Body of Wonder

Latest Episodes:

Episode #19 The Gut-Brain Axis - How Your Brain and Body Communicate with John Cryan, PhD May 25, 2021

Show notes

At some point in your life, you’ve likely been told to “trust your gut” when making a decision or experienced a “gut reaction” to external stimuli. Medical research indicates that these gut idioms might just be right about the role of the gut! It turns out that the gut microbiome communicates with the brain and can potentially influence our behavior. Researchers have named this link the gut-brain axis and it provides a robust communication network between the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system. At its core is the enteric nervous system which has more than 5 times the number of neurons in our brains and trillions of microorganisms. This system has been dubbed the “second brain” or the “gut-brain” for its influence on our overall physical and mental health.

Our guest today is neuroscientist John Cryan, PhD. Professor Cryan investigates how the gut microbiome affects the mammalian brain. He is Chair of the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience and Principal Investigator in the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Center at University College of Cork (Ireland). Dr. Cryan’s research has demonstrated the bi-directional relationship between our gut and emotional and mental wellbeing.

In this episode Dr. Weil, Dr. Maizes, and Professor Cryan discuss the role the vagus nerve plays in regulating homeostasis, how chemicals released in the gut send signals to the brain, how maternal bacteria influence our early development, the link between sleep and gut health, and how diet can influence this complex system.

Episode #18 A Kingdom of Their Own - How Fungi Shape Our World with Merlin Sheldrake Apr 27, 2021

Show notes

Fungi have shaped our world for billions of years and are present in us, on us, and in nearly every environment. They are one of the oldest lifeforms found on earth and throughout time formed landscapes and helped to give rise to the plant and animal kingdoms. These organisms forge mutually beneficial life-sustaining partnerships with us and can teach us a great deal about whole systems thinking.

Our guest is Merlin Sheldrake, biologist and best-selling author of Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures.

Merlin has spent his career investigating the role fungi play in supporting life on our planet, including the relationships between humans and fungi. Merlin posits, “All plants depend on fungi to survive, which means that all the food we eat, and the health of the soil in which it grows, depends on fungal activity. Fungal medicines and foods have played pivotal roles in human health for an unknowably long time, and have been responsible for some of the most dramatic breakthroughs in modern medicine.”

In this episode, Dr. Weil, Dr. Maizes, and Sheldrake discuss how the symbiotic nature of fungi challenges our perception of self. Dr. Maizes discusses their use in mental health and asks why mushrooms are popular in some cultures and avoided in others. Dr. Weil describes the medicinal and culinary use of fungi. Sheldrake discusses significant fungal properties and shares the many benefits they bring to humankind.

Episode #17 The Low-FODMAPs Diet with Dr. Peter Gibson Apr 20, 2021

Show notes

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders, affecting more than 10% of the population. Symptoms include chronic constipation, diarrhea, or acute abdominal pain a short time after eating. The unpredictable and disruptive nature of these symptoms along with their emotional toll can lead to heightened levels of stress, which in turn, may worsen symptoms.

Our guest on this episode is Dr. Peter Gibson, Professor and Director of Gastroenterology at The Alfred and Monash University in Australia. Prof. Gibson’s clinical research has revealed a surprising link between certain carbohydrates and gut dysfunction. On the episode, he explains how FODMAPs (which stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) slowly digest in the gut releasing gas and drawing in excess water thereby interfering with normal GI function. Together with his research team at Monash University, Dr. Gibson has developed the Low-FODMAP Diet which temporarily eliminates certain foods thus preventing fermentation and providing relief to sensitive colons.

Drs. Weil, Maizes, and Gibson discuss the ins and outs and complexities of following a low FODMAP diet and the value of this useful tool for relieving the symptoms of IBS as well as other GI disorders.

Episode #16 Experiencing Grief, Loss, and Radical Uncertainty with Roshi Joan Halifax Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

For many months, grief has been at the forefront of our collective global consciousness. We have been pushed to confront a world of uncertainty from the tragic loss of millions of lives, to the loss of social relationships and identity, to the sudden disruption of daily structure. The events of the last year have certainly been a lesson in impermanence.

