Extend Podcast with Darshan Shah, MD

A lot of us are doing everything we can to stay healthy, taking supplements, wearing trackers, getting our labs done, and still ending up sick. And if you are like most people, you probably thought that was on you, that you were not disciplined enough, not consistent enough, or simply not doing the right things, but that is not the case. The system we have been relying on was never designed to keep us well in the first place, and expecting the Western medical system to manage your long term health is like expecting a fire department to landscape your garden.  We dive deeper into this in the Extend with Steve Martocci, Pranitha Patil, and John Sullivan. We also chat about why 30% of people have dangerously high blood pressure and have no idea, why four out of six top selling creatine products on Amazon contain zero creatine, and why doctors receive zero training on supplements in medical school yet are expected to advise patients on them every single day.  Steve Martocci is the founder of SuppCo, a platform that has catalogued over 300,000 supplement products and built the industry's first independent trust scoring system. Pranitha Patil is the co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Function Health, which offers comprehensive lab testing across hundreds of biomarkers for $365 a year. John Sullivan is a senior leader at Whoop, the performance wearable that introduced medically cleared continuous health monitoring to everyday consumers. If there is any panel qualified to tell you the truth about what it actually takes to stay healthy in 2026, it is this one. What's Discussed: (13:12) The supplement industry's trust problem and why four out of six top selling creatine products on Amazon contain zero creatine. (20:17) How to build your own N-of-1 health roadmap using lab work, wearables, and supplements working together. (39:58) The single highest leverage investment you can make for your health right now that has nothing to do with money. (43:26) Why 30% of people have dangerous blood pressure and have no idea. (46:50) The FDA, the supplement industry, and where the line should actually be drawn between regulation and innovation. (53:12) Why the Western medical system was never built to keep you healthy and what to do instead. Listen to this episode of the Extend Podcast and finally understand why the system you have been trusting with your health was never designed to keep you well, and what it actually looks like to take that power back into your own hands.    Thank You to Our Sponsors:  Momentous: Head to livemomentous.com/fiber and use code DRSHAH for up to 35% off your first order.  IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.    Learn more about Dr. Darshan Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd    Learn more about John Sullivan:  Instagram: @johnjsulli  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/johnjsulli/   Learn more about Pranitha Patil:  Instagram: @pranitha/  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/pranithapatil    Learn more about Steve Martocci:  Instagram: @smart  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stevemartocci   

Most high performing executives will spend thousands optimizing their glucose levels, their sleep, and their body composition without ever stopping to ask why none of it makes them feel any better. The answer almost never lives in their labs and it almost never lives in their training program. It lives in the identity they built their entire career on top of, and the silent narrative driving every decision they make, that tells them their worth is only as good as their last result. In this episode of Extend, I sat down with Steve Chua to explore the real root cause of executive burnout and why fixing your physiology without addressing your identity is like putting the right fuel into the wrong engine. Walk away from this conversation with a completely different understanding of what is actually driving your performance, your exhaustion, and what it is going to take to finally lead from a place of genuine strength instead of fear. Steve Chua is an executive life and leadership coach with over 30 years of experience working with international leaders and organizations, and the founder of Steve Chua International and InsightOut, a coaching and consulting firm that empowers leaders to grow from the inside out. He operates from the conviction that healthy leaders create healthy companies, and his unique ability to help individuals resolve past conflicts, gain clarity in the present, and align their purpose and vision for the future, has made him one of the most sought after leadership coaches in the world. Check out Dr. Shah's Sleep Optimization Workbook here: https://www.drshah.com/sleep What's Discussed: (3:24) Steve's personal story of comparing himself to his brothers, failing out of Oxford, and standing on the ledge of a building at his lowest point. (5:57) The difference between living for value and living from value and why most executives are running on the wrong fuel. (7:46) The three levels of identity work that create lasting change: self awareness, self management, and self leadership. (11:34) Why picking up your phone first thing in the morning is the equivalent of eating a sugary breakfast for your brain. (21:06) Why high achieving executives become the bottleneck of their own companies and what that reveals about their identity. (37:49) The three things people lose when they burn out and why burnout is almost never just about working too hard. (44:10) Why your 40s and 50s are not a midlife crisis but a shift from success to significance. (51:30) The four life questions that when answered change everything about how you lead and how you live.   Thank You to Our Sponsors:  Momentous: Head to livemomentous.com/fiber and use code DRSHAH for up to 35% off your first order.  IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.    Learn more about Dr. Darshan Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd  Learn more about Steve Chua: Website: stevechuaintl.com  InsightOut: insightoutcorp.com  Transformational Leadership Podcast: insightoutcorp.com/podcast  Instagram: @stevechuaintl/     Facebook: steve.chua.net 

