Mold, Infections & Autism: A Pediatric Neurologist Speaks Out | SNH Podcast #158
Health Optimization Medicine Podcast
Release Date: 01/14/2026
Health Optimization Medicine Podcast
In this episode of the Health Optimization Medicine Podcast, Dr. Scott Sherr sits down with JJ Virgin — nutrition expert, bestselling author, and founder of the Health Business Growth Collective — to explore how healthcare practitioners can build trust, authority, and impact in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. With the rise of AI and what JJ calls a “trust recession,” the traditional ways of building a practice are no longer enough. Instead, practitioners must learn how to stand out as a trusted authority — combining credibility, authenticity, and real-world proof. JJ breaks...
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In this episode of the Health Optimization Medicine Podcast, Boomer Anderson, Dr. Ted Achacoso, Dr. Scott Sherr, and Jodi Duval explore mental health through the lens of health optimization medicine. Rather than viewing mental health as a set of diagnoses, the conversation reframes it as a function of cellular health — where brain function is driven by mitochondrial performance, inflammation, nutrient status, and environmental inputs. From neurotransmitter imbalances to brain inflammation and the gut-brain-microbiome axis, this episode breaks down how modern stressors, lifestyle, and...
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In this episode of the Health Optimization Medicine Podcast, join Boomer Anderson, Dr. Ted Achacoso, and Jodi Duval as they break down one of the most important frameworks in Health Optimization Medicine — the Cell Danger Response (CDR). Originally developed by Dr. Robert Naviaux, the Cell Danger Response explains how cells respond to threat, adapt for survival, and either resolve or become “stuck” — leading to chronic disease. This episode walks through the three stages of the CDR, how mitochondria act as both sensors and signaling hubs, and why many modern conditions — from...
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In this episode of the Health Optimization Medicine Podcast, Dr. Scott Sherr is joined by renowned neurologist and bestselling author Dr. David Perlmutter to explore one of the most important breakthroughs in brain health — the role of microglia. Often overlooked, microglial cells are the brain’s immune system and play a central role in determining whether the brain thrives or degenerates over time. Dr. Perlmutter explains how these cells can shift between protective (M2) and destructive (M1) states — and how this shift underlies neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s,...
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In this episode of the Health Optimization Medicine Podcast, join Dr. Scott Sherr, Dr. Ted Achacoso, Dr. Allen Bookatz, and Jodi Duval as they explore the hidden cost of convenience and comfort in modern life. From ultra-processed foods and low-fiber diets to sedentary lifestyles and technology-driven comfort, the conversation dives into how convenience is quietly reshaping our biology. The HOMeHOPe Faculty explains why small daily habits — like eating whole foods, moving regularly, and embracing mild discomfort — are essential for maintaining cellular health and...
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In this episode of the Health Optimization Medicine Podcast, the HOMeHOPe Faculty comes together for a roundtable conversation exploring the core philosophical framework behind Health Optimization Medicine. Dr. Scott Sherr, Boomer Anderson, and Dr. Allen Bookatz break down the three fundamental perspective shifts that redefine how we think about health, disease, aging, and the human body itself. Rather than focusing on disease management, this episode introduces the foundational principles behind building health from the cellular level up. Join us as we delve into: • The shift from...
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In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Helen Messier joins Dr. Scott Sherr for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation about longevity, epigenetics, AI-powered medicine, and the real meaning of healthspan. From whole genome sequencing to digital twins and emotional resilience, this episode bridges cutting-edge science with deeply human healing in a way that challenges how we think about aging. Join us as we delve into: The difference between lifespan and healthspan — and why resilience matters more than years Whole genome sequencing, polygenic risk scores, and...
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In this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Alan Gaby joins Jodi Duval to explore over five decades of clinical experience in nutritional medicine. From vitamin C and magnesium to hidden food allergies and the Myers’ Cocktail, this conversation unpacks what actually works — and why much of it is still ignored by conventional medicine. Join us as we delve into: • Why magnesium may be the most overlooked nutrient deficiency • Folic acid vs. methylfolate — what the research really says • The truth about vitamin C, IV therapy, and immune resilience • Hidden food allergies...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Smarter Not Harder Podcast, Dr. Melissa Jones joins Dr. Scott Sherr for an insightful and groundbreaking conversation about pediatric neurology, inflammation, and the integrative treatment of conditions like PANS, PANDAS, autism, and dysautonomia.
Dr. Jones shares her journey from conventional pediatric neurology to functional and integrative care, breaking down how chronic infections, gut health, mold toxicity, and inflammation play a critical role in neuropsychiatric disorders in children — and how these issues can often be reversed.
Join us as we explore:
• What PANS and PANDAS really are — and why they’re often misdiagnosed
• Mold, mycoplasma, and Lyme: stealth infections affecting kids’ brains
• Why gut health, mitochondria, and detox pathways matter in autism
• The power of lifestyle, sleep, diet, and supplements to reduce neuroinflammation
This episode is for you if:
• You're a parent or clinician curious about the root causes of neuropsychiatric symptoms
• You’re looking for integrative strategies to address autism, OCD, anxiety, and more
• You want to understand how mold, toxins, and chronic infections impact kids' brains
• You believe in treating the whole child — not just the symptoms
You can also find this episode on…
YouTube: https://youtu.be/g2HDDtQGhnQ
Learn more about Dr. Melissa Jones:
Website: https://aiopwellness.com/
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