The Smartest Doctor in the Room

If a tooth gets knocked out, place it between the cheek and gum immediately, since the chance of successfully saving it drops by roughly 10% every ten minutes if it isn't found. In this episode, Dr. Joseph Alton (Dr. Bones) and Nurse Amy Alton join Dr. Mitchell to break down what it actually takes to be medically prepared when help isn't immediately available. They cover why a $30 to $35 military-grade tourniquet belongs in every car and go-bag, how the stretchy SWAT tourniquet is designed to fit children who can't be treated with standard sizes, and why hemostatic dressings should be paired with any tourniquet for serious bleeding. They also explain how raw, unprocessed honey is used in hospitals to treat burns and staph-resistant wounds, how two drops of clove oil mixed with zinc oxide can form a temporary dental filling in a pinch, and why staying calm with an injured person can be just as important as the medical supplies themselves. Dr. Alton and Nurse Amy also share the real story of a nurse whose emergency kit helped her save two lives in a car accident years after she first bought it.Guest Contact:Social MediaYouTubeInstagramFacebook Group: Survival Medicine DrBonesWebsitesdoomandbloom.netaltonfirstaid.comResources/Book LinksThe Survival Medical Handbook: The Essential Guide For When Help is NOT On The WayLive Q&A with Dr. Mitchell, August 19: How Stress Turns Into Disease, and What Actually Works to Lower ItNobody just gets colitis. Stress goes looking for your weak spot, and thirty years of practice says it usually finds it. Dr. Dean Mitchell is live on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM Eastern for a free hour: the Holmes-Rahe scale, what HRV shows, which relaxation methods have evidence behind them, and where medication belongs. Register hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Tick bites can transmit far more than Lyme disease. In this episode, Saravanan Thangamani, PhD, SUNY Empire Innovation Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at SUNY Upstate Medical University and Director of the SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases, explains why coinfections are common, with roughly one in three ticks carrying the Lyme disease agent and five to ten percent of those also carrying additional pathogens like anaplasma, babesia, or Powassan virus. He breaks down how the deer and mouse life cycle spreads ticks, why pets are "tick magnets," why the old 24-to-48-hour transmission window is outdated advice, and how tick testing can give clinicians critical extra information. He also covers the expanding range of the lone star tick, alpha-gal syndrome, and where Lyme vaccine development currently stands.About the Guest:Saravanan Thangamani, PhDSUNY Empire Innovation Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical UniversityDirector, SUNY Center for Vector-Borne Diseases and Vector Biocontainment LaboratoriesWebsiteInstagram: @upstate_tick_labX: @NY_TicksFacebook: UpstateTickLabResources Mentioned:Upstate Tick Lab — Research, Education & Public HealthTickMAP — Interactive Tick & Tick-Borne Disease SurveillanceUpstate Tick Testing Laboratory — National Tick Testing & Surveillance ProgramThangamani Laboratory — Powassan Virus & Vector-Borne Disease ResearchLive Q&A with Dr. Mitchell, August 19: How Stress Turns Into Disease, and What Actually Works to Lower ItNobody just gets colitis. Stress goes looking for your weak spot, and thirty years of practice says it usually finds it. Dr. Dean Mitchell is live on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM Eastern for a free hour: the Holmes-Rahe scale, what HRV shows, which relaxation methods have evidence behind them, and where medication belongs. Register hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

The evidence increasingly points to a laboratory origin for COVID-19, not a natural spillover from the Wuhan wet market. In this episode, returning guest Steven Quay, MD, PhD, FCAP, Chairman, President, & CEO of Atossa Therapeutics, walks through the case built in his book, The Code as Witness. He explains why none of the animals or market workers tested showed signs of infection, how a 2012 mining accident produced a coronavirus strain closely related to SARS-CoV-2, and what the furin cleavage site reveals about possible genetic engineering. The conversation also covers gain-of-function research, biosafety failures at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and concrete steps that could help prevent the next pandemic.About the Guest:Steven Quay, MD, PhD, FCAPChairman, President, & CEO of Atossa TherapeuticsWebsiteLinkedInX: @quay_drOrder your copy of Dr. Steven Quay's book, The Code as Witness, here.Live Q&A with Dr. Mitchell, August 19: How Stress Turns Into Disease, and What Actually Works to Lower ItNobody just gets colitis. Stress goes looking for your weak spot, and thirty years of practice says it usually finds it. Dr. Dean Mitchell is live on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM Eastern for a free hour: the Holmes-Rahe scale, what HRV shows, which relaxation methods have evidence behind them, and where medication belongs. Register hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Simple habits do more to protect you from viruses than any supplement, Dr. Dean Mitchell explains in this week's tip. Frequent handwashing, avoiding touching your face, and paying attention to indoor ventilation top the list, alongside adequate sleep, regular exercise, and a healthy diet. One striking example: during the COVID pandemic, 75% of passengers on a bus in China caught the virus, but the 25% who didn't were seated by an open window. Add a well-fitting mask in crowded, high-risk settings and staying current on your flu vaccination, and you've got a simple, evidence-based defense against the season's respiratory viruses. No single measure is perfect, but together, they make a real difference.For the full conversation, listen to Ep. 234 with Dr. Steven Quay on The Smartest Doctor in the Room.Live Q&A with Dr. Mitchell, August 19: How Stress Turns Into Disease, and What Actually Works to Lower ItNobody just gets colitis. Stress goes looking for your weak spot, and thirty years of practice says it usually finds it. Dr. Dean Mitchell is live on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM Eastern for a free hour: the Holmes-Rahe scale, what HRV shows, which relaxation methods have evidence behind them, and where medication belongs. Register hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Most abdominal pain is not cancer, but certain warning signs like unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, or pain radiating to the back should prompt further workup. Dr. Douglas Adler, an advanced interventional gastroenterologist, joins Dr. Dean Mitchell to explain how new endoscopic techniques are letting patients avoid traditional surgery for gallbladder disease and other GI conditions, plus his take on Cologuard, pancreatic cancer screening, and when colonoscopy is still the gold standard.Contact Douglas G. Adler, MD:Director, Center for Advanced Therapeutic EndoscopyPorter Adventist Hospital / Peak Gastroenterology, Denver, COX (Twitter)Live Q&A with Dr. Mitchell, August 19: How Stress Turns Into Disease, and What Actually Works to Lower ItNobody just gets colitis. Stress goes looking for your weak spot, and thirty years of practice says it usually finds it. Dr. Dean Mitchell is live on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM Eastern for a free hour: the Holmes-Rahe scale, what HRV shows, which relaxation methods have evidence behind them, and where medication belongs. Register hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Medical schools are moving away from lecture-based, multiple-choice testing toward hands-on clinical training from day one. Dr. David Battinelli, Dean of the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, joins Dr. Dean Mitchell to break down the bold changes his school made, from first-year EMT training to oral and simulation-based exams, and why students who learn this way report feeling less overwhelmed facing real-world uncertainty.Contact David L. Battinelli, MD:LinkedInLive Q&A with Dr. Mitchell, August 19: How Stress Turns Into Disease, and What Actually Works to Lower ItNobody just gets colitis. Stress goes looking for your weak spot, and thirty years of practice says it usually finds it. Dr. Dean Mitchell is live on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM Eastern for a free hour: the Holmes-Rahe scale, what HRV shows, which relaxation methods have evidence behind them, and where medication belongs. Register hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Heart rate variability has become a buzzword in wellness circles — but what does it actually measure, and why does it matter far beyond fitness tracking? Rheumatologist Dr. Andrew Holman, associate professor of medicine at the University of Washington and founder of InMedix, joins Dr. Dean Mitchell to explain how HRV serves as a precise, measurable window into the autonomic nervous system and what that means for immune function, chronic disease, and personalized medicine.Dr. Holman breaks down the difference between consumer wearables and his FDA-cleared cloud HRV device, which uses a five-minute EKG sampled at 500 times per second to accurately measure both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity against clinical standards — not just comparing you to yourself. He shares how a prospective double-blind study using advanced HRV predicted with 90% sensitivity which rheumatoid arthritis patients would respond to biologic therapy a full year in advance, and how addressing autonomic imbalance raised remission rates from 25% to 79% in a pilot study.The conversation covers the autonomic roots of fibromyalgia, the overlooked role of sleep apnea in autoimmune disease, positional spinal cord compression as a driver of chronic pain, and the concept of immunoautonomics — a framework Dr. Holman introduced to the medical literature describing how the brain's command and control center influences immune function in autoimmune disease, cancer, and infectious illness. Dr. Holman also discusses the legacy of Dr. Kevin Tracy's vagus nerve research and how it intersects with his own work measuring autonomic state at its source.For patients and physicians alike, this episode makes the case that measuring HRV with clinical precision is as essential as checking cholesterol — and that the future of medicine depends on understanding who each patient is autonomically before deciding how to treat them.Live Q&A with Dr. Mitchell, August 19: How Stress Turns Into Disease, and What Actually Works to Lower ItNobody just gets colitis. Stress goes looking for your weak spot, and thirty years of practice says it usually finds it. Dr. Dean Mitchell is live on Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM Eastern for a free hour: the Holmes-Rahe scale, what HRV shows, which relaxation methods have evidence behind them, and where medication belongs. Register hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Before assuming a new walking problem means Parkinson's disease, Dr. Dean Mitchell shares a key insight from his conversation with neurologist Dr. Alexander Stilbans: not every shuffling gait points to the obvious diagnosis. Many treatable conditions, including degenerative hip disease, spinal stenosis, and certain medications, can cause changes in how you walk, especially after age 60. One patient's case makes this clear: a 72-year-old man whose "magnetic legs" seemed to stick to the floor turned out to have a treatable buildup of fluid in the brain, not Parkinson's. The next time you or a loved one notices a new walking problem, ask your doctor what else it could be. Sometimes the most important diagnosis isn't the obvious one.For the full conversation, listen to Ep. 230 – How You Walk Matters: Movement Disorders That Can Be Mistaken For Parkinson's Disease on The Smartest Doctor in the Room.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% off

Before assuming a new walking problem means Parkinson's disease, Dr. Dean Mitchell shares a key insight from his conversation with neurologist Dr. Alexander Stilbans: not every shuffling gait points to the obvious diagnosis. Many treatable conditions, including degenerative hip disease, spinal stenosis, and certain medications, can cause changes in how you walk, especially after age 60. One patient's case makes this clear: a 72-year-old man whose "magnetic legs" seemed to stick to the floor turned out to have a treatable buildup of fluid in the brain, not Parkinson's. The next time you or a loved one notices a new walking problem, ask your doctor what else it could be. Sometimes the most important diagnosis isn't the obvious one.For the full conversation, listen to Ep. 230 – How You Walk Matters: Movement Disorders That Can Be Mistaken For Parkinson's Disease on The Smartest Doctor in the Room.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Not every walking problem is Parkinson's disease — and assuming it is can cost patients years of proper treatment. Neurologist and movement disorder specialist Dr. Alexander Schtilbans, assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and attending physician at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, joins Dr. Dean Mitchell to break down the many conditions that cause abnormal gait, why they're so frequently misdiagnosed, and what a thorough clinical evaluation actually looks like.Dr. Schtilbans walks through a real case featured in the New York Times Magazine Diagnosis column — a 72-year-old man with "magnetic legs" and progressive difficulty walking who had been treated for Parkinson's for years. The actual diagnosis was normal pressure hydrocephalus, a treatable condition that was identified only after Dr. Schtilbans reviewed the MRI himself and questioned a DAT scan result that didn't match the clinical picture. After a surgical shunt procedure, the patient's walking improved dramatically.The conversation covers the full diagnostic landscape of gait disorders — spinal stenosis, peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar disease, mini strokes, and drug-induced Parkinsonism from medications like antipsychotics and metoclopramide. Dr. Schtilbans also shares his laboratory research on a combination of three supplements — CoQ10, creatine, and TUDCA — that showed a 24% increase in dopamine cell growth and significant reduction in pro-inflammatory markers when tested together on human stem cells derived from Parkinson's patients, despite each supplement failing individually in prior clinical trials.Dr. Schtilbans closes with a strong case for exercise as the only proven intervention to slow Parkinson's disease progression, the emerging role of Apple Watch in tremor monitoring, and practical guidance on how to find a movement disorder specialist no matter where you live.Here is the website for Versamil Brain Dopamine HealthFollow on Facebook Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Before assuming a new pain means something is physically wrong, Dr. Dean Mitchell shares a powerful framework from the work of Dr. John Sarno and mind-body medicine: ask yourself what's happening emotionally before asking what's wrong with your body. Dr. Sarno's concept of Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) suggests that unresolved stress, inner conflict, and unacknowledged worry can amplify or even create physical symptoms. Take 60 seconds the next time pain arises to reflect on what might be bothering you beneath the surface. You may be surprised by what you find.For the full conversation, listen to Ep. 229 – New Approach to Chronic Pain: Psychological vs. Physical Treatments on The Smartest Doctor in the Room.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% off

Before assuming a new pain means something is physically wrong, Dr. Dean Mitchell shares a powerful framework from the work of Dr. John Sarno and mind-body medicine: ask yourself what's happening emotionally before asking what's wrong with your body. Dr. Sarno's concept of Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS) suggests that unresolved stress, inner conflict, and unacknowledged worry can amplify or even create physical symptoms. Take 60 seconds the next time pain arises to reflect on what might be bothering you beneath the surface. You may be surprised by what you find.For the full conversation, listen to Ep. 229 – New Approach to Chronic Pain: Psychological vs. Physical Treatments on The Smartest Doctor in the Room.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell shares his own decades-long struggle with chronic back pain before introducing Dr. David Schechter, a physician based in Los Angeles who trained directly under the late Dr. John Sarno at NYU's Rusk Institute. Dr. Schechter now carries on that work, blending Sarno's foundational ideas with modern neuroscience to treat patients with what he calls neuroplastic symptoms, or what Sarno originally termed tension myositis syndrome (TMS).The conversation covers how chronic pain differs fundamentally from acute pain on a neurological level, why imaging findings like bulging discs are often poor predictors of who actually suffers, and how the brain's emotional centers become increasingly involved the longer pain persists. Dr. Schechter describes his diagnostic process, which includes exploring personality characteristics, childhood history, and life circumstances at the onset of symptoms, and explains the concept of the "Type T personality," a profile that includes perfectionism, self-criticism, and people-pleasing tendencies that he frequently sees in patients with chronic pain.Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Schechter also discuss the role of social connection in health outcomes, the nocebo effect and the harm that can come from authoritative but unfounded medical pronouncements, and the practical reality of practicing this kind of medicine outside of a time-pressured clinical setting. Resources mentioned include Dr. Schechter's website mindbodymedicine.com and the nonprofit directory at symptomatic.me, which lists physicians trained in this area.Contact David Schechter:www.mindbodymedicine.comx:  @pain_md_lafacebook:  facebook.com/thinkawayyourpaininsta:  @drdavelayoutube:  youtube.com/mindbodydrContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Kenneth Liegner, an internist and critical care physician who has treated thousands of chronic Lyme patients since the early days of the disease's recognition. Dr. Liegner trained in anatomic pathology, internal medicine, and surgical critical care before opening a general practice in Westchester County, where he found himself in the middle of one of the most contested debates in modern medicine.The conversation traces how Dr. Liegner came to understand that Lyme disease could follow a relapsing, persistent course, and why that conclusion put him at odds with mainstream infectious disease guidelines. He discusses the IDSA's 2000 and 2006 guidelines, the role of insurance industry interests in shaping treatment coverage, and what it meant professionally to keep treating patients during an era he describes as dangerous for practitioners. He also shares a 1991 case in which spirochetes were cultured from a patient's spinal fluid after prior intravenous antibiotic treatment, later published in the science press.Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Liegner cover the complexity of tick-borne coinfections including Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Anaplasmosis, and Bartonella; the limitations of standard serological testing and the Dearborn criteria; and the challenge of biofilm as a barrier to antibiotic effectiveness. Dr. Liegner also explains his current approach to prophylactic treatment following a tick attachment, including his use of minocycline and Malarone, and his reasoning for that protocol given what he has seen over decades of practice.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Lawrence Lustig, Howard W. Smith Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University, to discuss a gene therapy called Otofarmaní that has recently received FDA approval for a rare genetic form of deafness caused by mutations in the otoferlin gene. Dr. Lustig, one of the lead investigators in the clinical trial, explains how the therapy works, why this particular form of deafness made it a viable candidate, and what the results looked like across their first 12 patients.The conversation covers the decades of foundational science that made this possible, from early genetics research in the 1980s and 90s to the dual-vector delivery technique that solved the problem of the otoferlin gene being too large for a single viral vector. Dr. Lustig walks through how the inner ear functions, why otoferlin-related deafness preserves inner ear structures long enough to allow intervention, and how hearing recovery typically unfolds over weeks to months in treated children. The discussion also addresses the significant variability in outcomes across patients and why that variability is still not fully understood.Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Lustig compare gene therapy to cochlear implantation, examining the practical differences in sound quality, hardware management, and the speech and language development windows that make early intervention critical regardless of which approach is used. They also address hearing screening practices, the limits of otoacoustic emissions testing in otoferlin-related cases, and what might be on the horizon for more common forms of hearing loss, including age-related degeneration and noise-induced damage.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

For decades, hormone replacement therapy carried a stigma rooted in a flawed study that left millions of women suffering through menopause without support. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Gillian Goddard, endocrinologist and author of The Hormone Loop, to untangle the science and set the record straight.They cover why the Women's Health Initiative study has been widely misinterpreted, what actually happens hormonally during perimenopause and menopause, and why the timing of when a woman starts HRT matters more than most doctors discuss. Dr. Goddard explains the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, why transdermal estrogen is preferred over oral, and what the research actually says about breast cancer risk.The conversation also addresses testosterone for women, the limitations of black cohosh and soy supplements, how to monitor treatment, and why more women should be consulting an endocrinologist rather than relying solely on their gynecologist.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Morrison to explore how functional and integrative medicine approaches complex chronic illness. Their conversation covers Lyme disease, digestive disorders, environmental toxin exposure, and the growing concern around endocrine-disrupting chemicals, microplastics, and mitochondrial dysfunction.Dr. Morrison shares how his background in environmental medicine and his work with Dr. Atkins shaped his clinical approach. The discussion looks at testing for heavy metals and toxins, the role of gut health in recovery, and therapies including ozone treatment, EBOO blood filtration, red light therapy, nutritional IVs, and peptides. Dr. Mitchell also reflects on his own path from conventional allergy practice into integrative medicine and the evolution of sublingual immunotherapy.The conversation stays grounded in clinical experience while acknowledging the limits and controversies surrounding newer therapies. Both physicians emphasize careful evaluation, individualized treatment, and the importance of understanding how environmental exposures may affect long-term health.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Professor Prue Hart, an international expert in photoimmunology from the Kids Research Institute in Australia, who has spent 30 years studying how UV light interacts with the human immune system. Their conversation covers the science behind why the skin, as the body's largest immune organ, can generate systemic effects well beyond where light is applied.Professor Hart explains her clinical trial using narrowband UVB therapy in patients with clinically isolated syndrome, an early precursor to multiple sclerosis. The trial, which enrolled 20 drug-free patients, tracked immune cell function, inflammatory protein markers, and patient wellbeing over 12 months. The findings suggested that two months of phototherapy produced measurable changes in immune activity lasting at least 90 days, alongside improvements in energy, mood, and social functioning.The conversation also addresses the practical dimensions of this therapy, including its long-standing use in dermatology for psoriasis, its safety profile relative to biologic medications, and the growing availability of at-home narrowband UVB devices. Professor Hart and Dr. Mitchell also examine the role of vitamin D as a biomarker rather than a therapeutic agent, the epidemiological connection between latitude and autoimmune disease rates, and how sunscreen use and sun avoidance factor into the broader picture of health.Connect with Prue Hart:Inquiries and Orders - [email protected]: www.cytokind.netFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/cytokindSchedule 10 minute Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/d/crkh-wv5-vdv/10-min-discovery-callEmail me at [email protected] Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) Survey - https://cytokind-fatigue.netlify.app/Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Dr. Barbara Cordell, author of "My Gut Makes Alcohol" and a researcher with over 30 published academic papers, including three specifically on auto brewery syndrome. Dr. Cordell brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation, having navigated the condition through her husband's years-long medical ordeal before a diagnosis was ever reached.The discussion covers what auto brewery syndrome actually is, which organisms are responsible for fermentation in the gut, and why factors like antibiotic use, high-carbohydrate diets, proton pump inhibitors, and processed food intake appear to create conditions for the syndrome to develop. Dr. Mitchell draws parallels to candida overgrowth and small intestinal fungal overgrowth, and both physicians explore how these conditions may exist on a shared spectrum of microbiome dysregulation.Practical topics include the published diagnostic protocol involving glucose challenge and blood alcohol testing in an observed clinical setting, the role of culture-based antifungal treatment, dietary management during recovery, and why fermented foods may not be appropriate for certain patients. Dr. Cordell also addresses the legal consequences many patients face, including DUI charges, and describes her work testifying as an expert witness and connecting affected individuals with attorneys familiar with the condition.