Causes or Cures
Dr. Eeks
"For the Nerds and the Nerd Nots"Causes or Cures is a health podcast hosted by Dr. Eeks—an independent, grassroots show driven by curiosity and a passion for breaking down complex health topics into bite-sized, easy-to-understand insights. Dr. Eeks works as a public health consultant, in the realm of epi/scicomms. She's all about making science relatable and often uses a blue-collar sense of humor to drive the message home.On this podcast, Dr. Eeks talks with experts from around the world (doctors, researchers, public health pros, and more) to dive into the latest hot topics in health and research, all in a down-to-earth kind of way. She also includes people with compelling stories of healing and "characters" because life is too boring and short to leave out characters. ;)DISCLAIMER: Some topics are more controversial than others, so keep in mind that this is information only and not health advice. Dr. Eeks doesn't endorse any of her guests' views, and despite a strict health routine, nor does she endorse any products, supplements, oils, magic socks or potions. If an episode is sponsored by a company she likes, she will say so in the show notes! Causes or Cures is not a "news site." It's about having conversations, and Dr. Eeks is confident that she can have a respectful conversation with anyone, even people who think far differently than she does. (At least that's been her experience at hole-in-the-walls & on the NYC sidewalks.) The point is to not take anything here as Gospel. Sometimes Dr. Eeks' dog Barnaby makes his opinion known, but the good news is that he's a smart dog. Most importantly, she hopes this podcast encourages folks to stay curious, empathic, hopeful, compassionate, honest, open-minded, and engaged. Freedom of discussion is a beautiful thing, delightfully messy, and one that many take for granted.*The views on this podcast do not reflect the views of anyone she contracts with or consults for. You can contact Dr. Eeks through her website, bloomingwellness.com.If you are interested in sponsoring an episode, write erin@bloomingwellness.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 18, 2024 • 1h 3min
Boost Performance, Heal Faster, Reverse Aging? Hyperbaric Oxygen Secrets with Dr. Shai Efrati
Send us a textDisclaimer: Causes or Cures is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and no medical claims are being made. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your personal health.In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks welcomes Dr. Shai Efrati, a world-renowned physician from Tel Aviv specializing in internal medicine, nephrology, and hyperbaric medicine. Dr. Efrati is the director of the Sagol Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Research, the largest hyperbaric center globally, treating over 350 patients daily. He is a leading researcher with over 170 scientific publications, a professor at Tel Aviv University, and co-founder of Aviv Scientific.Dr. Efrati recently released his book, Beyond Normal, which explores how the latest advancements in enhanced medicine can boost performance and repair brain injuries. In this episode, he explains what enhanced medicine is, with a special focus on his pioneering protocols for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). They explore how HBOT can be utilized to enhance both body and mind, diving into studies on PTSD, Long COVID, fibromyalgia, and an ongoing investigation into its effects on dementia prevention. Dr. Efrati also shares insights on how professional athletes use this therapy to optimize performance and potentially slow the aging process.Join us as we connect with Dr. Efrati to learn about the cutting-edge world of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its potential to reshape health and performance enhancement.You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Nov 14, 2024 • 59min
Dive into Relief: Cold Water Swimming for PMS & Menopause, with Prof. Joyce Harper
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Professor Joyce Harper to discuss her fascinating study on the effects of cold water swimming on premenstrual and perimenopausal symptoms. Prof. Harper kicks off by sharing her background and what inspired her to dive into this unique research. They explore what qualifies as cold water swimming and how the study was conducted, revealing interesting findings—like the differences in benefits between wearing bathing suits versus wetsuits and the optimal time women spent in cold water. The conversation delves into the potential physical and mental effects of cold water exposure and why it might alleviate certain symptoms. To wrap up, Prof. Harper offers insightful advice on aging gracefully and happily.Professor Joyce Harper is an acclaimed author, researcher, and award-winning Professor of Reproductive Science at University College London's Institute for Women's Health. With nearly 40 years of experience in fertility, genetics, and women's health, she founded Reproductive Health at Work, leads the Reproductive Science and Society Group, and co-leads InTune, a UK-based menopause education and support program.You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Nov 7, 2024 • 58min
