In this bold and heartfelt episode, Dr. Z steps away from symptom talk to challenge a deeper issue that prevents people from healing — the emotional trap of familiarity. He pulls back the curtain on how many patients unknowingly sabotage their own recovery by staying in comfortable, familiar systems that don't deliver results. If you've been stuck for years and feel like you've "tried everything," this episode is your call to think differently and reclaim your health.

Key Takeaways:

• 🔁 Familiar ≠ Effective: Sticking with familiar treatments (insurance-based care, medications, standard specialists) may feel safe — but it often keeps people stuck.
• 🧠 Your Brain Is Wired for Safety, Not Progress: The amygdala (fear center) resists unfamiliar paths, even if they hold the key to healing.
• 💡 You Don’t Need to Understand It All: Just like you don’t know how your phone works, you can benefit from treatments you don’t fully understand — as long as they’re logically guided and results-driven.
• 🧾 Insurance Isn’t the Savior You Think It Is: Relying on insurance often leads to delayed or inadequate care — and massive hidden costs in lost time, energy, and life.
• 🛑 Don’t Confuse Effort with Progress: Bouncing between the same types of doctors or treatments might feel productive, but without real change, it’s just motion — not healing.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Spencer Zimmerman welcomes Dr. Michael Trayford, one of the leading experts in QEEG (quantitative EEG) and neurofeedback, to break down what brain mapping is, how it works, and where it's heading. Together, they unpack the strengths, limitations, and clinical applications of QEEG, from ADHD and brain injuries to long COVID and dementia. You’ll also hear how advanced providers are using tools like laser therapy, vibration platforms, and metabolic support—not just neurofeedback—to shift brain function in measurable ways. This episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered, “Is brain mapping worth it?”

Key Takeaways:

• QEEG Explained: Understand what quantitative EEG (brain mapping) is, how it compares to traditional EEGs, and what brainwave patterns reveal about cognitive and emotional function.
• Beyond Neurofeedback: Discover how QEEG guides interventions like laser therapy, vibration platforms, and metabolic strategies—not just brain training alone.
• Red Flags & Misconceptions: Learn how poor-quality equipment and plug-and-play systems may lead people down the wrong path, and what to look for in a trustworthy brain map.
• When Neurofeedback Fails: If you’ve done 10+ sessions with little to no results, this episode helps you know when to pivot versus persevere.
• Hope Through Precision: QEEG opens the door to more personalized brain rehab—especially for patients with concussion, POTS, long COVID, ADHD, and more.

To learn more about Dr. Trayford visit: https://apexbraincenters.com/qeeg-brain-mapping-asheville-nc/

All Things Gut Health with Dr. Buddy Touchinsky

• How a Chiropractor Became the “Gut Guy”: Dr. Buddy shares how his focus shifted from treating pain to addressing root causes like gut health after reading Integrative Orthopedics by Alex Vasquez. This led to his deep dive into chronic illness and functional medicine.
• Understanding Leaky Gut and Dysbiosis: The episode breaks down intestinal permeability (aka “leaky gut”), what dysbiosis means, and how both can exist even when digestive symptoms are absent—showing up instead as fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, or skin issues.
• Top Contributors to Leaky Gut: They outline five key factors—chronic stress, poor diet, infections (bacteria, parasites, mold), chemical exposures (like glyphosate), and medications (NSAIDs, antibiotics, acid blockers)—and explain how each damages the gut lining.
• Gut-Brain Axis and LPS: The discussion covers how gut imbalances and bacterial byproducts like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can fuel systemic inflammation and neurological symptoms, including depression, memory loss, and brain fog.
• What Testing Can and Can’t Tell You: Stool tests, bloodwork, and food sensitivity panels are covered with nuance—highlighting what’s worth the investment, what’s often overused, and why customized interpretation (not automated protocols) matters.

Waking up already dreading the day, struggling to think clearly, forgetting words mid-sentence—these are just a few of the frustrating realities so many people face after a concussion. If you’ve tried rest, medications, physical therapy, or chiropractic care but still feel mentally foggy, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken.

In this episode, Dr. Spencer Zimmerman—founder of Peak Brain and Body and known by many as “The Brain Guy”—dives into why traditional concussion treatments often fall short and what your brain may still need in order to truly heal. We’ll talk about the hidden factors behind lingering brain fog, the importance of advanced neurological testing, and how tools like nutrition, sleep optimization, cognitive exercises, and peptide therapy can support real recovery.

Whether you’re months—or even years—post-concussion, this episode offers hope, clarity, and practical steps to help you get your life back.

Key Takeaways:

• Functional neurology focuses on brain function rather than structural damage and provides solutions where traditional neurology falls short.
• Eye movements, balance testing, and cognitive assessments are essential in diagnosing neurological dysfunction.
• Neuroplasticity is at the core of functional neurology, allowing the brain to rewire and heal.
• A true functional neurology approach integrates rehabilitation, functional medicine, and lifestyle interventions.
• Not all functional neurology providers are equal—expertise, training, and diagnostic tools matter.

If you’ve been struggling with chronic fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, post-concussion symptoms, or other neurological issues, this episode is a must-listen to understand why functional neurology may be the missing piece in your recovery.

To check out the blog: https://peakbrainandbody.com/functional-neurology-tampa/

In this insightful episode, Dr. Spencer Zimmerman sits down with Dr. Lorraine Maita, an expert in integrative and anti-aging medicine, to discuss the profound impact of hormones on brain health. They dive deep into how hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are not just about sex and reproduction but play essential roles in cognitive function, mood regulation, memory, and overall neurological health.

Key Takeaways:
✅ Hormones Are Brain Regulators – Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and DHEA function as neurosteroids, directly influencing mood, cognition, memory, and mental sharpness.
✅ Menopause & Brain Fog – Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause and menopause can lead to memory lapses, mood swings, anxiety, and depression.
✅ The Testosterone Factor – Women actually have more testosterone than estrogen, and low testosterone in both men and women is linked to anxiety, depression, and reduced confidence.
✅ Testing Matters – Many healthcare providers prescribe hormones without proper testing. Blood, saliva, and urine tests are necessary to accurately assess and adjust hormone levels.
✅ Bioidentical vs. Synthetic Hormones – Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), including estradiol patches and micronized progesterone, is safer and more effective than synthetic alternatives.
✅ Your Lifestyle Impacts Your Hormones – Diet, stress, exercise, and environmental toxins all play a role in hormone balance and brain health.

Dr. Maita also debunks common hormone myths, including the misconception that estrogen causes breast cancer and shares how proper hormone management can reduce risks of dementia, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.

In this episode I dive into chronic fatigue syndrome and functional medicine from different angles.

1. CFS is a syndrome, not a disease, involving neurological, immune, and gut dysfunction, often leaving patients feeling dismissed.
2. Root causes include infections (Epstein-Barr, Lyme, mold), gut dysbiosis, and neuroinflammation, with immune weakness playing a key role.
3. Traditional medicine only manages symptoms with medications, failing to address the underlying issues, leaving many without lasting relief.
4. Functional medicine targets root causes, using personalized lab testing and treatments rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
5. Functional neurology is crucial for CFS recovery, assessing brain function and connectivity to ensure a more effective treatment plan.

You may read our entire blog post version of this episode: https://peakbrainandbody.com/functional-medicine-approach-to-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/