Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is far more than simply feeling tired.

In this video, Dr. Gary Kaplan explains the science behind ME/CFS, including why patients experience debilitating fatigue, post-exertional malaise (PEM), brain fog, non-restorative sleep, and flu-like symptoms that can persist for years.

He explores how dysfunction in the immune system, nervous system, and cellular energy production may contribute to this complex condition—and why so many patients are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed.

You’ll learn:

✔ What ME/CFS is and how it differs from ordinary fatigue
✔ Why post-exertional malaise (PEM) is a defining symptom
✔ The role of neuroinflammation and the “brain on fire” phenomenon
✔ How mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to profound exhaustion
✔ Why brain fog occurs and what it may reveal about the condition
✔ The connection between ME/CFS and viral triggers such as Epstein-Barr virus, Lyme disease, and Long COVID
✔ Why traditional approaches sometimes fall short
✔ Integrative and emerging approaches being explored for ME/CFS treatment

Dr. Kaplan also discusses the overlap between ME/CFS and fibromyalgia, a condition that shares some biological mechanisms but has its own unique features. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss our upcoming video dedicated entirely to fibromyalgia.

At the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine, we have spent more than 40 years caring for patients with complex chronic illnesses, helping identify the underlying factors that contribute to persistent symptoms and reduced quality of life.

About Dr. Gary Kaplan

Dr. Gary Kaplan is the founder and medical director of the Kaplan Center for Integrative Medicine in McLean, Virginia. He is also an associate professor at Georgetown University, and author of two books. He is board-certified in both Family Medicine and Pain Medicine and has devoted his career to treating complex chronic conditions through a systems-based, integrative approach.

Weis and Hickman have me hooked now, and I knew re-reading book 4 would strengthen this series’ hold on me. I remembered the impact it had on me, but what I didn’t know was if its power was due to my inexperience with the fantasy landscape when I first read it or if it truly was a masterwork amongst its contemporaries.

What is Sepent Mage About?

On the water world of Chelestra, old enemies are forced into uneasy alliances as ancient secrets rise from the depths. Haplo returns under orders to sow chaos, only to find his loyalties tested by unexpected truths, and Alfred begins to see the cracks in the ideals he once held sacred. As humans, elves, and dwarves struggle to coexist, a far greater threat begins to stir beneath the waves, born not of hatred, but of the unintended consequences of power.

Review

I remembered liking Serpent Mage, but I didn’t remember how hard it hits. Alfred’s disillusionment arc is one of the book’s strongest threads. His gradual unraveling—watching the ideals he once clung to erode in the face of corruption and control—is handled with a deft use of dramatic irony. As readers, we see the truth before he does, which adds a painful tension to every revelation. Haplo’s journey is equally impressive. At first, it seems like he’s regressing, but the story skillfully uses that moment to deepen his arc. His return to growth isn’t a rehash. It’s a confrontation with old loyalties and a genuine test of the progress he’s made.

The worldbuilding continues to shine, though Chelestra was harder for me to visualize than the realms in the previous installments. Early descriptions gave me one image, then shifted in ways that made me question my understanding. By the end, I had circled back to my original impression. That said, it wasn’t the island-water system that stuck with me, but the serpents and the eerie qualities of the water itself, triggering real tension and unease. Few fantasy books make me feel anxious. This one did, and I loved it for that. And I might be sleeping with a light on for a while.

Where Serpent Mage really excels is in expanding the series’ central conflicts. The balance of power between the Sartan, Patryns, and Mensch has shifted in fascinating, unexpected ways. The introduction of a greater evil—an unintended consequence of their centuries-long struggle—turns the entire dynamic on its head. What once seemed like a black-and-white war is now mired in shades of gray, revealing that both sides may have been pawns of something far more sinister.

Is Serpent Mage with Reading?

As the fourth installment, Serpent Mage functions as a turning point in The Death Gate Cycle. It doesn’t just prepare the ground for the final three books—it transforms what we thought the story was about. And for a series already rich with worldbuilding, conflict, and character, that’s no small feat.

I recommend this novel if you’ve read the first three installments. It’s worth continuing on.

Akin to a massage, but much, much gentler, Manual Lymphatic Drainage aims to assist the body’s lymphatic system (which I liken to a street cleaner) in moving the lymph to the node sites. There are some specific techniques involved that I’ll describe as we go along, while a fireplace crackles in the background and the very soft sounds of fabric can be heard just above it.

While I was chatting about classical music at the end, I mention Marco Beltrami, who did do the music for Hellboy but I said I thought he did Underworld—Paul Haslinger did the first Underworld movie, and Beltrami worked on Underworld: Evolution. Also, I cannot even believe, but the composer whose name I forgot was James Newton Howard. I remembered Jean-Yves Thibaudet (who is a pianist), but not James Newton Howard. BLEH.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is relaxing, but it is a 📢 PSEUDOSCIENCE 📢 From Wikipedia: “Pseudoscience consists of statements, beliefs, or practices that claim to be both scientific and factual but are incompatible with the scientific method.” This video is only intended for relaxation purposes, and I’m just an actor on the Internet.

Starting with the Face: 00:00 – 12:46
Working on the Left Arm & Chest: 12:46 – 22:05
Switching to the Right Arm & Chest: 22:05 – 30:09
Left Leg Work: 30:09 – 40:37
Finishing with the Right Leg: 40:37 – 50:26
Wrapping Up: 50:26 – 51:02
Outro with Face Touching/Massage: 51:02 – 52:20

Triggers include: soft speaking, whispering, narrating actions, massage, explaining, crinkling, woo, fabric sounds, rambling, fireplace sounds in the background, and personal attention.

Lonsdale Avenue has been a cornerstone of North Vancouver since the city’s early days. When North Vancouver was first established, Lonsdale was planned as a prominent thoroughfare, running right down the middle of the city’s layout. Its strategic importance was tied to its role in transportation—originally, the ferry at the foot of Lonsdale (in Lower Lonsdale) was a key connection point. These ferries, initially privately owned, were later managed by the government as the city grew, ensuring steady access to resources and workforce mobility. This made Lonsdale a vital lifeline for the burgeoning community, connecting it to downtown Vancouver and beyond.

As of 2019, Lonsdale has become a desirable area for young professional families, business owners, and investors. With the cost of living in downtown Vancouver skyrocketing, many are drawn to North Vancouver for a high quality of life while still being close to the city. The avenue features art installations, new parklet outdoor spaces, and some of the North Shore’s best restaurants, shops, cafes, and parks.

Lower Lonsdale, closer to the waterfront, is known for its real estate market, with a mix of houses, apartments, condos, and vacant lots for sale. It’s also home to the Lonsdale Quay Market and the Shipyards, a popular spot for dining, events, and waterfront views.

Further up the avenue, Central Lonsdale is more residential but still vibrant with charming coffee shops, restaurants, and boutique stores. It’s a walkable area with a community feel, often highlighted for its rows of shops and eateries.

Lonsdale Avenue encapsulates the evolution of North Vancouver—from a ferry-dependent settlement to a modern, thriving community. It’s a place where history meets contemporary living, offering a balance of cultural richness, accessibility, and community spirit.

Music video by Owl City performing When Can I See You Again? (from “Wreck-It Ralph”).© 2012 Walt Disney Records