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In this enlightening episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, May Bagnell sits down with Ellie, MD for an honest and empowering conversation about women’s health through a brain-based lens. Together, they explore how hormones, metabolism, and the nervous system work together—and why so many women experience symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, mood changes, sleep disruption, and weight shifts during different seasons of life.

Ellie, MD shares clinical insight and practical wisdom on perimenopause, menopause, metabolic health, and the importance of addressing the root cause rather than chasing symptoms. May brings clarity to how brain health influences hormonal balance, emotional resilience, and long-term vitality. This episode reframes women’s health as something to be understood, supported, and optimized—not feared or dismissed.

If you’ve ever felt unheard, overwhelmed, or unsure why your body feels “off,” this conversation will leave you feeling informed, hopeful, and empowered. It’s a must-listen for women ready to take a smarter, more compassionate approach to healing—starting with the brain.

🎧 Tune in and discover how understanding your brain can transform your health journey.

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In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Dr. Michael & May Bagnell welcome Jimmy Hill, former Royal Marine Commando and UK Special Forces operator, filmmaker, and advocate for healing after military service.

Jimmy shares his extraordinary journey—from high-tempo special operations to surviving multiple gunshot wounds, years of rehabilitation, and redefining purpose beyond the battlefield. This episode sheds light on the realities of military life, the often invisible wounds of trauma, and the strength found in vulnerability.

Together, the conversation explores Jimmy’s upcoming documentary In the Shadows, a film dedicated to amplifying the voices of operators, spouses, and specialists working behind the scenes to support those who serve.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Military trauma, PTSD, anxiety, and depression
• The difference between visible and invisible injuries
• Why community, connection, and honesty are essential to healing
• How identity shifts after service—and how to rebuild purpose and meaning
• The importance of having something to train for, not just something to live for

A standout moment of the episode includes a live review of Jimmy’s brain map, offering rare insight into brain connectivity, power levels, alpha and gamma brain waves, and how targeted brain training can support resilience, focus, emotional regulation, and long-term brain health.

This episode is a message of hope for:

• Veterans and active-duty service members
• Families and spouses walking the journey alongside them
• Anyone navigating trauma, identity shifts, or feelings of hopelessness

Key takeaway:

This conversation reminds us that healing is possible, support is available, and resilience can be trained—both in the body and the brain.

🎧 Tune in, share with someone who needs encouragement, and be reminded:
You can heal. We can help.

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In this compelling episode, Dr. Michael Bagnell take a deep dive into dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, breaking down long-standing myths and revealing what modern neuroscience is teaching us about prevention, progression, and brain resilience. The discussion begins by clarifying that Alzheimer’s is NOT caused by aluminum, dispelling outdated fears, while emphasizing that toxins, inflammation, and lifestyle choices still matter when it comes to long-term brain health.

A major focus of this conversation is the powerful link between blood sugar dysregulation and Alzheimer’s, often referred to in research as “Type 3 Diabetes.” Dr. Bagnell explains how chronic blood sugar imbalance creates inflammation in the brain, dramatically increasing the risk of cognitive decline—especially in women, who are statistically more vulnerable. The takeaway is clear and urgent: controlling blood sugar may be one of the most effective ways to reduce Alzheimer’s risk.

The episode also explores the often-overlooked role of brain injuries and concussions, even a single impact, in increasing the likelihood of Parkinson’s, dementia, and Alzheimer’s later in life. Dr. Bagnell shares a deeply personal story about his father, illustrating how unrecognized traumatic brain injury can shape emotional health, behavior, memory loss, and early dementia. This segment powerfully humanizes the science and highlights why brain inflammation and injury must be taken seriously.

Listeners will gain clarity around memory concerns as well. Forgetting words or losing your train of thought is NOT automatically Alzheimer’s—it is often a sign of working memory stress, not neurodegeneration. While many people turn to crossword puzzles and Sudoku, Dr. Bagnell explains that these offer limited benefit compared to one proven intervention: movement. Research shows that physical movement activates more of the brain than passive cognitive tasks, making exercise one of the strongest protectors of brain health.

The conversation expands into neuroplasticity, emphasizing that movement is the doorway to brain change. Activities that are new, challenging, engaging, and even frustrating stimulate dopamine, the chemical that fuels learning and adaptation. Whether it’s learning a new skill, coordinated movement, or combining physical activity with cognitive tasks, these experiences retrain and strengthen the brain far more effectively than passive mental exercises.

Dr. Bagnell also addresses the growing neurological impact of long COVID, explaining how neuroinflammation and brainstem dysfunction can lead to brain fog, heart rate instability, balance issues, and dysautonomia. He stresses that, just like a physical injury, the brain may require rehabilitation, not just medication. This insight offers hope for those struggling with persistent post-COVID symptoms.

The episode then unpacks addiction and dopamine, revealing how social media, gambling, substances, and high-stimulation environments hijack the brain’s reward system. Addiction, Dr. Bagnell explains, is less about the substance itself and more about dopamine-driven desire and pursuit. Understanding this mechanism opens the door to more effective healing and recovery strategies.

In a holistic close, the conversation moves beyond biology into the deeper dimensions of healing—the body, the soul, and the spirit. Dr. Bagnell explains why treating only the physical body leaves healing incomplete and why emotional and spiritual health play a critical role in true recovery. The episode concludes with a fascinating discussion on dolphin-assisted therapy, wher