#169 - When Medicine Can’t Explain Your Symptoms: The Deep Stress-Trauma Link Your Doctor Is Missing with Neuroplastic Expert, David Clarke, MD

What if your chronic symptoms aren’t just “in your body”… but are being generated by your brain? In this episode of Pretty Well, I’m sitting down with Dr. David Clarke, MD—author, speaker, and president of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms—to dive into a game-changing topic most doctors aren’t even talking about: how stress, trauma, and repressed emotions can drive real, physical illness.

We’re breaking down what neuroplastic symptoms are, how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) silently program your health later in life, and why you might feel terrible even when your lab tests are “normal.” (Fun fact: the brain can cause real pain, gut issues, migraines, and autoimmune symptoms—and no, it’s not "just in your head.")

You’ll learn why understanding the mind-body connection isn’t about blaming yourself—it’s about finally getting real answers that actually lead to healing. If you’re tired of dead-end doctor visits, bandaid treatments, and feeling like a medical mystery, this episode might be the lightbulb moment you’ve been waiting for.

Because healing isn’t just possible—it might be closer than you think.

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Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice, please take informed accountability and speak to your provider before making changes to your health routine.

The primary purpose of The Pretty Well Podcast being to educate. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice nor to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. By listening to this content, you agree to consult your own physician or qualified health professional regarding specific health questions. Neither Lisa Smith, The Pretty Well Podcast, nor any guest takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. All listeners of this content, especially those who are pregnant or taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program. The Pretty Well Podcast is for private non-commercial use and our guests do not necessarily reflect any agency, organization, or company that they work for. In addition, opinions of interview guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Lisa Smith and/or The Pretty Well Podcast. This content is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date.

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