Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological.

A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS).

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms.

Failures of genetic research to identify causes.

The Need for integrating neurology and psychiatry; Importance of testing for antibodies and using MRI scans.

Detailed explanation of immune tolerance, peripheral tolerance, and the phenomenon of molecular mimicry in diseases like multiple sclerosis and celiac disease.

Importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms.

Historical context and current advancements in treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis using reprogrammed immune cells and iron oxide nanoparticles.

Explanation of how the liver filters blood and helps establish immune tolerance by processing cellular debris and antigens.

Advances in engineering regulatory T cells to target specific disease sites and calm inflammatory responses.

Exploration of new diagnostic tools and the potential of AI in understanding complex psychiatric conditions.

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Dr. Dawn presents a whimsical "theme park tour" of the upper gastrointestinal tract, from saliva production triggered by sight and smell of food, through the esophageal sphincter's iris-like opening, into the stomach's pH-1 acid bath where parietal cells produce 3,000 mg of hydrochloric acid per meal. She explains protective mechanisms including the bicarbonate layer beneath stomach mucus, H. pylori's role in ulcers, and how H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors work—cautioning about long-term PPI effects on B12 and calcium absorption. The tour continues through the pylorus into the duodenum where pancreatic enzymes and bile converge, then along the 23-foot small intestine with its tennis-court surface area of villi absorbing nutrients, iron in the duodenum, most nutrients in the jejunum, and B12 requiring intrinsic factor in the ileum.

Dr. Dawn explains why pancreatic cancer—projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030—is so deadly, using a medieval castle metaphor. The tumor microenvironment acts as an impenetrable moat of desmoplastic stroma made of fibroblasts, collagen, and hyaluronic acid that blocks drugs and immune cells. Over 90% of cases have K-RAS mutations acting as growth accelerators that also thicken this protective barrier and increase CD47 "don't eat me" signals. She discusses emerging treatments including K-RAS inhibitors, PARP inhibitors for BRCA mutations, and combination immunotherapies showing 67% response rates, while noting that CAR T-cell therapy and checkpoint inhibitors alone fail because they cannot penetrate the stroma.

Dr. Dawn summarizes Duke researcher Herman Ponzer's work using doubly-labeled water to measure total energy expenditure, revealing that humans burn 20-60% more calories than other great apes when adjusted for body mass. His surprising finding: Hadza hunter-gatherers walking 8-14 kilometers daily burn the same calories as sedentary Americans—the body compensates by reducing energy spent on inflammation and stress responses. This "constrained energy expenditure" model explains why exercise alone doesn't cause weight loss, though it remains crucial for preventing weight gain, reducing disease risk, and potentially tamping down harmful stress responses.

An emailer asks about hemorrhoids affecting 2 relatives,a 60-year-old man and his 20-year-old daughter, with the daughter also experiencing constipation worsened by fiber supplements. Dr. Dawn explains hemorrhoids are essentially varicose veins of the anus, with 102 genetic regions identified affecting blood vessel and smooth muscle strength. She emphasizes that fiber supplements without adequate water create "cement in the pipe"—recommending 16-24 ounces of water with supplements and 2 liters of clear water daily. Miralax also requires sufficient hydration to work. Key strategies include exercise to stimulate gut motility, staying off the toilet if unable to produce results, using a standing desk to reduce prolonged sitting pressure, and triggering the gastrocolic reflex by eating.

Dr. Dawn discusses research on the "volatilome"—volatile organic compounds in breath that reflect gut microbiome composition. Researchers using sterile mice colonized with specific bacteria could identify bacterial fingerprints through breath analysis. The technique identified disease-associated compounds for tuberculosis and malaria, and correlated specific gut bacteria with asthma severity in children. The research suggests breath testing could eventually replace stool samples for microbiome assessment and disease screening.

She explains detoxification biochemistry, distinguishing between water-soluble toxins easily filtered by kidneys and fat-soluble toxins requiring liver transformation. Phase one converts fat-soluble molecules into reactive intermediates—dangerous if they linger—while phase two attaches water-soluble molecules like glutathione to neutralize them for excretion. Supporting phase two requires green tea, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and curcumin. She cautions against extended fasting for detox, especially over age 50, as it depletes the body's detoxification resources and muscle mass.