A lot of people are walking around exhausted, foggy, moody, and struggling with their cardiovascular health blaming stress, diet, age, and everything in between, never once considering that the real culprit might be happening in the eight hours they are not even awake for. And in children, what is being labeled as ADHD and treated with medication could in many cases simply be an undiagnosed sleep disorder that nobody thought to look for. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Meredith Broderick for a conversation that is going to completely reframe the way you think about sleep and what ignoring it is actually costing your health, your brain, and your children. Walk away finally understanding what is driving your symptoms, why the medications most people reach for are quietly making things worse, and what actually works to fix your sleep for good. My guest today is Dr. Meredith Broderick, a triple board-certified sleep neurologist and one of only four practitioners in the world to hold certifications in neurology, sleep medicine, and behavioral sleep medicine. What makes her truly unique is how she brings together holistic, preventative, and behavioral approaches to sleep medicine in a way that almost no one else in this field can.There is truly nobody more equipped to have this conversation than someone who has spent her entire career at the exact intersection of the brain, the body, and the behavior of sleep.   WHAT'S DISCUSSED: (7:29) Why children with sleep disorders are being misdiagnosed with ADHD and put on medication before anyone checks their sleep. (8:45) The signs of a sleep breathing problem in children that most parents and pediatricians completely miss. (13:48) Why sleep apnea is not just a snoring problem and how it silently drives cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's, and even cancer. (18:35) The surprising connection between mouth breathing, tongue position, and sleep apnea that nobody is talking about. (36:34) What chronic insomnia actually is, why one in three people has it, and why most people are treating it completely wrong. (40:19) What cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia actually is and why it outperforms every sleeping pill on the market. (55:01) Why Ambien may be blocking the brain's ability to clear the toxins linked to dementia while you sleep. (1:11:03) The two or three sleep environment changes that make an immediate and measurable difference in sleep quality.   Listen to this episode of Extend and finally understand why your exhaustion, brain fog, and mood issues may have nothing to do with stress or age, what your sleep is actually doing to your long term health, and what it takes to fix it in a way that changes everything.    Thank You to Our Sponsors: Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit functionhealth.com/drshah  and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.   Learn more about Dr. Darshan Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd    Learn more about Dr. Meredith Broderick:  Instagram: @thesleepneurologist TikTok: @thesleepneurologist  Website: www.soundsleepguru.com   

Fatigue, brain fog, weight gain, hair loss, low libido, high cholesterol, and a doctor who keeps telling you your labs look normal. For the millions of people walking around with an undetected or poorly managed thyroid condition, this is not just a frustrating experience but a dangerous one. Because what their doctor never told them is that the most important thyroid marker, the one that actually powers every cell in the body, is only being checked 4% of the time, which means the test they are relying on to rule out a thyroid problem is missing it almost every single time. In this episode of Extend, I sat down with McCall McPherson for a conversation that is going to completely change the way you think about your thyroid, your labs, and why the treatment that 89% of thyroid patients are on may be the very reason they are still suffering. If you have ever been dismissed by your doctor despite feeling terrible, this episode is going to give you the language, the labs, and the clarity to finally get the answers you deserve. McCall McPherson is a licensed Physician Associate, founder of Modern Thyroid Clinic, a practice with over 15,000 patients and hundreds of thousands of data points behind its approach, a TEDx speaker, and a 2024 Inc. 5000 honoree. She became one of the most sought after thyroid specialists in the country not just because of her clinical expertise but because she spent years as a thyroid patient herself, spending 16 hours a day in bed at 27 while being told her labs looked completely fine. There is nobody more qualified and nobody more personally invested in getting this right than she is. WHAT'S DISCUSSED: (2:12) The symptoms that signal a thyroid problem and why doctors keep dismissing them. (4:38) Why every person with low testosterone needs to get their thyroid checked immediately. (5:14) The three windows in a woman's life when thyroid disease risk spikes dramatically. (6:12) What Hashimoto's actually is and why medicine is treating it completely backwards. (11:46) Why TSH alone is missing the problem 96% of the time and what to ask for instead. (16:38) What reverse T3 is and why elevated levels are silently blocking your thyroid hormone. (35:15) Why subclinical hypothyroidism carries a 68% increased risk of heart attack and why medicine still is not treating it. (38:53) McCall's personal story of spending 16 hours a day in bed at 27 while being told her labs looked completely normal. Listen to this episode of Extend and finally understand why your labs have been coming back normal while your body has been telling you something is very wrong, what to ask your doctor to test, and what it actually takes to get your thyroid, your energy, and your life back.   Thank You to Our Sponsors:   Timeline: Timeline powered by Mitopure just dropped the price. Check it out at timeline.com/drshah and get an additional 20% off your first month with code DRSHAH.    IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.    Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd   Learn more about McCall McPherson:  Instagram: @mccallmcphersonpa  Modern Thyroid Clinic: www.modernthyroidclinic.com/ Modern Weight Loss: www.modernweightloss.com/

Biological aging is no longer just a concept tied to time. It is something we can now measure, track, and influence through data, lifestyle, and targeted interventions that directly impact how our cells function and age. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Kara Fitzgerald, functional medicine leader, researcher, and author, to unpack how diet and lifestyle can directly influence epigenetics and biological age. We break down the difference between chronological and biological aging, how epigenetic clocks work across organs and systems, and why aging may be driven by both environmental exposures and deeper programmed mechanisms. We also explore how polyphenols, nutrient-dense diets, and emerging interventions like Yamanaka mimetics may begin to shift the trajectory of aging at the cellular level and open new pathways for extending healthspan and peak performance. Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is a functional medicine physician, researcher, and author of Younger You, known for her pioneering clinical studies demonstrating how targeted nutrition and lifestyle interventions can reverse biological age and reshape long-term health outcomes.   What We Discuss: (01:36) Aging, performance, and menopause (05:01) Healthspan vs peak span (08:39) The dark matter of nutrition (11:36) Polyphenols and urolithin A (13:12) Biological age and epigenetics (15:41) Epigenetic clocks and measurement (21:02) Exposomic aging (25:03) Programmed aging (28:20) Yamanaka factors (33:24) Yamanaka mimetics (36:29) Polyphenols and caloric restriction (40:33) Nutrition and biological age reversal   Thank You to Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.  Momentous: Head to livemomentous.com/fiber and use code DRSHAH for up to 35% off your first order.   Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd  Learn more about Dr. Kara Fitzgerald: Website: drkarafitzgerald.com  Podcast: New Frontiers in Functional Medicine   Webinars: webinars  Instagram: drkarafitzgerald  Facebook: Dr. Kara Fitzgerald   You tube: @Drkarafitzgerald  X: @kfitzgeraldnd  Pubmed: Potential reversal of epigenetic age using a diet and lifestyle intervention: a pilot randomized clinical trial  Pubmed: Potential reversal of biological age in women following an 8-week methylation-supportive diet and lifestyle program: a case series  Pubmed: Dietary associations with reduced epigenetic age: a secondary data analysis of the methylation diet and lifestyle study   

