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 (ErinKate Stair, MPH, MD) works as a consultant in the realm of public health, applied epidemiology, and health communication. 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. If you are battling an individual health issue, always check in with your doctor & don't run with anything on podcast as 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.) While she has a MD, she does not practice medicine (she's a full-time public health nerd) so she does not give out medical advice nor should you treat anything on this podcast as medical advice. 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 on various public health projects. You can help keep Causes or Cure independent and ad-free by hitting the "Support" button in the upper corner.You can contact Dr. Eeks through her website, bloomingwellness.com.SIGN UP for her Newsletter HERE: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/xnqmy06
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 24, 2024 • 56min
Pounds & Pills: Unpacking Antidepressant Weight Gain with Dr. Jason Block
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Jason Block about his research on weight gain caused by antidepressants. He compares weight gain across different antidepressants and explains what those taking these medications should expect. Dr. Block also discusses other medications his team is evaluating for weight gain, explores why these medications cause weight gain, and shares the practical implications of his findings in relation to the obesity epidemic.Dr. Jason Block, MD, MPH, is a physician, researcher, and associate professor in population health medicine at Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on social and environmental determinants of weight gain and obesity, as well as innovative strategies to improve diet quality.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
Aug 16, 2024 • 47min
Which of the 6 Types of Depression Are You—and What’s the Best Fix? With Dr. Leonardo Tozzi
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Leonardo Tozzi about his research on identifying six unique biotypes for depression. He explains the current problem with the "one size fits all" diagnostic approach to depression, the development of personalized brain circuit scores, and how they led to the discovery of six distinct biotypes. He explains how the identification of unique biotypes for depression may prove to be a gamechanger for how depression is diagnosed and treated in the future, as well as the broader impact and benefits of precision psychiatry. Dr. Tozzi, MD, PhD is a neuroscientist and researcher who leads the Computational Neuroscience and Neuroimaging Program at the Stanford Center for Precision Mental Health and Wellness. 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
Aug 13, 2024 • 40min
Trypophobia Unveiled: Why Clusters of Holes Freak Us Out, with Dr. Geoff Cole
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Geoff Cole about his research on trypophobia, an aversion to clusters of small holes or bumps. If you’re a fan of American Horror Story, you might have come across trypophobia there. Dr. Cole delves into the details of this phenomenon, exploring what causes it, theories on its origins, and strategies for overcoming it. Dr. Cole is a researcher and professor at the Center for Brain Science, University of Essex. You can learn more about his work here. You can read his recent publication on trypophobia here. 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 WEEKLY newsletter here.Support the show
Jul 23, 2024 • 50min
Night Owls vs Early Birds: The Link Between Bedtime and Mental Health, with Dr. Jamie Zeitzer
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Jamie Zeitzer about his recently published research on the link between one's bedtime preference and mental health. He explains which sleep pattern correlates with better mental health and which correlates with poorer mental health. Unfortunately for night owls, he offers hypotheses on why going to bed late, regardless of preference, is associated with worse mental health. He also discusses the benefits and risks of daytime naps, the ideal "sleep" temperature, and provides general recommendations for achieving optimal sleep. Dr. Zeitzer is a researcher, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Co-Director of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences at Stanford University.*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.Read Manic Kingdom.Support the show
Jul 16, 2024 • 46min
Pay to Post: Unveiling Industry Payments to Doctors on X (Twitter), with Dr. Aaron Mitchell
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Aaron Mitchell about his recent research on pharmaceutical industry payments to medical doctors for promoting specific drugs on X (formerly known as Twitter). Dr. Mitchell describes the financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and doctors, the prevalence of this issue, and what is known about its impact on prescribing practices and patient outcomes. He also shares his thoughts on direct-to-consumer drug advertisements and offers solutions to mitigate the massive influence of pharmaceutical companies on our health system.Dr. Mitchell is an oncologist and health services researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, with a research focus on the interaction between financial incentives and physician behavior. You can learn more about him and his work here. 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.Read Manic KingdomSupport the show
