In this episode of Stepsero we chat about naturopathic medicine and human interconnectedness with Dr. Antonella Aguilera Ruiz, ND.
Below are a few main takeaways from our discussion: 

• Naturopathic medicine is a relatively new discipline and is sometimes perceived as an antagonist to Orthodox medicine. In the US, there are only five accredited colleges.
  
  
• It is Dr. Antonella’s hope that Naturopathic Medicine and Orthodox Medicine will manage to coexist in the near future. Ultimately, we should we able to combine different schools of education so that patients have access to the best possible care.
  
  
• Human beings are complex interconnected systems, made of different delicate parts which function in relation with each other. One aspect of particular importance is social connection, which is however rarely taken into account, despite having a significant impact on our well-being.
  
  
• Social connection can look very different for different people (e.g. an introvert vs an extrovert), and it can be expressed in many ways, such as being part of a religious community or going for a hike with a small group of friends.
  
  
• Agency and Control are two crucial concepts and yet they are often misunderstood. While we all are mortal beings, we do have agency over certain aspects of our life that can create a greater sense of well-being and purpose. On this note, we should be careful with telling people that they have total control over their health.
  
  
• Agency can actually help us rewire and reshape our brain (neuroplasticity). Through positive neuroplasticity our brain can learn and grow. This means that, for example,  with the right behavior we change the structure of our brain, adjust our fear response, and develop greater resilience.