MEDspiration

Bessel van Der Kolk, M.D. - The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, & Body in the Healing of Trauma

Order Dr. Bessel van der Kolk's Best Selling Book here: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the healing of Trauma

This Podcast is brought to you by: Picmonic - USE THIS LINK TO GET 20% OFF ANY PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: https://www.picmonic.com/affiliate/medspirationLDW19

Picmonic has a visual learning platform that will help anyone in healthcare learn more in less time, so they can rock course exams, boards, and become more competent providers! Using their learning tools has been proven to increase long term memory retention up to 331%! Picmonic helped me with my USMLE Step 1 studies & can help also help student NPs, PAs, Pharm Ds, RNs, LPNs, paramedics & those in premed. We've partnered with them to bring you an INCREDIBLE OFFER: 

• You can check them out @: Picmonic.com & sign up for FREE & you’ll get instant access to a free video and quiz questions every day - no credit card required. 
• Use the promo code Medspiration for 20% off any Premium subscription! 

According to the CDC's Adverse Childhood Experience Study (ACE study): there is a direct link between childhood trauma & adult onset of chronic disease as well as depression, suicide, being violent, & a victim of violence & drug abuse.

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/acestudy/about.html

Adverse Childhood Experiences are defined as:
Kids who grew up in environments that included psychological, physical, or sexual abuse &/or domestic violence, neglect, living with a substance abuser, someone who is mentally ill, suicidal, or ever sent to prison. Persons who have experienced four or more categories of childhood exposure, compared to those who had experienced none, had 4 to 12-fold increased health risks for alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, & suicide attempt; a 2- to 4-fold increase in smoking, poor self-rated health, 50+ sexual intercourse partners, and sexually transmitted disease; and a 1.4- to 1.6-fold increase in physical inactivity and severe obesity. Individuals with greater than 6 ACEs die on average 20 years earlier than those who don't!

This body of research brought me to our guest today: Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk. He is one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma & he’s spent over 3 decades working with survivors. Dr. Bessel is a member of the first neuro-imaging team to investigate how trauma changes brain processes, and he did the first research linking Bipolar Disorder and deliberate self-injury to trauma and neglect in early childhood. He did the first studies on the effects of SSRIs on PTSD; & also some of the first studies on the benefits of Yoga & EMDR.

His NYT best selling book - The Body Keeps Score - Brain Mind & Body in the Healing of Trauma uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both the body & brain & it completely Transformed my understanding of human physiology!

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to our podcast & rate it 5 stars: MEDspiration Podcast on Apple
You can find Dr. Bessel on Social Media:
Instagram: @bessel_van & @thebodykeepsthescore
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebodykeepsthescore/
Visit Dr. Bessel's Website for exclusive offers: https://besselvanderkolk.net/

Tim S. Grover - Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant's Trainer: From Good to Great to Unstoppable; Connecting Elite Performance with Mental Health

Order Tim's Best Selling Book here: Relentless - From Good to Great to Unstoppable

This Podcast is brought to you by: Picmonic - USE THIS LINK TO GET 20% OFF ANY PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: https://www.picmonic.com/affiliate/medspirationLDW19

Picmonic has a visual learning platform that will help anyone in healthcare learn more in less time, so they can rock course exams, boards, and become more competent providers! Using their learning tools has been proven to increase long term memory retention up to 331%! Picmonic helped me with my USMLE Step 1 studies & can help also help student NPs, PAs, Pharm Ds, RNs, LPNs, paramedics & those in premed. We've partnered with them to bring you an INCREDIBLE OFFER: 

• You can check them out @: Picmonic.com & sign up for FREE & you’ll get instant access to a free video and quiz questions every day - no credit card required. 
• Use the promo code Medspiration for 20% off any Premium subscription! 

According to the National Library of Medicine, it is now scientifically proven that exercising a growth mindset can build brain power for health; improve our ability to learn new tasks; & open the door to higher achievement (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5836039/)! 

