MEET THE GUEST
Dr. Zachary Spiritos is a Duke-trained neurogastroenterologist and founder of EverBetter Medicine, a telehealth clinic focused on complex digestive disorders, dysautonomia, and chronic illness. His approach combines clinical expertise with patient education to uncover root causes and support long-term healing through gut and nervous system regulation.

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT

• How Dr. Spiritos became a neurogastroenterologist and what software issues really mean in gut health.

• Why so many patients with celiac, IBS, or mold exposure develop lingering neuro and gut symptoms long after removing the trigger.

• The science of visceral hypersensitivity when the brain can’t turn off pain signals from the gut.

• What the vagus nerve really does, how it drives parasympathetic regulation, and why nervous system resets matter more than elimination diets.

• The connection between trauma, stress, gut motility, and why nervous system overload leads to unpredictable GI flares.

• Why MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) is often the hidden root of multi-system symptoms, especially in patients with mold, Lyme, or long COVID.

• How MCAS presents in the gut, brain, skin, lungs, and heart and why these patients are often misdiagnosed or gaslit.

• What works: H1 and H2 blockers, nervous system calmers, and low-toxin living and why even a shampoo swap can change everything.

• Understanding POTS and dysautonomia and why it often coexists with mast cell dysfunction.

• Why Dr. Spiritos avoids microbiome testing and instead focuses on history, symptom clusters, and foundational healing strategies.

• The real pillars of gut-brain repair: nervous system regulation, inflammation reduction, sleep, light, fiber, community, and compassion.

EPISODE RESOURCES
Function Health
Track 100+ biomarkers with at-home lab testing to uncover root causes of gut and brain dysfunction. Use code ESCHLICK10 for a discount.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/FunctionHealth

Sequencing
DNA testing for traits and risks that influence your gut-brain axis, inflammation, and immune response.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Sequencing

Immunolytics
Home lab kits to detect mold and mycotoxins that can trigger MCAS and nervous system inflammation.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Immunolytics

Pulsetto
Wearable vagus nerve stimulator for calming the nervous system and improving stress-related gut symptoms.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/Pulsetto

Rho Nutrition
Targeted liquid blends for detox, gut repair, and immune regulation, key in managing chronic gut and nervous system issues. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 15% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/RhoNutrition

Wonderfeel
Science-backed supplements to support brain health, cognition, and cellular resilience in chronic conditions.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/wonderfeel

Oura Ring
Smart ring to track sleep, HRV, and recovery, key metrics for nervous system regulation and healing.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/OuraRing

Earthing
Grounding tools to support vagus nerve health, reduce inflammation, and calm the stress response.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/earthing

Somavedic
EMF-neutralizing devices to lower environmental stress and support MCAS, sleep, and nervous system repair. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for 10% OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/somavedic

Genopalate
DNA-based nutrition insights to personalize your diet and support brain-gut and histamine balance. Use code TRAILTOHEALTH for $10 OFF.
shop.thetrailtohealth.com/genopalate

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
Website: everbettermedicine.health
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drzacspiritos/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zachary.spiritos/

KEYWORDS
gut-brain connection, neurogastroenterology, vagus nerve, mast cell activation syndrome, POTS, gut health, inflammation, probiotics, digestive health, mental health, telehealth