Shows
The Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 230 - How You Walk Matters: Movement Disorders that Can Be Mistaken for Parkinson’s diseaseNot every walking problem is Parkinson's disease — and assuming it is can cost patients years of proper treatment. Neurologist and movement disorder specialist Dr. Alexander Schtilbans, assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine and attending physician at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, joins Dr. Dean Mitchell to break down the many conditions that cause abnormal gait, why they're so frequently misdiagnosed, and what a thorough clinical evaluation actually looks like.Dr. Schtilbans walks through a real case featured in the New York Times Magazine Diagnosis column — a 72-year-old man with "magnetic legs" and progressive difficulty walking who had been...
2026-06-3045 min
The Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 229 - New Approach to Chronic Pain: Psychological vs. Physical TreatmentsDr. Dean Mitchell shares his own decades-long struggle with chronic back pain before introducing Dr. David Schechter, a physician based in Los Angeles who trained directly under the late Dr. John Sarno at NYU's Rusk Institute. Dr. Schechter now carries on that work, blending Sarno's foundational ideas with modern neuroscience to treat patients with what he calls neuroplastic symptoms, or what Sarno originally termed tension myositis syndrome (TMS).The conversation covers how chronic pain differs fundamentally from acute pain on a neurological level, why imaging findings like bulging discs are often poor predictors of who actually suffers...
2026-06-2346 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 229 - New Approach to Chronic Pain: Psychological vs. Physical TreatmentsDr. Dean Mitchell shares his own decades-long struggle with chronic back pain before introducing Dr. David Schechter, a physician based in Los Angeles who trained directly under the late Dr. John Sarno at NYU's Rusk Institute. Dr. Schechter now carries on that work, blending Sarno's foundational ideas with modern neuroscience to treat patients with what he calls neuroplastic symptoms, or what Sarno originally termed tension myositis syndrome (TMS).The conversation covers how chronic pain differs fundamentally from acute pain on a neurological level, why imaging findings like bulging discs are often poor predictors of who actually suffers, and how the...
2026-06-2346 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 228 - A Lyme Expert Discusses Why So Many Cases Get MissedDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Kenneth Liegner, an internist and critical care physician who has treated thousands of chronic Lyme patients since the early days of the disease's recognition. Dr. Liegner trained in anatomic pathology, internal medicine, and surgical critical care before opening a general practice in Westchester County, where he found himself in the middle of one of the most contested debates in modern medicine.The conversation traces how Dr. Liegner came to understand that Lyme disease could follow a relapsing, persistent course, and why that conclusion put him at odds with mainstream infectious disease guidelines. He...
2026-06-1651 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 228 - A Lyme Expert Discusses Why So Many Cases Get MissedDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Kenneth Liegner, an internist and critical care physician who has treated thousands of chronic Lyme patients since the early days of the disease's recognition. Dr. Liegner trained in anatomic pathology, internal medicine, and surgical critical care before opening a general practice in Westchester County, where he found himself in the middle of one of the most contested debates in modern medicine.The conversation traces how Dr. Liegner came to understand that Lyme disease could follow a relapsing, persistent course, and why that conclusion put him at odds with mainstream infectious...
2026-06-1651 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 227 - Cure for Childhood DeafnessDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Lawrence Lustig, Howard W. Smith Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University, to discuss a gene therapy called Otofarmaní that has recently received FDA approval for a rare genetic form of deafness caused by mutations in the otoferlin gene. Dr. Lustig, one of the lead investigators in the clinical trial, explains how the therapy works, why this particular form of deafness made it a viable candidate, and what the results looked like across their first 12 patients.The conversation covers the decades of foundational science that made this possible, f...
2026-06-0934 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 227 - Cure for Childhood DeafnessDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Lawrence Lustig, Howard W. Smith Professor and Chair of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Columbia University, to discuss a gene therapy called Otofarmaní that has recently received FDA approval for a rare genetic form of deafness caused by mutations in the otoferlin gene. Dr. Lustig, one of the lead investigators in the clinical trial, explains how the therapy works, why this particular form of deafness made it a viable candidate, and what the results looked like across their first 12 patients.The conversation covers the decades of foundational science that m...