Mitochondrial decline is one of the most overlooked drivers of aging, impacting energy, muscle function, cognitive performance, and immune resilience long before symptoms become obvious. Many of the changes we associate with aging may actually stem from a loss of cellular efficiency and the body's ability to renew itself. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Anurag Singh, Chief Medical Officer at Timeline, to unpack the science behind urolithin A and how mitochondrial health shapes longevity. We break down how the gut microbiome influences cellular function, why mitophagy declines with age, and what clinical research shows about improving muscle strength, recovery, metabolic health, and immune function. We also explore how targeted supplementation and lifestyle strategies can help restore mitochondrial quality and support long-term performance and resilience. Dr. Anurag Singh is a physician-scientist with an M.D. in internal medicine and a Ph.D. in immunology, currently serving as Chief Medical Officer at Timeline, where he leads the development of advanced nutritional and skincare products focused on mitochondrial and cellular health.   What We Discuss: (04:58) Drug vs nutraceutical and what urolithin A actually is (06:23) Gut microbiome differences and why most people don't produce it (08:11) How urolithin A is made from diet and polyphenols (10:25) Effective dosing and supplementation strategy (15:32) What mitochondria are and why they matter for aging (21:26) Mitophagy and how mitochondrial quality declines over time (23:43) Main drivers of mitochondrial damage (26:24) How urolithin A supports cellular renewal (28:55) Muscle aging, strength, and performance (33:07) Clinical trial results in older and sedentary adults (35:32) Effects on recovery in elite athletes (37:07) Brain health and neurodegeneration research (43:00) Immune system impact and inflammation (47:29) When to start and how to think about supplementation Thank You to Our Sponsors: Timeline: Visit timeline.com/drshah for 20% off a subscription on top of the new starting price of $79.   Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd    Learn more about Dr. Anurag Singh: Website: https://www.timeline.com/   

Modern life is quietly accelerating biological aging, from posture and movement patterns to sleep disruption, chronic stress, and constant digital stimulation. Many of the symptoms people experience daily, like pain, fatigue, brain fog, and disconnection, may reflect a deeper misalignment with how the human body was designed to function. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Kavin Mistry, board-certified neuroradiologist and author of Primal Health Design, to unpack how modern lifestyles are reshaping our biology and accelerating aging. We break down how posture, movement, circadian rhythm, nutrition, and environment influence brain and spine health, and why reconnecting with our primal design is essential for long-term resilience and performance. We also explore how daily practices like morning sunlight, grounding, deep work, and intentional routines can help restore alignment with your biology and create more energy, clarity, and longevity in a fast-moving, AI-driven world. Dr. Kavin Mistry is a board-certified neuroradiologist, author, and thought leader in longevity and human performance, known for developing the Primal Health Design framework to help individuals reconnect with their biology and reverse the hidden effects of modern living. What We Discuss: (05:04) Seeing accelerated biological aging in brain and spine scans (06:02) Childhood exposure to primal tribes and longevity insights (10:19) Tech neck, posture, and modern spinal degeneration (12:09) Nerve compression, numbness, and daily symptoms (15:03) Primal posture and how alignment reduces aging (18:07) Strength training, hanging, and back development (21:17) Deep squat and reversing sedentary damage (24:14) Walking, movement, and daily activity patterns (25:01) Grounding, inflammation, and connection to earth (28:01) Morning sunlight and circadian rhythm optimization (31:27) Sleep, stress, and parasympathetic recovery (32:11) Nutrition, microbiome diversity, and prebiotics (36:44) Stillness, presence, and flow state (42:20) Tribe, relationships, and loneliness in modern life (48:44) Purpose, service, and greater cause (51:02) Finite life awareness and long-term decision making (56:07) AI, time leverage, and becoming more human (59:47) Morning and night routines as the foundation Thank You to Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.  Momentous: Head to livemomentous.com/fiber and use code DRSHAH for up to 35% off your first order.   Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd    Learn more about Dr. Mistry: Website: kavinmistrymd.com  Instagram: kavinmistry.md  LinkedIn: Kavin Mistry MD YouTube: @kavinmistrym.d

