GW Integrative Medicine

What are entheogenic and psychedelic-assisted therapies? Why is it rapidly gaining popularity among some health providers? And what does the science tell us about it? We take a deep dive into the topic with physician-scientist Sunil K. Aggarwal, MD, PhD, FAAPMR, co-founder and co-director of the Advanced Integrative Medical Science Institute (AIMS) in Seattle, Washington. Dr. Aggarwal’s primary cl...

Today we’re going talk about cancer and nutrition with Dr. Emily Ho, Director of the Linus Pauling Institute and a professor in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at Oregon State University. GW and LPI is doing a series of podcasts on nutrition topics that will be featured in it's Diet and Optimum Health Conference, a free event offering the latest in nutrition research. Register toda...

What is the potential of topical CBD for treating, and or managing, different dermatologic conditions?  We got the answer to this question and more from Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, professor and chair of the Department of Dermatology at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. A leader and innovator in this field, he also serves as the founding director of the dermatology residency program, dir...

Today we’re joined by Dale Bredesen, MD, a pioneer in brain health research and an internationally recognized expert on the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. His career has been guided by a simple idea: that Alzheimer’s as we know it is not just preventable, but reversible. Dr. Bredesen's research explains the physical mechanism behind the erosion of memory seen...

Today we’re joined by Mark Webster, Pharmacist and Integrative Health Practitioner whose ah-ha moment about the role of food in chronic conditions started him on his Lifestyle Medicine journey. In 2001, Mark founded Stay Well Pharmacy, and in 2017 the Stay Well Clinic in Christchurch, New Zealand, because he wanted to be part of the small but growing trend of pharmacies dedicated to helping people...

Nutrition is core to human health. Differences in our biochemistry, metabolism, genetics, and microbiota all contribute to the dramatic differences among individuals in response to their nutrition, according to the American Nutrition Association. Personalized nutrition takes into account human individuality—such as health status and social, cultural, economic, and linguistic needs—to drive nutriti...

Forest therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing.” Studies have demonstrated a wide array of health benefits, especially in the cardiovascular and immune systems, and for stabilizing and improving mood and cognition. Today, we talk about forest bathing and nature therapy, or ecotherapy, with Harpreet Gujral, DNP FNP-BC, program director and n...

Welcome to GW Integrative Medicine – the podcast about disease prevention and health promotion – from the Office of Integrative Medicine and Health at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Listen in on the conversation Misha Kogan, MD, an Associate Professor of Medicine here at GW and Medical Director of the GW Center for Integrative Medicine, had with Aly Cohen, MD, FACR, one of the worl...

Today we’re talking with Alison Warren, DAOM, MSHS, who teaches students in the health professions – including here at GW – about the practical applications of Integrative Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture. An adjunct assistant professor in our Integrative Medicine Programs, Dr. Warren received her Clinical Doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Bastyr U...

Today we’re talking nutrition science with Chef Eric Adjepong, MPH. A finalist on Season 16 of Bravo's Top Chef, he delighted viewers with his passion for the culinary arts and nutrition. Chef Eric has bachelor’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Culinary Nutrition from Johnson & Wales, one of the country's premiere culinary universities, and Master of Public Health in International Public Health Nutri...

Today we’re talking skin care, natural vs. synthetic ingredients, and COVID-19 with Dahlia Kelada, founder and formulator at SALVE NATURALS, a national all-natural and organic topical medicine company that was the first to make 100% natural, plant-based topical medicines that are registered with the FDA as OTCs. SALVE’s mission is to promote healthier and sustainable living by creating clean and c...

The 2020-2025 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans dropped over GW's winter break. Since the first edition was published in 1980, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans have provided science-based advice on what to eat and drink to promote health, reduce risk of chronic disease, and meet nutrient needs. Jointly published by U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and of Health and Human Se...