2026-06-0934 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 226 - The HRT Truth: Why Everything You Were Told About Menopause Was WrongFor decades, hormone replacement therapy carried a stigma rooted in a flawed study that left millions of women suffering through menopause without support. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Gillian Goddard, endocrinologist and author of The Hormone Loop, to untangle the science and set the record straight.They cover why the Women's Health Initiative study has been widely misinterpreted, what actually happens hormonally during perimenopause and menopause, and why the timing of when a woman starts HRT matters more than most doctors discuss. Dr. Goddard explains the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, why transdermal estrogen is preferred over...
2026-06-0240 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 226 - The HRT Truth: Why Everything You Were Told About Menopause Was WrongFor decades, hormone replacement therapy carried a stigma rooted in a flawed study that left millions of women suffering through menopause without support. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Gillian Goddard, endocrinologist and author of The Hormone Loop, to untangle the science and set the record straight.They cover why the Women's Health Initiative study has been widely misinterpreted, what actually happens hormonally during perimenopause and menopause, and why the timing of when a woman starts HRT matters more than most doctors discuss. Dr. Goddard explains the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones, why transdermal estrogen...
2026-06-0240 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 225 - Why Environmental Toxins and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Matter in Chronic IllnessDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Morrison to explore how functional and integrative medicine approaches complex chronic illness. Their conversation covers Lyme disease, digestive disorders, environmental toxin exposure, and the growing concern around endocrine-disrupting chemicals, microplastics, and mitochondrial dysfunction.Dr. Morrison shares how his background in environmental medicine and his work with Dr. Atkins shaped his clinical approach. The discussion looks at testing for heavy metals and toxins, the role of gut health in recovery, and therapies including ozone treatment, EBOO blood filtration, red light therapy, nutritional IVs, and peptides. Dr. Mitchell also reflects on his own path...
2026-05-2649 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 225 - Why Environmental Toxins and Mitochondrial Dysfunction Matter in Chronic IllnessDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Morrison to explore how functional and integrative medicine approaches complex chronic illness. Their conversation covers Lyme disease, digestive disorders, environmental toxin exposure, and the growing concern around endocrine-disrupting chemicals, microplastics, and mitochondrial dysfunction.Dr. Morrison shares how his background in environmental medicine and his work with Dr. Atkins shaped his clinical approach. The discussion looks at testing for heavy metals and toxins, the role of gut health in recovery, and therapies including ozone treatment, EBOO blood filtration, red light therapy, nutritional IVs, and peptides. Dr. Mitchell also reflects on...
2026-05-2649 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 224 - Using a Home Narrowband UV Light to Treat Autoimmune DiseasesDr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Professor Prue Hart, an international expert in photoimmunology from the Kids Research Institute in Australia, who has spent 30 years studying how UV light interacts with the human immune system. Their conversation covers the science behind why the skin, as the body's largest immune organ, can generate systemic effects well beyond where light is applied.Professor Hart explains her clinical trial using narrowband UVB therapy in patients with clinically isolated syndrome, an early precursor to multiple sclerosis. The trial, which enrolled 20 drug-free patients, tracked immune cell function, inflammatory protein markers, and patient wellbeing over 12 months. The...
2026-05-1951 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 224 - Using a Home Narrowband UV Light to Treat Autoimmune DiseasesDr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Professor Prue Hart, an international expert in photoimmunology from the Kids Research Institute in Australia, who has spent 30 years studying how UV light interacts with the human immune system. Their conversation covers the science behind why the skin, as the body's largest immune organ, can generate systemic effects well beyond where light is applied.Professor Hart explains her clinical trial using narrowband UVB therapy in patients with clinically isolated syndrome, an early precursor to multiple sclerosis. The trial, which enrolled 20 drug-free patients, tracked immune cell function, inflammatory protein markers, and patient wellbeing...
2026-05-1951 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 223 - Auto Brewery Syndrome: When Your Gut Produces Alcohol Without a Single DrinkDr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Dr. Barbara Cordell, author of "My Gut Makes Alcohol" and a researcher with over 30 published academic papers, including three specifically on auto brewery syndrome. Dr. Cordell brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation, having navigated the condition through her husband's years-long medical ordeal before a diagnosis was ever reached.The discussion covers what auto brewery syndrome actually is, which organisms are responsible for fermentation in the gut, and why factors like antibiotic use, high-carbohydrate diets, proton pump inhibitors, and processed food intake appear to create conditions for the syndrome to develop. Dr...
