The Neurostimulation Podcast

CRISPR, Consumer DNA Tests, and the Future of Mental Health with Kira Dineen

In this episode of the Neurostimulation Podcast, Dr. Michael Passmore sits down with Kira Dineen — certified genetic counselor, host of *DNA Today* (a genetics podcast running nearly 14 years), and founder of the Gene Pool Media podcast network — for a wide-ranging conversation on genetics, mental health, and the ethics of emerging technology.

Timestamps:

- 16:57 – Introduction and Kira's 14-year podcasting journey

- 19:22 – What genetic counseling actually is

- 25:29 – The emotional and psychological side of genetic counseling

- 32:19 – Consumer DNA testing: benefits and blind spots

- 38:30 – CRISPR explained, and the first FDA-approved treatment for sickle cell

- 45:52 – The 2018 embryo-editing controversy and germline ethics

- 52:28 – Genetics, mental health, and the "marble jar" analogy

- 57:20 – Career advice for aspiring genetic counselors

- 1:02:07 – Lessons on communicating complex science

- 1:04:36 – The future of genetics and AI's role in diagnosis

Resources mentioned:

- DNA Today — Kira's genetics podcast

- Gene Pool Media — science podcast network founded by Kira

- Hidden Valley Road (book) / Six Schizophrenic Brothers (HBO documentary)

- National Society of Genetic Counselors

Connect with Kira Dineen:

- Podcast: DNA Today https://dnapodcast.com/gene

- Network: Gene Pool Media https://www.genepoolmedia.com/

Episode Summary

Dr. Michael Passmore sits down with Dr. Nora Nneka Ekeanya, a psychiatrist, writer, and integrative thinker based in Los Angeles. The conversation moves well beyond symptom management to explore what it truly means to flourish — touching on the intersection of psychiatry, creativity, spirituality, and self-actualization.

About Dr. Ekeanya

Dr. Nora Nneka Ekeanya is a psychiatrist with experience across inpatient, community, forensic, and private practice settings. She is also a poet, visual artist, and advocate for narrative medicine. Her work sits at the crossroads of psychopharmacology, creativity, and spirituality, with a particular focus on guiding high-achieving individuals from simply coping to genuinely thriving.

Key Topics Covered

Dr. Ekeanya's origin story — how a traumatic childhood, a mental health crisis in medical school, and the intervention of two deans set her on the path to psychiatry The wounded healer — why physicians' own lived experience with struggle, therapy, and vulnerability makes them better clinicians (referencing Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning) Art and medicine — how poetry, visual art, photography, and film became inseparable from Dr. Ekeanya's psychiatric practice and personal healing The crisis in psychiatry — burnout, compassion fatigue, over-medicating, piecemealed care, and the systemic pressures that strip psychiatrists of what makes them effective Integrative psychiatry — moving beyond the medication-only model to incorporate supplementation, somatic therapy, spirituality, creative practice, and movement Psychedelic-assisted therapy — a candid discussion of psilocybin, ketamine, and cannabis: their real promise, the current limitations, the gray market in LA, and the critical importance of psychotherapeutic integration TMS and ECT — where neurostimulation fits in the expanding toolkit, and honest assessments of access, cost, and evidence The sacred therapeutic bond — what telemedicine eroded and why physical presence, micro-moments of human connection, and even dancing with a catatonic patient matter Self-actualization for high achievers — why the standard psychiatric model fails people whose lives look good on paper but feel hollow inside.

Resources & Links

Swallowed Words — Dr. Ekeanya's chapbook of poetry, released 2022 https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Swallowed-Words/dp/B0CC3TVRSQ

Dr. Ekeanya's private practice https://www.spiritandsoulpsych.com/

Victor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning https://a.co/d/0byI1N5W

Oliver Sacks, Awakenings https://a.co/d/08Qusf3r

Connect with Dr. Ekeanya https://www.facebook.com/norawithnohhttps://www.youtube.com/@noranneka?app=desktophttps://www.instagram.com/nora_nneka/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/drekeanya/

