Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health

Chronic Pain, Neuroplasticity, and the Brain's Role in Healing with Dr. Aaron Parker

What if chronic pain isn't always a sign of ongoing tissue damage, but rather a learned pattern within the brain and nervous system? In this episode of the Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich sits down with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Aaron Parker to discuss Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), an evidence-based approach designed to help the brain unlearn chronic pain and persistent symptoms. Together, they explore the neuroscience behind neuroplastic pain, why symptoms can continue long after an injury has healed, and how the brain's interpretation of bodily sensations can influence our experience of pain.

The conversation examines the relationship between chronic pain, nervous system regulation, trauma, inflammation, concussion recovery, IBS, migraine, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and long COVID. Dr. Parker explains the concept of somatic tracking, the role of fear and safety in symptom persistence, and how retraining the brain's response to pain can lead to meaningful recovery. Gillian also draws parallels between modern neuroscience and Ayurvedic concepts of intelligence and regulation within the body, creating a fascinating bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary research.

Whether you're living with chronic symptoms, supporting a loved one, or working in healthcare, this episode offers valuable insight into one of the most promising emerging approaches to chronic pain and symptom recovery.

In this episode:
• What Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) is and how it works
• The neuroscience of chronic and neuroplastic pain
• Somatic tracking and nervous system regulation
• Chronic pain, post-concussion syndrome, IBS, migraine, MCAS, and long COVID
• The relationship between emotions, stress, and physical symptoms
• How PRT complements other therapeutic approaches
• Emerging research on chronic pain recovery and brain plasticity

About Our Guest

Dr. Aaron Parker is a licensed clinical psychologist in Washington State with a background in brain injury rehabilitation and clinical psychology. He has served as an attending psychologist in the University of Washington Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at both Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center, where he continues to maintain a clinical faculty appointment. Dr. Parker has supervised psychology trainees, presented research at national conferences, and provides services to accident victims experiencing post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic stress disorder through the Washington OSIC Concussion TBI Clinic. In his private practice, he specializes in chronic pain, concussion recovery, and neuroplastic symptom treatment, including Pain Reprocessing Therapy.

In this episode of the Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich sits down with returning guest Dr. Dawn Ipsen, compounding pharmacist and passionate advocate for personalized medicine. Together they unpack the science, history, and growing interest around methylene blue — from its origins as a treatment for malaria to its modern use in brain health, mitochondrial support, longevity, and biohacking.

They also dive into the rapidly changing world of compounding pharmacies, including concerns surrounding compounded thyroid medications, the evolving landscape of peptide access, and the balance between innovation, safety, and patient care. This conversation explores what happens when cutting-edge medicine meets regulation and why personalized treatment still matters.

Topics include:
• Methylene blue safety, dosing, and mechanisms• Mitochondrial health and energy production• Compounding pharmacy quality and patient advocacy• Thyroid medication changes• Peptide regulation and current challenges• The future of personalized medicine

Bio: Dr. Dawn Ipsen, PharmD, FAPC, FACVP, FACA is a compounding pharmacist with more than 25-years of experience serving human and veterinary patients. She is the owner of two community-based compounding pharmacies in Washington state and is recognized for her expertise in personalized medication therapy, quality compounding practices, and patient-centered care.

Dr. Ipsen holds an APC Fellowship and is also a Fellow of the American College of Veterinary Pharmacists and American College of Apothecaries, reflecting her advanced training and leadership in both human and veterinary compounding. In addition, she is a clinical instructor for the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and an affiliate faculty member for Bastyr University. Her professional focus includes women’s health, hormone therapy, low-dose naltrexone, dermatology compounding, and complex veterinary medication solutions for small animals, exotic pets, and large animal patients.

Dr. Ipsen is deeply engaged in pharmacy advocacy, education, and legislative efforts to protect patient access to compounded medications. She currently holds an APC Board of Directors position and is the founding chair for the WA State Pharmacy Association (WSPA) - Compounding Special Interest Group. The WSPA awarded her with the Distinguished Leadership Award in 2023 and the UW School of Pharmacy Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021. Dr. Ipsen regularly collaborates with prescribers, healthcare professionals, and educators to improve the therapeutic outcomes, health, education and vitality of the communities we serve.

In this episode of the Neuroveda Podcast, we sit down with Vinita Prachi Murarka, Ayurvedic Doctor, Waldorf educator, storyteller, and founder of Matre Sofia, to explore the deeper role of storytelling in healing, education, and human development.

Born in India and raised in the United States, Vinita shares how her journey through Vedic sciences, gurukula education, Ayurveda, and esoteric wisdom traditions shaped her understanding of stories as living medicine. Together, we discuss the muses behind storytelling, the artwork and symbolism that inspire her work, and why certain traditional narratives continue to resonate so deeply in modern life.