A caller asks about alkaline versus acidic water. Dr. Dawn explains you cannot alkalinize blood since kidneys maintain pH, but alkaline urine is beneficial. Rather than expensive alkaline waters, adding a pinch of baking soda achieves the same effect. Eating a 3:1 ratio of fruits, vegetables, and grains to animal products naturally alkalinizes urine. She notes lemons paradoxically alkalinize because kidneys overcompensate for the acid load.

A caller asks about managing heart disease after receiving a third stent. Dr. Dawn recommends the Mediterranean diet over DASH for cardiac patients, as Mediterranean emphasizes fish, whole grains, and fiber that binds cholesterol for excretion, while DASH focuses on calcium for hypertension. She encourages exploring exercise options through meetup.com groups and the hospital's lifestyle center, emphasizing that consistent effort can reduce biological age by 3-5 years regardless of chronological age.

An emailer from Canada asks about long-term Remicade (infliximab) use for her 16-year-old daughter's ulcerative colitis. Dr. Dawn explains the drug blocks tumor necrosis factor, which stops autoimmune attacks but also weakens infection defense—increasing risk of fungal infections, tuberculosis, and after about 10 years, slightly elevated blood cancer risk. She recommends the daughter practice good hygiene and mask in high-risk settings. For achieving full remission, she suggests vitamin D levels around 75-80, DHEA supplementation, strict gluten avoidance due to its pro-inflammatory effects, and working with a certified functional medicine practitioner to heal the gut and potentially withdraw medication.

Dr. Dawn presents a case study of a 27-year-old woman with progressive weakness, pins-and-needles sensations, and impaired balance. Despite normal B12 blood levels, elevated homocysteine and methylmalonic acid revealed functional B12 deficiency from using 20-30 nitrous oxide whippets daily. Nitrous oxide oxidizes the cobalt atom in methylcobalamin, permanently inactivating the enzyme needed for myelin sheath maintenance. Treatment requires months of daily B12 injections with recovery taking up to 84 weeks. She warns that nitrous oxide also interacts dangerously with Viagra-type drugs (causing dangerous blood pressure drops), methotrexate, stimulants, hallucinogens, and respiratory depressants.

She describes Canadian researchers developing a miniaturized 3D printer for vocal cord repair. After removing nodules that cause hoarseness, the device prints hydrogel along the wound to create a flat surface preventing keloid-like regrowth, rather like spackling a wall before healing occurs underneath.

Dr. Dawn discusses lipoprotein(a), written as Lap(a), a genetic cardiovascular risk factor discovered in the 1960s. This relative of LDL carries a protein that promotes blood clots, thus raising heart attack and stroke risks. In a recent large survey, only about 14% of people have been screened despite its significance. New drugs like pelicarsin can reduce Lp(a) levels up to 80%,trials underway to confirm a benefit of reduced cardiac events. She notes tennis star Arthur Ashe had high Lp(a) contributing to his coagulopathy. A natural option is already available. She recommends lumbrokinase, derived from earthworms and used in traditional Chinese medicine, as an existing treatment that combats high Lp(a) and counteracts its procoagulant effects. The product Boluoke is commercially available, offering an alternative to high-dose niacin which causes intolerable flushing and diarrhea.

Dr. Dawn reports research finding people with anxiety disorders have 8% lower choline levels in brain regions regulating emotion. Increasing choline could help. Choline sources include eggs (two eggs provide 300mg of the 500mg daily choline need), organ meats, salmon, soybeans, and lecithin supplements.

An emailer from Switzerland asks about fluorescein angiography requested before her first retina appointment. Dr. Dawn suspects protocol-based medicine screening for macular degeneration and suggests negotiating to see the doctor first given her different reason for seeing a retinal specialist. She encourages patients to maintain agency in medical settings.

An emailer asks about creatine supplements. Dr. Dawn notes it helps muscle development in people doing weight training at 3-5 grams daily, but does nothing for aerobic-only exercisers. Claims about cognition and mood lack solid research. She advises against high-dose "loading," and cautions that creatine causes fluid retention problematic for congestive heart failure and should be avoided with stage 3 or higher kidney disease.

