Mental & Emotional Health

Melatonin—Not Just for Insomnia and Jet Lag, Part 1
November 29, 2022
Headlines are sounding alarms over the widespread use of melatonin—especially as a sleep aid for young kids. Dr. Deanna Minich has authored a comprehensive review of melatonin, in which she likens it to vitamin D in its potential utility for a variety of ailments—not just for insomnia and jet lag, but also for metabolic syndrome and diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, brain disorders, autoimmune conditions, eye problems, tinnitus, PCOS, endometriosis, infertility, viral infections, and even ADHD and autism. Additionally, melatonin may confer anti-aging benefits. She affirms its overall safety, but cautions that some formulations are sketchy and may contain contaminants or vastly exceed or undershoot their claimed melatonin content. She discusses how modern life, with its ever-present artificial light, shift work, and travel across time zones may disrupt our circadian rhythms and put us in a state of darkness deprivation, with consequent melatonin depletion. For many conditions less is more, and use in children should be limited to special cases. Dr. Minich also emphasizes that lifestyle factors like properly timed light and darkness exposure, blue blocker glasses and screen apps, exercise and diet are cornerstones to optimal melatonin production, with melatonin supplements constituting only part of a holistic approach. Click HERE for part 2.

ENCORE: Intelligent Medicine Radio for November 26, Part 1: Vitamin D
November 28, 2022
Moderate exercise reduces heart risk, mortality—but is more better? When to hold, when to fold with statins; Medical establishment, media dismiss vitamin D bone benefits on scant evidence; Now they want to stop paying for vitamin D blood tests? Are we all at risk for monkeypox? Stress increases cravings for “comfort food” (DUH!); Dementia risk increases with consumption of ultra-processed food; Junk food during pregnancy threatens health of offspring; When osteoporosis medications become necessary. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

ENCORE: Intelligent Medicine Radio for November 26, Part 2: Joint Health

Facebook shadow-bans Intelligent Medicine content; Pomegranate extract improves joint health; “Chemical imbalance”—long a rationale for prescribing antidepressants—may be made-up narrative; Sexual side effects of SSRIs may persist after discontinuation; Natural support for Barrett’s esophagus; Heart health poor for most US children. Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for November 19, Part 1: B Vitamins vs. Covid
November 21, 2022
Adderal shortage leaves ADHD sufferers high and dry as over-diagnoses stoked by social media, lax e-prescribing; Are online pharmaceutical drugs damaged by temperature extremes in mail transit? A case of unexplained dizziness and shortness of breath; B vitamins vs. Covid; CBD for sleep and stress support. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

A Unified Theory of the Root Cause of All Psychiatric Disorders, Part 1
November 15, 2022
In "Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health--and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More," Dr. Christopher Palmer offers a unified theory of the root cause of all psychiatric disorders. It’s a matter of deficits in metabolic function, which can be triggered by a variety of insults including environmental toxins, poor diet, sleep deficits, altered microbiome, inflammation, sedentary lifestyle, and stress. State-of-the-art imaging studies reveal the role that brain energy deficits play in a multitude of disorders. In his clinical practice of psychiatry, Dr. Palmer utilizes a ketogenic diet to upregulate the efficiency of brain mitochondria, resulting in dramatic symptom remission. He decries the “band-aid” approach of of conventional psychiatry which prioritizes symptom relief via drugs—generally incomplete—over a search for underlying precipitants, which can yield more comprehensive recovery. Click HERE for part 2.

A Unified Theory of the Root Cause of All Psychiatric Disorders, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Dr. Christopher Palmer, author of "Brain Energy: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Understanding Mental Health--and Improving Treatment for Anxiety, Depression, OCD, PTSD, and More." Click HERE for part 1.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for November 12, Part 1: Slowing Biological Aging
November 14, 2022
Preserve muscle strength to slow biological aging; Melatonin to the rescue in osteoporosis; Alternatives to corneal transplant? How blood pressure and pulse rate are related; Study reveals 42% of Gen Z’ers suffer mental disorders; Tik Tok spreads harmful nutrition messages; What is an electrophysiologist? Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine Radio for November 12, Part 2: Autoimmune Diseases and the Microbiome

Autoimmune diseases and the microbiome; Fiber may worsen, carnivore diet may help rheumatoid arthritis; The unintended consequences of frequent Covid testing; Bivalent vaccines offer scant advantage over older shots; CBD offers sleep, anxiety benefits; Obesity worsens among military personnel, undermining national security. Click HERE for part 1. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Stress and Sleep Support During the Holidays, Part 1
November 10, 2022
The holiday season can be hectic. In times like these, getting the rejuvenating rest and relaxation we need can be hard. Stuart Tomc, VP Science, Regulation and Education for CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil, introduces the PlusCBD Holiday Survival Kit. It promotes healthy sleep patterns and reduces tension and stress around the holiday craziness. It includes CBD Calm Gummies, formulated with clinically researched ingredients like L-Theanine for a Zen-like calm and 5-HTP for a positive mood and mental well-being. It also includes PlusCBD Sleep Gummies, which are doctor formulated with clinically researched ingredients like melatonin to promote proper wake/sleep cycles, magnolia bark to soothe nerves and encourage relaxation, and lemon balm to help calm you before bed. Go more in-depth with these resources: Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series, Oral Administration of 5-Hydroxytryptophan Restores Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in a Mouse Model of Depression, Protective Role of Melatonin Against Postmenopausal Bone Loss via Enhancement of Citrate Secretion From Osteoblasts, Is Melatonin the “Next Vitamin D”?: A Review of Emerging Science, Clinical Uses, Safety, and Dietary Supplements, and The anxiolytic effect of cannabidiol depends on the nature of the trauma when patients with post-traumatic stress disorder recall their trigger event. Click HERE for part 2.

Stress and Sleep Support During the Holidays, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with Stuart Tomc, VP Science, Regulation and Education for CV Sciences, makers of PlusCBD Oil. Click HERE for part 1.