Miscopy

Tag: Mental Health Disorders

  • How to Treat Complex Chronic Conditions

    How to Treat Complex Chronic Conditions

    In the YouTube video “Healing Chronic Conditions with Brain Retraining: Insights from Dr. Brian Plante,” Dr. Plante, a licensed naturopathic doctor specializing in Integrative Health Care from the National University of Natural Medicine, discusses his work in treating complex chronic conditions, including Lyme disease, environmental toxicities, autoimmune conditions, and neurological and psychiatric disorders. He emphasizes a holistic approach to mental and physical health and the importance of understanding and compassion in empowering patients.

    Dr. Plante also highlights the role of the brain in complex chronic conditions and the benefits of brain retraining and neurological exercises in developing tolerance, capacity, and resilience. He shares his background and interest in complex infections and mental health care, combining his expertise to provide comprehensive care for patients with chronic complex illnesses, such as Lyme disease, mold toxicity, and neurological disorders.

    The discussion revolves around the interplay between brain function and pathogenic infections, the importance of addressing brain issues, and the concept of expanding one’s capacity to feel safe to manage stressors.

    Dr. Plante emphasizes a holistic approach to mental and physical health and the importance of understanding and compassion in empowering patients to navigate their health journeys.

    Dr. Plante shares his background and what led him to the field of integrative and functional medicine. He explains that he was drawn to the idea of being a “Healer” and facilitating healing, which led him to discover naturopathic medicine. Naturopathic doctors are trained as primary care physicians with an emphasis on chronic illnesses, including thyroid and adrenal issues, digestive disorders, hormone imbalances, allergies, and asthma.

    Dr. Plante also mentions his interest in complex infections and mold toxicity, which he was exposed to during his residency in California. He emphasizes the need to use both conventional medical training and naturopathic skills to support patients with these conditions, as they often involve multiple organ systems. Dr. Plante’s passion for mental health care led him to work with patients with complex chronic illnesses, combining his expertise in various areas to provide comprehensive care.

    He also discusses Long Haul Covid (lol), chronic viral infections, mold toxicity, heavy metal toxicity, disautonomia (including POTS and adrenal issues), and more nuanced conditions like Massal Activation Syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. He explains that these conditions share some similarities and fall under the umbrella of chronic complex illness.

    When someone comes to the clinic with multiple symptoms, the first step is to identify the area of dysfunction that requires the most support. Common features of imbalance include sympathetic versus parasympathetic nervous system issues, nutrient absorption problems, detoxification issues, and immune disregulation. By focusing on these categories, healthcare professionals can provide comprehensive support without overwhelming the patient.

    Dr. Plante also mentions the use of SPECT scanning to understand chronic conditions better, specifically looking for global reduction in blood flow and inflammatory patterns. However, SPECT scanning doesn’t provide specific information about the cause of these patterns without further investigation.

    When discussing conditions related to the brain and the limbic system, Dr. Plante explains that issues with the temporal lobes, which regulate mood, emotion, and memory, are common in neurodegenerative cases and can lead to a reduction in temporal lobe blood flow. He also mentions the importance of targeting the regulatory system, particularly in cases of PTSD, Massive Activation Syndrome, and multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome.

    The doctor emphasizes that the brain is an organ that is both hardwired into the body and wirelessly connected to it, and disturbances in the rest of the body can influence brain function and cause neurocognitive symptoms and regional brain structural changes. Mechanisms such as neuroinflammation, disruption to the blood-brain barrier, and toxicity from pathogens can lead to nerve cell dysfunction and rewiring of brain circuits in maladaptive patterns, resulting in sickness behaviors, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and a vicious cycle that makes it difficult to recover.

    Tthe discussion then revolves around the interplay between brain function and pathogenic infections, specifically Lyme disease. Dr. Plante explains how bacterial infections can lead to changes in the brain and symptoms that seem unrelated, and how brain retraining can influence the internal environment to make it less hospitable to pathogens. He also talks about the role of the hypothalamus in regulating homeostasis and how its dysfunction can lead to various downstream effects on physiology.

    Critical factors for long-term recovery include addressing physical systems, identifying and addressing underlying infections, environmental toxicants, nutritional deficiencies, sleep apnea, and emotional and psychological trauma. Treatment typically involves rebalancing or modulating the immune response, giving the body the nutrients it needs, and detoxifying the body.

    Dr. Plante suggests referring trauma victims to specialists for EMDR, brain spotting, somatic experiencing, or neurofeedback to help rewire the brain. He also highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach, combining brain retraining with functional medicine practices. The doctor explains that for some patients with chronic complex illnesses, the menu of tolerable treatments is limited, and brain retraining can broaden therapeutic options. He also mentions that certain conditions, such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome and Electromagnetic Field Hyper-Sensitivity Syndrome, have a significant limbic component, making brain retraining an essential part of their treatment plan.

