#121 Dr Dave Smith CO2 Expert: The Science to Preventing & Reversing Brain Damage

#121 Dr Dave Smith CO2 Expert: The Science to Preventing & Reversing Brain Damage

Author: Mike Maher August 3, 2025 Duration: 1:35:04

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Today's guest is Dr. David Smith, a physician & inventor who has spent 14 years studying nature's most impact-resistant creatures to solve traumatic brain injury. He's the creator of the FDA-authorized Q-Collar and revolutionary CO2 rebreather technology that could transform how we prevent brain injuries, treat sleep apnea, and manage altitude sickness. In this podcast we cover his groundbreaking "SLOSH Theory," why people die on Mount Everest, the controversial truth about CO2 levels, and how he brought a clinically brain-dead patient back to consciousness using CO2 therapy.

Connect with Dr Dave here: https://davidsmithmd.com/

Get The Best Night's Sleep with RA Optics, use this link to get 10% off: https://www.raoptics.com/TADB10

0:00 Introduction - Meet Dr. Dave
0:32 What Is Brain Injury & Slosh Theory?
2:45 How CO2 Controls Blood Flow To Your Brain
5:02 The Secret Power Of Yawning
6:13 CO2 Levels Have Dropped Throughout History
8:23 Do Apes Get Concussions Like Humans?
10:33 Why People Die On Mount Everest
15:29 80 Breaths Per Minute On Everest!
16:42 How Do We Know These Respiratory Rates?
17:35 What About The Sherpas?
22:06 Your Sinuses Are CO2 Storage Tanks
22:26 The 2,3-DPG Molecule Explained
25:38 Why Altitude Pills Don't Work
27:10 How Much Dead Space Do We Have?
28:57 The Burping At Altitude Theory
33:17 Dead Space From Nose To Lungs
44:25 SIDS Theory - The Nasal Cycle Connection
58:05 Revolutionary Sleep Apnea Mask
1:08:28 Indoor CO2 Controversy Explained
1:17:04 Bringing Back The Brain Dead
1:25:43 Why CO2 Reverses Brain Death
1:27:51 Earthing & Grounding Discussion
1:33:32 Where To Find Dr. Dave's Book


Mike Maher hosts TAKE A DEEP BREATH, a space where the simple, automatic act of breathing gets the thoughtful exploration it deserves. This isn't just about relaxation techniques, though you'll certainly find those. Instead, each conversation delves into the surprising science and profound personal power hidden within our own respiration. Mike guides discussions with a diverse range of voices-from researchers mapping the breath's impact on the nervous system to yoga teachers sharing ancient practices, and everyday explorers who've used breathwork to transform their mental and physical fitness. You'll hear practical methods alongside the deeper philosophy, understanding how conscious breathing can alter stress, focus, and overall wellbeing. Tune in to this podcast for a refreshingly direct look at a fundamental part of life, learning how to harness your breath with more intention and discover what happens when you truly pay attention to the air moving in and out. It's a journey into the most accessible tool we all possess, waiting to be unlocked.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 133

TAKE A DEEP BREATH
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