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What if birth is the oldest psychedelic experience there is? My guest this week, Karissa Bollinger, is a birth educator, a guide for altered states, and the creator of Wave Work. She’s spent years preparing women for both psychedelic journeys and birth, and she kept noticing it was the same work. We talk about why birth can be a “good trip” or a “bad trip,” and how that might shape postpartum more than we realize. We also get into why the word “contraction” may be setting women up to brace against pain. And we cover what psychedelic research has taught us about preparation and integration, and why it applies far beyond the medicine itself. We end on a question science hasn’t answered yet: what is actually happening chemically in the altered state of birth? Find Karissa at @wavework.birthing, try her free portal practice or get her whole birth rehearsal method at wavework.  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

Do psychedelics distort reality, or do they loosen the filters that normally shape what we perceive? In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of consciousness, predictive processing, psychedelic perception, DMT entity experiences, mystical and traditional altered states, and the limits of ordinary waking awareness. We also follow the stranger historical side of consciousness research, including MKULTRA, remote viewing, the Gateway Process, and declassified U.S. government experiments. Along the way, we separate established neuroscience from theory and speculation to ask a much bigger question: how much of reality are our brains actually capable of seeing? The full episode transcript, study citations and companion guide is available on Substack. Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

What happens between the moment women notice something and the moment medicine decides it is real? In June 2026, women all over the internet started asking the same question: what happened to our periods? That strange collective conversation sent me down a much bigger rabbit hole into menstrual cycles, the moon, women’s intuition, midwives and witches, unexplained infertility, and the long history of women noticing things before science had an answer for them. In this episode, we explore: The menstrual mystery of June 2026 and what heat, light, seasonality, and even solar activity might (or might not) have had to do with itHow observation becomes scientific evidenceWhy women’s bodies are rhythmic, even though medicine often studies them as staticWhether women’s periods really syncMenstrual cycles and the moonHow menstruation went from sacred and powerful to impure, pathological, and something women were expected to hideMidwives, women healers, herbal medicine, ergot, LSD, and the ancient roots hiding inside modern medicineWhat science can tell us about women’s intuition, interoception, pregnancy, and maternal knowing (and what it still can’t)How the witch became a symbol of dangerous female knowledge, and why she still mattersUnexplained infertility and the important difference between there is no explanation and we haven’t found the explanation yetThe full episode transcript, citations and companion guide is available on Substack. Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

Can a psychedelic experience leave measurable traces in the body long after the trip is over? In this episode, we explore emerging research on how psychedelics may influence: • DNA methylation and epigenetic signaling • The immune system, inflammation, and cytokines • The HPA axis, cortisol, and stress physiology • Neuroplasticity and lasting changes in brain connectivity • Cellular senescence, telomeres, oxidative stress, and longevity pathways • The bigger case for rethinking the mind-body divide Psychedelic science may be revealing something much larger than a drug effect: how experience itself becomes biology. The companion guide, full episode transcript and all studies and sources cited, is available on Substack. Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

Can you prevent preeclampsia? In this deep dive, we look at the root causes, proposed mechanisms, and holistic support strategies for one of the most serious complications of pregnancy. We are learning more about what may contribute to preeclampsia, including placental development, inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endothelial health, genetics, nutrient status, paternal factors, the microbiome, environmental toxins, and long-term cardiovascular risk. Aspirin is one of the most recommended prevention tools, and in this episode we get into why it is used, what it actually does, and where its benefits seem strongest. But it turns out, there may be a lot more to the prevention conversation. In this episode, we cover: What preeclampsia is and how it is diagnosedThe two-stage model of preeclampsia: abnormal placental development and maternal vascular dysfunctionOxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, platelet activation, and endothelial healthGenetic factors: MTHFR, homocysteine, methylation issuesEpigenetics: how lifestyle may influence gene expression in pregnancyEnvironmental toxins, including BPA, phthalates, PFAS, heavy metals, air pollution, and placental healthThe paternal factor: semen exposure, paternal antigens, sperm health, obesity, and immune toleranceGut, vaginal, oral, and urinary microbiome researchCOVID infection, COVID vaccination data, and preeclampsia riskWhy preeclampsia is linked to future cardiovascular diseaseWhat the evidence actually says about baby aspirinSupplements that may help with prevention: Calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, lycopene, omega-3s, CoQ10, NAC, and moreNutrition: the DASH diet, Mediterranean diet, fiber, probiotics, and food-first nutrition strategiesExercise in pregnancy and what we know about hypertensive disordersSleep, obstructive sleep apnea, and preeclampsia riskMind-body medicine, stress physiology, mindfulness, yoga, acupuncture, and blood pressure regulationHow to think about prevention without fear, blame, or over-supplementingThe full episode transcript with citations for all studies mentioned can be found at: drmaryellawood.com Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