Vinita reflects on several featured stories, including:
• A Game of Chess — and the symbolism of saffron
• Arjuna and Kusha — and the Ayurvedic significance of arjuna and kusha
• The Monk and the Cobra — and the teachings associated with neem

Through excerpts, reflections, and conversation, this episode explores how ancient stories carry emotional, spiritual, and medicinal wisdom that can still guide parenting, health, identity, and community today.

We also discuss:
• Vedic storytelling traditions
• Ayurveda and symbolic plant medicine
• The role of myth and archetype in healing
• Soul-centered parenting
• Education, imagination, and consciousness
• Bringing ancient wisdom into modern family life

Vinita Prachi Murarka is an Ayurvedic Doctor, Waldorf educator, and transformational guide who bridges medicine, education, and spirituality. Born in India and raised in the United States, she later returned to India to immerse herself in Vedic sciences, gurukula education, and esoteric wisdom traditions. With over a decade of experience in integrative health and education, she brings a unique lens on health and human development.

Vinita is the founder of Matre Sofia, an organization dedicated to soul-centered parenting and holistic family well-being. A storyteller, author, and curriculum developer, she translates ancient traditions into practical approaches for modern families and health practitioners alike. She currently lives between Hawaii and Colorado, consulting, teaching, and guiding others in aligning health, learning, and wholeness.

In this episode, Dr. Hemal Patel explores how cellular energetics and membrane biology play a central role in health, resilience, and disease. He explains that the cell membrane is not just a barrier, but a dynamic and intelligent system that organizes signaling, regulates energy, and may even influence aging.

Dr. Patel shares insights into:

• How mitochondria and membranes work together to control energy production
• The role of circadian rhythms and cellular “oscillations” in maintaining health
• Why aging and chronic disease may begin with membrane breakdown
• How communication across the body may be driven through the blood as a signaling system

A major focus of the conversation is MeScreen, a novel test designed to assess mitochondrial function using a simple blood sample. By exposing lab-grown cells to a person’s plasma, MeScreen evaluates how their internal biochemical environment influences energy production, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial resilience.

The episode highlights a key shift in thinking:
Health isn’t just about individual organs or genes, but about how systems communicate, adapt, and maintain energy balance over time.

Neuroveda Health patients receive $250 off when ordering through the clinic. For those ordering independently, MeScreen is offering $200 off at MeScreen.com using code NEUROVEDA.

https://mescreen.com/products/mescreen-mitochondrial-function-test-healthcare-provider-consult

Bio: Dr. Hemal Patel is a tenured professor and Vice-Chair for Development and Advancement in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of California, San Diego. He also serves as a VA Research Career Scientist and Pharmacologist at the VA San Diego Healthcare System and is Chief Advisor for Versea Discovery. With a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology, his research focuses on how cell membranes and energetics shape human health, aging, and disease, with implications across cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and chronic conditions.

In this episode of the Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich sits down with Dr. David Kaufman to explore the deeper patterns behind complex chronic illness.

Drawing from his early experience treating patients during the HIV epidemic to his current work with ME/CFS, long COVID, dysautonomia, MCAS, and chronic infections, Dr. Kaufman shares how his clinical approach has evolved beyond traditional, siloed medicine.

This conversation looks at how infections; viral, bacterial, and beyond—interact with immune dysfunction, inflammation, gut health, and the nervous system to create persistent, multi-system illness. Rather than viewing symptoms in isolation, they discuss the importance of pattern recognition and understanding how these systems influence each other over time.

They also explore why many patients are told everything is “normal” despite ongoing symptoms, the role of terrain and immune resilience, and how emerging therapies, ranging from immune-modulating treatments to insights from longevity medicine, are beginning to reshape how we think about care.

This episode offers a more complete framework for understanding complex illness and why a systems-based approach is essential for meaningful progress.

In this episode of the Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich, family nurse practitioner certified in Ayurveda and functional medicine, welcomes one of Neuroveda Health’s own clinicians, Brianna Cardenas, DMSc, PA-C, ATC, CSC1.

Dr. Cardenas is a specialist in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders, and complex neurologic and immunologic comorbidities, including dysautonomia, mast cell activation syndrome, spinal CSF leaks, craniocervical instability, venous outflow disorders, tethered cord, adhesive arachnoiditis, and related pressure disorders. She sees patients at Neuroveda Health and provides remote consultations worldwide through her company, Healed and Empowered.

Together, Gillian and Brianna explore one of the most complex and often misunderstood areas of connective tissue disease: how to differentiate common neurologic conditions in EDS and related connective tissue disorders. They discuss why these conditions are so often missed in conventional medicine, how connective tissue impacts the nervous system, and why patients are frequently shuffled between specialties without anyone seeing the full picture.