    He explains that some patients may not experience any improvement or even detox reactions due to an ongoing state of fight or flight and difficulty regulating their emotional state. Dr. Plante emphasizes that this regulation is not about control but rather the ability to adapt to life’s ups and downs. He introduces the concept of the window of tolerance, which refers to the range of stress response activation and appropriate rest.

    The goal of brain retraining is to restore the brain’s ability to self-regulate, allowing it to adapt to various circumstances without being overwhelmed. This concept is essential for individuals with chronic conditions to manage their symptoms effectively.

    When discussing the concept of expanding our capacity to feel safe as a means to handle stressors in life, Dr. Plante uses the metaphor of surfing to describe the experience of trauma, explaining that the first encounter with a stressor can be overwhelming and potentially damaging, like surfing during a tsunami. In contrast, trauma therapy or brain retraining is likened to learning to surf on a calm day with a coach, gradually building tolerance and resilience.

    The key to managing stress, according to Dr. Plante, is acknowledging that it can be adaptive when dosed properly and that the solution is not to avoid all stressors but to gradually reintroduce them within a tolerable range. He emphasizes the importance of feeling safe in one’s environment and body, which can be expanded through certain trauma therapy approaches. The ultimate goal is to broaden the window of tolerance, enabling us to maintain a sense of safety and self-regulation in the face of life’s challenges.

    Dr. Plante emphasizes the significance of returning to a parasympathetic state after a sympathetic response, as getting stuck in a stressed state can be detrimental.

    The conversation then shifts to the topic of physical exercise and its impact on the nervous system. Dr. Plante shares his observations that gentle, restorative exercises, such as Qi Gong and yoga, can be beneficial for individuals recovering from chronic conditions, particularly those suffering from post-exertional malaise. He explains that these exercises help build energy reserves and improve overall health.

    The discussion also touches upon the idea that as individuals heal their nervous systems, their capacity to handle hard things, including physical exercise, increases. With this, Dr. Brian Plante discusses how small practices, such as positive self-talk and facing physically uncomfortable situations, can have a significant impact on one’s ability to handle stress and shift out of the sympathetic nervous system response.

    He uses the analogy of a ping-pong match between emotional and physiological capacity and emphasizes the importance of not getting overwhelmed or burning out. The speaker also mentions the role of the prefrontal cortex in regulating the limbic structures and the sympathetic nervous system, and encourages listeners to celebrate small wins and keep going despite the long recovery process. Dr. Plante emphasizes that recovery from chronic conditions takes time, but is possible with the right support and tools.

    YouTube Video

  • Evolutionary Basis of Anxiety and Depression

    Evolutionary Basis of Anxiety and Depression

    Evolutionary psychologist Ed Hagen talks about the evolutionary basis of anxiety and depression, explaining that depression is a response to adversity that can signal to others that help is needed, while anxiety is a response to uncertainty that helps individuals anticipate threat and take precautionary measures. Hagen discusses the sex differences in depression rates, suggesting that depression may be more prevalent in physically weaker individuals, as upper body strength is associated with resolving social conflicts in one’s favor and thus reducing the likelihood of depression.

    Additionally, Hagen explains how postpartum depression is a cue that a mother lacks social support, and how symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation are signals that something is wrong and help is needed. Finally, Hagen emphasizes the importance of empirical testing in evolutionary psychology, citing the example of music and dance as possible adaptations that evolved to allow for social bonding and tribal cohesion.

    Ed Hagen further explains that music might have originated as a way to signal to potential allies that one’s group is a high-quality coalition. This hypothesis suggests that engaging in activities that increase biological fitness, like mastering music and sending such signals, creates a psychological state change that makes us feel good and encourages us to continue engaging in these activities that benefit us and our group. Therefore, Hagen proposes that music may have evolved to serve a social function, explaining why it has persisted in human societies throughout history.

    You can learn more about Ed Hagen HERE.

    00:00:00

    In this section, the guest speaker explains that their hypothesis was that the sex difference in depression is really a strength difference, not a sex difference. When they controlled for upper body strength, the sex difference in depression diminished and actually went away in some of their analyzes, suggesting that once you control for the differences in strength between the sexes, there is no longer a sex difference in depression. They found that stronger people are less likely to become depressed, and physically weaker people are more likely to be depressed. Additionally, the guest speaker explains the evidence that suggests depression is caused by adversity, and that depression should be understood through an evolutionarily adaptive lens, as it is a reaction to adversity and is an extreme form of sadness or psychic pain. In the same way, physical pain is a signal that something that could harm your biological fitness is happening, and depression is a signal that something wrong is happening in your social context, causing harm to one’s biological fitness.

