Made for Health | Medical Gaslighting | Lyme | Chronic Infections | Metabolic Syndrome | Insulin Resistance | Mystery Illness

Aaron Hartman, MD
  • 4.7 (14)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

You were made for health—vibrant, thriving, and full of possibility. But navigating today’s broken healthcare system, endless misinformation, and confusion can feel overwhelming. On Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman cuts through the noise to deliver science-backed solutions that restore your health and reignite your hope. Join us each week for expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring conversations that empower you to harness your body’s incredible power to heal. Whether you're seeking clarity, direction, or just a trusted voice, this podcast is your roadmap to the vibrant life you were made for.

  1. 14h ago

    Why Some Concussions Never Fully Heal - The Hidden Causes of Chronic Brain Inflammation with Dr. Aaron Hartman | E168

    🔥 What if the reason you're still struggling months or even years after a concussion isn't the injury itself, but the hidden factors keeping your brain stuck in a cycle of chronic inflammation? Read UnCurable (https://uncurablebook.com/) to discover how identifying and removing the roadblocks to healing can help support your body's natural ability to recover from complex chronic illness. Why Some People Never Fully Recover from a Concussion: The Hidden Causes of Chronic Brain Inflammation In this Made for Health minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman explores why some people continue to experience post-concussive symptoms long after the expected recovery period. While many individuals improve within weeks or months, others remain stuck with brain fog, fatigue, headaches, cognitive changes, and other persistent symptoms for years. Dr. Hartman explains that these ongoing challenges may not simply be the result of the original injury, but of biological processes that continue to fuel inflammation and prevent the brain from fully healing. Using a functional medicine perspective, Dr. Hartman discusses the many factors that can keep the brain trapped in this inflammatory cycle, including blood-brain barrier dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, food sensitivities, environmental toxins, mold exposure, hormonal imbalances, sleep deprivation, chronic stress, insulin resistance, nutrient deficiencies, and low omega-3 levels. Rather than treating concussion as an isolated brain injury, he explains why evaluating the whole body may be essential for helping the brain return to its natural healing state. Key Topics Covered Why some people develop persistent post-concussion symptomsChronic neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injuryBlood-brain barrier dysfunction and brain healingThe connection between leaky gut and leaky brainGut dysbiosis and chronic inflammationFood sensitivities that may contribute to neuroinflammationMold exposure, mycotoxins, and environmental triggersEMF exposure and blood-brain barrier healthHormonal deficiencies that may slow recoverySleep deprivation and chronic stressHeavy metals and other neurotoxic exposuresInsulin resistance, metabolic health, and brain functionOmega-3 deficiency and inflammationWhy functional medicine evaluates the whole person after a concussionPreparing for a comprehensive recovery plan Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    Why Some Concussions Never Fully Heal - The Hidden Causes of Chronic Brain Inflammation with Dr. Aaron Hartman | E168

  2. 4d ago

    Long COVID Recovery Takes More Than One Treatment - The Integrative Strategies Helping Patients Heal with Dr. Christian Jenski | Long COVID | E167

    🔥 What if there isn't a single treatment for Long COVID because there isn't a single biological process causing it? Read UnCurable (https://uncurablebook.com/) to learn how identifying what's blocking your body's natural healing process can help create a more personalized path toward recovery from complex chronic illness. Long COVID Treatment Requires More Than One Approach: Integrative Strategies for Recovery In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski conclude their three-part Long COVID series by exploring the therapeutic strategies they have found most helpful when caring for patients with persistent post-viral symptoms. They explain why Long COVID is rarely driven by a single mechanism, making individualized care essential. Rather than focusing on one treatment, they discuss how clinicians often layer therapies based on each patient's biology, symptoms, and underlying contributors. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Hartman and Dr. Jenski discuss integrative approaches including low-dose naltrexone (LDN), GLP-1 receptor agonists, mast cell stabilizers, phospholipid therapy, antivirals, peptides, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, nutritional support, and other targeted interventions. They emphasize that treatment decisions should always be made with qualified healthcare professionals and that these therapies are selected based on an individual's unique clinical presentation rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol. The episode closes with an encouraging reminder that patients living with Long COVID should not lose hope, as new research and clinical experience continue to expand available options. Key Topics Covered Why Long COVID treatment requires an individualized approachLow-dose naltrexone (LDN) and its role in immune modulationLDN for chronic pain, fatigue, autoimmune conditions, and Long COVIDGLP-1 receptor agonists and microdosing strategiesMast cell stabilizers and antihistamine approachesAddressing dysautonomia and POTS-related symptomsSleep support and nervous system regulationAntiviral therapies for selected patientsPhospholipid therapy and cell membrane healthIV phosphatidylcholine and mitochondrial supportPeptides and emerging integrative therapiesHyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT)Nutritional and supplement strategiesWhy treatment plans often involve combining multiple therapiesThe importance of working with experienced healthcare professionals In This Episode, You Will Learn ✅ Why there is no single treatment that works for every person with Long COVID ✅ How low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is being used as part of integrative care for chronic inflammatory conditions ✅ Why clinicians may consider different therapies based on each patient's symptom pattern ✅ How mast cell stabilization, mitochondrial support, and nervous system regulation may fit into personalized care ✅ Why restoring cellular health and reducing inflammation are important considerations in functional medicine ✅ Why hope, education, and individualized care remain central to Long COVID recovery Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    Long COVID Recovery Takes More Than One Treatment - The Integrative Strategies Helping Patients Heal with Dr. Christian Jenski | Long COVID | E167