Our guest on this episode is Roshi Joan Halifax, a Buddhist teacher, Zen priest, medical anthropologist, and author of Being with Dying. She is the founder, Abbott, and headteacher of Upaya Zen Center, a Buddhist monastery located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Roshi Joan contributed to many pioneering practices in end-of-life care and continues to teach compassionate care of the dying.

Roshi Joan offers perspective on how loss shapes us and why dying is a rite of passage. Dr. Maizes asks Roshi Joan what Buddhist philosophy can teach us about acceptance and what practices or experiences might help us recover from this period of grief while we prepare for a new way of being post-pandemic. We discuss the unprecedented healthcare crisis and the practitioners at the front lines. Dr. Weil reflects on past historical events and how suffering is inherently a part of life and why grieving matters. Roshi Joan explains why cultivating compassion in times of pain can be of tremendous service to all.

Episode #15 The Power of Breath with James Nestor Feb 25, 2021

Show notes

Breathing is an essential function of the body influencing nearly every organ and metabolic process. We average 20,000 breaths per day, often without much thought.
Breathwork, or the action of controlled breathing, is a powerful and simple technique that can be used to alter physical and mental states. Studies show that it can regulate the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and even reduce stress.
As vital as breathing is to our health, as a species, we are losing the ability to breathe properly. Human beings evolved to breathe through the nose, which warms and moistens the air and traps particles and pathogens. Every inhale provides our brain with a chemical analysis of our surroundings and engages our nervous system.

Over the last century, humans have developed airway restrictions at an alarming rate, many of which have been linked to ailments, like hypertension, that extend beyond just the respiratory system. The good news is that poor breathing is reversible.
Our guest on this episode is science journalist, James Nestor, author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art. Nestor has spent a decade learning from breathing experts, including scientists, doctors, and yogis, and investigating our understanding of breath throughout the centuries.
Nestor joins Dr. Andrew Weil & Dr. Victoria Maizes to share his insights, including:
· How humans become poor breathers
· Physical abnormalities that rise from mouth breathing
· Changing how you inhale and exhale can drastically improve your health
We learn about the physiological influence of breath and speculate on why breathwork has been widely underutilized by modern medicine.
We invite you to take a deep breath and join us for this fascinating look at breathing.
If you’d like to practice the 4-7-8 breath after the episode, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRPh_GaiL8s .

Episode #14 Medical Cannabis with Dr. Ethan Russo Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

Cannabis research has caught the attention of medical providers and patients for its many potential health benefits.

For decades cannabis has been categorized as a Schedule 1 drug, which is defined as a drug with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. And while 33 states have approved its medical use, it continues to be federally prohibited.

Cannabis contains more than 100 active compounds that react with cannabinoid receptors in our nervous systems.

In spite of prohibitive policies, medical researchers around the world have managed to conduct studies. Research reveals a growing body of evidence of the therapeutic potentials. From tempering chronic pain to reducing anxiety, cannabis holds potential for use.

Today we speak with, Dr. Ethan Russo, a neurologist and psychopharmacology researcher. Dr. Russo has spent decades researching exactly how cannabis impacts the human body covering well-known compounds such as THC or CDB, as well as other powerful compounds, like CBG and CBA.

Dr. Weil discusses the complicated history of cannabis in U.S culture and suggests explanations for why it has not widely been accepted as medicine. Dr. Russo addresses the concern over long term cognition problems. Dr. Maizes raises the important question, is it possible to achieve the health benefits of cannabis and not experience the psychoactive effects or “high”. With legal access to cannabis on the rise, we discuss the future medical applications of this substance.