The Neurostimulation Podcast is hosted by Dr. Michael Passmore, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. The information shared is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

TMS for PTSD: Does Protocol Actually Matter? | Dr. Noah Philip | The Neurostimulation Podcast

In this episode of the Neurostimulation Podcast, Dr. Michael Passmore sits down with Dr. Noah Philip — Professor of Psychiatry at Brown University, Section Chief of Psychiatric Neuromodulation at the VA Providence, and leader at the VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology — to explore the cutting edge of brain stimulation for PTSD, depression, and beyond. Dr. Philip shares findings from a landmark multi-site VA study comparing three TMS approaches for PTSD, and what the results mean for clinicians worldwide. He also discusses accelerated TMS, the combination of tDCS with virtual reality exposure therapy, teaching TMS in Ukraine, and the exciting frontier of focused ultrasound as a noninvasive form of deep brain stimulation.

In this episode:

🧠 What Dr. Philip's lab at the VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology does

📊 Key findings from a propensity-matched cohort study of 756+ veterans comparing 10 Hz rTMS, iTBS, and deep TMS for PTSD — and why the bottom line is: "use whatever device you have"

💡 Why "treatment-resistant" may say more about our limitations than about patients

⚡ How accelerated TMS (5x/day for 5 days) can deliver comparable outcomes in just one week

🎮 Combining tDCS + virtual reality for PTSD — results from a JAMA Psychiatry study

🌍 Teaching TMS in Ukraine and what it means for resource-limited settings

🔬 First-in-human focused ultrasound to the amygdala: safety, early results, and why this technology excites him most

🤖 The role of AI — from facial decoding to personalized treatment prediction — in the future of precision psychiatry

Resources & References:

📄 Study: Effectiveness of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Multi-Site Propensity-Matched Cohort Study of Treatment Parameters — Brain Stimulation (2025)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41241259/

🏥 VA Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology

https://centerforneuro.org

💻 Unbroken Foundation, Lviv (Ukraine TMS training program)

https://unbroken.org.ua/foundation

About the Neurostimulation Podcast: Hosted by Dr. Michael Passmore, clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UBC, the Neurostimulation Podcast explores the world of neuroscience, clinical neurostimulation, and interventional mental health — making cutting-edge research accessible to clinicians, researchers, students, and curious minds alike. The information in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

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Episode Summary

Host Dr. Michael Passmore (Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia) sits down with Dr. Ronan Denyer, a postdoctoral fellow at the Coactions Lab in Brussels. Dr. Denyer completed his PhD in neuroscience at UBC under Dr. Lara Boyd, and his research sits at the intersection of brain stimulation, neuroimaging, and behavioral neuroscience. In this episode, they take a deep dive into transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) — what it is, how it works, and what it could mean for the future of cognitive enhancement and neurological treatment.

Key Topics Covered

• Dr. Denyer's background — From Trinity College Dublin to UBC to Brussels, how a final-year undergraduate project set him on the path of brain stimulation research
• The locus coeruleus (LC) — Why this tiny, blue-colored brainstem nucleus with far-reaching noradrenergic projections is one of neuroscience's most intriguing structures
• Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) — How stimulating specific parts of the outer ear (the cymba conchae and tragus region) can non-invasively activate the vagus nerve → nucleus tractus solitarius → locus coeruleus pathway
• tVNS vs. TMS vs. tDCS — Key comparisons between these neuromodulation approaches and why tVNS offers a unique real-time biomarker advantage via pupillometry
• Perceptual decision-making study (Brain Stimulation journal) — How tVNS boosted accuracy on a random dot motion task without slowing reaction times, supporting the gain hypothesis over the urgency hypothesis of LC function; the "rescue effect" seen after errors
• The drift-diffusion model — How modeling revealed tVNS increases the drift rate (evidence accumulation speed), explaining the accuracy improvement
• tVNS + TMS combined study — Evidence that tVNS increases corticospinal excitability during stimulation (online effect), with pupillometry confirming LC engagement; intriguing finding that MEP changes and pupil changes were not correlated, hinting at potential sub-nodes within the LC
• Clinical translation potential:Stroke rehabilitation — Pairing tVNS bursts with motor therapy to promote plasticity online
• ADHD — The tonic/phasic LC firing model and the explore-vs-exploit hypothesis; why elevated tonic LC firing may underpin attentional difficulties
• Parkinson's disease — LC degeneration as an early biomarker; tVNS + pupillometry as a potential low-cost screening tool for preclinical Parkinson's; targeting non-motor symptoms
• Anxiety and PTSD — Emerging hypotheses linking LC dysfunction to these conditions
• Upcoming research — The KinArm forced-response reaching task: examining how tVNS shifts the speed-accuracy curve and modulates movement vigor, with implications for stroke rehab

