284: Healing Addiction Now - with Jason Giles
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Release Date: 05/16/2025
285: Hair Restoration: Myths and Advances - with Dr. Alan J. Bauman
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Hair plays a crucial role in our identity, often symbolizing youth and confidence. Dr. Alan Bauman, with nearly 30 years in hair restoration, has seen the profound impact of hair loss and emphasizes dispelling misconceptions. Many hesitate to seek help, thinking their hair loss isn't severe or treatments are ineffective. However, early intervention is vital. Addressing hair loss early can prevent further thinning and even reverse it. Dr. Bauman stresses this proactive approach. A common myth is that hair restoration is only for complete baldness. In reality, early action yields better...
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284: Healing Addiction Now - with Jason Giles
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Dr. Jason Giles, a board-certified addiction medicine expert, former anesthesiologist, and a person who has personally battled and overcome substance addiction, recently appeared on the *Awesome Health Podcast* by BiOptimizers. With over 27 years of medical experience and leadership in managing 40 addiction treatment centers, Dr. Giles offers an honest and compassionate view into addiction and recovery. Addiction isn't just a medical condition, but a human challenge impacting all facets of life, from drugs and alcohol to screen time and food. These behaviors often serve as emotional...
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283: Slowing Aging, Mastering Health - with Chris Mirabile
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Chris Mirabile's journey to achieving a biological age 13.6 years younger than his chronological age is not a tale of luck but of deliberate action and deep scientific understanding. His transformation extends beyond mere youthful appearance. He’s aging 31% slower than average. This remarkable feat is rooted in intense self-education and a disciplined lifestyle geared towards optimizing health at a molecular level. His story began at 16, when a severe seizure led to the discovery and surgical removal of a brain tumor. This life-altering event shifted his focus from basic fitness to a...
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281: Health Revolution - with Joe Cohen
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Joe Cohen's journey to optimal health is a story of self-discovery and a drive to find answers beyond conventional medicine. Struggling with chronic health issues like fatigue, inflammation, and brain fog, Joe took charge of his health by diving into genetics, biomarkers, and biohacking. A Start of Struggle: The Search for Answers Joe's early attempts to seek help from mainstream doctors were unfruitful. Frustrated, he embarked on self-experimentation. He started with lifestyle changes like intermittent fasting and cold plunges, which offered some relief. However, it was when Joe incorporated...
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280: Medical Errors: A Critical Issue - with Julie Siemers
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Medical errors rank as the third leading cause of death in the United States, following heart disease and cancer. These preventable mistakes, including misdiagnoses, medication errors, and communication breakdowns, contribute to a significant number of fatalities annually. Understanding these risks and actively participating in one's healthcare is crucial and can be a matter of life and death. The Reality of Medical Errors Julie Siemers, a nurse with over forty years of healthcare experience, gained firsthand insight into medical errors when her parents were in an airplane accident and she had...
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279: The Power of Slowing Down - with Lee Holden
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Lee Holden, a renowned Qigong master and author, shares insights about energy, healing, and the transformative power of slowing down in a fast-paced world. Finding Qigong Lee's journey with Qigong began after a soccer injury during his sophomore year in college. After conventional treatments failed, he sought help from a martial arts teacher who used Chi for healing. After a few Qigong treatments, Lee was ready to play soccer again. This recovery sparked his passion for Eastern healing practices. Understanding Chi At the core of Qigong is the concept of energy, or Chi, which refers to life...
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282: Ancient Herbs, Modern Strength - with Logan Christopher
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
In a world dominated by synthetic solutions, ancient herbalism offers a powerful alternative for health, performance, and longevity. Logan Christopher, strongman, herbalist, and educator, bridges traditional wisdom with modern goals. His journey highlights the relevance of nature-based healing. Learning from Nature's Power Ancient healers observed the natural world to uncover potent remedies. For example, noting the strength of ants, they used ant extract for vitality, which is still valued today for its effects on energy and endurance. This method of learning from nature remains a cornerstone...
