Causes Or Cures

Send us a textModern medicine rests on a centuries‑old decision to split mind from body. That fault line still runs through every clinic and classroom, raising an uncomfortable question: if the foundation ignores half of human experience, how scientific are we really? In this episode, Dr Eeks talks with physician‑author Dr Robert Smith about why his new book Has Medicine Lost Its Mind? argues it is time to reunite what never should have been divided. What We CoverThe Great Split: A medieval Church decree let scientists dissect bodies but barred them from the head, setting up the mental‑vs‑physical divide that still guides clinical practice.Primary‑Care Patchwork: Family doctors now manage roughly 75 percent of U.S. mental‑health care despite minimal formal training in mental health.Medicalizing Real‑Life Messes: Trauma, chronic stress, and tough social conditions often get reframed as diseases because the system lacks better options.The “Complex” Patient Label: How “complex” often translates to “we’re overwhe

Send us a textDisclaimer: Causes or Cures is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and no medical claims are being made. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your personal health. In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with immunology expert Dr. Maziar “Maz” Divangahi about his research on how fiber found in mushrooms may help us beat the flu, and he introduces us to the concept of disease tolerance. What We’ll CoverBeta-Glucan 101What it is: a natural fiber in the outer wall of fungi (think mushrooms).Why it matters: growing evidence says it may help fight off the flu by improving something called disease tolerance. More research is needed to confirm. Two Immune PlaybooksHost Resistance: the classic “seek and destroy” tactic.Disease Tolerance: a quieter, damage-control strategy our bodies use to stay functional even when a pathogen sticks around.Dr. Maz will unpack how beta-glucan may tilt the balance toward disease tolerance.From TB Labs to Flu ResearchInsigh

Send us a textIn this episode, Dr. Eeks sits down with world-renowned cardiologist and nutrition dynamo Dr. Kim Williams to pull the lid off “healthy” plant-based restaurant meals, and a whole lot more.What’s on the menu:First-of-its-kind restaurant study – How Dr. Williams scored plant-based dishes for heart health, what shocked him, and the sneaky “health halo” traps you’ll now spot a mile away.Plant-based vs. junk-based – Could plant-based be sliding toward the same fate as the Western diet? He breaks down where things are headed and how to dodge the pitfalls.Cardio-nutrition deep dive – The eating plan Dr. Williams follows himself, plus straight talk on saturated fat, carbs, sugar, cholesterol, animal welfare, and factory farming.Big-picture fixes – Population-level policies he believes could actually move the needle on improving nutrition at the public health level.If you eat out, care about your heart, or just want the unvarnished science behind plant-powered plates, this episode is packed with gems you

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Erin Williamson, a national expert on child trafficking and a leader at Love146, an organization dedicated to ending child trafficking and caring for its survivors.We dive deep into what child trafficking really is—both labor and sex trafficking—and explore its prevalence, evolving risk factors, and the role social media plays in recruitment. Erin breaks down how traffickers often target children, sometimes people they know, and how some do it through the internet. She shares eye-opening examples and challenges some of the most persistent myths we’ve seen in media, pop culture, and even online activism.We also explore:What makes a child more vulnerable to trafficking?Is child trafficking really increasing?Are "rescue missions" always the best path to freedom, or can they sometimes do harm?Why the idea that traffickers lurk in white vans is outdated and unhelpful.And why it’s not just girls who are trafficked for sex.Erin also expl

Send us a textCould gene drive mosquitoes be the key to ending deadly diseases like malaria and dengue or do the risks outweigh the benefits? In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks talks with Dr. Michael Santos about the controversial yet potentially groundbreaking technology known as gene drive. Unlike traditional genetically modified organisms, gene drive mosquitoes are engineered to pass on specific traits to nearly all of their offspring, drastically altering or suppressing mosquito populations that spread disease. With real-world field trials set to begin very soon, we dive into how this technology works, how it differs from standard genetic modification, what diseases it targets, and what could go wrong. We also explore how the trials will be conducted, regulated, and monitored to ensure safety and transparency. Is this the dawn of a public health breakthrough or are we opening a Pandora’s box we can’t close? Dr. Michael Santos is the Senior Vice President of Science Partnerships and Chief Populat

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Professor Maureen Cropper, Chair of the Economics Department at the University of Maryland and a leading environmental economist, about her recent research on the health and economic impacts of toxic chemicals in plastics.We explore how an economist came to study chemical exposures and what her research reveals about the true cost of common compounds found in everyday plastic products. The conversation focuses on three major groups of toxic chemicals (BPA, DEHP, and PBDEs) and the serious health risks linked to them. Professor Cropper explains where these chemicals are commonly found, who is most at risk, and how she estimated both the public health burden and the economic costs tied to ongoing exposure.You’ll also hear about what she believes needs to change: the policy actions, regulatory strategies, and paradigm shifts necessary to move toward safer, healthier materials. If you're concerned about chemicals in consumer products, inte

