

Mast Cell Matters: Deep dives on MCAS with Tania Dempsey, MD - Presented by The POTScast
Tania Dempsey, MD with Jill Brook, MA
Each episode is a deep dive on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) with a top physician, researcher or other expert who specializes in treating patients with MCAS. Hosted by Johns-Hopkins-trained world renowned specialist Tania Dempsey, MD, we take a practical approach to helping doctors and patients better manage MCAS. We cover the symptoms, testing, diagnosis, treatment, challenges, practical strategies, common comorbidities (e.g., POTS, hypermobility spectrum disorders, ME/CFS, autoimmunity, GI dysmotility), latest research findings and clinical pearls.
These episodes are a monthly feature of The POTScast, presented by Standing Up to POTS, a non-profit dedicated to improving life for those with POTS and related chronic illness. Check out our full podcast — with other types of great episodes — at ThePOTScast.com.
These episodes are a monthly feature of The POTScast, presented by Standing Up to POTS, a non-profit dedicated to improving life for those with POTS and related chronic illness. Check out our full podcast — with other types of great episodes — at ThePOTScast.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 1, 2026 • 52min
Cell membrane health and why it matters for MCAS and beyond with Dr. Melanie Stein and Dr. Tania Dempsey
Dr. Melanie Stein, ND is a licensed Naturopathic Physician in Portland, Oregon and a recognized leader in Cell Membrane Therapy for the treatment of complex and chronic illness. She specializes in restoring health at the cellular level—repairing and revitalizing cell membranes to improve energy production, enhance detoxification, and restore healthy communication between cells.
In this episode, she and Dr. Dempsey discuss why cell membrane health is relevant to MCAS and many other chronic illnesses, testing and treatment approaches, their favorite in-office treatments, diet considerations and much more.
Dr. Stein's clinic's website is here.
Dr. Stein's book, Breaking Through Chronic Illness, is here on Amazon.
Dr. Tania Dempsey's website is here.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Mar 1, 2026 • 47min
More cutting edge treatments (part 2) with Dr. Tania Dempsey
Dr. Dempsey is always looking for new ways to help her complex patients. In this episode Dr. Dempsey discusses how she incorporates treatments with Methylene Blue, peptides, and the Nanovi breathing device. For each one she explains what it is, how it works, the risks and benefits, who is a good candidate, and more.
More information about Dr. Tania Dempsey and her clinic can be found at https://drtaniadempsey.com/.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Feb 10, 2026 • 40min
Pediatric Complex Chronic Illness & Treatment with Dr. Casey Kelley
Dr. Casey Kelley is Board Certified in family and integrative medicine, teaches on the faculty of the Northwestern Medical School, and her care is informed by her own past experience having complex chronic invisible illness. Now she treats some of the very toughest cases, including Lyme, POTS, PANS/PANDAS, MCAS and more. In this episode she and Dr. Dempsey discuss cutting-edge treatment approaches for these conditions in pediatric patients, and we highly recommend this episode for anyone wanting to hear the latest thinking in treatments for these young patients. Dr. Kelley's website is here.
Dr. Dempsey's website is here.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 2min
Neurogastroenterologist Zac Spiritos, MD, MPH with Dr. Tania Dempsey
Dr. Spiritos is double board certified in gastroenterologist and internal medicine, and specializes in IBS, gut motility, POTS and the complex conditions and symptoms that go along with it. He and Dr. Dempsey discuss IBS, parasites, SIBO, CD117 staining, GLP-1 drugs for MCAS, his treatment approach, some promising news on the awareness front, and much more.
Dr. Spiritos's website is here
Dr. Dempsey's website is here
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/

Dec 15, 2025 • 1h 5min
Dr. Dempsey on cutting edge treatments she is seeing help complex patients
One of the most common questions we get from listeners is about the novel treatments that Dr. Dempsey mentions, such as therapeutic plasmapheresis exchange (or apheresis), SOT, ozone therapy, UV light blood irradiation and more. In this episode she discusses each treatment: What it is, how it works, the risks and benefits, who is a good candidate, and more.
More information about Dr. Tania Dempsey and her clinic can be found at https://drtaniadempsey.com/.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Nov 17, 2025 • 48min
Dr. Eboni Cornish on root causes of brain inflammation
This is a not-to-be-missed episode for anyone interested in brain inflammation. Dr. Eboni Cornish, M.D. is Associate Medical Director at Amen Clinics, Fellow and Treasurer of the Board for the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). With research training at the National Institutes of Health as a Howard Hughes Medical Fellow, she is nationally recognized for her evidence-based work in neuroinflammation, autism, chronic toxicity, and complex chronic illnesses, including autoimmune disease, Lyme, PANS/PANDAS, mold illness, CIRS, and long COVID among others. At Amen Clinics, she integrates SPECT brain imaging with advanced biomarker testing to uncover root-cause brain imbalances and has created the Amen Clinics 2-Week Neurointensive Program for complex neuroimmune disorders. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. Cornish is dedicated to advancing brain and body longevity while translating complex science into practical, patient-centered strategies.
In this episode she and Dr. Dempsey discuss neuroinflammation, the role of limbic system, gut imbalances, chronic infections and MCAS.
Dr. Dempsey's website is here.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Oct 26, 2025 • 48min
Jill Krapf on painful sex, vulvovaginal disorders and mast cells with Dr. Tania Dempsey
Dr. Jill Krapf is a Board-Certified OB/GYN who specializes in genitopelvic pain and skin conditions, is founder of the Center for Vulvovaginal Disorders and co-author of the book When Sex Hurts: Understanding and Healing Pelvic Pain. She is a wealth of knowledge and with Dr. Dempsey they discuss the mechanisms behind these disorders, treatments, plus their findings about how mast cells may be involved.
Dr. Dempsey's website is here
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Sep 14, 2025 • 50min
Dr. Greg Plotnikoff on favorite new findings, a thiamin theory and more
Dr. Greg Plotnikoff is a thought leader in dysautonomia/MCAS and complex chronic illness and in this episode he is freshly returned from giving two presentations at the Dysautonomia International Conference. He and Dr. Dempsey discuss what he learned and what he is currently excited/hopeful about, including new data about hypermobility as a potential underlying factor and a theory about how thiamin could play a role in dysautonomia. Dr. Plotnikoff's article about 7 important questions to answer for symptomatic patients on a plant-based diet is here.
Dr. Plotnikoff's website is here.
Dr. Dempsey's website is here.
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/

Aug 16, 2025 • 50min
MCAS symptoms “down there” with Dr. Tania Dempsey
MCAS doesn't ignore the nether-regions, so in this episode, Dr. Dempsey discusses symptoms and treatments in the genitourinary and surrounding areas, including some novel uses of antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, as described in this research article. She also answers listener questions about hormones, hormone replacement, reactions to ultrasounds and ultrasound gel (this is the gel with fewer known allergens), and more.
Dr. Dempsey's website is here: https://drtaniadempsey.com/
If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate
Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org!
Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/
Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

Jul 7, 2025 • 1h 3min
Todd Maderis, ND on latest tests and treatments for underlying causes
Dr. Todd Maderis, a Naturopathic physician specializing in complex chronic illnesses, shares insights on advanced testing and treatments. He and Dr. Dempsey discuss the role of genetic testing and innovative therapies like SOT in tackling chronic infections. They dive into how excess fibrin might lead to coagulation issues and how environmental toxins affect health. Their conversation emphasizes personalized medicine and the importance of addressing root causes in patient care, offering hope for those facing chronic health challenges.


