Can Microbes Contribute to Violence, Substance Abuse, and Mental Illness | Dr. Robert Bransfield

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Robert Bransfield, MD, DLFAPA, a pioneering psychiatrist whose decades of clinical experience have led him to groundbreaking insights on the connection between infectious disease and treatment-resistant mental illness. Dr. Bransfield is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, past president of both ILADS and the New Jersey Psychiatric Association, and Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Rutgers RWJ Medical School and Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.For over a century, psychiatry has wrestled with the mystery of what causes mental illness. Dr. Bransfield's work builds on this legacy and offers hope for a paradigm shift: that by understanding the role of infection and immunity, we may transform how we treat chronic, persistent mental disorders and neurodegenerative disease.In this conversation, we explored the multifactorial nature of chronic disease and mental illness, including:✅ How over 60 different infectious diseases have been linked to psychiatric conditions through immune-mediated pathways.✅ The evolving understanding of tick-borne infections like Borrelia and Bartonella in the onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including depression.✅ The historical arc of psychiatry’s view on infection as a contributor to mental illness—from syphilis and the slow virus theory to modern psychoimmunology.✅ Why addressing susceptibility genes and intervening early in disease progression can break the vicious cycle of chronic psychiatric disorders.You can learn more about Dr. Bransfield and his work at www.MentalHealthandIllness.com or connect with him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.bransfield.1/.

If you have an eGFR below 85, you will want to watch or listen to this episode. Kidneys are just as important as livers and unlike the liver, it doesn't take much to compromise kidneys. It happens over decades and there are few symptoms. No one knows that better than Robin Rose MD. Dr. Rose began her life as a child protege ballet dancer. As she unfolded into her destiny, she lived in a fishing village in India as a young adult and worked with the local doctor. Upon return to the USA, she became a health food chef and herbalist and then slowly wandered through the educational system - first becoming an RN, then nurse practitioner and ultimately a family physician. Her roots in natural healing evolved into a holistic medical odyssey - offering eclectic holistic family medicine in a small town in Oregon. After many years, she moved to Hawaii and has since evolved into a precision practice for early kidney disease and the regeneration that is possible. She and her husband live at the beach with gardens of food and botanicals, and recently published "Renology Peptides", which is a definitive guide on Kidney Success Using Bioregulator Peptides. We discussed:✅ The one test that doctors rarely order that is a better indicator of kidney health than eGFR✅ How to calculate protein intake to assure kidney health✅ When it is the best time to monitor your blood pressure.✅ How chronic kidney disease (CKD) and depression get resolved✅ What Bioregulator Peptides are and which ones to take (under medical supervision) to reverse kidney diseaseYou can find her at RENOLOGYiskidneysuccess.com where she provides many FR3E resources for you to peruse.I hope you enjoy this episode.

I had a wonderful interview with Ryan Worley, DC, is a functional neurologist and the founder of NeuroBalance Solutions, a brain-based rehab clinic in Utah. He specializes in helping patients recover from concussions, dizziness, and neurological dysfunctions that don't always show up on imaging.Through advanced testing like videonystagmography and posturography, Dr. Ryan identifies subtle imbalances in the brain and nervous system, then builds personalized rehab strategies that reconnect brain and body. His passion is making complex neurology approachable and helping people get their lives back when standard care hasn't worked.We discussed:The Brain's Balance System Is Tied to Emotional RegulationVestibular Dysfunction Can Mimic or Contribute to DepressionThe Postural System and Gravity Perception Are Foundational to SafetyWhy Talk Therapy Doesn't Always Work for These PatientsThere Is Hope Through Functional NeurologyHe is making a generous offer to provide a 3-visit treatment plan at his clinic for FR-EE! Just send him an email letting him know that you are willing to fly out to Utah to see him by sending him an email at [email protected] can find wonderful educational videos on his Instagram and learn more about him on his website:✅ www.neurobalancesolutions.com✅ IG: @neurobalancesolutions

Have you ever felt like your body is sending you signals that are hard to understand? Learning how to truly listen to these cues and advocate for your needs is crucial for overall well-being, especially during times of change like menopause. This week, we dive deep into the art of self-advocacy and self-awareness in this episode of our Vodcast.Our guest, Stephanie Shaw—a menopause advocate and the host of the top-rated podcast, "Hello, Hot Flash." Stephanie's personal journey of overcoming a debilitating two-year illness has led her to become a leading voice in menopause education. She provides invaluable insights to help midlife women navigate challenging symptoms like sleepless nights and anxious days.In this episode, we cover: How to understand the cues your body is sending you Tips for navigating doctor appointments with confidence Debunking common myths about menopause The importance of self-awareness and self-advocacy for better health You can connect with Stephanie on her website, HelloHotFlash.com, where you’ll also find her free Menopause Symptom Scorecard—a great resource to help you track and understand your symptoms. Grab it here: Scorecard We hope this episode empowers you to tune into your body and take charge of your health journey.

