelid tissue. That's actually probably even going to cost less money than trying to do all these other non surgical things, and you have a longer result. So it just depends on everybody's situation. But the vanity thing is something I think every single person grapples with, if they're completely honest with themselves, and then they do it. They do their rejuvenation, they bump up their at home skincare routine, they purify their environment, like, Oh, I feel better. I'm gonna keep doing this, because it's something I do for myself, kind of like getting your (inaudible) you always feel so much better after you have, you know, fresh highlights or whatever. Lesley Logan 21:36 Yeah, yeah. Well, I think, like, there's a difference between doing something because you think it's going to get you people's reaction from people, and doing something for yourself. You know, I think if you are do making changes to yourself, because for other people, that would be a problem, but if you're doing it for yourself, like you said, you don't like the way your pores are. I have my mom, she has talked about the eyelid surgery, and I saw her recently in person. I was like, Oh, poor thing. I don't know. Can you see? Get like, you know, like, and that's not a vain thing. It's also like a necessity, necessity thing, but also like in being it till you see it, some of these things are taking up so much brain space that they're holding us back from coming out and showing people who we are like, if you're not putting yourself out there because you have a scar or you have you don't like the way something looks, that that does bother me, because it does mean that the world is missing out on what your gift is. You know, there are people that you're the only person who can do what you do, and if you're hiding yourself for whatever reason, then that is a bummer, because those people miss out on it and they end up getting swindled by somebody else. So I, I'm of the place, like, if it's for you and it's going to help you show up as the best version of yourself, like, you know, you really do have to look, look into that. But I also love your approach of, like, what's the least invasive, least toxic, most long lasting. And I think if we, I think if we go with that approach, as opposed to quick fixes, then we all, and that goes for everything, not just even for the things you do with your face.Rachel Varga 23:11 100% Oh, you touched on so many beautiful things. So we're gonna back this, because there's some nuggets here for everybody. What happens when you go into the wild, you know, if you're, if you're anything like me, you're working from home, you're going to the gym, you're going to the grocery store, going to church, you know, some work in social events, but that's kind of what the lifestyle looks like. But when we and sometimes I want speeches, and that's super fun, I get all glammed up when you go out into the wild and you see two kinds of people, you see the one person that I just have my hair and, like, a cute little dancer's button I got my workout outfit on. You would love it. It's, like, very Pilates appropriate. Lesley Logan 23:56 I saw it when you (inaudible) I was like, that's so cute. I need a little shawl for my my one my jumpsuit.Rachel Varga 24:02 Oh and I love my body, and I work hard. I lift weights, work on the flexibility, stability, cardio, strength, all those things. I feel fantastic because it brings me in my body as well. W e're very grounding at the end of the day, when you see that individual that they got a little bit of makeup on, they brush their hair, they don something cute, even if it's a little bun, and they have a smile, and they're bright, and they're connecting. Compared to the other person that's just schlepping it. They got their PJ pants on or their sweat pants, they're not put together at all, and they just look like they legitimately rolled out of bed. It's like, okay, something's going on with that person. Oh, this person's really showing up for themselves. They're, you know, putting effort into their appearance. What that actually communicates when you show the world that you're valuable because you value yourself, that's powerful. And if you're showing the world that you just rolled out of bed, your life's a mess, people aren't actually going to value you in the same way. I know that sounds really brutal, but you will be more valued in your relationships. In the professional space, you'll have better relationships. You'll probably be able to make more money, because there's also research to show that people actually who care for themselves the way that they look, earn higher income. But the cool part here that you touched on for you know, reactions for other people is it for yourself. I've seen that where ladies have come to me and their boyfriends in the waiting room and they say, I want to get my lips done. And their lips are already like fantasy lips, if you know what I mean. And I just say to them, no, that's gonna go. If I do anymore, it's gonna really put your lips out of the ideal ratios that actually creates beautiful lips. So you're not a candidate for this treatment. Obviously, there's some body dysmorphia that can have too. However, when we do rejuvenation in a way that looks natural, feels good for us. You know, the body's just like, yes, I want to do this. But thinking about it for a while, it helps to build confidence. Something very interesting about confidence, actually, is that the more confident we are, the better able we're going to be in showing up and building our community. And community is a deep survival need. We're not meant to go through life on our own. We're not meant to over give. We're meant to be supported and receive from those around us, and obviously have it be reciprocated. But the there's the value component, there's the confidence component, there's the community component as well. So there's a lot of really beautiful things actually, about beauty and what it does to our lives.Lesley Logan 27:00 Yeah, and I do, I find it's like, so I used to work at a studio when I lived in L.A., I'd have to, like, leave the house and obviously, how I run and how I shop at the gym, different things, but anything before 7 a.m. that's what different. But when I would go to my studio, I would get dressed to work, go to work, I would teach the whole thing. When I started working from home, I noticed like, oh, I'm not in front of the camera today, so I would just kind of like, still be in the same clothes I did my walk and my workout in, and I was like, starting to slowly feel down about myself and having to give myself more pep talks. And I was doing my fake eyelashes, and they kept getting bigger and wrong, and I kept giving them feedback. And I was like, I don't really like how this is looking. So then I got rid of the fake eyelashes, and now I'm like, well, now I'm a bald eagle, and now I think I'm over at and and I was like, hold on. I also could learn how to do makeup for my natural lashes, and I could get dressed each day, like, how would if I got dressed each day? And what I realized is, by using the clothes in my closet and getting dressed and having a routine of putting my makeup on and and things like that. All those things actually made me feel better. So that whole little haze that, like cloud that was kind of like following around, kind of like an oppression commercial. I don't know if you havethem in Canada, but we have them here, where they're, like, trying to sell you like this cloud that just like hovers over this girl as she walks around, the cloud's gone. I was like, oh, over time, I slowly became used to not doing these things that felt like a waste of time or like not a big deal who's seeing me, and the more I actually spent time with myself. It's not to go back to the vanity topic, It's not vain. It actually just made it easier for me to show up as myself and put myself out there. Because I wasn't going, Oh God, my hair is a mess. Like, like, I, like, got ready for the day, just like, as if I went out into the world to go to work. And so I would say, like, it's really easy for us to go, oh, the world expects us to look a certain way. And really, I actually think the world is quite obsessed with people who are confidently walking in front of them, people who are confidently walking in a room like