I had the honor of connecting with Dr. Ellen Vora today. She is a board-certified psychiatrist, acupuncturist, and yoga teacher. She is also the author of the best-selling book The Anatomy of Anxiety, which is one of my go-to resources on mental health. 

Dr. Vora takes a functional medicine approach to mental health, considering the whole person and addressing the imbalance at the root. 

In this episode, Dr. Vora and I dive into some ongoing real-world issues from the perspective of a mental health provider. We talk about some of the limits of traditional modalities, the impact of the pandemic, and the ensuing collective trauma. We discuss the root causes of substance abuse, promiscuity, alcohol, the avoidance of uncomfortable feelings, and resiliency. We discuss the physiology of the brain and gut and how they pertain to food addictions. We speak about gender differences with an emphasis on the impact of synthetic oral contraceptives on inflammation, micronutrient depletion, changes in the gut microbiome, and libido. We also talk about changes that occur in the body during perimenopause and menopause. 

I loved having this discussion with Dr. Vora! You can follow her on social media and check out her book, The Anatomy of Anxiety! 

Stay tuned for more!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

Connect with Cynthia Thurlow

Connect with Dr. Ellen Vora

Get Dr. Vora’s book, The Anatomy of Anxiety

Books mentioned:

Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive by Marc Brackett

Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown