Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health

In this episode of the Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich, family nurse practitioner certified in Ayurveda and functional medicine, welcomes one of Neuroveda Health’s own clinicians, Brianna Cardenas, DMSc, PA-C, ATC, CSC1.Dr. Cardenas is a specialist in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders, and complex neurologic and immunologic comorbidities, including dysautonomia, mast cell activation syndrome, spinal CSF leaks, craniocervical instability, venous outflow disorders, tethered cord, adhesive arachnoiditis, and related pressure disorders. She sees patients at Neuroveda Health and provides remote consultations worldwide through her company, Healed and Empowered.Together, Gillian and Brianna explore one of the most complex and often misunderstood areas of connective tissue disease: how to differentiate common neurologic conditions in EDS and related connective tissue disorders. They discuss why these conditions are so often missed in conventional medicine, how connective tissue impacts the nervous system, and why patients are frequently shuffled between specialties without anyone seeing the full picture.This conversation covers the role of connective tissue, fascia, and the extracellular matrix in neurologic symptoms; how pressure disorders can show up as high pressure, low pressure, or fluctuating “spiky” patterns; why symptoms may worsen with position changes, head turning, lying flat, or being upright; the overlap between craniocervical instability, Eagle syndrome, Chiari-like presentations, CSF leaks, venous congestion, tethered cord, and arachnoiditis; why standard imaging is often inadequate for hypermobile patients; what symptom tracking can reveal; and practical ideas for diagnostic workup and imaging requests that may help patients and clinicians move closer to answers.Dr. Cardenas also shares how her own lived experience with severe chronic illness has shaped her clinical work and deepened her commitment to helping patients who so often fall through the cracks receive rigorous, compassionate, and collaborative care.In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Cardenas serves as an Assistant Professor in the MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington, where she teaches future physician assistants. She has lectured nationally and internationally on EDS and related comorbid conditions and is one of fewer than 100 certified fascial counterstrain practitioners worldwide.This episode is especially for patients, caregivers, and clinicians trying to make sense of symptoms that do not fit neatly into one specialty. It is an invitation to think more broadly, more collaboratively, and more compassionately about complex chronic illness.*Please note: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical care. A podcast cannot replace a one-on-one medical visit, physical exam, or personalized diagnostic workup.

In this episode of the Neuroveda Podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich, ARNP, sits down with Dr. Carley Squires to discuss apheresis, with a focus on therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), also known as plasmapheresis.Apheresis means the removal of something from the blood, and the type of apheresis depends on what is being removed. At Neuroveda, the focus is plasma apheresis, meaning plasma is removed and replaced with albumin and saline. Therapeutic plasma exchange is an extracorporeal blood purification technique designed to remove a portion of plasma that may contain potentially harmful substances such as autoantibodies, inflammatory cytokines, immune complexes, and other immune mediators involved in immune dysregulation.Dr. Squires explains the broader umbrella of therapeutic apheresis, including red blood cell exchange, leukapheresis, plateletpheresis, lipid/LDL apheresis, extracorporeal photopheresis, and H.E.L.P. apheresis. While H.E.L.P. apheresis is not currently available in the United States, interest in apheresis expanded during the rise of long COVID, when patients began traveling internationally for treatment.Therapeutic plasma exchange has been used for decades in hospital settings, primarily for autoimmune disease, but is now being explored for additional applications including long COVID, neuroinflammatory conditions, and longevity medicine. Research suggests TPE may help support immune modulation through mechanisms such as:• Removal of immune complexes• Reduction of inflammatory cytokines• Correction of altered Th1/Th2 immune balance• Increased T regulatory and T suppressor cellsEmerging research has also explored TPE for PANDAS/PANS, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders triggered by infection.Referenceshttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763417305833https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10513708/While additional research is still needed for many of these applications, Neuroveda has also observed significant clinical improvements over the past several years, including reductions in toxic burden from mycotoxins, heavy metals, solvents, plastics, and other persistent environmental toxins.The episode also reviews current American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) guidance, which places many emerging uses of apheresis into Category III, meaning the optimal role is still being defined and treatment decisions should be individualized.ReferenceConnelly-Smith L, et al. Guidelines on the Use of Therapeutic Apheresis in Clinical Practice. J Clin Apher. 2023.Listeners will also hear what to expect from a TPE treatment at Neuroveda. Each session lasts approximately 2–4 hours, during which blood circulates through a machine that separates and removes plasma while returning the remaining blood components with replacement fluid.Although the procedure may sound invasive, TPE is generally well tolerated and safely performed in outpatient settings. Vital signs are monitored throughout treatment, and most patients experience only mild side effects such as fatigue, lightheadedness, or temporary electrolyte shifts.One unique aspect of Neuroveda’s approach is the integration of Ayurvedic medicine with modern therapeutic plasma exchange. Ayurvedic therapies use oils, massage, steam, and other treatments to mobilize lipophilic toxins from deeper tissues back into circulation. Because TPE removes substances circulating in the bloodstream, these therapies may help prepare the body for detoxification.This aligns with Panchakarma, Ayurveda’s classical detoxification process, which includes rakta moksha, traditionally translated as “blood liberation.” In a modern context, TPE can be viewed as a technological evolution of this ancient concept.Rather than functioning as a stand-alone cure, TPE is often most effective as part of a comprehensive program that may include functional medicine, regenerative medicine,

