Ask Doctor Dawn

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-26-2026: li> Dr. Dawn announces a UCSF study recruiting participants for psilocybin therapy to help patients cope with chronic low back pain, requiring ages 25-70 with failed prior treatments. A caller preparing for bladder stone surgery asks about avoiding a repeat of severe post-anesthesia disorientation. Dr. Dawn recommends pharmacogenomic testing through 3x4 Genetics to identify slow acetylator status and other detoxification enzyme variants that can guide anesthesiologists toward better drug choices. A clinical trial found that 24 minutes of music with binaural beats—where slightly offset audio in each ear generates synchronized brainwaves—significantly reduced anxiety in medicated patients. Dr. Dawn encourages trying this accessible, low-risk intervention. Chronic noise exposure triggers oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Data centers and server farms are emerging noise pollution sources, and Dr. Dawn recommends affordable noise-canceling headphones as a health investment. A Crohn's patient in Switzerland reports alarming neurological symptoms including speech arrest with preserved awareness and transient visual disturbances. He is having trouble finding any Functional Medicine trained physician and Dr. Dawn recommends emailing to info@ifm.org. Furthermore, Dr. Dawn suspects possible seizure activity from brain inflammation and recommends pursuing a sleep-deprived EEG and MRI through a neurology referral. MIT researchers discovered Interlectin-2, a protein that both strengthens the mucus barrier by cross-linking mucins and directly traps and kills pathogens like Salmonella and Shigella. Imbalanced levels may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. Synthetic versions may be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. A 33-year-old man survived 48 hours without lungs after flu-triggered bacterial pneumonia caused ARDS and multiple organ failure. Surgeons removed both lungs treat septic shock while ECMO (extracorporeal oxygenation)sustained him until a successful double lung transplant. A meta-analysis of 43 studies involving millions of births found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy increases autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability risk, contradicting recent political claims. Green tea contains about 30% more L-theanine than black tea, with studies showing 200mg daily improves verbal fluency, sleep quality, and reduces anxiety. Decaffeinated green tea retains full theanine content. Pop star Robbie Williams developed scurvy while on GLP-1 weight loss drugs, highlighting that only 2 of 40+ major GLP-1 trials assessed vitamin intake. Dr. Dawn urges anyone on these medications to take a comprehensive multivitamin.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-19-2026: Dr. Dawn warns that stacking multiple gummy supplements can cause GI distress from sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol, with symptoms persisting up to three days after stopping. She recommends limiting sugar alcohol intake to 6mg daily and switching to non-gummy formulations if experiencing bloating, cramping, or diarrhea. An emailer asks about finding treatment for abdominophrenic dyssynergia, a condition causing progressive abdominal distension after meals. Dr. Dawn recommends using AI search to locate physical therapy centers offering EMG-guided biofeedback, and suggests ruling out SIBO and low stomach acid. Researchers at the American Chemical Society have created modified psilocybin variants designed to release the active compound more slowly, potentially reducing hallucinogenic effects while maintaining therapeutic benefits. Dr. Dawn expresses concern that such patentable alternatives could prevent legalization of natural psilocybin for addiction treatment. Japanese researchers used PET imaging to discover that ketamine rapidly relieves treatment-resistant depression by altering the distribution of AMPAR glutamate receptors in the brain. Within two weeks, patients' receptor patterns normalized to resemble healthy controls, with enduring changes tracking symptom improvement. A study found CBD and CBG improved fatty liver disease markers in mice by increasing phosphocreatine energy reserves and reactivating cellular recycling centers. Dr. Dawn notes the compounds were injected directly into the abdominal cavity, making the results impossible to translate to oral consumption, an example of headlines exceeding reality. King's College London research found that root canal treatment for apical periodontitis improved blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation markers over two years. Dr. Dawn advises regular flossing and periodically tapping teeth with a metal instrument to detect painful teeth needing attention. An emailer asks about Crohn's disease and the gut-brain axis. Dr. Dawn explains that the vagus nerve serves as a bidirectional highway between brain and gut, with gut bacteria producing serotonin that affects mood, while stress increases intestinal permeability and worsens inflammation. In medical news of the weird, scientists discovered that malaria parasites contain tiny iron crystals powered by hydrogen peroxide—the same fuel used in rockets. This first-ever biological self-propelled nanoparticle could inspire new approaches to powering medical nanobots.

