Part 2: The Functional Neurology Files: Memory, Trauma & Healing with Shawn Ryan- Episode 145

Send us Fan MailIn this powerful conversation, Dr. Michael Bagnell explore one of the most commonly asked—and misunderstood—topics in brain health today: marijuana and its effects on the brain.The discussion begins with a real-world experience: marijuana helping with anxiety, sleep, and overall mood. But the conversation quickly goes deeper, asking the questions most people aren’t asking:What is marijuana actually doing to the brain? What happens short-term vs. long-term? Does tolerance increase? Motivation decrease? And is it addressing the root cause—or just the symptom?Dr. Bagnell explains how marijuana can alter brainwave states, sometimes offering relief initially, while potentially creating challenges with chronic or daily use, especially depending on age, history of trauma, and brain injury. The key message is clear: context matters, and so does understanding your brain.From there, the episode transitions into a fascinating breakdown of brain mapping and brainwaves, including:Delta (deep sleep and brain injury patterns)Theta (attention, meditation, and sluggish processing)Alpha (flexibility, performance, and emotional regulation)Beta & High Beta (focus vs. anxiety and stress)Gamma (memory, insight, and higher-level processing)Listeners are taken inside a live brain map review, revealing a classic traumatic brain injury (TBI) signature: 👉 Too much delta (the brake) 👉 Too much high beta (the gas pedal)This imbalance helps explain symptoms like anxiety, poor sleep, stress sensitivity, and cognitive fatigue—and why a one-size-fits-all solution rarely works.The episode also explores modern, non-pharmaceutical approaches to healing, including:Functional neurology assessmentsNeuroplasticity-based therapiesVision and vestibular testingHyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)And why stacking therapies in the right order mattersA central theme throughout the episode is hope. As Dr. Bagnell shares:“We don’t know what the brain cannot do.”Rather than chasing trends or quick fixes, this episode emphasizes the importance of precise assessment, targeted care, and understanding what your brain actually needs to heal.If you’ve ever wondered whether marijuana, hyperbaric oxygen, psychedelics, or brain-based therapies are right for you—or why they help some people and not others—this episode offers clarity, depth, and a refreshing, science-informed perspective.🎧 Listen in to learn how understanding your brain can change everything.For more information, visit us at www.bagnellbraincenter.com. You CAN Heal! We CAN Help!!