In this episode of the Neuroveda podcast for Complex Health, Gillian Ehrlich, family nurse practitioner certified in Ayurveda and functional medicine at Neuroveda Health in Seattle, sits down with Dr. Kiki Chang, MD, child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist specializing in mood and neuropsychiatric disorders.Dr. Chang brings 26 years of experience, including creating and running research programs and clinics at Stanford University focused on Pediatric Bipolar Disorder and PANS/PANDAS. Together, they unpack what “neuropsychiatric” really means, how to tell the difference between typical development and symptoms that are interrupting a child’s life, and why the biology matters, especially when kids change suddenly.They cover what PANS and PANDAS are, why acute onset and “comorbidity” are such important clues, what a thoughtful clinical workup can look like, and how treatment often spans more than one lane, including infection evaluation, anti-inflammatory strategies, and immunomodulatory approaches when appropriate. Dr. Chang also shares why advocacy and education remain central to progress in this field and how families can find credible resources and care.Dr. Chang is currently in private practice offering consultations, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment for children, adolescents, and adults. His goal is to distill what he learned in academia into an approach that views psychiatric illness as biological while recognizing psychological input to treatment is important as well. He continues to research and consult for organizations including law firms, pharmaceutical companies, and private foundations.To contact Dr. Chang and his practice, visit www.kikichangmd.com

In this episode of the NeuroVeda podcast, we sit down with Sujatha Reddy, LPC, BC-TAM, BAMS, a deeply experienced mental health clinician and Ayurvedic practitioner whose work bridges ancient wisdom and modern therapeutic practice. Sujatha is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Ohio, a Licensed Natural Medicine Facilitator in Colorado, a Board-Certified Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine practitioner, certified psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, holosomatic breathwork therapist, and yoga therapist. With over 35 years of Ayurvedic practice in the U.S. and 25 years in the mental health field, she brings a rare depth of perspective to the conversation. She is the founder and executive director of Ayumind LLC and Heartland Wellness PLLC, and also owns a Humanly mental health franchise in Lakewood, Colorado.Together, we explore the Ayurvedic understanding of mental health as a metabolic and systemic process rather than a standalone diagnosis. Sujatha explains the concept of the koshas, the layers of self, and how disconnection across these layers contributes to anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. She shares how the gunas shape our mental and emotional states, and how practices like breathwork, meditation, mantra, yoga therapy, and personalized Ayurvedic protocols can release stored trauma and restore balance. This episode offers a powerful look at truly integrative mental health care, blending Ayurveda, Western psychology, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to address root causes rather than symptoms, while emphasizing the importance of resilience, community, and reconnection to self in healing.TakeawaysAyurveda views mental health as a metabolic disorder.The mind is interconnected with the body and spirit.Understanding the koshas helps in addressing mental health.Disconnection from self leads to anxiety and depression.Breathwork can release trauma stored in the body.The gunas influence our mental and emotional states.Personalized programs are essential for mental health.Holistic approaches integrate body, mind, and spirit.Ayurvedic practices can enhance resilience and well-being.Community and social engagement are vital for mental health.