If you’ve been listening to our podcast for awhile now, you know I love harping on the science of ‘neuroplasticity’ & how it has shown time & time again: when we choose to believe that our basic abilities can be developed & improved upon through dedication & hard work—the brain physically changes in a way that allows us to strengthen the Mind-Body connection! This holds true for everyone out there: whether you’re trying to get better at studying, improve as an entrepreneur, become a great Leader OR just trying to be great at whatever you do. It turns out that many of the world's greatest athletes ARE leveraging the growth mindset to reach the top of their sport!

Thats why in todays episode - we’re bringing you the man that teaches the world's greatest athletes - Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon, Scottie Pippen etc. - how to fuel their minds in ways that helps them take their games to the NEXT level! Tim Grover is widely recognized as an authority on the Science & Art of achieving Physical & Mental Domination! Today, Tim offers psychological insights into the nature of elite performance that will leave you more MEDSPIRED THAN EVER!!!!

When asked about Tim's book, Kobe Bryant said: 'Tim Grover knows more than anyone about the mental side of sports. His book is the blue print for discovering what your capable of achieving, getting the results you never imagined, reaching the highest level of success - & then going even higher.'

Tim & I discuss got to discuss the relentless system in detail & combined the world of sports & mental health in a way that’s never been done before!! We touched on the topics of dealing with adversity & failure; overcoming anxiety; how to use anger as a tool to excel; & HOW every single one of our listeners out there can USE Tim’s techniques to take their LIFE to the next level - regardless of your backgorund!

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to our podcast & rate it 5 stars: MEDspiration Podcast on Apple

You can find Tim Grover on Social Media:

Instagram: @attackathletics

Facebook: Tim S. Grover

Twitter: @attackathletics

Visit Tim's Website for exclusive offers: Timgrover.com

 

 

Dean Ornish, M.D. - Undo It! Reversing Chronic Disease; Eating Well, Moving More, Stressing Less & Loving More; Mindfulness; Epigenetics; Mental Health & The Microbiome

Order Dr. Ornish's Best Selling Book here: https://undoitbook.com

This Podcast is brought to you by: Picmonic - USE THIS LINK TO GET 20% OFF ANY PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: https://www.picmonic.com/affiliate/medspirationLDW19

Picmonic has a visual learning platform that will help anyone in healthcare learn more in less time, so they can rock course exams, boards, and become more competent providers! Using their learning tools has been proven to increase long term memory retention up to 331%! Picmonic helped me with my USMLE Step 1 studies & can help also help student NPs, PAs, Pharm Ds, RNs, LPNs, paramedics & those in premed. We've partnered with them to bring you an INCREDIBLE OFFER: 

• You can check them out @: Picmonic.com & sign up for FREE & you’ll get instant access to a free video and quiz questions every day - no credit card required. 
• Use the promo code Medspiration for 20% off any Premium subscription! 

According to the American Heart Association, individuals that choose to implement 5 healthy life style habits can add more than a decade to their life expectancy (https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.032047)! A 2018 large-scale study of more than 100,000 patients by the Harvard School of Public Health found that those who chose to eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables; exercise at least 30 minutes a day; maintain a healthy body weight; limit their alcohol use; & chose not to smoke during adulthood, had an 82% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, a 65% lower chance of dying from cancer, and a 74% lower risk of dying from all causes during follow-up (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/five-healthy-lifestyle-habits/). 

Stats like these were the reason my investigations brought me to our guest - Dr. Dean Ornish - He just published a book which is called: UNDO IT - How Simple Lifestyle Changes Can Reverse Most Chronic Diseases - I read it in it’s entirely before this interview! Once I finished it, I realized Dr. Ornish literally has compiled 40 + years of his life work & research into this master piece of a book!

Dr. Ornish is the president & founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute & current Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. A ton of the ground breaking research we discuss in this episode was literally dreamed up by him & conducted by his teams. His medical background is from Baylor School of Medicine & Harvard Medical School. 

