From Migraine Miracles to Molding Musical Minds: Interview with Josh Turknett, MD

The Physicians for Ancestral Health Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Tommy Wood interviews fellow PAH co-host, Dr. Josh Turknett. Josh is a Board Certified Neurologist, musician, and former migraine sufferer. He is the author of The Migraine Miracle, which outlines his method for preventing migraines using ancestral health principles. He is also the founder of Brainjo, the first music instruction method aimed at the adult learner and based on the science of learning and neuroplasticity.

In this episode Josh talks with Tommy about his struggle with migraines and the 3-pillar process he developed to treat them. Josh explains how the current medications given to migraine sufferers offer momentary relief but actually increase the likelihood of future migraines. They also discuss the Brainjo method for learning to play an instrument by maximizing the brain’s capacity for growth and change.

RELATED LINKS:

• jturk.net
• The Migraine Miracle book and website
• The Laws of Brainjo: The Art & Science of Effective Practice
• The Optimal Brain

Here's the outline of this interview with Dr. Josh Turknett

[00:00:18] Podcast: From Neonatal Neurobiology to Elite Performance Coaching: Interview with Dr. Tommy Wood.

[00:00:28] Physicians for Ancestral Health Podcast Episode 1: Introducing the Physicians for Ancestral Health Podcast.

[00:01:55] Book: Good Calories, Bad Calories: Fats, Carbs, and the Controversial Science of Diet and Health, by Gary Taubes.

[00:02:24] Migraines.

[00:04:02] Book: The Migraine Miracle: A Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free, Ancestral Diet to Reduce Inflammation and Relieve Your Headaches for Good, by Josh Turknett.

[00:04:15] Online Communities: Dr. T’s Migraine Miracle Group (Facebook) and Migrai-Neverland.

[00:06:28] Talk: How to Win at Angry Birds: Moving Towards a More Efficient Practice Model, Josh Turknett, MD.

[00:14:47] Talk: Migraine as the Hypothalamic Distress Signal - Josh Turknett, M.D. (AHS14).

[00:18:20] Pitfalls of standard migraine treatment.

[00:21:24] Three pillars to migraine protection.

[00:22:25] Sleep, stress, physical activity.

[00:23:40] Ketogenic diet to accelerate recovery.

[00:25:37] Long term cognitive health.

[00:27:25] Creative outlets and social connection.

[00:31:06] Brainjo.

[00:35:56] Book: Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain, by David Eagleman.

[00:38:00] Building cognitive networks that let you play by ear.

[00:39:32] Placebo effect.

[00:42:00] NBT Podcasts on mindset: Why We Self-Sabotage (And What to Do Instead), with Simon Marshall, PhD; How to Think Yourself Younger, Healthier, and Faster, with Ellen Langer, PhD; Rethinking Positive Thinking, with Gabriele Oettingen, PhD.

[00:47:51] Acupuncture studies: Carlos Lopes-Júnior, Luís, et al. "Effectiveness of traditional Chinese acupuncture versus Sham acupuncture: a systematic review." Revista latino-americana de enfermagem 24 (2016).

[00:49:11] Ways for physicians to reach a wider audience.

[00:49:23] 3 online communities.

[00:51:10] Always be creating.

[00:53:00] Sunk cost fallacy.

[00:57:35] jturk.net.