Dr. Dawn reminds listeners it's not too late for flu shots, noting this season's H3N2 strain emerged after vaccine formulation was finalized. She laments mRNA vaccine research defunding, as that technology allows rapid reformulation.

She describes organoids—tissues grown from stem cells that self-organize into primitive organ structures, enabling rapid drug screening without animal testing. Stanford researchers created assembloids by placing four neurological organoids together that spontaneously connected and built the ascending sensory pain pathway, offering new approaches to studying chronic pain.

Dr. Dawn explains research showing satellite glial cells transfer healthy mitochondria to spinal sensory neurons through tunneling nanotubules. When this transfer fails, neurons fire erratically causing pain. Infusing healthy mitochondria into mouse spinal columns cured peripheral neuropathy—suggesting future periodic infusion treatments for humans.

She reports Texas A&M researchers created "nanoflowers" from molybdenum disulfate that double stem cell's mitochondrial production, potentially supercharging regenerative medicine for conditions including Alzheimer's and muscular dystrophy.

A caller asks about flu vaccines with egg allergy. Dr. Dawn explains that his gastrointestinal reactions to eggs differ from dangerous IgE allergies causing hives or anaphylaxis—GI intolerance doesn't preclude vaccination.

Dr. Dawn reveals that 20 years of Parkinson's research followed a false lead. MRI showed increased iron in patients' brains, prompting iron chelation trials—which worsened symptoms. The problem: MRI detects paramagnetic ferric iron (stored, inert) not ferrous iron (biologically active). Patients accumulate useless ferric iron but are deficient in usable ferrous iron. Earlier 1980s studies showing that iron supplementation helped were ignored and abandoned prematurely. She suggests Parkinson's patients discuss iron supplementation with neurologists. She will post the link in the resources page on her website.

A caller concerned about early Parkinson's describes tremors and balance problems in darkness. Dr. Dawn suggests darkness-related symptoms sound more like peripheral neuropathy than Parkinson's, recommending neurological examination and screening for diabetes, B vitamin deficiency, or heavy metal exposure. She confirms that sedentary lifestyle reduces mitochondrial production while progressive exercise builds both muscle and mitochondria.

Dr. Dawn concludes her 2025 medical advances recap, noting that while GLP-1 weight loss drugs showed unexpected benefits for addiction, schizophrenia, and dementia risk, Novo Nordisk recently reported semaglutide had no effect on cognition in people with existing dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

She describes the first successful human bladder transplant performed on May 4th. The 41-year-old recipient received both kidney and bladder due to the bladder's complex blood vessel network. Surgeons practiced on cadavers with active circulation before achieving success, opening pathways for future bladder-only transplants for the 84,000 Americans diagnosed with bladder cancer annually.

An emailer follows up about purslane for cognitive health. Dr. Dawn reviewed the referenced studies and found neither actually supported claims about purslane and cognition—one discussed the Lyon Heart Study's Mediterranean diet, the other described antioxidant properties. She cautions listeners that websites citing "scientifically proven" claims often reference articles that don't support their assertions.

An emailer asks about statin alternatives after developing severe muscle pain on both atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Dr. Dawn suggests he shouldn't be on statins given his classic adverse reaction. She recommends ezetimibe plus oat bran for cholesterol, metformin for his elevated triglycerides indicating insulin resistance, and checking LDL particle size and inflammation markers. She emphasizes that cholesterol is a risk factor, not a disease, and treating 50 low-risk people for 10 years prevents only one heart attack.

A caller discusses plaque formation theory, comparing it to calluses. Dr. Dawn explains Linus Pauling's similar hypothesis that plaque forms at vessel bifurcations to protect against turbulent blood flow damage. She warns against driving total cholesterol below 130, as it disrupts steroid hormone production. The caller shares his mother's near-fatal rhabdomyolysis from statins—muscle breakdown releasing myoglobin that clogs kidneys—and criticizes data transfer failures between hospital systems.

