JRE #1873 - Brigham Buhler

23-Sep-22

Joe Rogan Podcast #1873 – Brigham Buhler

In this podcast episode, Joe Rogan delves into a captivating conversation with Brigham Buhler, a passionate advocate for regenerative and preventative healthcare. The conversation unveils a scathing critique of the current healthcare system, exposing its flaws, corruption, and limitations. Buhler, with his personal experience as a pharmaceutical rep, medical device salesman, and now a healthcare entrepreneur, offers a unique insider’s perspective, highlighting the industry’s shortcomings and championing a more patient-centric approach.

The episode covers a wide range of topics, many of them provocative and controversial, including:

1. The Pharmaceutical Industry’s “Shell Game”:

Brigham Buhler’s experience as a drug rep reveals the tactics used to market and push prescription medications.
The focus on sales volume, quotas, and bonuses creates pressure on reps to promote drugs regardless of their potential risks or efficacy.
The practice of “off-label promotion,” where reps encourage doctors to use drugs for unapproved purposes, highlights the industry’s focus on profit over patient well-being.
The opioid epidemic is highlighted as a prime example of the industry’s manipulation, with companies downplaying addiction risks and pushing the drugs for unapproved conditions.

2. The Broken Insurance Model:

Insurance companies hold a dominant position in the healthcare system, influencing drug formularies, reimbursements, and patient access to care.
The focus on quarterly earnings drives insurance companies to prioritize cost-cutting over preventative care and patient outcomes.
The concept of “pharmacy benefit managers” (PBMs) is exposed, revealing how these middlemen negotiate rebates with pharmaceutical companies, inflating drug prices and further limiting access.
This convoluted system results in higher drug costs for patients, limited access to essential treatments, and an overall system that prioritizes profits over health.

3. The Wild West of Medical Devices:

The 510(k) approval process for medical devices allows companies to bypass rigorous safety trials, putting patients at risk.
Examples of devices like metal-on-metal hips and vaginal mesh implants showcase the dangers of this loophole, resulting in serious complications and lawsuits.
The lack of innovation in the medical device sector, driven by insurance reimbursements, leads to the continued use of outdated and potentially unsafe technology.
This highlights the system’s inherent conflicts of interest, where profit margins prioritize over patient safety and well-being.

4. The Promise of Regenerative and Preventative Care:

Buhler advocates for a shift towards a more proactive and preventative approach to healthcare.
He emphasizes the potential of biologics, peptides, and stem cell therapies in treating injuries and preventing chronic diseases.
He argues that these approaches hold promise in addressing the limitations of traditional medicine and the current healthcare model.
However, he also acknowledges the need for caution, emphasizing the importance of rigorous scientific research and ethical implementation to avoid the pitfalls of unproven and unregulated practices.

5. The Challenges of Hormone Optimization:

Buhler discusses his personal experience with low testosterone and the challenges of accessing hormone optimization treatments.
He highlights the outdated stigma surrounding testosterone therapy and the lack of awareness regarding its potential benefits.
He criticizes the insurance model’s resistance to covering hormone optimization, further limiting access for patients who need it.
He emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to hormone optimization, considering the interconnectedness of various hormones and the need for individualized treatment plans.

6. The Rise of the Cash Pay Model:

Buhler argues that the cash pay model offers a more equitable and accessible healthcare system, bypassing the limitations of the insurance model.
He highlights his experience in establishing Ways2Well, a regenerative and preventative care clinic that operates on a cash pay basis, allowing patients to access treatments without insurance restrictions.
He believes this model empowers patients to take control of their health and access cutting-edge treatments without the constraints of the current system.
He emphasizes the need for transparency, ethical practices, and patient education to ensure the cash pay model’s success and avoid the pitfalls of unscrupulous operators.

7. The Importance of Patient Empowerment and Education:

The podcast underscores the importance of patient education and empowerment in navigating the complex healthcare system.
Buhler encourages listeners to become informed consumers, taking an active role in their health decisions and seeking alternative treatments if necessary.
He stresses the need for critical thinking, questioning established narratives, and seeking multiple perspectives to make informed choices about their healthcare.
He emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations of the current system and advocating for change towards a more patient-centric approach.

8. The Role of Science and Research:

The conversation highlights the need for rigorous scientific research to validate the effectiveness and safety of new treatments, especially in the field of regenerative medicine.
Buhler acknowledges the limitations of anecdotal evidence and the importance of double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in establishing scientific legitimacy.
He expresses optimism about the ongoing research in areas like biologics and peptides, believing that the evidence base will continue to grow, leading to wider acceptance and adoption.
He encourages listeners to engage with the scientific literature and critically assess the evidence behind various treatment options, making informed decisions based on evidence-based research.

9. The Need for Transparency and Accountability:

The podcast exposes the lack of transparency and accountability within the healthcare system, particularly regarding financial incentives and conflicts of interest.
Buhler calls for greater transparency in pricing, reimbursements, and research findings, allowing for informed decision-making and greater trust in the system.
He advocates for increased regulation and oversight to address the unethical practices and corruption that plague the healthcare industry.
He believes that by shining a light on these issues, we can create a more ethical and effective healthcare system that prioritizes patient well-being over profits.

10. The Personal Impact of Healthcare System Failures:

The podcast explores the deeply personal impact of the healthcare system’s flaws, exemplified by Buhler’s brother’s tragic death from opioid addiction.
He shares his own struggles with weight and hormone imbalances, highlighting how the system often fails to address underlying health issues.
These personal stories underscore the human cost of a broken healthcare system, emphasizing the need for reform and change.
The conversation highlights the importance of compassion, empathy, and patient-centered care in addressing the complex challenges of healthcare.

