For many years, the message about marijuana was it was a "gateway" drug to other more dangerous and illegal drugs. As a therapist working with adolescents in South Florida in the 1970s and 1980s, that was our clinical message to teens and adults. Pablo Escobar, the Calle Cartel, and Manuel Noreiga were flooding the streets with all kinds of drugs. Today, "street" drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opioids and Xanax-look-a-likes are laced with fentanyl that produced more than 115,000 overdose deaths in 2023 - up from 64,000 in 2017. Along comes medical cannabis and states approving recreational marijuana use.
In this podcast, we talk with an internationally recognized expert in the therapeutic, pharmaceutically produced, and medically scripted cannabis and its applications for many conditions from anorexia to a list of neurologic conditions. Our guests include, Laszlo L. Metchler, MD, FAAN, FEAN,FASN, FAHS, Board Certified Neurologist and Oncologist and expert in neuro-research and neuroimaging, Maria Caserta, Director of Community Education and Marketing (mcaserta@dentinstitute.com), and DENT's researcher, Chris Ralyea. This podcast is straightforward, purely science, research, and clinically accurate information from the experts at DENT Neurological Institute www.dentinstitute.com (716) 250-2000. Dr. Metchler has spoken about the appropriate use of medical cannabis around the world and has developed a line of products - available now. DENT Neurologic Institute is the largest neurology practice in the USA. They created the DENT Neuroscience Research Center (not-for-profit) to constantly explore new treatments- both located in Amherst, NY. Please share this podcast with those who can benefit from this information. Thank you very much! Be well!
Tom McNulty, M.S.
Host

Hurricanes, Tornado Storms, Flash Floods, Mudslides, Forest Fires, & Trauma:
What To Say and Not Say To Children and Adolescents

We get multi-level, print and electronic, and tragically repetitive news stories that adults take for granted. Still, the weather and natural disasters emotionally impact children because the drama leads to the trauma. Recently, several neighbors with children have asked me about what they should say regarding the fear and worry they see in their children about "weather trauma". It is a real thing. The reoccurring threat of hurricanes, floods, forest fires, and tornado storms has caught the attention of our kids. Their brains cannot properly process the power of these traumas and, therefore, they tighten up, cry, have nightmares, and have lots of questions. Are you ready to answer their questions or recognize their warning signs?
This broadcast will give you fundamental tips to address your children's reactions and the critical importance of active listening and helpful communication. Be well. Be safe.
Thank you,
Tom McNulty, M.S.
Sponsors: DENT Neurologic Institute, Buffalo Renaissance Foundation, The Episodes Project

Tom McNulty, M.S. has 45+ years in behavioral health. As such, he was very excited about interviewing DENT Neurologic Institute's Director of Addiction Medicine, Dawn Harbatkin, M.D. - board-certified in Addiction Medicine and also in Internal Medicine.
If you have a family member, neighbor, co-worker, colleague, or friend struggling with addiction to nicotine, alcohol, opioids, or is a multi-drug user/abuser, there is tremendous help at DENT Neurologic Institute (716-961-9204) - the kind of immediate help that can save a life! Why wouldn't you call today?
DENT Neurologic Institute's Addiction Services promises an appointment within 48 hours - that's incredible! Using an "integrative" approach, Dr. Harbatkin can address medical and addiction issues together, in collaboration with your loved one's other physicians and primary care. Treatment is compassionate and educational, and Dr. Harbatkin addresses addiction as the brain disease that it is with no punitive messaging should someone relapse. Gone are the days of being kicked out of treatment for a "dirty urine" report. Find out about the humanistic approach Dr. Harbatkin employs and how she supports the use of medicines she believes are grossly underutilized, yet extremely effective.
This is a podcast to share! Please! You may save a life. Let TODAY be the day you find the courage to call DENT Neurologic Institute's Addiction Services at (716-961-9204). Thank you and thank you, Dr. Dawn Harbatkin for saving lives.

Tom McNulty, M.S.
Host, MindSet with Tom McNulty, M.S.
Sponsored by The Episodes Project, Buffalo Rennaissance Foundation's Veteran Committee, DENT Neurologic Institute, Success Stories, Inc. and Spotlight on Hope, Inc.

A veteran once asked me, "So, you think you know me?" After 10 seconds, I realized I was full of misconceptions, 'bad intel", and unrealistic expectations. I took the time to listen and better understand and it opened up my eyes to the often insurmountable challenges returning veterans face. I learned that when a military person serves, the whole family serves and is full of emotions. It seems each war has its own inhumanity, psychological turmoil, survivor guilt, fear of failure, and major adjustments for its service men and women. While Vietnam veterans probably had it the worst, each generation of military face enemies that can't see, they can't define them because of no official uniforms, or they use children to carry bombs to kill Americans.
The suicide rate for Iraq/Afghanistan veterans is the highest of any American military war or conflict. Why?
Didn't the Commander's debrief with the troops prepare them for returning home? "What debrief?" a soldier once said back to me. This podcast's guest is Army Reserve Veteran, Chris Kreiger, Founder, President/CEO of WNY Heroes, Inc. (501 c 3 Not-for-Profit Since 2008). Chris did four tours in Iraq and was seriously injured four times. As a medic, he pushed to get back in the battle and take care of the wounded, but when he came home, how was he treated? Please listen to this podcast and share it with someone who could benefit. Also, Chris will talk about, "Pawsitive for Heroes" - a military service dog program for qualified veterans (only). This has grown to become a nationally requested need of many veterans around the United States. They have matched more than 200+ veterans to military service dogs. They need more support. Each graduating dog costs between $7,500-$10,000 to fully train. Maybe you love animals or you have a veteran in your family or community who could benefit from a service dog. Here's how to apply: Call- (716) 630-5020 or www.WNYHeroes.org. Tell them you heard about it on MindSet with Tom McNulty, M.S.
Support Our Troops by Supporting WNY Heroes!!
Tom McNulty, M.S.
P.S. "Not Broken" is a hit by Goo Goo Dolls about returning veterans. Thanks, guys!