it. Actually, I'm always amazed, like the people who are famous or infamous and things like that, like some of them, I would never consider like a natural form of beauty, but people are excited about them because they're so calm they walk in, they have their head held high. And so I think if we just go back to like, what are you doing for yourself to help you show up to be the person you want to be, like, those things can't be wrong.Rachel Varga 29:25 Very well said, the, I love this show so much. I love connecting with you, Lesley, I think you're fantastic. You're hitting the nail on the head of, like, really deep topics around beauty and rejuvenation and not enough people are kind of talking about this stuff, the concept of feeling down and self-talk. Let's break that down for a second. A lot of us say, Oh, my fine lines and wrinkles, or, you know, my elevens, or my acne scars, or from an injury perspective, because a lot of you listening are ahletic and sometimes injuries can happen when you're doing new things and pushing your limits and building your strength and your resilience and your readiness and adaptability and all those good things. So instead of saying my whiplash, I detach from it, and I don't say my I say, oh, you know, I'm experiencing this or, Oh, I have a blemish, but I'm not reinforcing it into my identity, because a lot of people have these things that they reinforce into their identity, and then it's like, stuck in their field, if you will. Now we're gonna go just a little bit woo.Lesley Logan 30:39 Oh, you know, we used to only be a one woo show, and considering where the world is right now, Brad and I have gone two woos. We're woo woo in it.Rachel Varga 30:50 Yeah, very much grounded in the 3d science, I published papers. I just the other day, was teaching 60 doctors in Vancouver. Super fun. I just can't help but notice this group of patients that I observed in my career. This is why I talk about radiance, men and women aged 60 to 90 that had never done any rejuvenation. They would come to see me, either on a video call like this, or in the clinic, and I would look at them and be like, Wow, you look fantastic. Like, yeah, you know a couple of things like, bother me. I'd love to do something about it, but it was just how they carried themselves. So I started to kind of unpack this. What is this? What is this that I'm noticing it's like this inner glow, this inner vibration, and what are the components in their life that are contributing to that, which you can ground to the key determinants of health, which are recognized globally as being important factors to determining how healthy you're probably going to be depending on the environment around you. They had a certain vibe to them. Their skin shown differently. Their voice was different. They were very present. They had a family life, they had a spiritual practice. They had hobbies, they had a community. So I coined this radiance, and then I started to dive into some Ayurvedic texts, and came across the definition of radiance, which I think is one of the best definitions of that word that I've ever come across. It's the electromagnetic projection of all of your body systems. The radiant body is the 10th body, and then we have our body, mind, spirit, energy. There's some other bodies in there, but the radiant body is basically that electromagnetic projection of you and a reflection of how all your operating systems are running into the world. And when you begin to hone and cultivate this radiant energy, it's kind of like you become a queen, and you enter a room and everybody notices you for all the right reasons, you become a magnet. And with that, when you step into that very powerful, radiant, queen, feminine and (inaudible) energy, you also repel vibes of certain people that aren't going to be in your highest it's like you're a magnet, but you're also very attractive.Lesley Logan 33:22 Yeah, just like magnets also repel the other side. Rachel Varga 33:25 Exactly. Yes. So magnetic to the right people, the right situations, the right opportunities, and telling yourself (inaudible) oh, you know, there's great things coming just around the corner that are better than I even imagined. And I say that all the time, and it happens all the time. So this becomes you. You become like this force. And one of the most cool things about this as a woman is you get respected, and you are revered by men, not just idolized for looking a certain way, but actually respected and revered, and this is getting into some of the more powerful layers of beauty and radiance. And what you mentioned with your self talk, you probably felt some guilt and shame, right? And those are the lowest vibrations we can possibly sit in. The highest ones are peace love, joy, then there's pre enlightenment, then there's enlightenment. So peace, love, joy, channel your inner (inaudible) that is actually setting the stage for all of your cells and inner machinery and operating systems and field, the human biofield, is an emerging body of science to shine brighter, to slow aging, to feel better, to look better.Lesley Logan 34:47 I love this, and I really do believe in it, because there was years ago I listened to a podcast where they said your cells are listening to you, and how you talk about yourself is what you produce. So if you, going back to your like, my scars, my this, it's so important that you do, you don't hold on to those things, because the body is listening and like they actually did some scientific studies, multiple ones. One of them was they took these people, they blindfolded them, they set them in a chair. They were in a room where they could hear a fire burning, right? And they could hear this hot and they could hear like this, when you put, like, water goes right, that whole thing. And they're like, okay, we're gonna take this (inaudible) and we're gonna brand you, right? And these people are like, Oh my God, they're telling, they're describing what the branding mark is going to be. All these things. I don't even know how they clear this, because it sounds like trauma and torture and all the things, however they did it. And what they would do is they would like make the sound, and then they touch the person with a pen, a pen, and the person develop the welt in the shape of the description of what the branding was going to be. Right? Like, now, whether it lasts or not, wasn't part of the thing, but like they the body was like, so prepared for what it was told it was going to become. And another doctor was trying to figure out if it was a scraping of the knee or the drain of the knee that actually was healing these knee issues. So of course, he has to take three groups of people, one where nothing happens, one where they scrape and one where they drain, and then compare the three and the people who had nothing they were just put into they were put under anesthesia. They played, they played a video of a knee surgery happening so that they would hear in their subconscious they were sent to do all the same post surgical protocol as everyone else. They had the same results as the people who had had surgery, because they told themselves, I had surgery, my knee is fixed, and their body did these things. And so I became so conscious of like, what are we actually talking to ourselves about? Because before we go into all the things we could do to change our bodies, before we go into the biohacking foods, and then what type of treatments we could do, how you're talking to yourself, is literally free. It's a, it's a, it's a free thing you can change. It costs nothing.Rachel Varga 37:01 when you think of a monk, what are they doing all the time? Lesley Logan 37:03 Oh, we get to see them in Cambodia all the time. They are meditating and they're praying. They give blessings. That's what they're doing, just sitting there meditating.Rachel Varga 37:15 And you said something very profound, giving. Lesley Logan 37:19 Blessings. Rachel Varga 37:23 Who you are, depending on what really your reason is for being here. For mine, it's really to activate and initiate men and women around me to be their best versions. I'm very clear on that. So for me and my presence, that's how I serve. That's how I offer. It's how can we be in this state where we engage with others and we brighten their day, we say something kind to them, the way that we move through life is like an offering and a blessing. We first need to fill our cup first, though, that's very important. One of the things that you can channel next time you're in your Pilates or a heavy lifting situation, I do this all the time at the gym. I actually do breath work because for activity as women, especially if you're around that pre perimenopausal, perimenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal, the body's going through transmissions, and what breaks down collagen and elastin quickly is elevated cortisol, which results in a drop of estrogen. When estrogen falls, collagen, elastin, fall too the more at peace you are, the more in that parasympathetic state you are, the less you're in the sympathetic state with high cortisol, adrenaline, you're going to age slower. You're going to have a slowness of the collagen elastic breakdown. And you could actually just do things to stimulate it, right? Like good skincare, sunscreen on the high real estate areas, mineral only at home, dermarolling, in clinic, lasers to get that collagen back up. Consuming collagen is also great. 