  3. Jul 31

    A Brain Injury Can Affect More Than Your Brain - How Traumatic Brain Injury Impacts Your Heart, Gut, Hormones, and Immune System with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Brain Injury | E166

    🔥 What if a brain injury doesn't just affect your brain—but also your heart, gut, immune system, hormones, metabolism, and even the way your body heals? Read UnCurable (https://uncurablebook.com/) to explore how seemingly unrelated symptoms can be connected through the body's complex biological systems. How a Brain Injury Can Affect Your Heart, Gut, Hormones, and Immune System In this Made for Health minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman continues his concussion series by explaining why a traumatic brain injury can have effects far beyond the brain itself. Using a "one brain, one body" perspective, he explores how the brain serves as the master regulator of nearly every system in the body. When that regulation is disrupted—whether by a concussion, emotional trauma, or PTSD-like events—it can contribute to problems involving the heart, digestive system, hormones, immune function, metabolism, and sleep. Dr. Hartman discusses the connections between the brain and the vagus nerve, heart rate variability, the gut microbiome, neurotransmitter production, immune regulation, hormone balance, metabolic health, and lipid membranes. He explains how understanding these interconnected systems can help clinicians recognize why symptoms that seem unrelated may actually share a common neurological origin, setting the stage for the next episode focused on practical treatment strategies. Key Topics Covered The "one brain, one body" approach to traumatic brain injuryWhy the brain acts as the master regulator of the body's systemsHeart rate variability (HRV) and the brain-heart connectionThe role of the vagus nerve in heart, gut, and immune functionHow traumatic brain injury may contribute to fatigue and exercise intoleranceThe gut-brain axis and neurotransmitter productionLeaky gut, the microbiome, and neuroinflammationButyrate and its role in brain protectionSleep disturbances following brain injuryBrain injury, immune dysregulation, and autoimmune conditionsEmotional trauma, PTSD, and adverse childhood experiences as potential contributors to brain dysfunctionHormonal changes that may influence brain recoveryMetabolic health, insulin resistance, and brain resilienceLipid medicine, phospholipids, omega-3s, and neuroprotectionWhy understanding whole-body connections can guide recovery Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    A Brain Injury Can Affect More Than Your Brain - How Traumatic Brain Injury Impacts Your Heart, Gut, Hormones, and Immune System with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Brain Injury | E166

  4. Jul 27

    Long COVID Is More Than One Illness - The Hidden Biological Patterns Driving Chronic Symptoms with Dr. Christian Jenski | Long COVID | E165

