The Science Behind the Symptoms with Howard Schubiner, MD & Rebecca Kennedy, MD

In this episode, Joe shares how persistent itching, initially attributed to gluten and later to histamine reactions, gradually expanded into chronic pain, migraines, multiple chemical sensitivity, and a diet limited to chicken and white rice. Hear how he made sense of his symptoms, recovered his health, and returned to eating normally. We also explore the science of histamine reactions and mast cell activation syndrome, or MCAS Idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome is more often suspected than diagnosed-A prospective real-life study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35364617/Conclusion: 'Mast cell activation syndrome was confirmed in only 2% of patients, which implies that it is not MC activation that drives signs and symptoms in most patients with suspected MCAS.'🛜 Visit our website www.neuroplastic.org🧑‍💻 Experiencing chronic pain or illness?Learn more from the 12-Question Self Assessment. https://www.symptomatic.me/quiz🧠 Knowledge becomes healingExplore common conditions: https://www.symptomatic.me/commonconditions📚 Start your recoveryFree public resources: https://www.symptomatic.me/treatment-plan🧑‍⚕️ For practitioners and studentsClinical tools and guidance: https://www.symptomatic.me/learningprogram🎤 Share your storyBe featured on the podcast: https://form.jotform.com/243224080632043👩🏻‍🏫 Advantages of Membership in theATNS Community: https://www.symptomatic.me/membership💵 Support the missionDonate to expand awareness: https://givebutter.com/XJtTyC💡About ATNSThe Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the science of chronic pain and illness. Led by volunteer clinicians, researchers, and advocates, ATNS provides education, tools, and support for the diagnosis and treatment of neuroplastic conditions. We bridge research with real-world care—helping people reclaim their lives.

Post-concussive syndrome is frequently diagnosed when symptoms like headaches, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, and sensitivity to light or sound persist long after a concussion. For some people, these symptoms can continue for months or even years, and sometimes become profoundly disabling.But what if something different is keeping the symptoms going?In this episode, we talk with Dr. Sara Chrisman, an adolescent medicine specialist and professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine who cares for and studies teens with persistent post-concussive symptoms, and Campbell Miller, who experienced post-concussive syndrome herself.Together, Dr. Chrisman and Campbell take us through both sides of the story: what the research is showing about why symptoms can persist after the brain has healed from the initial injury, what this actually feels like for the person living through it, and how understanding the role of the brain and nervous system can open an entirely different path to recovery.💡About ATNSThe Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the science of chronic pain and illness. Led by volunteer clinicians, researchers, and advocates, ATNS provides education, tools, and support for the diagnosis and treatment of neuroplastic conditions. We bridge research with real-world care—helping people reclaim their lives.

Laura tells her 4 year story of what started as urethral pain. As her many diagnoses to explain this accumulated, eventually she also developed bladder and pelvic pain.Her main symptom was an usual one and little talked about - 'persistent genital arousal disorder (PGAD)'. In order to explain her symptoms however, she was given many different diagnoses including: Interstitial cystitis, endometriosis, Tarlov's cysts, pudendal neuralgia, pelvic congestion syndrome and more. We appreciate Laura sharing her story with us of her path through the medical system of many different doctors, diagnoses, medicines and treatments. Despite all of this, she continued suffering until she found the neuroplastic work and was able to heal. 

