The Mindbodygreen Podcast

Rebecca Siegel, M.D.: “There needs to be more research [on marijuana] so physicians can either get behind it or not get behind it." Siegel, a psychiatrist and a licensed prescriber of medical marijuana in New York state, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how marijuana actually affects your brain, plus: - How to know if medical marijuana will work for you (01:32) - Is marijuana really a gateway drug? (08:06) - How men & women's brains react differently to marijuana (14:41) - Healthier "swaps" for marijuana (24:50) - How to know if you or someone you love is abusing marijuana (27:02) Referenced in the episode: - Find the podcast transcript here. - Siegel's book, The Brain On Cannabis. - King's College study on marijuana & psychosis. - Malcolm Gladwell's op-ed on marijuana. - Learn more about Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome. - Alex Berenson's book, Tell Your Children: The Truth About Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence. - Amen Clinics. Enjoy this episode! Whether it's an article or podcast, we wa

Talya Miron-Shatz, Ph.D.: "When you're choosing a doctor, it's important to feel connected to this person—you're going to get better treatment and better health outcomes.”  Miron-Shatz, a researcher, author, and medical decision-making expert, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to feel more empowered in your health, plus: - How to Google health-related questions without spiraling (00:44) - How to navigate probabilities & percentages in health care (10:33) - Nonnegotiable qualities to look for in a doctor (12:20) - Why you should always ask your doctor for alternatives (23:19) - What to do if you feel dismissed by a health care professional (26:32) Referenced in the episode: - Miron-Shatz's book, Your Life Depends On It. - Miron-Shatz's research on thank you letters. - Miron-Shat'z mbg article on health literacy. - Thinking Fast And Slow, by Daniel Kahneman. - mbg's Invisible Illness series. - Miron-Shatz's website. Enjoy this episode! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we

Marvin Singh, M.D.: “70% of our immune system sits in our gut microbiome. It’s silly not to look at that when you're looking at your whole health.”  Singh, an integrative gastroenterologist, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss the new science of caring for your gut, plus: - What is precision health care (02:12) - Five lab tests for gut heath assessment (03:27) - What you need to know before getting a colonoscopy (24:26) - How to tell you have issues with the integrity of your gut lining (29:23) - The ultimate food list for gut health & overall well-being (31:51) Referenced in the episode: - Singh's book, Rescue Your Health. - BiomeFX. - mbg Podcast episode #22, with Mark Hyman, M.D. - Nutrigenomix. - An article explaining how 23AndMe was not accurate in giving results for BRCA gene. - 3x4 Genetics. Feel your best during the holidays with mbg's return to balance bundle+.* Visit mindbodygreen.com/balancebundle and use the code BALANCEPOD to receive 30% off your order, valid only through November 27th.

Gretchen Rubin: “Anytime we're connecting with other people, we get a boost of happiness." Rubin, a happiness expert and New York Times bestselling author, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to become a genuinely happier person, plus: - The common habits that can secretly sabotage your joy - How to set a work-life balance while working from home - Why resolutions usually fail & how to actually make them stick - How to boost happiness when you're having a bad day - The real reason why ketchup makes us so happy Referenced in the episode: - Rubin's book, The Happiness Project. - Rubin's book, Outer Order, Inner Calm. - The Happiness Project website. - Rubin's Know Yourself Better journal. - Rubin's Don't Break The Chain habit tracker. - Read more about Rubin's upcoming book on the five senses. Enjoy this episode! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

Madiha Saeed, M.D.: “The things that we put in bodies have a dramatic effect on our behaviors.”  Saeed, a board-certified integrative family physician, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob to discuss how unchecked inflammation can affect your mental health, plus: - The best foods to support immunity & protect your brain - How to enhance the flavor of your veggies - How gratitude can help reduce inflammation - How your behaviors can actually change other people's brains - How to get more plant-based sources of iron Referenced in the episode: - mbg Podcast episode #292, with Saeed. - Saeed's latest book, The Holistic Rx For Kids. - A study on inflammatory markers and behavioral problems in children. - A study on how junk food affects adolescents' brains. - A study on how fruits and vegetables can support children's mental health. - A study on 400 infants showing how gut bacteria can affect cognition. - A study showing childhood obesity linked to psychosocial & cognitive consequences. - A study showing vitamin D leve

