Back pain is one of the most common—and most misunderstood—health challenges, affecting 8 out of 10 people in their lifetime. In this episode of Body of Wonder, Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil welcome Dr. Sanjiv Lakhia, a double board-certified physiatrist and integrative medicine physician, to explore why back pain is so prevalent and what we can do about it.

Dr. Lakhia shares insights from his clinical work and personal journey, highlighting the importance of posture, breath, muscle balance, and the mind-body connection. He discusses strategies for prevention, tools for recovery, and when more advanced therapies like injections, red light therapy, or minimally invasive surgery may be appropriate. Together, they address central sensitization, the power of stress reduction, and practical exercises that can help strengthen the spine and restore resilience.

If you’re managing chronic pain or looking for ways to protect your back for the long term, this discussion offers evidence-based, integrative approaches to managing back pain and maintaining mobility.

What does your gut say about your health? In this episode, Dr. Suzanne Devkota, gut health researcher and microbiome expert and hosts Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes, explore how our modern lifestyles and highly processed diets impact the gut microbiome, the powerful role of microbial metabolites on health, and the real story behind antibiotics—do they ruin your gut for good? You’ll also hear practical advice about how to support and restore gut health, including nutrition tips, the use of prebiotics and probiotics, and emerging research on postbiotics and food-as-medicine approaches.

In this episode, ground-breaking regenerative medicine researcher Dr. Doris Taylor joins Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil to explore the science, promise, and pitfalls of stem cell therapy. Dr. Taylor, who bioengineered the first beating human heart, explains how stem cells work, why they often fail to regenerate heart and brain tissue, and what needs to change in clinical trials to unlock their full healing potential. Dr. Maizes and Dr. Weil ask about gender differences in stem cells and the ethics of unregulated clinics. They discuss inflammation and autoimmune disease and share their own perspectives on the body’s innate healing ability and the future of medicine.

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In this episode of Body of Wonder, hosts Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes are joined by integrative rheumatologist, Dr. Olga Kromo, to discuss practical strategies for enhancing bone health as well as ways to address osteopenia and osteoporosis. Dr. Kromo shares insights on the role of nutrition, exercise, and environmental factors in bone health, and emphasizes the importance of preventive care. Drs Weil, Maizes and Kromo discuss the best dietary sources of calcium, the synergy of key nutrients like vitamin D and K2, and the impact of inflammation and environmental toxins on bone density. Whether you're looking to protect your own bone health as you age or support your patients’, this episode offers cutting edge integrative approaches to maintain strong bones.

In this episode, Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil explore the revolutionary work of Dr. David Berceli, creator of Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE). Dr. Berceli shares his insights on neurogenic tremors, explaining how this natural, self-regulating mechanism helps the body release deep stress and trauma. 

Drawing on his extensive professional experience in war zones and traumatic events, Dr. Berceli discusses the healing power of tremors, the role of community in recovery, and the body's innate ability to discharge accumulated stress. This episode sheds light on the practical applications of TRE for trauma recovery and stress reduction, providing valuable insights for those seeking accessible and powerful tools for healing.