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, we explore insights into brain health and longevity with NYT bestselling author and neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen.Dr. Bredesen explains why he believes cognitive decline is not an inevitable part of aging and outlines six biological processes he identifies as impacting brain aging. He also shares practical tools he recommends for assessing how well your mind is functioning. We discuss the alarming rise in early-onset dementia among people in their 30s and 40s and the potential causes behind this increase. Dr. Bredesen also talks about the links between COVID, sugar intake, and dementia risk. He offers science-based advice on diet, sleep, and lifestyle strategies that support an ageless brain.Additionally, Dr. Bredesen addresses how the for-profit healthcare system can hinder Alzheimer’s management and shares his comprehensive ReCODE Protocol™, which he presents as a promising approach to preventing and potentially reversing cognitive decline, though it has spa

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with aging and longevity expert Dr. Heike Bischoff-Ferrari about whether simple lifestyle interventions, like supplementation and exercise, can actually make us biologically younger.Dr. Bischoff-Ferrari breaks down: • What DNA methylation clocks are and how they’re used to measure biological age  The design and findings of the DO-HEALTH Bio-Age Trial  Whether vitamin D, algae-based omega-3s, and exercise can turn back your biological clock  The science behind how these interventions may work  Practical takeaways for longevity and healthy aging  What’s next in this fast-moving fieldDr. Bischoff-Ferrari is a physician and researcher with board certifications in geriatrics, internal medicine, and rehab. She’s a professor at the University of Zurich where she chairs the Department of Geriatrics and Aging Research, and the principal investigator of DO-HEALTH, Europe’s largest study ever on healthy longevity. With a doctorate from Harvard and a long-s

Send us a text In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks speaks with Dr. Nazlie Latefi about her new research on an over-the-counter (OTC) product that takes a fresh approach to tackling cold symptoms. They explore how the common cold is defined, its massive economic impact, and why many popular OTC medications surprisingly lack scientific support. Dr. Latefi, co-founder of Applied Biological Laboratories, discusses her innovative approach to treating the common cold and why Biovanta is different from what’s currently available. She also reveals the promising results from a recent randomized controlled trial and shares insights into her ongoing research in respiratory health.

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Amir Baniassadi about how indoor temperature affects the aging brain.Dr. Baniassadi shares what we know so far about the relationship between temperature and cognitive function, and explores the theories behind how temperature might influence cognition as we age. He discusses the findings of his recent study on temperature and cognition, including what surprised his team most. He also touches on an earlier study he conducted on temperature and sleep, and offers practical tips for optimizing your home environment. Is there a “sweet spot” for room temperature that supports both clear thinking and better sleep?Dr. Baniassadi is an instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a scientist at the Marcus Institute for Aging Research. His work focuses on the aging brain and how environmental factors affect health and well-being in older adults. He holds a PhD in Civil, Environmental, and Sustainable Engineering from Arizona State Univer

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks talks with Dr. Mary Abed Al Ahad about how long-term exposure to air pollution is quietly driving people to the hospital. Drawing from her recent study, Dr. Abed Al Ahad breaks down which specific pollutants were linked to higher hospitalization rates and how those effects vary—some pollutants hit the lungs harder, others may affect the immune system or even mental health. They also explore the science behind why certain pollutants cause different kinds of harm, and wrap up with ideas for how we can clean up the air and protect our health. If you've ever wondered what’s really in the air you breathe—and what it’s doing to your body—this episode is worth a listen. Dr. Abed Al Ahad is a researcher and associate lecturer in Population and Health Geography at the School of Geography & Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews in Scotland. You can learn more about her research here. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow E

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks speaks with Dr. David Amaral and Kathy Stein about the powerful impact of brain donations through Autism BrainNet in advancing our understanding of autism. Dr. Amaral offers a comprehensive overview of autism, exploring what science currently knows about its risk factors and potential causes. He discusses the rise rate of autism and explains how brain donations provide researchers with a rare and invaluable opportunity to study autism at the neurological level—offering insights that can’t be uncovered any other way. He also shares key discoveries that have already emerged through Autism BrainNet’s efforts.Kathy Stein joins the conversation to share a deeply personal story: that of her brother Ed, who lived with autism and viewed it as "a different way of seeing the world." After Ed’s passing, Kathy donated his brain to Autism BrainNet, a decision she describes as a gift to science, one that reflects her commitment to supporting research that

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Eeks is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Dwayne Godwin and cartoonist Dr. Jorge Cham, the creative duo behind Out of Your Mind, a book that makes neuroscience both fun and digestible—perfect for Nerds and Nerd Nots alike (yes, that’s my podcast tagline). They kick things off with love—what it is, why we fall for some people and not others, and whether science could create a love potion that turns romance into a biochemical hostage situation. From love, they move to hate and how some people actually get addicted to hate. They'll also discuss AI—whether it could ever develop consciousness and what that might mean for humanity—before diving into addiction and the ongoing debate over how much of it is choice versus biology. They'll talk about happiness, whether money can actually buy it, and a bizarre true medical case of a man who, after a brain surgery gone wrong, was left permanently stuck in the present moment.  Finally, they'll explore what happens when we die a