    🔥 What if Long COVID isn’t one condition, but a collection of biological processes keeping your body stuck in survival mode long after the infection is gone? Read UnCurable (https://uncurablebook.com/) to explore how chronic illness can involve the immune system, mitochondria, inflammation, and the body’s ability to recover. Why Long COVID Can Trigger Brain Fog, Fatigue, and Autoimmunity: The Hidden Biology Behind Persistent Symptoms In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman welcomes back Dr. Christian Jenski to continue their deep dive into Long COVID and the complex biological mechanisms that may keep symptoms going long after the initial infection. Rather than viewing Long COVID as a single condition, they explain why it may represent multiple overlapping processes involving chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, mast cell activation, nervous system changes, and persistent cellular stress. Dr. Hartman and Dr. Jenski discuss how functional and integrative medicine approaches complex illnesses by identifying patterns across multiple body systems instead of focusing on isolated symptoms. They explore the science behind Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), the Cell Danger Response, mitochondrial dysfunction, senescent cells, autophagy, autoimmunity, and nervous system dysregulation. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that understanding which mechanisms are driving an individual's symptoms is essential for creating a personalized treatment strategy under the guidance of an experienced clinician. Key Topics Covered Why Long COVID may involve multiple overlapping biological processesHow functional medicine approaches complex chronic illness through systems biologyMast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and persistent inflammationWhy mast cells can contribute to fatigue, brain fog, digestive symptoms, skin issues, and painChronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) and biotoxin illnessHow environmental exposures may contribute to chronic inflammationMitochondrial dysfunction and the Cell Danger ResponseWhy cells can become "stuck" in survival modeSenescent ("zombie") cells and chronic immune activationThe roles of autophagy and apoptosis in healthy cellular turnoverUnderstanding DAMPs and PAMPs in chronic immune signalingHow persistent inflammation may contribute to autoimmunityNervous system dysregulation and limbic retrainingWhy personalized testing and clinical oversight are important when evaluating Long COVID In This Episode, You Will Learn ✅ Why Long COVID may involve much more than a lingering viral infection ✅ How mast cell activation can contribute to a wide variety of persistent symptoms ✅ The connection between chronic inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and fatigue ✅ Why damaged cells may continue sending inflammatory signals long after an illness ✅ How chronic immune activation may contribute to autoimmune conditions ✅ Why functional medicine focuses on identifying each patient's unique combination of biological drivers Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    Long COVID Is More Than One Illness - The Hidden Biological Patterns Driving Chronic Symptoms with Dr. Christian Jenski | Long COVID | E165

  5. Jul 24

    Your Symptoms May Trace Back to an Old Concussion - The Hidden Signs of Post-Concussion Syndrome and Traumatic Brain Injury with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Concussion Symptoms | E164

    🔥 What if the lingering effects of a concussion don’t always look like headaches or dizziness, but instead show up as brain fog, sleep problems, vision changes, hormone issues, or emotional shifts that seem completely unrelated? Read UnCurable (https://uncurablebook.com/) to explore a deeper perspective on chronic illness, brain health, and why identifying overlooked connections can be an important part of understanding what is happening in the body. What if symptoms that seem unrelated could actually trace back to an old concussion? In this Made for Health minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman continues his series on concussions and traumatic brain injuries by exploring the many ways post-concussion symptoms can appear beyond the signs most people recognize. Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and light sensitivity may be familiar warning signs, but concussion-related changes can also affect cognition, emotions, vision, balance, hormones, sleep, and nervous system regulation. Dr. Hartman explains how post-concussion symptoms generally fall into somatic, cognitive, and emotional categories before diving into subtler patterns that may be overlooked. He discusses vestibular dysfunction, visual tracking difficulties, slower processing speed, memory problems, difficulty switching between tasks, hormonal disruption, autonomic dysregulation, and sleep disturbances. He also explains why emotional changes such as anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty handling stress may sometimes reflect changes in brain function rather than being purely psychological. Key Topics Covered Why post-concussion symptoms can persist much longer than expectedThe somatic, cognitive, and emotional categories of concussion symptomsHeadaches, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and sensory sensitivity after a concussionWhy seemingly minor acceleration and deceleration injuries may affect the brainMemory problems, brain fog, and slower processing speedWhy multitasking and switching between tasks may become more difficultVestibular dysfunction and unexplained dizzinessVisual dysfunction, eye tracking problems, and reading fatigueHow concussion may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and hormone functionThe connection between brain injury and autonomic nervous system dysregulationSleep initiation, sleep maintenance, and poor-quality sleep after concussionWhy restorative sleep is especially important for brain recoveryAnxiety, depression, irritability, and emotional dysregulation after brain injuryWhy some post-concussion symptoms may be mistaken for unrelated conditionsThe importance of looking at the bigger picture when symptoms persist Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    Your Symptoms May Trace Back to an Old Concussion - The Hidden Signs of Post-Concussion Syndrome and Traumatic Brain Injury with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Concussion Symptoms | E164

