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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