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Dr. Kevin Maki to dive into his systematic review on the impact of beef consumption on heart disease risk factors. Dr. Maki breaks down the complexities of defining red meat in research, highlighting the challenges and inconsistencies in dietary studies. He explains the key differences between processed and unprocessed meats, and the comparison groups used in these studies, offering a deep dive into the heart health risk factors that matter most. Tune in as Dr. Maki shares the interesting findings from his research, how they should shape our diets and dietary recommendations, and the innovative dietary interventions he believes could optimize heart health in the future. (Since they are currently dominating the news...,he also discusses interesting research about seed oils!)  If you're curious about the science behind beef, heart disease, and what dietary changes might make the biggest impact, this episode is for you. Dr. Maki is th

Send us a text In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks talks to Dr. Sarah Daccarett about the "hidden hormone crisis" affecting women long before menopause. They dive into the basics of hormones—what they are, how they function, and the signs that something’s off when imbalances occur. Dr. Daccarett shares her thoughts on birth control, hormone replacement therapy, and the myths surrounding both. She also explains her unique, all-natural, bio-identical hormone approach to helping women feel their best. Dr. Daccarett is a physician, hormone specialist, anti-aging expert and founder of Inner Balance. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show

Send us a text In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Timothy Yeatman about  the connection between diet, inflammation, and colon cancer. He’ll explain why cancer can be thought of as a "poorly healing chronic wound" and describe his recent study highlighting how chronic inflammation, fueled by dietary choices, plays a key part in the progression of colorectal cancer. We’ll explore the alarming rise of colon cancer in adults under 50 and any common patterns he’s observed in this population. Dr. Yeatman will shed light on the immune tumor microenvironment, how it influences colon cancer, and its potential role in future treatments. Plus, we’ll discuss natural approaches to prevention and treatment, including key lifestyle interventions, such as achieving the right balance of omega-3s and omega-6s.  Dr. Yeatman is the Associate Center Director for Translational Research and Innovation at Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute and a Professor of Surgery at the University of South

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Benjamin Lightburn, CEO of Filament Health, to explore the key differences between natural and synthetic psychedelics—and why those differences matter. Ben breaks down how Filament Health develops its natural psychedelic medicines, shares insights from ongoing clinical trials with top academic institutions, and discusses the early results. He also explains how Filament plans to bring these treatments to market and what sets them apart in the rapidly growing psychedelic space.Ben is a pioneer in natural drug development, having co-founded Filament Health to create the first-ever safe, naturally derived psychedelic medicines for conditions like substance use disorder. With 15 clinical trials underway across North America and Europe and a business now valued at $210M, Filament is making waves in the industry. Before this, Ben built and sold a successful natural extraction startup, Mazza Innovation, securing major deals with multinationals

Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Torkil Færø about heart rate variability and why he believes it's key to optimal health and longevity. Dr. Færø explains what heart rate variability is, the differences between high and low variability, and how to monitor it using top wearables. He also discusses his best-selling book, The Pulse Cure, which offers a revolutionary method to balance stress, optimize health, and live longer. Plus, he shares eight strategies everyone should adopt to add '24 years' to their life. Dr. Færø is a physician, documentary filmmaker, author, and award-winning photographer. With 26 years as a freelance doctor across Norway and over 100,000 consultations, he recognized that many diseases stem from lifestyle-induced stress. After his father's death at 73, he overhauled his own health, shedding 40 pounds and using wearables to track and regulate his nervous system. He has authored The Pulse Cure, The Camera Cure, created TV films on

Send us a textDisclaimer: Causes or Cures is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and no medical claims are being made. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your personal health. In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Chris Kilham, the renowned "Medicine Hunter," to discuss his incredible global adventures in search of medicinal plants. Chris shares fascinating stories about traveling to over 45 countries, collaborating with indigenous communities, and transforming botanical discoveries into market-ready products. He provides practical advice on plant-based solutions for hair and skin health, managing anxiety, and even low libido, drawing on his deep exploration of natural aphrodisiacs.Chris also delves into how plant-based medicinals can be thoughtfully incorporated into conventional approaches to medicine, bridging the gap between traditional remedies and modern healthcare. He explores the rising popularity of psychedelics and offers valua

Send us a text In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Dr. Sherlock Li to explore his recent research on the impact of forever chemicals (PFAS) on sleep, a pressing public health concern given the strong links between poor sleep and a range of health issues. Dr. Li begins by providing an overview of what forever chemicals are and how they persist in the environment and human body. He then delves into the methodology of his latest study, detailing the observed effects of PFAS on sleep patterns and the emerging theories behind these disruptions. The conversation also touches on the broader public health implications of PFAS exposure and Dr. Li’s cautionary note that the replacement chemicals being introduced may not offer any improvements for our well-being. Dr. Sherlock Li, PhD, is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook her