Functional Wellness with Dr. Alison

Struggling with perimenopause symptoms and feeling like no one understands what you're going through? Dr. Alison DiBarto Goggin (functional medicine physician) and Nurse Jen Schroer (specialized nurse practitioner) join forces to talk about what's really happening during perimenopause and how to get the support you deserve. In this 30-minute conversation, we cover: ✨ The most common perimenopause symptoms women don't realize are hormone-related ✨ Why conventional healthcare often misses the mark with perimenopause support ✨ The importance of comprehensive hormone testing (blood work + DUTCH testing) ✨ What's NOT working: random supplements, band-aid solutions, and "just deal with it" advice ✨ How functional medicine and personalized coaching create lasting results ✨ Our 90-day Perimenopause Reset Program and how it works Whether you're just starting to experience symptoms or you've been struggling for years, this conversation will help you understand what's happening in your body and what real, root-cause support looks like. Perimenopause Reset Program (90-day done-for-you support): https://www.claritywellnesscoach.com/service-page/perimenopause-power-pack Schedule Your Free Consultation: https://www.claritywellnesscoach.com/service-page/perimenopause-power-pack Connect with Dr. Alison: Website: littleblackbagmedicine.com ABOUT US: Dr. Alison DiBarto Goggin is a functional medicine practitioner specializing in chronic illness, autoimmunity, and hormone health through Little Black Bag Medicine. Nurse Jen Schroer is a registered nurse specializing in perimenopause and hormone support through personalized coaching and education. Together, we've created a comprehensive program that combines hormone testing, functional medicine protocols, and expert nursing support to help women thrive through perimenopause. KEYWORDS: perimenopause, perimenopause symptoms, hormone testing, DUTCH test, functional medicine, hormone imbalance, menopause support, perimenopause treatment, natural hormone balance, women's health, hormone coaching, perimenopause help

Are you experiencing insomnia, brain fog, irregular periods, or crushing fatigue in your 40s? You might be in perimenopause—and it could be lasting longer than you think. In this foundational episode of our Perimenopause Deep Dive series, Dr. Alison DiBarto Goggin, functional medicine physician, breaks down: ✅ What perimenopause actually is and why it can last up to 10 years (not the 5 years we were taught) ✅ The most common early symptoms women notice (hint: it's not just hot flashes) ✅ Why viral infections like COVID-19 and Epstein-Barr may be triggering earlier perimenopause ✅ The truth about hormone testing—why your doctor won't run labs and what tests actually help ✅ A simple, whole-body foundational protocol supporting the brain, adrenals, liver, gut, and blood sugar balance Dr. Alison shares the exact supplement and essential oil protocol that's helping her patients regulate cycles, reduce symptoms, and regain their energy—without chasing 100 different solutions. Perfect for: Women in their 40s experiencing unexplained symptoms Anyone told "this is just part of aging" by their doctor Women seeking natural, functional medicine approaches to hormone balance Those frustrated with conventional medical options for perimenopause Coming up in this series: Sleep optimization, weight management, brain health, ADHD in perimenopause, expert interviews, and more. Resources mentioned: Foundational Perimenopause Protocol: https://link.doterra.com/BWYqQE Book a consultation: littleblackbagmedicine.com

Are you a healer who has given everything to others until your body gave out? Do you wonder why healing never seems to stick? You might be walking the Heroine's Journey. In this special book launch episode, Dr. Alison DiBarto Goggin—functional medicine physician, shamanic practitioner, and author—shares the spiritual side of healing chronic illness through her new book "Goddess Medicine." What you'll learn: ✨ Why women's healing journeys are spiral, not linear (and what that means for your recovery) ✨ The red thread of Ariadne: how giving away your life force creates chronic depletion ✨ Angrboda's three burnings: surviving betrayal by your body, relationships, and the medical system ✨ Mary Magdalene's teaching: you cannot heal what you abandon ✨ The Egyptian Pylon Path: the full descent into darkness and the gifts waiting on the other side ✨ How to integrate all versions of yourself (the wounded child, the fierce protector, the sovereign woman) Available now on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and paperback at https://a.co/d/0di0l0Ar And come join us in the Goddess Medicine Circle on Facebook for the free guided book course starting March 6th. https://www.facebook.com/groups/goddessmedicinecircle And a chance to win a private shamanic reiki session with me: https://bit.ly/4bUEisV This episode is for women with chronic illness, autoimmunity, medical trauma, MCAS, POTS, thyroid issues, digestive disorders, or anyone recovering from surgery who knows there's more to healing than protocols alone. #ChronicIllnessWarrior #AutoimmuneHealing #WomensHealth #SpiritualHealing #TraumaRecovery #GoddessWisdom #FunctionalMedicine #ShamanicHealing

