Lou Lukas: Mind-Body-Disease and the Somatic Connection

Today on The Soul of Life I speak with Dr. Lou Lucas, chief of Palliative Medicine at the Nebraska and Western Iowa Veterans Health Care Systems. As a palliative medicine doctor, Dr. Lucas is trained to pull together all of the specialists that might be caring for a patient with a life threating disease and implement a cohesive treatment plan that cares for body, mind, and soul. She gives special attention to the well established link between mental health and physical health and the role of spirituality in healing. "Most people have a lived experience that there’s something bigger than I am. I am part of something. There is more to live than the things you can count and categorize." I ask Dr. Lucas to explain the mind-body connection and stress and not just their role in autoimmune disorders like gastrointestinal problems, arthritis, migraines, nerve damage, and even some cancers—but how to utilize the power of the mind to transform and heal the body. Lou introduces me to a new word she invented about a year ago: Paleodelic. “Paleodelic means to relieve suffering by revealing the mind.” She is basically combining palliative medicine with cutting-edge psychedelic treatments that rapidly accelerate a person’s development of peace and acceptance with their identity and gives them lasting mental and emotional flexibility in the face of fear and stress. And finally Lou affirms something you’re familiar with me covering frequently on The Soul of Life which is the powerful and life-changing effects—similar in many ways to a psychedelic journey—of using Internal Family Systems as a psychotherapeutic and spiritual tool. Enter my current sweepstakes giveaway (https://swee.ps/lZirCOTlY): Win a Couples Vacation to the Caribbean ($1,299 Value!). Ends 10/15/21 1. All inclusive airfare for two 2. Two night stay included Check out my Mini-Course for couples: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHjcz6Ly2y9gr2mtMHIxu-fXXl8rE_PYJ Learn more about my 7-week, live, online basic mindfulness and IFS course for couples: https://souloflifeshow.com/mindful-marriage Join my Facebook Group called "Bring Love Alive:" https://www.facebook.com/groups/601405257684922 My Book, Love Under Repair: How to Save Your Marriage and Survive Couples Therapy https://amzn.to/2X3kPBL My Counseling Practice: https://keithmillercounseling.com Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoulOfLifeShow or Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulofLifeShow Want to book Keith as a guest on your podcast? Contact him at [email protected].