10 to 12 grams a day is what's in the literature to actually create those visible skin changes in a month. But what I do when I work out is something hilarious, and I actually did bench press with the bodybuilder gym (inaudible) crew at the gym. I was included. They respect me. They revere me. They see my dedication and hard work. So, you know, I was right there with them get it spotted and encouraged, and here I am elevating their presence as well. But when I work out, and I was actually sharing this with one of the bodybuilders, because they'll do like smelling salts to get them in the sympathetic state, which could be good for the masculine, but for the feminine, we don't want that. We want to keep that cortisol down, what I do, actually, between sets of working out, is go right into parasympathetic breathing. Breathe in for four seconds, hold it for four seconds, exhale for four seconds. And you can do this, do like four to five cycles of that. You can drop into that at any point during the day when you get some news of a task that you need to do. I run like 13 businesses. So there's always, you know, these kind of small fires, and I have to figure out, like, who to delegate what I need to do, blah, blah, blah. But there's always something. So no matter what, I just always drop into that. Have those dates, have that honey, so I have that glycogen. Take those adaptogens to support the adrenals. Do the self care. But the biggest thing, I think, for beauty and slowing aging is, what do you think creates peace?Lesley Logan 41:05 What do I think creates peace? In someone's life?Rachel Varga 41:07 Yeah, what do you think creates peace in someone's life? Lesley Logan 41:10 Oh, my gosh. Well, I don't, to be honest, my mind is (inaudible) a few places. One, good sleep, that helps with peace. Two, not taking things personally, that could take, I think that could cover a lot of things. Maybe the whole four agreements would create peace and then self love.Rachel Varga 41:29 That's beautiful. What actually builds our confidence when you make a decision and we're happy with those decisions that we're making, or making them out of integrity. People who make really bad decisions, they have to live with guilt and shame, and they have terrible sleep. They're tossing and turning, and they got night sweats. All sorts of stuff goes on in someone's nervous system when they constantly have that guilt and shame, operating in the background. Ask for forgiveness, but move towards operating in integrity in every single thing that you do, you will have more peace because you're making better decisions. I wouldn't I can't picture a monk acting out of integrity, right? That's like against their code. So to have that, I just think it's gorgeous. Not taking things personally is also great. So you're recognizing that not everybody is taking as good care of you. You might have different values or lifestyles or what's important to you. So not taking things personally and just kind of witnessing that everyone's on their own journey, and just let go, but just have that knowing that the decisions you're making are out of integrity, and self love is such a beautiful component to that as well because you're telling your body when you're doing your skincare in the am and pm, you're washing your face, you're putting great things on that aren't toxic, and you're doing a lot of the personal development stuff as well, to be the best human that you can be, to be the best woman partner that success in your career, and just be a light in the world and think that and bring beauty. Literally, I've done this. I've just had a terrible day, something's going on, and I put on a cute outfit, do my hair and makeup, and I go engage with someone. They're like, Wow, you look so pretty today. It was like, it brightens my day. My beauty brightened their day. And then send and receive. I give them a compliment of something that I see is beautiful in them, too.Lesley Logan 43:35 Yeah, oh my gosh. You know, so many good things. And there was like five, five other things I wanted to get to in today's episodes. We're just gonna have to have you back. We're just gonna have to have you back because I was like, really hoping we could talk about, like, is Gua Sha really working? What are the things I should be doing? So we're just gonna have to do this again, and we're gonna take a brief break and find out how people can find you, follow you, work with you. And you already gave us some good stuff, but some Be It Action Items. Lesley Logan 43:58 All right, Rachel, where do they hang out? Where do you hang out? Where can people like stalk you in the best way, get more information, work with you, talk with you, where can we send them?Rachel Varga 44:08 Absolutely, I hang out on Instagram. I love to engage with those who are you? They say yes to themselves. They know they're worth it, and they're curious about some of the different options I share a ton of very entertaining education, like, I shared some sleep stuff like, why (inaudible) sleeps because I took creatine too late after my workout. But how did I hack that not so great sleep? I took a little bit more in the next day because it fires up your ATP, anyways, funny stuff like that. As a biohacker and also in the med spa space is over @RachelVargaOfficial, that's my Instagram handle. And then the podcast, really great show, the School of Radiance podcast. And then theschoolofradiance.com is my website, where you can book a one-on-one. You can join my seasonal skin tutorials, where I actually show you how to do Gua Sha, do your skincare, your makeup, your dermarolling peels, retinols, what rejuvenation is great to do that time of year, so basic and advanced stuff over six weeks, great. Not a YouTube tutorial. It's way better. Lesley Logan 45:13 I'm already in. I'm like, hold on, I need to. Rachel Varga 45:15 Super fun, super fun, right? And then the membership is more of that high level. How do we actually activate this radiance and stuff so we can enjoy our lives better and make more money in the process? Those are the two key metrics you're gonna get benefits from.Lesley Logan 45:30 Amazing. You guys, we have a promo code for you in the show notes and everything, so make sure that you check that out. I already have an appointment booked because I am really excited. And it's, again, not because of it's like, oh, I'm trying to be vain. I'm trying to be something that the world wants. No, it's so that when I look in the mirror, I feel awesome about myself, and I can show up more and more and do all the things. And so I'm just so grateful that our paths crossed. You have given us a lot of great tips. Ladies, get on the creatine. Okay, it's really amazing. There's tons of research. Oh yeah, muscles also, just like, apparently, tons of work on the Alzheimer space, which I'm very excited about. Thank God I've been doing creatine for years. But bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted steps our listeners can take to be it till they see it. What do you have for us? Rachel Varga 46:16 Yeah, the skincare checklist, actually, over at theschoolofradiance.com when you sign up for my newsletter, I have a free 30 minute biohacking lesson too, and use promo code LesleyLogan15 for 15% off of your one-on-one here with m. Creatine, creatine, creatine, yes, high protein, one gram to 1.