SummaryIn this episode of the Neuroveda podcast, host Gillian Ehrlich and guest Dr. Anjali Brannan delve into the intricate relationship between parenting and trauma. They explore various techniques for somatic trauma resolution, the importance of heartfulness meditation, and how Ayurvedic principles can guide parenting practices. The conversation emphasizes the significance of intuition, the integration of Ayurveda with allopathic medicine, and the healing potential of the mind-body connection. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of being aware of health implications, such as nickel allergies in medical treatments.TakeawaysParenting and trauma are intricately related and cannot be separated.Somatic trauma resolution helps individuals process and heal from past traumas.Heartfulness meditation can significantly improve mental clarity and emotional well-being.Intuition plays a crucial role in parenting and decision-making.Ayurvedic principles can guide healthier parenting practices.Integrating Ayurveda with allopathic medicine can enhance patient care.The body has an innate ability to heal when it feels heard and understood.Practicing gratitude can shift family dynamics positively.Awareness of health implications, such as nickel allergies, is essential in medical treatments.Meditation and mindfulness can help reduce trauma and improve communication. Bio: Anjali is a 2001 graduate of the acclaimed Ayurvedic Institute's Advanced Studies and Clinical Program (Gurukula) with world-renowned Ayurvedic physician Dr. Vasant Lad where she studied for 3 years. She is also trained and skilled in Somatic Trauma Resolution, Lymph Drainage, Craniosacral therapy, hands-on Brain therapy, Fluid Articular Release for the joints, Arvigo Maya Abdominal Therapy, Polarity Therapy, LIIFT, Synergy Yoga and Dance. Anjali volunteers as a teacher of Heartfulness Meditation whose system she has been practicing since 1994, and teaching since 2000.  Anjali has also been the featured guest on several different TV & radio shows on health.  Her practice has been part of the University of Cincinnati’s Alternative Medicine Rotation for Family Practice Medical Residents at the Clinton Memorial Hospital where medical students would observe her in her work to understand more about complementary medicine. She has also been an Ayurvedic panelist for a Masters Capstone project at the prestigious Brown University. Since 2001, Anjali has had an active Ayurvedic practice and has been teaching classes in Ayurveda. She is the Director of the skilled team at the Ayurveda Natural Health Center in Dayton, Ohio. 

SummaryIn this episode of the Neuroveda podcast, host Gillian Ehrlich engages with Ayurvedic doctor and Waldorf educator Vanita Prachi Mararca to explore the principles of Waldorf education, its unique approach to child development, and the integration of spirituality and culture in learning. They discuss the importance of nurturing the head, heart, and hands in education, the role of nature in fostering resilience, and the critiques of Waldorf education. The conversation also touches on the traditional Gurukula system of education in India and concludes with Vanita's upcoming book release.Prachi Healing is excited to give a special offer on her signature packages for Neuroveda clients to receive the benefits of integrative Ayurvedic practice for families and children.  $50 off of Agni Radiance, and $100 off of Soma Radiance packages for Neuroveda podcast listeners.  Use code NEUROVEDA50 and NEUROVEDA100TakeawaysWaldorf education focuses on holistic child development.The head, heart, and hands are integral to learning.Cultural relevance in education is crucial for identity.Mirror stories help children see themselves in narratives.Window stories provide insight into diverse experiences.Nature plays a vital role in child development.Waldorf education emphasizes creativity over consumerism.The teacher-student relationship is foundational in learning.Gurukula education fosters deep connections with teachers.Community involvement is essential in a child's education.Bio: Vinita Prachi Murarka is an Ayurvedic Doctor, Waldorf educator, and transformational guide who bridges medicine, education, and spirituality. Born in India and raised in the United States, she later returned to India to immerse herself in Vedic sciences, gurukula education, and esoteric wisdom traditions. With over a decade of experience in integrative health and education, she brings a unique lens on how Waldorf education nurtures child development—socially, emotionally, and physiologically. Vinita is the founder of Matre Sofia, an organization dedicated to soul-centered parenting and holistic family well-being. A storyteller, writer, and curriculum developer, she translates ancient traditions into practical approaches for modern families and health practitioners alike. She currently lives between Hawaii and Colorado, consulting, teaching, and guiding others in aligning health, learning, and wholeness.

SummaryIn this episode of the Neuroveda podcast, host Gillian Ehrlich engages with Dr. John Berner, a Harvard-trained psychologist and neuroscientist, to explore the intricate relationship between mind and body in the context of mental health. They discuss the limitations of traditional medical silos, the importance of cellular communication, and the role of hormones in health. Dr. Berner introduces the concept of intersectionality in psychiatric treatment, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches. The conversation also delves into innovative treatments like rapamycin and the significance of understanding cellular interactions through advanced technologies.TakeawaysMind-body medicine should not separate mental and physical health.The shift from Newtonian to quantum thinking is crucial in medicine.Cellular communication is a localized and complex process.Hormones play a central role in coordinating bodily functions.Understanding evolutionary constraints can inform health practices.Intersectionality is key in treating mental health conditions.Rapamycin shows promise in extending lifespan and improving health.Eavesdropping on cellular conversations can enhance treatment strategies.Innovative technologies can measure cellular responses effectively.Biology is complex and cannot be simplified into binary categories.BioDr. Jon Berner, a Harvard-trained psychologist, UCLA-trained neuroscientist and physician, and University of Washington–trained psychiatrist. With over 25 years in clinical practice, his work bridges rigorous neuroscience, psychiatry, and compassionate patient care. Dr. Berner’s publications span from the cognitive effects of cocaine and memory in schizophrenia to pioneering treatments with ketamine, rapamycin, and novel metabolomic approaches for mood and pain disorders. He brings a unique lens—uniting neural networks, biochemistry, and clinical psychiatry—to reimagine how we treat complex mental health conditions with both precision and humanity.

Kendyl Morris is an Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, Certified Integrative Medicine Health Coach, and Fertility Coach with over a decade of experience helping individuals, couples, and groups navigate their paths toward inner transformation and holistic well-being. With a deep understanding of the intricate mind-body connection, Kendyl specializes in helping clients regulate stress through tailored, evidence-based approaches that meet their unique needs.Agenda:There are 3 specialties that you have: hypnotherapy, conscious conception, and breathwork: what’s your unifying factor here? What have been your influences for your work?Let’s break down each, one by one: Hypnotherapy: What is this? Why would a person do this? What kind of benefits do you see?What’s a session like? How often are sessions recommended? What are the cadence options? (like weekly x 6 wks vs once/ month, etc). How is this different from regular therapy and how would you recommend to juxtapose it with ongoing traditional therapy? Will you make a person sqwack like a chicken? Just kidding. What I meant to say is, is everybody hypnotizable?How does this work telehealth, like over the internet? Can anybody in the US/ abroad access your services? What are the costs & how do people access you? Conscious Conception: omg- the two things that would change the world we know from public health would be to increase equity & invest in the first 1000 days of life. Tell us about your program. Why is it so important to conceive consciously? Does the man really play any role in the health of the pregnancy/ infant? What if you are already well into your pregnancy & learn about your services? How early should somebody seek out your services? What are the costs & how do people access you?Breathwork: why does breath work matter? What is it doing physiologically inside of us? Why are there so many different kinds of breath work? What kind(s) have you been trained in? What kind(s) do you teach? How do you recommend people use breathwork in their pantheon of interventions/ practices? Daily/ periodic/ seasonal/ etc? Are there specific conditions or situations for which you recommend the breathwork that you teach? How come sometimes people report getting more anxious when they do breath work? What do you recommend to help them? What are the costs & how do people access you? 