Key Concepts Explained

TermPlain-language meaning

tVNS

Non-invasive stimulation of the ear to activate the vagus nerve and the brain's noradrenaline system

Locus coeruleus

Small brainstem nucleus; the brain's primary source of noradrenaline; modulates attention, arousal, and decision-making

Gain hypothesis

LC noradrenaline boosts signal-to-noise ratio, improving perceptual accuracy without speeding up responses

Urgency hypothesis

LC increases response speed at the cost of accuracy (not supported by this study)

Pupillometry

Measuring pupil size as a proxy for LC activity

Motor evoked potential (MEP)

A muscle twitch elicited by TMS; used to measure corticospinal excitability

Drift-diffusion model

A mathematical framework for modeling perceptual decision processes

Tonic vs. phasic LC firing

Tonic = baseline arousal level; phasic = task-triggered bursts that sharpen perception

Papers Referenced

• Xiang et al. — Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Boosts Accuracy During Perceptual Decision Making, Brain Stimulation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40311845/
• Dr. Denyer's tVNS + TMS corticospinal excitability study (recently published) https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/jn.00008.2026

Connect & Learn More

• Host: Dr. Michael Passmore, University of British Columbia, Department of Psychiatry
• Guest: Dr. Ronan Denyer, Coactions Lab, Brussels (formerly UBC, Lara Boyd Lab)

Show Notes — Neurostimulation Podcast Episode: Who Heals the Healer? Burnout, Shame & the Psychology of High Achievement

Guest: Dr. Stacey Elliott, DO

In this deeply insightful episode, Dr. Michael Passmore sits down with Dr. Stacey Elliott — board-certified psychiatrist, addiction medicine physician, and founder of CNY Integrative Psychiatry — to explore the hidden psychology behind burnout, high achievement, and the often-overlooked emotional lives of high-functioning professionals.

What we cover:

• Why burnout is best understood as a loss of connection with the self, not a personal failure
• How early attachment patterns and subtle childhood adaptations can drive overachievement in adult life
• The surprising overlap between addiction and workaholism — and why both are attempts to manage the same core wound
• The concept of therapeutic prescribing: why the relationship around medication matters as much as the medication itself
• The nocebo effect in psychiatry and what "difficult" patients are often really communicating
• Shame vs. guilt: how shame accumulates in high performers and what it takes to heal it
• The importance of peer consultation, supervision, and Balint groups for clinicians and caregivers
• What it actually means to be authentically well — not just high-functioning

Guest resources:

• Dr. Stacey Elliott's website: www.cnyintegrativepsych.com
• Peer consultation services for clinicians: https://www.cnyintegrativepsych.com/peer-consultation

Key concepts mentioned:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Balint groups
• Vicarious stress and compassion fatigue
• Ikigai (the four quadrants of meaningful work)
• Nocebo effect in psychiatric medication

Non-Invasive Deep Brain Stimulation: The Promise of Transcranial Focused Ultrasound with Dr. Samuel Pichardo

In this episode, Dr. Michael Passmore sits down with Dr. Samuel Pichardo, biomedical engineer and researcher at the University of Calgary and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, to explore one of the most exciting frontiers in neuromodulation: transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (TUS/tFUS).

Dr. Pichardo's lab is at the cutting edge of ultrasound neuromodulation — investigating how low-intensity pulsed ultrasound can precisely target deep brain structures non-invasively, with lasting effects on neural activity.