Episode #13 Thinking Small and Big - Microencapsulation with Robert Langer Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

Dr. Robert “Bob” Langer joins us to discuss his work microencapsulating probiotics, micronutrients, and even human cells. Microencapsulating is the scientific process which creates a protective barrier around a cell and has been a lifesaving technology for a variety of conditions. Researchers are just on the cusp of nano-encapsulating technology. Dr. Langer, a chemical engineer and Institute Professor at MIT, has been called “the Edison of Medicine” by Times for his breakthrough innovations. He has over 1,350 patents and it’s estimated that over 2 billion people worldwide have been impacted by his innovations. From an early career as a chemical engineer working in Boston Children’s Hospital, where he developed the world’s first angiogenesis inhibitor (a medicine that prevents cancer growth by starving tumor blood vessels) to his present-day work developing a novel mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Langer’s career has been full of innovation. Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Langer discuss how cross-discipline collaboration in the sciences and diversity play an important role in innovation. Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Langer discuss how microencapsulating probiotics will improve gut health and how microencapsulating nutrients could yield better long-term health outcomes in populations lacking nutrient dense foods. We also discuss tissue regeneration, the process of growing new skin, which is already being applied to treat burn survivors. Dr. Langer’s scientific contributions are testament to what’s possible when you think outside the status quo and nurture imagination.

Episode #12 Adaptogens for Stress Resiliency and Immunity with Dr. Lise Alschuler Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

Adaptogens are a unique group of plants and mushrooms that helps to normalize the functions of the body. They are favorites among many herbalists, naturopaths, and integrative medicine practitioners as they’ve been clinically proven to help the body to cope with acute and long-term stress, boost immunity, and increase energy. Highly regarded in traditional medicine they have been used for thousands of years in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

Our guest today is Dr. Lise Alschuler, a naturopathic doctor with board certification in naturopathic oncology. Lise is the Associate Director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Arizona School of Medicine. She has co-authored two books, Definitive Guide to Cancer and Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer.

Lise describes how adaptogens are natural regulators that can “balance” the body and bring it back to homeostasis. She describes the mechanism of action by which they work and which symptoms may benefit from adaptogens. Dr. Andrew Weil discusses how adaptogenic herbs, like ginseng, were first introduced to Western culture. Lise, Andy, and Victoria discuss why they use adaptogens in their daily routine and share their favorites.

On this episode, we discuss; astragalus, ginseng, rhodiola, schisandra, reishi, ashwagandha, and holy basil (tulsi).

Always consult your primary care provider before adding adaptogens or supplements to your diet or routine.

Episode #11 Psychedelic-Assisted Trauma Therapy - A New Frontier in Mental Health with Rick Doblin Oct 22, 2020

Show notes

Psychedelics are a family of psychoactive substances that induce a non-ordinary state of consciousness and altered sensory perception. Many individuals who have experienced psychedelics report transformative experiences, including a profound sensation of ego dissolution and deep spiritual awakening.

While psychedelics have a long and interesting history of human consumption, they were banned by the FDA in the 1970s, and to this day they hold the most restrictive classification as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. However, careful research by a dedicated group of scientists reveals that MDMA may prove to be a breakthrough treatment for difficult cases of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and emotional trauma.

In this episode Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes welcome Rick Doblin, Ph.D, the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Rick received his doctorate in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and studied with psychedelics pioneer, Dr. Stanislav Grof. The MAPS organization is currently carrying out Phase III clinical research trials to assess the effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in patients with PTSD and other forms of severe trauma.

Rick distinguishes MDMA from other classic psychedelics, describes how MDMA is being used in psychoanalysis, shares why he believes this will be a meaningful catalyst for the exploration of consciousness, and explains why micro-dosing may not achieve therapeutic results. Dr. Weil explains the importance of set and setting in psychedelics use, and Dr. Maizes asks what next for this promising field of research.

Episode #10 Forest Bathing - Combating Modern Society's Nature Deficit with Suzanne Hackenmiller Sep 24, 2020

Show notes

In an accelerated world, with constant connectivity, it’s more important than ever to balance our technology dependence with time in nature. For the first time in human history, we spend the greater portion of our lives indoors. And, not surprisingly, feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression are on the rise.

Forest Bathing or Shinrin Yoku is a gentle technique which Japanese researchers have studied for nearly 40 years. It seeks to understand the connection between mental health and time in nature.

Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Andrew Weil welcome Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, OB-GYN, medical director for the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and author of Outdoor Adventure’s Guide to Forest Bathing.

Suzanne guides us through the experience of forest bathing and explains how spending time in nature influences hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate variability. She suggests ways to bring awareness and experience senses like smell, sound, and light. And no, you do not have to remove any clothing to forest bath. She also provides tips for listeners who live in urban areas or deserts.

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