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to our podcast & rate it 5 stars: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/medspiration/id1440527968

You can find Dr. Orish on Social Media:

Instagram: @deanornishmd

Facebook: Dean Ornish

Dean Ornish's website: https://www.ornish.com

Wim Hof (The Ice-Man): Revolutionizing Medicine through Meditation; Using the Mind to Control the Immune System & Nervous System; Mental Health; Epi-genetics; & the Science of the Wim Hof Method

This Podcast is brought to you by: Picmonic - USE THIS LINK TO GET 20% OFF ANY PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: https://www.picmonic.com/affiliate/medspirationLDW19

Picmonic has a visual learning platform that will help anyone in healthcare learn more in less time, so they can rock course exams, boards, and become more competent providers! Using their learning tools has been proven to increase long term memory retention up to 331%! Picmonic helped me with my USMLE Step 1 studies & can help also help student NPs, PAs, Pharm Ds, RNs, LPNs, paramedics & those in premed. We've partnered with them to bring you an INCREDIBLE OFFER: 

• You can check them out @: Picmonic.com & sign up for FREE & you’ll get instant access to a free video and quiz questions every day - no credit card required. 
• Use the promo code Medspiration for 20% off any Premium subscription! 

According to the Proceedings of the National Academy for Sciences (PNAS) of the United States: It has long been presumed that it was NOT possible to voluntarily influence the Autonomic Nervous System & Innate Immune System. In 2014, a peer reviewed study that was published after Wim Hof demonstrated that through practicing the Wim Hof Method (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzCaZQqAs9I&t=1s), a self developed technique that involves a combination of breathing, cold exposure & meditation, the sympathetic nervous system & immune system CAN indeed be voluntarily influenced. Here is the link to this study:(https://www.pnas.org/content/111/20/7379).

In today's episode, we're sitting down with the Ice-Man himself! Wim owns 26 official Guinness World Records, all of which are beyond comprehension to most who hear them! In 2007 he climbed 22,000ft up Mount Everest in only shorts & shoes. In 2009 he ran a full marathon in the Arctic circle in temperatures close to -20°C, wearing only a pair of shorts and having not trained at all. In 2011, Wim broke his own cold-endurance record, remaining submerged neck-deep in an ice bath for 112 minutes. The same year he completed another marathon without training, this time in the Namibian desert in temperatures of up to 40°C, without drinking a drop of water! 

I made sure to study EVERY peer-reviewed study ever published on Wim before this interview (links to these studies are below). Wim & I discussed how he is revolutionizing medicine & medical science through meditation; How it is possible to use the mind to control the immune system & nervous system; mental health; epi-genetics; & the Science of the Wim Hof Method. P

RESEARCH:

2018

Article: “Brain over body”–A study on the willful regulation of autonomic function during cold exposure

Authors: O. Muzik, K. Reilly, V. Diwadkar - Wayne State Univeristy School of Medicine Summary: In this paper, a brain imaging study was conducted to measure the relative contributions of the brain and the periphery that endow the Iceman to withstand the cold using his Wim Hof Method techniques. The results provide compelling evidence for the primacy of the brain (CNS) rather than the body (peripheral mechanisms) in mediating the Iceman's responses to cold exposure. They also suggest the compelling possibility that the WHM might allow practitioners to develop higher level of control over key components of the autonomous system, with implications for lifestyle interventions that might ameliorate multiple clinical syndromes.

2015

Article: The Role of Outcome Expectancies for a Training Program Consisting of Meditation, Breathing Exercises, and Cold Exposure on the Response to Endotoxin Administration: a Proof-of-Principle Study

Authors: H. van Middendorp, M. Kox, P. Pickkers, A.W.M. Evers - Radboud University Medical Centre Summary: This paper adds to a previous study, published in 2014, on the ability to voluntarily influence the physiological stress response in healthy men to experimentally induced inflammation, after WHM training. It is a proof-of-principle study that investigated how one’s expectancies might play a role in treatment outcome. Indications were found that generalized outcome expectancy optimism is a potential determinant of the autonomic and immune response to induced inflammation after training.

2014

• Article: Voluntary Activation of The Sympathetic Nervous System and Attenuation of the Innate Immune Response In Humans
  
  Authors: M. Kox, P. Pickkers et al. - Radboud University Medical Center (published in PNAS) Summary: In this paper, the effects of the Wim Hof Method on the autonomic nervous system and innate immune response are evaluated. A group of twelve people was trained with the Wim Hof Method before undergoing an experiment to induce inflammation, normally resulting in flu-like symptoms. Compared to a control group who were not trained in the Wim Hof Method, the trained participants showed fewer flu-like symptoms, lower levels of proinflammatory mediators, and increased plasma epinephrine levels. In conclusion, the trained group was able to voluntarily activate their sympathetic nervous system.