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Alan Bell, a practicing attorney who spent years in a wheelchair tethered to an oxygen tank after a debilitating toxic chemical exposure left him unrecognized and undiagnosed by hundreds of physicians, including specialists at Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and the National Jewish Immune Hospital. Bell's story moves from early flu-like symptoms to grand mal seizures, extreme chemical hypersensitivity, and years of near-total isolation in a specially built structure in the desert.Bell details his time at the Environmental Health Center in Dallas under Dr. William Rea, a self-contained treatment facility that served patients with severe chemical and environmental sensitivities at a time when conditions like mast cell activation syndrome and CIRS were not yet part of mainstream medicine. He describes the psychological and social dimensions of an illness that was broadly dismissed by the medical establishment, and how connection with fellow patients provided a rare sense of being understood.Now a faculty member at both the University of Miami and Boston University Schools of Medicine, Bell teaches medical students about the environment's impact on human health. He also takes on toxic tort cases nationally, working alongside attorneys from prominent environmental litigation practices. The conversation covers the legal landscape for tenants and workers dealing with mold or chemical exposure, the evidentiary challenges of these cases, and Bell's core advice: pay attention to when and where symptoms improve or worsen, and treat the body itself as the most reliable diagnostic tool available.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell walks through a complete approach to seasonal allergy management, starting with why certain antihistamines are better suited for spring pollen symptoms than others. He explains the differences between first and second-generation antihistamines, flags specific drug combinations to avoid, and covers proper technique for nasal sprays and eye drops, including common mistakes that reduce effectiveness or cause harm over time.The conversation then shifts to the longer-term option most patients never hear about. Dr. Mitchell shares the history behind sublingual allergy drops, how they work through gradual immune desensitization, and why he transitioned away from allergy injections after a serious patient reaction in 1998. He draws on more than two decades of clinical experience using sublingual therapy for pollen, animal, and food allergies.He also addresses why sublingual immunotherapy remains hard to find in conventional allergy practices, pointing to insurance reimbursement structures as the primary barrier rather than any question of safety or effectiveness. Patient compliance data and published research are referenced to support the comparison between the two approaches.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy, professor and research chair in nutrigenomics at the University of Toronto and founder of Nutrigenomix, to examine why individuals respond so differently to the same foods, and what genetic testing can now tell us about those differences.The conversation moves through four key genes studied in the field. The MTHFR gene, which affects folate metabolism in roughly a third of the population, is addressed directly, including why it has been overhyped and what the clinical evidence actually supports regarding methylated supplements and homocysteine. The ACE gene and its connection to salt-sensitive hypertension is examined using data from a large JAMA study showing that approximately 20 to 30 percent of individuals see blood pressure move in the opposite direction when sodium is reduced. The GLUT2 gene, originally thought to influence glucose metabolism, turns out instead to be linked to sugar cravings through dopamine receptor pathways. And the CYP1A2 gene, which governs caffeine metabolism, is discussed at length: roughly half the population are slow metabolizers, and for that group, consuming more than two small cups of coffee per day has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk and impaired athletic performance.Dr. El-Sohemy also addresses a recent paper on the APOE4 gene, associated with elevated Alzheimer's and cardiovascular risk, where evidence suggests individuals carrying that variant may respond more favorably to higher protein intake including animal protein. The discussion closes with a practical look at how Nutrigenomix testing works, why it is offered exclusively through licensed healthcare professionals, and the meaningful differences between a clinically validated panel and consumer ancestry platforms when it comes to nutritional markers.Support the Show on Patreon - Join here!If you’d like to go deeper beyond the weekly episodes, you can become a member of The Smartest Doctor In The Room Patreon community.Patreon members receive access to bonus content, extended discussions, and thoughtful medical Q&As that expand on the topics covered on the show. It’s a space for listeners who want more context, nuance, and ongoing conversation around health and medicine.Your support helps keep the podcast independent and allows Dr. Mitchell to continue sharing honest, experience-based insight without outside influence.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell takes a closer look at pruritus, a symptom often dismissed but capable of significantly disrupting sleep, focus, and quality of life. He explains how itching is not just a skin issue, but a neurological signal that can reflect irritation, inflammation, or deeper systemic concerns.The conversation walks through common causes such as contact dermatitis, eczema, and allergic reactions, as well as less obvious contributors including infections, medications, and environmental exposures. Dr. Mitchell also highlights how certain conditions like liver dysfunction, kidney disease, blood disorders, and even malignancies can present with persistent itching.He outlines key warning signs that warrant further evaluation, including itching without a rash, worsening symptoms at night, and associations with fatigue, weight loss, or fever. Treatment approaches are framed in layers, emphasizing the importance of identifying the root cause rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions.The discussion reinforces a central message: persistent itching should be approached thoughtfully, with both patient and physician working together to investigate beyond the surface.Support the Show on Patreon - Join here!If you’d like to go deeper beyond the weekly episodes, you can become a member of The Smartest Doctor In The Room Patreon community.Patreon members receive access to bonus content, extended discussions, and thoughtful medical Q&As that expand on the topics covered on the show. It’s a space for listeners who want more context, nuance, and ongoing conversation around health and medicine.Your support helps keep the podcast independent and allows Dr. Mitchell to continue sharing honest, experience-based insight without outside influence.