Allergies, chronic inflammation, and constant exposure to environmental toxins are reshaping how our immune system functions, often in ways that go unnoticed until symptoms appear. What many people see as isolated issues like gut problems, skin reactions, or fatigue may actually reflect a deeper immune imbalance. In this episode of Extend, I sit down with Dr. Tania Elliott, double board-certified physician in internal medicine and allergy and immunology, to unpack how the immune system operates across infection defense, hypersensitivity, and autoimmunity, and how modern exposures like microplastics, synthetic chemicals, and ultra-processed products are disrupting this balance. We break down how chronic inflammation begins, why gut health is central to immune regulation, and how everyday products in your home may be silently driving immune dysfunction. We also explore how simple, high-impact changes like reducing toxin exposure, improving indoor air quality, and retraining the immune system through targeted therapies can restore balance and reduce long-term disease risk. Dr. Tania Elliott is a double board-certified physician in internal medicine and allergy and immunology, focused on helping patients understand immune health, reduce toxic exposures, and apply practical, science-backed strategies to improve resilience, longevity, and overall well-being. What We Discuss: (09:07) Immune system explained in three core functions (10:42) How chronic inflammation begins (11:13) Gut health and microbiome disruption (12:50) Signs your immune system is out of balance (15:39) Environmental toxins and ultra-processed foods (17:39) Skincare, sunscreen, and endocrine disruptors (21:33) Microplastics and hidden daily exposure (24:00) Teflon, PFAS, and long-term health risks (30:01) Building a healthier home environment (40:07) Why allergies are increasing (41:40) Hygiene hypothesis and early exposure (45:10) Peanut allergy and early introduction (50:01) Recurrent infections and immune deficiency (51:21) Immune testing and biomarkers (52:30) IVIG therapy and immune support (57:11) Allergy immunotherapy and long-term solutions   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.  Momentous: Head to www.livemomentous.com/fiber and use code DRSHAH for up to 35% off your first order.    Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd    Learn more about Dr. Tania Elliott: Website: Dr. Tania Elliott Instagram: drtaniaelliott LinkedIn: Tania Elliott, MD   

High-performing individuals often appear successful on the outside while quietly experiencing a loss of joy, emotional numbness, and chronic internal stress. This disconnect, often overlooked in traditional diagnostics, may signal a form of depression that goes unrecognized for years. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Judith Joseph, psychiatrist, researcher, and author of High Functioning, to unpack the science of high-functioning depression and how anhedonia can manifest even in highly productive individuals. We break down why traditional mental health models often miss these patients, how pathological productivity masks deeper issues, and how the biopsychosocial model helps identify where joy is being lost across biological, psychological, and social domains. We also explore Dr. Judith Joseph's 5 Vs framework and how tools like validation, venting, values, vitals, and vision can help systematically restore daily points of joy and long-term emotional resilience. Dr. Judith Joseph is a board-certified psychiatrist, researcher, and media educator specializing in high-functioning depression and the science of happiness, known for translating complex psychiatric concepts into practical, evidence-based tools that help individuals reclaim joy and optimize mental well-being.   What We Discuss: (06:03) High-functioning depression explained (08:50) Pathological productivity and busyness (10:07) Limits of traditional diagnosis (12:28) Anhedonia and loss of joy (14:00) Happiness vs joy (16:45) Biopsychosocial model (19:57) Biological drivers of mood (21:56) Metabolic health and inflammation (24:00) Social factors and relationships (26:09) Validation and venting (29:07) Values and meaning (31:39) Vitals and lifestyle factors (35:29) Technology and disconnection (37:18) Vision and planning joy (42:02) Psychoeducation and awareness Thank You to Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.  Momentous: Head to livemomentous.com/fiber and use code DRSHAH for up to 35% off your first order. Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd  Learn more about Dr. Judith Joseph:  Website : Dr. Judith    Instagram: drjudithjoseph  LinkedIn: Dr. Judith Joseph MD MBA  

Cognitive decline, mood disorders, and persistent neurological symptoms are often treated in isolation, even as underlying drivers like inflammation, infections, and blood flow dysfunction continue to go unaddressed. Emerging research suggests that brain health requires a root cause approach that integrates physiology, environment, and lifestyle over time. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Eboni Cornish, Associate Medical Director at Amen Clinics and President Elect of ILADS, to unpack the science of neural longevity and how brain imaging can reveal hidden drivers of mental health symptoms. We break down how SPECT scans uncover patterns of neuroinflammation, why conditions like ADHD and depression may stem from infections, toxins, or hormonal shifts, and how blood flow and cerebellar function play a central role in cognitive performance and emotional regulation. We also explore how factors like sleep apnea, perimenopause, chronic infections, and metabolic dysfunction quietly reshape brain activity and how targeted interventions can restore function over time. Dr. Eboni Cornish is a nationally recognized expert in neuroinflammation and complex chronic illness, integrating advanced biomarker testing with brain imaging to uncover root causes and translate cutting edge science into practical strategies for long term brain and body resilience. What We Discuss: 04:17) Neural longevity and why brain health is missing from longevity conversations. (05:23) SPECT scan imaging and how it reveals brain activity and blood flow. (08:55) Neuroinflammation and root causes behind mental health symptoms. (14:13) The cerebellum as a central regulator of brain function. (17:06) Perimenopause, estrogen decline, and changes in brain perfusion. (23:22) Depression and mood disorders as physiological and blood flow issues. (25:56) Lyme disease, infections, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. (32:21) Brain scan patterns of inflammation and diagnostic insights. (36:05) Sleep apnea and its impact on brain function and cognition. (40:00) A systems approach to brain and body longevity. (45:43) What a healthy brain looks like on imaging. (48:01) Dementia risk, progression, and early detection. (52:09) Practical steps to assess and improve brain health. Thank You to Our Sponsors: Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.    Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd  Learn more about Dr. Cornish:  Website : Dr. Eboni Cornish Amen Clinics   Dr. Cornish on Instagram: dr.ebonicornish  Amen Clinics on Instagram: amen clinics  Learn more about ILADS: ILADS   

Mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and trauma related disorders remain difficult to treat, especially when underlying cognitive and emotional patterns persist over time. Emerging research suggests psychedelic assisted therapies may work by temporarily changing how the brain processes information and the sense of self. In this episode of Extend, we continue our conversation with Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of MAPS, to explore the mechanisms behind psychedelic therapy. We break down how compounds like LSD may reduce activity in the default mode network, how this shift affects perception and emotional processing, and why integration is essential for translating short term insights into lasting change. We also explore how traditional practices like ayahuasca combine psychological and spiritual frameworks, and how these approaches are shaping new perspectives on trauma, behavior change, and mental health treatment. Dr. Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), the organization leading global research into psychedelic assisted therapies and working to develop evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions. What We Discuss: (1:01:22) LSD therapy for trauma and addiction (1:10:10) Psilocybin, creativity, and cognition (1:12:05) DMT, ego dissolution, and consciousness (1:18:21) Ayahuasca traditions and addiction recovery (1:26:39) MDMA therapy and intergenerational trauma (1:31:36) Ketamine clinics and treatment resistant depression Thank You to Our Sponsors: Timeline: Go to timeline.com/drshah to get 20% off your order.   Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd  Learn more about Dr. Rick Doblin: Website: maps.org  Instagram: rickdoblinphd  X: @RickDoblin   

Depression, PTSD, and trauma related disorders continue to challenge modern medicine, even as our understanding of the brain and consciousness rapidly evolves. New research suggests that certain therapies may help unlock deeper healing by combining neuroscience, psychology, and carefully guided experiences. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of MAPS, to unpack the science and history behind psychedelic assisted therapy and its potential role in mental health treatment. We break down the research behind MDMA assisted therapy for PTSD, how psychedelics influence neuroplasticity and emotional processing, and why therapeutic context, preparation, and integration are essential for safe and meaningful outcomes. We also explore how psychedelic research is reshaping conversations around trauma, healing, and the future of psychiatry. Dr. Rick Doblin is the founder and executive director of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), the organization leading global research into psychedelic assisted therapies and working to develop evidence-based treatments for PTSD and other mental health conditions.   What We Discuss: (01:55) The political origins of psychedelic prohibition (04:40) Ancient psychedelic traditions and the Eleusinian Mysteries (08:01) Dr. Rick Doblin's path to founding MAPS (10:34) Science, policy, and the future of psychedelic medicine (11:00) Expanding research on MDMA therapy (12:21) Psychedelic churches and religious freedom laws (15:42) Why context and safety shape psychedelic outcomes (16:20) Neuroplasticity and emotional processing (17:36) Bromo-LSD and non-psychedelic therapeutic compounds (20:39) Psychedelics and rewriting personal narratives (23:22) The Good Friday Experiment and mystical experiences (25:23) MDMA therapy and trauma processing (27:47) Psychedelics and alternatives to alcohol (30:30) Ketamine therapy and pharmaceutical incentives (36:16) MAPS, MDMA development, and commercialization (41:56) The FDA pathway for MDMA therapy (47:00) Global psychedelic research initiatives (56:51) Early LSD research in psychology …to be continued Thank You to Our Sponsors: Timeline: Timeline powered by Mitopure just dropped the price. Check it out at timeline.com/drshah and get an additional 20% off your first month with code DRSHAH.   Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: drshah.com Clinic: next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd    Learn more about Dr. Rick Doblin: Website: maps.org  Instagram: rickdoblinphd  X: @RickDoblin   

Cholesterol remains one of the most debated biomarkers in cardiovascular medicine, yet many people still misunderstand what it actually tells us about metabolic health and disease risk. As research evolves, the conversation is shifting from simple cholesterol numbers toward deeper drivers of cardiometabolic dysfunction. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Nick Norwitz, metabolic health researcher and physician scientist, to unpack the science behind cholesterol, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular risk. We break down the difference between LDL and ApoB, why insulin resistance may be a stronger predictor of heart disease, how statins work beyond cholesterol lowering, and what emerging research reveals about metabolic health, biomarkers, and individualized risk. We also explore how curiosity driven experimentation, data tracking, and deeper metabolic literacy can help people move beyond simplistic cholesterol narratives and better understand their own cardiometabolic health. Nick Norwitz is a physician scientist and metabolic health researcher who graduated valedictorian from Dartmouth College before earning a PhD in Human Metabolism from the University of Oxford and an MD from Harvard Medical School. Following a personal battle with inflammatory bowel disease, he became a leading voice in metabolic health education and the author of the widely read newsletter StayCuriousMetabolism.com.   What We Discuss: (02:14) The biggest misconception about cholesterol, LDL, and cardiovascular risk (06:03) How sleep, inflammation, and plaque formation connect to heart disease (08:18) Why insulin resistance may predict cardiovascular risk more strongly than LDL (10:40) The atorvastatin study that showed suppressed GLP-1 levels (16:54) Statins, pleiotropy, and why lowering LDL is only part of the story (22:16) Coronary calcium scans and how imaging can change treatment decisions (24:48) The Lancet statin meta-analysis and how headlines distorted the findings (33:20) CoQ10, TUDCA, and supportive strategies for people taking statins (35:15) Ezetimibe, how it works, and why it may have neuroprotective potential (46:09) Bempedoic acid and how it compares with statins (51:47) PCSK9 inhibitors, pros and cons, and who may benefit most (54:20) ApoB versus LDL and why particle count matters (56:15) The Oreo experiment, lean mass hyper-responders, and individualized cholesterol responses (59:19) What to do after a high LDL result instead of automatically defaulting to a statin (1:02:00) Berberine, nattokinase, and other non-prescription options for cardiovascular support (1:06:03) The challenge of communicating nuance in health content online (1:10:18) Why personalized experimentation matters more than one-size-fits-all medicine (1:12:36) Lp(a), waist-to-hip ratio, and why cardiometabolic context changes risk Thank You to Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.    Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website:drshah.com Clinic:next-health.com Instagram: darshanshahmd    Learn more about Nick Norwitz: Newsletter: staycuriousmetabolism.com  YouTube: nicknorwitzMDPhD    Instagram: nicknorwitz  Twitter: Nick Norwitz MD PhD   

