One thing I often tell the families I work with is that: a playing brain is a learning brain. Neurobiology backs this up. When activation meets connection—aka, play—we increase our capacity to tolerate distress, make meaning, and self-regulate.

When we feel like we have to fight to be respected, we might want to consider the situations we’re placing ourselves in. When we feel slighted, we might ask ourselves how much power we’re handing over to other people’s actions. Because the sad truth is—when it’s up to them, they rarely get it right.

What does this mean in the sense of polyvagal-informed therapy? It means that our nervous-systems are in the water. So the question we need to ask is: what water is your nervous system swimming in?

It is possible to live in a world with nearly zero measles, polio, whooping cough, diphtheria, and more. And it is possible for us to have enough health and well-being to withstand the intentional stressor of vaccines, and then to move forward with even more health and well-being.

Over the course of my time in practice, I have come to recognize that all behaviors make sense in context. And this means we have to choose a different paradigm. Following this different paradigm requires us to ask different questions.

I became a therapist because I know what it's like to need help. I know what it's like to feel confused or at the mercy of your reactions, your habits, your sensitivities. I know what it's like to have all the "right" tools and still feel stuck. And I know the relief of finally working with someone who sees you.

Jamie’s jam is nervous system awareness and safety - first, knowing what your nervous system’s bandwidth and capacity is in the moment. She brings regulation and grounding through mindfulness, body-based techniques, nature-based work, and more. And once you are regulated and feel safe, the work can begin at deeper layers.

In a world that often asks neurodiverse individuals to mask or change their natural ways of being, Ayurveda suggests something different: a framework for understanding these differences as expressions of the beautiful diversity of human consciousness. Your child doesn't need to be fixed; they need to be seen, understood, and supported in becoming the fullest expression of their authentic self.

When it comes to supporting neurodiverse children, Ayurveda offers an incredible amount of insight: that a child's sensory sensitivities, hyperfocus, and unique communication style are expressions of their individuality and their gifts. These are gifts that, when properly supported, can become that child's greatest strengths.

Long before intermittent fasting became the term du jour, ancient whole-person medicine and healing traditions, including Ayurveda, recognized the impact of fasting and meal timing on health. In the Ayurvedic system, we have long understood that digestion (agni) operates on natural rhythms aligned with the sun's movement.

The path from knowing to doing doesn't have to be walked alone. At The Buddha's Medicine, we've created an integrated approach that honors both the clinical expertise of Dr. Matt and the practical, day-to-day support that makes implementation possible.

The digital age presents unique challenges, but it also offers unprecedented opportunities for growth and connection. By applying timeless Ayurvedic principles to contemporary challenges, we can help our youth thrive in this rapidly evolving world. After all, true wellness is about adapting ancient wisdom to meet the needs of our time.

Ayurvedic medicine has held for thousands of years that nutrition and lifestyle have the power to prevent and treat heart disease. And the modern evidence base bears this out: to date, the only intervention that we have seen reverse (not slow down, not pause, but reverse) developing or full-blown heart disease is lifestyle-based treatment.

In my practice at The Buddha's Medicine, I've witnessed countless patients transform their relationship with inflammatory conditions by embracing these ancient principles alongside modern medical understanding. The key lies not in choosing between traditional and modern approaches, but in understanding how to integrate both for optimal healing.

In the hands of a qualified health professional, hypnotherapy is a safe modality that can be integrated with a whole multitude of others.

A post on some of applications for hypnotherapy in our practice setting (and other practice settings).

In addition to practicing broad-spectrum Ayurvedic, integrative, and manual medicine, I am also a clinical hypnotherapist.

This is about more than just healthcare – it's about creating spaces where healing can truly occur, where every individual feels valued, and where diversity is recognized as the beautiful, natural expression of life that it is. That's the promise of Ayurveda, and that's our promise to you at The Buddha's Medicine.

The journey to family mental wellness through Ayurveda isn't about reaching a particular destination – it's about creating a sustainable way of living that honors each family member's unique nature while fostering collective harmony.

Throughout my studies in Ayurveda, I have encountered various practitioners and institutions, but none have matched the depth and authenticity of Dr. Matt. What began as a mentorship relationship has evolved into something even more meaningful: serving the Dr. Matt's patients as an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach, working alongside the very doctor I consider to be an important and impactful mentor.