Dr. Howard Schubiner and Dr. Becca Kennedy sit down with Gigi Cockell to discuss her experience living with EDS and hypermobility and the chronic symptoms she experienced. Gigi shares her journey of searching for answers and how learning about neuroplastic symptoms helped her understand the role the brain can play in generating real physical pain and other conditions. Her story offers a hopeful perspective for others with EDS and hypermobility who may feel stuck in ongoing symptoms and are looking for a new way to approach recovery.Fransiska Malfait et al., “Classic Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome,” in GeneReviews®, ed. Margaret P.Adam et al. (University of Washington, Seattle, 1993), http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1244/.Anne De Paepe and Fransiska Malfait, “The Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome, a Disorder with ManyFaces,” Clinical Genetics 82, no. 1 (2012): 1, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-0004.2012.01858.x.Mark Scheper et al., “The Association between Muscle Strength and Activity Limitations in Patientswith the Hypermobility Type of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: The Impact of Proprioception,”Disability and Rehabilitation 39, no. 14 (2017): 1391–97, https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2016.1196396.Cortney Gensemer et al., “Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes: Complex Phenotypes, ChallengingDiagnoses, and Poorly Understood Causes,” Developmental Dynamics: An Official Publication of theAmerican Association of Anatomists 250, no. 3 (2021): 318–44, https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.220;Sabeeha Malek et al., “The Beighton Score as a Measure of Generalised Joint Hypermobility,”Rheumatology International 41, no. 10 (2021): 1707–16, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-021- 04832-4.Able Lawrence, “Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome,” Indian Journal of Rheumatology, SoftTissue Rheumatism, vol. 9 (2014): S33–36, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injr.2014.09.009.Gere Luder et al., “THU0622-HPR Discriminating Conditional and Functional Factors for WomenWith and Without Hypermobility—an Observational Study,” Poster Presentations, Annals of theRheumatic Diseases 74, no. Suppl. 2 (2015): Suppl 2, https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2015- eular.1742.Peter R. Reuter and Kaylee R. Fichthorn, “Prevalence of Generalized Joint Hypermobility, MusculoskeletalInjuries, and Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain among American University Students,”PeerJ 7 (2019): e7625, https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.7625.Leslie N. Russek and Deanna M. Errico, “Prevalence, Injury Rate and, Symptom Frequency inGeneralized Joint Laxity and Joint Hypermobility Syndrome in a ‘Healthy’ College Population,”Clinical Rheumatology 35, no. 4 (2016): 1029–39, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-015-2951-9.Darcisio Hortelan Antonio and Claudia Saad Magalhaes, “Survey Joint Hypermobility inUniversity Students Aged 18-25 Years Old,” Advances in Rheumatology 58, no. 1 (2018): 3,https://doi.org/10.1186/s42358- 018- 0008-x.

Malissa's full recovery from years of chronic, debilitating back painIn this episode of The Science Behind the Symptoms, Howard Schubiner, MD, and Becca Kennedy, MD, discuss Malissa’s story and examine the science behind how chronic back pain, diagnosed by multiple specialists as stemming from real degenerative findings on MRI, can completely resolve without medicines, procedures, external devices or surgery.   As Malissa began searching for answers beyond what the specialists had told her and uncovered the true reasons her brain was trying to protect her, her pain began to shift.   This conversation connects the science of learned neural pathways with the courage to change relational patterns, offering evidence-based hope for anyone living with chronic pain.Sources:Brinjikji et al. MRI Findings of Disc Degeneration are More Prevalent in Adults with Low Back Pain than in Asymptomatic Controls: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2015 Dec;36(12):2394-9. doi: 10.3174/ajnr.A4498. Epub 2015 Sep 10. PMID: 26359154; PMCID: PMC7964277.Slater et al. "Sit Up Straight": Time to Re-evaluate. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2019 Aug;49(8):562-564. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2019.0610. PMID: 31366294.https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/04/13/in-a-growing-share-of-u-s-marriages-husbands-and-wives-earn-about-the-same/

In this episode, Becca Kennedy, M.D., and Howard Schubiner, M.D., examine how placebo and nocebo effects shape real health outcomes. They discuss how expectations can drive real physiological change, for better or worse, and why understanding these effects matters in medical care.

In this episode, Dr. Howard Schubiner and Dr. Becca Kennedy examine POTS through the framework of neuroplastic symptoms. They explore the science behind how symptoms can develop and persist, and why approaching POTS with curiosity can create new possibilities for healing. The conversation offers clarity, hope, and insight into emerging research and neuroplastic recovery therapies for those living with POTS.