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell opens a live Q&A by walking through one of the most misunderstood issues he sees in practice: mold toxicity. Drawing from decades in immunology and allergy, he explains how mold toxicity differs from a typical mold allergy and why many patients are told they are “fine” despite ongoing symptoms.The conversation moves through real patient patterns, including how mold exposure can affect multiple systems in the body, why symptoms can vary widely, and how biofilms and mycotoxins complicate treatment. Dr. Mitchell also shares how he approaches diagnosis, including the role of urine mycotoxin testing and why standard allergy testing often falls short.He also addresses overlapping conditions like chronic inflammatory response syndrome, mast cell activation, and long COVID, explaining how he works to identify root causes rather than treat symptoms alone. The discussion closes with practical insight on prevention, home exposure risks, and why environment plays a critical role in recovery. Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Dr. Samuel Mann, a longtime hypertension specialist and former professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, about why managing high blood pressure is often more complex than standard guidelines suggest. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Mann explains how hypertension varies from patient to patient and why choosing the right medication requires more than a routine approach.The conversation explores the major mechanisms behind hypertension, including salt sensitivity, the renin-angiotensin system, and the role of the sympathetic nervous system. Dr. Mann outlines practical clinical clues such as age, race, and plasma renin activity that can help guide treatment decisions, along with common pitfalls in prescribing and monitoring blood pressure.They also discuss the limitations of current guidelines, the role of home blood pressure monitoring, and how treatment strategies may differ depending on patient reliability, side effects, and response to medication. Lifestyle factors, particularly sodium intake and eating habits, are addressed as part of a broader, individualized approach.In the second half, Dr. Mann shares his perspective on the mind-body connection in certain cases of hypertension, including how severe stress or trauma may play a role in difficult-to-control or atypical presentations. The discussion emphasizes careful clinical judgment, respect for patient history, and the importance of tailoring care to the individual.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Food allergies are more than a diagnosis. For many families, they shape daily life, decision making, and a constant awareness of risk that never fully turns off.Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with 12 year old advocate Zacky Muñoz and his mother Priscilla for a conversation that brings that reality into focus. Zacky shares what it’s like to grow up managing food allergies, from everyday challenges to the moments that pushed him to speak up and take action.What started as a personal experience has turned into something much bigger. Through his work on the Zacky Fast Act in California, Zacky is helping push for safer environments and stronger awareness for kids like him. The conversation also touches on where allergy treatment is headed, including new approaches to epinephrine and how younger generations are using social media to drive real change.It’s an honest, hopeful look at what advocacy can look like at any age and why these conversations matter more than ever.We’re revisiting this conversation because the message is just as relevant today as when it first aired.Connect with Zacky and his mission:https://www.zackysuniverse.com/@zackys_universe on Instagramzackys_universe on TikTokContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Canadian toxicologist Dr. David Juurlink about how medical toxicology works in real clinical settings, from emergency departments and ICUs to poison center consultations involving overdoses, drug reactions, and complex diagnostic puzzles. The conversation explains how toxicologists evaluate poisoned patients, what physicians look for during physical exams, and how certain patterns known as toxidromes can point toward specific types of poisoning.A major focus of the discussion is the danger hidden within common medications. Acetaminophen poisoning remains one of the most frequent toxicology consults worldwide, and excessive doses can lead to serious liver injury. The conversation also examines caffeine toxicity, risks from recreational drug exposures, and the complications that arise when patients ingest multiple substances at once.Dr. Juurlink also revisits two well known medical cases. The Libby Zion case helped reshape physician work hour policies in the United States after a fatal drug interaction occurred during hospital treatment. He also discusses an infant death case he has spent years investigating, where early research suggested morphine exposure through breast milk. Later analysis of toxicology data raised serious questions about that conclusion and its impact on postpartum care.The episode concludes with practical safety advice for families, including why medications should be stored securely, the poisoning risks posed by common household drugs, and how poison centers help physicians and the public manage dangerous exposures.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dr. Mitchell sits down with Dr. Ronald Hoffman, a longtime New York physician and the voice behind Intelligent Medicine, for a wide-ranging conversation about how integrative and functional medicine grew from a controversial idea into a mainstream movement. They look back at the early days when practicing outside the box came with real professional risk, and what it took to stay grounded in science while still exploring nutrition and lifestyle based approaches.They also get practical about what’s being done well today, where functional medicine can turn into formula and groupthink, and how patients can look for truly well trained clinicians instead of flashy shortcuts. The conversation moves into supplements, longevity basics, and a measured take on peptides, including the difference between pharmaceutical and food derived peptides and why quality and evidence matter. They close on AI in medicine, why experience and trust still matter, and what helps people stay vital as they age.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Today’s conversation is a practical starting point for anyone who suspects mold might be affecting their health, but isn’t sure how to prove it or what steps to take next. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with J.W. Biava, founder of Immunolytics, to break down what at home mold testing can actually tell you about the air you’re breathing.They walk through how mold plate testing works, how to place the plates, what “total count” means, and why some of the most concerning mold problems can be completely hidden. J.W. also explains when tap testing makes sense for carpets, furniture, clothing, and even pets, and why dust based testing can catch molds that don’t show up well on plates.They also get into moisture and humidity as the real drivers of mold growth, ventilation and CO2 as clues about air quality, and when it’s time to bring in a professional inspector, especially for medically sensitive cases or legal situations.Support the Show on Patreon - Join here!If you’d like to go deeper beyond the weekly episodes, you can become a member of The Smartest Doctor In The Room Patreon community.Patreon members receive access to bonus content, extended discussions, and thoughtful medical Q&As that expand on the topics covered on the show. It’s a space for listeners who want more context, nuance, and ongoing conversation around health and medicine.Your support helps keep the podcast independent and allows Dr. Mitchell to continue sharing honest, experience-based insight without outside influence.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

