Most people think stress is the problem. In reality, the real issue is your capacity to handle it.

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I welcome back our Science Officer, Dr. Francisco Cidral, to discuss one of the most important health markers today: HRV (heart rate variability).

Dr. Cidral is an entrepreneur, professor, and researcher. He holds an ND, a master’s and PhD in Neuroscience, and a post-doctorate in Health Sciences. He specializes in integrative therapies and the neurobiology of pain and inflammation, and currently serves as Science Officer at BrainTap and CEO of the Integrative Health School in Orlando, Florida.

In this conversation, we break down what HRV really measures, why it’s such a powerful indicator of stress resilience, and how chronic stress affects the brain, nervous system, sleep, and long-term health. Dr. Cidral also shares research on how brain entrainment sessions may improve HRV and help activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

If you want to better understand stress, improve recovery, and optimize brain performance, this episode explores the science behind it.

Connect with Dr. Francisco Cidral:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisco-cidral-nd-phd-83511521b/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #HRV #StressManagement #BrainHealth #NervousSystem #brainoptimization

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I am joined by Steve and Wendy McGough, co-founders of Human Innovations and creators of the hi® system. We explore how vagus nerve stimulation and parasympathetic activation may influence brain detox, sleep recovery, and heart rate variability.

Steve and Wendy are co-founders of Human Innovations and creators of the hi® system, a science-informed approach to pelvic, reproductive, and sexual health. Over the past 15 years, they have worked with thousands of women and couples navigating challenges related to pelvic-floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, chronic UTIs, intimacy, and fertility.

Steve holds a BS in Biochemistry from UNC Chapel Hill and conducted graduate research at Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Center for Investigative Neuroscience. He later earned a doctorate in Human Sexuality with a focus on reproductive physiology and served as an associate professor for nine years. He has published peer-reviewed research, authored multiple books, and holds six patents related to women’s health technology.

After experiencing a personal tragedy, Steve and Wendy developed the hi® system to address post C-section adhesions. Their work expanded into broader applications for pelvic and reproductive health and led to the founding of Human Innovations in 2010, where they focus on translating Asian and alternative health practices into practical, science-based solutions. Together, they teach nationally and internationally, collaborate with urologists, pelvic-floor physical therapists, and fertility specialists, and guide couples through their hi® 3-Step Method and First Step for Fertility programs to restore connection, function, and long-term vitality.

Could gentle vibration and targeted nervous system stimulation support cerebrospinal fluid flow and glymphatic clearance?

If you’d like to try the system we discussed, you can receive $150 off the regular $499.95 price using the link below. It includes step-by-step routines designed to help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and support healthy brain recovery.

Get $150 OFF: https://www.womenandcouples.com/product/hi-braintap/

Connect with Steve and Wendy McGough:

https://www.instagram.com/womenandcouples/

https://www.youtube.com/c/womenandcoupleswellness

https://www.facebook.com/womenandcoupleswellness

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #brainfitness #BrainOptimization #VagusNerve

Brain inflammation doesn’t always start in the brain.

Today, I sit down with microbiome researcher Martha Carlin to explore how the gut may be driving inflammation, brain fog, and long-term neurological stress.

Martha Carlin is a microbiome researcher and entrepreneur whose work was inspired by her husband’s Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2002. After teaching herself the science behind gut health, she founded The BioCollective and BiotiQuest to advance research on the gut–brain connection and chronic disease. A recipient of a $1.2 million NIH grant and named a Colorado Titan 100 CEO, Martha is a respected voice in microbiome science and advocates for a systems-based approach to health.

In this episode we discuss:

• How gut bacteria influence dopamine, serotonin, and mood
• What endotoxin (LPS) is and why it fuels systemic inflammation
• Why antibiotics and environmental exposures can weaken microbiome resilience
• The connection between chronic constipation and neurological health
• How gut imbalance may contribute to brain fog and reduced cognitive performance

If you’re focused on optimizing brain performance, improving mental clarity, or protecting long-term neurological health, understanding the gut–brain connection is essential.

Connect with Martha Carlin:

https://biotiquest.com/

https://www.instagram.com/biotiquest/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #brainfitness #mindfullness #guthealth

Ever feel like your workplace is draining your focus, mood, and energy?

Dr. Patrick Porter sits down with Reverend Jodi to explore a practical, education-first approach to workplace wellness: starting with brain breaks, healthier environments, and simple daily resets that support performance and resilience.

Rev. Jodi Suson is an ordained minister and brain health–focused wellness educator who transitioned from a 35-year career in marketing and finance into holistic health after years of misdiagnosis and disability led her to study how food, water, and environment affect brain and emotional wellbeing. She is the author of Emotional Healing, Toxic Free Living, and now teaches mindset and lifestyle-based approaches to support brain, emotional, spiritual, and physical balance, drawing on her training in NLP, nutrition, essential oils, and frequency-based modalities.

In this show, Dr. Porter and Rev. Suson discuss how “brain breaks” can replace the mid-afternoon coffee run, why workplace culture and environment matter (air, water, stress patterns), and how wellness rooms can encourage employees to take 20 minutes to decompress and recharge, without making medical promises.

Question for you: If your workplace had a wellness room, would you use it? Drop a comment with what you’d want included.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Misdiagnosis, overmedication, and why diagnostics matter

01:00 – Introducing Reverend Jodi + the mission for workplace wellness

02:40 – Jodi’s story: early brain injury, speech support, and long-term challenges

06:40 – Rebuilding health habits + learning wellness tools (educational discussion)

08:40 – Vision: wellness rooms + 20-minute decompression breaks

10:30 – Brain breaks vs. coffee breaks + workplace experiences

16:50 – Workplace “hidden exposures” (air/water) and practical steps

20:50 – Air filtration, scent, and common indoor air considerations

27:00 – Pets, nervous system states, and shared calm (general discussion)

33:00 – Mold awareness in buildings + testing/cleanup resources (education)

37:30 – Functional lifestyle program overview + next steps

Connect with Jodi Suson:

https://susonessentials.com/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #BrainFitness #WorkplaceWellness #CorporateWellness #BrainBreak

What if “feeling fine” isn’t the same as being truly ready to return to sport, or even school, after a concussion?