An emailer reports four UTIs in two months at age 79. Dr. Dawn questions whether all were true infections, since vaginal contamination causes false positives on dipstick tests. For confirmed UTIs, she recommends D-mannose and cranberry to prevent bacterial adhesion, post-void residual ultrasound to check for incomplete emptying, lactobacillus probiotics, and vaginal DHEA (Intrarosa) to restore mucosal thickness and disease resistance.

Dr. Dawn describes Stanford's Phase III trial for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, where defective collagen-7 causes skin layers to separate at the slightest touch. Researchers take patient skin biopsies, use retroviruses to insert corrected genes, grow credit-card-sized skin grafts over 25 days, then suture them onto wounds. At 48 weeks, 65% of treated wounds fully healed versus 7% of controls.

She reports a Stanford study showing premature babies who heard recordings of their mothers reading for 2 hours 40 minutes daily developed more mature white matter in language pathways. The left arcuate fasciculus showed greater development than controls, demonstrating how early auditory stimulation shapes brain circuitry even in NICU settings.

Dr. Dawn concludes with tattoo safety concerns. Modern vivid inks contain compounds developed for car paint and printer toner, including azo dyes that break down into carcinogenic aromatic amines—especially during laser removal. Pigment particles migrate to lymph nodes and persist in macrophages, causing prolonged inflammation. She advises those with tattoos to avoid laser removal, wear sunscreen, practice lymphatic hygiene, and reconsider extensive new tattoos.

An emailer asks about omega-3 supplementation for memory at age 72. Dr. Dawn advises checking that fish oil capsules contain adequate DHA—at least 1,000 mg—since many omega-3 products have low DHA levels. She notes Medicare covers the same testing at standard labs as proprietary labs like OmegaQuant that charge patients directly. Beyond omega-3s, she emphasizes glucose control (hemoglobin A1c below 5.6) since the enzyme that breaks down insulin also clears beta-amyloid, and weight training to raise brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes new synapse formation essential for memory.

Dr. Dawn reviews Popular Science's top 2025 health innovation: eye drops from Lens Therapeutics containing aceclidine that correct age-related farsightedness for 10 hours. The drops shrink the pupil to increase depth of field, improving near vision by three or more lines on eye charts within 30 minutes without affecting distance vision. Side effects include eye irritation, dimmed night vision, and headache.

She describes Duke University's breakthrough allowing heart transplants from circulatory death donors using an on-table reanimation technique. This could expand the pediatric donor pool by 20%—critical since up to 20% of children die waiting for transplants.

Dr. Dawn celebrates CAR-T immunotherapy for multiple myeloma, which saved her husband's life. Of 97 heavily pretreated patients, 38% achieved complete remission still present at five years, with over 50% total survival. The therapy removes T-cells, uses CRISPR to add receptors targeting cancer cell antigens, then reinfuses the modified cells.

She highlights a UC Davis study showing remote blood pressure monitoring with home technology, education, and coaching dropped patients' average blood pressure from 150/80 to 125/74 in months—low-tech with high impact.

Dr. Dawn explains the Nano Knife for prostate cancer, which uses localized electrical pulses delivered through thin wires to destroy tumors while sparing surrounding nerves. This minimally invasive approach could reduce erectile dysfunction and incontinence common with traditional surgery.

She describes Gilead's Sunlenca, a twice-yearly injection for HIV prevention that's 99% effective. At $14,000 per injection in the US, proceeds help fund access in resource-limited countries where it can be distributed like a vaccination.

Dr. Dawn discusses Journavx (suzetrigine), a new non-opioid pain medication working on sodium channels to block pain signals before reaching the brain. At $30 for 50 pills on GoodRx, it offers an alternative for surgical pain in patients with addiction history or genetic vulnerability to opioid dependence.

She details the landmark case of Baby KJ, the first person to receive personalized CRISPR gene therapy. Born with a CPS1 enzyme deficiency causing toxic ammonia buildup, KJ was too small for liver transplant. Scientists identified his specific mutation and used CRISPR base editing delivered via lipid nanoparticles to correct a single DNA letter—changing an A to G—in his liver cells which restored enough function to be discharged home.