2026-05-1239 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 223 - Auto Brewery Syndrome: When Your Gut Produces Alcohol Without a Single DrinkDr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Dr. Barbara Cordell, author of "My Gut Makes Alcohol" and a researcher with over 30 published academic papers, including three specifically on auto brewery syndrome. Dr. Cordell brings both professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation, having navigated the condition through her husband's years-long medical ordeal before a diagnosis was ever reached.The discussion covers what auto brewery syndrome actually is, which organisms are responsible for fermentation in the gut, and why factors like antibiotic use, high-carbohydrate diets, proton pump inhibitors, and processed food intake appear to create conditions for the syndrome...
2026-05-1239 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 222 - Poisoned: One Attorney's Battle With Toxin Exposure and How He Survived and Is Now Making a DifferenceDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Alan Bell, a practicing attorney who spent years in a wheelchair tethered to an oxygen tank after a debilitating toxic chemical exposure left him unrecognized and undiagnosed by hundreds of physicians, including specialists at Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and the National Jewish Immune Hospital. Bell's story moves from early flu-like symptoms to grand mal seizures, extreme chemical hypersensitivity, and years of near-total isolation in a specially built structure in the desert.Bell details his time at the Environmental Health Center in Dallas under Dr. William Rea, a self-contained treatment facility that served patients with...
2026-05-0548 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 222 - Poisoned: One Attorney's Battle With Toxin Exposure and How He Survived and Is Now Making a DifferenceDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Alan Bell, a practicing attorney who spent years in a wheelchair tethered to an oxygen tank after a debilitating toxic chemical exposure left him unrecognized and undiagnosed by hundreds of physicians, including specialists at Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and the National Jewish Immune Hospital. Bell's story moves from early flu-like symptoms to grand mal seizures, extreme chemical hypersensitivity, and years of near-total isolation in a specially built structure in the desert.Bell details his time at the Environmental Health Center in Dallas under Dr. William Rea, a self-contained treatment facility that...
2026-05-0548 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 221 - From Antihistamines to Immunotherapy: A Practical Plan for Managing Seasonal AllergiesDr. Dean Mitchell walks through a complete approach to seasonal allergy management, starting with why certain antihistamines are better suited for spring pollen symptoms than others. He explains the differences between first and second-generation antihistamines, flags specific drug combinations to avoid, and covers proper technique for nasal sprays and eye drops, including common mistakes that reduce effectiveness or cause harm over time.The conversation then shifts to the longer-term option most patients never hear about. Dr. Mitchell shares the history behind sublingual allergy drops, how they work through gradual immune desensitization, and why he transitioned away from...
2026-04-2819 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 221 - From Antihistamines to Immunotherapy: A Practical Plan for Managing Seasonal AllergiesDr. Dean Mitchell walks through a complete approach to seasonal allergy management, starting with why certain antihistamines are better suited for spring pollen symptoms than others. He explains the differences between first and second-generation antihistamines, flags specific drug combinations to avoid, and covers proper technique for nasal sprays and eye drops, including common mistakes that reduce effectiveness or cause harm over time.The conversation then shifts to the longer-term option most patients never hear about. Dr. Mitchell shares the history behind sublingual allergy drops, how they work through gradual immune desensitization, and why he transitioned away from allergy injections after...
2026-04-2819 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 220 - How Your Diet is Affected by Your Specific Gene VariationsDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy, professor and research chair in nutrigenomics at the University of Toronto and founder of Nutrigenomix, to examine why individuals respond so differently to the same foods, and what genetic testing can now tell us about those differences.The conversation moves through four key genes studied in the field. The MTHFR gene, which affects folate metabolism in roughly a third of the population, is addressed directly, including why it has been overhyped and what the clinical evidence actually supports regarding methylated supplements and homocysteine. The ACE gene and its connection to salt-sensitive...
2026-04-2156 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 220 - How Your Diet is Affected by Your Specific Gene VariationsDr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Ahmed El-Sohemy, professor and research chair in nutrigenomics at the University of Toronto and founder of Nutrigenomix, to examine why individuals respond so differently to the same foods, and what genetic testing can now tell us about those differences.The conversation moves through four key genes studied in the field. The MTHFR gene, which affects folate metabolism in roughly a third of the population, is addressed directly, including why it has been overhyped and what the clinical evidence actually supports regarding methylated supplements and homocysteine. The ACE gene and its...