 

• Article: Controlled Hyperventilation After Training May Accelerate Altitude Acclimatization
  
  Authors: G. Buijze, M.T. Hopman Summary: This report deals with the effects of the Wim Hof Method on acute mountain sickness (AMS). During an expedition to Mt. Kilimanjaro, a group of 26 trekkers who were trained in the Wim Hof Method used the breathing techniques to largely prevent and, if needed, reverse symptoms of AMS.

 

• Article: Frequent Extreme Cold Exposure and Brown Fat and Cold-Induced Thermogenesis: A Study in a Monozygotic Twin
  
  Authors: J. Vosselman, W.D. van Marken-Lichtenbeld - Maastricht University Medical Center Summary: This study tested the effects of a lifestyle with frequent exposure to extreme cold on brown adipose tissue (BAT) and cold-induced thermogenesis (CIT). The experiment compared Wim Hof, who is used to extreme cold exposure, to his monozygotic twin brother who isn’t. Both used a g-Tummo like breathing technique. The results showed no significant difference in BAT or CIT between the two subjects. However, Wim’s core temperature dropped less compared to his brother and his subjective response to the cold temperature was more positive. Furthermore, the body heat generated of both brothers was considerably higher than the average person. Thus, it seems that g-Tummo like breathing during cold exposure might cause additional heat production.

2012 

Article: The Influence of Concentration/meditation on Autonomic Nervous System Activity and the Innate Immune Response: A Case Study

Authors: M. Kox, M. Hopman, P. Pickkers. et al. - Radboud University Medical Center Summary: This case-study research was conducted after Wim Hof claimed he could influence his autonomic nervous system and thereby his innate immune response. His inflammatory response was measured during an 80-minute full body ice immersion and practicing the Wim Hof Method concentration technique. In addition, an endotoxemia experiment was conducted to study Wim’s in vivo innate immune response. The results showed how the techniques of the Wim Hof Method seemed to evoke a controlled stress response. This response is characterized by sympathetic nervous system activation, which seems to attenuate the innate immune system. Here, Wim Hof proved he was able to influence his a

2009

Letter: Blood tests during meditation and breathing exercises in New York led by Dr. K. Kamler & G. Stewart

Summary: During Wim’s world record attempt of full ice immersion wearing only shorts, he swallowed a vital sense monitor capsule to measure his core temperature. His core temperature started at 98.6 °F and dropped to 88 °F after 75 minutes of cold immersion. Remarkably, his temperature rose again to 94 °F within the next 20 minutes. Standard medical dogma states that once your core temperature falls below 90 °F, your body is not able to warm itself again. Thus, if no external source of heat is provided, your temperature will continue to spiral downward and you will eventually die of hypothermia. However, Wim proved he was able to raise his core temperature from 88 °F to 94 °F by using the Wim Hof Method techniques

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4034215/)

 

2019 - Research currently being conducted:

• Motivation and Experiences of WHM Practioners
  
  RMIT University in Australia has conducted a survey study, exploring the motivation and experiences of Wim Hof Method practitioners worldwide. This will offer insight into 1) the positive impact of practicing the WHM on health & wellbeing and 2) any potential adverse effects, which in turn improves safety protocols. The data is currently being analyzed.
• Inflammation & Pain
  
  In the Netherlands, Radboud University Medical Center in Nijmegen is completing a new study about the effects of the various components of the WHM on inflammation and pain.
• Metabolic Activity
  
  Kenkodo Metabolomic Discoveries in Germany is working closely with Radboud UMC. They are analyzing blood samples that have been taken by Radboud UMC in previous studies. Using this data, they seek to deepen the understanding of the metabolic activity in blood cells when practicing the WHM. Its various parameters can provide new insight into shifts in metabolic rate.
• Auto-immune Disease
  
  The Amsterdam Medical Centre (AMC) in the Netherlands is conducting a study into the effects of the WHM on inflammation and quality of life of people with Spondylitis.
• Brain Activity
  
  Wayne State University in Michigan, USA, is measuring the effect of the WHM on brain activity. This research consists of 2 parts: 1. Effects of isolated cold exposure 2. Effects of cold exposure combined with WHM breathing exercises and mind-set
• Hof wore a water perfusion suit, which continuously pumps ice cold water in and out of tubes in the suit, while lying in fMRI and PET machines. They also monitored his heart and metabolic rates.
• “I was heating the water at first,” he said.

