Mitochondria, Cell Danger Response, Antioxidant Myths, and more with Ari Whitten

This episode is part two of my in-depth discussion with Dr. Praveen Arany, a world-renowned light therapy (photobiomodulation) researcher and expert who’s been working in the field for over two decades. If you missed part one, I highly recommend you go back and listen to that episode. We delve into some very deep and specific science around light therapy that will prepare you for everything you hear in part two. In this episode, we get into the minutiae of light therapy dosing and also talk about a few others topics like systemic vs local effects. Similarly to part one, this is not well-suited for beginners! If you’re really interested in the topic of light therapy/photobiomodulation, you’ll appreciate this discussion. But if you’re looking for a high-level overview, this is not for you.  If you’re ready to learn more, listen in for a truly comprehensive and research-based take on light therapy dosing.   

In this episode, I’m speaking with one of the global authorities on light therapy, Dr. Praveen Arany. Dr. Arany began researching photobiomodulation (PBM), aka light therapy, 25 years ago, and since then, he has become a world-renowned expert in the field. We get into the nitty-gritty science of light therapy—we discuss specific biological mechanisms of how photobiomodulation works, his research on light therapy and stem cells, and even misconceptions about light therapy that are important for you to consider if it’s part of your healing arsenal.  A little warning: I want to let you know that this is not a good “beginner’s guide” to this topic. I’d say it’s more for health geeks (like me) who are really into learning the fine details of how light interacts with human biology. This podcast is very detailed and very geeked out, so don’t say I didn’t warn you! :)  

In this episode, I’m speaking with Dr. Sam Shay, a recognized clinician who proudly shares his own experience as someone who grew up with undiagnosed Asperger’s syndrome. Dr. Shay’s mission is to support moms trying to balance raising a “neurodistinct” child with their work, other children, relationships, and staying healthy themselves. He sees these parents as being overlooked and uncared for, and his work is to bring them the tools they need to thrive along with their families.  

In this episode of The Energy Blueprint, I’m speaking with neuroscientist and bestselling author Mark Waldman. Mark has been on the podcast multiple times, but I find his information so interesting that I’m excited to have him back today.  Mark is now working in a new field called network neuroscience. During our conversation, he explains the framework of this field and shares some very practical but very effective steps to reduce mind-wandering and improve psychotherapy outcomes.  

In this episode of The Energy Blueprint, we’re looking back on conversations with three hormone experts: Dr. Shawn Tassone, Dr. Stephanie Gray, and nutritionist Magdalena Wszelaki, the author of the bestselling cookbook Cooking for Hormone Balance. Whether you’re male or female, this podcast will answer your most pressing hormone questions—we cover everything, including some really fascinating connections between hormones and organs you don’t expect, like the gallbladder.  

In this episode of The Energy Blueprint, we’re looking back on some of the most potent ways to support your brain health and cognition.  This episode features Harvard-trained clinical research scientist and brain expert Dr. Datis Kharrazian, the foremost authority on holistic (and highly effective) care for dementia Dr. Dale Bredesen, and founder of Marama Memory Care facility Dr. Heather Sandison, whose mission is to reverse dementia and reintroduce residents to living independently! This is a robust episode with many exceptional clinical pearls to keep your brain and nervous system young and resilient.  

In this episode of The Energy Blueprint, we’re revisiting episodes featuring three giants in the world of mitochondrial research and the cell danger response, i.e., your body’s intelligent but double-edged response to stress or injury—Dr. Eric Balcavage, Dr. Robert Naviaux, the originator of the cell danger response hypothesis, and Dr. Eric Gordon.  

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Achina Stein and Silvia Covelli about their soon-to-be-launched venture, The Healing Depression Project.  If you’re a long-time depression sufferer, this episode is for you. And if depression isn’t an issue you deal with, please consider passing this episode on to someone you love who lives with this disease. There are so many helpful steps we discuss…it might be what they need to finally feel a difference in their life and spark hope.  

In this episode, I’m speaking with chronic fatigue expert Dr. Evan Hirsch in his third appearance on the Energy Blueprint Podcast.  In this episode, we talk about how his approach to chronic fatigue and ME/CFS has evolved over the years and how he’s now working with patients who have long COVID. He also describes what he calls “The Toxic 5” and how these are at the root of many fatigue issues. In this podcast, Dr. Hirsch and I discuss: The “Toxic 5” primary reasons Dr. Hirsch believes people struggle with chronic fatigue The crucial importance of addressing toxicity, protocol simplification, and brain retraining in ME/CFS How long-term infections—now, including COVID—contribute to fatigue and their interplay with other root causes The usefulness of testing and how much weight you should (or shouldn’t!) place on certain test results Dr. Hirsch’s experience with ozone therapy, hyperbaric therapy, and IV vitamin C and why his stance has shifted over the years One very surprising (and scary) statistic on mold and two key ways to get mycotoxins out of your body The safest way to rid the body of heavy metals and the dire consequences people suffer if they aren’t ready to detox properly  The most problematic heavy metal and Dr. Hirsch’s recommendations for how to avoid it His approach to long COVID and the problem with COVID persistence, i.e., spike proteins remaining in the body in a latent state “Brain retraining” (a technique Dr. Hirsch learned about from his patients!) and the powerful combination of addressing the mind AND body for people with chronic fatigue   

In this episode of The Energy Blueprint, I’m excited to share a recording of Dr. David Jockers interviewing me!    We cover a lot of fascinating topics, from how the mitochondria control our health and energy levels, the Cell Danger Response, how “stress” is often misunderstood, myths about antioxidants and plants (and the way things really work), and more.   Dr. Jockers and I discuss:   What, exactly, is the cell danger response developed by Dr. Robert Naviaux? And why does it matter if you’re experiencing symptoms that just won’t budge?  2 major roles of mitochondria and how they act as “canaries in the coal mine” when it comes to your health The 3 stages of the cell danger response and why the first stage is crucial to understand if you have chronic disease, especially chronic fatigue  How the body evolved to effectively deal with certain stressors but not others…and how any chronic stress might mean getting stuck in “wartime metabolism” A new way to understand stress’s effect on your health—certain forms of stress aren’t as problematic as you think and will even improve your health in incredible ways! The surprising ways you can increase your resilience—including the size, number, and function of your mitochondria!—and reduce your chances of getting stuck in the cell danger response The real story of why plant foods are so good for you…they don’t act as antioxidants as most people think One of the most crucial pieces of information available for disease prevention and lifelong health…Ari reveals the secret he’s been researching for over a year!