  6. Jul 20

    Long COVID Is Not Going Away - The Hidden Post-Infectious Pattern Behind Chronic Illness with Dr. Christian Jenski | Long COVID | E163

    🔥 What if Long COVID isn't an entirely new condition, but another chapter in a much older story of infections triggering chronic inflammation, immune dysfunction, and symptoms that refuse to go away? Read UnCurable (https://uncurablebook.com/) to explore a deeper perspective on complex chronic illness, root-cause medicine, and why understanding what keeps the body stuck may be the key to moving healing forward. What if Long COVID is still affecting millions of people while the resources created to study it are disappearing? In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman and Dr. Christian Jenski begin a new series on Long COVID and the larger world of post-infectious chronic illness. They discuss why people continue to experience persistent symptoms years after infection, even as federally funded Long COVID programs and research initiatives wind down without establishing a single standardized approach to diagnosis or treatment. Dr. Hartman and Dr. Jenski explore why Long COVID may not be an entirely new phenomenon, but part of a broader pattern of post-infectious illness seen throughout medical history. They discuss its overlap with chronic fatigue, POTS, dysautonomia, mast cell activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammatory response, and other complex conditions. They also explain why functional medicine approaches these patients through a systems-based lens, looking at inflammation, immune regulation, metabolic health, nutrition, gut health, environmental exposures, and other potential contributors rather than treating each symptom in isolation. Key Topics Covered Why Long COVID remains a major health challenge years after the pandemicThe winding down of federally funded Long COVID clinics and research programsWhy standardized diagnostic and treatment pathways remain limitedThe history of post-viral and post-infectious syndromesWhy Long COVID may share patterns with other complex chronic illnessesThe overlap between Long COVID, chronic fatigue, POTS, and dysautonomiaMast cell activation and chronic inflammatory responseMitochondrial dysfunction and persistent post-viral symptomsWhy multisystem illness can be difficult to address through separate medical specialtiesHow functional medicine uses a systems-based approach to complex illnessThe role of metabolic health and underlying inflammationNutrition, nutrient optimization, and the gut-brain axisWhy treatment needs may change from acute infection to chronic illnessHow infections may trigger or uncover previously hidden health vulnerabilitiesWhy individualized care matters when treating complex chronic conditions Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    Long COVID Is Not Going Away - The Hidden Post-Infectious Pattern Behind Chronic Illness with Dr. Christian Jenski | Long COVID | E163

  7. Jul 17

    A Mild Concussion Can Change the Brain for Months – The Hidden Biology Behind Post-Concussion Symptoms with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Post-Concussion Syndrome | E162

    🔥 What if the symptoms that linger after a concussion aren't because the injury was severe... but because the brain is still trying to heal? Read UnCurable (https://uncurablebook.com/) to discover how inflammation, cellular health, and root-cause medicine are changing the way we think about chronic conditions. A Mild Concussion Can Have Lasting Effects on the Brain In this Made for Health minisode, Dr. Aaron Hartman continues his series on concussions and post-concussion syndrome by explaining what actually happens inside the brain after a head injury. While many people assume a concussion is only serious if someone loses consciousness, the science tells a different story. Even a mild traumatic brain injury can trigger inflammation, disrupt cellular energy production, and lead to symptoms that persist for months. Dr. Hartman walks through the biology of concussion, including changes to the blood-brain barrier, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and why the brain's electrical activity after a concussion can resemble seizure-like patterns. He also explains why factors such as metabolic health, nutrition, gut health, and previous injuries may influence recovery and discusses emerging strategies that may help support the healing process. Key Topics Covered Common myths about concussions and loss of consciousnessWhy mild traumatic brain injuries can cause long-lasting symptomsHow concussion affects the blood-brain barrierMitochondrial dysfunction and impaired energy productionBrain inflammation and cytokine activationWhy concussion may resemble seizure activityFactors that can influence recovery after a brain injuryThe potential role of omega-3s, magnesium, and metabolic healthWhy concussion should be treated as a whole-body condition In This Episode, You Will Learn ✅ Why losing consciousness is not required for a concussion to be serious ✅ How brain inflammation can affect the entire body ✅ What happens to brain cells immediately after a concussion ✅ Why mitochondrial dysfunction can prolong recovery ✅ How nutrition and overall health may influence healing ✅ Why understanding the biology of concussion helps guide treatment Follow Dr. Aaron Hartman and Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine 🌐 Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📺 YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD

    A Mild Concussion Can Change the Brain for Months – The Hidden Biology Behind Post-Concussion Symptoms with Dr. Aaron Hartman | Post-Concussion Syndrome | E162

  8. Jul 13

    Chronic Illness May Start at the Cellular Level – The Hidden Communication Breakdown Behind Complex Disease with Dr. Melanie Stein | Chronic Illness | E161

    🔥 What if the biggest obstacle to healing chronic illness isn't finding the right medication... but helping your cells recover from years of inflammation, infection, and stress? Read UnCurable to explore a deeper perspective on chronic illness, root-cause medicine, and why healing often begins at the cellular level. What if chronic illness is really a problem of cellular communication? In this episode of Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman welcomes Dr. Melanie Stein, ND, a licensed naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, and founder of Restorative Health Clinic, to discuss why chronic illnesses such as Lyme disease, mold toxicity, mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), POTS, and long COVID often share a common thread: impaired cellular function. Dr. Stein shares her remarkable personal journey from suddenly waking up unable to move her legs during naturopathic medical school to being told her symptoms were "all in her head." After developing a bullseye rash and ultimately discovering she had Lyme disease, she began a years-long journey into functional medicine that transformed both her health and her career. Together, Dr. Hartman and Dr. Stein explore the science behind the Cell Danger Response, cell membrane health, mitochondrial function, phospholipid therapy, neural therapy, photobiomodulation, peptide therapy, and other emerging approaches that aim to restore the body's ability to heal rather than simply suppress symptoms. About the Guest Dr. Melanie Stein, ND, is a licensed naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, and founder of Restorative Health Clinic in Portland, Oregon. She earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and Master's in Acupuncture from the National University of Natural Medicine. After overcoming her own battle with chronic Lyme disease and complex neurological illness, she dedicated her practice to helping patients with chronic infections, mold illness, mast cell activation, POTS, long COVID, and other complex chronic conditions through a root-cause, cellular healing approach. Key Topics Covered Dr. Melanie Stein's personal experience with paralysis and medical gaslightingWhy chronic Lyme disease is often misunderstoodWhat naturopathic medicine adds to root-cause healthcareThe science behind the Cell Danger ResponseHow chronic inflammation affects cell membranesWhy mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to chronic illnessThe connection between Lyme disease, mold exposure, MCAS, POTS, and dysautonomiaWhy healing cell membranes may improve cellular communicationThe role of phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phospholipid therapyIV butyrate and mitochondrial supportNeural therapy and vagus nerve regulationPhotobiomodulation (red light therapy) and cellular healingSupportive Oligonucleotide Therapy (SOT) for chronic infectionsWhy healthy fats are essential for cell membrane healthFunctional medicine strategies for treating complex chronic illness In This Episode, You Will Learn ✅ Why chronic illness often begins at the cellular level ✅ How inflammation changes the structure and function of cell membranes ✅ Why Lyme disease, mold illness, MCAS, and POTS frequently overlap ✅ How mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to fatigue and chronic symptoms ✅ Why supporting cell membranes may improve healing and resilience ✅ How functional medicine combines nutrition, lifestyle, and advanced therapies to support recovery Resources & Links 📘 Breaking Through Chronic Illness by Dr. Melanie Stein (Available on Amazon) 🌐 Restorative Health Clinic: https://restorativehealthclinic.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmelaniestein/ 🌐 Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ 📘 UnCurable: https://uncurablebook.com/

    Chronic Illness May Start at the Cellular Level – The Hidden Communication Breakdown Behind Complex Disease with Dr. Melanie Stein | Chronic Illness | E161
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4.7
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

You were made for health—vibrant, thriving, and full of possibility. But navigating today’s broken healthcare system, endless misinformation, and confusion can feel overwhelming. On Made for Health, Dr. Aaron Hartman cuts through the noise to deliver science-backed solutions that restore your health and reignite your hope. Join us each week for expert insights, practical tips, and inspiring conversations that empower you to harness your body’s incredible power to heal. Whether you're seeking clarity, direction, or just a trusted voice, this podcast is your roadmap to the vibrant life you were made for.

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