Podcast:

Mindful Method

Episode 40: Dr. Anna Sitkoff

With:

Mike Levine

December 16, 2024

Listen: Spotify

This was a fun conversation with Coach Mike that led us into a broader discussion about foundational principles for health that should be in place before you turn to supplements, as well as the under-appreciated role of mushrooms in exercise performance and recovery (shout out to cordyceps and reishi!). Mike has a fascinating personal story as well, and I encourage you to check out his podcast and website here. Thanks Mike for the great conversation!

Conversation starters

[For awkward dinner parties, silent elevator rides, grocery store lines, and your favorite barista]

"If you're not moving your body and if you're not eating well, you're just going to be throwing supplements at something that you're never going to be able to get past those barriers."

"I had a patient with PTSD who was taking reishi and maitake for cancer support, and all of a sudden she felt safe in the world and her nervous system just calmed down."

Key Topics

[02:30] 📚 Writing the medicinal mushroom chapter in the Textbook of Natural Medicine

[03:15] 🏢 Co-founding Lucidum Medicinals to create effective mushroom supplements

[06:45] 💪 Foundational health principles: sleep, protein, and blood sugar stability for immune support

[11:15] 🔍 What to avoid in mushroom supplements: myceliated grain vs. fruiting body extracts

[17:30] 🛡️ Daily preventative mushroom protocols for immune system resilience

[18:45] 🏃‍♂️ Reishi and cordyceps research for athletic endurance and recovery

[24:00] 🧠 Adjunctive cancer support and PTSD improvements with mushroom therapy

[26:30] 💭 Creatine for traumatic brain injury recovery at therapeutic doses

[28:30] ☀️ Winter mental health essentials: outdoor movement and regular nutrition

Spores for Thought

"I have so many case studies where the treatment plan was to eat 30 grams of protein at each meal and do yoga nidra once a day and everything got better."