Your Children Need Behavioral Health

Children are increasingly at risk when it comes to their behavioral health. They need informed parents and trained teachers and administrators to recognize their emotional ups and downs. Children from birth to 17 (and into early adulthood) are more vulnerable today because of multiple factors that can engulf them:
1.) Increased thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
2.) Vaping, drinking, hazing, drug use, and poor nutrition.
3.) Domestic violence, separation/divorce, parents with multiple partners.
4.) School shootings and the perception that it could happen to them.
5.) Television news, social media, web (and 'Dark Web'), and cyberbullying.
6.) Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs): School bullying, body shaming, hostile teachers, racism, gender, and ethnic discrimination.
7.) Poverty, dangerous neighborhoods, fear of police, and shootings.
8.) Lack of positive parental interactions: shouting vs. affection; swearing vs. teaching coping skills; cellphones vs. face-to-face conversations, selfish parents vs. family time, and using video games/TV/l Pads as 'babysitting' conveniences.
9.) Parents who don't participate in their children's schools.
10.) Teachers who don't practice behavioral health basics when interacting with students.
Is that enough? Because many more issues are stressing our children that parents and teachers may not comprehend. This podcast will help you better understand the behavioral health stressors children and teens face and what to do about it NOW!
Please share this important podcast with parents, grandparents, teachers, and friends.
Thank you for caring,
Tom McNulty, M.S.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression defined by a reoccurring seasonal pattern highlighted by mood changes, irritability, helplessness, pessimism, persistent sadness, decreased energy, hypersomnia, overeating, seasonal hibernation, aggressive behavior, reduced work or school performance, and family history. Millions of Americans (more women than men and more younger people than older adults) experience SAD.
While many people believe it is a "winter-only" condition, it can surface in late spring into summer and late fall into and through the winter. Summer SAD is often related to the heat and humidity in scorching areas for months at a time. The heat can feel unavoidable for those prone to summer SAD.
This podcast addresses SAD with the most current clinical information on definition, signs and symptoms, geography, family history, diagnostics, causes, and treatment. Listeners will also learn about light therapy, antidepressant medication, psychotherapy, Vitamin D, substance abuse risks, and the plausibility of preventing SAD.

Resources: National Institute of Mental Health, DENT Neurologic Institute, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, and your local county Department of Behavioral Health.

• Please share this podcast with family, friends, co-workers, doctors, and other healthcare professionals.

Thank you,
Tom McNulty, M.S.
Host, MindSet with Tom McNulty, M.S.

Lixin Zhang, M.D., Ph.D. is an Attending Neurologist and Director of the Dizziness and Balance Center at DENT Neurologic Institute. His patient focus is on balance disorders, dizziness/vertigo, sleep medicine, and epilepsy as well as general neurology. Dr. Zhang has 12 years of extensive neuroscience research experience with almost 30 peer-reviewed publications in various neuroscience journals. As one of the principal investigators, Dr. Zhang has been involved in multiple national clinical research projects in Restless Leg Syndrome, Neuropathic Pain, and Epilepsy. Currently, he is developing new research projects focusing on Meniere’s Disease, migraine-associated vertigo, and imbalance/falls in elderly patients. There are 15 different types of vertigo, so seeing a neurologist first for a comprehensive assessment is critical. DENT Neurologic Institute is fully equipped with the best diagnostic technology to identify your type of vertigo accurately. Dr. Zhang sees patients from all over the world and is highly sought after for his research and innovative treatment for vertigo and balance disorders. Contact DENT Neurologic Institute at (716)250-2000.
Thank you and please 'Share' this important information.
Tom McNulty, M.S.

Schoolyard bullying is bad enough. We all know what it looks like, or so we think, right? Kids tease each other, but it can get grossly out of hand and end tragically. Imagine bullying behavior in the workplace. Executives, managers, supervisors, and even fellow employees use bullying tactics to intimidate employees to do something they know is wrong. But where do you go? To your boss? To Human Resources, maybe? It can be an extremely stressful reality and one often ignored by those who could intervene. We've become aware of sexual harassment xenophobia, racism, and gender bias in our workplace, but CEO and management bullying is rampant. Poison pen emails, text messages, and phone calls mount as intimidation grows more harsh each day. How do you make it stop? Your daily behavioral health is at risk. It would be best if you didn't have to quit to make it stop, but many staff cannot take a minute more. Sadly, suicide does occur and even then, things do not change. This broadcast will help you. Please share this with your colleagues. You may save a life. Thank you!

Tom McNulty, M.S.