Chloe Carmichael, Ph.D.: “There's a healthy level of [anxiety] that can be protective. We just need to learn how to use it properly.”  Carmichael, a licensed clinical psychologist, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to better direct your anxious energy, plus: - How to let go of perfectionism - What to ask when shopping for a therapist - How to practice mindfulness in the moment - The best yoga pose when you're feeling anxious - How to mindfully drink alcohol Referenced in the episode: - Carmichael's book, Nervous Energy: Harness the Power of Your Anxiety. - Carmichael's blog post on how to find your alcohol sweet spot. - Access Carmichael's free worksheets. - A study showing too aspirational affirmations can cause more insecurity in people. - Carmichael's Insider's Club. - Read Carmichael's articles on mbg. Enjoy this episode! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com. Learn more about your ad choic

Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN: “Most standalone vitamin D3 products on the market are sub-efficacious doses...It’s like going to get a pumpkin spiced latte and they left out the latte part.”  Ferira, mbg's Director of Scientific Affairs, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss the biggest vitamin D myths she sees all the time, plus: - How much vitamin D you need daily & what amount is too much - How to maximize bioavailability - What vegans should look for in a vitamin D supplement - The link between vitamin D & fertility - How to approach food vs. sunshine vs. supplementation for D sufficiency* - How to make sure your vitamin D supplement actually works* Referenced in the episode: - Audio skip at 06:58: Ferira mentions biochemist & nutritionist Sir Edward Mellanby who discovered vitamin D in 1919.  - A study on the link between vitamin D & erectile function. - A study that 1 in 20 kids during the Roman Empire had rickets. - Ferira's mbg article on why you can't get enough vitamin D from food alone. -

Esther Perel: “The quality of all our relationships is what determines the quality of our lives.” Perel—a psychotherapist, New York Times bestselling author & world-renowned relationship expert—joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to know if your relationship will last, plus: - How to know if your relationship is on thin ice - How to become a better friend - What we’re getting wrong about non-monogamous relationships - Why dancing is crucial for successful relationships - How to keep the spark alive & effectively deal with conflict Referenced in the episode: - Perel's book, Mating In Captivity. - Perel's podcast, Where Should We Begin? - Perel's game, Where Should We Begin - A Game Of Stories. - Perel's Sessions Live Conference. - Priya Parker's The Art of Gathering. - Visit mindbodygreen.com/esther to check out her online class on communication in relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Hill: “In Western society, we have made animal protein the hero of the plate. We want to flip that.”  Hill, a nutritionist and physiotherapist, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss why your diet should be 85% plants, plus: - How to get the most bang for your bunk with plant-based eating - How to eat to protect your heart - The brain-healthy reason you should eat a leafy green salad every day - Why you should eat "stressed out" plants - The sneaky way you might be sabotaging iron absorption  Referenced in the episode: - Hill's book, The Proof is in the Plants. - Hill's podcast, Plant Proof. - Cronometer app. - Research showing garlic and onion can increase nonheme iron absorption in food. - A study on the link between leafy greens and younger brains. - A study on fiber vs. fermented foods and balancing the inflammatory response. - A study showing higher intake of lutein associated with cognitive flexibility. - A study showing saturated fat can increase fat buildup in the liver, even without an ex

Lisa Miller, Ph.D.: “People who [have] a spiritual response to suffering show entirely different brains.” Miller, an award-winning researcher in spirituality and psychology, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how a sense of spirituality can bolster your mental health, plus: - How to flex your spiritual muscles - How to strike a balance between surrender and ambition - How your parents significantly shape your spiritual life - How to get out of your head & actually lead with the heart - How to identify synchronicities in your life Referenced in the episode: - Miller's book, The Awakened Brain. - Miller's MRI findings on spirituality & depression. - Suniya S. Luthar, Ph.D.'s research on depressive feelings & higher resource communities. Don't forget to use the code SLEEP25 for 25% off your first month subscription of mbg's best-selling sleep support+ supplement. Our science-backed formula helps you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling rejuvenated.* To learn more about the suppl

