Body of Wonder

The spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-COV2 is a seismic global event that has pushed healthcare systems and societies into new realities. So, how does a virus become a global pandemic? After all, the world is veiled with viruses and this isn't the first time human history has been altered by one - we need only to recall viruses like the Bubonic plague, Polio, and SARS to see evidence. Humans have a long and complex relationship with viruses. Like most living organisms, viruses co-evolved alongside humans for millions of years. The interaction between viruses and mammals has even permanently altered species' DNA through a process called horizontal gene transfer. Yet, we face this new threat today as a highly-connected global society and economy, and we can learn from these trying times to prevent another occurrence of this scale and potentially save lives. Our guest on this episode is notable wildlife journalist and author David Quammen whose award-winning books have focused prominently on the 'spillover effect' or the jumping of animal diseases into human beings and the impact. Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes speak with Quammen about the events that built-up to this crisis as well as measures individuals can take to reduce the likelihood of another global pandemic, including health choices like diet, lifestyle, and human causes of environmental disruption.

What happens when good cells go rogue? What if those cells reside inside your brain can have a dramatic impact on your body and mind? In this episode we discuss the fascinating world of the brain's tiniest cells, microglia. Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Victoria Maizes speak with award-wining science journalist Donna Jackson Nakazawa on her latest book, The Angel & The Assassin, which explores the science of neuroimmunology. Previously defined as the housekeeper cells of the brain, microglia have been quietly overlooked since their original discovery in the 1800's. Now, Nakazawa shares how researchers have recently uncovered the cells real work and why they might just be our best ally in the battle against the alarming increase of autoimmune diseases and mental health disorders. In the show, we hear about the cutting edge, non-invasive technology and explore two free integrative lifestyle techniques that aid in microglia support. Body of Wonder is hosted by Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Weil and produced by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Learn more about this and other topics by going to www.azcim.org/podcast. Connect with us on Twitter: @BodyofWonder, Instagram: BodyofWonderPodcast, or Facebook/BodyofWonder Please note, the show will not advise, diagnose, or treat medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider for questions regarding your health.

What happens when your body isn't absorbing the nutrients it needs from your daily food intake? What about long-term depletion? Access to a diverse variety of food products has never been easier for many households. With so much variety at our fingertips how is it possible that we are lower in necessary vitamins and minerals and missing nutrient-dense foods in our diet? Today we talk with researcher, Bonnie Kaplan, Ph.D. about what she calls "nutrition above the neck" or brain health. Bonnie has been at the forefront of nutritional research for decades. Her studies have focused on brain development, ADHD, and behavioral disorders in adolescences. She shares what years of research is telling us about the impact of broad-spectrum nutrients on brain health. Body of Wonder is hosted by Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Weil and produced by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Learn more about this and other topics by going to www.azcim.org/podcast. Connect with us on Twitter: @BodyofWonder, Instagram: BodyofWonderPodcast, or Facebook/BodyofWonder

What is consciousness? Are "you" your body or your mind...or something else entirely? Is it possible to quiet the mind and free it from wondering thoughts? Can psychedelics and cannabis help you reach higher states of consciousness? In this episode of Body of Wonder, Dr. Andrew Weil and Dr. Deepak Chopra, two of the most well-known integrative health advocates, are interviewed by Dr. Victoria Maizes for a conversation that explores the experience of human consciousness and perception. Hear how Dr. Weil and Dr. Deepak personally define consciousness, their recommendations for healthy aging of the mind and the body, and how death is an important part of one's own "self" experience. Dr. Chopra's new book Metahuman: Unleashing Your Potential is out now. Body of Wonder is hosted by Dr. Victoria Maizes and Dr. Weil and produced by the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Learn more about this and other topics by going to www.azcim.org/podcast. Connect with us on Twitter: @BodyofWonder, Instagram: BodyofWonderPodcast, or Facebook/BodyofWonder Please note, the show will not advise, diagnose, or treat medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or healthcare provider for questions regarding your health.

Dr. Andrew Weil is a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. His philosophy is centered on a healing-oriented approach to healthcare which encompasses the body, mind, and spirit. So, what is integrative medicine? How does it differ from conventional medicine? In the new series, Body of Wonder, Dr. Weil and internationally recognized integrative leader, author, and women's health expert, Dr. Victoria Maizes will discuss integrative medicine with thought-provoking researchers, authors, and doctors. For two decades, Weil and Maizes have led a training program at the University of Arizona. Today, 2,000 healthcare practitioners have completed the integrative training Fellowship and continue to apply the knowledge in their care of patients across the world, develop clinical research, author medical text books, and more. In this episode, Andrew and Victoria discuss the early years of training practitioners in the new field of medicine. That story begins with an unexpected stop in the desert.