Brain Shaman

In this episode, I interview Dr. Chris Aiken, psychiatrist, editor-in-chief of the Carlat Psychiatry Report, and author of Bipolar, Not So Much.   We explore bipolarity and depression as a spectrum—from depression to mania and mixed states—framing them as circadian rhythm disorders. 

Dr. Aiken shares practical tools for managing moods, with a focus on sleep regulation. We cover light exposure, dark therapy, sleep schedules, and strategies to reduce jetlag, travel-related mood swings, and seasonal changes. He also discusses technologies like dawn simulators and blue-light-blocking glasses.

We dive into nutrition, including helpful foods, herbs, and supplements, and the effects of substances like alcohol, caffeine, ketamine, and psilocybin. We also explore the role of psychedelic and spiritual experiences.

Additionally, we touch on ADHD, creativity, the history of bipolar, and other factors that influence mood swings, along with resources to help you better understand and manage your mood.

RESOURCES

DRUGS
- Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- Lamotrigine
- Lithium
- Modafinil (Provigil)
- Valproate (Depakote)

GENERAL RESOURCES
- Hypomania Checklist 32 (HCL-32)
- Jet Lag Rooster
- Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
- Supplements that Work
- The Antidepressant Diet

PEOPLE
- Andrew Huberman
- Arthur Quiller-Couch
- Chris Palmer
- David Baszucki
- Emil Kraepelin
- Jan Ellison Baszucki
- Jay Olson
- Jules Angst
- Philip McNee

PRODUCTS
- dawn simulator
- light box

SUPPLEMENTS
- Ashwagandha
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
- N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
- Rhodiola rosea


**Connect & Learn More**
website: chrisaikenmd.com
books: chrisaikenmd.com/books
podcasts: The Carlat Psychiatry Podcast / PocketPsychiatrist

In this episode, I talk with Karl Kahler, author of Manic Dawn. He shares wild stories of his father’s manic adventures, capturing the extremes of bipolar disorder—its brilliance, chaos, and mix of comedy, drama, and tragedy. We explore historical figures with the condition, creativity, suicide, drugs, justice, imagination, divine connection, the impact on relationships, and the art of storytelling, weaving a vivid portrait of the bipolar experience. Prepare to laugh, gasp, and cry.

RESOURCES

BOOKS
- An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison
- Exodus by Leon Uris
- Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton
- The Cult that Snapped by Karl Kahler
- The Hypomanic Edge by John Gartner
- The Molecule of More by Daniel Lieberman
- The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
- Touched with Fire by Kay Redfield Jamison

MOVIES
- Jurassic Park
- Red Dawn
- Rocky
- The Mask of Zorro

PEOPLE
- Alexander Hamilton
- Andrew Carnegie
- Ann-Margret
- Bob Dylan
- Catherine Zeta-Jones
- Christopher Columbus
- Elon Musk
- Ernest Hemingway
- Groucho Marx
- James Cameron
- Jerry Kahler
- Jim Morrison
- John Wayne
- Kay Redfield Jamison
- Kurt Cobain
- Matthew McConaughey
- Michael Chricton
- Michael Jordan
- Patrick Swayze
- Quentin Tarantino
- Sylvia Plath
- Vincent van Gogh
- Virginia Woolf
- Winston Churchill

**Connect and Learn More**
website: karlkahler.com
book: Manic Dawn

In this episode, I talk with Lisa Roye Bowers about the fascinating world of frequencies—focusing on light and sound—as well as the power of practices like prayer and meditation in balancing brain waves.

We dive into various tools and topics, such as bioresonance devices, music, binaural beats, Solfeggio frequencies, infrared and near-infrared light, silence, voice, affirmations, food, pets, animals, darkness, mindset, belief, imagination, visualization, words, books, conversation, social connection, and the interconnectedness of all things. Learn how to rewire and balance your brain in this quantumly entangled experience with Lisa Roye Bowers.

RESOURCES

MOVIES & TV
- Star Trek
- The Philadelphia Experiment

PEOPLE
- Albert Einstein
- Kim D'Eramo
- Gabby Giffords
- Masaru Emoto
- Nikola Tesla
- Royal Raymond Rife

TECHNOLOGY
- AO Hub (by Solex)
- AO Infinity Wand (by Solex)
- AO Scan (by Solex)
- SCIO (Scientific Consciousness Interface Operation)


**Connect and Learn More**
website: anewcreationwellness.com
LinkedIn: /lisaroye
email: in the episode

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Arwen Podesta, an addiction specialist and integrative psychiatrist, about the science of addiction, with a focus on how drugs impact the brain.

We break down how substances like alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, and particularly opiates like fentanyl affect brain function. Dr. Podesta explains the role of our dopamine, serotonin, and opioid systems in driving cravings and addiction.

We also discuss the potential benefits and risks of substances like psilocybin, cannabis, and ketamine, along with the causes of addiction—from genetics to environment—and possible solutions, including nature, connection, psychedelics, and nutrition.

Learn about addiction in animals and how their behaviors shed light on human struggles with addiction.

