EP233: Born Free: Rethinking Chronic Illness Through Systems Biology - Part 1 - Joshua Leisk

🎧 Episode Summary

Joshua Leisk explores his systems biology model for ME/CFS and related chronic illnesses, explaining that many seemingly different conditions may stem from shared patterns of autonomic nervous system dysfunction, chronic infections, biofilms, oxidative stress, and impaired cellular energy production.

The conversation examines how factors such as viral reactivation, microbiome imbalances, nutrient depletion, heavy metals, and sympathetic overdrive may contribute to illness progression.

Joshua shares that chronic illness reflects interconnected processes within the body that can be reversed when underlying metabolic and physiological dysfunctions are addressed.

🧭 In This Episode

- Joshua Leisk’s personal recovery from severe ME/CFS and how it led to the development of Born Free
- The meaning behind the name Born Free and the concept of returning to a healthier baseline state
- Shared metabolic patterns across ME/CFS, Long COVID, dysautonomia, autism, Parkinson’s disease, and related conditions
- Mitochondrial dysfunction as a central intersection in chronic illness progression
- The role of localized infections, pathogens, and tissue-specific dysfunction in symptom presentation
- How sympathetic overdrive contributes to gastroparesis, immune dysregulation, and microbiome alterations
- Nervous system signaling and microbiome adaptation in response to chronic stress states
- Viral reactivation and mitochondrial dysfunction following COVID and other chronic illnesses
- The relationship between hypoxia-inducible factors and herpes virus reactivation
- Autonomic nervous system dysregulation and hypervigilance in ME/CFS and autism spectrum conditions
- Extracellular ATP signaling, inosine depletion, and the Cell Danger Response
- Methylation impairments, glutathione depletion, and oxidative stress accumulation
- Heavy metal accumulation and its impact on mitochondrial function and detoxification capacity
- Endogenous oxalate production, microbiome dysbiosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction
- Nutrient depletion, mineral dysregulation, and progressive metabolic compensation in chronic illness

👤 About the Guest

Joshua Leisk is a biological engineer and independent researcher focused on complex chronic illness. He is the creator of Born Free, a patient-led community research project that develops models and potential interventions for conditions such as ME/CFS and Long COVID.

His work takes a systems biology, reverse engineering approach, exploring how disruptions in metabolism, mitochondrial function, and cellular signaling may contribute to chronic disease. He is known for developing detailed, evolving models that aim to explain how illness begins, progresses, and may potentially be reversed.

Joshua collaborates with a global community of patients, practitioners, and researchers, sharing pathway diagrams, hypotheses, and research intended to advance the understanding of complex chronic conditions.

He is a founder of the Collaborative Sciences Institute, which provides systems biology education for clinicians treating complex chronic disease. He is also involved with Renegade Research, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit bringing together patients, caregivers, scientists, and clinicians to drive innovation in healthcare.

Connect With the Guest

Website - https://bornfree.life
X - https://x.com/joshual_tm

Interview Date: May 5, 2026

🔗 Related Resources

Collaborative Sciences Institute - https://collabsci.org
Systems biology education for clinicians treating complex chronic disease

JoshuaLeisk.com - https://joshualeisk.com
Rethinking tomorrow’s medicine, using a systems-based biological reverse engineering approach

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ℹ️ Disclaimer

The content of this show is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or medical condition. Nothing in today's discussion is meant to serve as medical advice or as information to facilitate self-treatment. As always, please discuss any potential health-related decisions with your own personal medical authority.

Видео EP233: Born Free: Rethinking Chronic Illness Through Systems Biology - Part 1 - Joshua Leisk канала BetterHealthGuy