Jul 4, 2024 • 52min
What Is Your Obesity Type? This Could Change Everything, with Dr. Andres Acosta
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with Dr. Andres Acosta MD PHD about the identification of 4 phenotypes for obesity and how they can revolutionize the future of obesity treatment. In great detail, he describes the 4 obesity phenotypes (Hungry Brain, Emotional Hunger, Hungry Gut, and Slow Burn) and explains what treatment, diet, and exercise plan works for each. He also describes his company, Phenomix Sciences, a precision-medicine endeavor that predicts how well someone will respond to various obesity interventions. Dr. Acosta is a Consultant of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the Mayo Clinic, as well as an Associate Professor of Medicine. His research focus is on gastrointestinal physiology and the complexity of food intake regulation as it relates to obesity. You can learn more about his work here. 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.Read Manic Kingdom.Support the show
Jun 27, 2024 • 39min
Fart Walks: The Gas-Powered Path to Better Health, with Dr. David Clarke
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with gastroenterologist Dr. David Clarke about the viral wellness trend of fart walking. He, an avid fart walker himself, describes the health benefits of fart walking, particularly how it can help with digestion, heart burn, bloating, and possibly even Type 2 Diabetes. He offers tips on how to optimize fart walking for your intestines and overall wellness. Dr. Clarke is a repeat guest on Causes or Cures, having appeared on Episode 164 where he discusses the hidden causes of chronic pain. He is the President of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association (PPDA), a nonprofit dedicated to ending the chronic pain epidemic. He earned his medical degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and is Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology. His organization’s mission is to advance the awareness, diagnosis, and treatment of stress-related, brain-generated medical conditions. You can learn more about him at EndChronicPain.org.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.Read Manic KingdomSupport the show
Jun 21, 2024 • 54min
Meet the Omentum: The Abdomen's Policeman, with Meg Wilkinson
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with ovarian cancer survivor Meg Wilkinson about the omentum, her cancer journey, and her advocacy group, The Omentum Project. As part of her cancer treatment, Meg had her omentum removed. Though little is known about this mysterious apron of "fat", Meg decided to explore further after she and other cancer survivors living without omentums developed debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms. On the podcast, Meg shares what she has learned about the omentum, including why it is known as the "abdomen's policeman", ongoing research on its many, fascinating functions, and the birth of The Omentum Project, a citizen scientist/volunteer effort to help those living without an omentum improve their quality of life. Meg also describes The Omentum Project's research study, Eat Popcorn for Science, for which they are currently recruiting. 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.Read Manic Kingdom.Support the show
Jun 11, 2024 • 54min
What is the Wim Hof Method's Impact on Mind & Body? With Omar Almahayni
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with researcher Omar Almahayni about his published systematic review on the physiological and psychological benefits of the Wim Hof Method for both healthy and non-healthy individuals. Wim Hof, known as "The Iceman," is a Dutch extreme athlete and motivational speaker famed for his extraordinary ability to endure extreme cold.During the podcast, Omar discusses his interest in Wim Hof, the components of the renowned Wim Hof Method, and theories on its potential health benefits. He explains his evaluation of the published studies on the method, the results, future research possibilities, and who might be interested in joining Wim Hof on one of his extreme excursions.Omar conducted his research at Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, UK, and now works for a mental health biotechnology company based in Syria.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
Jun 4, 2024 • 59min
Beyond Ozempic: New Therapies for Post-Obesity Drug Weight Management, with Dr. Harith Rajagopalan
Send us a textIn this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks chats with cardiologist, physician-scientist and CEO of Fractyl Health Dr. Harith Rajagopalan about solutions his company is developing for the problem of keeping weight off after someone stops taking the obesity/weight loss medication, such as Ozempic. Dr. Rajagopalan explains the issue of weight rebound after stopping the medication, and describes two new therapies Fractyl Health is developing that would allow a person to sustain weight loss without the need for ongoing medication. He also provides an overview of the multifaceted approach necessary for tackling obesity and offers a unique perspective on chronic disease. 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
