Neuroception - Feeling Safe in Order to Heal

Neuroception - Feeling Safe in Order to Heal

Author: Dr. Robert Silverman May 9, 2025 Duration: 44:22

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Pedram Shojai to dive into the fascinating connection between your gut and your overall health. We break down neuroception — how your body subconsciously scans for safety — and why it plays such a critical role in healing and performance.

We get into the gut's "second brain," the enteric nervous system, and how it drives your physical and mental well-being without you even realizing it. Dr. Shojai also shares real-world insights on tackling dysbiosis, understanding gut-immune symbiosis, and how simple lifestyle shifts can radically improve your health.

If you've ever wondered how stress, gut health, and the nervous system all tie together — and how to actually use that knowledge to feel better — this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Key Takeaways:
  • Understanding Neuroception: Neuroception refers to the subconscious detection of safety or threat in the body, playing a crucial role in both gut health and overall well-being.

  • Gut as an Immune Organ: The gut houses the majority of the body's immune cells, acting as a critical barrier between the inside of the body and external threats.

  • Role of Stress in Gut Health: Chronic stress can disrupt gut microbiota, leading to issues like dysbiosis and gut permeability, thereby affecting mental health.

  • Food Sensitivities: Identifying and avoiding food sensitivities can prevent chronic inflammation, leading to better overall health.

  • Holistic Approaches to Wellness: Emphasizing mind-body practices, such as meditation and breath work, can improve gut health by promoting a balanced parasympathetic state.

 
More About Dr. Pedram Shojai:

Dr. Pedram Shojai is a man with many titles. He is the founder and director of The Urban Monk Academy. He's the NYT Best Sellingauthor of the books Rise and Shine, The Urban Monk, The Art ofStopping Time, Inner Alchemy, Exhausted, Trauma, Focus, andConscious Parenting.He's the producer of the movies Vitality, Origins, Prosperity, and TheGreat Heist and the docuseries: Interconnected, Gateway to Health,Exhausted, Trauma, Conscious Parenting, Hormones Health & Harmony, and Gut Check.He's the host of"The Urban Monk" podcast and is a key influencer in the health and personal development space.He's a prominent physician in the functional medicine space and is known for his ability to bring people together around ideas that matter. oing all this, he's a chill guy who now lives up in the mountains and values his days on how much time he gets with his family. As a former monk, he strives to bring enlightenment and peace to the orld around him.

 

This episode is sponsored by Professional Co-op®, where clinicians gain exceptional access to industry-leading lab services without the hefty price tag—since 2001, they've been redefining what efficient, patient-focused support looks like. Imagine no hidden fees, no minimums, and only paying for completed tests. Experience lab services that not only meet but also exceed your expectations. Join the co-op trusted by countless licensed clinicians nationwide. Visit www.professionalco-op.com to learn more!

This episode is also made possible by Functional Medicine University. FMU is a fully online, self-paced training program in functional medicine, founded in 2006 by Dr. Ron Grisanti. With students in all 50 U.S. states and 68 countries globally, FMU has become a cornerstone in advanced clinical education for healthcare practitioners. The curriculum is led by Dr. Grisanti, alongside contributions from over 70 distinguished medical experts on FMU's advisory board. Graduates earn the prestigious Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (CFMP®) credential upon completion. FMU is also a nationally approved provider of continuing education for a wide range of licensed professionals, including MDs, DCs, DOs, NDs, acupuncturists, PAs, NPs, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and dentists. Whether you're looking to expand your clinical knowledge or bring a functional approach to your practice, FMU offers the tools, guidance, and certification to help you thrive. Visit www.functionalmedicineuniversity.com to learn more!


Dr. Robert Silverman hosts Proven Health Alternatives, a conversation grounded in functional medicine and clinical nutrition. As a chiropractic doctor and author of works like "Immune Reboot," he moves beyond conventional wellness talk to explore practical, evidence-supported strategies. Each episode feels like a detailed consultation, breaking down complex science into actionable steps for improving gut health, boosting immunity, and enhancing overall vitality. The discussions are thorough, often weaving in insights from his practice and the latest research to challenge common health assumptions. You’ll find a focus on the interconnected systems of the body, offering a different perspective on fitness and sustainable well-being. This isn't about quick fixes; it's a deep dive into how alternative approaches can complement traditional healthcare. Tune in for a thoughtful and science-backed exploration of taking control of your health narrative. The Proven Health Alternatives podcast provides a reliable space for anyone seeking to understand their body from the inside out, guided by Dr. Silverman’s decades of experience as a practitioner and international speaker.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 103

Proven Health Alternatives
Podcast Episodes
Women Who Are Over-Supplementing and Undernourished [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:59
Why are so many women over-supplemented… yet still undernourished? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Beth Westie, a Functional Medicine Practitioner & a dedicated advocate for women's health and hormone balance, to un…
Managing ME/CFS and Post-COVID Symptoms with Oxaloacetate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:10
What if aging isn't just something we accept… but something we can actually influence? In this episode, I sit down with Alan Cash, CEO of Terra Biological and a leading researcher in oxaloacetate, to break down the scien…
Beyond Biohacking: The Real Science of Longevity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:10
What does real longevity actually look like? Is it the latest biohacking trend, or something much more foundational? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Loren Marks, chiropractor and longevity-focused clinician, to disc…
Do Natural Medicines for Mental Health Really Work? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:22
In our latest episode, we ask a different question about mental health: What if anxiety and depression are signals, not just diagnoses? I'm joined by Dr. Peter Bongiorno, naturopathic doctor and functional medicine exper…
Movement as a Path to Self-Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:37
What if autoimmune disease is not an overactive immune system, but a loss of immune tolerance? In our latest episode, I sit down with Dr. Russell Jaffe, MD, PhD, CCN, a pioneer in integrative and functional medicine, to…
Why Foot and Ankle Strength Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:19
What if one of the biggest predictors of falls, balance issues, and even athletic decline wasn't the hips, core, or knees, but the toes? And what if strengthening them could dramatically change outcomes as we age? In thi…
Labs in Precision Medicine: An N-of-1 Framework [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:37
Why do so many people feel unwell even when their labs are labeled "normal"? Are we using laboratory testing as a guide, or are we letting numbers drive decisions without enough context? In this episode, I sit down with…
A Functional Medicine Approach to Reversing Hashimoto's [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
Why are thyroid disorders becoming so common? Why do so many people feel exhausted, foggy, and inflamed even when their labs are labeled "normal"? And is Hashimoto's truly a lifelong condition, or are we missing what act…