For more than 30 years in practice, Dr. Dean Mitchell never used hair analysis in his diagnostic workups. He wasn’t convinced it was reliable or clinically useful. That changed after reading a New York Times investigation into wildfire-exposed families in Los Angeles and the role hair testing played in uncovering toxic exposure patterns.In this conversation, Dr. Mitchell speaks with Dr. Manish Arora, Vice Chair of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Founder of LinusBio. Dr. Arora explains how a single strand of hair can function as a “molecular movie,” capturing hourly biological data over time rather than the single snapshot provided by blood tests.They discuss heavy metals like lead and mercury, environmental toxins such as BPA and phthalates, wildfire exposure, air pollution, and how hair analysis can reveal patterns that traditional testing may miss. The episode also explores exposomics, oxidative stress, women’s health, Parkinson’s disease, and Dr. Arora’s development of a rule-out test for autism spectrum disorder.If you have ever wondered how environmental exposures affect your long-term health, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how cutting-edge science is turning hair into one of medicine’s most powerful diagnostic tools.Support the Show on Patreon - Join here!If you’d like to go deeper beyond the weekly episodes, you can become a member of The Smartest Doctor In The Room Patreon community.Patreon members receive access to bonus content, extended discussions, and thoughtful medical Q&As that expand on the topics covered on the show. It’s a space for listeners who want more context, nuance, and ongoing conversation around health and medicine.Your support helps keep the podcast independent and allows Dr. Mitchell to continue sharing honest, experience-based insight without outside influence.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offTo learn more about ClearStrand-ASD, LinusBio’s autism risk assessment test, visit www.clearstrandasd.comExplore additional information about LinusBio and their pipeline of diagnostic advancements at www.linusbio.comContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Toxic mold, long COVID, vaccine injury, mast cell activation, and the patients who seem to react to everything. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Keith Berkowitz and Dr. Ariana Ventrella for a wide ranging conversation about why complex cases keep getting more complex, why the nervous system and fight or flight can become the rate limiting factor in healing, and what it looks like to rebuild safety and tolerance over time.They also get into where medicine got stuck during COVID, why timing matters with steroids and other treatments, and the questions many patients still have about boosters and natural immunity.Then Dr. Ventrella walks through Clarity TX, an AI powered clinical tool designed to help clinicians evaluate supplement evidence, reduce polypharmacy, flag safety issues, and build more individualized protocols without losing the human part of care.Support the Show on Patreon - Join here!If you’d like to go deeper beyond the weekly episodes, you can become a member of The Smartest Doctor In The Room Patreon community.Patreon members receive access to bonus content, extended discussions, and thoughtful medical Q&As that expand on the topics covered on the show. It’s a space for listeners who want more context, nuance, and ongoing conversation around health and medicine.Your support helps keep the podcast independent and allows Dr. Mitchell to continue sharing honest, experience-based insight without outside influence.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Ariana Ventrella:Website: claritytx.aiInstagram: instagram.com/claritytxaiFacebook: facebook.com/claritytxaiLinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/claritytx/Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Vaginal discomfort is one of the most common reasons people seek care, and Dr. Dean Mitchell and Dr. Kate McLean get honest about why vaginitis is so often misdiagnosed and why symptoms so often come right back after treatment.They break down how most office based testing works, why standard PCR panels can miss key bacteria like Gardnerella, and how Evvy’s next generation sequencing approach looks at the full vaginal microbiome instead of a short checklist. The conversation also covers what a healthy vaginal microbiome actually looks like, why lactobacillus dominance matters, and why higher vaginal microbiome diversity is often linked with worse fertility and pregnancy outcomes.A major shift in thinking comes up around bacterial vaginosis and recurrence. New research suggests male partners may need treatment too, and they explain how Evvy’s treatment model addresses both the microbiome and reinfection risk.They also walk through how Evvy’s at home test works step by step, what it costs, how results are reviewed through an asynchronous clinician consult, and when symptoms should prompt an in person medical evaluation.Support the Show on Patreon - Join here!If you’d like to go deeper beyond the weekly episodes, you can become a member of The Smartest Doctor In The Room Patreon community.Patreon members receive access to bonus content, extended discussions, and thoughtful medical Q&As that expand on the topics covered on the show. It’s a space for listeners who want more context, nuance, and ongoing conversation around health and medicine.Your support helps keep the podcast independent and allows Dr. Mitchell to continue sharing honest, experience-based insight without outside influence.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

A healthy 65-year-old man eats raw tuna and within an hour ends up in the emergency room with dangerously low blood pressure, severe gastrointestinal symptoms, and EKG changes that look like a heart attack. What happened next surprised even his doctors.Dr. Dean Mitchell walks through a real case published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that highlights a lesser known but serious foodborne illness called scombroid poisoning. Often mistaken for an allergic reaction or cardiac event, this condition is caused by high levels of histamine in improperly stored fish and can lead to shock, respiratory failure, and ICU level illness.This episode breaks down how scombroid poisoning happens, which types of fish are most commonly involved, why it can be so hard to detect, and what subtle clues may warn you that something is wrong before symptoms spiral. Dr. Mitchell also explains why this reaction is not a true fish allergy and what to be cautious about when eating seafood at restaurants, buffets, cruises, or outdoor events.A fascinating and important listen for anyone who eats fish and wants to stay informed and safe.Support the Show on Patreon - Join here!If you’d like to go deeper beyond the weekly episodes, you can become a member of The Smartest Doctor In The Room Patreon community.Patreon members receive access to bonus content, extended discussions, and thoughtful medical Q&As that expand on the topics covered on the show. It’s a space for listeners who want more context, nuance, and ongoing conversation around health and medicine.Your support helps keep the podcast independent and allows Dr. Mitchell to continue sharing honest, experience-based insight without outside influence.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Be sure to visit ImmunoLytics & use coupon code SmartestDoc for 5% offContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Today’s conversation steps a little outside the usual hardcore medical lane, but it may be just as important. Dr. Dean Mitchell explores medical intuition and the big question many listeners are already asking: is it believable, or is it BS?His guest is Catherine Carrigan, a professional health intuitive and holistic healer, and she explains what a medical intuitive actually is and how she approaches healing across what she calls five levels: physical, energetic, emotional, mental, and spiritual. They talk about how her work can complement traditional medicine, why environment and nutrition matter, and why healing can get blocked when someone is not truly willing to get well.You’ll also hear about her personal journey through illness, her background in a medical family, and what led her from conventional paths into natural healing, intuition, and a long running spiritual practice that shapes how she helps clients.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Are cancer detecting blood tests finally ready for real world use? Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Eric Klein, a distinguished scientist at GRAIL and former Cleveland Clinic chair, to walk through the promise and the limits of the Galleri multi cancer early detection blood test. They break down how the test looks for cancer related DNA using methylation patterns, why it can often predict where a cancer started, and what happens next if a cancer signal is detected. You’ll also hear how Galleri fits alongside standard screenings like mammograms, colonoscopy, PSA, and Cologuard, plus a clear explanation of sensitivity versus positive predictive value and why false positives matter. They also explore who may benefit most from testing, why age is the biggest risk factor, what the real false positive rate looks like, and how long a negative result may offer peace of mind.Contact Dr. Klein:LinkedInContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Join Dr. Dean Mitchell on The Smartest Doctor In The Room as he sits down with chronic Lyme expert Dr. Richard Horowitz to explore why Lyme disease can be so difficult to diagnose and treat. Dr. Horowitz shares the history of Lyme disease, explains why standard antibiotic treatments often fall short, and breaks down the science behind biofilms, persistent infections, and chronic inflammation.The conversation addresses the controversy around Lyme testing, why blood work alone can miss the diagnosis, and how Lyme is ultimately a clinical diagnosis. Dr. Horowitz also introduces his MSIDS model, a comprehensive framework that examines multiple drivers of chronic illness including coinfections, immune dysfunction, gut health, and environmental factors.This episode offers clarity, insight, and hope for anyone struggling with chronic Lyme disease, post treatment Lyme disease, or complex chronic conditions that do not respond to conventional care.Contact Dr. Horowitz:LinkedInFacebookMedical Detective SubstackInstagramContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInOrder your copy of Dr. Mitchell’s latest book, Conquering Candida, here.