Podcast: Dr. Weiner & Claudia von Boeselager from Longevity & Lifestyle
A conversation exploring the treatment of chronic pain through holistic care, nervous system healing, ketamine therapy, and medical cannabis.
I recently joined Claudia von Boeselager on her Longevity & Lifestyle podcast to talk about something I’ve dedicated my career to: helping people heal from chronic pain by treating the whole person — not just the body part that hurts.
Chronic pain is a global problem, affecting an estimated 1.5 billion people. It’s often tangled up with depression, anxiety, and years of stress or trauma. My approach at NeuroPain Health is rooted in the biopsychosocial model — understanding how biology, psychology, and social factors all interact to shape a person’s pain experience. That means listening to someone’s story, understanding what their nervous system has been through, and working with them to address the real roots of their suffering.
Below are some of the topics we covered. You can watch the video above, or check it out on Spotify or Apple.
Disconnection, Trauma, and the Nervous System
A hypersensitive nervous system — often shaped by trauma or long-term stress — can manifest as chronic pain. Disconnection plays a big role here: disconnection from the body, from meaningful activities, from community. Over time, pain can become part of someone’s identity.
When that happens, life narrows. Movement stops, social contact fades, sleep and nutrition suffer. The nervous system becomes stuck in a constant state of alarm, feeding neuroinflammation and reinforcing the pain. Healing means rebuilding connection — physically, emotionally, socially — and creating safety so the brain can relearn that it’s not under threat.
The Stress-Pain Cycle
Chronic stress truly does make pain feel worse; it changes the brain. It shifts neurotransmitter balance, disrupts the blood-brain barrier, and fuels neuroinflammation. These changes can create entrenched neural pathways that keep pain “on” even after the original injury has healed.
One part of treatment is rewiring these pathways — helping patients respond differently to pain signals and stress triggers. That includes balancing neurotransmitters like glutamate and GABA, improving posture and functional movement, and reintroducing activities that restore energy and purpose.
Preventing Acute Pain from Becoming Chronic
The best time to treat chronic pain is before it becomes chronic. That starts with:
Self-talk that supports healing: Internal language shapes biology. Replace fear-based thoughts with compassionate, reassuring ones.
For example, instead of: I’ll never heal from this pain, shift to: my body is healing, and each day is a little progress, no matter how small.
Processing emotions early: Shame, guilt, and anger can get “stored” in the nervous system if ignored.
Having a “space” in your life for processing can keep the gunk from getting stuck; this can look like journaling 5-10 minutes each day, having a weekly check-in with your coach or therapist, or having a friend you know you can call (or text) when an emotion comes up.
Foundational habits: Quality sleep, nutrient-rich food, gentle movement, and social support lower inflammation and help the body recover.
It can be hard if you try to tackle all foundational habits at once. Pick one foundational aspect per week (or even per month) and be gentle on yourself. For example, don’t try to improve your sleep and meet physical goals all in one week. Focus on improving your bedtime one week, then stack 10 extra minutes of movement on the next week… and so on!
Safe, functional movement: Guided rehabilitation helps patients move without reinforcing fear of injury.
For example, after a back strain, you might start with chair-assisted squats or a short walk around the block instead of total bed rest. A physical therapist can guide you through movements that maintain strength without re-triggering pain or reinforcing fear of injury.
Small, early shifts can stop the pain–stress cycle before it takes hold.
Ketamine as a Catalyst (and Support) for Change
Ketamine-assisted therapy is one of the most effective tools currently available in my practice for patients dealing with pain and depression. It works by blocking NMDA receptors, which helps create new synaptic connections and interrupts rigid pain-related neural patterns.
But ketamine isn’t a magic bullet. It’s a catalyst. In our clinic, it’s always paired with:
Preparation — building safety, clarity, and intention.
The medicine session — delivered in a calm, supported environment.
Integration — processing the experience so the insights become lasting behavioral change.
When done well, patients often leave with a renewed sense of perspective and the mental space to rebuild their lives.
Medical Cannabis and Reducing Opioid Reliance
Another valuable tool is medical cannabis, especially for patients relying on long-term opioids. The endocannabinoid system helps regulate pain, mood, and sleep. When used thoughtfully — with the right dose, formulation, and delivery method — cannabis can reduce pain, improve sleep, and lower the need for opioids without the same risks of dependence or overdose.
In my experience, many patients feel more in control of their health when cannabis replaces or reduces heavier medications.
What to Look for in a Clinic for Chronic Pain Management
If you’re considering ketamine or medical cannabis, look for:
A thorough medical and psychological assessment
A multidisciplinary team (not just one prescriber)
Built-in preparation and integration support
Personalized dosing and clear safety protocols
If those pieces aren’t in place, it’s worth asking more questions before starting.
The biggest thing I want people to know is that you are not your diagnosis. Pain is personal. The stories we carry influence the way we experience it — and the way we heal.
Whether it’s guided movement, sleep optimization, processing old emotions, ketamine-assisted therapy, or medical cannabis, my aim is the same: help patients create the conditions for their nervous system to reset, so they can get back to living fully.