Dr. Scott McMahon and Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker discuss their groundbreaking research on Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and its potential connection to illnesses such as fibromyalgia and depression. They explore the prevalence of water-damaged buildings and the implications of biotoxin exposure. The guests also delve into the use of biomarkers for diagnosing and distinguishing chronic illness, as well as the patterns of brain damage seen in patients. They highlight the importance of open-mindedness and continuous learning in the medical field.
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Quick takeaways
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CERS) can be diagnosed using biomarkers and can lead to various symptoms and neurological findings.
Treatment protocols, including VIP therapy, have shown promising results in improving brain volumes and reducing multinecrosis atrophy in CERS patients.
Building testing and remediation, including addressing water damage and mold infestations, are crucial for treating CERS and reducing exposure to biotoxins.
Greater awareness and efforts to improve building safety are needed to reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory response syndrome caused by mold exposure.
Deep dives
Symptoms and Biomarkers of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CERS)
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CERS) is associated with a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, aching, cramping, respiratory issues, eye problems, joint pain, cognitive difficulties, appetite changes, and hormonal abnormalities. Biomarkers such as visual contrast sensitivity, HLA, cortisol, and cytokines can help diagnose CERS and distinguish it from other conditions. Neurological findings in CERS patients include reduced red blood cell flow in the retinal and brain tissue. Neuroquant imaging has revealed abnormalities in brain volumes related to CERS, and neurocognitive tests have identified executive function deficits, tremors, and difficulties with verbal fluency.
Association of CERS with Degenerative Neurological Conditions
CERS has been linked to various degenerative neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and ALS. Neuroquant imaging shows specific patterns of brain damage in CERS patients, such as swollen forebrain parenchyma and atrophic caudate nucleus. Treatment protocols, including VIP (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide) therapy, have shown promising results in improving brain volumes and reducing multinecrosis atrophy in CERS patients. Further research is needed to explore the application of CERS treatment protocols to degenerative neurological diseases.
Treatment Options and Building Remediation
Treatment for CERS includes building testing and remediation to reduce exposure to biotoxins. Building materials like drywall, anti-fungal paints, and water-damaged buildings can contribute to toxin production. Remediation efforts should address water damage and mold infestations. In addition, specific interventions like VIP therapy have shown positive outcomes in reducing symptoms and improving brain abnormalities. Other treatment approaches may be tailored to individual patients based on biomarker profiles and responsiveness to different therapies.
Importance of CERS Awareness and Government Action
CERS researchers, including Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. McMahon, have advocated for greater awareness of CERS in various sectors, including military housing. Water-damaged buildings and biotoxin exposure can pose significant health risks. Government agencies and officials have been made aware of the findings, such as the prevalence of water-damaged buildings and the potential consequences of exposure. Efforts to address these issues and improve building safety are crucial for protecting public health and reducing the risk of chronic inflammatory response syndrome.
Key Point 1
The podcast episode discusses the impact of mold on health and the steps to address it. The speaker shares their personal experience of mold testing in their houses, which yielded poor results. They emphasize the importance of determining if a person meets the case definition for mold-related illness, as well as assessing the ecological parameters within the building. The podcast also highlights the significance of testing for endotoxins, bacteria, and fungi, as these factors can cause brain damage. Additionally, the speaker provides guidance on taking dust samples for analysis and emphasizes the need for reputable labs.
Key Point 2
The podcast delves into the treatment options for mold-related illness. It is emphasized that the first step in treatment is eliminating exposure to water-damaged environments, such as homes, workplaces, or schools. The use of binders, such as colostiramine and colacevalin, is discussed as an effective intervention to alleviate symptoms. The speaker highlights that improvements in patients are often seen within two to three months of implementing the treatment. Blood work is recommended to monitor progress and guide further therapy. The potential use of intranasal VIP as a treatment option for patients who have not achieved significant recovery with other interventions is mentioned.
Key Point 3
The podcast addresses the prevalence and effects of mold-related illnesses in children. It is highlighted that chronic headaches and abdominal pains are common symptoms in children, with a significant portion of cases being attributed to mold-related illness. The effectiveness of treating these symptoms through mold treatment interventions is discussed, emphasizing that the majority of symptomatic children experience significant improvement or complete resolution. The importance of early screening and detection, along with the prevention of exposure to mold, is stressed as essential for mitigating long-term health impacts in children.
Dr. Jordan B. Peterson speaks with Dr. Scott McMahon and Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker. They discuss their potentially groundbreaking research into CIRS, or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. Backed by research, these two doctors believe that many other illnesses and syndromes such as fibromyalgia, obesity, and even depression might actually be caused by mutations in common mold as a response to our own efforts to live in a hypoallergenic world.
Scott W. McMahon, MD, founder of Whole World Healthcare has been practicing pediatrics in Roswell, New Mexico, for 26 years. His interest in Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) began in 2009. Dr. McMahon first learned about CIRS after being approached by a businessman whose daughter became ill while attending a local school. The search for this child’s healing led him to Dr. Richie Shoemaker, the global expert on mold illnesses. McMahon visited Dr. Shoemaker’s practice to learn about the treatment for CIRS and saw the tremendous need for more physicians prepared to treat CIRS. He immediately opened a practice in Roswell specifically to diagnose and treat patients with CIRS, starting with 15 patients from the local school. His CIRS practice has now grown and he has seen thousands of adults and children to date.
