Substance Dependency

Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for September 19, Part 1
September 21, 2015
Marijuana users 65 % more likely to have poor blood sugar control; The probiotic skin care program: what happens when you go without showering for a month and spray bacteria on your skin? High % of women use deodorants unnecessarily; Blueberry extract can’t fight gum disease; Re-analysis of data used to support use of anti-depressants for teens shows they don’t work—drug company duplicity faulted. Click HERE for part 2. Click HERE for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

The Dorito Effect, Part 1
May 7, 2015
In his new book, "The Dorito Effect: The Surprising Truth About Food and Flavor," Mark Schatzker declares, “everything wrong with food comes down to the way it tastes.” Why do modern tomatoes suffer from “nutritional brownout?” Why do today’s jumbo-sized “cardboard chickens” require so much in the way of hyped-up flavorings, fried breading and sauces to be palatable? How have food scientists hijacked our taste buds to produce addictive, high-calorie, non-nutritious foods? What is “McRegret?" In our current “obesogenic" food environment, can we still say that obesity is just a moral failing or a matter of gluttony? Naturally-tasty, unadulterated ingredients are the answer, but won’t all those artisanal, grass-fed, or heirloom foods be cost-prohibitive? Will we still be able to feed the planet with fresh, locally-grown, small-scale agricultural products? Mark Schatzker reveals how a food Renaissance is talking place, wherein consumers are demanding more flavorful, nutritious, unadulterated food; and, food producers are responding, with more tasty, natural alternatives to industrially-processed, factory-farmed foods; What can the average consumer do to “live long and eat flavorfully?" Can this approach help failed dieters recover their appetite equilibrium? Click HERE for part 2.

The Dorito Effect, Part 2

Dr. Hoffman continues his conversation with mark Schatzker about the pitfalls of our modern food supply. Click HERE for part 1.

Q&A with Leyla, Part 1
October 9, 2014
Nutrition for side effects of chemotherapy. When Coumadin isn’t adequate for blood clots—what natural products help prevent recurrence of DVTs? Natural supplements for insomnia when you’re marijuana-dependent.

Clinical Focus: Marijuana Pro & Con, Part 1
July 29, 2014
In the wake of this week’s NY Times editorial calling for the legalization of marijuana (July 27, 2014 “Repeal Prohibition, Again”), we look at the pros and cons behind marijuana use. In Part 1 we examine the harms: Does marijuana impair brain development and IQ? Is it addictive? Is it a “gateway drug?” Is it really LESS harmful than alcohol? Does it promote "amotivational syndrome?" Is it changing kids’ brains? Is there such a thing as “reefer madness?” Is it less harmful to the lungs and heart than cigarettes?

Clinical Focus: Marijuana Pro & Con, Part 2

We examine the healing potential of marijuana and its derivatives. Studies suggest it is helpful for glaucoma, nerve pain, nausea and wasting syndrome, multiple sclerosis and certain seizure disorders among children. Some even claim it has anti-cancer effects. New purified cannabis oils and derivatives like cannabIdiol (CBD) hold potential for a wide variety of disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and ulcerative colitis/Crohn’s Disease, while minimizing the “stoner” effects.

Intelligent Medicine Radio Show for July 12, Part 2
July 14, 2014
Statin drugs for breast cancer prevention? Is "moderate" drinking good for the heart? Why do "nightshade" foods bother some people? Less than one half of knee replacement surgeries are appropriate--could fish oil and other supplements provide an alternative? Click here for articles and resources relating to this podcast episode.

Intelligent Medicine for February 4, 2014
February 4, 2014
Did Philip Seymour Hoffman succumb to a new, deadly form of heroin that's claiming lives across the country? Did his celebrity status fuel his addiction? Did indiscriminate prescribing of painkillers kindle his relapse? Addiction specialist Benjamin Levenson of the Origins Recovery Centers weighs in with expert opinion and advice on how to deal holistically with substance abuse problems; he offers a unique perspective on the marijuana legalization debate, and describes “Equine Therapy” for addiction recovery.