What We Cover:

• What is transcranial focused ultrasound (TUS)? How it differs from TMS and tDCS, and why its ability to penetrate to deep brain structures makes it uniquely powerful
• The physics of neuromodulation: How pulsed ultrasound bursts at low frequencies (e.g., ~250 kHz) can produce neuromodulatory effects lasting 30–60 minutes after a single session — and why the underlying mechanism is still an active area of research
• Pulse repetition frequency (PRF): Key findings from Dr. Pichardo's lab comparing 10 Hz, 100 Hz, and 1000 Hz PRF — and why 100 Hz produced the strongest and most sustained inhibitory effect
• The skull barrier: Why lower ultrasound frequencies are used to overcome skull attenuation, and the challenges this creates for precision targeting
• Pilot clinical study — essential tremor and Parkinson's disease: Targeting the ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus non-invasively, and what the results showed: significant tremor reduction in essential tremor patients, and a promising but less robust trend in Parkinson's patients
• The multi-focus targeting strategy: How Dr. Pichardo's team addressed the precision-vs.-accuracy tradeoff using phased array transducers to enlarge the treatment envelope
• BabelBrain: The open-source, cross-platform (Mac, Windows, Linux) software tool developed by Dr. Pichardo's lab that integrates MRI/CT imaging data to model acoustic intensity, thermal effects, and safety parameters — a turnkey solution for TUS researchers worldwide
• The future of the field: Which neuropsychiatric conditions are most likely to benefit first — including refractory depression, OCD, PTSD, and addiction — and why Dr. Pichardo believes depression may become the "poster child" indication for TUS in the next few years
• Nomenclature: Why the field still hasn't settled on a consistent acronym (TUS, tFUS, LIFU, FUS) — and why that's okay

Key Takeaways:

• Focused ultrasound can reach deep brain targets non-invasively with millimeter precision — something no other non-invasive technology can currently match
• The neuromodulatory effects are real, reproducible, and growing in clinical promise, but replication studies and sham-controlled trials are still essential
• BabelBrain is freely available as an open-source tool for research labs worldwide
• The field is at an inflection point, with rapid growth in FDA applications and commercial investment

Links & Resources:

• Dr. Pichardo's lab at the University of Calgary / Hotchkiss Brain Institute https://www.neurofus.ca/
• BabelBrain (open-source TUS planning software) https://proteusmrighifu.github.io/BabelBrain/
• Pulse repetition frequency study (PRF paper from the Pichardo lab) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38621645/
• VIM thalamic TUS pilot study (essential tremor & Parkinson's) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8109299/
• Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation Symposium, Paris (July) https://www.itrusst.com/fun26

The Neurostimulation Podcast is hosted by Dr. Michael Passmore, clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia. The content shared is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding your specific health needs.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, and share with anyone who might find it valuable. Drop your questions and comments below — and tune in next time for another journey into the cutting edge of neuroscience and clinical neurostimulation.

Episode Summary

In this episode, Dr. Michael Passmore is joined by two guests who bring both clinical expertise and lived experience to the topic of nervous system dysregulation. Together, they explore why anxiety is far more body-based than most people realize, and how a lesser-known technology called Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) may offer real relief for anxiety, insomnia, trauma, and chronic pain.

Guests

Tauna Young, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and founder of NeuroVana Calm — a company focused on expanding access to CES therapy. Tauna has years of clinical experience helping patients struggling with anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, and nervous system dysregulation.

Cara Maxfield, entrepreneur and content creator who speaks openly about navigating trauma recovery, anxiety, panic attacks, chronic pain, and the real-world challenges of managing mental health while parenting and running a business.