11. The Role of Individual Responsibility and Proactive Healthcare:

The podcast emphasizes the importance of individual responsibility in maintaining health and taking proactive steps to prevent disease.
Buhler encourages listeners to engage in healthy lifestyle practices, including diet, exercise, and stress management, to minimize their risk factors.
He promotes the idea of “biohacking,” actively monitoring and optimizing their health through various interventions, including hormone optimization, nutritional supplements, and regenerative therapies.
He believes that by taking ownership of their health and proactively addressing potential issues, individuals can improve their overall well-being and reduce their reliance on reactive medical care.

12. The Future of Healthcare:

The conversation explores the potential of emerging technologies and practices to revolutionize healthcare.
Buhler expresses optimism about the continued development of regenerative therapies, personalized medicine, and data-driven approaches to healthcare.
He believes that by embracing innovation and challenging the status quo, we can create a more effective and equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of the 21st century.
He emphasizes the importance of collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients to drive this transformation.

13. The Power of Storytelling and Shared Experiences:

The podcast highlights the importance of storytelling in raising awareness and promoting change.
Buhler shares his personal experiences, both positive and negative, to illuminate the challenges and opportunities in the healthcare system.
He encourages listeners to share their own stories and experiences, creating a collective voice for reform and advocating for a more patient-centric approach.
By sharing their stories, individuals can empower themselves and others, creating a movement for positive change in healthcare.

14. The Power of the Individual:

The podcast underscores the power of the individual to advocate for change and demand better healthcare.
Buhler encourages listeners to become informed consumers, actively engage with their healthcare providers, and advocate for their own needs and rights.
He emphasizes that by taking action, speaking up, and demanding better from the system, individuals can create a more equitable and effective healthcare system for themselves and future generations.
He encourages listeners to become agents of change, taking a stand for better healthcare and holding the industry accountable for its actions.

15. The Importance of Ethical Practices and Patient-Centered Care:

The podcast emphasizes the importance of ethical practices and patient-centered care in all aspects of healthcare.
Buhler criticizes the industry’s focus on profits and the exploitation of patients, calling for a return to a more compassionate and ethical approach.
He believes that by prioritizing patient well-being and upholding ethical standards, we can rebuild trust in the healthcare system and create a more equitable and effective system for everyone.
He encourages listeners to hold healthcare providers accountable for their actions and advocate for a system that truly serves the needs of patients.

16. The Ongoing Struggle for Change:

The conversation highlights the ongoing struggle for change within the healthcare system.
Buhler acknowledges the powerful forces that resist reform, including insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and entrenched medical practices.
He believes that the fight for better healthcare is a marathon, not a sprint, requiring sustained effort, collective action, and a commitment to systemic change.
He encourages listeners to remain engaged, informed, and active in demanding a more equitable and effective healthcare system for all.

17. The Role of Transparency and Informed Decision-Making:

The podcast underscores the importance of transparency and informed decision-making in healthcare.
Buhler advocates for greater access to information about treatment options, costs, and potential risks, empowering patients to make informed decisions.
He encourages listeners to question their healthcare providers, seek second opinions, and actively engage in their care, taking ownership of their health.
He believes that by fostering a culture of transparency and informed consent, we can create a more patient-centered healthcare system that respects individual choices and values.

18. The Impact of Technology and Innovation:

The podcast discusses the impact of technology and innovation on the future of healthcare.
Buhler explores the potential of telemedicine, artificial intelligence, and personalized medicine to transform healthcare delivery.
He believes that by embracing these advancements, we can create a more accessible, efficient, and effective healthcare system that improves outcomes for all.
He encourages listeners to stay informed about these emerging trends and engage in the ongoing conversation about the future of healthcare.

19. The Importance of Collaboration and Shared Goals:

The podcast highlights the importance of collaboration and shared goals in driving change in healthcare.
Buhler emphasizes the need for partnerships between healthcare providers, researchers, patients, and policymakers to create a more equitable and effective system.
He believes that by working together and focusing on common goals, we can overcome the challenges facing healthcare and create a system that truly serves the needs of all.
He encourages listeners to participate in this collaborative effort, advocating for change and working towards a more just and compassionate healthcare system.

20. The Power of Hope and Resilience:

Despite the challenges facing the healthcare system, the podcast concludes on a note of hope and resilience.
Buhler believes that by challenging the status quo, advocating for change, and embracing new approaches, we can create a more equitable and effective healthcare system for all.
He encourages listeners to remain optimistic, active, and engaged in the ongoing struggle for better healthcare, believing that collective action can lead to positive change.
The podcast serves as a call to action, urging listeners to take ownership of their health, advocate for change, and work towards a more just and compassionate healthcare system for everyone.

5 Memorable Quotes:

“I’m not here to tell you big pharma is good or bad. Big pharma is what it is and it’s big business and big business is about big money. And so just be cautious. do your research. Understand that things aren’t always what they’re presented to be.”
“We do not we do not practice preventative medicine We do not prevent disease states. We wait for somebody to get really sick, and then we give them a pill. And we treat the symptoms, not the root cause.”
“The system is built to crank patients in and out, to get them to use their insurance and pay their pay their co pays and deductibles, and move on down the road.”
“I just think they were naive. They were like, oh, well, they have an attorney’s letter and they have this. it doesn’t matter.”
“The biology has been 2 1000000 years in the making. Like, how long at modern day homo sapiens been around 200,000 years, low at least 200,000 years in the making. These are all naturally occurring elements in nature in our body. That’s why there’s no adverse events.”

JRE #1873 – Brigham Buhler