Discussion covers concerns about a high-profile public health nominee trading clinical credibility for influencer profit. Dietary debates focus on avoiding ultra-processed foods and nuances around saturated fats. Practical tips for histamine intolerance and surprising RSV immunity found in long-serving pediatric clinicians are highlighted. Science critiques include microplastics in tumors, AI mammogram heart-risk detection, and dancing as a dementia-prevention strategy.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-05-2026: Dr. Dawn demonstrates how to critically read a science paper using a widely-publicized study claiming adolescent cannabis use causes psychotic, bipolar, and anxiety disorders. She identifies multiple methodological problems: only 5.7% of Kaiser adolescents admitted cannabis use versus 11.2% in anonymous national surveys, suggesting massive underreporting; the study conflates any use with heavy use; and with 463,000 participants, trivially small differences become statistically significant but clinically meaningless. She proposes reverse causation—that prodromal schizophrenia symptoms may drive teens to self-medicate with cannabis rather than cannabis causing psychosis. The study also included "disruptive behavior disorder" diagnoses that lack rigorous criteria, and she notes diagnostic codes are sometimes chosen for insurance reimbursement rather than accuracy. While acknowledging high-dose THC before age 16 may affect brain development, she concludes the headlines claiming causation are not supported by the actual findings. Dr. Dawn discusses how aquaculture—now producing 60% of fish consumed globally—has become a breeding ground for antibiotic-resistant pathogens. More antibiotics per kilogram are used in fish farming than in any other animal agriculture, with drugs dissolving into water and sediment where bacteria develop resistance. One study found antibiotic-resistant bacteria in over 80% of shrimp species tested across multiple countries. Through horizontal gene transfer, these resistance genes spread to human pathogens—a 1991 Latin American cholera outbreak affecting nearly a million people may have acquired drug resistance from Ecuadorian shrimp farms. Dr. Dawn reports that the FDA rejected Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine application without even reviewing it, despite trials of 41,000 people showing it was 27% more effective at preventing illness and 29% more effective at preventing hospitalization than existing vaccines. She attributes this to politicized anti-mRNA bias lacking scientific basis, noting that venture capital investors like Blackstone (who invested $750 million) will now avoid vaccine development, effectively handing this critical technology to other countries. Dr. Dawn describes the "wellness industrial complex"—pharmaceuticals, tech, testing companies, and health influencers creating content that pathologizes normal behaviors. YouTube health videos have amassed 200 billion views, and 30% of British respondents now get medical advice from AI chatbots. She cites a 400% increase in British adults seeking ADHD diagnoses, noting that analysis of top TikTok ADHD videos found less than 50% accurately reflected actual symptoms. Many influencers receive undisclosed payments to mention products, and the U.S. and New Zealand are the only countries allowing direct-to-consumer drug advertising. A caller asks about navigating Medicare after their Advantage plan was terminated with no local providers accepting remaining plans. Dr. Dawn explains that Medicare Advantage companies took extra government payments meant for wellness programs but didn't build them, and are now exiting markets as costs rise. She recommends contacting Gray Bears or AARP for free Medicare navigation assistance and suggests exploring regular Medicare with a secondary plan or direct-pay practices. /li>

A fast-paced rundown warns about a major measles surge and who should check immunity. Frustration over lab cholesterol alerts that may cause needless anxiety. Clear explanations of how EKGs reveal past heart damage and why CPR/AED skills matter. Taste loss causes from meds and zinc are listed. Debate over full-body MRI screening, and a deep dive into seed oils, extraction methods, and dietary choices.

Broadcast from KSQD on 5-30-2024 and replayed on 2-12-2026: Cognitive errors in medicine dismissing unusual presentations as psychological. A case of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis causing psychiatric symptoms. Failures of genetic research to identify causes. The Need for integrating neurology and psychiatry; Importance of testing for antibodies and using MRI scans. Detailed explanation of immune tolerance, peripheral tolerance, and the phenomenon of molecular mimicry in diseases like multiple sclerosis and celiac disease. Importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms. Historical context and current advancements in treating autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes, lupus, and multiple sclerosis using reprogrammed immune cells and iron oxide nanoparticles. Explanation of how the liver filters blood and helps establish immune tolerance by processing cellular debris and antigens. Advances in engineering regulatory T cells to target specific disease sites and calm inflammatory responses. Exploration of new diagnostic tools and the potential of AI in understanding complex psychiatric conditions.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-05-2026: >ul> Dr. Dawn presents a whimsical "theme park tour" of the upper gastrointestinal tract, from saliva production triggered by sight and smell of food, through the esophageal sphincter's iris-like opening, into the stomach's pH-1 acid bath where parietal cells produce 3,000 mg of hydrochloric acid per meal. She explains protective mechanisms including the bicarbonate layer beneath stomach mucus, H. pylori's role in ulcers, and how H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors work—cautioning about long-term PPI effects on B12 and calcium absorption. The tour continues through the pylorus into the duodenum where pancreatic enzymes and bile converge, then along the 23-foot small intestine with its tennis-court surface area of villi absorbing nutrients, iron in the duodenum, most nutrients in the jejunum, and B12 requiring intrinsic factor in the ileum. Dr. Dawn explains why pancreatic cancer—projected to become the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030—is so deadly, using a medieval castle metaphor. The tumor microenvironment acts as an impenetrable moat of desmoplastic stroma made of fibroblasts, collagen, and hyaluronic acid that blocks drugs and immune cells. Over 90% of cases have K-RAS mutations acting as growth accelerators that also thicken this protective barrier and increase CD47 "don't eat me" signals. She discusses emerging treatments including K-RAS inhibitors, PARP inhibitors for BRCA mutations, and combination immunotherapies showing 67% response rates, while noting that CAR T-cell therapy and checkpoint inhibitors alone fail because they cannot penetrate the stroma. Dr. Dawn summarizes Duke researcher Herman Ponzer's work using doubly-labeled water to measure total energy expenditure, revealing that humans burn 20-60% more calories than other great apes when adjusted for body mass. His surprising finding: Hadza hunter-gatherers walking 8-14 kilometers daily burn the same calories as sedentary Americans—the body compensates by reducing energy spent on inflammation and stress responses. This "constrained energy expenditure" model explains why exercise alone doesn't cause weight loss, though it remains crucial for preventing weight gain, reducing disease risk, and potentially tamping down harmful stress responses.

