Join Dr. Pedram Shojai as he interviews Mark, a former NASA rocket scientist, about the fascinating world of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy. This eye-opening conversation explores how a small, affordable device is helping people with chronic health issues when traditional medicine falls short. Mark shares his journey from skeptic to advocate after witnessing remarkable results with PTSD, anxiety, Lyme disease, and more. Learn about the science behind electromagnetic frequencies, how they influence cellular health, and why this technology—once suppressed by pharmaceutical interests—is experiencing a renaissance. This episode bridges the gap between ancient healing practices and modern science, offering hope for those seeking alternative approaches to wellness without the hyperbolic claims common in the energy medicine space.

In this enlightening podcast, the host speaks with Dr. Rob Silverman, a chiropractor who expanded into functional medicine after discovering the profound connection between gut health and overall wellness. Dr. Silverman shares how he initially focused on musculoskeletal issues but found that many patients' chronic pain and inflammation stemmed from gut problems.

The conversation explores several key topics:

• The critical importance of gut health as "the epicenter of health" with 80% of immune cells located there
• How leaky gut (increased intestinal permeability) allows undigested food particles and pathogens to enter the bloodstream
• The role of zonulin and occludin proteins in regulating gut barrier function
• Why food sensitivities can cause symptoms up to 72 hours after consumption, making them difficult to identify
• The benefits of modern testing over traditional elimination diets for identifying food triggers
• How common substances like glyphosate, processed seed oils, and NSAIDs damage gut barrier integrity
• Practical advice for making better food choices, including eating organic when possible

Dr. Silverman emphasizes the importance of "testing, not guessing" to create personalized treatment protocols, particularly through food sensitivity tests and gut permeability panels that provide crucial baseline information for addressing chronic inflammation and health issues.

In this insightful episode of the Urban Monk Podcast, Dr. Pedram Shojai explores the critical concept of neuroception—our nervous system's automatic detection of safety and threat—and how it fundamentally impacts our health, happiness, and ability to thrive.

Dr. Shojai breaks down the science behind Dr. Stephen Porges' polyvagal theory, explaining how our subconscious continuously scans for environmental cues of safety or danger, triggering different responses in our autonomic nervous system. When we don't feel safe, our body can't properly heal, digest, or function optimally—regardless of how many supplements, green smoothies, or wellness practices we incorporate.

Learn how to recognize safety signals in your environment, relationships, and within yourself, while discovering practical techniques to counteract stress responses: peripheral vision exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, calf stretching, and tongue positioning. Dr. Shojai also offers valuable advice on creating sanctuary spaces, minimizing exposure to negative news cycles, and making intentional choices about your environment to support your nervous system.

Whether you're dealing with chronic stress, healing from trauma, or simply navigating our increasingly chaotic world, this episode provides essential insights for recalibrating your neuroception and creating the conditions for genuine wellbeing. As Dr. Shojai emphasizes, it's time to "stop cutting yourself" with harmful inputs and start actively cultivating the safety signals your body and mind need to flourish.