284: Healing Addiction Now - with Jason Giles
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
Release Date: 05/16/2025
BIOptimizers - Awesome Health Podcast
We all want to age with vitality and independence. Yet, there's a stark statistic looming over Americans: 1 in 3 people over 65 will suffer a fall. This "overlooked aging crisis" isn't just about a broken bone; it's often the starting point for a decline in health, confidence, and independence. According to Dr. Alan Rozanski, a distinguished professor of medicine, the solution isn't a new drug or a complex medical procedure. It's a proactive, powerful strategy he calls "muscle care." The Real Reason We Fall The primary driver behind this crisis is a natural process that we've accepted for too...
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Keith Yackey is a 20-year veteran of high-performance philosophy and the founder of Married Game. His journey was forged in failure. "Jesse left 8 years ago. I messed up this relationship. I was selfish." When Yackey met his wife, he was "185 pounds of tiger meat wrapped in barbed wire." Five years later, he was 250 pounds. The man she married was gone. Only after doing the hard work did other high-performers start noticing his "code." What is that code? Your marriage, health, and business reflect your personal standard. The Health and Marriage Connection Why do successful men fail at home?...
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The Quest for Harmony Born amid the chaos of World War II, Udo Erasmus's journey began with trauma and survival. Fleeing Poland as a child, dodging bullets and bombs, he experienced fear, hunger, and deep mistrust in the world. By age six, he was already wondering, "There must be a way people can live in harmony." That question became the compass of his life. As Erasmus grew, so did his search for answers. He studied science, biology, psychology, and medicine, only to find these disciplines offered fragmented insights—not the holistic understanding he craved. Psychology taught thoughts and...
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Perimenopause is a significant transition for many women, bringing with it a series of hormonal and physical challenges, including often-unexplained weight gain, particularly around the midsection. Health expert Chemaine Linnie, a certified hormone specialist and fitness coach, offers valuable insights from her own 165-pound weight loss journey and years of guiding women through this hormonal shift. Rock Bottom to Transformation Chemaine's personal journey began at her lowest point as a teenage mother in Dublin, weighing 280 pounds. A pivotal moment—her sister cutting her out of a...
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In the wellness world, many chase surface-level fixes, like creams, cleanses, and crash diets, while ignoring the internal systems that actually drive energy, detoxification, and glow. Cathy Goldstein, a holistic practitioner with over 40 years of experience, sees the body differently. She believes the real fix lies in supporting two overlooked systems: fascia and lymph. Cathy describes most people as walking around with a “traffic jam of toxins.” This buildup in the fascia and lymphatic system can lead to puffiness, swelling, fatigue, dull skin, and even emotional heaviness. Fascia is...
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In today’s world, many people struggle with weight gain, a slow metabolism, brain fog, and difficulty building muscle, despite healthy diets and exercise. Health expert Sarah Banta says the cause is often in thyroid and liver health. Her insights, shared on a podcast with Wade Lightheart, highlight how these organs regulate metabolism, fat burning, and muscle building. When these organs are not working well due to toxins, stress, or poor nutrition, the body may have trouble losing fat and gaining muscle. Thyroid: Metabolic Master Switch The thyroid controls how the body makes energy. It...
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The high-tech world of biohacking often focuses on physical factors for longevity, like supplements and cold plunges. However, author and biohacker Tony Wrighton suggests that mindset plays a more significant role. Drawing from his experience in behavior change and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Tony reveals that our beliefs about aging may impact lifespan more than diet or exercise. A Yale University study supports this idea, showing that individuals with a negative mindset towards aging live 7.5 years shorter than those with a positive outlook. This effect is more detrimental than...
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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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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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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...
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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