2026-04-2156 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 219 - The Hidden Meaning of Itching: When Your Skin is Trying to Tell You SomethingDr. Dean Mitchell takes a closer look at pruritus, a symptom often dismissed but capable of significantly disrupting sleep, focus, and quality of life. He explains how itching is not just a skin issue, but a neurological signal that can reflect irritation, inflammation, or deeper systemic concerns.The conversation walks through common causes such as contact dermatitis, eczema, and allergic reactions, as well as less obvious contributors including infections, medications, and environmental exposures. Dr. Mitchell also highlights how certain conditions like liver dysfunction, kidney disease, blood disorders, and even malignancies can present with persistent itching.He outlines key warning signs...
2026-04-1426 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 219 - The Hidden Meaning of Itching: When Your Skin is Trying to Tell You SomethingDr. Dean Mitchell takes a closer look at pruritus, a symptom often dismissed but capable of significantly disrupting sleep, focus, and quality of life. He explains how itching is not just a skin issue, but a neurological signal that can reflect irritation, inflammation, or deeper systemic concerns.The conversation walks through common causes such as contact dermatitis, eczema, and allergic reactions, as well as less obvious contributors including infections, medications, and environmental exposures. Dr. Mitchell also highlights how certain conditions like liver dysfunction, kidney disease, blood disorders, and even malignancies can present with persistent itching....
2026-04-1426 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 218 - Mold Allergy vs Mold Toxicity: Q&A from Dr. Mitchell WebinarDr. Dean Mitchell opens a live Q&A by walking through one of the most misunderstood issues he sees in practice: mold toxicity. Drawing from decades in immunology and allergy, he explains how mold toxicity differs from a typical mold allergy and why many patients are told they are “fine” despite ongoing symptoms.The conversation moves through real patient patterns, including how mold exposure can affect multiple systems in the body, why symptoms can vary widely, and how biofilms and mycotoxins complicate treatment. Dr. Mitchell also shares how he approaches diagnosis, including the role of urine mycotoxin testing and why stan...
2026-04-0752 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 218 - Mold Allergy vs Mold Toxicity: Q&A from Dr. Mitchell WebinarDr. Dean Mitchell opens a live Q&A by walking through one of the most misunderstood issues he sees in practice: mold toxicity. Drawing from decades in immunology and allergy, he explains how mold toxicity differs from a typical mold allergy and why many patients are told they are “fine” despite ongoing symptoms.The conversation moves through real patient patterns, including how mold exposure can affect multiple systems in the body, why symptoms can vary widely, and how biofilms and mycotoxins complicate treatment. Dr. Mitchell also shares how he approaches diagnosis, including the role of urine mycotoxin test...
2026-04-0752 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 217 - How Blood Pressure Medications Should Be Chosen for Each PatientDr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Dr. Samuel Mann, a longtime hypertension specialist and former professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, about why managing high blood pressure is often more complex than standard guidelines suggest. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Mann explains how hypertension varies from patient to patient and why choosing the right medication requires more than a routine approach.The conversation explores the major mechanisms behind hypertension, including salt sensitivity, the renin-angiotensin system, and the role of the sympathetic nervous system. Dr. Mann outlines practical clinical clues such as age, race, and plasma renin activity that can...
2026-03-311h 08The Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 217 - How Blood Pressure Medications Should Be Chosen for Each PatientDr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Dr. Samuel Mann, a longtime hypertension specialist and former professor at Weill Cornell Medical College, about why managing high blood pressure is often more complex than standard guidelines suggest. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Mann explains how hypertension varies from patient to patient and why choosing the right medication requires more than a routine approach.The conversation explores the major mechanisms behind hypertension, including salt sensitivity, the renin-angiotensin system, and the role of the sympathetic nervous system. Dr. Mann outlines practical clinical clues such as age, race, and plasma renin...
2026-03-311h 08The Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 216 - What It’s Really Like Growing Up With Food Allergies TodayFood allergies are more than a diagnosis. For many families, they shape daily life, decision making, and a constant awareness of risk that never fully turns off.Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with 12 year old advocate Zacky Muñoz and his mother Priscilla for a conversation that brings that reality into focus. Zacky shares what it’s like to grow up managing food allergies, from everyday challenges to the moments that pushed him to speak up and take action.What started as a personal experience has turned into something much bigger. Through his work on the Zacky Fast Act in Cal...
