Medicine Redefined

Dr. Nisha Chellam, a board-certified internist turned functional medicine advocate, reveals her journey from traditional practice to a holistic approach. She discusses the drawbacks of supplement-driven conferences and emphasizes uncovering the root causes of chronic disease. Dr. Chellam shares her success stories with patients and critiques the divide between conventional and functional medicine. Her vision includes integrating lifestyle changes with advanced testing, promoting a deeper understanding of health beyond quick fixes.

Dr. Leah Houston, an emergency medicine physician and healthcare entrepreneur, shares her mission to fix the broken credentialing system. She discusses the widespread issues in physician credentialing and how AI and decentralized identity can restore autonomy to doctors. Dr. Houston highlights the burdensome timelines and manual processes that hinder mobility. She advocates for digital solutions like credential wallets and real-time license verification to streamline workflows. Her vision includes a future where direct payment models reduce insurance dependency, enhancing care for patients and restoring trust in healthcare.

Darsh and Altamash are back, trading thoughts on what’s been capturing their attention lately - from the tech tools boosting daily efficiency to the appeal of living more “pro-analog.” They dive into the hype and science behind ketones, unpack how GLP-1s are reshaping the way we think about food and cravings, and share insights on what it really means to find preventive, proactive healthcare today. It’s a thoughtful but approachable conversation, blending current events, health trends, and practical takeaways.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Medicine Redefined00:33 Current Events and Political Landscape02:10 Random Show Concept and Personal Updates02:44 Writing and Creative Outlets06:48 Tech Tools and Apps for Efficiency10:32 Medical Innovations: Vagus Nerve and Hydrodissection19:48 Breathwork and Meditation Techniques23:49 Exploring Exogenous Ketones28:31 Understanding Brain Health and Mood Disorders29:31 Exploring Ketone Supplements30:52 Nootropics and Cognitive Enhancers32:48 The Future of Social Connection40:44 The Concept of Misogi and Mental Fortitude42:34 GLP-1 and Obesity Treatment49:36 Navigating Healthcare and Finding the Right ProviderSOURCES05:12 | How and Why To Try Alternate Nostril Breathing (Cleveland Clinic)08:47 | Buteyko vs Soma Breathing: Origins, Benefits and Differences (Buteyko Clinic International)14:33 | OU Researchers Explore Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Multiple Conditions (University of Oklahoma)19:55 | Exogenous Ketones: Do They Work, and Are They Safe? (Medical News Today)24:18 | Ozempic Quiets Food Noise in the Brain — But How? (Scientific American)27:42 | “Food Noise”: Do Weight Loss Drugs Stop It? (Health.com)33:11 | How to Find a Medicine 3.0 Doctor like Dr. Peter Attia (Vitality / AWI Longevity Clinic)37:40 | Embracing an Analog Lifestyle: Opt Out of Overwhelm (The Tiny Life)41:05 | “The ‘Boring Phone’ – Gen Z Ditch Smartphones for Dumbphones” (The Guardian)45:22 | Alfred – Productivity App for macOS (Official Site)47:36 | OpenAI Whisper (Speech Recognition AI)

Delve into the surprising truth behind reality TV weight loss with a deep look at The Biggest Loser and its shocking tactics. Discover the dark side of rapid weight loss and its lasting repercussions on metabolism and mental health. The conversation highlights the ethical quandaries of using contestants as entertainment and questions the role of celebrity trainers. Plus, explore GLP-1 medications and their impact on dieting. Through humor and personal stories, the hosts reflect on societal beauty standards and the quest for self-acceptance.

Dr. Shawn Arent, a leading expert in human performance, discusses fascinating insights on female physiology, debunking myths about the menstrual cycle’s impact on athletic performance. He reveals the critical roles of thyroid hormones and their connection to metabolism. The conversation also touches on the influence of catecholamines in stress and energy during training. Arent speculates on the future of performance enhancement through GLP-1 agonists and myostatin inhibitors, providing a fresh perspective on optimizing health and performance for athletes.

Join Dr. Shawn Arent, a renowned professor in exercise science, as he unpacks the complexities of cortisol and insulin. He clarifies cortisol's essential role in stress and athletic performance, while also addressing the risks of chronic elevation. Dr. Arent shares insights on nutrition's impact on hormone levels and the importance of tracking hormonal markers for athletes. With science-backed facts, he challenges common social media myths about hormones, helping listeners rethink their approach to training and recovery.

