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Episode: Psychedelics and  Prolonged Grief with Dr. Greg Fonzo
Guest: Greg Fonzo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Charmaine and Gordon McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at Dell Medical School.

In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks speaks with Dr. Greg Fonzo about how psychedelics might help people suffering from prolonged grief, a form of grief that lasts longer and feels harder to heal than typical bereavement.

They discuss:

• The origins and mission of Dell Med’s Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy
• What “prolonged grief” really means and how it differs from normal grief
• Why his team is testing psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT for survivors who lost loved ones
• Theories for why psychedelics may help prolonged grief
• Study design details, inclusion criteria, and their unique recruitment focus
• Ethical and safety considerations when studying powerful psychoactive substances
• The broader promise and pitfalls of the fast-moving field of psychedelic research.

If you’d like to learn more or see whether you qualify for a clinical trial involving psychedelics, check out the current studies at the Fonzo Lab at the McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at Dell Medical School.

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In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Debbie Dobbins, international prosperity consciousness speaker/teacher and author of Your Inner Billionaire.

Why listen: Debbie’s origin story isn’t a soft-focus vision board. It's not feel-good Instagram or TikTok reels. It’s making millions..., then dollar-store cookies on food stamps; addiction, cancer, and IRS debt..., followed by a rebuild grounded in daily practices and a different relationship with money.  

What's covered in this episode: 

• “Inner Billionaire” 101: What it is (identity, not net worth) and why strategy fails without it.
• Prosperity ↔ Poverty cycles: How Debbie bounced after addiction, cancer, and tax debt, and the moment she stopped self-sabotaging.
• Knowing vs. Healing: Why giving great advice isn’t the same as living it and how she bridged the gap.
• Abundance as a foundation: “The universe responds to beliefs, not circumstances”  She goes beyond the feel-good memes and tells us what that means in practice.
• Your money story: Spotting the script you’re running and rewriting it so it serves you.
• Body–mind money cues: Posture for prosperity, the “money dance,” and somatic nudges that reinforce belief.
• First steps if you feel lost: One mindset shift and one tiny habit to start today.
• Setbacks: How to expect them, metabolize them, and keep going.
• Why “money is your most important relationship”: What she really means, and how to make it a healthier one.
• Queen of Magic? Yes, Eeks asked. 

Debbie’s book & links:

• Book: Your Inner Billionaire 
• Learn more about Debbie or Contact Her

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Dr. Acosta returns to Causes or Cures to talk about the next big leap in obesity research: using genetics and machine learning to predict which patients will get side effects to popular GLP-1 weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Zepbound. Previously, he was on Causes or Cures to discuss your individual obesity type. 

He and his team are uncovering why some people experience major weight loss while others face tough side effects—especially nausea. The goal? True precision medicine for obesity: matching the right treatment to the right person before treatment even begins. (You can learn more about their available tests and  company here.)

 Topics We Discuss

• Dr. Acosta’s background and what drew him to obesity research
• Why not all obesity is the same—and why that matters for patients and doctors
• The most common questions patients ask about GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound
• How big a problem side effects like nausea really are in practice
• New research using genetic markers to predict who’s more likely to experience side effects
• Whether eating style affects nausea and how Dr. Acosta coaches patients on nutrition while using these medications
• The possibility of genetic testing before prescribing GLP-1s
• What we know about rarer side effects, from vision to hearing changes, if he thinks more side effects will emerge
• What “satiation” (feeling full) means and why it varies so much between people
• How genetic risk and satiation scores could determine which obesity treatment works best
• Dr. Acosta's thoughts on obesity prevention, especially on renewed energy to take on the unhealthy food industry
• The persistence of stigma—why “willpower” doesn’t tell the whole story
• Whether the current obsession with obesity drugs distracts from prevention, nutrition, and community health

Why it matters

Obesity isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition—and neither should its treatment be. Dr. Acosta’s research could mark a turning point in how we approach weight loss: scientifically, compassionately, and individually. 

Dr. Acosta is a Consultant of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic, co-founder of Phenomix Sciences, as well as an Associate Professor of Medicine. His research focus is on gastrointestinal physiology and the complexity of food intake regulation as it relates to obesity. You can learn more about his work here.

Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match. 

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Disclaimer: Entertainment only. Eeks is not a public health historian; just a gremlin who reads too much and asks weird questions 

BONUS Episodes are part of the "Public Health is Weird" Causes or Cures Series. 

