Mast Cell Matters: Deep dives on MCAS with Tania Dempsey, MD - Presented by The POTScast

Latest Episodes:

Campaign against synthetic fragrances with Attorney Scott Cole Sep 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, we explore the legal and civil rights issues surrounding chemical and fragrance intolerance, including what happens when people are unable to safely access hotels, businesses, and other public spaces that use synthetic fragrances in their air systems and cleaning (or other) products.

Our guest is Scott Cole, founder of Cole & Van Note, a law firm with more than 30 years of experience in civil rights, consumer, and class action litigation. Scott and his firm are leading a legal effort challenging the widespread practice of pumping synthetic fragrance into public buildings—an issue that can make these spaces difficult or impossible to access for people with chemical or fragrance sensitivities, including many patients living with conditions such as POTS and MCAS.

In this conversation, Scott explains his firm’s current investigation and litigation against major hotel chains and other businesses using synthetic fragrances, why fragrance accessibility may be a civil rights issue, and what patients and advocates need to know as this area of law develops.

Dr. Tania Dempsey shares how synthetic fragrances can be toxic even to those who don't feel symptoms from them, and how MCAS flares initiated by fragrance exposures may last for weeks or months. She also shares statistics showing that fragrance intolerance is not rare.

Anyone interested in participating in the law firm's campaign against fragrances can learn more or submit their information here.

Attorney Scott Cole's book, Fallout, can be found here.

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Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Lyme disease Q&A with Dr. Tania Dempsey Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Dr. Dempsey answers listener questions about Lyme disease, sharing why it can be complex, her treatment approach at different stages, how she starts treatment on highly reactive MCAS patients, thoughts on the new Lyme vaccine, SOT therapy and more. Dr. Dempsey's episode discussing SOT therapy in more depth can be found here.

Dr. Dempsey's website is https://drtaniadempsey.com/

If you have questions for Dr. Dempsey about mast cells and related topics, you can send them to research@standinguptopots.org.

Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!

Endometriosis with Dr. Tania Dempsey Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

Is endometriosis related to mast cells and MCAS in some people? Dr. Dempsey explains why she suspects a link, how fertility, insulin resistance and pelvic congestion syndrome may also be involved, the mast cell targeted treatments she has seen help, and much more. Dr. Dempsey's article that is mentioned: Successful mast-cell-targeted treatment of chronic dyspareunia, vaginitis, and dysfunctional uterine bleeding

Dr. Dempsey's website is https://drtaniadempsey.com/

If you have questions for Dr. Dempsey about mast cells and related topics, you can send them to research@standinguptopots.org.

Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!

GLP-1s in MCAS with Dr. Tania Dempsey May 30, 2026

Show notes

This is a not-to-be-missed episode! Dr. Dempsey discusses the use of GLP-1 medications for MCAS, including her most recent observations and recommendations. This is a follow-up to Dr. Dempsey's free online GLP-1 Masterclass, which covers all the basics. If you have questions for Dr. Dempsey about mast cells and related topics, you can send them to research@standinguptopots.org.

Dr. Dempsey's published article about GLP-1 treatments in MCAS is here.

Dr. Dempsey's website is https://drtaniadempsey.com/

Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!

Cell membrane health and why it matters for MCAS and beyond with Dr. Melanie Stein and Dr. Tania Dempsey Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Melanie Stein, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Physician in Portland, Oregon and a recognized leader in Cell Membrane Therapy for the treatment of complex and chronic illness. She specializes in restoring health at the cellular level—repairing and revitalizing cell membranes to improve energy production, enhance detoxification, and restore healthy communication between cells.

In this episode, she and Dr. Dempsey discuss why cell membrane health is relevant to MCAS and many other chronic illnesses, testing and treatment approaches, their favorite in-office treatments, diet considerations and much more.

Dr. Stein's clinic's website is here.

Dr. Stein's book, Breaking Through Chronic Illness, is here on Amazon.

Dr. Tania Dempsey's website is here.

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More cutting edge treatments (part 2) with Dr. Tania Dempsey Mar 01, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Dempsey is always looking for new ways to help her complex patients. In this episode Dr. Dempsey discusses how she incorporates treatments with Methylene Blue, peptides, and the Nanovi breathing device. For each one she explains what it is, how it works, the risks and benefits, who is a good candidate, and more.

More information about Dr. Tania Dempsey and her clinic can be found at https://drtaniadempsey.com/.

Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!

Pediatric Complex Chronic Illness & Treatment with Dr. Casey Kelley Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Casey Kelley is Board Certified in family and integrative medicine, teaches on the faculty of the Northwestern Medical School, and her care is informed by her own past experience having complex chronic invisible illness. Now she treats some of the very toughest cases, including Lyme, POTS, PANS/PANDAS, MCAS and more. In this episode she and Dr. Dempsey discuss cutting-edge treatment approaches for these conditions in pediatric patients, and we highly recommend this episode for anyone wanting to hear the latest thinking in treatments for these young patients. Dr. Kelley's website is here.

Dr. Dempsey's website is here.

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Neurogastroenterologist Zac Spiritos, MD, MPH with Dr. Tania Dempsey Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Dr. Spiritos is double board certified in gastroenterologist and internal medicine, and specializes in IBS, gut motility, POTS and the complex conditions and symptoms that go along with it. He and Dr. Dempsey discuss IBS, parasites, SIBO, CD117 staining, GLP-1 drugs for MCAS, his treatment approach, some promising news on the awareness front, and much more.

Dr. Spiritos's website is here

Dr. Dempsey's website is here

Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!

Dr. Dempsey on cutting edge treatments she is seeing help complex patients Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

One of the most common questions we get from listeners is about the novel treatments that Dr. Dempsey mentions, such as therapeutic plasmapheresis exchange (or apheresis), SOT, ozone therapy, UV light blood irradiation and more. In this episode she discusses each treatment: What it is, how it works, the risks and benefits, who is a good candidate, and more.

More information about Dr. Tania Dempsey and her clinic can be found at https://drtaniadempsey.com/.

Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!

Dr. Eboni Cornish on root causes of brain inflammation Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

This is a not-to-be-missed episode for anyone interested in brain inflammation. Dr. Eboni Cornish, M.D. is Associate Medical Director at Amen Clinics, Fellow and Treasurer of the Board for the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). With research training at the National Institutes of Health as a Howard Hughes Medical Fellow, she is nationally recognized for her evidence-based work in neuroinflammation, autism, chronic toxicity, and complex chronic illnesses, including autoimmune disease, Lyme, PANS/PANDAS, mold illness, CIRS, and long COVID among others. At Amen Clinics, she integrates SPECT brain imaging with advanced biomarker testing to uncover root-cause brain imbalances and has created the Amen Clinics 2-Week Neurointensive Program for complex neuroimmune disorders. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. Cornish is dedicated to advancing brain and body longevity while translating complex science into practical, patient-centered strategies.

In this episode she and Dr. Dempsey discuss neuroinflammation, the role of limbic system, gut imbalances, chronic infections and MCAS.

Dr. Dempsey's website is here.

Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!