Episode 521: Lyme Disease, Brain Health, and Nervous System Recovery - an Interview with Dr. Chris Winfrey

Join Dr. Chris Winfrey, renowned psychiatrist and neuropsychiatry expert, and Tick Boot Camp as we dive deep into the complex connections between Lyme disease, brain health, and the nervous system. In this critical conversation, Dr. Winfrey shares clinical insights and practical strategies to help Lyme warriors reclaim their health by understanding the physiological and psychological challenges of Lyme recovery.

🎯 Episode Highlights

• Expert insights into how Lyme disease impacts the nervous system and brain
• The critical connection between gut health, microbiome balance, and mental health
• How chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation fuel persistent symptoms
• Practical tools to regulate the nervous system and support full-body healing

🧠 Key Topics Covered

Nervous System and Lyme Disease

• Comprehensive exploration of the central and peripheral nervous systems
• How Borrelia bacteria disrupt brain-body communication pathways
• Why holistic healing approaches are essential for long-term recovery

Physiological Challenges in Lyme Recovery

• The vital role of the gut-brain axis and microbiome health in cognitive function
• HPA axis dysfunction and its effect on stress responses
• How cortisol and melatonin cycles are disrupted in chronic illness

Psychological Impacts of Chronic Illness

• How chronic infection alters neural pathway development
• The role of trauma in disease susceptibility and healing barriers
• Dissociation as a survival mechanism — and how to reconnect for recovery

Practical Recovery Strategies

• Adaptogen herbs for nervous system and adrenal support
• Vagus nerve stimulation techniques to activate the parasympathetic system
• Managing the body's stress response to promote faster healing

👨‍⚕️ Meet Our Guest: Dr. Chris Winfrey

• Board-Certified Psychiatrist and founder of New Image Wellness
• Specializes in environmental medicine, mitochondrial psychiatry, and psychoneuroimmunology
• Expert in treating complex cases of Lyme disease, mold toxicity, PANDAS, and chronic fatigue syndromes

Learn more about Dr. Winfrey’s work at New Image Wellness.

🔥 Why This Episode Matters

This episode is a must-listen for anyone battling Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, POTS, MCAS, or trauma-related illnesses. Dr. Winfrey offers a compassionate and scientific approach to understanding why so many chronic illness patients struggle with mental health and nervous system symptoms — and what you can do to support true healing.