On this episode of the R-Rated Science Podcast, Ricky sits down with Chuck Eastman from Stop Soldier Suicide to discuss a topic that we are fighting hard to destigmatize.

Ricky asks Chuck why service members are dying from suicide, what the causes are, and what some of the data show. They then discuss the importance of community in the prevention of suicide, before ideation and, during crisis. Further in the episode, Chuck goes over the "black box" AI study that Triple S conducted and they found that in today's society, physical isolation is not the only form of isolating. Virtual isolation is just as high of a risk. After hearing this, Ricky explains to Chuck that he recently saw a Veteran do this exact form of isolation and was lucky to have intervened.

Ricky and Chuck share their deep passion to destigmatize this topic and hope that this open discord will begin a pathway for it.

@Rratedscience

DISCLAIMER: Suicide will be discussed in detail in this episode. Please call or dial 988 if you need assistance.

In this episode of the R-Rated Science Podcast we welcome back one of our favorite guests, Dan Orth. Dan joins us to discuss his psychedelic journey of healing through the guided use of ibogaine and 5-meo DMT. This episode is heavy, vulnerable, raw, and empowering.

Dan received a grant from the Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS, https://vetsolutions.org/) non-profit to attend the Ambiolife treatment center. Dan felt he was at rock bottom at the time and needed to find a proper solution to learn to love himself and see that there is a way forward. After his journey with the medicine, Dan can confidently say that he loves himself, life, and those around him. He mentions that he has not felt that way in over 15 years. Since treatment, Dan has come off of his antidepressant and anxiolytic medications and has had no issues with his sleep apnea or diet. Please tune in for this incredibly powerful episode.

Ricky and Dan also discuss the importance of using known entities that establish the proper environment when using these medications.

***DISCLAIMER The host of this show and episode does not recommend the illegal use of psychedelic therapy ***

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In today's episode of the R-Rated Science podcast Ricky covers the prehospital management of traumatic brain injury. He presents a patient scenario/case study and then goes on to discuss the high yield neurophysiology that is relevant for prehospital providers and then covers the signs and symptoms to assess for and treat! He discusses the future of TBI management, and busts some myths regarding certain monitoring devices.

Tune is for a listen and give some feedback!

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Want to be on the pod? Send me an email @rratedscience@gmail.com

https://jts.amedd.army.mil/assets/docs/cpgs/Use_of_TBI_Plasma_Biomarkers_after_Potentially_Concussive_Event-16_Aug_2021_ID90.pdf

https://www.jsomonline.org/Citations/8AMI-B6SP.php

https://pjmed.libsyn.com/2014/07

https://prolongedfieldcare.org/

On this episode of the R-Rated Science Podcast we sit down with our friend, Dr. Allison Brager. Dr. Brager is a neurobiologist with expertise in sleep and circadian rhythms. She works on human and animal models of study. Her work examines substrates and mechanisms of resiliency to extreme environmental stress (exercise, jet lag, and sleep deprivation). She presently sits on the fatigue management and neuroenhancement working groups through NATO, US Special Operations Command, the Office of the Army Surgeon General, and inter-government (DoD, NASA, FAA, NHTSA, NIH). She co-authered the first edition of the NCAA student-athlete mental health handbook and she self published her own book, Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic Brain (https://www.amazon.com/Meathead-Unraveling-Athletic-Allison-Brager/dp/149086444X). Dr. Brager also sits on the scientific advisory board for Whoop. More important than anything, she’s a wonderful friend, wife, and leader. Dr. Brager is an excellent example of how to break down norms and to never quit! Please check out Dr. Brager at the following links;

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36739619/

https://www.instagram.com/docjockzzz/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-brager-80a58210/

Please leave us a review wherever you get your podcast fix!