Heart Risks After COVID: Uncovering Long-Term Effects & Blood Type Links, with Dr. Hooman Allayee & James Hilser
Send us a text In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks sits down with Dr. Hooman Allayee and James Hilser to explore their new research on the lasting impact of COVID-19 on heart health. They reveal surprising findings about how COVID—especially in those who were hospitalized—elevates the risk of severe heart issues long after recovery, even years down the road. The conversation dives into the connection between blood type and post-COVID heart risk, and the researchers share their theories on why blood type matters. Plus, they discuss the implications of these findings for public health and clinical practice, offering important recommendations for how the public health and medical community should respond. Dr. Allayee is a professor of populations and public health sciences and biochemistry and molecular medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. His research focuses on utilizing genetics and genomics to better understand complex cardiovascular, metabolic, and inflammatory diseases. James Hilser holds a masters of public health, is a bioinformatics specialist and a PhD candidate in molecular medicine in the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at Keck School of Medicine. *New* SUBSCRIBE for Causes or Cures+ Bonus Episodes!You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Oct 31, 2024 • 47min
How Your Poop Patterns are Linked to Organ Health, with Dr. Johannes P. Johnson-Martinez
Send us a textDo you struggle with constipation or diarrhea? How is that linked to your overall organ health? In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Johannes P. Johnson-Martínez about his recent research on how variations in bowel movement frequency (BMF) can impact the gut microbiome, blood metabolites, and overall organ health. They discuss how abnormal BMF patterns are linked to toxins produced by gut microbes that enter the bloodstream and increase inflammation levels and how abnormal BMFs may be early warning signs of organ dysfunction. Finally, he highlights how diet and lifestyle choices can influence BMF variations and the larger health implications and "take-home" points of this research. Dr. Johnson-Martinez is a researcher interested in the gut microbiome who conducted this research in the Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington.*New* SUBSCRIBE for Causes or Cures+ Bonus Episodes!You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Oct 22, 2024 • 28min
Why are People Afraid of Clowns? Exploring the Origins of Coulrophobia with Sophie Scorey
Send us a textAre you afraid of clowns?If you're like many who dread those painted smiles, you're not alone- especially as Halloween approaches and horror movies like It remind us just how unsettling they can be. In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Sophie Scorey about her research on the origins for the fear of clowns or coulrophobia. Sophie dives into the global prevalence of this bizarre phobia and explores why so many people, from kids to adults, are terrified of clowns. Whether it’s their exaggerated features or eerie unpredictability, you'll want to tune in to this first-of-its-kind investigation into what makes clowns so nightmare-worthy. Sophie is a psychologist and researcher working towards her PhD at the School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, University of South Wales. *New* SUBSCRIBE for Causes or Cures+ Bonus Episodes!You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Oct 14, 2024 • 52min
Bizarre and Shocking Snakebite Cures Through History, with Bob Ashley
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with snake expert Bob Ashley on his fascinating new book, A Photographic History of Snakebite Treatments: Bad Medicine Snake Oils, Potions, Elixirs and Kits. From ancient remedies described in Hebrew Scriptures to modern day antivenom, he discusses the intriguing, sometimes shocking history of snake bite treatments throughout the centuries. He advises what everyone should do if they get bit by a venomous snake, and rest assured, it's not to use a snakebite kit from your local store. Bob Ashley is a herpetologist, entrepreneur and museum director. He is founder of the Chiricahua Desert Museum in New Mexico and has a lifelong passion for reptiles and amphibians. You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Oct 11, 2024 • 50min
Could this Simple Sugar Reverse Hair Loss? A chat with Dr. Sheila MacNeil & Dr. Muhammad Yar
