Ep 13 Brain on Fire and The MMR: Brain on Fire Book & Movie, Outlander S4E5-6, Anti-NMDA Encephalitis, Measles

Medical Media Mixer is your go-to health and wellness podcast, shaken with cocktails and stirred with entertainment and media. In this episode, we dive into the medical mysteries and historical realities featured in both modern memoir and period drama. From Brain on Fire’s portrayal of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis to Outlander’s storyline on measles in Season 4 Episodes 5 and 6, we mix in real-world science, history, and cocktails—the fiery Brain on Fire Shot and the refreshing Mango Mojito Refresher (MMR).

🩺 What We Cover in This Episode Brain on Fire – Book & Film

• Susannah Cahalan’s memoir and Netflix adaptation

• Her harrowing journey with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

• Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this rare autoimmune disorder

• The importance of awareness for patients, providers, and families

Resources:

• Brain on Fire – Wikipedia

• Brain on Fire (Film) – Wikipedia

• Penn Medicine – Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

• NCBI – Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis

• Anti-NMDA Foundation

Outlander Season 4, Episodes 5 & 6 ("Savages" & "Blood of My Blood")

• How Outlander weaves historical epidemics into its storytelling

• The measles outbreak and its devastating impact in the 18th century

• Comparing fictional portrayal with real medical history

• The importance of vaccination and understanding “immune amnesia”

Resources:

• Outlander – Wikipedia

• Outlander Anatomy – Measles Lesson

• EW Recap – Season 4 Episode 6

• Outlander Cast Blog – Contagion

• Variety Recap – Episode 6

Measles: Then and Now

• Symptoms, complications, and outbreaks across history

• The success and setbacks of measles vaccination

• The modern resurgence of measles and ongoing outbreaks

• Immune amnesia: how measles can “reset” the immune system

Resources:

• WHO – Measles Fact Sheet

• WHO – History of Measles Vaccination

• Medscape – Measles Overview

• ASM – Measles and Immune Amnesia

• Texas DSHS – 2025 Measles Outbreak

• CDC – Measles Vaccine Considerations

• CDC – Measles Data & Research

• CDC – History of Measles

🍹 Cocktails of the Week Brain on Fire Shot

A fiery layered shooter to match the intensity of Susannah Cahalan’s story.
Recipe here

Mango Mojito Refresher (MMR)

A bright, tropical twist on the mojito—named for the MMR vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Recipe here

 

 

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🎶 Music Credits: Music by Vlad Krotov, Sound Effect by Akiva Vita 

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