What’s inside

• The myth of “truth serum” and why scopolamine never earned the badge
• From twilight sleep in childbirth to spy stories and interrogation lore
• What scopolamine actually does: amnesia, confusion, suggestibility
• Modern misuse and crime angles, plus real risks
• Ethics, consent, and why the legend still sells
• Eeks' thoughts on an "actual" truth serum, but she really wants to know yours

Why listen
A sharp, strange, funny tour of medicine, memory, and power—where a drug’s reputation outruns its evidence.

References cited in the podcast: 

Embryo Project Encyclopedia

Physician's flowers

MKUltra

Jeremy Grey, AL.COM, Alabama Axe Murders

Alabama Axe Murder Confessions

Tinder Death News Story

State Dept Warning

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If you liked this, send it to a friend who loves public health history with teeth.

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On this episode, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Carlijn Wagenaar about the Plants for Joints research in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), exploring how a plant-centered lifestyle (not just diet) was tested and what changed in disease activity, inflammation, pain, and function.

Episode at a glance:

• Study design, plainly: who enrolled, program length, and how PFJ was evaluated for RA (disease activity & inflammatory markers) and OA (pain & function scores).
• What “plant-centered lifestyle” meant in real life: meals, movement minimums, sleep nudges, stress tools, and weekly support—not just a diet sheet.
• Why they taught cooking: inside the hands-on classes  and how skills improved adherence.
• Primary outcomes: what shifted in RA activity and labs, OA pain/function—and how quickly.
• The biology (in plain language) as to why plants help our joints
• Participant takeaways: less stiffness, easier mornings, better energy; the habits that made it stick.
• What’s next: how programs like PFJ could reshape everyday arthritis care.

Dr. Wagenaar is a physician and researcher in the Netherlands. Check out her and her team's recently launched  Plants for Health Website!

Disclaimer: This episode is for information only and not medical advice. Consult your clinician for personal care decisions.

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What if cancer could be detected years before symptoms ever appear? In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Dr. Yuxuan Wang, cancer researcher at Johns Hopkins, to discuss her team’s promising work on multicancer early detection (MCED) blood tests.

These ultra-sensitive sequencing tests can spot tiny fragments of tumor DNA circulating in the blood. In their recent study, the MCED test flagged early cancer signs in 8 out of 26 participants who were later diagnosed — half of them more than three years before their cancer was picked up clinically. While still experimental and not FDA-approved, this research points to a future where cancer screening might extend well beyond mammograms and colonoscopies.

In this episode, we cover:

• Dr. Wang’s journey into cancer research and what inspired her focus.
• What multicancer early detection (MCED) blood tests are and how they work.
• How the Johns Hopkins study was designed and what the key results showed.
• Which cancer types were detected and what limitations still exist.
• Challenges such as false positives, incidental findings, and overtreatment risks.
• The ethical and practical questions of telling patients they may have cancer years before symptoms.
• Cost and accessibility concerns: how to make such tests affordable if approved.
• Next steps toward larger trials, FDA approval, and clinical use.
• How MCED could change the landscape of cancer screening and prevention in the future.
• Balancing public enthusiasm, media attention, and scientific caution.

This is a fascinating and nuanced conversation about the possibilities, and challenges, of catching cancer earlier than ever before.

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In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Katie Stewart, Holistic Nutritionist and founder of The Clear Skin Solution, about the emotional and physical toll of breakouts and unhealthy skin, and why lasting healing requires more than just spot treatment.

Katie shares how her own struggles with acne led her to ditch conventional prescriptions and create a protocol focused on addressing root causes like hormonal imbalances, gut health, stress, and diet. She explains her approach to identifying internal imbalances, common food triggers and additions, and what people can do today to start improving their skin.

They also dive into the skincare content overload on social media, topical trends, and how Katie handles pushback from the mainstream dermatology world. With a compassionate tone and science-backed perspective, Katie emphasizes that acne is not just skin deep, and there is real hope for those struggling.

You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.
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Psychedelics are in the spotlight. Some call them dangerous, others call them life-saving, and many believe they could reshape the future of mental health care. In this episode, Dr. Eeks talks with Martín Polanco MD, founder of The Mission Within Foundation and considered the most experienced ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT physician in North America. Over the past 25 years, he has treated more than 5,000 people — including over 1,300 veterans and special operators — giving him unmatched clinical credibility in a field often clouded by hype, controversy, and hope.