Amishi Jha, Ph.D.: “Pay attention to your attention. Check in with this precious brain resource—it is the fuel for your ability to think, feel connect, and act.”  Jha, a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Miami, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to pay attention better, plus: - Why there's no such thing as multitasking - The link between a wandering mind & your mood - What to do if you get an upsetting text - How to do "mindfulness pushups" for your brain - The difference between mind-wandering & daydreaming Referenced in the episode: - Jha's book, Peak Mind. - "A wandering mind is an unhappy mind" study. - Learn more about Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.'s mindfulness-based stress reduction program. - Jha's research on mindfulness training and University of Miami football players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casey Means, M.D.: “Metabolic health is not just about avoiding long-term chronic illnesses…It's also about feeling good in the moment.” Means, a Stanford-trained physician and co-founder of Levels, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss which healthy foods can secretly spike your blood sugar, plus: - How your microbiome affects your blood sugar - How to prepare your body for a glucose spike - Underrated tips to keep your metabolism stable - Why you should switch from sweet to savory breakfasts - How to actually know if your metabolism is healthy Referenced in the episode: - Levels. - Data showing the average American eats 152 pounds of sugar in one year. - A study on how poor sleep can affect metabolism. - A study on how microbiome can dictate glucose responses. - Levels blog post on the top 10 worst foods for blood sugar. - mbg Podcast episode #294, with Jud Brewer, M.D., Ph.D. - Product recommendations: Unreal chocolate quinoa peanut butter cups, Lief Therapeutics HRV monitor, Siete Foods burrito size

Leland Stillman, M.D.: “People who have sleep issues need to fix their light environment as aggressively as possible.” Stillman, a functional medicine doctor, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to use light to your advantage, plus: - How to mitigate the effects of looking at a screen all day - Why you should get morning light without glasses or contacts - How dim light can contribute to anxiety - How to tell if your blue light blockers are working - How light affects your gut & skin microbiome Referenced in the episode: - Sperti Vitamin D Sunlamp. - A red light panel option. - Iris and f.lux computer apps. - Ra Optics blue light blockers. - Safe Living Technologies EMF meter. - A study on the link between dim lighting and anxiety. Enjoy this episode! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara Gottfried, M.D.: “For women, testosterone is especially important for confidence, agency, and even risk-taking.” Gottfried, a Harvard-trained integrative medicine doctor and hormone expert, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how hormones affect your weight, plus: - How the keto diet can hinder your sleep - Why women should pay more attention to testosterone - How to successfully follow the keto diet for metabolic health - How to increase your growth hormone & why it matters - How to enhance your gut health with vitamin D Referenced in the episode: - Gottfried's book, Women, Food, And Hormones. - Data showing 88% of Americans are metabolically unhealthy, and an mbg article on what to do about it. - Research showing 45% pre-menopausal women had menstrual irregularity on the keto diet. - Research showing more than half of those with coronary artery disease have "normal" lipids. - Research showing women with higher testosterone more likely to choose risky careers. - mbg Podcast episode #294 and #1

Wendy Suzuki, Ph.D.: “[Moving your body] is like giving your brain a bubble bath of fantastic neurochemicals that make you feel better.”  Suzuki, a neuroscientist and brain plasticity researcher, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to make your anxiety work for you, plus: - How to turn stress into resilience - How to use affirmations to help with anxiety - Why you should talk about your vacations - How making smoothies can be meditative, plus her go-to recipe - The best type of exercise to grow new brain cells Referenced in the episode: - Suzuki's book, Good Anxiety. - Read more about Suzuki's 10-minute exercise experiment at NYU. - A study showing a single bout of exercise can improve attention and executive performance. - A study on the power of positive thinking for improving mood. - Read more about Patricia Moreno and intenSATI. Enjoy this episode! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com. Lear