If you've ever come home from what should have been a normal day and spent the next week in bed, this episode is for you. Today we're talking about post-exertional malaise, ME/CFS, long hauler fatigue, and chronic muscle pain from the perspective of someone who both treats these conditions and lives with them. Dr. Alison DiBarto Goggin walks through the full spectrum of fatigue, from normal soreness after overdoing it at the gym to the kind of debilitating exhaustion where chewing food is an effort and getting to the bathroom leaves you breathless. In this episode you'll learn what myalgic encephalomyelitis actually means and why it matters, how post-exertional malaise differs from ordinary tiredness, why this is not a deconditioning problem and why pushing harder makes it worse, what NIH-funded research is telling us about the gut microbiome and ME/CFS, what testing can and cannot tell us right now, and what a real functional medicine approach to these conditions looks like, including diet, gut health, mitochondrial support, viral protocols, and pacing strategies. This episode is for women who are tired of being told they just need more exercise, more sleep, or more willpower. There are biological reasons your body responds the way it does. There are root causes worth investigating. And there is a path forward. Resources mentioned in this episode are available at https://us.fullscript.com/plans/littleblackbagmedicine-pems and www.littleblackbagmedicine.com. To work with Dr. Alison directly, schedule online at the same link.

Struggling with severe brain fog, insomnia, migraines, or POTS symptoms after a viral infection? You're not alone. In this episode, Dr. Alison shares her personal experience with post-viral cognitive dysfunction and breaks down the science behind long COVID neurological symptoms, chronic fatigue, and nervous system dysregulation. Discover evidence-based strategies for brain recovery including: -Research on immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation after viral infections -Clinical trials for long COVID cognitive symptoms (baricitinib, low-dose naltrexone, metformin) -Essential nutrients for brain health: NAC, CoQ10, omega-3s, vitamin D, B-vitamins -Why Lions Mane and nootropics help some people but worsen ADHD symptoms in others -Dopamine support and saffron spray for post-viral mood and cognitive issues -Nicotine patches for neuroinflammation (watch: https://youtu.be/S9PHDJCncUI) -Game-changing functional neurology brain exercises that rewire your nervous system -Mitochondrial support, phosphatidylcholine, and anti-inflammatory protocols Whether you're dealing with long COVID, Epstein-Barr reactivation, post-viral MCAS, or POTS, this episode provides actionable recovery strategies grounded in current research. Learn why post-viral brain symptoms persist for months or years and what you can do about it today.

Chronic hives, mysterious allergic reactions, and unexplained symptoms? You might have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Functional medicine physician Dr. Alison DiBarto Goggin shares everything you need to know about MCAS - from symptoms and diagnosis to root causes and treatment protocols that actually work. Learn about the connection between MCAS, long COVID, POTS, EDS, and gut health. Discover why standard testing often fails, which probiotics make histamine WORSE, and how to implement effective antihistamine protocols, dietary changes, and nervous system regulation. Dr. Alison shares her personal journey with severe MCAS after COVID and the protocols that brought her to remission - including the probiotic mistake most people make, therapeutic supplement dosing, and the brain-gut connection. Download the FREE MCAS & Mold Illness Manual: https://alisondibartogoggin.podia.com/mcas-manual Topics: MCAS symptoms, histamine intolerance, DAO enzymes, low histamine diet, mast cell stabilizers, long COVID, POTS, EDS, gut dysbiosis, biofilms, mold exposure, vagus nerve support, functional medicine protocols. Disclaimer: Educational content only, not medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider. Connect: www.littleblackbagmedicine.com | @AlisonDiBartoGoggin

Struggling with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)? Functional medicine physician Dr. Alison shares her personal POTS recovery story and comprehensive treatment strategies. Topics covered: ✓ POTS symptoms, diagnosis & subtypes (hypovolemic, neuropathic, hyperadrenergic) ✓ Long COVID and viral-induced POTS ✓ Why doctors dismiss POTS as anxiety ✓ Root causes: EBV, MCAS, dysautonomia, autoimmunity ✓ Compression socks & garments for POTS ✓ FL-41 glasses for light sensitivity ✓ Heart rate monitoring & wearables (Oura, Apple Watch, Visible) ✓ Hydration & electrolyte strategies ✓ Nervous system support & vagal toning ✓ Iron deficiency in POTS ✓ Beta-blockers vs. functional medicine approaches ✓ POTS and chronic illness management Perfect for POTS patients, long-haulers, chronic illness warriors, and anyone seeking functional medicine solutions beyond standard care. Learn more: www.LittleBlackBagMedicine.com

That "immune-boosting" supplement almost put me in the hospital. That fitness program everyone loves left me unable to get out of bed. Those "normal" lab results while I was actively dying. If you have autoimmunity, you've probably experienced the frustration of trying to do everything right and still ending up in flares. In this episode, I'm breaking down the six major trigger categories that keep you stuck, and more importantly, what to do about them. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why herbs like echinacea and mushroom coffee might be destroying you (TH1/TH2 explained) The actual science behind food triggers and molecular mimicry Why you can't work out like that fitness influencer (and what to do instead) The truth about cold plunges and why they're harmful for women with autoimmunity Why your "normal" labs don't invalidate your very real symptoms Practical stress management tools that actually work This isn't about restriction or fear. This is about understanding what your body needs so you can move through life with confidence instead of confusion. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Cyrex Labs: https://www.cyrexlabs.com/ Sequencing.com for genetic testing: https://sequencing.com/ Therapist matching: https://www.theraplist.com/ Psychology Today therapist directory: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ Desbio Mental Emotional Detox Kit: https://dbscript.com/?direct=dralison 🔗 WORK WITH DR. ALISON: Ready for personalized support to identify YOUR specific triggers? Learn about working together at https://www.littleblackbagmedicine.com CONNECT WITH ME: Instagram/Facebook: @AlisonDiBartoGoggin Website: https://www.littleblackbagmedicine.com Podcast: Functional Wellness with Dr. Alison

In this episode, I'm getting real about what actually causes autoimmunity, and spoiler alert: it's not just your unresolved trauma. While trauma is correlated with autoimmune disease, I'm calling out the dangerous trend of blaming women's emotions and past experiences for complex immune dysfunction. When 80% of autoimmune patients are women, and the message is "you got sick because you didn't process your childhood properly," we've got a problem. I break down the scientifically documented root causes of autoimmunity, including: Genetics and environmental triggers Viruses like Epstein-Barr and COVID Mold exposure and mycotoxins Lyme and co-infections Pregnancy and microchimerism Birth control and prolactin Superfund sites and toxic environmental exposure This isn't about dismissing the mind-body connection. As a shamanic practitioner and reiki master, I work with energetics daily. But we need to stop victim-blaming and start acknowledging the real biological, viral, genetic, and environmental factors making people sick. If you're tired of being told your illness is your fault, this episode is for you. Resources mentioned: Find me at littleblackbagmedicine.com for functional medicine support that combines root cause testing with energetic healing, without the judgment.

Welcome back to Functional Wellness with Dr. Alison. This is the story I never wanted to tell, but the one so many of you need to hear. In 2019, a doctor yelled at Dr. Alison that she had cancer. No tests. No conversation. Just fear. The GI who performed her colonoscopy was aggressive and dismissive. After that scope, everything changed. She went from "a little inflammation" to end-stage colitis in 5 months. When she was dying from sepsis—losing 35 pounds in 3 weeks, hallucinating from pain, with a resting heart rate of 170—her doctor said, "I don't know what you want me to do for you." This episode is about medical trauma, dismissal, and what happens when the system fails you. It's also about resilience, the lessons learned in the darkest moments, and why Dr. Alison will never dismiss a patient the way she was dismissed. What you'll learn: The three things she wishes she'd done differently Why meeting your specialist BEFORE procedures matters How this shaped her devotional approach to functional medicine More Support At: www.LittleBlackBagMedicine.com

