Mast Cell Matters: Deep dives on MCAS with Tania Dempsey, MD - Presented by The POTScast

Tania Dempsey, MD with Jill Brook, MA
  • 4.9 (36)
  • MEDICINE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Each episode is a deep dive on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) with a top physician, researcher or other expert who specializes in treating patients with MCAS. Hosted by Johns-Hopkins-trained world renowned specialist Tania Dempsey, MD, we take a practical approach to helping doctors and patients better manage MCAS. We cover the symptoms, testing, diagnosis, treatment, challenges, practical strategies, common comorbidities (e.g., POTS, hypermobility spectrum disorders, ME/CFS, autoimmunity, GI dysmotility), latest research findings and clinical pearls. These episodes are a monthly feature of The POTScast, presented by Standing Up to POTS, a non-profit dedicated to improving life for those with POTS and related chronic illness. Check out our full podcast — with other types of great episodes — at ThePOTScast.com.

  1. JAN 13

    Neurogastroenterologist Zac Spiritos, MD, MPH with Dr. Tania Dempsey

    Dr. Spiritos is double board certified in gastroenterologist and internal medicine, and specializes in IBS, gut motility, POTS and the complex conditions and symptoms that go along with it.  He and Dr. Dempsey discuss IBS, parasites, SIBO, CD117 staining, GLP-1 drugs for MCAS, his treatment approach, some promising news on the awareness front, and much more.   Dr. Spiritos's website is here Dr. Dempsey's website is here  If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs  https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org! Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/

    1h 2m

  2. 12/15/2025

    Dr. Dempsey on cutting edge treatments she is seeing help complex patients

    One of the most common questions we get from listeners is about the novel treatments that Dr. Dempsey mentions, such as therapeutic plasmapheresis exchange (or apheresis), SOT, ozone therapy, UV light blood irradiation and more.  In this episode she discusses each treatment:  What it is, how it works, the risks and benefits, who is a good candidate, and more. More information about Dr. Tania Dempsey and her clinic can be found at https://drtaniadempsey.com/.  If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs  https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org! Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

    1h 5m

  3. 11/17/2025

    Dr. Eboni Cornish on root causes of brain inflammation

    This is a not-to-be-missed episode for anyone interested in brain inflammation.  Dr. Eboni Cornish, M.D. is Associate Medical Director at Amen Clinics, Fellow and Treasurer of the Board for the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS). With research training at the National Institutes of Health as a Howard Hughes Medical Fellow, she is nationally recognized for her evidence-based work in neuroinflammation, autism, chronic toxicity, and complex chronic illnesses, including autoimmune disease, Lyme, PANS/PANDAS, mold illness, CIRS, and long COVID among others. At Amen Clinics, she integrates SPECT brain imaging with advanced biomarker testing to uncover root-cause brain imbalances and has created the Amen Clinics 2-Week Neurointensive Program for complex neuroimmune disorders. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. Cornish is dedicated to advancing brain and body longevity while translating complex science into practical, patient-centered strategies. In this episode she and Dr. Dempsey discuss neuroinflammation, the role of limbic system, gut imbalances, chronic infections and MCAS. Dr. Dempsey's website is here. If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs  https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org! Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

    48 min

  4. 10/26/2025

    Jill Krapf on painful sex, vulvovaginal disorders and mast cells with Dr. Tania Dempsey

    Dr. Jill Krapf is a Board-Certified OB/GYN who specializes in genitopelvic pain and skin conditions, is founder of the Center for Vulvovaginal Disorders and co-author of the book When Sex Hurts: Understanding and Healing Pelvic Pain.  She is a wealth of knowledge and with Dr. Dempsey they discuss the mechanisms behind these disorders, treatments, plus their findings about how mast cells may be involved.   Dr. Dempsey's website is here If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs  https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org! Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