Join us for an action-packed conversation that uncovers the complexities of addiction and explores new approaches to understanding and addressing it.

RESOURCES

ARTICLES
- Magic Mushrooms, Teens, and Young Adults by Mark Gold

BOOKS
- HOOKED by Arwen Podesta
- Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky
- Zoobiquity by Barbara Natterson-Horowitz & Kathryn Bowers

ORGANIZATIONS
- HMP Global
- Integrative Medicine for Mental Health (IMMH)
- Integrative Psychiatry Institute
- Psychiatry Redefined
- UCLA

PEOPLE
- Mark Gold
- Matthew Perry


**Connect and Learn More**
website: podestawellness.com
book: HOOKED
Instagram: @podesta.wellness
LinkedIn: /arwen-podesta-md-8a396042

In this talk with Ross Ellenhorn—author and healthcare pioneer—we explore the human condition and how embracing what makes us truly human—meaning, purpose, autonomy, self-efficacy, play, innovation, collaboration, and connection—can reduce mental suffering and bring us back to life.

We also confront the forces that diminish and dehumanize us—alienation, conformity, judgment, labeling, authoritarianism, racism, isolation, and the commodification of people. At the heart of this episode is an exploration of the power of social connection on mental health and well-being.

Ross offers fresh perspectives on the mental healthcare system, drugs, addiction, and the various forms of mental suffering, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and ADHD. He masterfully navigates the gray areas of human existence, seeing both the good and bad in everything and everyone.

This is an episode that will challenge your assumptions, spark new ways of thinking, and leave you with a lighter heart and a deeper appreciation for all the beauties and pains of being human.

RESOURCES

BOOKS
- Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
- How We Change by Ross Ellenhorn
- Purple Crayons by Ross Ellenhorn

PEOPLE
- Aubrey Marcus
- Bootsy Collins
- Crockett Johnson
- Erich Fromm
- George Clinton
- Gregory Bateson
- Henry David Thoreau
- Jean-Paul Sartre
- Jim Carrey
- Karl Marx
- Margaret Mead
- Martin Heidegger
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Matt Bernstein
- Matthew Perry
- Robin Williams
- Rosa Parks
- Søren Kierkegaard


**Connect and Learn More**
Accord website: accordmh.com
Cardea website: cardea.net
Ellenhorn website: ellenhorn.com
personal website: rossellenhorn.com
books: harpercollins.com/collections/books-by-ross-ellenhorn

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Matt Bernstein, CEO of Accord Mental Health and Chief Medical Officer at Ellenhorn, about natural ways to improve, heal, and even potentially reverse mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and depression. 

The ketogenic diet, a metabolic approach, is the main focus of today’s discussion. We explore its powerful role in supporting brain health, the mechanisms behind how it works, and practical steps for implementation. Beyond nutrition and metabolism, we also delve into the importance of exercise, sleep, light exposure, mindfulness, social connection, and finding meaning and purpose.

Dr. Bernstein offers insights into the risks, benefits, and limitations of medication—including psychedelics, marijuana, and alcohol—and shares strategies for tapering off or replacing them with deeper, more lasting solutions to your mental health challenges.

RESOURCES

BOOKS
- Brain Energy by Chris Palmer
- Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind by Georgia Ede

MEDICATIONS
- Aripiprazole
- Clozapine
- Cobenfy
- Metformin
- Olanzapine
- Risperidone

PEOPLE
- Bret Scher
- Chris Palmer
- Erin Bellamy
- Denise Potter
- Georgia Ede
- Lauren Kennedy West
- Nicole Laurent
- Robert Whitaker

TRAINING PROGRAMS
- Advanced Ketogenic Therapies
- Ketogenic Diets for Mental Health Clinician Training Course
- Metabolic Mental Health Programs
- The Brain Fog Recovery Program

VIDEOS & PODCASTS
- Living Well After Schizophrenia
- Metabolic Mind


**Connect & Learn More**
website: accordmh.com
email: provided in the episode

In this episode, I speak with Tripp Friedler, author of The Tunnel, about his family's harrowing journey navigating the challenges of bipolar disorder. Tripp shares the heartbreaking story of his son’s battle with the illness, which tragically ended in suicide. We explore bipolar disorder from multiple perspectives: the individual, the family, and society.

We delve into the unique struggles faced by each family member and examine how societal systems—education, healthcare, law enforcement—often fail those living with mental illness. Tripp sheds light on how stigma and societal attitudes only deepen these challenges, making an already difficult situation even harder. Along the way, we discuss communication styles, problem-solving approaches, homelessness, psychedelics, and my own family's experience with bipolar disorder.

Despite the immense pain and challenges, Tripp underscores that it is possible to live a meaningful and successful life with bipolar disorder. It requires confronting reality and doing the hard work, but there is hope—both for the individual and their family. As Tripp reminds us, life goes on, everyone does the best they can, and there is light at the end of the tunnel, even when the path is difficult. 

 This is one of the most emotional, personal, and impactful interviews I’ve ever done. I hope it brings support, understanding, and hope to you and your loved ones.