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight, huge when I started to lift heavy and do those two things, and keep up with the flexibility, mobility that just gave me more inner power, activation, if you will, great for the skin too, and caring for yourself, not just your skincare, not just your rejuvenation, but purifying your environment, air, water, lighting, electromagnetics, eating the right food, then detoxing is a key part, but it's what we do every single day.Lesley Logan 47:07 I love that you brought those things up, because I do a lot of people go on detox all the time, but they don't fix their don't check their water problem. When I lived in L.A., all the water stuff said the pipes were great. Everything is great. You guys, I had arsenic and cadmium in my system. So how, right? So we had to, like, we lived in a 500 square foot apartment and had, like, a $5,000 water system put in, and yes, I took it with me when we moved. But I think it's really important so that you all can support things. Right? These are things you can do at home, with your for yourself and in your environment to help you feel really good. So I am obsessed with these tips. I really am obsessed with you. I can't wait for more conversations together and how people are going to use these tips in your life. You guys, let us know. Tag Rachel Varga, tag the Be It Pod. Share this with the friend who needs to hear it. Sometimes we have friends who are actually overly picking on themselves, and maybe I actually think the words that we talked about here today can really support that and help them understand like, you know what is needed, what is necessary, what is helpful, and then also, if you're starting to feel a little bit out of it yourself, like I, I'm gonna tell you right now, it's really okay to care about how you want to put your hair or how you want to dress, because those things actually help us show up more in the world. And we're we are allowed to take up space. So Rachel, thank you so, so much. And until next time everyone, Be It Till You See It. Lesley Logan 48:23 That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 49:06 It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 49:10 It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co.Brad Crowell 49:15 Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 49:22 Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals. Brad Crowell 49:25 Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In this illuminating episode of The Thought SNOB Podcast, Paula Swope — Author, Speaker, and Chopra-Certified Life Coach — shares a quick yet highly effective morning ritual that blends neuroscience with spiritual discipline. Grounded in research from Nature Neuroscience and PubMed, Paula explains how simply exposing yourself to natural sunlight each morning can reset your circadian rhythm, calm the amygdala, and elevate your mood and energy. Listeners are guided through a step-by-step practice that includes morning light exposure, intentional affirmations, and a brief visualization designed to “seal your energy in gold.” The result? Less reactivity, more alignment, and a calmer nervous system before the day even begins. This short, actionable routine requires no equipment, no cost — only consistency and awareness. Paula's signature approach combines science, mindfulness, and energy work to help listeners reprogram their brains and reclaim their mornings, one ray of light at a time.
Have you ever heard of Senolytics? It's the latest breakthrough in aging and longevity science that I honestly had not heard about until learning about Qualia Senolytic. That's what I'm SO excited to welcome todays guest, naturopathic physician Dr. Gregory Kelly, the VP of product development at Qualia Life, and author of the book Shape Shift. He was the editor of the journal Alternative Medicine Review and has been an instructor at the University of Bridgeport in the College of Naturopathic Medicine, where he taught classes in Advanced Clinical Nutrition, Counseling Skills, and Doctor-Patient Relationships. Dr. Kelly has published hundreds of articles on natural medicine and nutrition, contributed three chapters to the Textbook of Natural Medicine, and has more than 30 journal articles indexed on Pubmed. His areas of expertise include nootropics, anti-aging and regenerative medicine, weight management, sleep and the chronobiology of performance and health. In this episode, Dr. Kelly and I discuss why you should care about cellular senescence and how its different from autophagy, the hallmarks of aging, the, and how you can age better at a cellular level by helping your body naturally eliminate senescent cells. Suggested Resources:Qualia Life (you can use the code wellnstrong for a discount!Dr. Gregory Kelly Qualia Senolytic Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study ResultsSenolytic drugs: from discovery to translationSend me a text!Kyoord makes small-batch Greek olive oils that are exceptionally rich in polyphenols—powerful compounds shown to fight inflammation, support brain health, and protect against chronic disease. It's the brand I personally use and trust daily, and you can try it yourself at kyoord.com with code WELLNSTRONG for 10% off your first order. This episode is proudly sponsored by: SizzlefishLet's talk about fueling your body with the best nature has to offer. If you're looking for premium, sustainable seafood delivered straight to your door, you need to check out Sizzlefish! Head to sizzlefish.com and use my code “wellnstrong” at checkout for an exclusive discount on your first order. Trust me, you're going to taste the difference with Sizzlefish!Join the WellnStrong mailing list for exclusive content here!Want more of The How To Be WellnStrong Podcast? Subscribe to the YouTube channel. Follow Jacqueline: Instagram Pinterest TikTok Youtube To access notes from the show & full transcripts, head over to WellnStrong's Podcast Page
Send us a textI unpack what “ultra-processed” really means, why these foods are so easy to overeat, what the best evidence shows (including metabolic-ward studies), and how I personally navigate them without fear or perfectionism. Key topics & evidence (in plain English):What counts as “ultra-processed”? I walk through the NOVA system—useful, not perfect—and where borderline items (frozen meals, boxed mixes) fit. See an overview of NOVA classifications here. How we got here: post-WWII abundance of refined flour, cheap sugars, oils, and a cultural push for convenience—now ~60% of the U.S. diet comes from UPFs (study). Additives: stabilizers, emulsifiers, preservatives, and colors are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). I explain why, on their own, they're probably not the main health issue. The bigger problem: UPFs are energy-dense, engineered for bliss (fat/sugar/salt + perfect texture), and easy to eat quickly—driving higher calorie intake. • Metabolic-ward crossover trial: +~508 kcal/day when participants ate UPFs vs minimally processed (Cell 2019). • Overweight adults in a crossover design: +~814 kcal/day on the UPF week (PubMed). • Another recent crossover RCT reports ~300 kcal/day higher on UPFs (Nature Medicine 2025). What I recommend (and what I do):Prioritize whole foods most of the time; shop the perimeter; cook when you can. Canned tomatoes/beans and frozen fruits/peas are fine helpers. If weight, diabetes, or blood pressure are concerns, be extra cautious with UPFs—they're designed to be irresistible and calorie-dense. Moderation wins: I enjoy favorites (yes, even boxed mac 'n' cheese and crunchy peanut butter) without letting them dominate my plate. Takeaways you can use today:Build meals around minimally processed proteins, veggies, fruits, and beans; let convenience items support—not star—in your diet. Watch “calorie-dense + easy to overeat” combos (chips, sweets, fast food). If you have them, portion once, then put the package away. If symptoms or inflammation are puzzling you, try a short UPF-light experiment (2–4 weeks) and see how you feel. If this episode helped, please follow and leave a quick review—and share it with a friend who's curious about UPFs. For my newsletter and resources, visit drbobbylivelongandwell.com.