In this episode I’m joined by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Berry for a deep dive into integrative dermatology, acne, hair loss, pregnancy skincare, postpartum hair loss, anti-aging skincare, Ayurveda, hormones, nutrition, supplements, and the gut-skin axis. In addition to being a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Berry has advanced training in integrative dermatology and Ayurvedic culinary medicine.  In this episode, we discuss: Integrative dermatology and whole-person skin health (including nutrition, supplements, conventional treatments and more)Acne, hormones and the gut-skin axisHair loss, including postpartum hair lossPregnancy skincare and pregnancy-safe skincare ingredientsAnti-aging skincare and skin longevityInflammatory skin conditionsAyurveda, including a dive into doshas and how they relate to skin healthHow conventional dermatology and holistic medicine can work togetherLearn more about Dr. Asmi Berry: Website: https://www.drasmiberry.com/  Clinic: https://bhskin.com/about-us/asmi-berry/  Instagram: @drasmiberry YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@drasmiberry  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

In Part 5 of Detox in a Toxic World, we explore digital detox and the new age of toxins. From screens, social media, and overstimulation to light pollution, red light therapy, EMFs, grounding, and nature therapy, this episode looks at how modern life may be shaping the nervous system, sleep, circadian rhythm, inflammation, and overall health. This is a grounded, evidence-based look at what the research does and does not show, along with practical ways to reduce digital burden and support a more regulated, resilient body in a world that is not just chemically toxic, but cognitively and energetically overwhelming. Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

In Part 4 of Detox in a Toxic World, we take an evidence-based look at detox supplements, cleanses, binders, protocols, and some of the most common products being sold in the name of detox. From milk thistle, NAC, glutathione, and sulforaphane to activated charcoal, clay binders, detox teas, colon cleanses, and coffee enemas, this episode breaks down what may actually be supportive, what has limited evidence, and what may be harmful. We also talk about how to think more clearly about “detox supplements” versus supplements that support the body’s natural detox pathways, why dramatic reactions are often mistaken for healing, and how to stay grounded in physiology rather than marketing. Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

In Part 3 of Detox in a Toxic World, we take a closer look at what “detox” actually means and how the body is already doing it every single day. This episode breaks down the body’s major detox and elimination pathways, including the liver, gut, kidneys, lungs, skin, lymphatic system, and glymphatic system, and explains how these beautifully coordinated processes help clear hormones, waste products, and environmental compounds. We also walk through practical, evidence-based ways to support these natural detox mechanisms, including nutrition, hydration, movement, sweating, lymphatic support, sleep, mind-body medicine, and time in nature. Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

In Part 2 of Detox in a Toxic World, we move from understanding the problem to actually doing something about it. This episode is all about reducing exposures to toxins, starting in the place where many of us have the most control: the home. We explore the idea of the home as a health ecosystem and walk through practical ways to lower your total toxic burden without falling into fear, perfectionism, or overwhelm. We cover simple low-cost first steps, food storage and cooking tools, pantry and food choices, air quality, mold and moisture, water filtration, cleaning products, personal care products, and even the role of furniture, textiles, and clothing in shaping everyday exposure. This episode is designed to help you think more clearly about what matters most, where to start, and how small changes in the home can add up over time. Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