Topics Covered

What nervous system dysregulation actually is and how it shows up in the body

Why anxiety is a physical, physiological experience — not a character flaw or weakness

The fight-or-flight response: when a protective mechanism becomes miscalibrated

The connection between trauma, body memory, and emotional triggers

What Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) is and how it works

How CES stimulates the thalamus and vagus nerve to induce a calm brain state

Research comparing CES to experienced meditators' brainwave states CES

FDA clearance (since 1979) and its safety profile vs. medications

Clinical applications: anxiety, insomnia, PTSD, chronic pain, fibromyalgia

Why CES remains largely unknown in mainstream medicine

How to use CES: loading phase, daily use, and situational use

Combining CES with CBT, psychotherapy, exposure therapy, and medication

Cara's first-hand account of using CES during a panic attack

Practical tips for regulating your nervous system

Key Takeaways

Anxiety is a nervous system state, not a personal weakness

The body and brain are deeply interconnected — what affects one affects the other

CES is portable, discreet, safe, and can be used anywhere — even the dentist

CES has a 67% success rate (≥50% improvement) vs. ~45–55% for SSRIs, with far fewer side effects

Tools like CES work best as part of a broader toolkit alongside therapy and lifestyle strategies

Everyone has trauma to some extent — normalizing that conversation is key to healing

Resources & Links

🌐 NeuroVana Calm: NeuroVanaCalm.com

📖 Free eBook from Tauna Young: A deeper dive into the science of CES — available at NeuroVanaCalm.com

📚 The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (referenced in episode) https://a.co/d/0bkbVqsp

Connect & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone who might benefit, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss an episode. Drop your questions and topic ideas in the comments — your feedback shapes future episodes.

The Neurostimulation Podcast is an independent educational project by Dr. Michael Passmore. All content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Guest: Dr. Ayla Wolf

Duration: ~48 minutes

Dr. Ayla Wolf shares her personal journey from sustaining multiple concussions to becoming a leading expert in concussion recovery. She challenges the outdated "rest in a dark room" advice and explains why persistent post-concussion syndrome requires an individualized, integrative approach combining neuroscience, functional neurology, and holistic therapies.

0:10 - Introduction

Welcome and episode overview

1:00 - Guest Introduction

Meet Dr. Ayla Wolf - clinician, researcher, and author

2:51 - Dr. Wolf's Personal Story

How multiple concussions changed her career path

7:31 - The Turning Point

Making the radical decision to return to school and study brain injuries

8:41 - What Happens After a Concussion

Understanding the brain's metabolic crisis and energy deficit

19:32 - Understanding Functional Neurology

How this approach differs from traditional assessments

25:23 - Acupuncture and Cerebral Blood Flow

The role of holistic therapies in concussion recovery

28:34 - Why Rest Isn't Always Best

Debunking the "dark room" myth and understanding gradual return to activity

31:56 - Dysautonomia Explained

The autonomic nervous system and its role in persistent symptoms

43:35 - The Concussion Breakthrough Book

A comprehensive guide for those feeling stuck in recovery

47:14 - Closing Thoughts & Resources

How to learn more and connect with Dr. Wolf

1. Most concussions heal within weeks, but 30% of people develop persistent symptoms
2. Prolonged rest beyond 48-72 hours can create maladaptive neuroplasticity
3. Functional neurology provides individualized treatment based on comprehensive testing
4. Dysautonomia (autonomic nervous system dysfunction) is common after concussion
5. Recovery requires integrative approaches addressing multiple brain systems simultaneously
6. Acupuncture can improve cerebral blood flow through the trigeminovascular system

Dr. Wolf's website:

https://www.lifeafterimpact.com/

Book: The Concussion Breakthrough: Discover The Missing Pieces to Recovery

https://a.co/d/0bCKi38b

Podcast: Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-after-impact-the-concussion-recovery-podcast/id1790456849

Organization: Healing Response Acupuncture and Functional Neurology

https://www.healingresponseneuro.com/

Dr. Ayla Wolf is an associate professor at the Carrick Institute and founder of Healing Response Acupuncture and Functional Neurology. With over 20 years of experience working with complex neurological cases, she specializes in traumatic brain injury, chronic migraine, dysautonomia, and vestibular disorders. Her work combines neuroscience, functional neurology, and holistic therapies to help patients with persistent post-concussion syndrome.