This conversation covers the role of connective tissue, fascia, and the extracellular matrix in neurologic symptoms; how pressure disorders can show up as high pressure, low pressure, or fluctuating “spiky” patterns; why symptoms may worsen with position changes, head turning, lying flat, or being upright; the overlap between craniocervical instability, Eagle syndrome, Chiari-like presentations, CSF leaks, venous congestion, tethered cord, and arachnoiditis; why standard imaging is often inadequate for hypermobile patients; what symptom tracking can reveal; and practical ideas for diagnostic workup and imaging requests that may help patients and clinicians move closer to answers.

Dr. Cardenas also shares how her own lived experience with severe chronic illness has shaped her clinical work and deepened her commitment to helping patients who so often fall through the cracks receive rigorous, compassionate, and collaborative care.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Cardenas serves as an Assistant Professor in the MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington, where she teaches future physician assistants. She has lectured nationally and internationally on EDS and related comorbid conditions and is one of fewer than 100 certified fascial counterstrain practitioners worldwide.

This episode is especially for patients, caregivers, and clinicians trying to make sense of symptoms that do not fit neatly into one specialty. It is an invitation to think more broadly, more collaboratively, and more compassionately about complex chronic illness.

*Please note: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. A podcast cannot replace a one-on-one medical visit, physical exam, or personalized diagnostic workup.

In this episode of the Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich, ARNP, sits down with Dr. Carley Squires to discuss apheresis, with a focus on therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), also known as plasmapheresis.

Apheresis means the removal of something from the blood, and the type of apheresis depends on what is being removed. At Neuroveda, the focus is plasma apheresis, meaning plasma is removed and replaced with albumin and saline. Therapeutic plasma exchange is an extracorporeal blood purification technique designed to remove a portion of plasma that may contain potentially harmful substances such as autoantibodies, inflammatory cytokines, immune complexes, and other immune mediators involved in immune dysregulation.

Dr. Squires explains the broader umbrella of therapeutic apheresis, including red blood cell exchange, leukapheresis, plateletpheresis, lipid/LDL apheresis, extracorporeal photopheresis, and H.E.L.P. apheresis. While H.E.L.P. apheresis is not currently available in the United States, interest in apheresis expanded during the rise of long COVID, when patients began traveling internationally for treatment.

Therapeutic plasma exchange has been used for decades in hospital settings, primarily for autoimmune disease, but is now being explored for additional applications including long COVID, neuroinflammatory conditions, and longevity medicine. Research suggests TPE may help support immune modulation through mechanisms such as:

• Removal of immune complexes
• Reduction of inflammatory cytokines
• Correction of altered Th1/Th2 immune balance
• Increased T regulatory and T suppressor cells

Emerging research has also explored TPE for PANDAS/PANS, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders triggered by infection.

References
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763417305833
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10513708/

While additional research is still needed for many of these applications, Neuroveda has also observed significant clinical improvements over the past several years, including reductions in toxic burden from mycotoxins, heavy metals, solvents, plastics, and other persistent environmental toxins.

The episode also reviews current American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) guidance, which places many emerging uses of apheresis into Category III, meaning the optimal role is still being defined and treatment decisions should be individualized.

Reference
Connelly-Smith L, et al. Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice. J Clin Apher. 2023.

Listeners will also hear what to expect from a TPE treatment at Neuroveda. Each session lasts approximately 2–4 hours, during which blood circulates through a machine that separates and removes plasma while returning the remaining blood components with replacement fluid.

Although the procedure may sound invasive, TPE is generally well tolerated and safely performed in outpatient settings. Vital signs are monitored throughout treatment, and most patients experience only mild side effects such as fatigue, lightheadedness, or temporary electrolyte shifts.

One unique aspect of Neuroveda’s approach is the integration of Ayurvedic medicine with modern therapeutic plasma exchange. Ayurvedic therapies use oils, massage, steam, and other treatments to mobilize lipophilic toxins from deeper tissues back into circulation. Because TPE removes substances circulating in the bloodstream, these therapies may help prepare the body for detoxification.

This aligns with Panchakarma, Ayurveda’s classical detoxification process, which includes rakta moksha, traditionally translated as “blood liberation.” In a modern context, TPE can be viewed as a technological evolution of this ancient concept.

Rather than functioning as a stand-alone cure, Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Seattle is often most effective as part of a comprehensive program that may include functional medicine, regenerative medicine,

In this episode of the Neuroveda podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich, family nurse practitioner certified in Ayurveda and functional medicine at Neuroveda Health in Seattle, sits down with Dr. Kiki Chang, MD, child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist specializing in mood and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dr. Chang brings 26 years of experience, including creating and running research programs and clinics at Stanford University focused on Pediatric Bipolar Disorder and PANS/PANDAS. Together, they unpack what “neuropsychiatric” really means, how to tell the difference between typical development and symptoms that are interrupting a child’s life, and why the biology matters, especially when kids change suddenly.