    00:05:00

    spotted something that would have prevented his death. In this section, Ed Hagen discusses the evolutionary explanation for why depression may cause individuals to act the way they do, including symptoms such as low energy, lack of motivation, and even anti-social behavior. He suggests that depression may be a coping mechanism for psychological pain caused by adversity that is not easily fixed, requiring individuals to shift their cognitive resources to think through problems. Hagen argues that rumination is a major component of depression and that individuals may need to take time to themselves to figure out how to address the situation that caused the adversity.

    00:10:00

    In this section of the video, evolutionary psychologist Ed Hagen discusses how depression and anxiety may serve a functional purpose in signaling to others that help is needed. He uses the example of his mother’s depression after his father’s death, which led her to become hyper-aware of potential health issues in her family members. Although her depression did not bring her husband back, it potentially helped her notice health problems and save her son’s life by pushing him to get a colonoscopy. Hagen also notes that depression and physical pain both require help from others, and that the physical manifestations of depression, such as facial expressions, may serve as signals to others that help is needed.

    00:15:00

    In this section, the speaker discusses the sex differences in depression rates, stating that women are about twice as likely to experience depression as men. While there have been many theories about why this is, one factor that he highlights is that depression is intertwined with social conflict and anger, both of which are common triggers for depression. Additionally, the speaker’s research group found that the sex difference in depression rates is, in fact, a strength difference, rather than a sex difference, and that once the difference in upper body strength is controlled for, there is no longer a sex difference in depression rates. Lastly, while physical exercise has been shown to help with depression, the direction of causation is still not fully understood.

    00:20:00

    In this section, Ed Hagen discusses the relationship between upper body strength and depression. He explains that hand grip strength is a good indicator of upper body strength, which is in turn associated with prevailing in physical fights. Social conflicts, which are intertwined with depression, can be resolved in the favor of those with greater upper body strength, and therefore they are less likely to become depressed. However, this association is not necessarily about having to engage in physical fights, but about being more likely to prevail in conflicts, leading to better outcomes. Hagen also talks about the gender differences in suicide rates, with men being more successful in their attempts due to their extra degree of lethality and strength, while women attempt suicide at a higher rate.

    00:25:00

    In this section, Ed Hagen discusses the phenomenon of suicide attempts and argues that the phenomenon of interest is the attempt, not the success. He explains that the suicide deaths are unintended and accidental consequences of making an attempt to signal that you are in need and have suffered adversity. Hagen suggests that suicidal behavior is a credible signal of need that can convince skeptical social partners that a person genuinely needs their help. He explains that the suicide attempt is a behavior that is often private and difficult to prove, and there is a conflict of interest between the signal sender and receiver. Therefore, suicidal behavior can be an honest signal of need. Hagen suggests that the sex difference in suicide may be cultural, as men are more likely to use guns.

    00:30:00

    In this section, Ed Hagen discusses the potential benefits of convincing social partners of the truthfulness of a young woman’s sexual harassment or abuse claim, outweighing the potential risks, such as suicide, associated with coming forward. Hagen notes that due to the physical formidability difference between men and women, a young woman may not have the ability to stop her abuser by herself, needing help from social partners. The discussion of suicidal behaviors in the ethnographic record reveals that cases are predominately female, but it is not clear if men ancestrally took riskier forms of suicidal behavior. However, if this were true, it could be attributed to an evolutionary mismatch between the tools that men have now, making them more successful at suicide attempts.

    00:35:00

    In this section, evolutionary psychologist Ed Hagen discusses the onset of depression and suicidal tendencies and how they occur when individuals transition from the juvenile to adult reproductive phase of life, during intense mating and resource competition. While the suicidal behavior becomes less frequent as people age, the risk of successful suicide completions increases. Hagen notes that there is no clear explanation as to why older individuals engage in riskier behaviors, but suggests that it could be a combination of needing to engage in costlier signals to convince others to provide help, especially as aging individuals become more physically vulnerable to other causes of mortality. Finally, he mentions that there is no clear link between suicide and intelligence.

    00:40:00

    In this section, evolutionary psychologist Ed Hagen discusses the concept of within-species variation in intelligence and highlights the lack of a good proxy to measure it. He then dives into his research on postpartum depression, which he sees as a cue that a new mother is lacking social support, a crucial factor in the cooperative breeding system of humans’ ancestors. The lack of this support triggers psychic pain to help the mother start thinking about ways to get the required support and care for the newborn. The absence of social support could imply a tough environment, where viability of the offspring is uncertain, leading to postpartum depression as an adaptive mechanism to prevent harm to the child.

    00:45:00

    In this section, Hagen discusses postpartum depression and how it is a signal to others that a mother needs extra help in raising a baby. Hagen argues that a lot of the symptoms of postpartum depression arise because mothers do not get the help they need from family or society. Mothers should use costly signals to convince people that they are genuinely in need of help, as not getting help may negatively impact the health and fitness of the child. Moreover, Hagen discusses how suicidal ideation and depression can be seen as signals that something is wrong and that help is needed. Hagen also explains how evolutionary psychology is not racist, as the discipline argues that all humans share unique cognitive abilities due to the brain expansion that occurred when humans were still in Africa- thousands of years before the emergence of race.

    00:50:00

    In this section, the speaker discusses the idea of population differences in intelligence and how it is a controversial topic. He argues that while there are physiological differences between populations, any psychological differences are likely to be very minor. However, he acknowledges that there are some who are interested in exploring the possibility of psychological differences between populations, despite it not being a part of mainstream evolutionary psychology. He cautions against using a National IQ database to draw conclusions, as the data is extremely problematic and unreliable. The speaker also defends the use of Just So Stories in evolutionary psychology, but emphasizes the need to test these stories with empirical research. He cites the example of the hypothesis that mating preferences might vary across menstrual cycles, which failed to pan out in research.

    00:55:00

    In this section, Ed Hagen discusses the importance of empirical testing in science, and how many theories fail to get support in the long run. He then moves on to discuss his research regarding the evolutionary nature of music and dance, which he believes can be explained by the concept of precise synchronization as a signal of coalition quality. By practicing and performing music together, individuals can demonstrate their willingness to cooperate and work together effectively, making it a possible adaptation that evolved to allow for tribal cohesion and social bonding.

    01:00:00

    In this section, Ed Hagen argues that music might have originated as a way to signal to potential allies that one’s group is a high-quality coalition worth allying with. Engaging in activities that increase biological fitness, like mastering music and sending such signals, creates a psychological state change that makes us feel good. This encourages us to continue engaging in these activities that benefit us and our group. Hagen suggests that music may have evolved to serve a social function, which explains why it has persisted in human societies throughout history.

    YouTube Video

  • Ed Hagen: Exploring the Depths of Evolutionary Psychology

    Ed Hagen: Exploring the Depths of Evolutionary Psychology

    Evolutionary psychology is a fascinating field that seeks to understand the human mind and behavior through the lens of evolutionary biology. One prominent figure in this domain is Ed Hagen, a distinguished evolutionary psychologist whose insightful research has shed light on various aspects of human cognition, emotions, and social behavior. Hagen’s innovative work has made significant contributions to the field, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the evolutionary roots of human psychology.

    Biography:

    Edward Hagen, commonly known as Ed Hagen, was born in 1967. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and later earned his Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of New Mexico. Currently, he is a professor of evolutionary anthropology at Washington State University. Hagen’s passion for understanding human behavior through an evolutionary lens has driven his career, and he has emerged as a leading voice in the field of evolutionary psychology.

    Achievements:

    Throughout his career, Ed Hagen has achieved numerous accolades for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of evolutionary psychology. His work has garnered recognition and praise from peers, making him a highly respected figure in the academic community.

    Research Contributions:

    1. Evolution of Human Social Behavior: Hagen’s research focuses on understanding the evolutionary origins of human social behavior. He has explored various aspects, including cooperation, competition, and mate choice, shedding light on the underlying adaptive mechanisms that have shaped these behaviors over time. Hagen’s research emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior in the context of evolutionary history and adaptive functions.
    2. Evolutionary Medicine: Another area of expertise for Ed Hagen lies in the intersection of evolutionary biology and medicine. He has conducted extensive research on topics such as the evolutionary roots of mental health disorders, the impact of infectious diseases on human behavior, and the evolutionary basis of reproductive strategies. Hagen’s work in this field has significant implications for understanding the origins of various health conditions and developing effective intervention strategies.
    3. Cultural Evolution: Hagen has also made noteworthy contributions to the study of cultural evolution, examining how cultural practices and beliefs evolve over time. By integrating evolutionary theory with anthropology and psychology, he has explored the complex interactions between genes, culture, and human behavior. Hagen’s research in this area provides valuable insights into the adaptive nature of cultural practices and their influence on individual and group behavior.

    Conclusion:

    Ed Hagen’s remarkable career as an evolutionary psychologist has made a profound impact on our understanding of human behavior and psychology. Through his research, he has deepened our knowledge of the evolutionary origins of social behavior, shed light on the connection between biology and mental health, and provided insights into the adaptive nature of culture. Hagen’s contributions have not only expanded our theoretical understanding but also have practical implications for fields such as medicine, anthropology, and psychology.

    As evolutionary psychology continues to evolve, researchers like Ed Hagen serve as guiding lights, pushing the boundaries of knowledge and uncovering the hidden intricacies of human behavior. With his innovative research and dedication to the field, Hagen’s contributions will undoubtedly continue to shape the future of evolutionary psychology and inspire new generations of researchers to explore the depths of the human mind.