Send us a textDiscovering new hope for hair loss! In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Sheila MacNeil and Dr. Muhammad Yar about their accidental discovery that a simple sugar compound may stimulate hair regrowth and help end male-pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia—a condition affecting many people. They dive into how an unexpected finding in a study on wound healing sparked their current study on hair loss, which they break down in the episode. The researchers walk us through how the study was conducted, results, how their findings compare to current prescription treatments for hair loss, and what’s next in their research.Dr. MacNeil is an Emeritus Professor of Tissue Engineering at the University of Sheffield, UK, with over 550 peer-reviewed publications in soft tissue engineering. You can learn more about Dr. MacNeil here. Dr. Yar is an Associate Professor at the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Biomedical Materials at COMSATS University in Islamabad, Pakistan. Previously, he served as an Assistant Professor at King Fahd University in Saudi Arabia. You can learn more about his work here.*New* SUBSCRIBE for Upcoming Bonus Episodes!You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Sep 29, 2024 • 60min
The Magic in Mushrooms: How Psilocybin Impacts Learning, with Dr. Andrea Casanova
Send us a textDisclaimer: Causes or Cures is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and no medical claims are being made. Always talk to a qualified healthcare provider about your personal health. In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Andrea Casanova about his new research on how psilocybin impacts learning. This study is the first to explore how psilocybin (commonly known as "magic mushrooms") influences reinforcement learning, a type of learning driven by rewards and cues. Dr. Casanova breaks down how psilocybin affects the brain, the methods he and his team used to conduct the study, their key findings, and the potential future implications. He also shares a psychiatric perspective on how psychedelics could be used to treat common mental disorders that are often resistant to current medications. Lastly, Dr. Casanova touches on the current state of psychedelic treatment and research in his home country of Switzerland.Dr. Casanova is a Swiss medical doctor specializing in psychiatry and training in Jungian analytical psychotherapy.*New* SUBSCRIBE for Upcoming Bonus Episodes!You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Sep 19, 2024 • 51min
How Dogs Detect the Scent of Stress in Trauma Survivors, with Dr. Simon Gadbois & Dr. Laura Kiiroja
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Simon Gadbois and Dr. Laura Kiiroja about how scent-detection dogs can detect stress in breath samples from individuals with traumatic histories when exposed to trauma cues. They discuss the current use of dogs in detecting diseases, explaining what exactly these dogs are smelling and how they were recruited and trained for this unique study. The conversation also covers the role of human participants, key findings, and the next steps, including the future practical implications of their work.Dr. Gadbois leads the Canine and Reptile Behaviour and Olfaction Research Lab in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Dr. Kiiroja, who recently earned her PhD from Dalhousie University in biomedical scent-detection dogs, has also worked extensively with wolves for animal welfare purposes and contributes to official Estonian national animal websites with her writings on wolves.*New* SUBSCRIBE for Upcoming Bonus Episodes!You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
Sep 16, 2024 • 1h 9min
Finding Lasting Happiness: Practical Tips with Dr. Elia Gourgouris
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with America's Happiness Doctor, Dr. Elia Gourgouris, about practical steps people can take to achieve lasting happiness. Dr. Gourgouris breaks down the definition of happiness and shares how we can leverage it in our daily lives, at work, in relationships, and even during times of crisis. He also explores its connections to positive psychology, fear, and forgiveness.Dr. Elia Gourgouris, PhD, is a best-selling author of 7 Paths to Lasting Happiness and 7 Keys to Navigating a Crisis: A Practical Guide to Emotionally Dealing with Pandemics & Other Disasters. He is the President of The Happiness Center and a Founding Partner at The Global Institute of Thought Leadership. Known for his motto “Happiness is a choice!”, Dr. Gourgouris has become a leading authority on happiness and corporate wellness, offering coaching and keynotes around the world for the past 25 years. Through his work, he’s helped thousands find happiness and fulfillment, both personally and professionally.You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.Follow Eeks on Instagram here.Or Facebook here.Or X.On Youtube.Or TikTok.SUBSCRIBE to her monthly newsletter here.Support the show
