32. The Trauma-Mitochondria Connection: Reversing Chronic Illness at the Cellular Level with Dr. Susan Blum

Stress and trauma will always hold power over you and your overall health—unless you face the problem at the cellular level. This week, I'm joined by Dr. Susan Blum, a board-certified physician specializing in preventative medicine, functional medicine, and integrative medicine. We sat down to discuss the critical role of mitochondria on your health, the impact of environmental toxins, infections, and trauma on these cellular powerhouses, and integrative approaches to healing.  In this episode, you'll discover: What Exactly Are Mitochondria: As vital organelles found in cells—most notably in the brain, muscles, and heart—mitochondria are "the little furnace inside every cell that makes your energy called ATP," describes Dr. Blum.  The Link Between Trauma and Mitochondrial Health: Stress and trauma can cause the cell to enter the cell danger response, says Dr. Blum. This, in turn, damages the mitochondria by blocking their ability to function properly. This can result in brain fog, fatigue, and even chronic illness. How to Treat the Root Cause: Dr. Blum stresses the importance of “cleaning up your environment“ as your first step, which can include testing your home for health-disrupting mold or figuring out what triggers you physically and emotionally. Next steps may include going to therapy, filtering your water, and prioritizing deep, restorative sleep since "your mitochondria repair at night," says Dr. Blum.  The Healing Power of Ketamine: Under the supervision of a trained professional, IV ketamine can safely take the healing process to the next level when paired with therapy. "Most people's experience is there's this deep meditation space of quiet behind their thoughts without needing to meditate almost," shares Dr. Blum. 02:13 Dr. Blum's Journey into Functional Medicine 04:06 The Impact of Trauma and Stress 17:38 The Role of Mitochondria in Health 21:26 Cell Danger Response and Healing 31:18 Introduction to Mitochondrial Damage and Testing 31:25 Understanding the MitoSwab Test 33:11 Targeted Mitochondrial Therapies 42:37 Emotional Wellness and Ketamine Therapy 56:15 Preventative Measures for Mitochondrial Health Connect with Dr. Myers: Website: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ Newsletter: https://www.amymyersmd.com/ec/guide-to-leaky-gut Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyMyersMD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amymyersmd/ Connect with Dr. Blum: Website: https://blumcenterforhealth.com Emotional Wellness Program: https://blumcenterforhealth.com/emotional-wellness-program/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsusanblum/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blumcenterforhealth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/drsusanblum