Podcast for Healing Neurology
Podcast for Healing Neurology

Podcast for Healing Neurology

Partyfish Media

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Episodes

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Certified in Ayurveda and Functional Medicine, Nurse Practitioner Gillian Ehrlich, DNP, ARNP, IFMCP interviews guests about how our world impacts our neurology including medicine, lab tests, food, lifestyle, mental health, research, culture, politics, and environment. Presented by Partyfish Media 🎉🐟

Recent Episodes

#73 John Moos, MD discusses his transition from trauma surgeon to psychedelic healer including research and current status of psychedelics for healing in the US
DEC 1, 2022
#73 John Moos, MD discusses his transition from trauma surgeon to psychedelic healer including research and current status of psychedelics for healing in the US

Dr John Moos, MD discusses his transition from trauma surgeon to psychedelic healer- the unifying factor being proximity to trauma. He notes the trauma he initially treated with surgery most typically occurs within a container of many other traumas- social, political and economic violence, resource scarcity, fear, addiction, intergenerational traumas, ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and others. His (to-be) wife looked at him one day and said “I wonder if it’s possible to heal it before it happens”, meaning, is there a way to pre-emptively address the container of trauma before the physical trauma results as the outward explosion of inner distress. Dr Moos was hooked. He completed personal experiences with plant medicine and trainings with the Psychedelic Research and Training Institute (PRATI), California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) for their MDMA (3,4-Methyl
enedioxy
methamphetamine) protocol and now runs MoosMD.com to offer service to people with psychedelic medicine.

In this episode, we start with a discussion about trauma. Trauma can even be created in as simple moment as a mis-attunement with a parent as a child in a critical moment and we all experience various levels of trauma throughout the lifespan. Psychedelics can be a tool (not a panacea) to understand the impact of our history on our current, daily moment. It’s the alignment and integration of your three lenses of understanding: cognition (head), somatic (heart) and embodiment (intuition).

Dr Moos recognizes that psychedelics give us a chance to step to the side of our default mode network which can also be described as a type of our identity of our consciousness. Our conversation ranges to the benefits of relationship to help us access our consciousness (this is the definition of Tantra) and these relationships can be our mind to ourselves, us to our container, or us to each other.

Then, we dive into the current research and legal perspectives about the various psychedelics- ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin, LSD and other plant medicines for treatment resistant depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD and others. He reviews the importance of set and setting which recognizes that intentional and introspective work versus the external recreation of these medicines when they are used in a non-monitored ‘party’ state. As therapy, this is to dissolve ego boundaries to better understand yourself.

We also review the chemical nature and physiological impact of these medicines including the specific activities in the brain and the impacts on our neurobiology.

Is anybody damaged beyond repair? Is any person too traumatized to heal? On being asked this question, Dr Moos offers a compassionate and insightful response about the power of our neuroplasticity as well as the tremendously oppressive conditions of social, political and economic injustice and the persistent squeeze of growing pollution and climate change.

We close this show with a description about the Ketamine Assisted Therapy (KAP) process and what to look for in finding a safe and insightful session.

What I love about this show is that while we talk about ketamine and other psychedelics as a medicinal tool, this show is really about the nature of healing and reality.


Find out more about Dr Moos & his practice at https://moosmd.com/


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57 MIN
#72 Jennifer Bahr, ND: All about Homeopathy and its use for children with PANS/PANDAS
NOV 16, 2022
#72 Jennifer Bahr, ND: All about Homeopathy and its use for children with PANS/PANDAS

Dr Jennifer Bahr is a Naturopathic Physician with deep interest, experience and success in treating children using Classical Homeopathy for PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Disease Associated with Streptococcus).

We start this show with the fascinating story of Homeopathy- history, mechanisms and current practice around the world. The American Institute of Homeopathy (AIH) was actually the first medical society formed in the United States in 1844. The Homeopathic Pharmacopeia of the United States, still regulated by the FDA, recognizes over 1000 remedies. Research first published in 2010 used scanning microscopy to identify nanoparticles of a homeopathic remedy’s plant, animal and mineral sources in what is so ultra-diluted that it was previously considered nearly nothing (smaller than Avogadro’s number!). With this same technology, it can be measured that there are physiological changes like tiny like nudges that can impart significant trajectory changes in a child’s health.