 Please subscribe to our podcast & rate it 5 stars! 

You can find Wim Hof on Social Media:

Instagram: @iceman_hof

YouTube: Wim Hof

Facebook: Wim Hof

Wim's website: https://www.wimhofmethod.com

Ali Haider, M.D. - Cocaine, Cardiology, Alcohol Abuse, The Best Diets, Heart Disease, Emotional Intelligence & Mental Health

This Podcast is brought to you by: Picmonic - USE THIS LINK TO GET 20% OFF ANY PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: https://www.picmonic.com/affiliate/medspirationLDW19

Picmonic has a visual learning platform that will help anyone in healthcare learn more in less time, so they can rock course exams, boards, and become more competent providers! Using their learning tools has been proven to increase long term memory retention up to 331%! Picmonic helped me with my USMLE Step 1 studies & can help also help student NPs, PAs, Pharm Ds, RNs, LPNs, paramedics & those in premed. We've partnered with them to bring you an INCREDIBLE OFFER: 

• You can check them out @: Picmonic.com & sign up for FREE & you’ll get instant access to a free video and quiz questions every day - no credit card required. 
• Use the promo code Medspiration for 20% off any Premium subscription! 

According to Data from the 2011 Drug Abuse Warning Network - cocaine was involved in over 500,000 of the nearly 1.3 million drug related ER visits. That's about 1 in every 3 visits that are related to drugs. Transport to the ER annually for medical emergencies caused by alcohol has increased from about 3 million to 5 million over the past 9 years! Of these admissions - the CDCs estimated that over 72,000 individuals died of drug over doses in 2017, that was an ALL TIME high in U.S history. Bringing our awareness to these numbers cannot come at a more important time.

In today's episode, we're sitting down with interventional cardiologist, Dr. Ali Haider. We go into detail about Dr. Ali's journey towards becoming a heart doctor & how he has gone on to become a bonafide bad-ass/ educator on social media (@yourheartdoc). We had the pleasure of touching on nearly EVERY topic you can imagine that relates to health of the human heart! These included Cocaine Use, Cardiology, Alcohol Abuse, The Best Diets, Heart Disease, Emotional Intelligence & Mental Health. Dr. Ali is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, Interventional Cardiology, & vascular ultrasound. 

Please subscribe to our podcast & rate it 5 stars! 

You can find Dr. Ali on Social Media:

Instagram: @yourheartdoc

YouTube: coming soon!!

Twitter: @yourheartdoc1

 

Humble The Poet - Creating a Healthier Relationship with Failure

Pre Order Humble's new book here: https://www.humblethepoet.com/unlearn

According to the National Library of Medicine, it is scientifically proven that when we choose to BELIEVE in our ability to overcome obstacles & to create positive change for ourselves & the world around us - we manifest a new tool in our mind that enhances our problem solving practices.

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3906048/). 

You can think of it just like working out: muscle mass is built repeatedly by lifting the things that are designed to weigh us down. Kobe Bryant said it best: what separates the greats from the ALL time greats is their ability to self-assess, diagnose weaknesses, & turn those flaws into strengths. With the proper mindset: The power of our perception can allow us to become a student of our difficult times & to help find value & strength in the things that may be weighing us down. Putting this into practice doesn’t just help you uplift your spirit, it’s also been shown under structural MRIs to change the gray matter composition in the parts of the brain that have to do with responding to & coping with stress. This is part of the reason why neuroscientists in 2019 are so interested in developing a better understanding of the nature & importance of experiencing mental conflicts when it comes to developing a healthier relationship with failure. 