Dr. Dawn reports surprising findings that COVID mRNA vaccines amplify cancer immunotherapy. Lung cancer patients who received COVID vaccination within 100 days of checkpoint inhibitor treatment had 56% three-year survival versus 31% for unvaccinated patients. The mechanism is unknown but may involve mRNA generally alerting the immune system.

She revisits research showing Zostavax shingles vaccination reduced dementia risk by 20% over seven years. A natural experiment in Wales—where an age cutoff created comparable vaccinated and unvaccinated groups—provided strong evidence that preventing herpes zoster inflammation protects brain health.

Dr. Dawn concludes with Huntington's disease breakthrough: microRNA therapy delivered by virus directly into the brain slowed disease progression by 75% over three years. The microRNA binds to Huntington protein mRNA, preventing ribosome translation and toxic protein production. Some patients returned to work; others expected to need wheelchairs are still walking.

Dr. Dawn opens by examining how market competition is actually working in the weight loss drug sector. Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy compete against Eli Lilly's Monjaro and ZepBound, with prices dropping nearly 50% as companies launch direct-to-consumer websites. The main barriers remain needles and refrigeration, driving development of oral versions. Novo's Wegovy pill awaits FDA approval for early 2026 launch at $150 monthly. Next-generation drugs show remarkable results: Eli's retatrutide causes 24% weight loss in 48 weeks, while Novo's Cagrisema combines semaglutide with amylin to reduce muscle loss. Pfizer paid $10 billion for Metsera's once-monthly drug despite significant side effects.

A quick fiber tip suggests adding plain psyllium to morning coffee for cardiovascular and microbiome benefits. Start with half a teaspoon and work up to two teaspoons (10 grams) over several weeks to avoid gas. The prebiotic fiber improves glucose tolerance and may reduce cancer risk.

UC San Diego scientists discovered why cancers mutate so rapidly despite being eukaryotic cells with protected chromosomes. The answer is chromothripsis, a catastrophic event where the enzyme N4BP2 literally explodes chromosomes into fragments. These reassemble incorrectly, generating dozens to hundreds of mutations simultaneously and creating circular DNA fragments carrying cancer-promoting genes. One in four cancers show evidence of this mechanism, with all osteosarcomas and many brain cancers displaying it. This explains why the most aggressive cancers resist treatment.

Research from 2013 shows any glucocorticoid use significantly increases venous thromboembolism risk, with threefold increases during the first month of use. The risk applies to new and recurrent clots, affecting both oral and inhaled steroids, though IV poses highest risk and topical the lowest. Joint injections fall somewhere between inhaled and oral. Anyone with prior blood clots should avoid steroids except for life-threatening situations like severe asthma attacks requiring ventilation.

A meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials shows creatine supplementation helps older adults (48-84) maintain muscle mass when combined with weight training two to three times weekly. The supplement provides no benefit without exercise. Recommended dosing starts at 2 grams and works up to 5 grams daily. Vegans benefit most since they consume little meat or fish. Important caveat: creatine throws off standard kidney function tests (creatinine), so users should request cystatin C testing instead for accurate renal health assessment.

A new JAMA study suggesting risk-based mammogram screening is fatally flawed. First, researchers offered chemopreventative drugs like tamoxifen only to the high-risk group, contaminating the study design. Second, the demographics skewed heavily toward white college-educated women, missing the reality that Black women face twice the risk of aggressive breast cancer with 40% higher mortality. Third, wild-type humans failed to follow instructions—low-risk women continued getting annual mammograms anyway while high-risk women skipped recommended extra screenings. The conclusion of "non-inferior" outcomes is meaningless given poor adherence. Stick with annual mammograms, and consider alternating with MRIs for high-risk women.

The EAT-Lancet report condemns red meat based purely on observational data showing correlations with heart disease, cancer, and mortality. But people who eat lots of red meat differ dramatically from low consumers: they weigh more, smoke more, exercise less, and eat less fiber. Studies can't control for sleep quality, depression, or screen time. Notably, heavy meat eaters also die more in accidents, suggesting a risk-taking lifestyle phenotype. The inflammatory marker TMAO is higher in meat eaters, but starch is also pro-inflammatory. Eating red meat instead of instant ramen might improve health. A balanced diet with limited amounts beats epidemiology-based blanket statements.