Dr. Polanco shares his perspective on why veterans and frontline workers struggling with overlapping mental health challenges — PTSD, addiction, depression, traumatic brain injury — are increasingly turning to these psychedelic medicines when conventional options fall short.

This episode covers:

• What ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT are, how they work in the brain, and what sets them apart from other psychedelics.
• Why mental health conditions rarely show up one at a time, and how these medicines may help with complex, co-occurring issues.
• How Dr. Polanco’s center guides people through treatment, integration, and long-term support — and why integration is just as important as the medicine itself.
• Results in veterans and first responders: what’s been seen, how long benefits last, and the factors that sustain recovery.
• The real risks, especially cardiac risks, and the safety protocols in place to minimize them.
• Misconceptions about psychedelic therapy and where skepticism is justified.
• The launch of the Mission Within Foundation, which has already raised over $2 million to provide psychedelic therapy scholarships for veterans and first responders.
• Why partnerships with institutions like UT Austin Dell Medical School are critical for building a scientific evidence base and wider acceptance.
• And finally: whether ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT are ready for mainstream mental health care, or if the science still needs to catch up.

This is a candid conversation about possibility, risk, and the urgent need for new tools in mental health.

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What if your biological age could be younger than the candles on your birthday cake? On this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Chris Mirabile who says he did just that. After surviving a brain tumor at just 16 years old, Chris committed himself to mastering his health. That journey led him to found NOVOS, the first health company to develop science-based solutions targeting the 12 biological causes of aging.

Chris states he has reduced his biological age by 13.6 years and slowed his pace of aging by 37%. In this episode, he explains what biological age actually means, how it’s measured, why it matters (and what it doesn’t tell you), and what it means to age more slowly than the calendar says you should.

We cover:

• Chris’ fascinating personal story of surviving a brain tumor at 16 and how that led him down the path of slowing down aging.
• What aging means to him personally, and his ultimate goal — with a little philosophy sprinkled in.
• How he slowed his pace of aging by 37%, reducing his biological age by 13.6 years 
• The 12 causes of aging and why they matter.
• The spiritual and emotional dimension of health — and how our inner life ties into the aging process.
• The story behind his supplement, NOVOS Core — what’s in it, the evidence so far (lab and human studies), and what future research is on the horizon.

👉 Quick disclaimer: Dr. Eeks does not endorse or recommend any specific supplements, including the ones discussed in this episode. But Chris brings a wealth of knowledge, real data, and genuine passion to this conversation, and I think you’ll find his story fascinating.

If you’ve ever wondered: Should I claim my chronological age or my biological age when someone asks? …this episode’s for you.

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In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Irene Papanicolas, Professor of Health Services, Policy and Practice at Brown University, about her recent New England Journal of Medicine paper examining the links between wealth and mortality across the United States and Europe.

There’s a lot of focus on longevity today, from biohackers chasing longer lives to new medical innovations. But how much does the money in your bank account matter when it comes to lifespan? And why do those relationships between wealth and health look different across countries?

The study analyzed data from over 73,000 adults, exploring how wealth impacts lifespan within and across countries, including comparisons between the wealthiest and poorest quartiles, the concept of a “survivor effect,” and why even wealthy Americans may be dying earlier than poorer Europeans.

We discuss:

• How “wealth” was defined in the study.
• The differences in life expectancy between the U.S. and Europe.
• What factors might explain why U.S. outcomes lag (diet, food environment, culture, lack of universal healthcare).
• Which European countries stood out for protecting longevity.
• Policy implications, and what interventions could have the biggest impact if implemented tomorrow.

 Read the full paper here: NEJM: Wealth, Mortality, and the U.S.–Europe Gap

If you’re curious about the intersections of wealth, health, and longevity, and want to understand what money can (and can’t) buy when it comes to living longer, this episode is for you.

 Dr. Irene Papanicolas is a Professor of Health Services Policy and Practice at Brown University. A health economist and researcher, her work focuses on assessing how health systems perform and using international comparisons to inform policy. She leads the International Collaborative on Costs, Outcomes and Needs in Care (ICCONIC), a 16-country partnership studying care patterns and outcomes for high-need, high-cost patients. Dr. Papanicolas has published widely on health system performance and cross-country comparisons. 

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