Today we’re joined by Dr. Dustin Sulak, a renowned integrative osteopathic physician and expert on the use of medical cannabis to treat refractory conditions in adults and children. His practice balances the principles of osteopathy, mind-body medicine, and medical cannabis. Regarded as an expert on MedTHC nationally, Dr. Sulak educates medical providers and patients on its clinical use, while con...

NOTE: We recorded this bonus episode before the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to cancel the HEAART lecture series. We hope to re-launch it sometime in 2021. Today, we’re talking about the Medical Humanities with Linda Raphael, PhD, who directs the Medical Humanities Program and Track here at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dr. Raphael brings to this disciplin...

Today, we’re talking about Integrative Nursing, patient care, and technology with Sangeeta Agarawal, RN, MS, CAS, Founder and CEO of Helpsy Health. Helpsy Health is an app that provides cancer patients, interested in a whole health approach, with an AI nurse that anticipates and addresses their physical, emotional and social needs. Along with her duties at Helpsy, Sangeeta is a symptom management...

With Americans going into and out of and into quarantine again, there has been an explosion in the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 epidemic. Telehealth refers broadly to electronic and telecommunications technologies and services used to provide care and services at-a-distance. The biggest barriers to telehealth—namely, government and payer resistance and HIPAA patient privacy restrictions—c...

Today we're talking to Ariele Foster, PT, DPT, E-RYT 500, whose physical therapy practice is founded upon treating the whole person by integrating yoga and physical therapy to achieve optimal recovery for patients.  Founder of the online yoga Anatomy Academy, Dr. Foster's interdisciplinary yoga teaching, workshops, and retreats are grounded in the compassionate approach of Kripalu Yoga and her dee...

Today we’re talking with Rollin McCraty, PhD, scientist, psycho-physiologist, and executive vice president and director of research at HeartMath Institute. HeartMath is a biofeedback technique backed by over 400 independent peer-reviewed studies, recommended by health professionals like GW Integrative Medicine co-host Mikhail "Misha" Kogan, MD. HeartMath is a proven way to help you reduce stress b...

Today we’re talking with P.K. Newby, ScD, MPH, MS, aka “The Nutrition Doctor,” about her new book "How to Eat: Plant-Based Recipes to Save Your Life and Our Planet," sustainable eating, cooking mindfully, and how to eat during the coronavirus crisis. Dr. Newby is a nutrition scientist, author, and entrepreneur. She was named one of the “best undiscovered cooks” on ABC’s The Taste with the legendar...

Today we’re talking with Integrative Medicine thought leader Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Arizona where she is the Assistant Director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine (AWCIM). Board certified in naturopathic oncology, Dr. Alschuler received a doctoral degree in naturopathic medicine from B...

Today we’re talking about Precision Medicine with Anil Bajnath, MD, MBA, MIfHI, CEO and Founder of The Institute for Human Optimization and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The NIH describes Precision Medicine as "an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifest...

In this episode of the GW Integrative Medicine podcast, we talk about a nutrition education collaboration between the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and the Integrative Medicine Programs here at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. In the studio, we have Susan LeLacheur, DrPH, MPH, PA-C, a professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the GW School of Medicine...

Many of us are trying to flatten the coronavirus curve by practicing social distancing. We're staying inside, working from home, and figuring out ways to keep ourselves and our families entertained. A lot has changed in the past few weeks but one thing that hasn't is our need to eat. Today we’re talking about stocking your pantry during a pandemic with Danielle Capalino, MSPH, RD, and the author o...

Burnout is more prevalent among healthcare and health sciences workers, professionals, and trainees than among the general U.S. population. Those working in the healthcare field are more susceptible to depression, anxiety, and job dissatisfaction, which can lead to adverse outcomes for healthcare workers as well as the patients and communities they serve. Evidence shows, however, that effective we...

In the United States, six in 10 Americans live with at least one chronic disease, like heart disease and stroke, cancer, or diabetes. These and other chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in America, and they are also a leading driver of health care costs. Today, we talk to nutrition scientist Leigh A. Frame, PhD, MHS, and gastroenterologist Janese Laster, MD, about their...