Dr. Dawn grades Dr. Oz's performance as CMS administrator. Starting at minus one for zero relevant experience, he earns plus two for promoting diet, exercise, and gut health on his show. He studied intensively after nomination, calling all four previous CMS directors repeatedly and surrounding himself with experienced staff (plus one). He finalized Medicare rules favoring prevention over surgery and earned bipartisan praise as "a real scientist, not radical" (plus one). He divested healthcare holdings but kept some blind trust interests (minus 0.5). He's developing a CMS app and partnering with Google on a digital health ecosystem (plus one), but supports ending ACA subsidies that will raise premiums for millions (minus one). He correctly promoted COVID vaccines and contradicted Trump's Tylenol-autism claims (plus one). Final score: 3.5 out of 5 possible points, the only positive score for any Trump health administrator.

Dr. Dawn presents colleague Dr. Paul Godin's essay on why US healthcare fails as a market system

. She explains that healthcare violates every assumption of functional markets: patients can't compare options during emergencies, information asymmetry prevents informed decisions, demand is inelastic when one has an urgent medical issue, and trust is essential to medicine and in direct conflict with profit incentives. Since 1988's Knox-Keen Act allowed for-profit healthcare, private equity has acquired and stripped hospitals, while administrative costs consume enormous resources fighting over payments rather than providing care. She contrasts this with European models like Switzerland and Germany where everyone must participate, insurers must accept all patients, and profit on basic coverage is limited.

She celebrates a vaccination success story: HPV vaccines have reduced cervical cancer by 50% over 30 years. The American Cancer Society now endorses self-collected vaginal samples for HPV screening, with an FDA-approved at-home kit from Teal Health allowing women to skip speculums and traditional Pap smears. Current guidelines recommend screening starting at age 25, with testing every five years after a negative result.

Dr. Dawn issues a health alert about multiple hospitalizations in Santa Cruz County from foraged wild mushrooms identified incorrectly by phone apps. She describes cholinergic toxicity symptoms: sweating, excessive salivation, pinpoint pupils, and abdominal cramping—signs requiring immediate emergency care rather than waiting it out.

She offers follow-up vaccine advice: "go in wet, then sweat." Hydrate before vaccination, then take a hot Epsom salt bath until sweat runs off your face. This helps eliminate adjuvants that cause post-vaccine fatigue and aches, which are often misinterpreted as catching illness from the vaccine itself.

Dr. Dawn expresses alarm that Kennedy's reconstituted ACIP nearly voted to eliminate hepatitis B vaccination at birth. She notes infants exposed to infected mothers have 99% infection rates, with half becoming chronically infected and half of those developing terminal cirrhosis or cancer. Testing pregnant women misses infections acquired during pregnancy, and 12-16% of delivering women have no test records. Major insurers have committed to covering birth vaccination through 2026 despite the panel's actions.

She offers holiday microbiome advice from researcher Karen Corbin: increase fiber intake through steel-cut oats, whole grain breads like Dave's Killer Bread, beans, apples, and alternative pastas made from lentils or garbanzo beans. Cooking potatoes ahead and reheating creates resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, reduces inflammation, and even stimulates natural GLP-1 production.

Dr. Dawn reviews research proving health insurance saves lives. When the ACA's Medicaid expansion became optional by state, researchers could compare outcomes, finding 8% lower mortality and 19,000 fewer deaths in expansion states over four years. An accidental IRS experiment—sending insurance enrollment letters to only 85% of penalty payers—showed significantly lower mortality among those who subsequently got insured. Studies of gunshot and auto accident victims found uninsured patients died more often despite receiving identical emergency treatment.

She concludes with surprising cancer symptoms: chest pain specifically triggered by alcohol consumption may indicate Hodgkin's lymphoma, as vasodilation activates inflammatory chemicals in affected lymph nodes. Fractures from minimal trauma in people without osteoporosis warrant investigation, as 5% of cancers involve bone. Elevated calcium levels double cancer diagnosis risk in the following year and should prompt follow-up testing.

