[Sleep] Stress, Psychedelics, and Brain Health w/ Dr. Kirk Parsley, Anders Varner, Doug Larson, and Coach Travis Mash #763

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Sep 4, 2024

Dr. Kirk Parsley, a former SEAL and sleep medicine expert, discusses the profound link between sleep, performance, and brain health. He shares insights on aging in high-stress environments, particularly addressing veterans' unique health challenges. The conversation shifts to the overlooked importance of sleep, its impact on mental well-being, and innovative treatments for brain trauma. They also explore the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for stress relief and neuroplasticity, alongside practical tips for improving sleep quality and overall wellness.

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ANECDOTE

From High School Dropout To SEAL Doctor

Kirk Parsley dropped out of high school to join the Navy and later became a SEAL before pursuing medicine.
He used his SEAL experience to return as a physician and build the teams' first sports medicine facility.

INSIGHT

Hormonal Profile Hidden Behind Fitness

Labs on deployed SEALs showed low anabolic markers and high catabolic markers across the board.
Their profiles resembled older men with metabolic syndrome despite being young, athletic operators.

ADVICE

Ask Directly About Sleep Drugs

Ask patients about sleep drug use because many normalize poor sleep and sedative use.
Investigate medications like Ambien as potential drivers of cognitive and hormonal decline.

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Kirk Parsley served as an Undersea Medical Officer at Naval Special Warfare Group One from June 2009 to January 2013. While there, he led the development and supervised the group’s first Sports Medicine Rehabilitation center. He is a former SEAL, and received his Medical Degree from Bethesda, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) in 2004.

He interned in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Balboa Naval Hospital San Diego in 2005 and subsequently completed a Navy residency in Hyperbarics and Diving Medicine in 2006.

Dr. Parsley has been a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine since 2006 and served as Naval Special Warfare’s expert on Sleep Medicine. In addition he is certified in hormonal modulation (Age-Management Medicine).

After leaving the Navy he went into concierge medicine and consulting. He continues to consult for multiple corporations, and professional athletes/teams. Doctor Parsley lectures worldwide on sleep, wellness, and hormonal optimization and is currently completing a book on sleep and health optimization.

His philosophy for wellness is simple; in order to optimize our health and get the most out of our bodies and minds, we must live more closely to the way we evolved as a species. He believes that many diseases and disorders that we accept as “inevitable” in modern society are unnecessary complications of poor sleeping habits, living in a toxic environment, eating foods we were not designed to digest, and allowing stress to overwhelm us. His passion is to help his patients and clients achieve the highest quality of life possible, and realize their health, performance, and longevity goals.

Dr. Parsley spends as much of his spare time as possible with his wife Cindy, and his three beautiful children (Hayden, Cole, and Harper). He has been a competitive athlete his entire life, and enjoys nearly all outdoor activities and sports.

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