Simple Metta Meditation for loving kindness

Free Introduction to the Heart Chakra and the program: Sacred Alignment: A Shamanic Journey Through the Chakras Unlock Hidden Wisdom, Heal Deep Wounds, and Reconnect with Your Soul Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey through your chakras? Join me in this FREE 4-week shamanic journeying course where we will explore the energy centers of your body—uncovering hidden parts of yourself, retrieving lost soul fragments, and realigning your heart, body, and soul for profound healing. Sign up here: https://alisondibartogoggin.podia.com/sacred-alignment-a-shamanic-journey-through-the-chakras Join me in this FREE 4-week shamanic journeying course where we will explore the energy centers of your body—uncovering hidden parts of yourself, retrieving lost soul fragments, and realigning your heart, body, and soul for profound healing. Each week, we will journey into a different chakra, connecting with its energy to release old wounds, rediscover self-love, and create balance in your life. This experience will help with physical healing, emotional integration, and deep spiritual awakening. What You’ll Experience in This Course: ✨ Journey to each chakra to reveal hidden wisdom and energetic imbalances ✨ Discover and integrate lost parts of yourself through soul retrieval ✨ Heal physical ailments by addressing their energetic roots ✨ Explore the connection between chakras and life phases (inner child healing, reparenting, past life insights) ✨ Deepen self-compassion and love as you align with your true essence ✨ Strengthen your intuition and body wisdom for lasting transformation

Discover Your Meeting Place: Shamanic Journey with Alison Are you new to shamanic journeying and curious where to start? This class will guide you through your own journey to find your meeting place to ground and center, meet with guides, ancestors, and power animals and enhance your meditation and journeying experiences. Optional: bring journal, pen, and eye mask. Audio includes - Introduction to Alison - Introduction to journeying and shamanism - Guided meditation starts around 11:00 Learn more about Alison at www.JourneywithAlison.com

Not sure you can get better? Tired of nothing working and feeling overwhelmed? Listen to this podcast to dive deeper into how to support your mindset and health! FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LBBMedicine Brain Health Prevention Program: https://l.bttr.to/ASx39 Schedule online: www.LittleBlackBagMedicine.com

Does gut health affect mental health? What about the serotonin in your gut? Dr. Alisons shares some myths and truths about gut health and brain health today! Join our FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LBBMedicine Free brain health course: https://alisondibartogoggin.podia.com/your-best-brain-program Brain Health Protocol: https://us.fullscript.com/u/protocols/VHJlYXRtZW50UGxhblRlbXBsYXRlLTcxOTc1 Parkinsons, lectins, and herbicides: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181204131105.htm

Dr. Alison shares her top supports for brain balance for the whole family: lifestyle, movement, rehab, eye movements, supplements, oils, and more! Join the Functional Medicine FB community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LBBMedicine Free Brain Balance Program: https://alisondibartogoggin.podia.com/your-best-brain-program Get the Supplement protocol: https://us.fullscript.com/protocols/littleblackbagmedicine-kids-brain-protocol Get the oil protocol: https://doterra.me/j6VJpn Schedule online: www.LittleBlackBagMedicine.com

Learn about the link between soybean and vegetable oil and gut health. New research shows that these oils may be a causative factor for colitis and leaky gut! Schedule online: www.LittleBlackBagMedicine.com

Are you wondering if ice baths, cryotherapy or cold showers are right for you? Dr. Alison shares why she feels that it isn't always the right choice for women (but it's okay if it's working for you) and what the research says. Schedule online: www.LittleBlackBagMedicine.com

Dr. Alison reviews "To Dye For" by Alden Wicker and how chemicals in our clothing, water, air, and food have been linked to almost all health issues and diseases. She shares her take on the information presented and what she recommends for supporting your health. Get the book: https://a.co/d/9uG9uB9 Detox Protocols: https://us.fullscript.com/protocols/littleblackbagmedicine-favorite-detoxification-programs Schedule online: www.LittleBlackBagMedicine.com

Dr. Alison shares her journey of looking for her root cause for her autoimmune illnesses, creating a spreadsheet of support, and not giving up hope! Connect with Me: Website: www.DrAlisonGoggin.com IG: @alison.dibarto.goggin FB: @LittleBlackBagMedicine FB community: www.facebook.com/groups/LBBMedicine