Dr. Dawn opens with an experimental vaccine that prevents severe allergic reactions by targeting IgE antibodies. The vaccine could eventually replace current monoclonal antibody treatments like omalizumab that require injections every two weeks.

She explains how adjuvants work in vaccines as additives that irritate the immune system enough to notice the vaccine target. Aluminum hydroxide is s common adjuvant. Modern vaccines use small pathogen fragments rather than whole organisms, requiring adjuvants to trigger adequate immune response. Dr. Dawn expresses concern about the US Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices reviewing aluminum adjuvants this week. A Danish study of over one million children finding no connection between aluminum with autism and ADHA contradicts RFK,Jr's public claims.She worries that removing aluminum could devastate vaccine effectiveness and children's health, noting that whenever vaccination rates drop, diseases like measles return to native circulation.

She recounts pertussis vaccine history—when Japan stopped vaccination due to rare adverse reactions (approximately one death per million doses), they lost about 5,000 children to whooping cough in the first year. The newer acellular vaccine using pathogen fragments plus adjuvants is safer but only lasts 4-5 years versus lifetime immunity from the older whole-cell version, necessitating "cocooning" strategies where everyone contacting newborns must be recently vaccinated.

Dr. Dawn describes a vaccine to prevent fentanyl from reaching the brain now starting clinical trials in the Netherlands. It pairs a fentanyl-like molecule with a carrier protein large enough to trigger antibody production. Once primed, the immune system attacks any fentanyl entering the blood, preventing highs and overdoses—potentially helping people in addiction recovery and those accidentally exposed through contaminated drugs.

She reports the first documented death from alpha-gal syndrome. Alpha-gal is a meat allergy triggered by Lone Star tick bites; the tick essentially vaccinates humans against the alpha-galactosidase protein found on beef and pork. Cases have increased since 2010 as climate change expands the tick's range northward, yet a 2023 survey found 42% of doctors had never heard of the condition.

Dr. Dawn highlights research from Edith Cowan University showing that blood drawn after exercise suppresses cancer cell growth when added to tumor cultures. In breast cancer survivors, plasma from high-intensity interval training or weight lifting caused cancer cells to stop growing or die; blood drawn before exercise had no effect. The key mechanism involves myokines, particularly IL-6, released by contracting muscles. A Stanford study found colon cancer survivors who exercised were 37% less likely to experience recurrence.

A caller asks about pig-to-human heart transplants and mask recommendations. Dr. Dawn clarifies that newer xenotransplant pigs have more genes edited to reduce rejection compared to the 2022 case. For masking, she recommends context-dependent use—especially in public restrooms where toilet flushing aerosolizes COVID-containing particles, transportation hubs, and hospitals, noting that COVID vaccination prevents death but not infection or long COVID.

She advises the same caller about spacing vaccines because adjuvant loads stack. Most vaccines can be combined safely, but she recommends against pairing COVID and Shingrix vaccines due to their heavy adjuvant content—wait at least ten days between them. She suggests inducing a sweat the night of vaccination through hot baths, saunas, or exercise to reduce adjuvant-related discomfort without diminishing antibody response.

Dr. Dawn discusses seasonal affective disorder. She recommends 5,000 units of vitamin D3 and morning light exposure.

She suggests that sun avoidance advice may have gone too far. A UK study of 3.36 million people found 12-15% lower mortality with greater UV exposure even accounting for skin cancer risk. A Swedish study following 30,000 women for 20 years found sun-seekers had half the mortality risk. Benefits may involve nitric oxide production lowering blood pressure, with each 1,000 km from the equator correlating with 5 mmHg higher blood pressure. Lack of bright outdoor light also contributes to childhood myopia, with rates exceeding 80% in some Asian cities.

Dr. Dawn concludes with Danish microbiologists at Copenhagen's Alchemist restaurant reviving an old Bulgarian practice of fermenting milk with live red wood ants. The resulting yogurt, cheese, and ice cream contain far more beneficial microbes than commercial products, with a complex lemony acidity. Only live ants work, and wild ants may carry parasites dangerous to humans.