Episode 52: Is IBS a Misdiagnosis? Harvard-Trained GI Expert Reveals the Truth | Dr. Mohamed Farivar
Dr. Mohamed Farivar, a Harvard-trained gastroenterologist with nearly 50 years of experience, reveals that true Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is extremely rare, with most cases being misdiagnosed digestive issues that have specific, treatable causes. • True, IBS affects only about 5% of those diagnosed, while the remaining 95% have identifiable, treatable conditions • Over 40 different conditions can cause IBS-like symptoms, including food intolerances, enzyme deficiencies, and bile salt malabsorption • Doctors often lack knowledge about proper diagnosis, and the medical system doesn't incentivize physicians to spend time investigating root causes • FODMAP-rich foods (including many "healthy" vegetables and fruits) can cause digestive discomfort, but shouldn't be completely eliminated • Bile salt malabsorption is a particularly serious yet commonly missed diagnosis, causing urgent bowel movements and occasional incontinence • Probiotics are generally unnecessary as we already have trillions of beneficial bacteria in our gut - yogurt and kefir provide better natural alternatives • Many patients suffer unnecessarily for years before discovering simple solutions through proper diagnosis For more information, visit Dr. Farivar's website at gerd-ibs.com or his new site isitibsoryourdiet.com, where his book will be available for free.
Episode 51: Your Nighttime Breathing Pattern Could Be Silently Killing You with Dr. Dylan Petkus
Dr. Dylan Petkus shares his revolutionary approach to overcoming sleep apnea naturally through breathing pattern correction, myofunctional exercises, and lifestyle changes. He explains how his personal struggle with sleep apnea led him to develop a science-backed method that addresses the root causes rather than relying on CPAP machines or surgery. • Sleep apnea affects approximately 10% of the population and can reduce lifespan by 10-25 years • Contrary to common belief, sleep apnea affects many people who aren't overweight • Only 30% of people prescribed CPAP machines continue using them long-term • Sleep apnea often begins with hyperventilation, which creates negative pressure that collapses the airway • Simple breathing exercises focusing on slow exhalation can significantly improve sleep quality • The "relaxed pause" breath-holding test can help identify and track improvement in sleep apnea • Myofunctional exercises (tongue and oral muscle training) comprise about 20% of the solution • Improving mitochondrial health through nutrition and lifestyle accounts for the remaining 40% • Mouth taping addresses a symptom rather than the root cause of breathing dysfunction • Free resources for sleep apnea sufferers are available at apneareset.com Check out Dr. Petkus' website at www.apneareset.com for free resources, breathing exercises, and information about his coaching programs.
Episode 50: Your Body Holds the Key to Healing Emotional Trauma with Dr. I-Chia Sun
Dr. I-Chia Sun's journey from stressed Western doctor to integrated healer reveals profound truths about our bodies, medicine, and healing. Raised by Chinese immigrant parents who steered her away from her original interest in Chinese medicine, Dr. Sun followed the expected path through Western medical training only to emerge feeling disconnected and limited in her ability to truly help patients. The revelation came after a mountain biking accident left her with an injury that conventional physiotherapy couldn't fix. One acupuncture session that incorporated emotional release immediately improved her hand function—illuminating what was missing from her medical practice. This moment rekindled her forgotten childhood desire to study Chinese medicine and set her on a path of integration that would transform her understanding of healing. Through her study of acupuncture with Dr. Steven Aung, Dr. Sun began experiencing the energetic dimensions of healing that Western medicine overlooks. She describes how conventional medicine often masks symptoms without addressing root causes, particularly when those causes involve emotional components. The limited time doctors have with patients (often just 10 minutes) forces them to compartmentalize complex issues that are actually interconnected. The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Dr. Sun shares her discovery of fascial maneuvers—a practice that works with the body's connective tissues to release not just physical restrictions but stored emotions and trauma. She explains how our fascia holds the physical manifestation of repressed experiences, and how working through these layers can trigger profound emotional releases, memories, and healing. What makes this approach revolutionary is its emphasis on self-healing. Rather than patients being passive recipients of treatment, they learn techniques to initiate their own healing process. This empowerment represents a fundamental shift in how we approach health—one that honors the body's intelligence and our innate capacity for healing when given the right support. Please remember, if you want my direct help, send me an email, via the contact us page, and we will see if we can help you make your lifestyle your medicine. Follow Dr. Sun Instagram
Episode 49: Dr. Susan Russell on the Psychedelic Revolution in Mental Health – Magic Mushrooms
Merging ancient practices with modern science, Dr. Susan Russell explores the benefits of psilocybin as a therapeutic aid for mental health disorders, focusing on its potential impact on conditions like depression and body dysmorphic disorder. The episode discusses the intricacies of psilocybin therapy, including its history, current research, efficacy, and the importance of psychotherapy in achieving successful treatment outcomes.
  • Exploring psilocybin's historical context and cultural significance 
  • Understanding the neuroscience behind psilocybin and its impacts on brain connectivity 
  • Personal journey of Dr. Russell into psilocybin research 
  • Investigating psilocybin's role in body dysmorphic disorder treatment 
  • Caution regarding efficacy and variability of treatment outcomes 
  • The necessity of therapy as a component of psilocybin experiences 
  • Current regulatory challenges in psilocybin therapy implementation 
  • Future research directions and emerging trends in psychedelic therapy
Dr. Susan Rossell is a clinical neuropsychologist and cognitive neuroscientist, recognized internationally for her pioneering research in mental health and neurocognitive disorders. Originally from the UK she is now based in Australia and serves as a Professorial Research Fellow at Swinburne University of Technology and was the inaugural Director of its Centre for Mental Health. Her expertise spans schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and anxiety, focusing on both neuroimaging and cognitive mechanisms. Over her career, she has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and her research has helped bridge the gap between neuroscience and mental health treatment.  If you have enjoyed listening to and learning from this podcast, please leave a comment, and also you can leave a suggestion for a future podcast guest that you would like us to feature. If you are on Apple, you can leave us a comment, a five-star review, if you can pretty. Please remember, if you want my direct help, send me an email, ed at edpadget.com, or visit my website, edpadgett.com, where you can learn a little bit more about how I can help you make your lifestyle your medicine. Follow Dr. Rossell Twitter LinkedIn Swinburne University profile