In this Episode, Lynae Wood shares the concepts of Biophilic design and how that can improve our mental health. Health requires a truly holistic approach and this is a great example of how using approaches alternative to pharmaceuticals can be incredibly effective.

Discussion points:

1. What Biophilic Design is and how it's used in Architecture and commercial design for health and wellness.

2. Some of the positive mental and even physical effects of this type of design and why it's becoming an important topic within the design community.

3. How Biophilic design can specifically improve our mental health.

4. How the listeners can affect small changes in their own home with some of these biophilic principles.

Some literature regarding Biophilic design:

- Roger Ulrich, 1984 - Nature View from Hospital Room

- Enhancing Cognitive Performance and Physiological Benefit in Workspaces Through Patterns of Biophilic Design: A Restorative Approach

- A Review of Psychological Literature on the Health and Wellbeing Benefits of Biophilic Design

- Human-centred health-care environments: a new framework for biophilic design

Guest Intro:

Lynae Wood is an multi-award winning interior designer who draws on her background in environmental science to incorporate colors and textures found in nature to bring a sense of balance to a room. That perspective, combined with her unique style and personality creates a little magic, leaving you with a home you love to live in. Lynae believes that our homes can tell the story of who we are and that a thoughtfully designed space can bring a sense of wellness to those that reside there.Lynae Wood, Redefine Designs Co.www.RedefineDesignsCo.com

In this episode of the better medicine podcast, I speak with Dr. Jill Carnahan on mold toxicity and complex chronic illness. Dr. Jill shares her valuable insights both as a healer and as a patient who suffered with chronic illness. Mold toxicity is a very challenging subject with most practitioners not being aware or well versed in treating these patients. In situations like this, it's important to seek the expertise of a specialist like Dr. Jill who has vast knowledge about the topic as well as years of experience dealing with these chronic complex patients.
We discuss:
1. Her background and story as a patient and physician treating chronic disease while suffering from it herself.
2. What is mold toxicity and what are some common sources people can get them through?
3. What are some common symptoms that mold toxicity presents with?
4. What are the main tests you look to do for someone suspected of having mold toxicity?
5. Top tips for treatment approaches, environmental as well as supplemental/medication.
6. Why is mold toxicity and environmental toxicity as a whole so poorly understood in the conventional medical space?
7. How to navigate a difficult case of a patient who just isn't getting better.
Guest Bio:
Dr. Jill Carnahan is Your Functional Medicine Expert® dually board certified in Family Medicine for 10 years and in Integrative Holistic Medicine. She is the Medical Director of Flatiron Functional Medicine, a widely sought-after practice with a broad range of clinical services including functional medical consultations, nutritional consultations, chiropractic therapy, physical therapy, naturopathic medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage. As a survivor of breast cancer, Crohn’s disease, and toxic mold illness she brings a unique perspective to treating patients with complex illness. She specializes in searching for the underlying triggers that contribute to illness through cutting-edge lab testing and practicing personalized medicine.

Featured in People magazine, Shape, Parade, Forbes, MindBodyGreen, First for Women, Townsend Newsletter, and The Huffington Post as well as seen on NBC News and Health segments with Joan Lunden, Dr. Jill is media savvy and full of wisdom. Her YouTube channel and podcast features live interviews with many of healthcare’s most respected clinicians. She co-authored the Personalized and Precision Integrative Cardiovascular Medicine Textbook with Dr. Mark Houston. Her new book, Unexpected: Finding Resilience though Functional Medicine, Science, and Faith is now available for purchase anywhere books are sold. She is executive producer, film writer and is featured in a new documentary about her journey overcoming illness called Doctor/Patient set to be distributed this year.

A popular inspirational speaker and prolific writer, she shares her knowledge of hope, health and healing live on stage and through newsletters, blog articles, books, and social media posts! Her patients and fans alike are encouraged by her science-back medical knowledge delivered with authenticity, love, and humor. She is known for inspiring her audience to thrive even in the midst of difficulties. Please give her Instagram a follow @drjillcarnahan.
Connect with Dr. Akhter
Website: www.madinamedicine.com
Email: info@madinamedicine.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/
Connect with Dr. Carnahan
Website: jillcarnahan.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjillcarnahan/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlatironFunctionalMedicine

Multiple Sclerosis is a complex autoimmune condition that is often poorly understood and requires a great deal of expertise to treat it effectively. My guest today, Dr. Erica Rivas does exactly that in her private practice focusing on a more holistic approach to Multiple Sclerosis. We also touch on other Neurological Autoimmune conditions that can affect the brain including Hashimoto's which is often not thought of as a brain condition but rather thyroid condition. Hashimoto's can have direct effects on the nervous system and often causes symptoms in these patients.

We discuss:
– Her medical background and why she went into Neurology.
– What is Multiple Sclerosis and how does she treat it differently from other practitioners?
– What are other autoimmune conditions that can affect the brain?
– Is there potential for more holistic treatment options for autoimmune brain diseases?
– How Hashimoto's affects the brain.
– The Biggest challenges she faces with her patient population
– Some success stories of patients with her approach.
Guest Intro:
Dr. Erica Rivas is the medical director of the Multiple Sclerosis and Neurology Institute of Austin. She is an expert in immunological disorders that affect the central nervous system, spinal cord and brain. She completed her fellowship in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology at the University of Southern California. She is board-certified in Neurology. She is also the recipient of an educational grant award for the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis. She has been named a top doctor in Austin.

Connect with Dr. Akhter:
Website: www.madinamedicine.com
Email: info@madinamedicine.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@dromarakhter
Facebook: www.facebook.com/madinamedicineaustin
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dromarakhter
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dromarakhter/

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/dromarakhter

Connect with Dr. Rivas
Website: https://www.msnia.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/multiplesclerosisandneurology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_ericarivas