Chronic stress, cognitive overload, and neurodegenerative disease are rising as modern life pushes the brain beyond what it was designed to handle. At the same time, most people still have almost no visibility into how their brain is actually performing day to day. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Ramses Alcaide, founder and CEO of Neurable, to unpack how brain computer interface technology is moving from research laboratories into everyday wearable devices. We break down how non-invasive EEG sensors built into headphones can track brain age, cognitive speed, mental recovery, focus, and stress, and how AI is making brain data accessible without the complex lab equipment historically required. We also explore how continuous brain monitoring could transform prevention by identifying early patterns linked to burnout, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegeneration years before symptoms appear. Ramses Alcaide is the founder and CEO of Neurable, a neurotechnology company developing non-invasive brain computer interfaces built into everyday wearable devices. He earned a PhD in Electrical Engineering and Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, where his research on EEG biomarkers and brain computer interfaces laid the scientific foundation for Neurable's technology. What We Discuss: (06:00) What brain computer interfaces are and how EEG measures brain activity (10:45) How Neurable uses AI to isolate and upscale brain signals (14:00) The limits of snapshot brain testing and the value of continuous brain data (18:00) ADHD, attention patterns, and biofeedback training for focus (22:00) Brain training through gaming and performance optimization (26:30) Why brain wearables may become the next generation of health trackers (28:00) The cognitive metrics Neurable measures including brain age and cognitive speed (30:00) Tracking brain age and how daily habits influence cognitive aging (35:00) Meditation training and future sleep optimization tools (39:00) How people can start using brain wearables in everyday life (40:00) Personal experiments to reduce brain age including sleep, exercise, and creatine (45:00) How clinics may use brain data to personalize treatments (50:00) Stress detection and the future of wearable brain monitoring (52:00) Barriers to adoption and the future of neurotechnology Thank You to Our Sponsors: Next Health: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/    Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram: darshanshahmd  Learn more about Ramses Alcaide: Website: neurable.com  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/neurable  Instagram: ramsesalcaide 

Chronic inflammation, environmental toxins, and metabolic dysfunction continue to accelerate aging and chronic disease across modern populations. Many of the biggest drivers of health decline remain invisible, quietly accumulating in the body for decades before symptoms appear. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Terry Grossman, physician, longevity expert, and co author of Transcend and Fantastic Voyage with futurist Ray Kurzweil, to unpack the science behind therapeutic plasma exchange and its emerging role in longevity medicine. We break down how environmental toxins, microplastics, heavy metals, and chronic inflammation influence aging biology, why traditional medical testing often misses these risks, and how therapies like plasma exchange may help remove harmful compounds while improving key biomarkers linked to healthspan. We also explore how advanced diagnostics, hormone optimization, peptide therapies, and targeted longevity protocols may help individuals move beyond disease management toward true biological optimization. Dr. Terry Grossman is a pioneer in anti aging and longevity medicine who operates longevity clinics in Colorado and co authored two best selling books with Ray Kurzweil. He is also the author of Plasma Reset, the first book focused on therapeutic plasma exchange as a strategy for detoxification, anti aging, and long term health optimization. What We Discuss: (01:54) How Dr. Terry Grossman entered longevity medicine (05:19) The shift from traditional care to prevention and wellness (12:45) The core pillars of longevity and health optimization (16:30) VO2 max, HRV, and modern longevity metrics (20:00) Genetic testing and personalized lifestyle strategies (22:40) Environmental toxins and the rise of microplastics (33:20) Simple detox strategies for daily life (37:55) What therapeutic plasma exchange actually does (46:55) Plasma exchange for toxins, autoimmunity, and long COVID (51:45) Senescent cells, inflammation, and biological aging (1:06:00) Hormone optimization and healthspan (1:14:20) Peptides and emerging longevity therapies (1:20:10) Rapamycin and metformin in longevity medicine (1:24:00) Foundational supplements for long term health (1:29:00) AI and the future of longevity medicine (1:34:30) Longevity escape velocity and the future of aging   Thank You to Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. Vitaboom: For supplements you can trust and wellness solutions tailored to your health, visit https://vitaboom.com/    Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram: darshanshahmd    Learn more about Dr. Terry Grossman: website: grossmanwellness.com

Chronic symptoms often get labeled, managed, and medicated, yet the root cause can remain hidden. Parasites, mold exposure, Lyme disease, and microbial imbalances may quietly disrupt energy, digestion, immunity, and cognitive clarity for years without being recognized. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Kim Rogers, founder of RogersHood Apothecary and creator of the ParaFy Kit, to unpack the hidden role parasites may play in chronic illness and why this topic remains largely absent from conventional medicine. We break down how parasite exposure can occur through water, food, pets, and environmental toxins, why standard testing frequently misses infections, and how symptoms like bloating, brain fog, fatigue, teeth grinding, and insomnia may point toward deeper biological disruption. We also explore how a structured cleanse protocol using targeted herbs, binders, and supportive detox strategies may help the body remove parasites, heavy metals, and microbial overgrowth while restoring gut balance and energy. Kim Rogers is a former Western healthcare educator and curriculum author who spent more than two decades working inside the medical system before her own health crisis led her to uncover parasites as a major driver of chronic illness, eventually building a global community and wellness company dedicated to helping people reclaim control of their health. What We Discuss: (01:31) Why parasites are a major blind spot in Western medicine (02:32) Kim's health story and what led her to parasites (04:14) The root cause stack: parasites, mold, and chronic Lyme, plus a hysterectomy at 29 (05:30) The 2021 TikTok moment and what she saw after her first cleanse (09:13) How exposure happens: water, raw fish, raw meat, produce, and pets (10:31) Why symptoms can flare: biofilms, stress load, and immune strain (12:38) Countries that normalize parasite prevention and access to antiparasitics (13:50) Testing reality: LabCorp vs parasites.org and why false negatives happen (18:02) Symptom patterns: bloat, IBS, teeth grinding, insomnia, cravings, brain fog, fatigue (20:42) How she built the ParaFy Kit and why transparency and cost drove the business (24:19) Protocol structure: 30 days, 3 to 4 times per year, dosing flexibility, kids 3 and up (25:49) Binder rules: timing, what it does, and why it can interfere with meds (29:31) Prescription options and the insurance cost gap versus Mexico pricing (38:29) Why she wants better, affordable testing and medical reform (41:45) Sushi, freezing myths, and why fish exposure is more common than people think (44:36) Where to buy and where to follow Kim Thank You to Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. Nexthealth: Nexthealth: Your destination for cutting-edge health optimization—from IV therapy to hormone balancing. Explore at https://www.next-health.com/     Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram:darshanshahmd    Learn more about Kim Rogers: Instagram: @mrsrogers.hood / @rogershoodapothecary  TikTok: @mrsrogershood / @rogershood   Podcast:  What's Eating U 

Strength is the foundation of longevity. When muscle, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, balance, sleep, and nutrition align, performance improves, metabolism sharpens, and aging becomes something you influence rather than fear. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Fitz Koehler, founder of Fitzness.com, keynote speaker, race announcer, and five time author, to unpack her Four Pillars of Fitness and the exact formula for sustainable weight loss and long term vitality. We break down the difference between activity and deliberate exercise, why toning is a myth, how the grunt, huff, wince, and wobble signal true adaptation, and how a simple calorie budget paired with high quality nutrition preserves muscle while reducing fat. We also explore how discipline outperforms motivation, why sleep and strategic naps accelerate recovery, how strength training protects bone and balance during menopause and aging, and how tracking weight, reps, and daily habits creates measurable progress over time. Fitz Koehler is one of America's most electrifying keynote speakers, a premier race announcer, fitness innovator, host of The Fitzness Show podcast, and five time author whose latest book You Supercharged! The Exact Formula for Fitness, Weight Loss, and Longevity is helping people worldwide build strength, resilience, and lasting health. What We Discuss: (01:35) Fitz's Origin Story: From Teen Fitness Instructor to Industry Leader (03:42) Cancer Recovery and Rebuilding Strength After Treatment (09:20) Why Strength Training Is the Fountain of Youth (12:00) "Toning" vs Real Muscle Adaptation (13:42) The Four Pillars of Fitness: Strength, Cardio, Flexibility, Balance (17:15) Activity vs Deliberate Exercise (21:08) How to Start Again and Improve 1% Per Day (26:10) Discipline Over Motivation (29:02) You Supercharged and the Exact Formula for Weight Loss (32:28) The Calorie Budget Strategy Explained (40:09) Muscle Preservation, Protein, and GLP 1 Considerations (42:41) Sleep, Recovery, and the Power of Strategic Naps (48:00) Tracking Progress: Scale, Strength, Hydration (52:00) Menopause, Hormones, and Building Strength at Any Age Thank You to Our Sponsors: Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.    Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram:darshanshahmd  Learn more about Fitz Koehler: Website: https://www.fitzness.com  Podcast: The Fitzness Show  Instagram: fitzness     Linkedin: Fitz Koehler    Facebook: Fitzness   You Tube: @fitzness    Tik Tok: @fitzness13   

Most people think medicine is about treating disease. What if the real future of healthcare is preventing illness and optimizing human potential long before symptoms appear. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. David Luu, physician, former pediatric cardiac surgeon, and founder of the Longevity Docs movement. Dr. Luu shares his journey from high intensity surgery to longevity medicine, shaped by firsthand exposure to preventable disease, global health missions, and the realization that the current medical system is built for sick care, not health. We explore where longevity medicine is today, where it is heading, and why AI, wearables, and data access are transforming how people manage their health. Dr. Luu breaks down the shift from biohacking to bioliteracy, the need to train doctors as educators, and his Longevity Canvas framework for building a life that prioritizes both time and vitality. What We Discuss: (00:00) From surgery to longevity medicine and why sick care is broken (06:30) A global health mission that changed Dr. Luu's view on prevention (12:30) Bringing medicine closer to patients through technology (18:30) COVID, wearables, and the rise of proactive health monitoring (25:30) Why longevity medicine targets aging, not just disease (32:30) The shortage of preventive doctors and the future of medical training (40:30) AI, wearables, and why patients must become CEOs of their health (47:30) Biohacking vs bioliteracy and the role of physician education (54:30) The Longevity Canvas and designing a life worth living (01:01:30) Community, purpose, and legacy as pillars of longevity (01:07:30) Optimizing human potential and the next era of healthcare Thank You to Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH. Timeline: Go to timeline.com/drshah to get 20% off your order.   Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/    Learn more about Dr. David Luu: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/drdavidluu/?hl=en  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longevitydocsnetwork/?hl=en Website: https://www.drdavidluu.com/  Website: https://longevitydocs.org/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidluu/  

