Text Dr. Lenz any feedback or questions

Navigating Mental Health and Chronic Illness: Cutting Through Pseudoscience with Dr. Jonathan Stea

In this episode, clinical psychologist and science communicator Dr. Jonathan Stea joins the show to discuss the intersection of chronic illness and mental health. As an advocate against pseudoscience, Dr. Stea offers insights on identifying and avoiding predatory wellness trends while finding effective, evidence-based treatments. Highlighting the multifaceted reasons why people turn to alternative therapies, Dr. Stea emphasizes the importance of accurate information and ethical healthcare practices. The conversation addresses the proliferation of pseudoscientific diagnoses and the complex factors contributing to misinformation in the wellness industry.

00:00 Introduction: Navigating the Maze of Mental Health and Wellness
00:20 Meet Dr. Jonathan Stea: Separating Fact from Fiction
00:46 The Rise of Alternative Therapies
04:26 Understanding the Appeal of Pseudoscience
05:57 The Cognitive and Social Factors at Play
10:58 The Allure of Integrative and Functional Medicine
18:24 The Harmful Impact of Pseudoscience
19:57 Common Pseudoscientific Practices in Mental Health
21:47 The Danger of Fake Diagnoses
23:57 Conclusion: The Need for Evidence-Based Understanding

Click here for the YouTube channel

Support the show

When I started this podcast and YouTube Channel—and the book that came before it—I had my patients in mind. Office visits are short, but understanding complex, often misunderstood conditions like fibromyalgia takes time. That’s why I created this space: to offer education, validation, and hope. If you’ve been told fibromyalgia “isn’t real” or that it’s “all in your head,” know this—I see you. I believe you. This podcast aims to affirm your experience and explain the science behind it. Whether you live with fibromyalgia, care for someone who does, or are a healthcare professional looking to better support patients, you’ll find trusted, evidence-based insights here, drawn from my 29+ years as an MD.

Please remember to talk with your doctor about your symptoms and care. This content doesn’t replace per...