Then we dive into PANS/PANDAS. Although there is more research about PANDAS (meaning symptoms associated with strep infection), triggers can be well beyond Strep, which is the nature of the condition known as PANS. Children can present with debilitating fear, rage, sleep disruptions, intense separation anxiety, reading/ math regression, toilet training regressions, distinct behavioral changes, tics, avoidant-restrictive food disorder, and OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). It’s thought to happen in relation to an infective insult, but this may be so subtle as to not even be recognized (even mold in a home). PANS and PANDAS can be thought of as an immune system susceptibility; Homeopathy addresses susceptibilities to repair the biochemical patterns in realms that conventional medicine does not yet operate.

This is an incredible show that gives an excellent introduction to Homeopathy as well treatment possibilities for children and families truly suffering with these severe, often inconsolable, symptoms. We recorded this show with Dr Bahr precisely because of the results we are seeing in clinic with patients who have engaged with the Resilience Naturopathic team (demand is so great she has 16 clinicians on her team that see patients remotely around the world). Throughout the show, she weaves through her personal story, which is so insightful for both process and progress, but also demonstrates how life can feel in an effective treatment vacuum. 

Please listen in and share widely. 

Find out more about her, Resilience Naturopathic and PANS/PANDAS at the resources below.

Resilience Naturopathic

p: 858-461-8121

a: 3633 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 103 San Diego, CA, 92108

w:  www.resiliencenaturopathic.com

e:  [email protected]
Join our  FREE FB Group for our free mini course on PANS/ PANDAS solutions and lots of great conversation and support!

YouTube Channel for Resilience Naturopathic.

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61 MIN
#71: Arnold Eiser, MD: Intersections of Neuroscience & Public Health
AUG 13, 2022
#71: Arnold Eiser, MD: Intersections of Neuroscience & Public Health

Dr Arnold Eiser, MD, MACP trained as a nephrologist over 40 years ago but has come to see that the kidneys, liver and other 'extracranial factors' (influences from outside the cranium, the skull holding the brain) hold some of the most impactful sway over the health of our brains. He's termed this relationship between organ dysfunction in the body to assumed compromise in central nervous system brain neuroinflammation Eiser's Corollary of Related Toxicity. His  book, Preserving Brain Health in a Toxic Age: New insights from neuroscience, integrative medicine and public health  (Rowman & Littlefield, Oct 2021) explores this topic in depth. He examines the ways in which environmental policy, corporate pollutive behavior, metals, microbes, common medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol), and experiences with digital violence seem to hasten neuroinflammatory changes that can present as our current epidemics of autism and Alzheimer's Disease. It's a multi-tiered attack on the nervous system that our society doesn't loop back to true root causes. The book explores the interface between the chemical environment and industrial and agricultural practices.. He notes almost all neurotoxins are also carcinogenics and recognizes the key role of the liver as a front-line organ for protection or vulnerability for brain inflammation- and then notes the epidemic of non-alcoholic fatty acid disease in the modern world. He notes that CFS/ dysautonomia was originally described in the 1800's as a 'disease of modernity' associated with newspaper printing and rail travel. We then talk about the integrative medicine, high fructose corn syrup, nutrients, spices, and in the process really listing out many of the ways we can make our whole world medicine better at preserving brain health.

Find the book: https://www.amazon.com/Preserving-Brain-Health-Toxic-Age/dp/1538158078

or https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538158074/Preserving-Brain-Health-in-a-Toxic-Age-New-Insights-from-Neuroscience-Integrative-Medicine-and-Public-Health

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62 MIN
#70 Dr Tarun Singhal, MD on microglial activation as a common root of neuroinflammatoy conditions but also brain fog, fatigue and mood changes
JUL 11, 2022
#70 Dr Tarun Singhal, MD on microglial activation as a common root of neuroinflammatoy conditions but also brain fog, fatigue and mood changes

Microglial cells are responsible for sensing and driving the immune response in the central nervous system. Their activity, be it supportive or destructive, can be at the root of many different neuroinflammatory conditions including diseases like MS, ALS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), but may also play a large role in the vague hallmark symptoms of complex and chronic disease like brain fog, fatigue, pain, alertness and mood changes including OCD, ADD, and depression.