Send us a textToday, I'm joined by Dr. William LaValley — one of the world's leading researchers and medical doctors in the field of integrative cancer treatment.Dr. LaValley has spent decades combining the latest discoveries in molecular biology with evidence-based, integrative therapies for cancer. He draws upon the vast database of research available through PubMed to identify the anti-cancer potential of natural compounds and repurposed, or off-label, pharmaceutical drugs.Since earning his M.D. in 1986, Dr. LaValley has developed sophisticated, evidence-driven databases mapping the molecular pathways of cancer. These insights have allowed him to design personalized treatment protocols that complement — rather than replace — conventional chemotherapy and radiation therapy.In this episode, we'll discuss how understanding molecular biology helps identify new targets for treatment, how repurposed drugs can work synergistically with standard therapies, and what the future of integrative oncology looks like.You can find him at:www.Lavalleymdprotocols.com#IntegrativeOncology #CancerResearch #MolecularMedicine #RepurposedDrugs #FunctionalMedicine #CancerTreatment #FitRxPodcast
In this solo episode, Darin takes on the “beef tallow” craze that's been sweeping the wellness world — exposing the industry manipulation, environmental costs, and scientific inaccuracies behind the trend. From skincare to supplements, companies are selling animal byproducts as miracle cures — but what's really happening behind the scenes? Darin dives into the industrial rendering process, the hidden pollution of factory farming, and the false “ancestral” marketing that's convincing people to buy into a billion-dollar rebrand of waste. This episode isn't about guilt — it's about truth, awareness, and sovereignty. Because when you know how the system really works, you can choose differently. What You'll Learn 00:00:00 – Why Darin decided to peel back the layers on the beef tallow trend 00:01:00 – What tallow actually is: industrially rendered animal fat from slaughterhouse byproducts 00:03:00 – The dirty details: high-heat rendering, bleaching, deodorizing, and chemical refining 00:06:00 – The hidden foundation of factory farming and the myth of “ancestral” sourcing 00:08:00 – The human and environmental toll of the tallow supply chain — pollution, stress, and labor exploitation 00:10:00 – Marketing manipulation: how “natural” language disguises industrial exploitation 00:12:00 – Science check: why tallow isn't nutritionally superior to seed oils 00:14:00 – The clinical data: saturated vs. polyunsaturated fats and heart health 00:16:00 – The real safety issues — prion disease, contaminants, oxidation, and hidden toxins 00:18:00 – Why skincare claims are unproven — no data shows tallow outperforms plant oils 00:20:00 – The illusion of “zero-waste”: how byproduct economics fuel more slaughter 00:22:00 – What “natural” actually costs — to the planet, animals, and human health 00:24:00 – The path forward: transparency, awareness, and choosing regenerative alternatives 00:26:00 – The SuperLife perspective: stop calling destruction natural — awareness is the first step toward change Thank You to Our Sponsors Fatty15: Get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/DARIN and using code DARIN at checkout. EnergyBits: 100% spirulina and chlorella tablets delivering pure food nutrition. Use code SUPERLIFE for 20% off at energybits.com. Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences Key Takeaway “Let's stop calling destruction natural. When we stop buying into exploitation, we stop funding it — and that's when change begins for the animals, for the planet, and for us.” Bibliography / Key References Meatscience.org, “Rendering 101” (industry rendering overview) FAO / Codex Alimentarius, edible fats and oils specifications (MIU, peroxide, etc.) Sölens / rendering-industry chemical supplier blogs (on refining aids, odor control) FDA/EPA dioxin/PCB in fats monitoring programs AHA/ACC (American Heart Association / American College of Cardiology) review on saturated vs unsaturated fats and cardiovascular disease PubMed articles on prion resistance to rendering Derm & cosmetic reviews on tallow/animal fats in skincare Industry & environmental NGO reports on factory farming's greenhouse gas, water, land use, manure pollution, worker conditions
Send us a textCancer is the second leading cause of death, and while it sparks fear for good reason, 40% of cases are preventable. In this episode, I outline six practical, evidence-based steps that can help reduce your risk.We begin by understanding which cancers are most common based on gender—breast, colon, and lung in women; prostate, colon, and lung in men. While some rare cancers (like pancreatic or ovarian) evoke greater fear, the focus here is on the ones we're more likely to face and can meaningfully act on.Next, I break down risk factors into two categories. Some are unavoidable—your sex, age, or family history. For example, if a close relative had breast or colon cancer, early screening or genetic testing may be warranted. However, only about 5–10% of cancers are directly linked to inherited genetic mutations (American Cancer Society).The more empowering list? Avoidable risk factors—where our actions matter most. Smoking remains the leading modifiable cause of cancer, responsible for about 19% of all cases. Excess weight and obesity account for another 8% and are especially tied to hard-to-treat cancers like pancreatic and ovarian (ScienceDirect) and PubMed). Visceral fat appears more predictive than BMI alone. Alcohol, especially in large quantities, is also linked to liver, GI, and breast cancers.Some risks are cancer-specific. HPV causes nearly all cervical cancers, and melanoma is largely driven by UV exposure. Air pollution, especially particulate matter, may slightly increase lung cancer risk (ASCO Global Oncology).Step three is to act on what you can. Quit smoking, aim for a healthy weight, wear sun protection, and ensure your kids get their routine HPV and Hepatitis B vaccines. Exercise plays a major role too—high activity levels correlate with 10–20% lower risk of several major cancers (JAMA). In colon cancer survivors, regular exercise reduced recurrence by 30% (PubMed).Step four is awareness: don't ignore new symptoms like unexplained bleeding or lumps. Early detection can be life-saving.Step five is screening. If you're 45 or older, colonoscopy is now recommended. Women should get regular mammograms and PAP smears, and individuals with smoking history may benefit from lung CT scans. For rarer cancers with family history, targeted screenings may apply. I also address why whole-body MRIs and liquid biopsies aren't ready for routine use.Step six? Don't put your hope in supplements. Large trials show omega-3s, vitamin D, beta carotene, and vitamin C offer no real protective benefit (NEJM VITAL Study, Meta-analysis on Vitamin C, JNCI on aspirin).Takeaways: You can reduce your cancer risk by modifying lifestyle factors like smoking, weight, and activity. Don't delay screenings—they catch cancers early when treatment is most effective. And remember: no supplement replaces proven preventive strategies.Visit drbobbylivelongandwell.com for more evidence-based tools, and listen to the full episode for actionable steps to help you live long and well.