Humble the Poet just published his book, 'UNLEARN - 101 Simple Truths for a Better Life.' It will be dropping next month on April 9th (04/09/2019). He is an MC/Spoken word artist with an aura that embodies diversity and resiliency. With tattoos, a beard, head wrap or turban and a silly smile, Humble commands attention. He stimulates audiences with ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and go against the grain. He’s a best selling author ; was featured in Apple's first Canadian ad for their #ShotOnIphone campaign & a long time collaborator with Lilly Singh. 

In this episode we have an open dialogue about Mental Health ; Bullying ; Nature & Nurture ; How Humble Overcomes Self Doubt ; His Journey Through Music & Art ; Psychedelics ; & The Greatest Life Lessons he’s acquired through his Journey. 

Please Visit: https://www.humblethepoet.com for more!

You can find Humble on Social Media:

Instagram: @humblethepoet

Facebook: Humble the Poet

YouTube: Humble the Poet

Twitter: @humblethepoet

Special thank you to our sponsor Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine (CMUsom). If you are interested in studying medicine & becoming a practicing doctor in the United States, CMU offers a unique opportunity to travel abroad, study on the beautiful island of Curacao, & then do your hospital training in the United States. Apply today to see if medicine is in you future:
Visit: CMUmed.org/medspiration 
Enter the discount code: MDSPR 
You will receive a complete discount (75$ dollars) on your application!

 

DeVon Franklin - The Truth about Men - Sexuality; Guilt, Shame & Vulnerability; Pornography & Masturbation; Emotional Intelligence; Leadership & Healthy Relationships

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, not only is suicide the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, but men in the U.S. commit suicide three-and-a-half times more often than women. 

Statistics like these are the reason why mental health workers all over the world are trying to bring awareness to Men’s Mental Health. That’s why in today’s episode, I’m sitting down with DeVon Franklin, an individual who is passionate about helping people & believes his research has helped him to better understand the nature of a Man. 

DeVon Franklin has just published his book, 'The Truth about Men,' today (02/05/2019)! He is a previous New York Times Best-Selling author; one of the youngest executives in Hollywood history; he’s married to award-winning actress, Meagan Good; & has been a guest on The Dr. Oz Show, Super Soul Sunday with Oprah Winfrey, The Steve Harvey show, Dr. Phil, & CNN.

We discuss the power of understanding male sexuality; how to handle guilt, shame & vulnerability; the impact of pornography & masturbation; why violence & abuse are prevalent; emotional intelligence, men’s roles as leaders; as well as the keys to having healthy relationships with our female counterparts.

I have now read two of his books: The Wait, which was co-authored with his wife, Meagan Good & his newest & latest work: The Truth about Men. 

Please visit: https://devonfranklin.com/ for more!

You can find DeVon on social media:

Facebook: DeVon Franklin 

Instagram: @devonfranklin

YouTube: OfficialDevonFranklin 

Twitter: @DeVonFranklin

Special thank you to our sponsor Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine (CMUsom). If you are interested in studying medicine & becoming a practicing doctor in the United States, CMU offers a unique opportunity to travel abroad, study on the beautiful island of Curacao, & then do your hospital training in the United States. Apply today to see if medicine is in you future:
Visit: CMUmed.org/medspiration
Enter the discount code: MDSPR
You will receive a complete discount (75$ dollars) on your application!

Eben Alexander, M.D. - Neurosurgery, Psychedelics, God, Ego, Consciousness, Meditation, & Life After Death

In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Harvard trained neurosurgeon, Dr. Eben Alexander. He’s performed over 4,000 neurosurgical procedures in his career, has been #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list, & has been a guest on The Dr. Oz Show, Super Soul Sunday with Oprah Winfrey, ABC-TV’s 20-20 and Good Morning America, FOX-TV’s FOX & Friends, & his story has been featured on the Discovery Channel and the Biography Channel.

Through his career, Dr. Alexander has dealt with hundreds of patients who have suffered from severe changes in consciousness. Many of them being rendered comatose by trauma, brain tumors, ruptured aneurysms, infections, or stroke. After treating these patients & operating on them, he thought he had an advanced understanding on how the brain generated consciousness, mind & spirit.