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms patients experience, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room, Dr. Dean Mitchell is joined by neurologist and dizziness specialist Dr. Amir Kheradmand to explain what dizziness really means, why it is so difficult to diagnose, and when it may signal a more serious condition.The conversation breaks down the key differences between dizziness, vertigo, and lightheadedness, why medications like meclizine are often outdated, and how careful history taking and eye movement exams can help determine whether symptoms are coming from the inner ear or the brain. Dr. Kheradmand also discusses vestibular migraine, stroke risk, chronic dizziness, medication side effects, and why CT scans frequently fail to identify the true cause.This episode offers clear guidance for patients seeking answers and valuable insight for clinicians looking to improve how dizziness is evaluated and treated.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Join Dr. Dean Mitchell on The Smartest Doctor In The Room as he reflects on more than 25 years in medical practice and explores how medicine has evolved and what should never be lost along the way. From handwritten charts and prescription pads to electronic records, telehealth, and AI driven information, Dr. Mitchell shares firsthand insights into how technology has transformed the doctor patient relationship for better and for worse.In this thoughtful conversation, he discusses the importance of eye contact, physical exams, careful history taking, and genuine human connection in an era of screens, shortcuts, and online medical advice. Dr. Mitchell also addresses the risks of self-diagnosis, social media health trends, and direct to consumer medical services while encouraging patients to stay informed without trying to be their own doctor.This episode is a timely reminder that while medicine continues to advance, trust, connection, and listening remain at the heart of truly effective care.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room, host Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with world-renowned allergist and immunologist Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills to explore the shocking true story behind a healthy airline pilot who died after what seemed like a simple steak dinner. The cause was not choking or food poisoning. It was a delayed, deadly allergic reaction from a condition many people and even many doctors still overlook.Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Platts-Mills walk listeners through the mystery of alpha gal syndrome, also known as red meat allergy syndrome, a unique allergy triggered by tick bites that can cause severe reactions hours after eating beef, pork, lamb, venison, and other red meats. They discuss how this condition was discovered in the 2000s, its link to the lone star tick, why abdominal pain is often the main and most confusing symptom, and why standard autopsies may completely miss fatal anaphylaxis.You will hear how epidemiologic clues, patterns across the southern United States, and unexpected reactions to the cancer drug cetuximab helped Dr. Platts-Mills and his team uncover that alpha gal, a sugar molecule found in mammalian meat and certain medications, can become a target for IgE antibodies. The conversation also explains how to interpret alpha gal blood test levels, why total IgE matters, when tryptase can help confirm severe reactions, and how alcohol, NSAIDs, and exercise can make symptoms worse.Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Platts-Mills also touch on related allergy puzzles, including pork cat syndrome, dust mite cross reactivity with shellfish, and how children and adults may present differently. If you or your patients have unexplained nighttime abdominal pain, hives, or severe reactions hours after a steak dinner or other red meat, this episode will help you think like a medical detective and consider alpha gal syndrome as a possible answer.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with neurologist and author Dr. Ray Dorsey to explore why Parkinson’s disease has become the world’s fastest growing brain disorder. Dr. Dorsey explains what Parkinson’s looks like, the early signs many people miss, and why it is not simply a disease of aging or genetics.They dive into the mounting evidence that environmental exposures are driving the rise in cases. Dr. Dorsey breaks down the roles of air pollution, pesticides, dry cleaning chemicals, contaminated drinking water, and repeated head trauma in increasing risk. He also discusses how Parkinson’s may begin in the nose or the gut years before symptoms appear, and why loss of smell, constipation, or acting out dreams can be important early clues.Drawing from his books Ending Parkinson’s Disease and The Parkinson’s Plan, Dr. Dorsey offers practical, science backed steps to lower your risk, clean up your environment, and protect your long term brain health.Book website:https://pdplan.org/Purchase page: https://www.amazon.com/Parkinsons-Plan-Path-Prevention-Treatment/dp/1541705386/Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Explore how EMDR therapy can help heal deep psychological trauma with psychiatric nurse practitioner and EMDR expert Susan Sullivan. In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room, host Dr Dean Mitchell talks with Susan about her unique path from trauma intensive care nursing to advanced work in psychiatry and psychotherapy.Susan explains what EMDR really is, how adaptive information processing works in the brain, and why EMDR can be so powerful for people who feel stuck after years of traditional talk therapy. She shares how EMDR intensives differ from weekly sessions, and why careful preparation, parts work, and attachment focused support are essential for complex PTSD and childhood trauma.You will also hear how somatic practices, vagus nerve regulation, and nervous system education help patients understand what their bodies are trying to say and finally move toward healing. If you have ever wondered whether EMDR is right for you or how to find a properly trained EMDR therapist, this conversation offers clear, compassionate guidance.Order your copy of Conquering Candida hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Celebrate our 200th episode as Dr. Dana Cohen turns the tables and interviews host Dr. Dean Mitchell about his new book on Candida and what it really takes to heal. They trace the evolution from Dr. William Crook’s classic work to today’s microbiome science, explain why Candida overgrowth is still misunderstood, and lay out a clear clinical approach that actually helps patients feel better fast.Listen for practical guidance on recognizing symptoms beyond vaginal yeast infections, the link between Candida and issues like chronic sinusitis, brain fog, and fatigue, and why diversity in the microbiome matters. Dr. Mitchell walks through his step-by-step protocol, including the role of diet, when antifungals like nystatin and fluconazole are appropriate, why certain herbs require caution, and how mast cell activation may overlap with Candida symptoms. You will also learn why testing is tricky, how his 15 question checklist guides diagnosis, and how to expand your diet after the first four to six weeks without backsliding.If you or someone you love is dealing with persistent, unexplained symptoms and wondering about Candida, this conversation offers science, strategy, and real-world experience from two leaders in functional medicine.Order your copy of Conquering Candida hereContact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