Raising healthy children today requires more discernment than ever. Between conflicting vaccine guidance, ultra processed food marketing, and the explosion of screen exposure, modern parents are navigating a landscape filled with noise and strong opinions. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Joel Warsh, board certified pediatrician and founder of Integrative Pediatrics, to unpack how parents can think critically about vaccine schedules, evaluate medical credentials online, and make informed decisions rooted in both data and context. We break down the evolving CDC recommendations, shared clinical decision making, the food pyramid reset, ultra processed food exposure, sugar overload, seed oil debates, dairy questions, allergy desensitization, screen time guardrails, and the real risks of repetitive head injuries in youth sports. We also explore how practical changes at home such as reducing added sugar, setting clear screen boundaries, prioritizing real food, and fostering open medical conversations can meaningfully shape a child's long term metabolic and neurological health. Dr. Joel Warsh, also known as DrJoelGator, is a board certified pediatrician based in Los Angeles specializing in parenting, wellness, and integrative medicine. He holds a Master's degree in Epidemiology, trained at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, and is the author of Between a Shot and a Hard Place, where he tackles complex vaccine questions with balance, data, and clarity. What We Discuss: (00:00) The Information War in Parenting and Why Nuance Matters (06:00) Trust, Government Agencies, and Rebuilding Medical Credibility (10:00) Credentials on Social Media and How to Vet Health Advice (15:05) The Updated Vaccine Schedule and Shared Clinical Decision Making (19:30) Vaccine Risk Assessment, Communicability, and Mechanism of Action (24:30) The New Food Pyramid and the Case Against Ultra Processed Foods (28:00) Chronic Disease in Kids and Practical Nutrition Shifts at Home (32:10) Dairy, Alternatives, and What to Replace It With (35:00) Allergies, Immune Dysregulation, and Desensitization Therapy (38:10) The Seed Oil Debate and What the Research Actually Shows (45:20) Sugar Overload, Refined Grains, and Metabolic Consequences (52:15) Screen Time, Dopamine, and Social Media Guardrails (56:50) Gaming, Attention, and Real World Social Development (59:25) Youth Sports, Concussions, and Long Term Brain Health Risk   Thank You to Our Sponsors: IM8: Try IM8 today with a 30-day money back guarantee. You can get 10% off your first order with code DRSHAH at https://im8health.com/discount/DRSHAH.    Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram:@darshanshahmd    Learn more about Dr. Joel Warsh Website: www.theshotbook.com  Instagram: @drjoelgator  

Chronic stress is quietly reshaping how we think, perform, sleep, and recover. In a world optimized for productivity, we rarely prioritize the one variable that determines long term resilience: recovery. In this episode of Extend, we sit down with Dr. Dave Rabin, neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and co founder of Apollo Neuro, to unpack the science of vagal tone, heart rate variability, and how safety signals in the body drive peak performance and mental health. We break down the difference between eustress and distress, how unresolved trauma suppresses recovery, why HRV may be the most powerful biomarker of resilience, and how tools like breath, environment design, and wearable neurotechnology can retrain the nervous system in real time. We also explore how psychedelic assisted therapies such as ketamine and MDMA are reshaping psychiatry, why safety is the foundation of trauma healing, and how small daily practices can restore autonomic balance and unlock human potential. Dr. Dave Rabin, MD, PhD, is Executive Director of The Board of Medicine and a psychiatrist and neuroscientist specializing in chronic stress and treatment resistant illness. He has spent 15 years researching non invasive therapies including MDMA assisted treatment for severe PTSD, and is the author of the upcoming book A Simple Guide to Being Alive, a science backed framework for navigating burnout and reclaiming mental clarity in the modern world.  Pre-order Dr. Rabin's book "A Simple Guide to Being Alive" here: http://www.simpleguide.life What We Discuss: (00:00) Performance Culture vs Recovery Deficit (05:05) Evolutionary Stress and the Modern Nervous System (09:30) Eustress vs Distress and Early Warning Signs (20:35) HRV as a Biomarker of Vagal Tone and Resilience (27:24) Baseline Tracking and Using Wearables Intelligently (37:34) Environment, Ambience, and Nervous System Regulation (41:37) Breath as a Choice and Reclaiming Autonomic Control (49:23) Micro Moments of Recovery Throughout the Day (54:12) Apollo Neuro and Vagus Nerve Modulation (1:04:22) Trauma, Safety, and Healing the Stress Imprint (1:09:16) Ketamine and the Future of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (1:15:01) MDMA, Meaning Making, and the Possibility of Cure   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Function Health: Learn more and join using my link. Visit www.functionhealth.com/drshah and use gift code DRSHAH25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.   Learn more about Dr. Shah: Website: https://www.drshah.com/ Clinic: https://www.next-health.com/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/darshanshahmd/    Learn more about Dr. Dave Rabin Dr. Dave's Website: https://www.drdave.io/    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdavidrabin/?hl=en   The Board of Medicine: https://www.boardofmedicine.org/   The Psychedelic Report: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-psychedelic-report/id1670195179