This engaging discussion tackles the question of whether medicine is still a worthwhile career. The hosts share personal stories of burnout and reinvention, highlighting the emotional and financial pitfalls of the medical profession. They encourage listeners to embrace diverse career paths and break free from conventional constraints. The conversation also explores the psychological aspects of healthcare pricing and the importance of authenticity in patient care. It's a motivational journey for anyone reconsidering their place in the evolving world of medicine.

In this episode of Medicine Redefined, Dr. Darsh and Dr. Altamash sit down with Dr. Vince Marchese, sports medicine physician and founder of Apex Medicine, to explore how transparency and direct pay models are transforming healthcare. We break down why traditional insurance creates confusion and barriers, how clear pricing empowers patients, and what happens when physicians reclaim time to focus on care - not paperwork.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Medicine Redefined00:35 Meet Dr. Vince Marchese01:13 Journey to Sports Medicine01:37 Breaking Away from Insurance02:06 Life as a Direct Pay Practitioner09:33 Understanding Insurance Complexities10:27 The History of Insurance11:56 Navigating the Insurance Maze15:37 The Case for Direct Pay17:31 Empowering Patients with Knowledge41:39 The Insurance Dilemma42:00 State Mandates and Penalties42:58 Self-Insurance and Cost-Saving Strategies44:40 Catastrophic Insurance and HSAs52:04 The Benefits of Direct Pay Models55:02 Building a Patient-Centric Practice01:04:31 Scaling and Future of Direct Pay Medicine01:11:44 Support Systems and Taking the Leap01:16:03 Closing Thoughts and ResourcesSOURCESHealthcare Spending & Insurance Costs[00:16:01] “51 cents of every healthcare dollar goes to insurance” – In fact, CMS and KFF data show [1, 2] private insurers cover ~30% of U.S. health spending, and federal/state programs ~51%. Administrative overhead is only about 7.4% of spending [1]. [00:10:00] Average premium costs – Kaiser Family Foundation reports that in 2024 the average annual employer health insurance premium is ~$8,951 for single coverage and ~$25,572 for family coverage [4], illustrating why monthly premiums can seem “crazy high.”Policy & Regulations[00:31:54] Balance billing protections (No Surprises Act) – Effective Jan 1, 2022, federal law bans surprise/“balance” bills for most emergency and certain other out-of-network services [5, 6]. For example, CFPB explains that patients generally will no longer face balance bills for emergency care [5, 6] under the No Surprises Act.Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)[00:43:30] Triple tax advantage of HSAs – HSAs are truly tax-advantaged. According to IRS rules and financial guides, HSA contributions are tax-deductible, earnings grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free [7, 8]. Bank of America and IRS publications both highlight this “triple-tax” benefit.[00:44:17] HSA contribution limits – For 2024, IRS rules allow $4,150 annual HSA contributions for self-only HDHP coverage and $8,300 for family coverage [7] (The podcast guest’s “~$4,000” estimate for solo coverage aligns with the $4,150 limit for 2024 [7]).Price Transparency & Cash Payments[00:21:30] MRI cash prices – Pricing guides show that uninsured (cash) MRI costs vary widely. For example, a 2025 SingleCare review finds a national average MRI cost of ~$1,325 (range ~$400–$12,000) without insurance [9]. A cash-pay platform (MDsave) reports a $1,335 average for an MRI, with their cash price as low as ~$805 [10]. These sources confirm that self-pay MRI prices can be far below billed/insurance prices.[00:21:30] Cash vs. negotiated prices – Studies show many hospitals set their cash (self-pay) rates lower than insurer-negotiated rates. For example, one analysis found 60% of insurer-negotiated hospital rates exceed the hospital’s cash price for the same service [11], and a JAMA-published study reports that cash prices are often below the commercial prices insurers pay [12]. In short, paying cash (or high-deductible plans) can sometimes cost less than the “discounted” insurance rate.Referenced Book[00:21:24] The Price We Pay – Dr. Marty Makary

