Tag Archives | brain

753: The Brain’s Hidden Role in Chronic Pain, Migraines & Fatigue with Dr. Howard Schubiner

June 9, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

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Episode Summary

What if your chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, fatigue, IBS, or other persistent symptoms aren’t permanent at all?

In this fascinating conversation, Dr. Mariza sits down with Dr. Howard Schubiner, physician, researcher, and leading expert in neuroplastic symptoms, to explore a groundbreaking approach that is helping people reverse chronic pain and other conditions long considered lifelong and irreversible.

Dr. Schubiner explains how the brain creates pain as a protective danger signal, why emotional injuries can activate the same neural pathways as physical injuries, and how unresolved trauma, chronic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and self-silencing can contribute to chronic symptoms years or even decades later.

Together, they discuss the growing body of research around neuroplastic pain, the connection between emotions and physical symptoms, and why many people continue suffering despite normal scans, medications, and conventional treatments.

Dr. Mariza also shares her own experience with chronic migraines, leading to a powerful live demonstration of how pain reprocessing techniques can begin shifting the brain’s expectations and neural patterns in real time.

This conversation offers hope for anyone who has been told they simply need to manage their symptoms for the rest of their life.

HOWARD SCHUBINER

Dr. Howard Schubiner is a physician, researcher, educator, and one of the leading voices in the field of neuroplastic symptoms. He is the author of Unlearn Your Pain and has spent decades helping patients recover from chronic pain, migraines, fibromyalgia, IBS, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and other conditions through evidence-based approaches rooted in neuroscience, emotional processing, and neuroplasticity.

IN THIS EPISODE

What neuroplastic symptoms are and why they are often misunderstood
How childhood experiences, trauma, and chronic stress can contribute to chronic pain
Why migraines, IBS, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and fatigue may share similar brain-based mechanisms
The powerful connection between emotions and physical symptoms
How pain reprocessing therapy helps retrain the brain’s danger signals
Why self-silencing and people-pleasing often show up in women with chronic symptoms
The role of emotional awareness and expression in healing
A live demonstration of changing neural pathways through visualization and safety signals

QUOTES

“Pain can be a message that our brain sends.”

“Emotional injury causes the same parts of the brain to light up as physical injury.”

“Chronic pain is not necessarily a life sentence.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code ENERGIZED and get 30% off on your first BATCH order

Get your copy of Dr. Howard Schubiner Newest Book now

Unlearn Your Pain Website

The Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms (ATNS)

Howard Schubiner Instagram

Howard Schubiner Facebook

RELATED EPISODES

751: Bloating, Brain Fog & Hormone Chaos? Your Gut May Be the Root Cause with Dr. Cassie Smith

743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

748: The Truth About Inflammation and Autoimmunity That Most Women Are Missing with Mickey Trescott

May 21, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

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Episode Summary

“What if your body isn’t failing you… but asking for a different kind of support?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Mickey Trescott to unpack the powerful connection between inflammation, autoimmune disease, gut health, and perimenopause.

Together, they explore why so many women are dismissed when labs look “normal” despite debilitating symptoms like fatigue, bloating, brain fog, joint pain, skin issues, and weight resistance. Mickey shares her personal journey with Hashimoto’s, celiac disease, and autoimmune recovery—and how the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) became a transformative tool for reducing inflammation and helping millions feel better in their bodies.

They also dive into the evolution of AIP over the last 15 years, the newest research validating its effectiveness, and why perimenopause often becomes an inflammatory inflection point where hidden symptoms suddenly rise to the surface.

If you’ve been struggling with chronic inflammation, unexplained symptoms, or feeling dismissed by conventional medicine, this conversation will help you connect the dots—and give you practical hope moving forward.