Elizabeth Ricker: “Brains are not well-designed for trying to function on too little sleep.” Ricker, a neurohacker and MIT and Harvard-trained brain researcher, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to upgrade your brain in 15 minutes a day, plus: - How to make habits actually stick - Why women are more productive in a warmer temperature - How to boost creativity - The best type of exercise for cognitive performance - Why you should track your micros, not just your macros  Referenced in the episode: - Ricker's book, Smarter Tomorrow. - Download Cronometer. - Carol Dweck, Ph.D., on developing a growth mindset. - A study showing aerobic and resistance exercise together can boost brain power. - Apps to track your mental health through typing patterns such as BiAffect, Mindstrong Health, and Neurametrix. - Correction: Around minute 29:00, there is a mention of coffee and l-theanine, but that should have been "caffeine." A cup of coffee has around 100 mg of caffeine. If you are going to use l-theanine an

Erin Brockovich: “Your gut is your second brain, and we oftentimes don't listen to it.” Brockovich, an environmental activist, consumer advocate, and legal clerk, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how we can tackle the water crisis, plus: - The most common pollutants in drinking water - Signs you're dealing with unsafe water - Low-lift ways to reduce your water consumption - How to actually advocate for yourself & your community - What to do if you're feeling overwhelmed by climate news Referenced in the episode: - Brockovich's book, Superman's Not Coming. - Learn more about the film, Last Call At The Oasis. - Learn more about the film, Erin Brockovich. - Brockovich's newsletter. - Read more about the Hannibal, Missouri vote to remove ammonia in drinking water. - Brockovich's website. Enjoy this episode sponsored by Cotton! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com. Learn more about your ad choices.

Scott Small, M.D.: “One of the main purposes of sleep is to trim down our memories.” Small, a neurologist & Alzheimer's researcher, joins mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how trauma affects your memory, plus: - How sleep keeps you from having "too much memory" - Why having a “bad memory” can sometimes benefit your mental health - How to make sure your brain has a balance of memory and forgetting - How fear memories impact your health & how to keep them at bay - How meaningful social connections can enhance your memory Referenced in the episode: - Small's book, Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering. - Research from Francis Crick on why sleeping is for forgetting. - Columbia University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center website. - Research on the neurological differences between chimpanzees and bonobos. - Small's mbg article on how forgetting can boost creativity. Don't forget to use the code SLEEP25 for 25% off your first month subscription of mbg's best-selling sleep support+ supplement. Our sci

Nicole Beurkens, Ph.D., CNS: “From a mental health standpoint, movement is critical—when we're too sedentary, that's a problem.” Beurkens, a clinical psychologist and board-certified nutritionist, joins mbg Co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss her tips to get through this mental health epidemic, plus: - Hero foods for anxiety at every age - Why more and more kids are diagnosed with mental health disorders - How to build self-esteem & deal with uncertainty - How much sleep you actually need for your mental health - What to do if your kid is anxious abut going back to school Referenced in the episode: - Beurkens' website. - A study showing 25-50% of people diagnosed with ADHD experience sleep issues. - A study showing allergies associated with a higher risk of developing psychiatric conditions. - Data & stats about ADHD in school-aged kids. - Read Beurkens' parenting articles on mbg. Enjoy this episode! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know a

Rupa Marya, M.D. & Raj Patel, Ph.D.: "Our immunity is completely dependent on supporting the other and getting out of the individualistic mindset." Marya, an internal medicine physician and activist, and Patel, a political economist and New York Times bestselling author, join mbg co-CEO, Jason Wachob, to discuss how to better your health by prioritizing the health of others, plus: - How to protect the respiratory system  - Sneaky triggers for inflammation & what to do - How climate change can affect your immune response - The link between childhood trauma & telomere length - Why we can’t heal our bodies without healing the world  Referenced in the episode: - Marya & Patel's book, Inflamed. - A study showing the link between exposure to wildfire smoke & COVID-19 outcomes. - A study on the association between public smoking legislation & a lower risk of hospitalization and death from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. - A study on the link between stressful events during childhood & shorter telomeres. -