When you or someone you love lands in the ER, every choice matters. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Tony Dajer, a recently retired emergency physician with four decades on the front lines, to share clear, practical steps that help you get the care you need when minutes count.They cover how to prepare before you go, what to say at triage, and why bringing your medications and a concise medical history can speed decision making. You will hear when calling an ambulance is the smartest move, how to choose between urgent care and the ER, and why having a calm advocate at your side can change outcomes. Dr. Dajer explains the system challenges behind long waits, the pros and cons of teaching hospitals and community hospitals, and how leadership, scribes, and new AI tools can give doctors more time at the bedside. Real cases underscore crucial lessons, including pediatric and young adult pitfalls, missed appendicitis, stroke warning signs, and why not getting worse is not the same as getting better.Listen for takeaways you can use today. Know what to bring. Know what to ask. Know when to push for imaging and when to return if symptoms are not fully resolved. This conversation turns ER chaos into a plan.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

In this episode of The Smartest Doctor in the Room, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with headache specialist Dr. Robert Kaniecki from the University of Pittsburgh Medical School to break down everything you need to know about chronic headaches and migraines. Together they explore the different types of headaches, how to properly evaluate and diagnose them, and the latest treatments - from classic medications to cutting-edge options like CGRP inhibitors and Botox therapy. They also discuss common triggers such as stress, sleep, diet, and screen time, and when imaging tests like MRIs are actually necessary. Whether you experience tension headaches or debilitating migraines, this conversation offers clear, practical guidance for understanding symptoms, avoiding medication overuse, and finding real relief.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Can food allergies be treated safely without lifelong maintenance doses? In this episode of The Smartest Doctor in the Room, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Moshe Ben Shoshan, Associate Professor at McGill University Health Centre, to explore the latest breakthroughs in food allergy treatment. Together they discuss low dose oral immunotherapy, the science behind desensitization, and how early exposure to allergenic foods like peanuts may actually reduce allergy risk. They also unpack real world challenges with treatment adherence, why milk allergies can be more dangerous than peanuts, and what new research is revealing about prevention, immunotherapy, and environmental factors.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

In this wide ranging conversation, Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Professor Edward Quadros of SUNY Downstate to explore the critical roles of folate vitamin B9 and vitamin B12 in brain development and lifelong health. We unpack why some children show low cerebrospinal fluid folate despite a normal diet, how autoantibodies to the folate receptor can block folate from reaching the brain, and what the folate receptor antibody test FRAT reveals. Professor Quadros explains the research behind folinic acid leucovorin as a folate enhancer, what clinical studies show in children on the spectrum, and why earlier treatment tends to yield better outcomes. We also look at prenatal folate fortification, the potential value of screening parents, the milk and autoimmunity connection in susceptible kids, and clear up myths around the common MTHFR polymorphism. Finally, we connect B12 status, homocysteine, and the different B12 forms used in practice. If you care about evidence based insights on autism research, neurodevelopment, and smart supplementation, this episode is a must listen.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

In this powerful episode, we explore one of the most important—and least understood—medical challenges of our time: how brain injury and aging impact mental health, behavior, and society. Our host is joined by renowned neuropathologist Dr. John Crary, a leading expert on brain diseases at Mount Sinai, to unpack the science and lived reality behind concussions, CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), dementia, and more.Dr. Crary shares his early fascination with neuroanatomy, how pathology reveals the hidden stories inside every brain, and why repetitive mild head trauma—not just big hits—may be the true danger in contact sports and military service. He explains how CTE is diagnosed, why tau tangles are the “smoking gun,” and how the exact location of damage reveals the cause. The conversation digs into why certain brain regions drive memory loss, depression, and even aggression—and why some athletes and veterans develop devastating symptoms at a young age.We also discuss:Sports like football, boxing, and soccer—how risky are they really?The biomechanical “Nestlé Crunch bar” model of brain injuryWhy CTE can only be definitively diagnosed after death (for now)Emerging tools: PET scans, blood tests, MRI biomarkersHow studying athletes may help unlock treatments for Alzheimer’sNew hope in RNA-based therapies and amyloid/tau-targeting drugsWhether recovery is possible after multiple concussions—and when it’s too lateThis episode blends science, medicine, personal stories, and societal urgency. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, physician, or just curious about the brain, this is a must-listen conversation that could change how you think about brain health forever.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

What should you do when water damage strikes—whether it’s a burst pipe, a flooded basement, or a slow leak you didn’t notice until it was too late? In this episode, Dr. Mitchell sits down with trusted mold inspector Joseph Reiss to unpack the essentials of mold prevention, testing, and remediation. They cover what to do in the first 24 hours after water damage, why carpets are mold magnets, how to safely contain and remove contaminated materials, and which testing methods actually help identify hidden mold.Joseph also shares insights on flood-proof home design, how to avoid costly mistakes, and what to look for in professionals who truly understand water and mold management. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or health-conscious listener, this conversation offers practical steps to protect your home—and your health—from toxic mold.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

Adverse drug reactions and allergic responses to medications and vaccines are no longer rare side effects—they’re a growing medical challenge. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mariana Castells, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Mastocytosis Center of Excellence, and Director of the Drug Hypersensitivity and Desensitization Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.We explore:Why newer medications and targeted therapies carry higher risks of severe reactionsThe difference between drug intolerance, adverse reactions, and true allergiesThe dangers of mislabeling penicillin allergy—and how it affects treatment choicesCutting-edge diagnostic tools like basophil and mast cell activation testingThe role of mast cells, novel receptors, and genetics in multiple drug allergiesStrategies for safer prescribing, testing, and desensitizationWhether you’re a clinician, researcher, or patient who’s experienced a “bad reaction” to medication, this conversation offers clarity on what we know today—and where the science of drug allergy is heading.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD

What’s it really like to be a medical student in 2025? Host Dr. Mitchell sits down with second-year students Nya Evans and Marco Halabi from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine for a candid conversation about why they chose medicine, the challenges of medical school today, and how training has evolved since the 1980s. From simulation labs and self-directed learning to the psychological toll of training and the role of AI in the future of medicine, this episode offers a rare first-hand look at how tomorrow’s physicians are being shaped. Both insightful and personal, it’s a reminder that while technology changes, the heart of medicine is still human connection.Contact Dr. Mitchell:Email: care@mitchellmedicalgroup.comWebsiteInstagramYouTubeFacebookLinkedInBook: Conquering CandidaImmunoLytics - code SmartestDoc, 5% offApollo Neuro - code SMARTMD