The thyroid is a major regulator in the body and it’s so important to make sure that it is working well especially when it comes to mental health. You can learn so much about it in Dr Eric Osansky’s upcoming Save My Thyroid Summit, but we discussed it here as a preview of the summit.  Dr. Eric is a chiropractor, clinical nutritionist, and a certified functional medicine practitioner who has over 20 years of experience in health and wellness, and has been helping people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions since 2009. He is the author of the books "Natural Treatment Solutions for Hyperthyroidism and Graves' Disease", "The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet", and "Hashimoto's Triggers", and is the host of the Save My Thyroid podcast. Dr. Osansky was personally diagnosed in 2008 with Graves disease, and after seeing how well a natural treatment approach helped with his condition, he began helping others with different types of thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions, including hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease, and hypothyroidism and Hashimotos Thyroiditis.We discussed: The difference between hypothyroid and hyperthyroid Why thyroid labs are normal but you're still not feeling well What the correct labs are to get What are the other things to consider in the context of treating the thyroid What are some solutions to support your thyroid function Dr. Eric invites you to learn more from his upcoming Save My Thyroid Summit. Register here: https://cdi.ontraport.net/t?orid=652616&opid=200 You can also find him at: www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com⁠ ⁠www.savemythyroid.com⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/NaturalThyroidTreatment⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/drericosansky/⁠

So yeah… I admit it. I was one of those people who thought they were wackos with tin foil hats talking about the harm of 5G and cell towers, the same people who warned us about Y2K and nothing happened. (I am seriously dating myself.) I was very wrong. Several years ago, I wondered if the Fitbit on my wrist was making me sick. So, I took it off and felt better. Now I wonder if it’s been my Apple Watch causing me joint pain and interfering with my ability to play Ultimate. I’ve taken it off and within days I have felt better. This is real. There is science that’s proven it and you don’t have to look far. Cecelia (Cece) Doucette, Director of Massachusetts for Safe Technology, works with health practitioners, schools, communities, municipalities, and legislatures to address wireless radiation and public health. She is also the Education Services Director with the international non-profit Safer Tech Education, which offers affordable 30-minute online training for schools, families, and companies.Cece helped her schools become the first in the nation to adopt Best Practices for Mobile Devices, worked with legislators in New Hampshire to pass the first law to investigate wireless harms, and is chaperoning six bills in Massachusetts. She was honored to co-chair the technology panel for the NIH Health in Buildings Roundtable Conference, and present state and local policy at the EMF Medical Conference.She has been featured in the films Generation Zapped, Wi-Fi Refugees, and 5G: Friend or Foe?We discussed: The science The mechanisms of harm Vulnerable sub-populations (children, pregnant women, elderly, anyone with existing health condition) Public policy overview How to reduce EMF exposures and transition to safer technology use Get her free download: EMF Points of Confusion vs. Fact sheetShe has loads of information on her website: https://www.ma4safetech.org/ Here are other resources:  Safe Living Technologies⁠,(for the meters and shielding products) ⁠Less EMF⁠, ⁠Shield Your Body⁠, ⁠TechWellness.com⁠,  Please share them with your school system. Cece can do presentations in your community. Enjoy! To your health and wellness,

If you find yourself feeling like you are doing all the right things but nothing seems to get better, it’s usually one of four things: hidden mold exposure and toxicity, hidden dental abscesses, hormone imbalance and/or limbic activation. What is limbic activation? Well, you’ve come to the right place to receive the answer and to learn what to do about it. Ashok Gupta is an internationally renowned Speaker, Filmmaker & Health Practitioner who has dedicated his life to supporting people through chronic illness, and achieving their potential. Ashok suffered from ME, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, around 25 years ago when he was studying at Cambridge University. Through neurological research that he conducted, he managed to get himself 100% better. He set up a clinic to treat others, and then published the well-known neuroplasticity limbic retraining recovery program and app known as the Gupta Program in 2007.He has published several medical papers including randomized controlled trials on Long Covid, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia, showing that the treatment is effective, and is continually researching these conditions. We discussed: What are the causes of Chronic Conditions? What is the Amygdala & Insula Hypothesis? What is Brain Retraining? What are the 3 Rs (Relaxing, Retraining, Re-engaging)? What’s the Gupta Program Process? Here's the link to Ashok's gift of meditations: https://guptaprogram.com/free-gifts-for-summit/ If you'd like to learn more, check out his: Website: ⁠www.guptaprogram.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠@guptaprogram⁠ This is a game-changer for people! We recommend this program to many patients who have chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, or even mast cell activation syndrome.