In this episode, Dr. Howard Schubiner and Dr. Becca Kennedy unpack the science behind Rebecca Tolin’s recovery from 13 years of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalitis. Although she was told that Epstein–Barr virus (among many other diagnoses) was the reason for her CFS/ME, she actually recovered through neuroplastic recovery therapies. Dr. Schubiner and Dr. Kennedy describe the scientific studies that break down why EBV is not a valid explanation for persistent symptoms. Together, they illustrate how Rebecca fully healed by addressing the learned patterns in her brain—and what her story reveals about the true mechanisms behind many chronic symptoms.🛜 Visit our website www.symptomatic.me🧑‍💻 Experiencing chronic pain or illness?Learn more from the 12-Question Self Assessment. https://www.symptomatic.me/quiz🧠 Knowledge becomes healingExplore common conditions: https://www.symptomatic.me/commonconditions📚 Start your recoveryFree public resources: https://www.symptomatic.me/treatment-plan🧑‍⚕️ For practitioners and studentsClinical tools and guidance: https://www.symptomatic.me/learningprogram🎤 Share your storyBe featured on the podcast: https://form.jotform.com/243224080632043👩🏻‍🏫 Advantages of Membership in theATNS Community: https://www.symptomatic.me/membership💵 Support the missionDonate to expand awareness: https://givebutter.com/XJtTyC💡About ATNSThe Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the science of chronic pain and illness. Led by volunteer clinicians, researchers, and advocates, ATNS provides education, tools, and support for the diagnosis and treatment of neuroplastic conditions. We bridge research with real-world care—helping people reclaim their lives.

This episode breaks down the emerging noninvasive therapies that move people beyond coping and into full resolution of neuroplastic symptoms. Dr. Schubiner and Dr. Kennedy explain how these methods work, why they outperform standard management approaches, and what current research reveals about lasting recovery.🛜 Visit our website www.symptomatic.me🧑‍💻 Experiencing chronic pain or illness?Learn more from the 12-Question Self Assessment. https://www.symptomatic.me/quiz🧠 Knowledge becomes healingExplore common conditions: https://www.symptomatic.me/commonconditions📚 Start your recoveryFree public resources: https://www.symptomatic.me/treatment-plan🧑‍⚕️ For practitioners and studentsClinical tools and guidance: https://www.symptomatic.me/learningprogram🎤 Share your storyBe featured on the podcast: https://form.jotform.com/243224080632043👩🏻‍🏫 Advantages of Membership in theATNS Community: https://www.symptomatic.me/membership💵 Support the missionDonate to expand awareness: https://givebutter.com/XJtTyC💡About ATNSThe Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the science of chronic pain and illness. Led by volunteer clinicians, researchers, and advocates, ATNS provides education, tools, and support for the diagnosis and treatment of neuroplastic conditions. We bridge research with real-world care—helping people reclaim their lives.

Isabelle suffered numerous symptoms for well over 30 years. Then she found the insights that changed everything.🛜 Visit our website www.symptomatic.me🧑‍💻 Experiencing chronic pain or illness?Learn more from the 12-Question Self Assessment. https://www.symptomatic.me/quiz🧠 Knowledge becomes healingExplore common conditions: https://www.symptomatic.me/commonconditions📚 Start your recoveryFree public resources: https://www.symptomatic.me/treatment-plan🧑‍⚕️ For practitioners and studentsClinical tools and guidance: https://www.symptomatic.me/learningprogram🎤 Share your storyBe featured on the podcast: https://form.jotform.com/243224080632043👩🏻‍🏫 Advantages of Membership in theATNS Community: https://www.symptomatic.me/membership💵 Support the missionDonate to expand awareness: https://givebutter.com/XJtTyC💡About ATNSThe Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the science of chronic pain and illness. Led by volunteer clinicians, researchers, and advocates, ATNS provides education, tools, and support for the diagnosis and treatment of neuroplastic conditions. We bridge research with real-world care—helping people reclaim their lives.