Influenced to Death

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com [https://influencedtodeath.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_7] In this episode, Hannah & Victoria discuss what Hannah’s been learning in her first semester pursuing her Master’s in Public Health. Pretty often, we realize our off-mic conversations should be part of the show, so today we’re making it happen! This is a behind-the-scenes look at Hannah’s experience and her realization that public health and functional m…

In this episode, guest host Amanda Jones and Victoria speak with Sara Russell about the MTHFR gene (the gene that leads to the creation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase enzyme) and the different variants that might (emphasis on MIGHT) impact your health. Be prepared before you dive in…this is a longer discussion that covers many aspects of MTHFR, both hypothetical (primarily what we’ve seen in influence-y spaces like social media) and actual (what we’ve read in research studies and seen in clinical practice). We discuss the role of MTHFR variants in autism spectrum disorders, infertility, and other diagnoses, as well as the use of methylated B vitamins versus folic acid and folinic acid. Some of the studies Amanda, Victoria, and Sara reference include: * Overview of MTHFR and variant biochemistry [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK6561/] * Basic write-up on MTHFR variants from the CDC [https://www.cdc.gov/folic-acid/data-research/mthfr/index.html] * Connection to autism - here [https://bmcpediatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12887-020-02330-3], here [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5633227/#], and here [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4241316/] * The connection between one variant (C677T) and blood folate levels [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25788000/] * Homocysteine in disease [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322010699] * Helpful overview of homocysteine [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4566450/] and why low levels might also be problematic * The connection between homocysteine and infertility [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35780351/] * Genetic Biomarkers of Metabolic Detoxification for Personalized Lifestyle Medicine [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8876337/] * Adverse Effects of Excessive Folic Acid Consumption and Its Implications for Individuals With the Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T Genotype [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11930790/] * Homocysteine and Psychiatric Disorders [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2326409817701471] * Slow overmethylation of housekeeping genes in the body mucosa is associated with the risk for gastric cancer [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24654229/] * Active Folate Versus Folic Acid: The Role of 5-MTHF (Methylfolate) in Human Health [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9380836/] * DNA methylation in cancer: too much, but also too little [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12154403/] * Homocysteine Imbalance: a Pathological Metabolic Marker [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3648699/] * Homocysteine metabolism as the target for predictive medical approach, disease prevention, prognosis, and treatments tailored to the person [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8581606/] * Disturbed homocysteine metabolism is associated with cancer [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6389897/] * Intake of Methyl-Related Nutrients and Risk of Pancreatic Cancer in a Population-Based Case-Control Study in Minnesota [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6119097/] * Association of [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12385730/]MTHFR [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12385730/] C677T and A1298C Polymorphisms with First-Episode Myocardial Ischemia: A Case–Control Study [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12385730/] * https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3294042/ * https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5536672/ * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37187267/ * https://reference.medscape.com/drug/leucovorin * https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6346075/ * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22369260/ * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18355335/ * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6781067/ * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12566489/ * https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10759136/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe [https://influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria speak with Dr. Heather Zwickey about vaccines. About Dr. Zwickey: Heather Zwickey earned a Ph.D. in Immunology and Microbiology from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center with a focus on infectious disease and vaccine development. Dr. Zwickey went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship and teach at Yale University School of Medicine, where she worked on immunotherapy for cancer. She was then recruited to the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, OR, where she launched the Helfgott Research Institute and served as its director for 17 years. In 2009, Dr. Zwickey established the School of Graduate Studies, developing programs in integrative medicine research, nutrition, and global health, among others. As the founding dean of the graduate school, she continues to teach many courses. Dr. Zwickey currently co-leads an NIH-funded clinical research training program focused on training the next generation of integrative medicine researchers. She teaches at many universities and speaks at conferences worldwide. At Helfgott Research Institute, Dr. Zwickey applies her immunology expertise to natural medicine, with a specific interest in the gut-brain axis in neuroinflammation. With expertise in infectious disease and vaccine development, Dr. Zwickey has been sought out for her knowledge regarding COVID-19. She’s spoken on more than 50 podcasts, written articles, and been a resource for people with tough questions. They cover these questions: * Do some kids need certain vaccines while others don’t? * What is the optimal schedule for a healthy baby, toddler, or child based on the changes occurring in their immune system? * What determines the current vaccine schedule? * Is there a greater potential for adverse effects when multiple vaccines are given in tandem, ex., MMR? * What might make some children or adults more susceptible to adverse effects compared to others? * Why has the vaccine schedule changed so much in the past 25 years? * What would you say to a parent who is hesitant to vaccinate their child because they are worried about vaccine side effects? * What would you say to someone who is angry that some people choose not to vaccinate their children? * How do you think vaccines have affected health outcomes over the last 100 years? Note: We didn’t record with video because Dr. Zwickey was on hour 14 of interviews the day we spoke. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe [https://influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