Today we’re kicking off a new series, Detox in a Toxic World, with a deep dive into environmental toxins and their impact on health. In this episode, we break down what environmental toxins actually are, how they affect the body, and why this topic is both real and often wildly misunderstood. We walk through the major categories of toxins in modern life, including microplastics, pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, food additives, and synthetic dyes, and explain the key mechanisms through which they may drive inflammation, oxidative stress, hormone disruption, mitochondrial dysfunction, and more. We also explore one of the biggest questions in this space: why do some people seem to tolerate environmental exposures just fine, while others develop chronic symptoms and disease? This episode is here to give you a more balanced, evidence-based, and deeper look at a topic that is too often led by fear, oversimplification, and misinformation, so you can better understand what matters, what may not, and how to think about your health more clearly. Companion Guide: drmaryellawood.com/guides  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

Longevity medicine is one of the most exciting frontiers in modern healthcare. With new technology, more advanced biomarker testing, deeper aging research, and emerging interventions that aim to help us better understand and potentially shape the biology of aging, the field is opening up an entirely new level of conversation about healthspan, vitality, and the future of medicine. Today, we dive deeper into the roots of longevity medicine and why, in many ways, those roots have long existed within integrative medicine. We explore how the science of aging is evolving, why the most evidence-based longevity interventions still bring us back to foundational principles, and how older healing systems were thinking about vitality and healthy aging long before the modern longevity movement had a name for it. In this episode, we cover: why longevity is having such a major momentwhat longevity medicine actually isthe future-facing power of the fundamentals: nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and connectionfunctional medicine as a longevity frameworkthe wisdom of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicinewhat this means for the future of medicinewhat you can start focusing on today to support your vitality and healthspanWebsite: drmaryellawood.com Instagram: @drmaryella Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

Women’s health is often approached through a hormonal lens, but hormones are only one part of the story. In this episode, we explore a broader framework for women’s health that includes the neuro-endocrine system, inflammation, metabolism, the gut, autoimmunity, and the mind-body connection. We talk about PMDD, perimenopause, PCOS, endometriosis, IBS, autoimmune disease and why so many conditions that affect women are better understood through a more expansive, systems-based model. We also touch on rhythm, intuition, and the cyclical nature of the female body, and why the future of women’s health may depend on a framework that can hold all of that complexity. drmaryellawood.com  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

The modern psychedelic renaissance is teaching us something important, not just about psychedelic substances, but about how healing actually happens. Beyond the molecules, psychedelic science is revealing the conditions under which the human nervous system becomes capable of change. This episode explores the idea that psychedelics have long functioned as teachers, not only through ingestion, but by showing us how context, meaning, and state shape healing. By looking across history, neuroscience, and clinical research, we ask what psychedelic wisdom offers people who may never use a psychedelic drug at all. In this episode, we cover: Psychedelics as ancient teachers through indigenous and ceremonial traditionsWhat modern neuroscience reveals about neuroplasticity, psychological flexibility, and meaning-makingWhy preparation, set, setting, and integration matter as much as pharmacology in therapeutic outcomesNon-drug pathways that open windows of change, including meditation, mindfulness, nature exposure, and dream statesExploratory experiences that can feel truly psychedelic, such as breathwork, ritual, childbirth, and near-death experiencesHow the psychedelic movement serves as a mirror for modern medicine and challenges intervention-based models of healingSupport the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.

Psychedelic medicine is moving fast. Faster than regulation. Faster than standardization. And in many ways, faster than the data itself. In this episode, we explore what psychedelics are teaching us about practicing medicine under uncertainty. From the rapid rise of training programs and self-identified experts, to the tension between lived experience, emerging science, and clinical responsibility, this conversation looks beyond hype or skepticism. Drawing on psychedelic research, integrative medicine, and historical parallels like psychotherapy, biofeedback, and hormone therapy, this episode asks a deeper question: how do we determine expertise in an emerging field? And what does responsible leadership look like when certainty would be premature? This is an invitation to steward a powerful field with humility, honesty, and care. Psychedelics are teachers, let’s let them teach us.  Support the show For more from me beyond the podcast, come hang out on Between Mind & Body on Substack, where I share full podcast transcripts and deeper companion content, essays, physician-created guides, emerging research, and the questions medicine has not quite answered yet. Substack: Between Mind & Body Instagram: @drmaryella LinkedIn: Mary Ella Wood, DO, ABOIM If you enjoyed this episode, subscribing, sharing it with a friend, or leaving a review helps more than you know.