Episode #43: Rewiring the Dyslexic Brain: How Neuroplasticity Can Transform Reading Struggles with Dr. Rebecca Troy

Guest: Dr. Rebecca Troy, EdD

Educational neuroscientist, dyslexia expert, and national board certified teacher

Episode Summary:

Dyslexia affects millions of children and adults worldwide, but modern neuroscience reveals something hopeful: the brain is remarkably plastic and capable of reorganizing itself when given the right training. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Troy shares over 20 years of expertise helping struggling readers through neuroplasticity-based interventions.

Timestamp Highlights:

1. 0:10
2. Introduction to the episode
3. 2:16
4. Dr. Troy's personal story and background
5. 2:30
6. Family history with dyslexia
7. 4:01
8. Overview of Dr. Troy's program for parents
9. 4:19
10. Redefining dyslexia: Not a permanent deficit
11. 7:03
12. The power of daily 10-15 minute practice at home
13. 8:15
14. Shortcomings in traditional reading instruction
15. 12:42
16. Early warning signs for parents (ages 3-5)
17. 15:08
18. How neuroplasticity rewires the dyslexic brain
19. 17:35
20. The emotional impact of reading struggles
21. 23:55
22. Next steps for concerned parents
23. 25:42
24. Understanding phonemic awareness
25. 34:39
26. Final message of hope for struggling readers

Key Topics Discussed:

1. What dyslexia really is: an underdevelopment in brain connectivity, not a permanent deficit
2. How neuroplasticity research shows the brain can rewire itself to read like typical readers
3. Early warning signs parents should watch for (ages 3-5)
4. Why phonemic awareness is the foundation for reading success
5. The critical importance of early identification and intervention
6. How daily 10-15 minute structured practice at home can transform outcomes
7. The emotional impact of unrecognized reading struggles
8. Dyslexia's common overlap with ADHD (40% of cases) and other conditions
9. Hidden strengths in dyslexic brains: spatial reasoning, creativity, and entrepreneurship
10. Why the traditional education system needs to shift its approach

Key Takeaways:

1. Dyslexia is not permanent
2. Brain imaging studies show that with targeted training, struggling readers can develop the same neural pathways as typical readers
3. Parent-led intervention works
4. Daily practice at home is more effective than weekly clinical sessions due to increased repetition and lower stress
5. Early intervention is critical
6. Screening at ages 3-5 can prevent years of academic struggle and emotional trauma
7. The crawl-walk-run approach
8. Executive function and phonemic awareness must be developed before phonics-based reading instruction

Resources Mentioned:

1. Dr. Troy's dyslexia discovery workshops (monthly screenings)
2. PTO Reconnect Therapy program
3. Visualize - New company using playcraft to develop spatial reasoning and creativity strengths in dyslexic children (launching at South by Southwest)
4. Book mentioned: "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons"

Guest Bio:

Dr. Rebecca Troy is an educational neuroscientist with a doctorate in education and a neuroscience research focus on reading disabilities. As a national board certified teacher in early and middle literacy, she's spent over 20 years developing practical, neuroplasticity-based interventions that help struggling readers. Her work has been featured in Psychology Today, Women's Journal, and Voyage New York. Dr. Troy is passionate about equipping parents with tools to support children with learning differences and is currently involved in launching Visualize, a company focused on developing dyslexic strengths through play.

Connect with Dr. Rebecca Troy:

https://www.drrebeccatroy.com

About This Podcast:

The Neurostimulation Podcast explores the science of the brain, innovative treatments, and practical tools to help people unlock their cognitive and emotional potential. Hosted by Dr. Michael Passmore, psychiatrist and clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia.

In this fascinating episode, Dr. José Ángel Moreno Cabezuelo—molecular biologist, genetic engineering lead at CyanoCapture, and author of "Heartbeats of Consciousness"—shares his unique journey from studying cyanobacteria to exploring the intersection of neuroscience, ancient philosophy, and human consciousness. This conversation bridges hardcore science with timeless wisdom, offering practical insights for living with greater presence, purpose, and meaning.

