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About the Episode

Do you want to experience a greater sense of mental clarity and emotional balance? You may have been told to simply “think positive” to improve your mental well-being, only to find that it doesn’t provide the relief you seek. The pain of feeling isolated and misunderstood while trying to just “think positive” can be overwhelming. But there are alternative solutions that can provide the support and relief you’re looking for.

Dr. Miles Nichols will be revealing powerful techniques to help you attain that desired state of well-being.

Listen now and improve your mental health today!

What We Discuss

In this episode, Dr. Miles Nichols, a functional medicine expert, delves into the transformative potential of breathwork and psychedelics for mental health and overall well-being. Dr. Nichols shares insights on how breathwork can positively impact gut issues, chronic infections, and toxins, while cautioning about the potential challenges for certain individuals. He emphasizes the significance of proper breathing techniques, and tailoring practices based on individual needs. His expertise and actionable insights make this episode a must-listen for those looking to explore alternative pathways to improved mental health and overall well-being.

Discover effective functional medicine interventions

Functional medicine interventions unlock fresh avenues in treating mental illnesses. This approach puts patients in touch with previously unexplored solutions like psychedelic therapy, breathwork, and cold exposure. The curation of these unconventional therapies presents a promising stride toward understanding the interconnectedness of mind and body in the pursuit of your mental well-bei

Unlock the power of breathwork

Learning the art of breathwork can be beneficial to those struggling with various health concerns. Starting with the basic belly breathing can already deliver noteworthy health improvements. Furthermore, understanding different techniques such as Wim Hof breathing, Buteyko breathing, and box breathing can significantly aid in nervous system regulation, anxiety and panic reduction, asthma management, and sleep improvement.

Understand the mental health benefits

Turning intergenerational trauma into intergenerational gifts offers new insights into mental health. With techniques like breathwork, meditation, and brain retraining, there’s the potential to effect significant changes in immune function, nervous system function, and gut health. Delving into these facets raises our awareness and could be pivotal in creating a positive shift in your mental health narrative.

Listen now to start taking care of your mental health today!

Bio

Dr. Miles Nichols is a functional medicine doctor specializing in Lyme, mold illness, gut, thyroid, and autoimmunity. After Dr Miles personally struggled with chronic fatigue in his early 20’s, Dr Miles dedicated himself to figure out the root causes. He suffered with and recovered from thyroid dysfunction, autoimmunity, a gut infection, Lyme co-infections, and mold illness.

Dr Miles has authored two books. He founded the Medicine with Heart functional medicine clinic in Colorado as well as the Medicine with Heart Institute which trains other doctors in functional medicine. Dr Miles has been a featured speaker at national conferences, professional associations, podcasts, and summits.

Resources

Facebook – https://facebook.com/medicinewithheart
Instagram – https://instagram.com/medicinewithheart
Twitter – https://twitter.com/medicinewheart
Functional Medicine Clinic: https://MedicineWithHeart.com
Functional Medicine Training Institute for Practitioners: https://MindBodyFunctionalMedicine.com

Related Episodes

Reverse Depression-like Symptoms, with Dr. Achina Stein
Optimize Your Brain, with Dr. Patrick Porter
Identify Neurodegeneration Early, with Dr. Greg Eckel
De-Stress Using Yoga and Meditation, with Dr. Marianela Lavena
Manage Stress and Become Resilient, with Dr. Stephen Sideroff

Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is comprehensive testing for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses, helping clinicians accurately diagnose and treat these complex infections. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood, Urine, or Ticks

COST

may have a $200 copay

INSURANCE

Covered by most insurance.

Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Galleri® is a multi-cancer early detection test, a blood test that screens for many of the deadliest cancers before they become symptomatic,1,2,3 including those with no recommended screening tests today. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home or in lab.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

$999

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This DNA test analyzes a person’s genetic markers to provide insights into their health and wellness price. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Swab

COST

$299

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is a key tool for assessing the impact of long-term exposure to environmental chemicals. By quantitatively measuring 14 select metabolites, this test helps determine an individual’s toxic burden, offering essential data to guide targeted nutritional and detoxification interventions for improved health outcomes. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$129

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

The Hormone and Urinary Metabolites Assessment Profile (HuMapTM) provides a comprehensive overview of steroid hormones, their metabolites, and the efficiency of the enzymes that metabolize these hormones. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$199

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

INSTRUCTIONS

Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This is a dried urine test for comprehensive hormones to help providers solve complex patient cases. DUTCH is a group of validated tests that provide a complete evaluation of sex and adrenal hormones, including metabolites. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$300

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

INSTRUCTIONS

Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This is a comprehensive stool test that relies on quantitative polymerase chain
reaction (qPCR) technology to detect parasites, bacteria, H. pylori, fungi, and more by targeting the specific DNA of the organisms tested. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Stool

COST

$399

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

INSTRUCTIONS

Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This is a comprehensive test that uses blood and urine to evaluate over 125 biomarkers. It provides recommendations for vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and digestive support. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood and Urine

COST

$179 – $439

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage.

INSTRUCTIONS

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Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Genova’s SIBO Profiles are non-invasive breath tests which capture exhaled hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) gases following patient ingestion of a lactulose solution to evaluate bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Breath

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

COST

$85-$225 depending on insurance coverage. 

Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At Home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$699

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. Repeat test prices $249

Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the genetic profile for multiple health indicators. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood Spot

COST

$319

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted

COLLECTION INSTRUCTIONS

Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This company can test for lyme, babesia, bartonella and additional tick-borne illnesses. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

around $1600 (depends on panel selected)

INSURANCE

Fully covered by Medicare. May be reimbursed with PPO plans.
Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of harmful mycotoxins (toxins produced by molds).

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$310

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates a wide range of environmental toxins that may be leading to harmful health effects.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$199

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins.
Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Blood work for blood count, urinalysis and vitamin levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

NOTES

You often have to fast for these tests-please check your providers notes.

COST

Depending on the test, deductible or copay may apply.

INSURANCE

Depends on insurance coverage, deductible or copay may apply.
Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

Glyphosate (“Round Up”) is a pesticide that is widely used and this test indicates the body’s levels.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Glutathione for 1 week, then bath or sauna.

COST

$99 ($69 if performed with mycotoxins or environmental toxins).

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted $30 discount given if done with mycotoxins or GPL Tox.
Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates many measures including micronutrients, antioxidants, minerals, detox, overview of gut function, omegas and toxic exposure. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home.

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

$150 – $329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

INSTRUCTIONS

Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the gut function and indicates microbiome balance, overgrowth, infection, inflammation, parasites and digestive efficacy. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Stool

COST

$179-$439 depending on insurance coverage.

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

No probiotics for one week.

VIDEO INSTRUCTIONS

Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the full menstrual cycle, female hormones, and adrenal profile.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Urine

COST

$160-$329

INSURANCE

Depending on insurance coverage. Fully covered by Medicare.

NOTES

Must be off hormones in order to do the testing.
Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is specifically for a tick-borne illness called “Bartonella”.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

BLOOD FLUID

Blood

COST

$260

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted
Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test evaluates the presence of potentially harmful heavy metals stored in the body.  Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

SPECIMEN TYPE

Urine

COST

Testing: $79 x2 paid to Doctor’s Data
DMSA: $38 paid to Johnson’s Compounding Pharmacy

INSURANCE

Not covered by Insurance
Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test measures saliva cortisol testing throughout the course of one day and informs us where there might be an adrenal imbalance.

LOCATION PERFORMED

At home

BLOOD FLUID

Saliva

COST

$80

INSURANCE

No insurance coverage

Achieve Optimal Mental Health
Achieve Optimal Mental Health

WHY DO WE DO THIS TEST?

This test is designed to look at food sensitivities (IgG immune responses). It is available in both a 99 or 184 panel. Click here for more information.

LOCATION PERFORMED

In office

SPECIMEN TYPE

Blood

COST

$129-238

INSURANCE

No insurance accepted