    48 min

  5. 09/14/2025

    Dr. Greg Plotnikoff on favorite new findings, a thiamin theory and more

    Dr. Greg Plotnikoff is a thought leader in dysautonomia/MCAS and complex chronic illness and in this episode he is freshly returned from giving two presentations at the Dysautonomia International Conference.  He and Dr. Dempsey discuss what he learned and what he is currently excited/hopeful about, including new data about hypermobility as a potential underlying factor and a theory about how thiamin could play a role in dysautonomia.  Dr. Plotnikoff's article about 7 important questions to answer for symptomatic patients on a plant-based diet is here. Dr. Plotnikoff's website is here. Dr. Dempsey's website is here. If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs  https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org! Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/

    50 min

  6. 08/16/2025

    MCAS symptoms “down there” with Dr. Tania Dempsey

    MCAS doesn't ignore the nether-regions, so in this episode, Dr. Dempsey discusses symptoms and treatments in the genitourinary and surrounding areas, including some novel uses of antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers, as described in this research article.  She also answers listener questions about hormones, hormone replacement, reactions to ultrasounds and ultrasound gel (this is the gel with fewer known allergens), and more. Dr. Dempsey's website is here: https://drtaniadempsey.com/ If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs  https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org! Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/ Medical Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have health related issues, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice, and treatment that you need. Standing Up to POTS will not be liable for any direct, indirect, or other damages arising from the use of this podcast.

    50 min

  7. 07/07/2025

    Todd Maderis, ND on latest tests and treatments for underlying causes

    Dr. Todd Maderis is a naturopathic physician in Marin, CA, who began his career in environmental medicine and now specializes in helping complex patients by searching for the root causes of their illness.  He and Dr. Dempsey discuss their hypotheses about how and why some patients can get so sick, their favorite newer tests and treatments -- including genetic testing, SOT, phosphatidylcholine -- and how excess fibrin production may contribute to excessive blood coagulation and biofilms that help infections hide from treatment.  And much more!  Drs. Maderis and Dempsey cover a wide range of topics and compare notes on their approaches to helping the most complex patients. Dr. Maderis's website and blog is here. Dr. Dempsey's website is here  If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs  https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org! Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/TheStandingUpToPOTS/

    1h 3m

  8. 06/10/2025

    Dr. Alexis Cutchins on venous compressions, POTS, MCAS, MALS and more

    This is an excellent discussion for patients and practitioners alike who are interested in the connections between MCAS, POTS, venous compression, pelvic venous disorder, and MALS.  Cardiologist Dr. Cutchins and Dr. Tania Dempsey share tons of information plus their latest thinking on how to treat patients with these complex presentations, including an in-depth conversation about how MCAS patients are faring with stenting procedures for venous compressions. You can follow Dr. Cutchins on Instagram at @drcutchins Dr. Cutchins’s website is here. Dr. Dempey’s website is here.  If you liked this episode, we hope you will click subscribe so that you don't miss an episode. If you are so moved, donations are accepted to help to support our production costs  https://www.standinguptopots.org/donate Tell us what you think of The POTScast or send us your idea at info@standinguptopots.org! Find out more about Standing Up to POTS! Check us out on our Website: www.standinguptopots.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/standinguptopots/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/standinguptopots/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/POTSActivist Pintrest:

    53 min
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4.9
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Each episode is a deep dive on Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) with a top physician, researcher or other expert who specializes in treating patients with MCAS. Hosted by Johns-Hopkins-trained world renowned specialist Tania Dempsey, MD, we take a practical approach to helping doctors and patients better manage MCAS. We cover the symptoms, testing, diagnosis, treatment, challenges, practical strategies, common comorbidities (e.g., POTS, hypermobility spectrum disorders, ME/CFS, autoimmunity, GI dysmotility), latest research findings and clinical pearls. These episodes are a monthly feature of The POTScast, presented by Standing Up to POTS, a non-profit dedicated to improving life for those with POTS and related chronic illness. Check out our full podcast — with other types of great episodes — at ThePOTScast.com.

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