RESOURCES

ORGANIZATIONS
 - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
- EPIC NOLA Church
- Jewish Family Service
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

PEOPLE
- Ben Stiller
- Britney Spears
- Elon Musk
- Kanye West

PLACES
- Chicago
- Copenhagen
- Florida
- Girl & the Goat
- Louisiana
- New Orleans


**Connect & Learn More**
book: The Tunnel
website: trippfriedler.com
Instagram: @tfriedler

In this episode, I explore the intersection of bipolar disorder and spiritual experiences with Mari Beth Lutes, author of Is this a Spiritual Awakening? Or my Bipolar? We talk about what it’s like to live with bipolar disorder, practical tools for navigating it, and how it can sometimes open a door to the metaphysical, connecting us to spirits, God, and deeper realities. We talk about clairvoyance, addiction, alcohol, meditation, psychedelics, mediumship, and the blurry line between mania and spiritual connection. Mari also gives me a card reading and helps me navigate my own journey of self-understanding. Whether you're skeptical or curious about the unseen world and its links to bipolar, this conversation invites you to explore new dimensions with Mari Beth Lutes.

RESOURCES

BOOKS
- Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch
- Bipolar Disorder for Dummies by Candida Fink
- Seth Speaks by Jane Roberts (book)
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
- One by Richard Bach
- The Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous)
- The Bipolar Disorder Survival Guide by David Miklowitz
- The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield

CARDS
- Angels and Ancestors Oracle Cards
- Talking to Heaven Mediumship Cards
- The Soul's Journey Lesson Cards

MOVIES
- Titanic
- Indigo
- What the Bleep Do We Know!?

ORGANIZATIONS
- Al-anon
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Amen Clinics
- Families Anonymous
- Nar-Anon
- NROTC
- University of North Carolina
- VA

PEOPLE
- Michael (archangel)
- Daniel Amen
- Fyodor Dostoevsky 
- James Van Praagh
- Jane Roberts
- Leonardo DiCaprio
- Long Island Medium
- Mario Fields
- Neale Donald Walsch
- Phil McGraw
- Richard Bach

PLACES
- Bakersfield
- Camp Lejeune
- Caribbean
- Chautauqua Lake
- Hokkaido
- Lily Dale
- Okinawa
- Jacksonville, NC
- Outer Banks
- Sanctuary of Truth
- Utah
- Washington D.C. Temple
- Wilmington, NC

**Connect and Learn More**
Instagram: @aguidedway
Facebook: Guided Way Wedding Officiant
LinkedIn: /mari-lutes-677868186

In this episode, I talk to musician and Manic Memoir author, Matt Masters Burgener. Matt shares his journey from an exciting life of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll to one grounded in love, responsibility, and genuine connection. Together, we dive into his evolution—from living for the moment to building a future, from chasing fun to discovering lasting bonds—a true transformation from adolescence to adulthood. 

Our conversation covers topics like bipolar disorder, drugs and addiction (focusing on marijuana), creativity, anger, death, solitude, love, sex, loss, music, writing, family, parenthood, and social connection. Join us for an intimate look at Matt’s journey from mania to calm, and the wisdom and actions that led him to a life of responsibility, growth, and peace.

RESOURCES

PEOPLE
- Beyoncé
- Matt Masters (British DJ)

PLACES
- Australia
- Calgary
- Canmore
- Mexico City
- New Orleans
- Niagara Falls
- Texas
- The Old Spaghetti Factory
- Toronto
- South Pacific
- Whitehorse
- Yukon

VOCABULARY
- Alopecia universalis
- Celiac disease
- Thyroid

**Connect and Learn More**
website: mattmasters.ca
book: Manic Memoir: A bipolar journey in music
company: curbsideconcerts.ca
Instagram: @mattmastersburgener
X: @mastersmatt
Spotify: open.spotify.com/intl-ja/artist/24AhJ8DlTXsxNt2HbstB3N
YouTube: @MattMastersMusic

In this episode, we explore ADHD and the potential of neurofeedback to help manage symptoms such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Ofer Lidsky, founder and CEO of Excellent Brain, explains how neurofeedback can be used to train the brain, guiding users toward enhanced focus and cognitive performance. We dive into the role of dopamine, the prefrontal cortex, the benefits and limitations of medication, and examine the impact of the education system on ADHD. Additional topics include consciousness, willpower, and the distinctions between biofeedback and neurofeedback, along with technologies like smartwatches, video games, and VR. Discover how neurofeedback utilizes brain waves to create lasting improvements in attention and cognition.

RESOURCES

PEOPLE
- David Passig
- Roger Penrose
- Stuart Hameroff

PLACES
- Bar-Ilan University
- Israel
- University of Arizona

MEDICATIONS
- Concerta (Methylphenidate)
- Ritalin (Methylphenidate)

VOCABULARY
- Cybersickness (VR Sickness)
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
- Microtubules
- Orchestrated Objective Reduction
- Quantum Computer
- Sudoku
- Synapse
- Thalamus

**Connect and Learn More**
website: excellent-brain.com
Forbes: forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/people/oferlidsky
LinkedIn: in/oferlidsky