Getting to the Root Cause of Autoimmune Disease: A Functional Medicine Approach
Apr 3, 2024
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Join Dr. Sara Gottfried, a physician and expert in autoimmune disease and trauma, as she digs deep into the intricate relationship between trauma and health. They discuss the concept of 'trauma signatures' and how hidden triggers can spark autoimmune conditions. Sara shares her favorite diagnostic tests and a powerful stack for cortisol reduction while emphasizing the role of genetics and gut health. The conversation also touches on innovative treatments like psychedelic therapy and the profound effects of emotional well-being on physical health.
Understanding the trauma signature's role in autoimmunity is crucial for effective treatment.
People may be surprised by the hidden triggers contributing to autoimmunity.
Utilizing specific test panels can help identify underlying causes and guide treatment approaches.
Reducing cortisol levels and addressing trauma are essential for systemic healing in autoimmune patients.
Deep dives
The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Chronic Disease Risk
Experiencing adverse childhood events can significantly impact the risk of chronic diseases in adults. Studies show that a history of challenging childhood experiences is associated with a higher likelihood of developing conditions such as coronary heart disease, cancer, autoimmune diseases, obesity, and diabetes.
The Impact of Trauma on Health and Hormonal Balance
Trauma plays a significant role in disrupting immune systems and creating inflammation in the body. Recent research emphasizes the link between trauma and autoimmune diseases, highlighting the importance of understanding the psychological, immune, and nervous system dysregulation caused by past traumatic experiences.
Exploring Effective Trauma Treatment Approaches
Traditional treatment methods like talk therapy have shown limited efficacy in addressing trauma-related health issues. New therapeutic approaches, including psychedelic-assisted therapies like MDMA, ketamine, and psilocybin, are showing promise in treating trauma and enhancing overall well-being by modulating biological signals, increasing neuroplasticity, and improving heart rate variability.
Personal Transformation Through Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Psychedelic-assisted therapy, such as MDMA sessions, has led to profound personal transformations for individuals, including enhanced mental well-being and physiological improvements. These therapies offer a different paradigm for addressing trauma by reshaping deep-seated psychological patterns and promoting holistic healing beyond traditional therapeutic methods.
The Potential of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies in Personal and Biological Transformation
Psychedelic-assisted therapies are reshaping approaches to trauma treatment by leveraging neuroplasticity to tackle deep-seated psychological patterns and promote holistic healing. Research shows that these therapies can bring extensive physiological benefits, such as stabilizing blood sugar levels, improving heart rate variability, and creating an uplifted sense of well-being.
Psychedelic Assisted Treatments for Health Improvement
Psychedelic assisted treatments have shown effectiveness in improving health, particularly in areas such as mental health and autoimmune conditions. The podcast discusses how therapies like psilocybin and MDMA can lead to significant changes in behavior, reducing reactivity and promoting a more present-focused mindset. Through a personal experience shared in the podcast, the shift towards seeking secure attachment and the importance of physiological regulation in relationships are highlighted. Additionally, the impact of psychedelic treatments on autoimmune conditions like positive anti nuclear antibodies and blood sugar levels is explored, showcasing promising outcomes.
Integrative Approaches for Healing Autoimmune Diseases
A patient story named Christina illustrates the impact of a comprehensive approach, combining functional medicine interventions with psychedelic assisted therapies to address health issues like rheumatoid arthritis. The episode emphasizes the significance of a multi-dimensional treatment strategy that includes dietary adjustments, lifestyle modifications, immune modulation, microbiome restoration, and the role of psychedelic therapies in trauma resolution and biological regulation. The integration of approaches focusing on nutrition, sleep, embodiment, psychological healing, and immune support is highlighted as essential for resetting one's biology and psychology in combating autoimmune diseases.
Functional Medicine offers patients many things, especially hope and understanding. Autoimmune disease is a prime example: Rather than condemning patients to a lifetime of symptom management through medication, functional practitioners dig to find the “why,” to address the underlying causes with individualized, multimodal support to create lasting improvement and systemic healing. My guest today, Dr. Sara Gottfried, is a physician, researcher, author, and educator passionate about changing the way we view and treat autoimmunity.
In this episode, we discuss:
What is a “trauma signature” and what is its role in autoimmunity? (5:55)
Hidden autoimmunity triggers you might be surprised to learn about (21:30)
The go-to test panel Sara runs on her patients (27:33)
Sara’s stack for reducing cortisol and why trauma has to be considered (39:00)
How Trauma biologically impacts you through the PINE system (41:40)
Psychedelic therapy and other healing states of consciousness, plus Sara’s personal experience using them (48:10)
What Sara wishes she told her 20-year-old self about life (1:15:45)
When we dig deeper, we always find out there is more going on below the surface. I know you’ll love this conversation as much as I did.
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