The Dylan Gemelli Podcast: Episode #54 featuring Dr. Jess Peatross

Release Date: October 2, 2025
Main Theme: Uncovering Functional Medicine: Breaking Down the Real Root Causes of Chronic Illness, Pharmaceutical Industry Influence, Dangers of Root Canals, and the Keys to True Health

Episode Overview

In this dynamic and candid episode, Dylan Gemelli welcomes Dr. Jess Peatross—renowned functional medicine leader and former internal medicine hospitalist—to explore the shortcomings of conventional healthcare and the real foundations of true health. They break down the influence of the pharmaceutical industry, discuss often-overlooked root causes for chronic illness (from stealth infections and heavy metals to emotional trauma), and highlight lesser-known health risks like root canals and environmental toxins. The discussion is energetic, in-depth, and practical, with actionable advice for anyone seeking to take charge of their health, beyond “big pharma” band-aids.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Jess’s Journey from Hospitalist to Functional Medicine

[04:29]

• Raised in West Virginia, daughter of a preacher, instilled with a sense of justice
• Conventional medical training did not cover root causes or functional health: “I just believed everything they taught me in school. I thought, why would they lie to us?” – Dr. Jess [04:44]
• Began questioning hospital protocols (processed foods, sugary drinks for patients, over-prescription of medications)
• After being told to "shut up or quit," she left the hospital world, entered functional medicine, and shifted focus to finding real answers for patients

The Moral Compass in Medicine and Speaking Out

[07:36]

• Driven by integrity: “You don’t lie to people. You don’t keep secrets about how to heal people. You don’t bamboozle people. You don’t just give them band aids.” – Dr. Jess [07:40]
• Discovered the pharmaceutical industry’s limitations for chronic conditions
• Describes persecution and surprise at the lack of support for truth-tellers within the medical community

Pharmaceutical Industry & Insurance Influence

[10:31]

• Doctors often not in charge—insurance and administrators are
• Pressure to stick to covered medications; pre-authorizations are major obstacles
• “Insurance companies don’t pay for things that actually get to the root cause for people. They do not. So it’s a racket.” – Dr. Jess [11:00]
• Most patients accept denials; the “fire in people has been extinguished” [11:31]

Overprescribing: Statins, SSRIs, and Diabetes Meds

[12:26]

• Statins are a multi-billion-dollar industry; cholesterol not the villain—oxidative stress and inflammation are
• Prefers using herbs, minerals, and vitamins to restore health
• Placebo effect of SSRIs and antidepressants: underlying issues often ignored
• Type 2 Diabetes: Majority could be resolved with diet changes, gut health, activity, and mineral support rather than pharmaceuticals

The Critical Role of Gut and Cellular Health

[14:36]

• “All disease generally starts in the cell…or because of a leaky gut.” – Dylan [14:57]
• Doctors commonly receive only 4-6 hours of nutrition education; lack of focus on gut/mitochondria in mainstream care
• The gut-brain axis: “If you injure your brain, you injure your gut, and you injure your gut, you injure your brain and vice versa…” – Dr. Jess [15:52]
• Real root cause is often autonomic nervous system dysfunction, per Polyvagal Theory: chronic stress disrupts everything from digestion to immunity

Stress, Toxin Release, and Functional Freeze

[17:58]

• Health = resilience, not rigidity; stress blocks detox pathways (bowels, sweat)
• “If you’re stuck in fight-or-flight, your body contracts and it doesn’t release toxins.” – Dr. Jess [18:58]
• Importance of autonomic nervous system regulation for effective detox and healing

The Vagus Nerve, Constipation, and Gut Dysfunction

[21:05]

• Constipation often a vagus nerve/signaling issue, not just low fiber
• Low stomach acid (from disrupted vagus nerve) impairs digestion, causes bloating and constipation
• “When people are stuck in flight or fight, they’re not able to make stomach acid…So…you can’t break down food. It sits like an anvil in your gut.” – Dr. Jess [21:44]
• Causes: stress, diet (gluten, processed dairy), pathogens (parasites, SIBO), and environmental factors

Parasites, Heavy Metals, and Hidden Toxins

[23:39], [25:12]

• Parasites are more common than most realize—even in developed countries (raw food, pets, travel)
• Reliable testing is limited; best identified by symptoms and specialized lab analysis
• Heavy metals (mercury, aluminum, arsenic, lead, etc.) are ubiquitous and root causes of many chronic illnesses
  • “All day I see heavy metals all day.” – Dr. Jess [25:27]
• Breast implants and dental sources (amalgams, root canals) are significant contributors to toxic load

Mold, Environmental Illness, and Mystery Symptoms

[28:58]

• Mold and environmental exposures are insidious, often misdiagnosed
• Genetics can make certain people more susceptible (e.g., mold-sensitivity genes tied to Graves disease)
• Chronic disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and more may have undiagnosed toxic/environmental triggers

The California Vaccine Exemption Controversy and Medical Board Battle

[30:42]

• Dr. Jess’s role in vaccine exemptions for genetically susceptible children led to intense legal and professional blowback pre- and during COVID
• California retroactively punished compliant doctors, nullified exemptions, and attempted to force “re-education”
• Dr. Jess chose to surrender her medical license and practice as a health coach for three years
• Recently granted a new, full license in Florida without stipulations

“I don’t kiss the ring of kings. Here’s my license. Because I didn’t make money that way anymore.” – Dr. Jess [32:31]

COVID, Vaccines, and Long COVID Injuries

[36:56], [37:46]

• Nuanced, non-extremist stance: not anti-vaccine but critical of rushed/blanket mandates
• Many injuries seen from COVID vaccine attributed to persistent spike protein, with complications like myocarditis, brain fog, and activation of dormant viruses (Epstein-Barr, Lyme)
• Recommends supporting mitochondrial, mineral, and autonomic health, citing protocols from Dr. Peter McCullough and others

Supplementation, Product Creation, and the Real Value of Minerals

[44:11]

• Discussion of Dr. Jess’s own supplement line, emphasizing functional blends for gut, liver, and stress support
• TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic acid) highlighted as the “premier” liver support supplement—effective for bile flow, fat digestion, hormone support, and even cognitive health

“TUDCA is a full-on liver cleanse...I really get people’s cholesterol back into check with this without statins.” – Dr. Jess [45:15]

• Element: A high-potency mineral complex designed to address rampant deficiencies (selenium, copper, chromium, iodine, etc.); supports thyroid, hormone, and detoxification
• Explains why higher doses than the RDA are often necessary due to soil depletion and increased toxic exposures

Rapid-Action Stress Relief: Calm Strips

[50:58]

• Launch of “Calm AF” strips—dissolvable oral strips using proven calming botanicals, designed as natural alternatives for anxiety and sleep

Nutrition Priorities, Dietary Balance, and Protein/Fat Paradigm

[53:22], [55:20]

• Diet trumps everything else (training, supplementation) for real health—about 70-75% of the results are diet-driven
• Both advocate prioritizing high protein, quality fats, and moderate/low carbs, especially for women and those with inflammation/metabolic issues
• “Fat helps you absorb things better. It helps you absorb your vitamins and minerals better.” – Dr. Jess [55:33]
• Caution with combining high fat and high carb, especially for metabolic health

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Conventional medicine is great for emergencies, but for chronic health, they’ve missed the mark.” — Dr. Jess [07:55]

• “Insurance companies don’t pay for things that actually get to the root cause… It’s a racket.” — Dr. Jess [11:00]

• “All disease generally starts in the cell…or because of a leaky gut.” — Dylan [14:57]

• “If you’re stuck in fight-or-flight, your body contracts and doesn’t release toxins.” — Dr. Jess [18:58]

• “I don’t kiss the ring of kings. Here’s my license.” — Dr. Jess [32:31]

• “TUDCA is a full-on liver cleanse...I really get people’s cholesterol back into check with this without statins.” — Dr. Jess [45:15]

• “Health is resiliency. Rigidity is actually the opposite of health.” — Dr. Jess [18:57]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:31 – Dr. Jess’s introduction and backstory
• 07:36 – On integrity and moral compass in medicine
• 10:31 – 11:52 – Pharmaceutical industry influence, insurance games
• 12:26 – 14:36 – Statins, SSRIs, diabetes drugs, real alternatives
• 14:57 – 17:58 – Gut health, cellular health, stress as a root cause
• 18:57 – 21:49 – Constipation, vagus nerve, toxin release
• 21:49 – 25:27 – Root causes: food, stress, pathogens, heavy metals
• 30:42 – 33:24 – Medical board battles and vaccine exemption saga
• 36:56 – 39:18 – COVID vaccines, injuries, spike protein
• 44:11 – 50:00 – Supplement formulation and benefits
• 53:22 – 57:43 – Nutrition, macros, importance of protein/fat
• 61:11 – Dr. Jess as Sherlock Holmes for mystery illnesses
• 61:34 – 63:47 – The dangers of root canals and dental toxins
• 65:23 – 66:38 – Other overlooked causes: implants, environmental toxins, parasite clues
• 66:38 – How to find/work with Dr. Jess

How to Connect with Dr. Jess Peatross

• Instagram: @dr.jess.md
• YouTube: Dr. Jessica Peatross
• Wellness Plus: wellnessplus.com (DIY protocols, videos)
• Clinic: drjesshealth.com (1-on-1 functional medicine coaching, team of trained practitioners; note: waitlist may be long)

Closing Thoughts

Dr. Jess and Dylan deliver an honest, actionable, hopeful podcast for anyone disillusioned by the mainstream healthcare system. Whether you’re grappling with vague symptoms, chronic illness, or seeking performance optimization, this episode is packed with gold—from the importance of questioning authority and trusting your gut, to specifics on labs, lifestyle, and the integrative protocols that really move the needle. If you’re ready to go deeper than prescriptions and quick fixes, this is essential listening.

“...That’s my goal—when people hear this, they have some hope that their body is not failing them. It’s actually really smart and alerting them to something that we are smart enough to figure out.” — Dr. Jess [66:57]