We are so excited to have Khai join our clinic!Khairul Bhagwandin, EAMP, LAc—Seattle Met’s Top Acupuncturist for 2022, 2023 and 2025. She offers expert care in facial rejuvenation, focusing on fine lines, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, acne, rosacea, scar reduction and hair lossShe brings a deeply integrative aesthetic approach that blends the best of Traditional Chinese Medicine with modern regenerative techniques including cosmetic acupuncture, micro‑needling, RF microneedling and tailored herbal and topical therapiesBio: In her clinical work, Khai Bhagwandin has a Masters in East Asian Medicine from Bastyr University, which includes herbalism training as well as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in holistic and regenerative beauty, offering treatments that support the body’s innate healing systems. She has been named a Seattle Met Top Acupuncturist three years and is currently launching her own herbal skincare line, Khairul Holistic Beauty, blending Traditional Chinese Medicine with hyperlocal ingredients sourced from her family farm in Southwest Washington. Outside of her practice, Khai lives life adventurously—snowboarding, mountain biking, climbing, and fire dancing—as well as making music with her band. She is also the founder of The Change Collective, an organization she launched in 2021 to advocate for marginalized communities in snow sports.  Agenda:  1.     I know as much about aesthetics as I do about, say, space travel, which is to say I see other people doing it & don’t understand it. Talk to us about a natural & healthy approach to beauty that isn’t tabloid-driven. What is it to be beautiful?  2.     And what does this mean treatment-wise? What makes a beauty treatment ’natural’ or ‘healthy’ vs a non-healthy beauty treatment? (this is a question about ingredients, products and interventions that might ‘hurt’ you but look good temporarily vs deep beauty).  3.     Walk us through the range of beauty services that you offer, from simplest that is just the relaxation, to the most in depth series of treatments. What do you do in these visits & how are they structured/ scheduled/ personalized per client?  4.     How do you pick the products you use? What do you avoid?  5.     Tells us how you got interested in beauty & aesthetics?  6.     Tell us about the rest of your knowledge base and training- acupuncture, pain management.  7.     How does this square with your activism streak?  8.     What other projects are you working on? What’s your latest passion interest? 

Agenda: 1.     What is Lyme Disease? What are the co-infections? 2.     What is special or unique about these infections' vs any other infection, like the common cold? 3.     Talk to us about the testing for these organisms. Why is it so confusing? Is there actually accurate testing?a.     Borrelia: FISH for all (but not available for all) but for: borrelia, borrelia genus for cousins, TBRF borrelia myomoti, hermensi, found in other regionsb.     Babesi: FISH with all the strains or just otocolic.     Bartonella henselae: FISH. At least 46-48 species, 13 can infect humans, only bits of testing. d.     T-Lab for FISH. Igenex also does some FISH testing. e.     To fill other holes: Vibrant TBP, Galaxy specific for bartonella4.     Talk to us about treatment. Let’s start with antibiotics & then move outwards- what’s the approach here with antibiotics? a.     Are antibiotics always needed? b.     Do anti-viral for anti-fungal have a role here? c.     What about ancillary treatments like disulfiram? Are there others like this? d.     What about mitochondrial supports, detox, and binders? e.     What about nutritional supports? f.      What about diet, lifestyle & the mind?  5.     Where does chronic Lyme sit in the pantheon of other chronic infections like Long-COVID & EBV & Strep with PANS/ PANDAS? How much does treatment overlap for these diseases?  6.     How much do environment (personal microbiome, community, environmental toxicity) & genetics contribute to the risk for developing or persisting chronic infections? How do you best like to assess or treat this?  7.     Let’s talk politics for a moment: Why won’t many conventional clinicians recognize or treat chronic Lyme?  8.     What’s up & coming in the Lyme world research & education-wise? Tell us about ILADS!  9.     Where can folks find you & more about your practice?  https://drtaniadempsey.com/Bio: Dr. Tania Dempsey, MD, ABIHM is a world-renowned expert in complex, multisystem diseases. As founder of the AIM Center of Personalized Medicine, in Purchase, NY, Dr. Dempsey uses functional and integrative medicine to get to the root cause(s) of illness and to help find the path to optimum health. Her extensive knowledge and experience with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Mold, and Lyme and other Vector-Borne Diseases, has propelled her to the forefront of the medical community as a recognized and trusted speaker, researcher, advocate, and physician. Dr. Dempsey is Board-Certified in Internal Medicine and Integrative and Holistic Medicine. She received her MD degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and her BS degree from Cornell University. She completed her Internal Medicine Residency at NYU Medical Center. She was recently elected to the Board of Directors of ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society). She is also a member of the U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition, the American Academy of Ozonotherapy, and ISSWSH (International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health). She is an accomplished international speaker, writer and thought leader and has 8 peer-reviewed articles in the medical literature. Her latest endeavor is cohosting the new podcast, Mast Cell Matters. At the heart of Dr. Dempsey’s work is a commitment to patients who’ve long gone unheard.