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278: Where Generosity Drives Success - with Nicole F. Roberts
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Dr. Nicole F. Roberts is a catalyst for change with a deep understanding of human behavior and public health systems. Her work spans diverse cultures and sectors, focusing on how generosity, authenticity, and human connection can create a better world. A Public Health Lens Public health, according to Dr. Roberts, encompasses a broad range of factors, including diet, environment, sleep, and social interactions. She notes that human behaviors are consistent across cultures, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive approaches to public health. Her work bridges the gap between high-level...
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277: Where Ketamine Meets Executive Coaching - with Aneel Paulus
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
The convergence of ketamine therapy and executive coaching is an innovative approach to personal and professional growth, drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and leadership development. Ketamine for Mental Flexibility and Adaptability Ketamine, traditionally used as an anesthetic, has gained recognition for its potential to enhance mental flexibility. By fostering neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections—ketamine facilitates adaptability and learning. Dr. Paulus emphasizes that in the 21st century, the greatest skill lies in learning,...
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276: Intimacy Wearables: Health and Wellness - with Elliot Justin
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
The Innovation Journey Elliot Justin, an emergency physician, was inspired to explore sexual health and rehabilitation techniques following a horseback riding accident in 2015. He experimented with neuromodulation and other methods to address gaps in existing tools and treatments, which led to advancements in intimacy wearables. The Link Between Sexual and Cardiovascular Health Research indicates a strong connection between sexual and cardiovascular health: Men who experience fewer than one nocturnal erection per night have a 50% chance of having a heart attack within two years. Additionally,...
info_outlineDr. Jason Giles, a board-certified addiction medicine expert, former anesthesiologist, and a person who has personally battled and overcome substance addiction, recently appeared on the *Awesome Health Podcast* by BiOptimizers. With over 27 years of medical experience and leadership in managing 40 addiction treatment centers, Dr. Giles offers an honest and compassionate view into addiction and recovery.
Addiction isn't just a medical condition, but a human challenge impacting all facets of life, from drugs and alcohol to screen time and food. These behaviors often serve as emotional coping mechanisms, hijacking the brain’s reward system and substituting pleasure for well-being.
Modern Addiction Triggers
Substance use is not new, but the availability and potency of substances and stimuli have changed. Modern addictions are amplified by 24/7 access, social pressures, and chemically engineered substances that overstimulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. Addiction isn't a lack of willpower, but a rewiring of the brain.
Substance use builds tolerance, creating a cycle of withdrawal, craving, and temporary relief. "Addiction is when we begin treating withdrawal with the very thing causing the problem," says Dr. Giles. This makes addiction chemical, emotional, and behavioral.
The Journey Through Addiction
Dr. Giles simplifies addiction into three stages: Fun, Fun with Problems, and Just Problems. It begins as an enhancement, then consequences mount, and eventually, the behavior continues despite harm. This trajectory isn't limited to substances, as emotional eating or overworking can follow the same path.
Raised in an alcoholic household, Dr. Giles became a successful anesthesiologist, but carried an internal void. Medical access led to experimentation, and Fentanyl became his drug of choice. An intervention led him to a recovery program with a 95% success rate.
Redefining Recovery
Detox is only the first step. True recovery is slow and non-linear. Dr. Giles believes in meeting patients where they are, using medication to ease withdrawal and building trust. Many team members are in recovery themselves, creating supportive environments. When the pandemic hit, Dr. Giles led in telehealth for addiction care, reducing relapses and shortening the gap between treatment and reentry.
Emerging therapies, like GLP-1 agonists and TMS, offer hope, but long-term change requires behavior shifts. Anyone can struggle with addiction, and everyone deserves a path out. "We have to stop treating people like problems and start treating them like people," says Dr. Giles.
In This Podcast You’ll Learn…
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The three stages of addiction and how to identify them.
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Why modern society amplifies addictive behaviors.
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How Dr. Giles overcame his own addiction.
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Emerging therapies for addiction treatment.
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The importance of compassion in addiction recovery.
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