In this episode of Medicine Redefined, Darsh and Altamash sit down with Dr. Patrick “Rocky” Sullivan, an emergency physician turned ketamine therapy pioneer, to explore how this powerful molecule is quietly transforming mental health care. Drawing from years of ER experience and clinical innovation, Dr. Sullivan breaks down the science, stigma, and promise behind ketamine treatment for depression, PTSD, addiction, and chronic pain.We unpack the nuances of off-label prescribing, why most depression treatments miss the mark, and how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is helping patients rewire trauma in real time.If you’ve ever wondered how ketamine really works, who it's for (and who it’s not), or what a responsible treatment plan should look like, this conversation will change your perspective. It's an eye-opening look into the future of mental health care.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Medicine Redefined00:36 Meet Dr. Patrick Sullivan01:46 The Evolution of Ketamine Therapy03:18 Rocky's Journey into Psychiatry07:57 Understanding Ketamine's Mechanism08:49 Off-Label Uses and Research11:12 Ketamine in Emergency and Pain Management14:14 The Importance of Set and Setting15:29 From Anesthetic to Antidepressant17:15 Mainstream Depression Treatments23:02 Navigating Treatment Options26:45 Screening and Safety Protocols37:29 Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy41:42 Telehealth and Ketamine Delivery42:16 The Importance of Provider Interaction43:11 Case Studies: Depression and OCD43:55 Case Studies: Pain and Trauma44:24 Case Studies: Alcohol Use Disorder46:12 The Role of Therapy in Ketamine Treatment47:54 Ketamine's Mechanism and Benefits52:09 Maintenance and Dosage Variability01:05:13 Challenges in Ketamine Research and Regulation01:16:14 Conclusion and Contact InformationSOURCES04:13: Ketamine suicidal ideation meta-analysis; Ketamine depression meta-analysis05:09: What is ketamine?06:01: History of ketamine07:36: Off-label prescriptions07:44: Research referenced on alcoholism and ketamine:1997 study1998 study2001 study2018 study07:44: 2000 study done on depression and ketamine07:44: 2006 study repeated09:30: Ketamine dose-dependent responses10:13: Ketamine on respiratory drive10:58: Ketamine for asthma13:47: Psychedelic therapy15:21: Treatment-resistant depression16:18: SSRIs and other antidepressant drugs17:36: ECT and Ketamine therapy studies:Study 1Study 2Study 3 (70% statistic)18:48: TMS18:48: Spravato study18:48: IV Infusion ketamine study22:19: Treatment resistance depression prevalance25:20: Mathew Perry story28:05: Studies on how Ketamine works in the brain:Study 1Study 229:30: Adjustment disorders32:21: Studies on BDNF and ketamine:Study 1Study 2Study 3Study 432:37: Exercise and BDNF 32:39: HIIT and BDNF35:08: Ketamine assisted psychotherapy research38:08: Ketamine for PTSD44:27: EMDR44:46: How to change your mind:

In this episode of Medicine Redefined, Darsh and Altamash take a deep dive into the complex world of medications with Dr. Vinay Patel, pharmacist and founder of MakoRx. Dr. Patel exposes the hidden realities behind Big Pharma, explaining why generic drugs can be so confusing and revealing the true factors driving skyrocketing pharmacy prices. We also explore how cutting-edge AI technology is revolutionizing drug discovery and development. This conversation will fundamentally change how you understand the medications you rely on every day. Whether you’re a healthcare professional or simply curious, this episode delivers powerful knowledge and a fresh perspective. Tune in!TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction to Medicine Redefined00:36 Meet Vinay Patel: Healthcare Innovator01:04 Understanding PBMs: The Hidden Middlemen02:47 The Evolution of PBMs05:29 Vertical Integration and Its Impact15:52 The Complexities of Drug Pricing26:30 Compounding Pharmacies and GLP-1 Medications34:15 Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Solution37:39 The Dominance of Employer-Based Health Insurance39:46 The Generic vs. Brand Medication Debate40:52 Challenges in Generic Drug Manufacturing45:05 The Role of Pharmacists in Medication Management50:50 Solutions for a Broken Healthcare System53:54 Introduction to Make O Rx58:29 Overcoming Barriers in the Healthcare Market01:01:31 The Future of Pharmaceuticals and AI01:05:54 Key Takeaways for Healthcare Providers01:08:04 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationSOURCES00:19: Price We Pay Book01:35: Pharmacy Benefit Management History03:24: Medical Modernization Act03:53: Affordable Care Act04:13: Vertical Integration04:33: Big Three Control 80% of Prescriptions04:56: 20% of Smaller Companies05:40: Tyson Foods RightWay06:01: Smaller PBMs Gaining Traction07:42: Antitrust enforcement in healthcare08:22: Affordable Care Act and High Deductible Plans09:24: Gag clauses09:58: Trump’s Law to Eliminate Gag Clauses10:39: Elizabeth Warren and Josh Hawley's Bill on PBMs13:25: Clawbacks14:32: Clawback disclosure law14:52: Losing money on drugs15:00: GLP-1 drugs16:27: Info on drug pricing17:05: Insurance companies set drug prices22:01: Article on rebates22:30: Net prices have gone down22:39: List prices have gone up24:21: Deep dive into drug prices in US24:45: US VS Europe drug pricing26:49: US subsidizes the world’s drug prices27:32: History of Ozempic28:31: Current status of Ozempic shortage29:11: Compounding drugs law32:21: Compounding pharmacy credit...