2026-03-2435 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 216 - What It’s Really Like Growing Up With Food Allergies TodayFood allergies are more than a diagnosis. For many families, they shape daily life, decision making, and a constant awareness of risk that never fully turns off.Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with 12 year old advocate Zacky Muñoz and his mother Priscilla for a conversation that brings that reality into focus. Zacky shares what it’s like to grow up managing food allergies, from everyday challenges to the moments that pushed him to speak up and take action.What started as a personal experience has turned into something much bigger. Through his work on the...
2026-03-2435 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 215 - When a Common Medication Becomes DangerousDr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Canadian toxicologist Dr. David Juurlink about how medical toxicology works in real clinical settings, from emergency departments and ICUs to poison center consultations involving overdoses, drug reactions, and complex diagnostic puzzles. The conversation explains how toxicologists evaluate poisoned patients, what physicians look for during physical exams, and how certain patterns known as toxidromes can point toward specific types of poisoning.A major focus of the discussion is the danger hidden within common medications. Acetaminophen poisoning remains one of the most frequent toxicology consults worldwide, and excessive doses can lead to serious liver injury. The conversation...
2026-03-1754 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 215 - When a Common Medication Becomes DangerousDr. Dean Mitchell speaks with Canadian toxicologist Dr. David Juurlink about how medical toxicology works in real clinical settings, from emergency departments and ICUs to poison center consultations involving overdoses, drug reactions, and complex diagnostic puzzles. The conversation explains how toxicologists evaluate poisoned patients, what physicians look for during physical exams, and how certain patterns known as toxidromes can point toward specific types of poisoning.A major focus of the discussion is the danger hidden within common medications. Acetaminophen poisoning remains one of the most frequent toxicology consults worldwide, and excessive doses can lead to serious liver...
2026-03-1754 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 213 - How to Test Your Home for Mold Without Paying for a Full Inspection YetToday’s conversation is a practical starting point for anyone who suspects mold might be affecting their health, but isn’t sure how to prove it or what steps to take next. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with J.W. Biava, founder of Immunolytics, to break down what at home mold testing can actually tell you about the air you’re breathing.They walk through how mold plate testing works, how to place the plates, what “total count” means, and why some of the most concerning mold problems can be completely hidden. J.W. also explains when tap testing makes sense for...
2026-03-0348 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 213 - How to Test Your Home for Mold Without Paying for a Full Inspection YetToday’s conversation is a practical starting point for anyone who suspects mold might be affecting their health, but isn’t sure how to prove it or what steps to take next. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with J.W. Biava, founder of Immunolytics, to break down what at home mold testing can actually tell you about the air you’re breathing.They walk through how mold plate testing works, how to place the plates, what “total count” means, and why some of the most concerning mold problems can be completely hidden. J.W. also explains when tap testin...
2026-03-0348 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 212 - What Your Hair Can Tell You About Your HealthFor more than 30 years in practice, Dr. Dean Mitchell never used hair analysis in his diagnostic workups. He wasn’t convinced it was reliable or clinically useful. That changed after reading a New York Times investigation into wildfire-exposed families in Los Angeles and the role hair testing played in uncovering toxic exposure patterns.In this conversation, Dr. Mitchell speaks with Dr. Manish Arora, Vice Chair of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Founder of LinusBio. Dr. Arora explains how a single strand of hair can function as a “molecular movie,” capturing hourly...
2026-02-2455 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 212 - What Your Hair Can Tell You About Your HealthFor more than 30 years in practice, Dr. Dean Mitchell never used hair analysis in his diagnostic workups. He wasn’t convinced it was reliable or clinically useful. That changed after reading a New York Times investigation into wildfire-exposed families in Los Angeles and the role hair testing played in uncovering toxic exposure patterns.In this conversation, Dr. Mitchell speaks with Dr. Manish Arora, Vice Chair of Environmental Medicine and Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Founder of LinusBio. Dr. Arora explains how a single strand of hair can function as a “mole...
2026-02-2455 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 211 - An AI Algorhithm To Help You Choose The Best Supplements For YouToxic mold, long COVID, vaccine injury, mast cell activation, and the patients who seem to react to everything. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Keith Berkowitz and Dr. Ariana Ventrella for a wide ranging conversation about why complex cases keep getting more complex, why the nervous system and fight or flight can become the rate limiting factor in healing, and what it looks like to rebuild safety and tolerance over time.They also get into where medicine got stuck during COVID, why timing matters with steroids and other treatments, and the questions many patients still have...
