Dr. Christopher Kent and Dr. Matthew McCoy Examine Emerging Research on Spinal Health, Neuroplasticity, Immunity, and Early Development
Scientific understanding of aging and human physiology continues to evolve, challenging assumptions about irreversible decline and the limits of biological adaptation. In the August 2026 edition of On Purpose Science, Dr. Christopher Kent and Dr. Matthew McCoy examine research spanning cervical disc height, cognitive health, immune development, and the neurological effects of everyday experiences.
Their discussion reveals both the promise and uncertainty of emerging findings, particularly when researchers attempt to distinguish measurable physiological changes from the mechanisms believed to explain them.
Cervical Disc Height and the Possibility of Structural Change
The episode opens with a retrospective radiographic study examining patients receiving Blair upper cervical chiropractic care. Among 38 patient records with complete measurements, researchers identified statistically significant increases in cervical intervertebral disc height over twelve months. Changes in cervical lordosis and anterior head translation, however, were not statistically significant.
The distinction prompted considerable discussion. McCoy proposed that increased disc hydration might explain the findings, while Kent emphasized that the study could not establish the underlying mechanism. Both considered sequential MRI imaging a potentially valuable direction for future research.
“There’s no such thing as settled science. If it’s settled, it isn’t science.” – Dr. Christopher Kent
Although the findings warrant further investigation, the retrospective design cannot establish that chiropractic care caused the observed changes. The study nevertheless raises questions about disc physiology and how structural measurements may change over time.
Brain Health Beyond the Traditional Model of Aging
A longitudinal study involving approximately 4,000 adults provided another perspective on biological adaptability. Researchers reported improvements in composite brain health scores across adulthood, including among older participants, with stronger outcomes associated with cognitive training and healthier daily habits.
Kent welcomed the implications for lifelong cognitive development, while McCoy questioned the measurement framework and the commercial interests surrounding the proprietary Brain Health Index.
Their exchange highlights an important distinction between demonstrating improvement on an assessment and establishing the full extent of neurological change. Encouraging findings still require careful interpretation, particularly when the instruments used to measure progress are themselves central to the research.
“You’re the control.” – Dr. Matthew McCoy
Sleep, Meditation, and the Changing Brain
The conversation also explored research suggesting that prolonged wakefulness can alter synaptic activity in ways that may interfere with learning. Other findings examined associations between meditation and cortical thickness, alongside evidence that pregnancy produces measurable changes in maternal brain structure.
Kent and McCoy were particularly interested in how researchers interpret these observations. Structural differences do not automatically indicate improvement or impairment, and neurological adaptation cannot always be reduced to a single explanation.
Their discussion of laboratory-grown neural organoids extended this scrutiny to emerging research methods, particularly the challenges of translating experimental findings into meaningful clinical outcomes.
Research That Advances Understanding
Throughout the episode, Kent and McCoy return to the question of what makes scientific investigation valuable. Large datasets, sophisticated imaging, and statistically significant findings can expand knowledge, but their importance ultimately depends on the questions being asked and the conclusions the evidence can support.
We need to look at what research is redundant and frivolous and what research could actually bring forth better understanding and better strategy.” – Dr. Christopher Kent
The August Science segment offers a thoughtful examination of human adaptability without overlooking the limitations of current evidence. For chiropractic professionals, it reinforces the importance of engaging critically with research, investigating proposed mechanisms, and distinguishing promising observations from established clinical conclusions.
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About On Purpose
The On Purpose Podcast is hosted by Christopher Kent DC, JD, MBA, ACP and Matthew McCoy DC, MPH. Since the early 1990s, On Purpose has been the spearhead of the Chiropractic Freedom Movement. It began as mailed cassette tapes, evolved into CDs, then online audio, and now lives on Substack with full-length video segments in Science, Philosophy, and Politics.
Tagline: When You Are On Purpose, You Are Not Alone.
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