Podcasts about HPA

For most people, donor eggs is at the bottom of the list. It is not where you wanted to land. And if your clinic is recommending it, something in you is saying there has to be more to look at first. Here is what we see every week. The donor egg recommendation rarely arrives after a complete workup. It arrives after looking at the AMH, the FSH, the follicle count, maybe a basic semen analysis, and maybe being told your TSH is normal. Those numbers are real. The diagnosis is real. What gets called complete is the question. This episode is the 11 specific things we most often find skipped before the recommendation gets made. Pull it up. Take notes. Bring it to your next appointment. The 11 patterns: 1. Thyroid, the full panel, not just TSH 2. The gut, including H. pylori 3. Hidden food sensitivities 4. Medications you are already on that affect fertility 5. The vaginal microbiome 6. The seminal microbiome 7. The male partner's full bloodwork 8. Sperm DNA fragmentation 9. Vaginal and seminal cross-contamination between partners 10. The nervous system and HPA axis 11. Liver function and hormone clearance These are the tests that sit outside the standard fertility workup. A 2024 study in Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics found that ovarian reserve markers like AMH do not significantly predict natural conception in women with regular cycles. The donor egg recommendation comes from one snapshot, not the full investigation. If this is the first episode you have landed on in this series, go back and listen to "Told Donor Eggs Are Your Only Option? Ask This First," then "How Long Should I Try With My Own Eggs Before Donor Eggs?" then "The Gut Findings Your Clinic Did Not Look For," and "Multiple Failed IVF And Told Donor Eggs?" This episode brings all of it together. WHAT YOUR CLINIC MISSED The companion guide walks through all 11 of these patterns in more detail, so you can take it to your next appointment and ask the questions. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line MISSED, and we will send you the guide. FUNCTIONAL FERTILITY SECOND OPINION A free 45-minute call where I review your labs, your history, and your partner's results with you. You leave knowing what your biology has been telling you and what your next decision could be. Email hello@fabfertile.ca, subject line FERTILE, or book here. ABOUT THE HOST I'm Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile and host of Get Pregnant Naturally, a podcast with over one million downloads. My functional fertility team works with couples navigating low AMH and failed IVF, reviewing functional lab results, gut microbiome, food sensitivity, vaginal microbiome, nutrigenomics, HTMA, DUTCH, toxin testing, and bloodwork alongside nervous system work, to help identify patterns that may not have been considered. We work alongside your medical team, not instead of them. Sarah Clark, founder of Fab Fertile, host of Get Pregnant Naturally (1M+ downloads), and author of Fabulously Fertile. If this episode helped, leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It is how other women find this work. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Donor Egg Recommendation and What Gets Called Complete 01:00 Who's Reviewing Your Case at Fab Fertile 02:00 Thyroid: The Full Panel, Not Just TSH 03:00 The Gut and H. pylori 04:00 Hidden Food Sensitivities 05:00 Medications That Affect Fertility 06:30 The Vaginal Microbiome 08:00 The Seminal Microbiome 08:30 The Male Partner's Full Bloodwork 09:00 Sperm DNA Fragmentation 09:30 Cross-Contamination Between Partners 11:00 The Nervous System and HPA Axis 11:30 Liver Function and Hormone Clearance 13:00 The Functional Fertility Second Opinion