A lively chat about hemorrhoids, why they run in families, and practical fixes like hydration, fiber timing, and posture. An exploration of breath-based diagnostics that can fingerprint gut microbes. Clear explanations of detox biochemistry and which foods help liver phase two pathways. Practical heart-health lifestyle strategies, including diet choices, exercise options, and ways to lower biological age.

A heartbreaking case of nitrous oxide causing functional B12 failure and long recovery from nerve damage. Practical strategies for achieving ulcerative colitis remission without lifelong biologics. A tiny 3D printer that spackles vocal cord wounds to prevent scarring. New and emerging approaches to test and lower lipoprotein(a) as a genetic heart risk.

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 1-15-2026: An emailer from Switzerland asks about fluorescein angiography requested before her first retina appointment. Dr. Dawn suspects protocol-based medicine screening for macular degeneration and suggests negotiating to see the doctor first given her different reason for seeing a retinal specialist. She encourages patients to maintain agency in medical settings. An emailer asks about creatine supplements. Dr. Dawn notes it helps muscle development in people doing weight training at 3-5 grams daily, but does nothing for aerobic-only exercisers. Claims about cognition and mood lack solid research. She advises against high-dose "loading," and cautions that creatine causes fluid retention problematic for congestive heart failure and should be avoided with stage 3 or higher kidney disease. Dr. Dawn reminds listeners it's not too late for flu shots, noting this season's H3N2 strain emerged after vaccine formulation was finalized. She laments mRNA vaccine research defunding, as that technology allows rapid reformulation. She describes organoids—tissues grown from stem cells that self-organize into primitive organ structures, enabling rapid drug screening without animal testing. Stanford researchers created assembloids by placing four neurological organoids together that spontaneously connected and built the ascending sensory pain pathway, offering new approaches to studying chronic pain. Dr. Dawn explains research showing satellite glial cells transfer healthy mitochondria to spinal sensory neurons through tunneling nanotubules. When this transfer fails, neurons fire erratically causing pain. Infusing healthy mitochondria into mouse spinal columns cured peripheral neuropathy—suggesting future periodic infusion treatments for humans. She reports Texas A&M researchers created "nanoflowers" from molybdenum disulfate that double stem cell's mitochondrial production, potentially supercharging regenerative medicine for conditions including Alzheimer's and muscular dystrophy. A caller asks about flu vaccines with egg allergy. Dr. Dawn explains that his gastrointestinal reactions to eggs differ from dangerous IgE allergies causing hives or anaphylaxis—GI intolerance doesn't preclude vaccination. Dr. Dawn reveals that 20 years of Parkinson's research followed a false lead. MRI showed increased iron in patients' brains, prompting iron chelation trials—which worsened symptoms. The problem: MRI detects paramagnetic ferric iron (stored, inert) not ferrous iron (biologically active). Patients accumulate useless ferric iron but are deficient in usable ferrous iron. Earlier 1980s studies showing that iron supplementation helped were ignored and abandoned prematurely. She suggests Parkinson's patients discuss iron supplementation with neurologists. She will post the link in the resources page on her website. A caller concerned about early Parkinson's describes tremors and balance problems in darkness. Dr. Dawn suggests darkness-related symptoms sound more like peripheral neuropathy than Parkinson's, recommending neurological examination and screening for diabetes, B vitamin deficiency, or heavy metal exposure. She confirms that sedentary lifestyle reduces mitochondrial production while progressive exercise builds both muscle and mitochondria.