Panic Attacks: Biology or Psychology with Dr. George Papanicolaou

Jan 18, 2021

In this engaging discussion, Dr. George Papanicolaou, a family medicine physician and functional medicine expert, dives into the intricate world of anxiety and panic attacks. He highlights the connection between gut health and mental well-being, revealing how peptides can influence psychological states. The conversation also touches on innovative treatments like EMDR and the potential of psilocybin for restoring mental health. Papanicolaou emphasizes the importance of understanding and addressing trauma as a root cause of anxiety, calling for a holistic approach to treatment.

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ANECDOTE

Dr. Hyman's Panic Attack

Dr. Hyman experienced a panic attack in 1987 before a medical school exam, experiencing numbness, sweating, and shortness of breath.
His wife took him to the emergency room, highlighting the intensity of the experience.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Dan Harris's On-Air Panic Attack

Dan Harris, a TV journalist, had a panic attack on live television.
He later explored meditation and wrote a book about finding calmness, demonstrating that panic attacks can be overcome.

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INSIGHT

Functional vs. Conventional Approach

Conventional medicine often treats panic attacks with medication, but this only addresses symptoms, not the root cause.
Functional medicine seeks to identify and treat the underlying causes of panic attacks, like hypoglycemia or gut issues.

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Understanding Anxiety and Panic Attacks

03:42 • 9min

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Gut-Brain Connection: Peptides and Mental Health

12:33 • 6min

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Transformative Mental Health Approaches

18:25 • 9min

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Healing Trauma and Anxiety

27:54 • 5min

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Exploring Innovative Treatments for Mental Health

33:16 • 5min

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#175

• Mentioned in 100 episodes

How to Change Your Mind

What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence

Michael Pollan

In this book, Michael Pollan delves into the history of psychedelic drugs, from their rise in the 1960s to their current resurgence in medical research. He combines historical and scientific analysis with personal narratives of his own experiences with psychedelics, such as LSD and psilocybin. The book explores how these substances are being used to treat conditions like depression, addiction, and anxiety, and discusses their potential to revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and consciousness. Pollan's work is a blend of science, memoir, and travel writing, offering a nuanced and engaging look at the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of psychedelics.

#559

• Mentioned in 43 episodes

The UltraMind solution

Mark Hyman

In 'The UltraMind Solution,' Dr. Mark Hyman explains that many mental and psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and memory loss, are rooted in physical and biochemical imbalances in the body. He proposes a six-week plan to correct these imbalances through optimizing nutrition, balancing hormones, reducing inflammation, and other lifestyle changes. The book emphasizes the importance of functional medicine, focusing on the body's natural healing processes rather than just managing symptoms with drugs or psychotherapy. By following the outlined steps, readers can achieve an 'UltraMind' that is highly focused, able to pay attention at will, has a strong memory, and leaves them feeling calm, confident, in control, and in good spirits.

#124

• Mentioned in 121 episodes

10% Happier

Dan Harris

In '10% Happier,' Dan Harris shares his personal journey of discovering the benefits of meditation. Initially a skeptic, Harris, a news anchor, found himself on a path of self-discovery after a nationally televised panic attack. He delves into the world of spirituality and self-help, encountering various figures including brain scientists, CEOs, and spiritual leaders. The book explores how meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being without compromising one's ambition or edge. Harris emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in making one more resilient and better equipped to handle life's challenges, though it does not eliminate problems entirely.

Panic Attacks: Biology or Psychology | This episode is sponsored by ButcherBox and Dr. Hyman’s Sleep Master Class

We are living in an age of anxiety; and we know that stress wreaks havoc on our health in so many ways, physiologically, emotionally, and mentally. For many people of all ages, stress can lead to anxiety and debilitating panic attacks. While conventional medicine typically treats anxiety and panic attacks as a diagnosis, Functional Medicine views anxiety and panic attacks as symptoms and seeks to get to the root cause underlying these issues.

In this episode, Dr. Hyman sits down with Dr. George Papaicolaou to discuss the Functional Medicine approach to treating panic attacks. They explore the range of physiological considerations they explore when treating patients who are experiencing panic attacks, as well as how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and trauma can be treated to reduce anxiety and eliminate panic attacks.

George Papanicolaou is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and is Board Certified in Family Medicine from Abington Memorial Hospital. He is also an Institute for Functional Medicine Practitioner. Upon graduation from his residency he joined the Indian Health Service. He worked on the Navajo reservation for 4 years at the Chinle Comprehensive Medical Facility where he served as the Outpatient Department Coordinator. In 2000, he founded Cornerstone Family Practice in Rowley, MA. He practiced with a philosophy centered on personal relationships and treating the whole person, not just not the disease. He called that philosophy “Whole Life Wellness”. Over time as the healthcare system made it harder for patients to receive this kind of personal care Dr. Papanicolaou decided a change was needed. He began training in Functional Medicine through the Institute of Functional Medicine. In 2015, he established Cornerstone Personal Health – a practice dedicated entirely to Functional Medicine. Dr. Papanicolaou to join The UltraWellness Center in 2017.

This episode is sponsored by ButcherBox and Dr. Hyman’s Sleep Master Class.

When you sign up for ButcherBox today, you can get 2lbs of wild-caught Alaskan salmon free in your first box. Just go to butcherbox.com/farmacy.

In this modern world, we place too much value on staying busy and deprioritizing sleep, which is why Dr. Hyman created his first-ever Master Class. It guides you through the most important steps to getting better sleep, starting today. Get free access to Dr. Hyman’s Sleep Master Class at drhyman.com/sleep.

In this conversation, Dr. Hyman and Dr. Papanicolaou discuss:

What are anxiety and panic?

How conventional medicine typically treats anxiety and panic

Patient cases they have treated

How diet, hormone and blood sugar levels, nutrient deficiencies, gut issues, inflammation, and other physiological issues can lead to anxiety and panic attacks