[00:00 - 10:04] Opening & Pre-show conversation (can be trimmed)

[10:04 - 01:41] Introduction to the Neurostimulation Podcast

1. Welcome and podcast mission
2. Information about educational purposes and medical disclaimer

[01:51 - 03:25] Introducing Dr. José Moreno

1. Background in molecular biology and genetic engineering at CyanoCapture, Oxford
2. Published work in Plant Physiology, Microbiology Spectrum, Current Opinion in Microbiology
3. Introduction to his book "Heartbeats of Consciousness"

[03:25 - 08:11] Dr. Moreno's Scientific Journey

1. Working with cyanobacteria since 2016
2. The surprising fact: half of Earth's oxygen comes from ocean organisms, not forests
3. Moving from Spain to the UK to develop genetic engineering toolbox
4. Current work producing insulin and other compounds in cyanobacteria

[08:11 - 13:27] The Birth of "Heartbeats of Consciousness"

1. The gap between knowing how life works and knowing how to live well
2. Why current books force a choice between rigorous science and engaging storytelling
3. Creating a hybrid: fiction with scientific rigor
4. The heartbeat exercise: feeling the invisible protagonist of life

[13:27 - 16:31] The Characters: Fania and Paula

1. Fania's story: trauma, resilience, and becoming "antifragile"
2. Paula's journey: scientific curiosity meets emotional anxiety
3. The hourglass metaphor for living in the present moment

[16:31 - 22:38] Three Transformative Scientific Ideas

1. We Are Literally Light: Biophotons and brain illumination at death (University of Calgary research)
2. Distributed Intelligence: The "second brain" in our gut (500 million neurons, 80-90% of body's serotonin), the heart's 40,000 neurons
3. Neuroplasticity: The brain's ability to change at any age

[22:38 - 26:17] Pleasure vs. Happiness

1. Why having more comfort hasn't reduced anxiety and depression
2. Dopamine (pleasure) vs. serotonin (happiness)
3. Ancient wisdom meets modern neuroscience
4. The firefly metaphor: we are meant to shine and connect

[26:17 - 31:30] The Book's Personal Journey

1. Processing the loss of his father through writing
2. The ten promises (decalogue)
3. Being "unbreakable": protecting inner peace from external circumstances

[31:30 - 40:30] Connecting Ancient Wisdom with Modern Neuroscience

1. Buddhist teachings on suffering and desire (2,500 years old)
2. Stoicism and controlling our responses
3. Taoist Wu-Wei: flowing with life
4. How neuroscience is confirming ancient philosophical insights
5. Discussion of psychedelic-assisted therapy and Ram Dass

[40:30 - 43:30] Practical Applications

1. Using metaphors to make science accessible
2. The importance of cold exposure and hormetic stress
3. The problem with endless phone scrolling and dopamine dysregulation
4. Benefits of handwriting vs. typing for brain connectivity

[43:30 - 47:40] Love, Clarity, and Connection

1. Why "love" is taboo in academic/clinical settings
2. Love as the unifying force in science and life
3. Clarity as an act of love
4. Everything is connected: from cyanobacteria to consciousness

[47:40 - 49:11] Closing Thoughts & Resources

1. Final reflections on the conversation
2. Where to find Dr. Moreno's work and book
3. Encouragement to check out "Heartbeats of Consciousness"

1. Science and ancient wisdom are converging on the same truths about human wellbeing
2. We are literally beings of light (biophotons) with distributed intelligence throughout our bodies
3. Neuroplasticity means we can change at any age—we're not condemned to be who we've been
4. Happiness comes from giving and purpose, not from pleasure and consumption
5. The present moment (the sand falling through the hourglass) is where our attention belongs

Book: "Heartbeats of Consciousness: A Bridge Between Science, Mind, and Soul"

https://www.amazon.ca/Heartbeats-Consciousness-Between-Science-Understanding/dp/1919385908

Website: drjoseangelmoreno.com

Connect: Links to Dr. Moreno's social media and content in episode description

The Neurostimulation Podcast explores the fascinating world of neuroscience, clinical neurostimulation, and evidence-based interventional mental health. Hosted by Dr. Michael Passmore.