I sit down with Dr. Ted Arkfeld to discuss how objective nervous system measurements may add clarity to performance, recovery, and readiness.

Ted A. Arkfeld, DC, MS, is a chiropractor, clinical researcher, and educator focused on the role of the nervous system in human performance, injury risk, and recovery. He is the developer of the Neuro Sport Performance Evaluation (NSPE), a model that integrates objective neurological metrics—including BrainTap’s NeuralChek—with functional movement and sensorimotor assessment. With over 35 years of clinical experience, Dr. Arkfeld collaborates with technology partners and clinicians to advance evidence-informed approaches to sports performance, concussion management, and neurological rehabilitation, while educating doctors of chiropractic on translating neuroscience into practical, measurable outcomes.

In this episode, we explore how tools like NeuralChek, which Dr. Arkfeld actively uses as part of his evaluation protocol, can support a more complete view of movement, balance, and autonomic regulation, especially when athletes (or patients) may underreport symptoms.

The conversation also touches on how BrainTap is incorporated as part of his recovery approach, supporting relaxation, sleep, and nervous system regulation alongside active care.

Please, comment and share your thoughts: Should baseline nervous system screening be a standard part of sports, recovery, and aging well?

Connect with Dr. Ted Arkfeld:

https://arkfeldchiropractic.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-a-arkfeld-dc-ms-43611522/\

https://www.youtube.com/@DefeatingPain

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #braintap

Your next “brain upgrade” isn’t another productivity hack… but your TRAINING plan!

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I’m joined by Ted Ryce (Legendary Life Podcast), a high-performance health coach who helps entrepreneurs over 40 get leaner, stronger, and more energized; not for vanity, but for better mood, sharper focus, and long-term brain performance.

We get into the real-world stuff: why many high achievers think they’re doing “enough,” but they’re not measuring the right things…and how simple data like DEXA scans, blood work, and VO2 max can cut through the noise so you stop guessing and start getting results.

Question for you: What’s your biggest challenge right now, consistency, energy, stress, sleep, or knowing what to do?

Free training — Lean After 40 Masterclass: https://www.legendarylifeprogram.com/auto-webinar-registration-25751695

Timestamps:

00:00 Why the body fuels the brain

04:00 Ted Ryce’s personal journey into fitness

07:30 Exercise, stress, and brain resilience

09:00 VO2 max explained for brain health & longevity

14:00 Why muscle mass supports metabolic and cognitive health

21:00 Fitness strategies for high-stress entrepreneurs

27:00 Strength training vs cardio for brain performance

41:00 Simple daily routines to improve focus and sleep

45:00 How to start training without burnout

Connect with Ted Ryce:

https://www.legendarylifepodcast.com/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast

What if the “energy problem” isn’t willpower—but cellular?

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I sit down with Jim Ladwig, the man behind Haelan 951, a nitrogen-fermented soybean product used by wellness clinics and individuals to support gut health, brain function, and overall energy.

During his own battle with cancer, Jim was introduced to Haelan 951. After experiencing powerful results, he developed a passion for natural, body-supportive approaches to healing. He is now a certified health coach and a driving force behind Haelan’s mission to help individuals and families reclaim their health.

You can’t think your way out of a gut problem. The gut plays a key role in neurotransmitter balance, inflammation signaling, and how the brain processes information. When digestion is off, mood, sleep, and mental clarity often follow.

In this episode, we explore nitrogen-fermented soy (Haelan 951), fermentation and bioavailability, the gut-brain connection, microbiome support, and wellness strategies for supporting cellular energy and inflammation balance.

Connect with Jim Ladwig:

https://haelan951.com/

https://www.instagram.com/haelan951/

https://www.facebook.com/Haelan951/

https://www.youtube.com/@haelan951

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast

Ever feel like you’re moving from one “fire” to the next?

Today, I’m joined by trauma specialist Alisa Gracheva.

Alisa strongly believes in integrating spirituality with mental health to help individuals experience deeper fulfillment and inner peace. She has extensive experience working with people in crisis, those facing a wide range of mental health challenges, and individuals navigating substance use.

Her background includes years of work with integrative and alternative healing modalities such as sacred plant medicine and integration, sound healing, light therapy, energy work, and spiritual guidance. Her areas of specialization include general mental health, trauma, ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, grief and loss, life transitions, personal growth, existential crisis, and spiritual guidance.

In this episode, we explore trauma, chronic stress, and what truly helps when the nervous system is stuck in survival mode. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how practical Alisa’s approach is. She explains that in moments of crisis, the mind isn’t searching for philosophy—it’s searching for safety. That’s why we start with the body.

We discuss somatic grounding, where stress commonly shows up (hello, neck and shoulders), and simple reset tools you can try immediately—even if you only have five minutes. We also cover nervous system regulation, breathwork, daily rituals, gratitude, sound healing, music and brainwave audio, light-based tools, and how neuroplasticity supports real, lasting change over time.

So let me ask you this: when you feel overwhelmed, what helps bring you back—breath, movement, nature, music, prayer?

Drop us a comment. You might help someone else more than you realize.

Connect with Alisa Gracheva:

https://since.life/

https://www.instagram.com/alisa_art/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast