The Microbiome: Our Internal Pharmacy with Martha Carlin
by Kevin Danielson January 24, 2025
Dr. Brandon Crawford and microbiome researcher Martha Carlin explore the intricate connections between gut health, the environment, and overall wellness. They discuss how the food we consume influences our microbiome, the impact of glyphosate on nutrient absorption, and the role of the microbiome in brain health. Martha shares her personal journey into microbiome research, highlighting the importance of critical thinking in healthcare. The conversation also touches on the significance of viruses, the vagus nerve, and the influence of light on microbiome health.
In a recent interview, Chris Wark spoke with Martha Carlin—author of Connected: Love Loss and the Unseen Forces Behind Chronic Disease, microbiome researcher, and founder of BiotiQuest—about her 24-year journey investigating the root causes of neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.
At the end of August, I flew from Kentucky to Australia for three weeks. By the time I arrived in Canberra, I had crossed the International Date Line, lost an entire day, and completely flipped my normal schedule. I did what I could to prepare. I fasted before the flight, took my Simple Slumber and another herbal sleep supplement, and managed to get some sleep on the overnight flight. Even so, I arrived expecting my body to have absolutely no idea what time it was. What surprised me was how quickly it began to figure it out.
Behind closed eyes, the brain is carrying out a carefully coordinated night shift. And research into the microbiome raises an intriguing question: how might the activity in our gut influence the sleep that gives this work its opportunity?