Everything you're wondering
And a few things you might not have thought to ask.
HEALTH CONDITIONS
Can Primal Restart help with high blood pressure (hypertension)? Yes. Primal Restart is designed for guests managing conditions like hypertension. Our on-site medical team monitors blood pressure daily, reviews labs before and after the retreat, and works with your existing medications. A carnivore diet can support blood pressure reduction through weight loss, improved insulin sensitivity, and elimination of processed foods. Because dietary changes can affect medication dosing, medical supervision is essential, which is exactly what Primal Restart provides.
Can Primal Restart help with type 2 diabetes? Yes. Managing type 2 diabetes is one of the primary reasons guests choose Primal Restart. We order a comprehensive lab panel including HbA1C, fasting insulin, and glucose approximately two weeks before arrival, apply a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) on Day 2, and track your metabolic response throughout the retreat. Our medical team monitors medication needs closely, since a low-carbohydrate carnivore diet can lower blood sugar rapidly. Guests leave with a personalized post-retreat roadmap that includes dietary and medical guidance.
Is Primal Restart a weight loss retreat? Weight loss is a common outcome, but it is not the primary focus. Primal Restart is a medically supervised metabolic health retreat. Guests receive DEXA body composition scans on arrival and departure to measure changes in fat mass, lean mass, and visceral fat, not just weight. Most guests find that when metabolic health improves, weight follows naturally. Our goal is sustainable change supported by data, not a number on a scale.
Can the carnivore diet help with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? Many people with IBS report significant symptom improvement on a carnivore diet. The mechanism is elimination: a carnivore diet removes FODMAPs (fermentable carbohydrates found in many plant foods) that commonly trigger IBS symptoms. By eliminating all plant-based foods simultaneously, it acts as a comprehensive elimination protocol that allows the gut to settle. At Primal Restart, our nutritionist Rebecca Stuart NTP and therapist Cody M. Cox CMHC FNTP support guests through the dietary transition, including the adjustment period in the first few days.
Can Primal Restart help with autoimmune disorders? Primal Restart welcomes guests with autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. A carnivore diet functions as the most comprehensive elimination diet available, removing all plant-based antigens, lectins, oxalates, and processed food triggers in a single step. A 2024 case series published in Frontiers in Nutrition documented universal clinical improvement in 10 IBD patients on a carnivore-ketogenic diet. Our medical team reviews full labs including inflammatory markers before the retreat and tracks your response throughout.
Can Primal Restart help with vitamin B6 toxicity? Yes. Vitamin B6 toxicity (pyridoxine toxicity) is an emerging concern, often linked to long-term supplementation. A carnivore diet provides B6 naturally through food in forms the body regulates more effectively than synthetic supplements. Our pre-retreat lab panel includes B12, Folate, and Zinc, and nutritionist Rebecca Stuart NTP conducts a detailed intake interview before arrival to understand your supplement history and tailor your protocol accordingly. Our team works alongside your existing care rather than replacing it.
MEDICAL OVERSIGHT
What medical supervision is included at Primal Restart? Primal Restart provides comprehensive medical oversight throughout the retreat. Before arrival, guests receive a full lab panel reviewed by both the physician and nutritionist Rebecca Stuart NTP, followed by an intake interview with Rebecca. On-site, you receive daily medical check-ins monitoring vitals and glucose trends; DEXA body composition scans on arrival and departure; continuous glucose monitoring with a tracking app; and daily access to Rebecca Stuart NTP and therapist Cody M. Cox CMHC FNTP. You depart with a personalized post-retreat roadmap built from your data.
What labs are ordered before the retreat? Approximately two weeks before the retreat, guests receive a comprehensive lab order including hsCRP, Vitamin D, Insulin, HbA1C, Homocysteine, DHEA-s, GGT, B12, Folate, Zinc, eGFR, Iron and Ferritin panel, CBC with differential, CMP, Lipid Panel, Full Thyroid Panel, sex hormones, and a Bio Resonance Scan. Labs are reviewed by the physician and by Rebecca Stuart NTP before your arrival, and form the foundation of your personalized retreat protocol.
Is Primal Restart right for me if I am currently on medication? Primal Restart is designed specifically for guests managing chronic conditions, many of whom arrive on medication. Because a carnivore diet can lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and inflammation markers relatively quickly, medication adjustments may be needed during or after the retreat. Our medical oversight team monitors these changes daily. Before booking, all guests complete an intake form so the team can assess your individual situation. We also recommend sharing your plans with your prescribing physician.
Can I get reimbursed by my health insurance for Primal Restart? Primal Restart provides itemized receipts upon request to support insurance reimbursement or HSA/FSA claims. Some guests have worked with their physician or care provider to pursue reimbursement for medically supervised services. Reimbursement eligibility varies by plan. We recommend contacting your insurance company in advance. If your care provider would like to speak with us directly about the retreat's medical framework, we welcome that conversation.
THE RETREAT EXPERIENCE
Do I have to be committed to carnivore before I arrive? No. Many Primal Restart guests are skeptical when they first inquire. That is by design. Our retreat is built for people who are motivated to find a better path but have not yet committed to this one. Chef Brett Miner prepares all meals, so there is no guesswork. Gwendolynn Stearns leads daily education sessions covering the science, the transition process, and what to expect. You simply show up and let the team guide you through it.
What is included in the Primal Restart Sedona retreat? The Primal Restart Sedona retreat runs November 12-23, 2026 at Briar Patch Inn. It includes 11 nights in a private cabin; all carnivore meals prepared by Chef Brett Miner; daily medical check-ins; DEXA body composition scans on arrival and departure; continuous glucose monitoring; a pre-retreat lab panel; daily Lunch and Learn education sessions; private sessions with nutritionist Rebecca Stuart NTP and therapist Cody M. Cox CMHC FNTP; guest speaker sessions with Bella Ma and Raymond Nazon; a Healing Humanity film screening; guided grocery education at Safeway Sedona; and a personalized post-retreat roadmap.
Where is the Primal Restart retreat located? The inaugural Primal Restart retreat takes place at Briar Patch Inn in Sedona, Arizona, November 12-23, 2026. Briar Patch Inn is a secluded creekside property surrounded by red rock canyon, offering private cabins ideal for a focused healing environment. Future retreats are planned for Telluride, Colorado and Jackson Hole, Wyoming.