The Neuro Collective Podcast
Welcome to The Neuro Collective Podcast!
We are your hosts, Dr. Michael Bagnell, Functional Neurologist and May Bagnell, Mindset and Nutrition Coach. Together, we are here to guide you through the dynamic intersection of Functional Neurology, Mindset Coaching, and Functional Medicine. If you're passionate about neuroscience, alternative health, and holistic wellness, you're in the perfect place.
Our podcast is designed for those who are eager to explore innovative ways to heal brain conditions, optimize brain performance, and enhance overall well-being.
We cater to everyone from health-conscious individuals to high-performing athletes.
Each week, we bring you expert interviews, the latest research, and actionable tips to help you achieve peak mental and physical health. Together, we'll dive deep into the science and practicalities of brain health, empowering you to live your best life with a sharper mind and a healthier body.
So, let's embark on this journey together and unlock the limitless potential of your brain. This is The Neuro Collective Podcast—where holistic health meets neuroscience.
The Neuro Collective Podcast
Part 3- Rooted in Balance: The Still Point: Mastering Stress & Strengthening Your Inner Calm-Episode 126
In this episode of The Neurocollective Podcast, we continue our Rooted in Balance series and dive into the first “S” of the D-STRESS Protocol: Stress Reduction & Nervous System Regulation.
Modern life demands more of us than ever before. Whether you're juggling parenting, a demanding career, relationships, or personal battles—stress is inevitable, but being overwhelmed is not your only option.
Dr. Michael and May Bagnell uncover how stress impacts the body at a functional medicine level and how dysregulation in the HPA Axis (Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal) becomes the root cause of burnout, anxiety, insomnia, brain fog, adrenal fatigue and even chronic disease.
🔍 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why the hypothalamus acts as your internal thermostat for stress
- How chronic stress dysregulates the nervous system, hormones, and sleep cycles
- The difference between external stress and perceived stress—and why your mindset can increase or decrease stress load
- What the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems really are (beyond just “fight or flight” vs “rest and digest”)
- Why unresolved stress becomes oxidative stress and endotoxin build-up in the body
- How nervous system dysregulation is a gateway to dementia and chronic disease if not addressed
- The importance of at-home functional lab tests and understanding your body's internal chemistry
- Morning and evening nervous system routines for real-life women—mothers, grandmothers, professionals
- Practical tools: breathwork, binaural beats, meditation, mineral support (magnesium, zinc), HPA balancing
- How to begin training for calm and teaching your body that it is safe to rest
Key Highlights (Bold Words Included):
- “Root Cause Healing begins with nervous system regulation.”
- “Stress is not just what happens to you—it’s how your brain perceives it.”
- “You have sovereignty and agency over your health.”
- “Your body is a pharmacy—if you give it the right tools, it heals.”
- “Long-term stress over 50 becomes a gateway to dementia.”
- “You can heal—and we can help.”
Listen on:
Buzzsprout | Spotify | Apple Podcasts