In this episode, Victoria and guest host Amanda Jones are joined again by Bob Block, PharmD (be sure to watch our episode with him on ivermectin [https://influencedtodeath.substack.com/p/ivermectin]). We asked Bob to come back just a few days after publishing our ivermectin episode to offer a more complete baseline of information on acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol. In this episode, they discuss: * Acetaminophen, N-acetyl-para-aminophenol (APAP) or paracetamol in many countries, a non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic agent utilized for treating pain and fever * Acetaminophen’s mechanism of action [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482369/], aka how it works to relieve pain and fever * The recent press conference [https://youtu.be/rZUHshxGmc0?si=2xKWzElCW-vPnfy4] that put acetaminophen in the spotlight * FDA news release: Evidence of Possible Association Between Autism and Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy [http://Evidence of Possible Association Between Autism and Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy] * Research on this topic, including: * Evaluation of the evidence on acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders using the Navigation Guide methodology [https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12940-025-01208-0#auth-Diddier-Prada-Aff1] * Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability [https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2817406] * Click here [https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2839562] for an excellent interview with this study’s author * The relationship of prenatal acetaminophen exposure and attention-related behavior in early childhood [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0892036224000011] * Fever during pregnancy as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders: results from a systematic review and meta-analysis [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8449704/] * Maternal fever during pregnancy and offspring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-45920-7] * Maternal inflammation may increase the risk of NDDs independent of treatment [https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-07511-3] * Effects of maternal psychological stress during pregnancy on offspring brain development: Considering the role of inflammation and potential for preventive intervention [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9043032/] If you have questions about this episode, please leave a comment on Substack or email us directly at influencedtodeath@gmail.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe [https://influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

In this episode, Victoria & Hannah are joined by Bob Block, an acute care pharmacist, to discuss ivermectin. He provides a balanced and highly informed take on an extremely influenced drug. They discuss: * The history of ivermectin [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11008553/], from use for river blindness to roundroom to rosacea * Ivermectin, wonder drug from Japan [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3043740/] (the paper Hannah references) * Bob provides an easy-to-understand but expert overview of ivermectin and how it works * Why it’s not a good idea to take ivermectin from the feed store * Hannah and Victoria discuss their biases about ivermectin * Bob provides a thorough walkthrough of what studies show about the use of ivermectin in COVID-19 * Some states, like Texas [https://www.texastribune.org/2025/08/27/texas-legislature-ivermectin-otc-prescription/], have made ivermectin available over the counter * What the research shows for ivermectin’s potential in cancer * The Relationship Between News Coverage of COVID-19 Misinformation and Online Search Behavior [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39212295/] * Ivermectin, a potential anticancer drug derived from an antiparasitic drug [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32971268/] (explaining possible anti-cancer mechanisms) * Even though there’s promise for ivermectin in cancer treatment, all current studies are human cell studies or human cell in combination with animal arm, like this one [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40497800/] and this one [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39589670/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe [https://influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]