If you have been doing everything right and still getting migraines, this episode is for you. This week we are kicking off a three-part series for Migraine Awareness Month, and we are going somewhere most people never go. Not your triggers. Not your medications. Not another list of things to avoid. We are talking about your brain. Specifically, a small almond-shaped structure called the amygdala, and why it may be running your entire migraine cycle without anyone ever explaining that to you. In this episode you will learn  what the amygdala actually is and what it was designed to do  how it connects directly to the trigeminal nerve and your HPA axis why chronic inflammation and hormonal shifts put it into a state of low-grade constant activation what central sensitization actually means and why it explains so much of what you have been experiencing why the smoke detector analogy changes the way you think about everything you have tried so far. This is the episode that reframes the whole conversation. Because once you understand that your nervous system has recalibrated itself toward threat, the question stops being what did I do wrong and starts being what does my nervous system need to finally stand down. Ready to find out where your own Inflammation Overload Loop is breaking down? Take the free Migraine Sensitivity Scorecard. The link is below. Resources: Migraine Sensitivity Scorecard: https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/quiz FREE DOWNLOAD: Toxic Migraine Triggers Guide Get the complete guide showing you the hidden inflammatory triggers fueling your migraines, including toxins in your medication, environment, and everyday life. https://dwvirtualguide.com/free-guide Book a Free Migraine Breakthrough® Assessment: Let's assess your unique migraine situation and uncover what's been keeping you stuck. https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/breakthroughcall-social-7269 Connect with Debbie: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DebbieWaidlCoach/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbiewaidl.coach/ Women's Migraine Freedom™ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/womensmigrainefreedom Website: https://pages.debbiewaidlcoach.com/ Email: freedom@debbiewaidl.com Disclaimer: The Migraine Freedom™ Your Way Podcast and information provided by Debbie Waidl and guests is presented solely to provide helpful information, education, and entertainment on the subjects discussed. The use of information or resources mentioned on or linked from this podcast is at the user's own risk and discretion. This podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. For diagnosis or treatment of any medical problem, consult your own physician. Debbie Waidl and In The Balance Health Coaching, LLC are not responsible for any medical conditions or liable for any damages or negative consequences from any treatment, action, application, or preparation to any person reading or following the information presented on this podcast. References are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any websites or other sources.  

If you are waking up between 2:00 and 4:00 AM, lying there wide awake with your heart beating a little too fast and your mind solving every problem in your life, this episode is for you. Because this is not just about bad sleep. It is about what happens when the hormonal, adrenal, and nervous system shifts of midlife collide with the stress load most women are already carrying. And for a lot of women, this is the moment they stop feeling like themselves. In this episode, I do a deep dive into what is actually happening beneath the surface when women in perimenopause and menopause start feeling wired, tired, fragile, overwhelmed, anxious, and unable to recover the way they used to. We talk about the HPA axis, cortisol rhythm, DHEA, blood sugar, stress intolerance, adrenal strain, and why the advice women are getting online is often way too surface level to actually help. I also share what this has looked like in my own body, why midlife can feel like the season where your body stops tolerating the way you have been living, and why that is not a personal failure. It is physiology. This episode lays the foundation for understanding the deeper systems driving midlife sleep disruption and stress dysregulation, so you can stop blaming yourself and start getting clearer on what your body may actually need. In this episode, we cover: Why 2:00 to 4:00 AM wakeups are so common in perimenopause and menopause The difference between being tired and being hormonally and neurologically dysregulated What the HPA axis is and why it matters for stress and sleep How estrogen and progesterone affect stress resilience and recovery Why cortisol is not the enemy, but timing matters How cortisol dysregulation can affect sleep, anxiety, belly fat, and energy Why DHEA is one of the most overlooked hormones in midlife The connection between blood sugar drops and middle-of-the-night wakeups Why the old coping strategies stop working in midlife Why testing cortisol rhythm and DHEA can be so helpful Who this episode is for This episode is for women in perimenopause and menopause who are struggling with broken sleep, 3 AM wakeups, stress intolerance, fatigue, anxiety, feeling wired at night, crashing in the morning, or just feeling like they cannot handle life the way they used to. It is especially for women who want to understand the deeper physiology behind what is happening instead of being told to just relax, meditate, or take one supplement and hope for the best.     Sponsors Try Vitali Exosomes Skin Care vitaliskincare.com use coupon KM20 to get 20% off your order! Get 30% off BATCH Gummies. Go to hellobatch.com/HORMONE and use code HORMONE at checkout. Timeline is offering up to 39% off your first order of Mitopure. Gummies. Go to timeline.com/HORMONE use coupon HORMONE     Are you in perimenopause or postmenopause and struggling with symptoms—but not getting the support you deserve? At Midlife Solutions, we specialize in hormone optimization for women in midlife. Our all-female clinical team offers telehealth care across all 50 U.S. states, with the ability to prescribe bioidentical estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid medication.   Book your FREE Hormone Discovery Call Find out what's really driving your symptoms and what your next best steps are.   Visit the website: https://karenmartel.com   Shop the Midlife Solutions Store Over-the-counter bioidentical hormone creams and oils — no prescription needed. Including: • Progesterone • Estrogen Face Cream • Vaginal Moisturizer and more!   Take the Hormone Quiz Discover hidden hormone imbalances that could be driving your symptoms. Get personalized results (and yes, they may surprise you).   Women's Peptide Weight Loss Program Clinically guided, hormone-aware weight loss for midlife women.   Midlife RESET HRT Program A complete, supportive approach to hormone replacement therapy in midlife.   Your host: Karen Martel Certified Hormone Specialist, Transformational Nutrition Coach, & Weight Loss Expert   Karen's Facebook Karen's Instagram

