Episode 3: Understanding Neuroplasticity for recovery from Fibromyalgia ME/CFS POTS & MCS

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Show Notes

Why are we talking about neuroplasticity in regards to Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, POTS & MCS?

What is neuroplasticity?

How does neuroplasticity occur?

How can we best affect neuroplasticity for recovery from ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, POTS & MCS?

These are some of the questions we answer in this episode of Wisdom from the Other Side as well as central sensitisation and the benefits of taking a wider approach to neuroplasticity.

Timestamps

Introduction	0:00:00
Podcast Disclaimer	0:02:53
Starting the discussion - sweating through the podcast	0:03:34
Why are we talking about neuroplasticity in regards to Fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, POTS and MCS?	0:04:30
What is neuroplasticity? What are specific ways in which neuroplasticity can occur?	0:05:57
Does neuroplasticity only occur in children?	0:08:43
Dan tells about the remarkable abilities neuroplasticity can lead to.	0:12:30
Claudia asks about physical changes between meditators and non-meditators.	0:14:14
Does neuroplasticity imply that the illness is psychological in nature?	0:18:43
How can chronically ill people progress with neuroplasticity when they are limited physically? Should we push?	0:23:06
So does the illness limit neuroplasticity from occurring? How specifically does neuroplasticity occur? (perhaps surprising to many)	0:26:32
How other activities benefit positive neuroplasticity - the dopamine connection.	0:34:01
Need to take a wider approach to brain-training - wider approach including physical approach	0:37:58
Will you explain how ANS dysfunction can lead to central sensitisation?	0:39:44
Dan talks about how the program was developed for other symptoms and then the overlap for pain.	0:42:35
Dan answers how central sensitisation occurs in more detail	0:45:27
Claudia confirms about how central sensitisation leads to reduced pain threshold & Dan comments on the MCS connection	0:48:00
Dan starts to summarise closing message about the importance of focus	0:50:25
Discussion around limitations on affecting neuroplasticity	0:52:34

Links

Luders E, Toga AW, Lepore N, Gaser C. The underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation: larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter. - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19280691/

Lazar, S. W., Kerr, C. E., Wasserman, R. H., Gray, J. R., Greve, D. N., Treadway, M. T., McGarvey, M., Quinn, B. T., Dusek, J. A., Benson, H., Rauch, S. L., Moore, C. I., & Fischl, B. (2005). Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1361002/

Hölzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, S. M., Gard, T., & Lazar, S. W. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004979/

Lyon P, Cohen M, Quintner J. An evolutionary stress-response hypothesis for chronic widespread pain (fibromyalgia syndrome) - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21692974/

Other Resources

CFS Unravelled is the book that started it all, outlining the explanation for the pathogenesis of ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, POTS, MCS and related syndromes and explaining how recovery is possible.

Learn more HERE.

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