That was until he suffered from a rare bacterial meningitis that put him into coma. During that time, he spent a week on a ventilator, where a machine was breathing for him. Although though his brain was shut off, he said he experienced an expansion of consciousness that extended beyond his body & brain, which proved to him that the presence of GOD is REAL! This near-death experience (OR NDE for short), changed his entire perspective on the fundamental nature of reality. His experience revealed that we are conscious in spite of our brain – that, in fact, consciousness is at the root of ALL existence.

After hearing his story, I knew I HAD to get him on the MEDspirastion Podcast! That's why today, we delve deeper into his story & explore the concepts of Consciousness, Psychedelics, Spirituality, Life After Death, Meditation, Ego, God, & the latest in Neuroscience & Quantum Mechanics!

He’s written some of the most thought provoking books I have ever came across - which include:

Proof of Heaven (which spent 38 weeks at #1 on the NYT best selling list; The Map of Heaven; & his newest & latest work: Living in a Mindful Universe which was co-authored with Karen Newell! Please visit: http://ebenalexander.com to learn more.

You can find Eben Alexander on:

Facebook: Eben Alexander, MD

Instagram: @ebenalex3md

Special thank you to our sponsor Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine (CMUsom). If you are interested in studying medicine & becoming a practicing doctor in the United States, CMU offers a unique opportunity to travel abroad, study on the beautiful island of Curacao, & then do your hospital training in the United States. Apply today to see if medicine is in you future:
Visit: CMUmed.org/medspiration
Enter the discount code: MDSPR
You will receive a complete discount (75$ dollars) on your application!

 

Mohamed Zeyara, M.D. - The Growth Mindset - Connecting Mentality to Achievement

Recent advances in neuroscience have proven that when we BELIEVE we can get smarter & improve on our skills through experience & dedication, our brain physically wires itself around these ideas & habits! Knowing this, we can implement changes in our daily routine that can make us smarter & stronger. Today, we aim to connect the link between our mentality & our ability to achieve MORE!  

Student doctor, humanitarian & creative, Mohamed Zeyara, joins MEDspiration to discuss how he trains his brain to improve mentally, physically & spiritually and how this daily practice helps him acheive his ambitious goals. With over 1 million followers on social media, Student Dr. Zeyara shares some of the most important life lessons that he’s learned on his journey as a medical professional & how his passion for global medicine connects to his humanitarian efforts. 

As Outreach Director for non - profit organization Pious Projects, Mohamed has helped raise millions of dollars for charity, transformed communities for hundreds of thousands of people; is a prominent figure in youth advising, activism, public speaking & film production; ALL while studying medicine as a current third year medical student! 

Tune in for some practical tips on self development & how to pursue your personal passions while balancing a demanding career path.

 

Find Mohamed Zeyara on:

FB & YouTube: Mohamed Zeyara

Instagram & Twitter: @mzeyara

Special thank you to our sponsor Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine (CMUsom). If you are interested in studying medicine & becoming a practicing doctor in the United States, CMU offers a unique opportunity to travel abroad, study on the beautiful island of Curacao, & then do your hospital training in the United States. Apply today to see if medicine is in you future:
Visit: CMUmed.org/medspiration
Enter the discount code: MDSPR
You will receive a complete discount (75$ dollars) on your application!

 

Nicole Angemi, MS, PA (ASCP) - Cannabis, Cigarettes, Alcohol, Obesity & Death

Nicole Angemi, MS, PA (ASCP) joins MEDspiration to discuss the leading causes of disease and mortality in the United States. She goes in depth about how cutting open dead bodies for a living has granted her the opportunity to show the world the truth about life, disease and her unique relationship with death.

Find Nicole on Instagram: @mrs_angemi 

Special thank you to our sponsor Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine (CMUsom). If you are interested in studying medicine & becoming a practicing doctor in the United States, CMU offers a unique opportunity to travel abroad, study on the beautiful island of Curacao, & then do your hospital training in the United States. Apply today to see if medicine is in you future:
Visit: CMUmed.org/medspiration
Enter the discount code: MDSPR
You will receive a complete discount (75$ dollars) on your application!