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Today we sit down with OperationRSF co-founder Tyler Meade PhD. Tyler is currently an active duty service member who is responsible for the well-being, discipline, and execution of critical missions for his team. Tyler is a servant leader who has shown with action that service to others is his calling and he has no signs of slowing down. Like many, Tyler saw his teammates struggling and suffering from mental health disorders during their service and after they were discharged. Doing what SOF does best, he started up a conversation with his fellow teammates and they decided to put thought into action and provide equitable solutions. Tyler and his co-founders focus on helping those who are sedentary in life due to their struggles with mental health. They do this through accountability and physical exercise. Tyler’s team has an evidenced based approach in all that they do and they know from their own experiences the profound effects exercise can have on the brain. OperationRSF is helping people live with a higher quality of life and we could not be more proud to support them and to talk to Tyler. OperationRSF believes that one single fleeting spark is all you need to ignite a new path in life. Please follow and support OperationsRSF on instagram at OperationRSF.

Head to their website to donate and find out more! https://operationrsf.org/

Remember to leave us a review on your podcast server of choice! It really helps us out!

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In this episode of the R-Rated Science Podcast, Ricky discusses some of the specialty TBI clinics available for Veterans, First Responders, and Active Duty Personnel. Ricky also discusses some of the ongoing research at the Anschutz School of Medicine in Colorado that's actively recruiting Veterans right now!

What makes a TBI clinic special? Many things! They focus on a multidisciplinary care approach that addresses the 7-pillars of TBI health management. From neuro-audiology to nutrition to neuropsychological health. These specialty clinics take a multidimensional view of your health and find ways to improve your quality of life!

Be sure to give a like, follow, and comment wherever you listen to your podcast because it helps us out!

Below are the links Ricky promised in the episode!

Mental Wellness

The Avalon Fund

THRIVE Program

https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/mibh

https://health.mil/Military-Health-Topics/Centers-of-Excellence/Traumatic-Brain-Injury-Center-of-Excellence

Home Base Program - Red Sox Foundation

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In this episode, Ricky and Kate introduce our newest series for 2023 - TBI Talk. TBI Talk begins with introducing the topic of traumatic brain injury. Kate & Ricky describe why and how they became interested in the brain, the different categories of TBI, and most importantly - the complexities associated with this injury set. Strap in for an insightful series where we all learn together! Leave a review where you like to listen to our podcast as it truly helps us grow and reach more audience members! Follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/r_rated_science/

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury(TBI)? The CDC defines TBI as: A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is **an injury that affects how the brain works.**TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. Anyone can experience a TBI, but data suggest that some groups are at greater risk for getting a TBI or having worse health outcomes after the injury.

Other definitions from DVBIC include;

https://www.cemm.af.mil/Programs/Traumatic-Brain-Injury/What-Is-Traumatic-Brain-Injury/

What is a Glasgow Coma Scale Score? 🧠

https://www.cdc.gov/masstrauma/resources/gcs.pdf

According to the CDC a Glasgow Coma Scale is given based on the response from the Eyes, Verbal, and Motor response to specific stimuli as shown below.

Eye Opening Response • Spontaneous--open with blinking at baseline 4 points • To verbal stimuli, command, speech 3 points • To pain only (not applied to face) 2 points • No response 1 point

Verbal Response • Oriented 5 points • Confused conversation, but able to answer questions 4 points • Inappropriate words 3 points • Incomprehensible speech 2 points • No response 1 point

Motor Response • Obeys commands for movement 6 points • Purposeful movement to painful stimulus 5 points • Withdraws in response to pain 4 points • Flexion in response to pain (decorticate posturing) 3 points • Extension response in response to pain (decerebrate posturing) 2 points • No response 1 point

Call 988 if you need to!

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/?gclid=Cj0KCQiAnsqdBhCGARIsAAyjYjQsHBO5Mq12Bek4qjKUu-LcolMu5FePlGnYQzJshh4PGC-62ssL90kaAvImEALw_wcB

https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/

On this episode of the R-Rated Science Podcast, Kate sits down with her father Steve to discuss what it was like to grow up with parents who served in wars and then his own experience as a father sending his sons off to war. This episode provides unique insights that we often do not have the privilege to hear about. Steve discusses the evolution of communication during the war and how that has changed our understanding of the struggles our service men and women can go through when they return home from war.

Please follow us on Instagram @rratedscience, give us a like comment, and share, and tune in for the next episode after the holiday's.