MICKEY TRESCOTT

Mickey Trescott is a nutritional therapy practitioner, cookbook author, and co-creator of the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). After being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and celiac disease in her twenties, she dedicated her work to helping people navigate autoimmune disease through nutrition, lifestyle medicine, and inflammation support. She has helped shape the modern AIP movement and trained hundreds of healthcare practitioners around the world.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why autoimmune disease impacts women at significantly higher rates
How inflammation often worsens during perimenopause and menopause
The connection between gut health, food sensitivities, and immune regulation
Why “normal labs” don’t always reflect how women actually feel
The science and research behind the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)
The difference between Core AIP and the newer Modified AIP approach
Why food reintroductions and personalization are key for long-term healing

QUOTES

“Your body is not working against you. It’s asking for a different level of support.”

“Three out of every four-ish people get clinical improvement from doing an elimination diet when you have autoimmune disease.”

“When hormones begin to shift, the body becomes far less tolerant of underlying inflammation.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Use code ENERGIZED and get 30% off on your first BATCH order

Grab Mickey’s new AIP book

Visit Autoimmune Wellness

Autoimmune Wellness Instagram

Mickey Trescott Instagram

Mickey Trescott Facebook

Mickey Trescott Youtube

RELATED EPISODES

747: The Silent Shift: Why Perimenopause Changes Everything

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

741: Estrogen, Gut Health, and Metabolism with Siobhan Mitchell

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

746: Why ADHD Feels Worse in Midlife and What Actually Helps To Feel More Regulated with Jenna Free

May 14, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

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Episode Summary

“Is your nervous system stuck in overdrive?”

In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Jenna Free, a counselor specializing in ADHD and nervous system regulation, to discuss why so many women in midlife feel overwhelmed, scattered, and exhausted despite their best efforts to stay organized.

Together, they explore how the nervous system gets stuck in a chronic fight-or-flight state, the role of dysregulation in ADHD symptoms, and why traditional productivity hacks simply don’t work when your nervous system is running on empty.

Jenna breaks down her approach to resetting the nervous system and explains how small, consistent changes can lead to massive improvements in mental clarity, energy, and overall well-being.

This conversation offers new insights on how to break free from the cycle of rushing, crashing, and feeling burned out—and provides tangible steps to reclaim control over your brain and nervous system.

Jenna Free

Jenna Free is a counselor specializing in ADHD, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness practices. She is passionate about helping women overcome the chaos of constant overwhelm and hypervigilance by teaching them how to regulate their nervous systems and achieve sustainable productivity. Jenna is the author of The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation and offers support to those struggling with ADHD and chronic stress

IN THIS EPISODE

How a dysregulated nervous system contributes to ADHD-like symptoms in midlife
The link between survival mode (fight or flight) and chronic overwhelm
Why traditional productivity hacks fail when your nervous system is stuck
Practical tips to help interrupt dysregulation and shift into a more balanced state
The importance of slowing down and creating space for mindful action
How to reframe beliefs and thoughts to support nervous system regulation
Why a regulated nervous system leads to more sustainable energy and better overall functioning

QUOTES

“Being in survival mode is a primal mechanism, but it’s not meant to be how we live in 2026.”

“If you believe that being frantic and rushed is the way to be successful, you will never change.”

“Regulation work isn’t about feeling nice—it’s about functioning better.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Use code ENERGIZED and get 10% off on your MitoQ Order

Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Order The Simple Guide to ADHD Regulation

Jenna Free Website

Jenna Free Instagram

Jenna Free Youtube

RELATED EPISODES

744: The Midlife Brain Reset: How to Protect Your Memory, Focus & Mental Sharpness Starting Now

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

693: Tired All the Time? It Might Be Hidden Problems With Your Mitochondria with Siobhan Mitchell

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

744: The Midlife Brain Reset: How to Protect Your Memory, Focus, and Mental Sharpness Starting Now

May 7, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Is this brain fog… or something more?”

In this solo episode, Dr. Mariza unpacks the hidden neurological and metabolic shifts happening during perimenopause and menopause—and why so many women suddenly feel mentally “off.”

From brain fog and memory lapses to anxiety, overwhelm, and lower stress resilience, these symptoms are often dismissed as aging or stress. But Dr. Mariza explains that this is actually a neuroendocrine and metabolic transition driven by changing hormones, brain energy shifts, inflammation, and blood sugar instability.

She breaks down what’s really happening inside the female brain during midlife, why women feel more sensitive to stress, and the most powerful lifestyle strategies to support long-term brain health, energy, mood, and resilience.

If you’ve been wondering why you don’t quite feel like yourself anymore, this episode will help connect the dots—and give you a roadmap forward.

IN THIS EPISODE

Why perimenopause is a neuroendocrine and metabolic brain transition
The connection between estrogen, brain energy, and brain fog
How blood sugar instability worsens anxiety, fatigue, and mood swings
Why inflammation and chronic stress hit harder in midlife
The critical role of sleep, nervous system regulation, and muscle building
The best supplements for brain health, stress resilience, and energy support
Why tracking biomarkers and HRV can help protect long-term brain health

QUOTES

“Stabilizing your blood sugar is the fastest way to reclaim your energy, your focus, and your calm.”

“What we’re dealing with is an energy problem—and once you see it that way, everything changes.”

“Your brain is not broken. It is adapting and recalibrating.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution

Learn more about Joi & Blokes

Explore Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Support

Download the Midlife Lab Guide

RELATED EPISODES

728: Why Brain Fog Isn’t Random: The Hormone Shift Behind It

743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause with Dr. Jayne Morgan

693: Tired All the Time? It Might Be Hidden Problems With Your Mitochondria with Siobhan Mitchell

717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause

Free Download: Easy, Practical Tips to Get More Energy!

Download the free Energy-Boosting Cheat Sheet now to learn how to unlock abundant health and energy that lasts—in only seconds every day!

739: You Can Reverse Brain Aging in 12 Weeks (Here’s How) with Dr. Majid Fotuhi

April 21, 2026 in Podcast, Women’s Health 0

Listen to the Episode Here

Or, listen on your favorite app: iTunes (Apple Podcasts) | Stitcher | Spotify | Pocketcasts

Episode Summary

“Is this brain fog… or something more?”

In this episode, brain expert Dr. Majid Fotuhi explains how perimenopause is a true neuroendocrine transition, where shifting hormones can temporarily impact memory, focus, sleep, and mood—often leaving women worried they’re experiencing early cognitive decline.

The good news? These changes are typically transient, and as hormones stabilize, the brain can return to its baseline function.

Dr. Fotuhi shares that what many women are experiencing is not the beginning of the end, but a normal phase—and one that can be supported with the right lifestyle and brain-health strategies.

If you’ve been feeling “off” mentally and wondering what it means for your future, this episode will bring you the peace of mind you need.

Be sure to tune in!

Majid Fotuhi

Dr. Majid Fotuhi serves as an adjunct professor at the Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University and teaches at George Washington University and Harvard Medical School. With 37 years of experience in teaching, clinical practice, and neuroscience research, Dr. Fotuhi has pioneered a multidisciplinary approach to enhancing brain vitality and cognitive performance at any age. His groundbreaking “Brain Fitness Program” combines a comprehensive baseline “Brain Portfolio” assessment with 12 bi-weekly brain training sessions. He’s the author of three books and is recognized as one of the leading experts in memory and successful aging.

IN THIS EPISODE

The 5 pillars of brain health to boost everyday brain function
The benefits of physical activity on your brain health
How the food you eat directly impacts your brain
Preventative health practices for protecting your brain
Prioritizing quality sleep and circadian rhythm optimization
Mindset and brain training to help keep your brain young
About Dr. Fotuhi’s latest book- The Invincible Brain

QUOTES

“Exercise is the only intervention that has been shown to increase the number of cells in the hippocampus, which is a memory part of the brain. No other intervention increases the number of brain cells… exercise is the fountain of youth, the miracle cure for so many problems, psychological, physical, and it’s a no-brainer.”

“Lifestyle choices and how you live your day, hour to hour, make a difference in what your brain would look like in the future. And if you do a lot of good things in a short period of time, you can see significant improvements.”

“84% of our patients had objective improvements in the cognitive test, but pretty much a hundred percent improved in some ways. They felt better, they slept better, they had more energy, they had a better positive outlook toward the future. Everybody improved.”