In this 106th episode I talk a bit about expectation and how it may impact our health and/or life experience. Indeed, we tend to bring into many experiences our expectations about said experience. We are rarely ever truly present in the moment. The story of the Chinese Farmer is a great example of how our expectations of an event may or may not hold importance in the way we think. The idea here is to remain open and not hold onto what we think the outcome is or "should be."

This episode is just a little reminder... A little take-away that can help keep us open to all possibilities, and not to hold onto something which may or may not be true. This, in the end, helps us avoid disappointment while at the same time, keeps us in the moment. The moment, after all, is all we really have.

In this 105th episode I spend an hour talking with a longtime friend and colleague Kit Yoon. I met Kit back in 1999 in acupuncture school up in Santa Cruz California. From the moment I met her I knew she had a lot to offer this world and the people living on it. Those who are under her care are lucky ones indeed.

This chat was focused on the discussion of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Functional Medicine, and just a little about everything. We were doing this recorded discussion for Kit's Facebook Live following and it was such a lovely exchange. I look forward to continuing the discussion with Kit and others in the near future!

In this 104th episode I discuss a pretty fantastic compound. Ergothioneine is considered a sort of "master antioxidant." I detail several surprising abilities of this compound and why you might want it around in case of an unsuspected injury, and even chronic conditions like autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, and just about anything else that is driven by inflammation.

I discuss some natural sources of this compound, and a fantastic nutraceutical formula called Ergo-Thione+ that I use personally every day.

Here is a link to access these products through Full Script:

https://us.fullscript.com/plans/drjim-ergothioneine-glutathione-the-1-2-punch

In this 103rd episode I discuss some fundamental concepts between modern culture and the more ancient ways of living as it pertains to health and wellness.

We will cover topics such as a Paleo Diet strategy, how modern day humans compare to our ancestors, cardiovascular disease, and more!

I use the native Tsimane people from the Bolivian Amazon region of South America as living example of how traditional ways that humans have lived is far superior than how we tend to live in our modern world.

In this 102nd episode I return from my short break and start my "second season" with the very interesting topic of placebo. This was a topic that we studied extensively in my Doctorate of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine program and what we know about it goes far beyond what you might otherwise believe.

Indeed, placebo tends to be a four letter word in medicine. Something to scrutinize. But what if I told you that you are more susceptible to suggestion around any medical experience than you think?

And what exactly is a nocebo effect?

And just how do medical studies use placebo effectively? Is it even possible?

And lastly, how might we use concepts of placebo strategically in how we think about an experience that will work to our advantage?

In this episode I will discuss several published studies that detail just how mindset can have a positive, and rather surprising impact on things like weight loss, appetite, sleep quality, longevity, and more!

In this 101st episode I check in during my inter-season sabbatical from posting podcast episodes.

I was compelled to read a very special poem that is actually better listened to by the artist, Kae Tempest, but I have always wanted to read it out loud so here it is.

It is a poem that reminds up that even when things feel terrible. Perhaps even futile... When there is a feeling that all is lost, there are still little gifts to help us through.

People's Faces is just one such gift. It is a poem written from the heart, and from what I can tell... True spirit.

I hope it speaks to you and helps in some way during a time of significant fear, anger, and tribalism.

You can listen to the actual rendition of this song by Kay Tempest herself here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRULtXn6W0s

In my 100th episode I riff a bit on my process of podcasting, and the content of these 100 episodes. In essence, I let you in on who I am as a doctor and fellow human.

I also discuss my short but much needed sabbatical from posting content. Never fear however... I will return.

I finish up this episode with a short piece I wrote called "The Barefoot Doctor." Because how better to end a season than with a little bit of creative writing!

In this 99th episode I discuss some general concepts regarding what I can only refer to as a chemical concussion. A concussion is of course an injury to the brain typically as a result of a blow to the head. But I am here to say that a very similar injury can occur simply by exposure to an inflammatory chemical or compound.

We will discuss some of the neurology behind a chemical concussion, how it may be defined, potential prerequisites for such a thing to occur, and some tips on how to avoid such a neuroinflammatory situation from occurring.

In this 98th episode I delve into the curious and rather scary experience of sleep paralysis.

I explain sleep paralysis from a modern neurological perspective, offer some stats on risk factors and populations most commonly impacted by this condition, and touch on some folklore around the condition.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of sleep paralysis is the extremely common involvement with "sleep paralysis demons." (Not my word... This is a well documented thing.)

I came to this episode due to a recent, and thankfully only experience, with a sleep paralysis event... Complete with my own scary demon! It was quite a ride, but I came through unscathed nevertheless.

If you can listen until the end of this episode I will share my recent experience and what I did to help myself out of this rather freaky scenario.

In this 97th episode I discuss Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). It is estimated that somewhere around 5-7 million American women have this condition. Aside from infertility, this condition can cause menstrual irregularities, unwanted hair growth, unwanted hair loss, blood sugar imbalances, and even increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

I will discuss the physiology involved with this endocrine disorder, some mainstream allopathic approaches to care, and finish with some Functional Medicine approaches to care.

References:

Effects of intestinal flora on polycystic ovary syndrome

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36967808/

Myo-Inositol's Role in Assisted Reproductive Technology: Evidence for Improving the Quality of Oocytes and Embryos in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32542134/

Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms of Herbal Medicines for Treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32903374/

A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22019891/

Short-term effects of metformin and myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30614282/