Can sharing personal stories at work really boost your well-being and productivity? In my latest solo episode, I explore the fascinating dynamics of self-disclosure in the workplace, drawing insights from recent research. Discover how sharing positive experiences can elevate emotional well-being, enhance work energy, and foster deeper connections with colleagues, while venting about negative experiences might have the opposite effect.We also examine the motivations behind why we share, including connecting, venting, or seeking advice, and how they impact our well-being. To close, we consider the intriguing interplay of mismatched intentions, where what we are looking for is not returned and how Craig also unpacks the intriguing concept of response mismatches, where the intention to connect can be misaligned and strategies we can use, as both a sharer and listener, to avoid this unfortunate outcome.Tune in as explore an issue that we all face and learn evidence-based practices that can deepen the quality of our communication and connection.What You'll Learn- How sharing positive experiences can boost your energy and strengthen connections with colleagues- The potential downsides of venting- The crucial role of intentions in self-disclosure; why we share impacts what we receive in return- The role of intention in improving the quality of our conversations- How to avoid misalignment between our intentions and our impactKEYWORDSPositive Leadership, Group Dynamics, Positive Communication, Self-Disclosure, Emotional Well-being, Mental Health, Managing Professional Relationships, Lead with Intention, High-Quality Conversations, Team Success, The Power of Vulnerability, Emotional Regulation, Support, CEO SuccessRESOURCESDo you have a minute? The cognitive and emotional consequences of self-disclosures at work - PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40424152/
“It's 5pm and your Consultant (attending) has headed off home. A patient arrives in the resuscitation room blood spurting from a stab wound in the armpit. Join Roisin – a junior Major Trauma fellow, Prash – a surgical trainee, Max – a senior trauma surgery fellow, and Chris – a Consultant trauma surgeon, as we talk through decision making from point of injury to aftercare in this challenging trauma surgical case”. • Hosts: Bulleted list of host names, including title, institution, & social media handles if indicated 1. Mr Prashanth Ramaraj. General Surgery trainee, Edinburgh rotation. @LonTraumaSchool 2. Dr Roisin Kelly. Major Trauma Junior Clinical Fellow, Royal London Hospital. 3. Mr Max Marsden. Resuscitative Major Trauma Fellow, Royal London Hospital. @maxmarsden83 4. Mr Christopher Aylwin. Consultant Trauma & Vascular Surgeon and Co-Programme Director MSc Trauma Sciences at Queen Mary University of London. @cjaylwin • Learning objectives: Bulleted list of learning objectives. A) To become familiar with prehospital methods of haemorrhage control in penetrating junctional injuries. B) To recognise the benefits of prehospital blood product resuscitation in some trauma patients. C) To follow the nuanced decision making in decision for CT scan in a patient with a penetrating junctional injury. D) To describe the possible approaches to the axillary artery in the context of resuscitative trauma surgery. E) To become familiar with decision making around intraoperative systemic anticoagulation in the trauma patient. F) To become familiar with decision making on type of repair and graft material in vascular trauma. G) To recognise the team approach in holistic trauma care through the continuum of trauma care. • References: Bulleted list of references with PubMed links. 1. Perkins Z. et al., 2012. Epidemiology and Outcome of Vascular Trauma at a British Major Trauma Centre. EJVES. https://www.ejves.com/article/S1078-5884(12)00337-1/fulltext 2. Ramaraj P., et al. 2025. The anatomical distribution of penetrating junctional injuries and their resource implications: A retrospective cohort study. Injury. https://www.injuryjournal.com/article/S0020-1383(24)00771-X/ 3. Smith, S., et al. 2019. The effectiveness of junctional tourniquets: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/abstract/2019/03000/the_effectiveness_of_junctional_tourniquets__a.20.aspx 4. Rijnhout TWH, et al. 2019. Is prehospital blood transfusion effective and safe in haemorrhagic trauma patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Injury. https://www.injuryjournal.com/article/S0020-1383(19)30133-0/ 5. Davenport R, et al. 2023. Prehospital blood transfusion: Can we agree on a standardised approach? Injury. https://www.injuryjournal.com/article/S0020-1383(22)00915-9. 6. Borgman MA., et al. 2007. The Ratio of Blood Products Transfused Affects Mortality in Patients Receiving Massive Transfusions at a Combat Support Hospital. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/fulltext/2007/10000/the_ratio_of_blood_products_transfused_affects.13.aspx 7. Holcomb JB., et al. 2013. The Prospective, Observational, Multicenter, Major Trauma Transfusion (PROMMTT) Study. Comparative Effectiveness of a Time-Varying Treatment With Competing Risks. JAMA Surgery. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/fullarticle/1379768 8. Holcomb JB, et al. 2015. Transfusion of Plasma, Platelets, and Red Blood Cells in a 1:1:1 vs a 1:1:2 Ratio and Mortality in Patients With Severe Trauma. The PROPPR Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2107789 9. Davenport R., et al. 2023. Early and Empirical High-Dose Cryoprecipitate for Hemorrhage After Traumatic Injury. The CRYOSTAT-2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2810756 10. Baksaas-Aasen K., et al. 2020. Viscoelastic haemostatic assay augmented protocols for major trauma haemorrhage (ITACTIC): a randomized, controlled trial. ICM. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00134-020-06266-1 11. Wahlgren CM., et al. 2025. European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2025 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the Management of Vascular Trauma. EJVES. https://esvs.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-Vascular-Trauma-Guidelines.pdf 12. Khan S., et al. 2020. A meta-analysis on anticoagulation after vascular trauma. Eur J Traum Emerg Surg. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00068-020-01321-4 13. Stonko DP., et al. 2022. Postoperative antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation use does not impact complication or reintervention rates after vein repair of arterial injury: A PROOVIT study. Vascular. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17085381221082371?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed Please visit https://behindtheknife.org to access other high-yield surgical education podcasts, videos and more. If you liked this episode, check out our recent episodes here: https://behindtheknife.org/listen Behind the Knife Premium: General Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/general-surgery-oral-board-review Trauma Surgery Video Atlas: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/trauma-surgery-video-atlas Dominate Surgery: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Clerkship: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-clerkship Dominate Surgery for APPs: A High-Yield Guide to Your Surgery Rotation: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/dominate-surgery-for-apps-a-high-yield-guide-to-your-surgery-rotation Vascular Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/vascular-surgery-oral-board-audio-review Colorectal Surgery Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/colorectal-surgery-oral-board-audio-review Surgical Oncology Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/surgical-oncology-oral-board-audio-review Cardiothoracic Oral Board Review Course: https://behindtheknife.org/premium/cardiothoracic-surgery-oral-board-audio-review Download our App: Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/behind-the-knife/id1672420049 Android/Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.btk.app&hl=en_US
Friday, September 26, 2025. Week 39. In this episode of Syngap10, we continue the conversation from Episode 183, sharing the latest milestones and moments with our SYNGAP1 community. DSC has announced! DSC (part of RDCRN, part of NCATS, part of NIH) also announced and continues to raise profile of SYNGAP1 Related Disorders (SRD) Key post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/curesyngap1_86-million-nih-grant-renews-support-for-activity-7373870761230589952-aV1M #RDCRN List with #DSC https://ncats.nih.gov/research/research-activities/rdcrn/consortia In addition to that, the DSC was formally announced, and will result in five years of SYNGAP1 securing a spot on the map. This was because of an SRF grant years ago! Grant https://curesyngap1.org/blog/syngap-research-fund-announces-308-000-multidisciplinary-biomarker-grant-to-boston-childrens-hospital/ Pubmed is at 44! (+2 v ‘23, -10 v ‘24, 2nd place) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=syngap1&filter=years.2025-2025&timeline=expanded&sort=date&sort_order=asc Cell Paper on AAV in Mice: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/boaz-levi-07387741_aav-delivery-of-full-length-syngap1-rescues-activity-7376306391537532928-iT9u Last week was a CB Conf in Nashville, attended by KAH and VA, thank you to both. KAH in Staff yesterday, the hardest thing is not seeing Joey. ☹️ Thanks to MS for going too. MS https://www.linkedin.com/posts/melissasmith1_raredisease-patientadvocacy-syngap1-activity-7374408667091333120-Udp0/ KAH https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kathryn-syngap-research-fund_the-combinedbrain-conference-in-nashville-activity-7374639535021928448-gWB4 Two big upcoming events: Scramble in SC on October 4th https://www.linkedin.com/posts/julie-miles-4294322ba_scramble-for-syngap-activity-7370558331611971585-iw0A CURE SYNGAP1 Conference 2025 in Atlanta https://curesyngap1.org/events/conferences/cure-syngap1-conference-2025-hosted-by-srf/ SOCIAL MATTERS - 4,371 LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/company/curesyngap1/ - 1,440 YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CureSYNGAP1 - 11,292 Twitter https://twitter.com/cureSYNGAP1 - 45k Insta https://www.instagram.com/curesyngap1/ COMPANIES WITH NAMED ASSETS FOR SYNGAP1 $CAMP $3.00 at close on 9/23 Episode 184 of #Syngap10 #CureSYNGAP1 #Advocate #PatientAdvocacy #UnmetNeed #SYNGAP1 #SynGAP #SynGAProMMiS
Stress isn't just something to “manage” — it's a signal, a teacher, and often, an invitation to look deeper at our health, our choices, and our lives. In this solo episode, Darin reframes stress not as an enemy, but as a dashboard light pointing toward misalignments in our nervous system, environment, relationships, and purpose. Drawing on science, practical tools, and personal insight, Darin reveals how layered stress silently drains our vitality — and how to transform it into an ally for growth, healing, and deeper contentment. Whether it's hidden trauma, toxic environments, unresolved conflict, or the modern distractions constantly pulling at our attention, Darin lays out a roadmap to stop the leaks and reclaim the energy already within you. This episode is a powerful reminder: stress isn't the end of the story — it's the beginning of awareness, safety, and a super life. What You'll Learn in This Episode [00:00] Introduction to the Super Life podcast [03:27] Why stress might not be your enemy [04:17] Stress as an ally: the signals it gives us about misalignment [04:32] The dashboard light metaphor: how stress reveals hidden issues [05:28] The illusion of “no choice” and the infinite possibilities always available [06:12] Global stress statistics and why most people underestimate their stress load [07:23] Hidden stress revealed through heart rate variability and physiology [08:23] Layered stress: how sleep, exercise, and poor choices compound each other [09:25] Safety vs. calm — why your nervous system craves safety first [10:15] Trauma and the unconscious mind: how old wounds drive our stress response [11:54] Inner narratives and negative self-talk as hidden stress multipliers [12:22] The role of community and your social field in stress and resilience [13:53] Relationships, honesty, and how your circle shapes your energy [14:55] Why boundaries around media and politics are vital for mental clarity [17:42] Finding micro-purpose when life feels overwhelming [18:52] Environmental layers of stress — light, air, and clutter [19:15] The existential layer: stress from living without service or purpose [20:12] Stress as a risk amplifier — how it undermines healing and health [20:55] The deeper truth of safety, connection, and higher power [23:00] Practical tools: breathing, grounding, nature, and conscious choices [24:01] Trauma reframed: not a problem, but a protector at the time [25:25] Lessons from Peter Levine and wild animals: releasing trauma physically [26:04] Questions to ask trauma: “What are you protecting me from?” [26:56] Stress as a multiplier of aging, disease, and poor outcomes [29:20] Why stress isn't a single cause — it's layered and chronic [30:18] Anti-stress strategies: circadian rhythm, nature, and gratitude [31:49] Energy leaks to avoid: clutter, poor food, scrolling, bad boundaries [32:22] What matters most: service, contribution, and alignment [33:28] Final toolkit: breathwork, movement, nature, sleep, and gratitude [34:38] The deeper invitation: step into sovereignty and live your SuperLife Thank You to Our Sponsors: Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your order. Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order. Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences Check out my podcast with Dr. Amy Abbington Key Takeaway “Stress is not the enemy. It's a dashboard light — a teacher showing you where you're out of alignment. When you reframe stress, you reclaim your energy and create space for healing, safety, and the joy of living a super life.” Bibliography (selected, peer-reviewed) Sources: Gallup Global Emotions (2024); Gallup U.S. polling (2024); APA Stress in America (2023); Natarajan et al., Lancet Digital Health (2020); Orini et al., UK Biobank (2023); Martinez et al. (2022); Leiden University (2025). Cohen S, Tyrrell DA, Smith AP. Psychological stress and susceptibility to the common cold. N Engl J Med.1991;325(9):606–612. New England Journal of Medicine Cohen S, et al. Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2012;109(16):5995–5999. PNAS Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Slowing of wound healing by psychological stress. Lancet. 1995;346(8984):1194–1196. The Lancet Kiecolt-Glaser JK, et al. Hostile marital interactions, proinflammatory cytokine production, and wound healing.Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(12):1377–1384. JAMA Network Tawakol A, et al. Relation between resting amygdalar activity and cardiovascular events. Lancet.2017;389(10071):834–845. The Lancet Epel ES, et al. Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.2004;101(49):17312–17315. PNAS McEwen BS, Stellar E. Stress and the individual: mechanisms leading to disease. Arch Intern Med.1993;153(18):2093–2101. PubMed McEwen BS, Wingfield JC. Allostasis and allostatic load. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1998;840:33–44. PubMed Felitti VJ, et al. Relationship of childhood abuse and household dysfunction to many leading causes of death in adults (ACE Study). Am J Prev Med. 1998;14(4):245–258. AJP Mon Online Edmondson D, et al. PTSD and cardiovascular disease. Ann Behav Med. 2017;51(3):316–327. PMC Afari N, et al. Psychological trauma and functional somatic syndromes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Psychosom Med. 2014;76(1):2–11. PMC Goyal M, et al. Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2014;174(3):357–368. PMC Qiu Q, et al. Forest therapy: effects on blood pressure and salivary cortisol—a meta-analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;20(1):458. PMC Laukkanen T, et al. Sauna bathing and reduced fatal CVD and all-cause mortality. JAMA Intern Med.2015;175(4):542–548. JAMA Network Zureigat H, et al. Physical activity lowers CVD risk by reducing stress-related neural activity. J Am Coll Cardiol.2024;83(16):1532–1546. PMC Holt-Lunstad J, Smith TB, Layton JB. Social relationships and mortality risk: a meta-analytic review. PLoS Med.2010;7(7):e1000316. PMC Chen Y-R, Hung K-W. EMDR for PTSD: meta-analysis of RCTs. PLoS One. 2014;9(8):e103676. PLOS Hoppen TH, et al. Network/pairwise meta-analysis of PTSD psychotherapies—TF-CBT highest efficacy overall.Psychol Med. 2023;53(14):6360–6374. PubMed van der Kolk BA, et al. Yoga as an adjunctive treatment for PTSD: RCT. J Clin Psychiatry. 2014;75(6):e559–e565. PubMed Kelly U, et al. Trauma-center trauma-sensitive yoga vs CPT in women veterans: RCT. JAMA Netw Open.2023;6(11):e2342214. JAMA Network Bentley TGK, et al. Breathing practices for stress and anxiety reduction: components that matter. Behav Sci (Basel). 2023;13(9):756.
Can you really trust the science behind fitness and wellness? On this episode of the “NASM-CPT Podcast,” host, and NASM Master Instructor, Rick Richey, dives deep into the world of peer reviewed scientific research—unpacking what it is, how it's done, and why it matters for anyone serious about health, fitness, and personal training. Is all research created equal? Are randomized controlled trials really the “gold standard”? And just who are these so-called “peers” deciding what gets published and what doesn't? Rick takes you behind the scenes of the research process: from journals and methodology to the rigorous checks that keep scientists honest. He even shares a personal story about making a mistake in his own dissertation—revealing how errors get caught, what happens next, and why transparency is essential. Wondering if you can trust resources like PubMed, or curious if your favorite strength & conditioning principles are truly evidence-based? This episode delivers clear, honest answers. Perfect for trainers, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who's ever wondered if they should believe the latest “groundbreaking” study, this conversation arms you with the tools to spot reliable science, identify real experts, and see through the flashy fads on social media. Hit play to discover if peer reviewed research really deserves your trust—and why critical thinking is your best fitness companion. Subscribe, rate, and share for more science-backed insight from the front lines of exercise science! If you like what you just consumed, leave us a 5-star review, and share this episode with a friend to help grow our NASM health and wellness community! The content shared in this podcast is solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek out the guidance of your healthcare provider or other qualified professional. Any opinions expressed by guests and hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of NASM. Introducing NASM One, the membership for trainers and coaches. For just $35/mo., get unlimited access to over 300 continuing education courses, 50% off additional certifications and specializations, EDGE Trainer Pro all-in-one coaching app to grow your business, unlimited exam attempts and select waived fees. Stay on top of your game and ahead of the curve as a fitness professional with NASM One. Click here to learn more. ttps://bit.ly/4ddsgrm