2026-02-171h 03The Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 211 - An AI Algorhithm To Help You Choose The Best Supplements For YouToxic mold, long COVID, vaccine injury, mast cell activation, and the patients who seem to react to everything. Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Keith Berkowitz and Dr. Ariana Ventrella for a wide ranging conversation about why complex cases keep getting more complex, why the nervous system and fight or flight can become the rate limiting factor in healing, and what it looks like to rebuild safety and tolerance over time.They also get into where medicine got stuck during COVID, why timing matters with steroids and other treatments, and the questions many patients still have about boosters and...
2026-02-171h 03The Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 210 - At Home Vaginitis Testing That Can Actually Tell You What’s Going OnVaginal discomfort is one of the most common reasons people seek care, and Dr. Dean Mitchell and Dr. Kate McLean get honest about why vaginitis is so often misdiagnosed and why symptoms so often come right back after treatment.They break down how most office based testing works, why standard PCR panels can miss key bacteria like Gardnerella, and how Evvy’s next generation sequencing approach looks at the full vaginal microbiome instead of a short checklist. The conversation also covers what a healthy vaginal microbiome actually looks like, why lactobacillus dominance matters, and why higher vaginal mi...
2026-02-1056 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 210 - At Home Vaginitis Testing That Can Actually Tell You What’s Going OnVaginal discomfort is one of the most common reasons people seek care, and Dr. Dean Mitchell and Dr. Kate McLean get honest about why vaginitis is so often misdiagnosed and why symptoms so often come right back after treatment.They break down how most office based testing works, why standard PCR panels can miss key bacteria like Gardnerella, and how Evvy’s next generation sequencing approach looks at the full vaginal microbiome instead of a short checklist. The conversation also covers what a healthy vaginal microbiome actually looks like, why lactobacillus dominance matters, and why higher vaginal microbiome diversity is of...
2026-02-1056 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 209 - When Bad Fish Mimics a Heart Attack: What You Need to Know About Scombroid PoisoningA healthy 65-year-old man eats raw tuna and within an hour ends up in the emergency room with dangerously low blood pressure, severe gastrointestinal symptoms, and EKG changes that look like a heart attack. What happened next surprised even his doctors.Dr. Dean Mitchell walks through a real case published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that highlights a lesser known but serious foodborne illness called scombroid poisoning. Often mistaken for an allergic reaction or cardiac event, this condition is caused by high levels of histamine in improperly stored fish and can lead to shock...
2026-02-0314 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 209 - When Bad Fish Mimics a Heart Attack: What You Need to Know About Scombroid PoisoningA healthy 65-year-old man eats raw tuna and within an hour ends up in the emergency room with dangerously low blood pressure, severe gastrointestinal symptoms, and EKG changes that look like a heart attack. What happened next surprised even his doctors.Dr. Dean Mitchell walks through a real case published in the Journal of the American Medical Association that highlights a lesser known but serious foodborne illness called scombroid poisoning. Often mistaken for an allergic reaction or cardiac event, this condition is caused by high levels of histamine in improperly stored fish and can lead to shock, respiratory failure, and...
2026-02-0314 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 208 - Is Medical Intuition Real or Just BS? A Conversation With Catherine CarriganToday’s conversation steps a little outside the usual hardcore medical lane, but it may be just as important. Dr. Dean Mitchell explores medical intuition and the big question many listeners are already asking: is it believable, or is it BS?His guest is Catherine Carrigan, a professional health intuitive and holistic healer, and she explains what a medical intuitive actually is and how she approaches healing across what she calls five levels: physical, energetic, emotional, mental, and spiritual. They talk about how her work can complement traditional medicine, why environment and nutrition matter, and why healing ca...
2026-01-2755 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 208 - Is Medical Intuition Real or Just BS? A Conversation With Catherine CarriganToday’s conversation steps a little outside the usual hardcore medical lane, but it may be just as important. Dr. Dean Mitchell explores medical intuition and the big question many listeners are already asking: is it believable, or is it BS?His guest is Catherine Carrigan, a professional health intuitive and holistic healer, and she explains what a medical intuitive actually is and how she approaches healing across what she calls five levels: physical, energetic, emotional, mental, and spiritual. They talk about how her work can complement traditional medicine, why environment and nutrition matter, and why healing can get blocked wh...