A member of our practice is health coach Nancy Uston-John who has received special training from Aimie Apigian MD on the Biology of Trauma. There are very few people who know how to do somatic therapy, and Nancy is gifted and amazing at teaching you how to gain control of your nervous system.We've been taught that trauma is solely an emotional reaction to an event and that psychotherapy is needed to process it. It is necessary to gain a cognitive and emotional understanding, but this only works only to a point. For some people, this is not enough. "The body keeps the score," as Bessel van der Kolk MD would say. It's not the event, but the body's response to the event that needs to be addressed. There are specific tools that one can learn that need to be utilized daily to release the trauma, retrain the vagus nerve & limbic system, and regulate your nervous system response when reminded of the trauma. Deb Dana, LCSW is a consultant, author, and speaker specializing in complex trauma. Her work is focused on using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma in our lives. She is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, consultant to Khiron Clinics, and advisor to Unyte.Deb's work shows how an understanding of Polyvagal Theory is applicable - across the board - to relationships, mental health, and trauma.  She delves into the intricacies of how we can all use an understanding of the organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory to change the ways we navigate our daily lives.  Deb is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both clear and accessible, AND for pioneering Rhythm of Regulation® methodology, tools, techniques, and practices which continue to open up the power of Polyvagal Theory for professionals and curious people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life.She is well-published and has audio programs which will be in the show notes for your perusal.We discussed: How neuroception and hierarchy impact physical and psychological well-being What glimmers are How loneliness drives survival states Deb's clinical work published with W.W. Norton includes The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation, Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client Centered Practices, Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety, Polyvagal Prompts: Finding Connection and Joy through Guided Explorations, the Polyvagal Flip Chart and the Polyvagal Card Deck.She partners with Sounds True to bring her polyvagal perspective to a general audience through the audio program Befriending Your Nervous System: Looking Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory and her print book Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory.Deb can be contacted via her website: www.rhythmofregulation.com.Here is a link to obtain your personal profile map: LINK HERE

I’ve finally been able to have a conversation with an expert in psychedelics. It’s been in the news lately and people are asking me directly about it as a form of treatment. Maya Shetreat, MD is a neurologist, herbalist, urban farmer, ceremonialist, and author of The Dirt Cure and the newly released book entitled, The Master Plant Experience: The Science, Safety, and Sacred Ceremony of Psychedelics. She has been featured in the New York Times, The Telegraph, NPR, Sky News, The Dr. Oz Show, and more. Dr. Maya created Quantum Drops (www.quantumdrops.com), a vibrational Master Plant product that is safe, legal, and deeply transformative. She is also the founder of the Terrain Institute, where she offers training for psychedelic-informed practitioners as well as an upcoming Quantum Practitioner Certification. We discussed: Why doctors are now talking about them as legitimate treatments What we know about how psychedelics work in our bodies and brains What a Master Plant is versus a psychedelic What macro-dosing, micro-dosing, and quantum dosing is She is giving away for FREE the First 3 Chapters of her book The Master Plant Experience- https://drmaya.com/op/3-chapters/ You can find Dr. Maya at Website: www.drmaya.com Instagram: @drmayashetreat

I've interviewed another local holistic therapist with special skills who is now licensed in MA as well as RI.Amanda Rubio LICSW is a PTSD and Trauma psychotherapist, yoga teacher, and holistic health practitioner. She helps clients safely explore mental, physical, and emotional aspects of themselves to improve their quality of life using CBT, EFT, and somatic healing practices. She specializes in treating ADHD with tools and strategies like accountability, time management organization, social skills training, and mindfulness meditation.She has been teaching yoga, and meditation, and coaching clients into a healthier way of being for the past 20+ years. She received her MSW from New York University in 1995, and in 2000, trained as a holistic health coach at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.In 2009, she founded Yogis Feed the Hungry, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.We discussed: Tools and strategies that will ignite your motivation within What "one brick at a time" at a time means What "time blindness" What the solution are to achieving your goals You can find Amanda Psychology Today: Amanda Rubio New Website: www.amandarubio.com Instagram: @adhdholisticcoach She is taking new patients.Hope you enjoy it!