530: Why Meditation Isn't Enough: The Oral Biome, Gut Dysbiosis, and Nervous System Connection with Dr. Pedram Shojai

This is the conversation I have been waiting to have. If you are doing the breathwork, the meditation, the supplements, the protocols, and you are STILL feeling anxious, inflamed, bloated, and exhausted, this episode will explain why. My guest is Dr. Pedram Shojai, The Urban Monk. He is a New York Times bestselling author and a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and the man who first came on this show talking about stress and the nervous system. Years later, after a wild full-circle moment in a group coaching call, we are back together to talk about what he is doing NOW: the connection between the nervous system and the oral and gut microbiomes. In this episode we connect every dot for the midlife woman who has been told she is fine. The stress-and-biome loop. Why your mouthwash may be sabotaging you.  If you have been guessing about your gut and oral health and throwing supplements at a problem you have never tested, this is your invitation to stop guessing. WE GO DEEP ON: •  The full-circle story from The Urban Monk to the microbiome •  Why nervous system work alone is not enough in midlife •  The stress + biome loop and how it makes anxiety, fog, and bloat worse •  Oral microbiome 101: what it is and why it matters for your gut, heart, and brain •  The everyday things women are doing that are wrecking their oral biome •  Why generic probiotics often do not work •  Gut testing and oral microbiome testing demystified •  Pedram's personal first steps after seeing his own data •  Your this-week starter plan: 3 things to stop, 3 things to start TIMESTAMPS: •  00:00 — Cold open: the full-circle story •  03:00 — Welcome + context for midlife women •  05:00 — From The Urban Monk to the microbiome (his journey) •  13:00 — The nervous system + biome loop •  21:00 — Oral microbiome 101 •  29:00 — Gut microbiome as the control center •  36:00 — Stop guessing, start testing •  42:00 — Pedram's own protocol •  48:00 — Biome + hormones + your starter plan + hope   Catch the full episode on YOUTUBE HERE: https://bit.ly/MidlifeConversationsYouTube   Learn More About Dr. Pedram Shojai Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/theurbanmonk    Website ➜ http://midlifeconversations.com/oral    Thank you to our show sponsors:  MITOQ: Take control of healthy aging and longevity. Get 10% off using code NATALIEJILL at checkout on https://www.mitoq.com/  QUANTUM UPGRADE: Try Quantum Upgrade completely free for 15 days—no credit card required. Use code NATALIEJILL at checkout on https://quantumupgrade.io/start  BONCHARGE: Get glowing, younger looking skin with minimal effort or time. Go to http://boncharge.com/ and use code NATALIEJILL to save 15%  Free Gifts for being a listener of Midlife Conversations! Mastering the Midlife Midsection Guide: https://theflatbellyguide.com/ Age Optimizing and Supplement Guide: https://ageoptimizer.com   Connect with me on social media! Instagram: <a href= "https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.instagram.com_Nataliejllfit&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=BbvhB