Episode #12 Adaptogens for Stress Resiliency and Immunity with Dr. Lise Alschuler

11/19/20 • 38 min

Adaptogens are a unique group of plants and mushrooms that helps to normalize the functions of the body. They are favorites among many herbalists, naturopaths, and integrative medicine practitioners as they’ve been clinically proven to help the body to cope with acute and long-term stress, boost immunity, and increase energy. Highly regarded in traditional medicine they have been used for thousands of years in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

Our guest today is Dr. Lise Alschuler, a naturopathic doctor with board certification in naturopathic oncology. Lise is the Associate Director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine and a Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Arizona School of Medicine. She has co-authored two books, Definitive Guide to Cancer and Definitive Guide to Thriving After Cancer.

Lise describes how adaptogens are natural regulators that can “balance” the body and bring it back to homeostasis. She describes the mechanism of action by which they work and which symptoms may benefit from adaptogens. Dr. Andrew Weil discusses how adaptogenic herbs, like ginseng, were first introduced to Western culture. Lise, Andy, and Victoria discuss why they use adaptogens in their daily routine and share their favorites.

On this episode, we discuss; astragalus, ginseng, rhodiola, schisandra, reishi, ashwagandha, and holy basil (tulsi).

Always consult your primary care provider before adding adaptogens or supplements to your diet or routine.

On this episode, we discuss; astragalus, ginseng, rhodiola, schisandra, reishi, ashwagandha, and holy basil (tulsi).

Always consult your primary care provider before adding adaptogens or supplements to your diet or routine.

Previous Episode

Episode #11 Psychedelic-Assisted Trauma Therapy - A New Frontier in Mental Health with Rick Doblin

Psychedelics are a family of psychoactive substances that induce a non-ordinary state of consciousness and altered sensory perception. Many individuals who have experienced psychedelics report transformative experiences, including a profound sensation of ego dissolution and deep spiritual awakening.

While psychedelics have a long and interesting history of human consumption, they were banned by the FDA in the 1970s, and to this day they hold the most restrictive classification as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. However, careful research by a dedicated group of scientists reveals that MDMA may prove to be a breakthrough treatment for difficult cases of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and emotional trauma.

In this episode Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes welcome Rick Doblin, Ph.D, the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Rick received his doctorate in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and studied with psychedelics pioneer, Dr. Stanislav Grof. The MAPS organization is currently carrying out Phase III clinical research trials to assess the effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in patients with PTSD and other forms of severe trauma.

Rick distinguishes MDMA from other classic psychedelics, describes how MDMA is being used in psychoanalysis, shares why he believes this will be a meaningful catalyst for the exploration of consciousness, and explains why micro-dosing may not achieve therapeutic results. Dr. Weil explains the importance of set and setting in psychedelics use, and Dr. Maizes asks what next for this promising field of research.

Next Episode

Episode #13 Thinking Small and Big - Microencapsulation with Robert Langer

Dr. Robert “Bob” Langer joins us to discuss his work microencapsulating probiotics, micronutrients, and even human cells. Microencapsulating is the scientific process which creates a protective barrier around a cell and has been a lifesaving technology for a variety of conditions. Researchers are just on the cusp of nano-encapsulating technology. Dr. Langer, a chemical engineer and Institute Professor at MIT, has been called “the Edison of Medicine” by Times for his breakthrough innovations. He has over 1,350 patents and it’s estimated that over 2 billion people worldwide have been impacted by his innovations. From an early career as a chemical engineer working in Boston Children’s Hospital, where he developed the world’s first angiogenesis inhibitor (a medicine that prevents cancer growth by starving tumor blood vessels) to his present-day work developing a novel mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Langer’s career has been full of innovation. Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Langer discuss how cross-discipline collaboration in the sciences and diversity play an important role in innovation. Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Langer discuss how microencapsulating probiotics will improve gut health and how microencapsulating nutrients could yield better long-term health outcomes in populations lacking nutrient dense foods. We also discuss tissue regeneration, the process of growing new skin, which is already being applied to treat burn survivors. Dr. Langer’s scientific contributions are testament to what’s possible when you think outside the status quo and nurture imagination.