With Dan having been a thought leader on the autonomic nervous system and chronic illness for over a decade now, Liz asks him about new research showing a procedure blunting the sympathetic nervous system is helping patients with Long Covid.
Throughout the interview, we explore various treatments and interventions beyond the stellate ganglion block, from Low Dose Naltrexone to Vagus Nerve Stimulators, all through the lens of a holistic healing approach. Dan proposes a new paradigm for healing from chronic illness that is not simply about forcing a fix.
The interview includes a deep dive to understand the role of the vagus nerve and ANS dysfunction in illness like ME/CFS, Fibromyalgia, POTS, MCS or PVFS (long-covid).
TIMESTAMPS
00:02 - Intro
01:18 - The reason Liz wanted to thank Dan. Her honest experience with his program ANS Rewire.
04:31 - Recent Stellate Ganglion Block Study with Long Covid patients targeting the sympathetic nervous system - the background & the results.
08:57 - Dan's thoughts on the SGB study.
10:07 - The World Health Organization knew THIS for many decades.
11:55 - Is reducing symptoms a good idea? Dan gives examples on when symptoms are the solution.
13:51 - What we really want to do.
15:17 - The truth about heart rate variability.
18:54 - Why he believes the study is onto something, but it also misses THIS.
19:26 - We discuss Cortisol prescribed for CFS (not medical advice).
21:21 - How Liz body was in the Upside Down with sleep. Dan explains why sleep hygiene alone won't fix your sleep.
22:25 - We come up with a new analogy for healing!
25:04 - Vagus nerve stimulators for targeting the parasympathetic nervous system. Liz learned THIS from Dan about the Vagus Nerve. Dan shares great insights here. (Not medical advice.)
31:35 - Breathwork, dyspnea (shortness of breath), and ANS pathogenesis.
32:27 - Dan explains how he believes Low Dose Naltrexone actually works (Not medical advice). Super insightful stuff.
38:27 - Why dosage is key.
41:45 - Dan talks about his thoughts on those who say a pathogen is driving these conditions and we must focus our efforts on killing the pathogen. Interesting reflections.
45:26 - Why his holistic program encourages people to seek medical interventions.
47:26 - Why long-term antibiotic therapy may not have the same efficacy for all Chronic Lyme patients. Dan's experience collaborating with chronic illness medical clinics. (Not medical advice).
49:38 - Dan's final reflections.
Learn More
Click on these links to learn more about Dan's book CFS Unravelled and his ANS REWIRE recovery program.