Dr Singhal systematically walks us through an easily understood description of the types of cells in the brain (neurons, macroglia (astrocytes & oligodendrocytes), microglia) and their functions. The microglia are a fascinating type of neuroimmune cell that sense and act protectively in good times and then can change shape and release various cytokines, chemokine and neurotransmitters in response to the development of disease, which then impacts microglia function further. We used to only be able to see this on autopsy- there are no blood tests available to measure microglial activation (although neurofilament light chains (NfL) from neurons and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) from astrocytes can reflect central nervous system cellular injury).

But PET imaging can visualize microglial activation! Dr Singhal explains in elucidating detail the nature, function, and power of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, like starting with the Big Bang, anti-matter particles, medical cyclotrons and gamma rays. “PET brings physics, chemistry and biology together in real time to provide novel insights at a cellular and molecular level”, including microglial activation. “If you know yourself and know your enemy, you’ll win 1000 battles” is the way he describes what PET can do for neuroinflammatory conditions.

We end the show with a discussion of treatment theories and options targeting microglial activation. It’s a combination of re-evaluating known therapies (even the old antibiotic minocycline!) for their impact on microglia as well as mention of some novel therapies, including a nasal spray ‘vaccine’ for MS. Of course, we bring up non-pharmacologic therapy potentials including exercise, the Ayurvedic perspective including panchakarma detoxification, the power of breathing to impact cerebrospinal fluid flow, ketogenic diet, and consideration of various adaptogenic herbs with the goal of supporting the immune system’s intelligence.

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51 MIN
#69: ABORTION: SPECIAL EPISODE: Anuj Khattar, MD on the day Roe v Wade is overturned: Women's Realities of Reproductive Health in America
JUL 1, 2022
#69: ABORTION: SPECIAL EPISODE: Anuj Khattar, MD on the day Roe v Wade is overturned: Women's Realities of Reproductive Health in America

Recorded on Friday, June 24, 2022, the day Roe v Wade was overturned by the United States Supreme Court, when safe full-scale reproductive health care responsibility was returned back to the states resulting in millions of women losing access to accurate information about safe reproductive care, this episode lays out the realities of abortion.

We know this decision will inflict a range of dangers, even well beyond the simple forcing of women to continue undesired pregnancies with all of the physical, emotional and financial realities (the Turn Away Study shows mental health may recover but physical and financial outcomes are worse for women who wanted but had no access to abortion care).

We know there is already an increasing frequency of delayed or denied miscarriage management, refusal to treat life-threatening pregnancy conditions like ectopic pregnancy, and fetal abnormalities not compatible with life that are forced to persist until their extensively painful and grueling end for both mom and fetus.

Dr Anuj Khattar is a Family Practice MD who has traveled the country providing reproductive care to women. After witnessing child abuse in the emergency room during his training, he chose this specialty to prevent that by supporting women to be in charge of their bodies, including their reproductive choices. He found he loves doing this work because of the deep listening it requires. Dr Khattar has learned from his patients that abortion is never a decision taken lightly. Behind every decision is a carefully weighed thought process to go this route. He notes 90% of abortions occur in the first trimester (12-14 weeks) when the abortion pill (mifepristone and misoprostol) is safe and effective, and that the majority of abortions are women who are already mothers; these are women who are making an informed decision.

In this episode, we discuss:

  • The reason for an abortion is irrelevant; our judgment is irrelevant. Abortion care is health care.
  • With the advent of medical abortion pills, which are available through the mail and are FDA approved through 11 weeks (with evidence & global experience showing likely safety up to 20 weeks), the post-Roe world is different than the pre-Roe world; see the documentary “The Janes” to understand more about that.
  • The physical realities of abortion are demanding on a woman’s body; beyond weight gain, fatigue, nausea/vomiting and connective tissue softening, there is a 20-30% chance of a Cesarean section (C-Section) delivering which is major abdominal surgery incurring any surgical risk and requiring recovery time that is not protected by any Federal paid parental leave program.
  • Dr Khattar also discusses the medically unsound text he has been required to read to women in certain states during abortion counseling and busts many of the other myths out there.
  • A conversation on contraception, which is NOT abortion, even Plan B which is available over the counter without a doctor’s prescription.
  • If the desire is truly to reduce or prevent abortions, our focus should be accurate, widely disseminated sex education, more social and financial opportunities for women, physical autonomy for women and access to contraception.

It’s a big show. It’s a big deal. Let's stand up for ourselves & each other. 

Resources:

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44 MIN