Ep #144 - In this episode of The Awakened Heart Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Diana Driscoll - optometrist, inventor, and leading expert in the autonomic nervous system and “invisible illnesses” such as POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), vagus nerve dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and post-viral conditions.

After her own battle with POTS, Dr. Driscoll spent over a decade researching the root causes behind symptoms that are often dismissed or misunderstood, becoming known as “the patient’s researcher.”

Together, we explore how the nervous system impacts everything from fatigue and brain fog to digestion and emotional regulation, and why so many people feel something is off in their body but can’t find clear answers.

This conversation also dives into the concept of “inflammaging,” the connection between chronic inflammation and long-term health, and what you can begin doing today to support your nervous system and stay sharp, resilient, and energized as you age.

If you’re on a path of healing, self-discovery, or navigating symptoms that don’t quite fit into a traditional diagnosis, this episode offers both insight and practical guidance to help you better understand your body and take your health into your own hands.

Episode Highlights

• Why so many people feel “off” in their body but can’t get clear answers
• The hidden role of the autonomic nervous system in fatigue, brain fog, and chronic symptoms

• What POTS is and why it’s often misunderstood or misdiagnosed
• The connection between inflammation, aging, and long-term health (“inflammaging”)
• How the vagus nerve impacts digestion, mood, and overall regulation

• Why traditional approaches often miss the root cause of chronic illness
• Simple ways to start supporting your nervous system in everyday life
• The link between brain health, resilience, and staying sharp as you age

• What “invisible illness” really looks like and why patients feel dismissed
• How to begin listening to your body and advocating for your own health

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Sound bites

"My symptoms kept shifting and changing over time"

"The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in symptoms"

"True wellness is beyond just being symptom free"

CONNECT WITH DR. DIANA:

Website

RESOURCES:

Vagus Nerve

POTS

Let’s Connect!

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