2026-01-2756 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 207 - Are Cancer Detecting Blood Tests Ready For Prime Time? Here’s What The Galleri Test Can Actually DoAre cancer detecting blood tests finally ready for real world use? Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Eric Klein, a distinguished scientist at GRAIL and former Cleveland Clinic chair, to walk through the promise and the limits of the Galleri multi cancer early detection blood test. They break down how the test looks for cancer related DNA using methylation patterns, why it can often predict where a cancer started, and what happens next if a cancer signal is detected. You’ll also hear how Galleri fits alongside standard screenings like mammograms, colonoscopy, PSA, and Cologuard, plus a clear ex...
2026-01-2053 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 207 - Are Cancer Detecting Blood Tests Ready For Prime Time? Here’s What The Galleri Test Can Actually DoAre cancer detecting blood tests finally ready for real world use? Dr. Dean Mitchell sits down with Dr. Eric Klein, a distinguished scientist at GRAIL and former Cleveland Clinic chair, to walk through the promise and the limits of the Galleri multi cancer early detection blood test. They break down how the test looks for cancer related DNA using methylation patterns, why it can often predict where a cancer started, and what happens next if a cancer signal is detected. You’ll also hear how Galleri fits alongside standard screenings like mammograms, colonoscopy, PSA, and Cologuard, plus a clear explanation of...
2026-01-2053 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 206 - Why Lyme Disease Is So Hard to Cure With Chronic Lyme Expert Dr. Richard HorowitzJoin Dr. Dean Mitchell on The Smartest Doctor In The Room as he sits down with chronic Lyme expert Dr. Richard Horowitz to explore why Lyme disease can be so difficult to diagnose and treat. Dr. Horowitz shares the history of Lyme disease, explains why standard antibiotic treatments often fall short, and breaks down the science behind biofilms, persistent infections, and chronic inflammation.The conversation addresses the controversy around Lyme testing, why blood work alone can miss the diagnosis, and how Lyme is ultimately a clinical diagnosis. Dr. Horowitz also introduces his MSIDS model, a comprehensive framework...
2026-01-131h 01The Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 206 - Why Lyme Disease Is So Hard to Cure With Chronic Lyme Expert Dr. Richard HorowitzJoin Dr. Dean Mitchell on The Smartest Doctor In The Room as he sits down with chronic Lyme expert Dr. Richard Horowitz to explore why Lyme disease can be so difficult to diagnose and treat. Dr. Horowitz shares the history of Lyme disease, explains why standard antibiotic treatments often fall short, and breaks down the science behind biofilms, persistent infections, and chronic inflammation.The conversation addresses the controversy around Lyme testing, why blood work alone can miss the diagnosis, and how Lyme is ultimately a clinical diagnosis. Dr. Horowitz also introduces his MSIDS model, a comprehensive framework that examines multiple...
2026-01-131h 01The Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 205 - Why Dizziness Is Not Always Benign A Neurologist Explains Causes and Red FlagsDizziness is one of the most common symptoms patients experience, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room, Dr. Dean Mitchell is joined by neurologist and dizziness specialist Dr. Amir Kheradmand to explain what dizziness really means, why it is so difficult to diagnose, and when it may signal a more serious condition.The conversation breaks down the key differences between dizziness, vertigo, and lightheadedness, why medications like meclizine are often outdated, and how careful history taking and eye movement exams can help determine whether symptoms...
2026-01-0654 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 205 - Why Dizziness Is Not Always Benign A Neurologist Explains Causes and Red FlagsDizziness is one of the most common symptoms patients experience, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of The Smartest Doctor In The Room, Dr. Dean Mitchell is joined by neurologist and dizziness specialist Dr. Amir Kheradmand to explain what dizziness really means, why it is so difficult to diagnose, and when it may signal a more serious condition.The conversation breaks down the key differences between dizziness, vertigo, and lightheadedness, why medications like meclizine are often outdated, and how careful history taking and eye movement exams can help determine whether symptoms are coming from...
2026-01-0654 minThe Smartest Doctor in the RoomEp. 204 - How Medicine Has Changed in 25 Years and What Doctors Must Never LoseJoin Dr. Dean Mitchell on The Smartest Doctor In The Room as he reflects on more than 25 years in medical practice and explores how medicine has evolved and what should never be lost along the way. From handwritten charts and prescription pads to electronic records, telehealth, and AI driven information, Dr. Mitchell shares firsthand insights into how technology has transformed the doctor patient relationship for better and for worse.In this thoughtful conversation, he discusses the importance of eye contact, physical exams, careful history taking, and genuine human connection in an era of screens, shortcuts, and online...
2025-12-3021 min