Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health - #51 Nzinga Harrison, MD: The ‘correct way’ to understand and support those suffering with substance use disorders

#51 Nzinga Harrison, MD: The ‘correct way’ to understand and support those suffering with substance use disorders

10/01/21 • 58 min

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As the daughter of a public school teacher/administrator and an electrical engineer, who was also the commander of the local Black Panther Party, Nzinga was raised as an advocate who always knew she would become a doctor and a teacher. In medical school, her world was upended by a psychiatry rotation that drove her into mental health care within the context of social & political factors. Compassion, connection, and relationships drive health. Coming correct to substance use disorder treatment means bringing the compassion and resource we offer cancer patients and the biological, social, & cultural interventions we use to manage the lifelong chronic illness that is diabetes. We wouldn’t drop off a newly diagnosed diabetic who just spent 5 days in the ICU stabilizing their blood sugar into their old neighborhood without medication, education, and connection to ongoing care and social support because this doesn’t make any sense. Why do we do this with people suffering with substance use disorders?

With joy, humor incredible wisdom, and a take-no-prisoners attitude, Nzinga points out how perceptions of safety or threat (not necessarily present-day reality as intergenerational trauma informs current day perceptions) can drive behavior. We discuss ‘safety pie’ and how equity means the hungriest person gets the biggest piece and some people might not get any today because they had a lot yesterday and just don't really need it.

Nzinga pulled all of this brilliance together into the company she co-founded and serves as Chief Medical Officer, Eleanor Health, which offers wrap-around harm-reduction care for people with substance use disorders. Lest you think she’s an idealistic hippie, you have to know that in its first year open, Eleanor Health reduced hospitalizations by 85% for its served population- better than you find with any pharmaceutical.

Please listen to this show- the majority of us have people in our lives who have suffered or are suffering in various stages of substance use disorders. Learning how to come correct and that Eleanor Health is available in multiple states across the country is elemental for us to heal ourselves, each other and our communities.

https://www.eleanorhealth.com/

http://www.nzingaharrisonmd.com/

https://www.eleanorhealth.com/

http://www.nzingaharrisonmd.com/

Previous Episode

#50 Sri Ganeshan, MD and physician scientist: Into the weeds on folate and mitochondrial metabolism with FRAT and MitoSwab testing

Dr Sri Ganeshan, MD and physician scientist, dives into the weeds on folate and mitochondria

Please note, even though we discuss folate doses in depth, we are NOT recommending that using folate in any form is right for you or your child. A podcast conversation is never a replacement for personalized and direct medical care.

Did you know mitochondria is involved in fighting viral infections including COVID? Listen all the way through to get this info!

It’s a soup-to-nuts discussion about the types of folate, functions of folate across the lifespan, location of receptors on the body, deficiency symptoms, genetics of folate (including MTHFR), and supplementation options (including oral and/or injectable). Dr Ganeshan then discusses the FRAT test (Folate Receptor Antibody Test) which is a blood test that evaluates autoimmune activity against the folate receptors, possibly interrupting folate uptake & usage, especially by the brain, which has been associated with neuroinflammatory conditions like autism and chronic infections. He discusses the role of dairy in triggering autoinflammatory conditions.

Regarding mitochondria, Dr Ganeshan weaves around mitochondrial structure, numbers, locations, functions and dysfunction/ deficiency symptoms by complex in the electron transport chain (thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, cancer, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and others). Historically, mitochondrial disease that is severe has a genetic contribution and is found in childhood, but secondary dysfunction that may be environmentally triggered and found as mitochondrial dysfunction in children or adults. He discusses some of the subtle (aka vague) lab findings as well as the gold standards for mitochondrial evaluation (muscle biopsy and/or genetics). MitoSwab test per research is 85% as accurate as the much more invasive muscle biopsy and can be completed with a simple cheek swab and shipped in the mail for assessment. It can be used with children 2 years old and up. Finally, we review treatment options for supplements and the importance of protecting from light and oxygen to reduce oxidation.

We close with some interesting patient cases of children with autism and an adult with Parkinson's.

Put on your science hat! This is a fun, technical, ride through these two vital aspects of our metabolism.

Of note, Center for Healing Neurology does offer both FRAT & MitoSwab testing. Please schedule an appointment if you are interested in this testing.

Next Episode

#52: Shae Datta, MD: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), gut-brain connection and supplements for healing

Dr Shae Datta, MD, is a Sports NeuroTrauma Neurologist and the current Director of Concussion & Neuro-Cognition at New York University, Long Island. Dr Datta specializes in helping people heal from brain injuries, especially including traumatic brain injuries and concussion (also called mTBI = mild traumatic brain injury). In this incredible episode, we wind our way first through the anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system, meaning the brain, spinal cord and associated microglia, astrocytes, relay neurons and the glymphatic clearance system of the CNS. Dr Datta then illuminates an understanding of the gut-brain axis with a special focus on psychbiotics, naming some of the specific types of probiotics that impact mood, cognition and the nervous system. She notes, ‘unhappy gut = unhappy brain’. The show returns to prognosis after brain injury and that every head injury is a unique story and very dependent on functional level, age, stress, co-morbidities, prior TBI and history of migraines. She reviews a bit of the TBI evaluation, which, barring a bleed in the head visible on CT, can often present with subtle findings regarding balance and ocular or vision changes that can potentially reflect outsized cognitive, sensory and/or motor challenges. We end the show with an exploration of a wide variety of treatments, some common (physical and occupational therapy) and some unique to Dr Datta’s integrative training: choline, creatine, vitamins and others.

Learn more from Dr Datta from her co-authored chapter on TBI in the Integrative Neurology textbook in the Andrew Weil Series: https://www.elliottbaybook.com/book/9780190051617

To see Dr Datta as a patient, find her at NYU Langone: https://nyulangone.org/doctors/1720493141/shae-datta