They cover what PANS and PANDAS are, why acute onset and “comorbidity” are such important clues, what a thoughtful clinical workup can look like, and how treatment often spans more than one lane, including infection evaluation, anti-inflammatory strategies, and immunomodulatory approaches when appropriate. Dr. Chang also shares why advocacy and education remain central to progress in this field and how families can find credible resources and care.

Dr. Chang is currently in private practice offering consultations, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. His goal is to distill what he learned in academia into an approach that views psychiatric illness as biological while recognizing psychological input to treatment is important as well. He continues to research and consult for organizations including law firms, pharmaceutical companies, and private foundations.

To contact Dr. Chang and his practice, visit www.kikichangmd.com

In this episode of the NeuroVeda podcast, we sit down with Sujatha Reddy, LPC, BC-TAM, BAMS, a deeply experienced mental health clinician and Ayurvedic practitioner whose work bridges ancient wisdom and modern therapeutic practice. Sujatha is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Ohio, a Licensed Natural Medicine Facilitator in Colorado, a Board-Certified Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine practitioner, certified psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, holosomatic breathwork therapist, and yoga therapist. With over 35 years of Ayurvedic practice in the U.S. and 25 years in the mental health field, she brings a rare depth of perspective to the conversation. She is the founder and executive director of Ayumind LLC and Heartland Wellness PLLC, and also owns a Humanly mental health franchise in Lakewood, Colorado.

Together, we explore the Ayurvedic understanding of mental health as a metabolic and systemic process rather than a standalone diagnosis. Sujatha explains the concept of the koshas, the layers of self, and how disconnection across these layers contributes to anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. She shares how the gunas shape our mental and emotional states, and how practices like breathwork, meditation, mantra, yoga therapy, and personalized Ayurvedic protocols can release stored trauma and restore balance. This episode offers a powerful look at truly integrative mental health care, blending Ayurveda, Western psychology, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to address root causes rather than symptoms, while emphasizing the importance of resilience, community, and reconnection to self in healing.

Takeaways

Ayurveda views mental health as a metabolic disorder.
The mind is interconnected with the body and spirit.
Understanding the koshas helps in addressing mental health.
Disconnection from self leads to anxiety and depression.
Breathwork can release trauma stored in the body.
The gunas influence our mental and emotional states.
Personalized programs are essential for mental health.
Holistic approaches integrate body, mind, and spirit.
Ayurvedic practices can enhance resilience and well-being.
Community and social engagement are vital for mental health.

Summary

In this episode of the Neuroveda podcast, host Gillian Ehrlich and guest Dr. Anjali Brannan delve into the intricate relationship between parenting and trauma. They explore various techniques for somatic trauma resolution, the importance of heartfulness meditation, and how Ayurvedic principles can guide parenting practices. The conversation emphasizes the significance of intuition, the integration of Ayurveda with allopathic medicine, and the healing potential of the mind-body connection. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of being aware of health implications, such as nickel allergies in medical treatments.

Takeaways

Parenting and trauma are intricately related and cannot be separated.

Somatic trauma resolution helps individuals process and heal from past traumas.

Heartfulness meditation can significantly improve mental clarity and emotional well-being.

Intuition plays a crucial role in parenting and decision-making.

Ayurvedic principles can guide healthier parenting practices.

Integrating Ayurveda with allopathic medicine can enhance patient care.

The body has an innate ability to heal when it feels heard and understood.

Practicing gratitude can shift family dynamics positively.

Awareness of health implications, such as nickel allergies, is essential in medical treatments.

Meditation and mindfulness can help reduce trauma and improve communication.

Bio: Anjali is a 2001 graduate of the acclaimed Ayurvedic Institute's Advanced Studies and Clinical Program (Gurukula) with world-renowned Ayurvedic physician Dr. Vasant Lad where she studied for 3 years.

She is also trained and skilled in Somatic Trauma Resolution, Lymph Drainage, Craniosacral therapy, hands-on Brain therapy, Fluid Articular Release for the joints, Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapy, Polarity Therapy, LIIFT, Synergy Yoga and Dance.

Anjali volunteers as a teacher of Heartfulness Meditation whose system she has been practicing since 1994, and teaching since 2000.  Anjali has also been the featured guest on several different TV & radio shows on health.  Her practice has been part of the University of Cincinnati’s Alternative Medicine Rotation for Family Practice Medical Residents at the Clinton Memorial Hospital where medical students would observe her in her work to understand more about complementary medicine. She has also been an Ayurvedic panelist for a Masters Capstone project at the prestigious Brown University.

Since 2001, Anjali has had an active Ayurvedic practice and has been teaching classes in Ayurveda. She is the Director of the skilled team at the Ayurveda Natural Health Center in Dayton, Ohio.