In this episode Nancy McLean answers listener emails about geldings that chew lead ropes and reins, she explains how cortisol and the HPA axis relate to stress-driven behaviors, and describes how consistent training, handler calmness, routines, turnout, and nutrition can help horses down-regulate stress. The episode also summarizes research on cortisol sampling methods (plasma, saliva, hair) for short- and long-term stress assessment, and closes with a brief update on a new world screwworm outbreak, what has been done historically to eradicate it, and practical steps owners should take if they suspect infestation. Research: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/13/12/2219 https://assets.cureus.com/uploads/review_article/pdf/413141/20251106-69309-xadaoe.pdf  

After 30 years in health, Dr. Mindy is calling time on the rules.This solo episode is one of the most personal things she's shared on this podcast. It covers two big ideas: the science and story behind why she stopped fasting for most of the past year and the five health habits she's deliberately walking away from in 2026.First, flex fasting. When cortisol is high from grief, trauma, illness, perimenopause, or chronic stress rigidly pushing through long fasting windows doesn't support the body. It depletes it. Dr. Mindy shares what happened when she lost a close friend and found herself in an acute stress state, what the research says about prolonged fasting and the HPA axis, and how she developed a new approach she's calling flex fasting: a more intuitive, body-led way to use fasting as a tool without turning it into a rule.Then the five things she's giving up: counting (macros, biometrics, followers, all of it), the gym, other people's urgency, productivity over health, and information overconsumption. Each one is a direct response to what the wellness industry has quietly done to us — turned health into a full-time job with a performance review.RESOURCES MENTIONED:Fast Like a Girl: https://www.drmindypelz.com/booksAge Like a Girl: https://www.drmindypelz.com/booksSubstack Article "I Stopped Fasting for a Year": https://substack.com/@drmindypelz/Carb Manager App carbmanager.com, available on iOS, Android, and webThe Movement Diet: Redefining Fitness at Every Age with Katy BowmanStudy: Prolonged Fasting, HPA Axis & Cortisol - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12736288/Study: Estrogen & Cortisol Regulation - https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/102/12/4457/4587523Midlife Women Fasting Trial - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65678-zStudy: Self-Selected Fasting Windows - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-024-03375-yBEAM Minerals, use code MINDY for 20% off: https://www.beamminerals.com/?oid=4&affid=648LMNT, get a free sample pack with your order: https://bit.ly/drinklmntpelzTo view full show notes, resources mentioned, transcripts, and more, visit

Interview with Dr. Mike Jones, MD of Impact Minerals Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/impact-minerals-asxipt-pitch-perfect-october-2025-8328Recording date: 8th June 2026Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) is undergoing a deliberate and material transformation. What began as a junior mining explorer is becoming, under the direction of Managing Director Dr. Mike Jones, a specialty chemicals and material science company with a credible path to producing high-purity alumina which is  a critical input for battery separators, artificial sapphire, advanced ceramics, and semiconductor components.The company's commercial strategy rests on two interconnected assets. The first is a 50% stake in Alluminous, which holds a patented solvent extraction process for producing HPA from widely available chemical feedstock. That intellectual property is now protected across the United States, Canada, and Southeast Asia, jurisdictions that management views as the primary commercialisation markets. The second is the Lake Hope clay project in Western Australia, where a Pre-Feasibility Study has been completed and work toward a Definitive Feasibility Study is underway.What has sharpened investor attention recently is a process engineering breakthrough at the Alluminous pilot plant. By modifying the orientation of impellers in the solvent extraction stage, the team achieved up to ten times the originally designed throughput. Dr. Jones has stated that this discovery could allow the company to reach production capacity comparable to its listed peers for under AU$10 million in capital — against the AU$200 million-plus spent by those peers to reach similar output levels. The scoping study for a 2,000-tonne-per-annum commercial plant is expected to provide independent cost validation shortly, making it one of the most significant near-term catalysts for the stock.The competitive context is instructive. Alpha HPA carries a market capitalisation of approximately AU$650–700 million. Advanced Energy Minerals trades at approximately AU$250–300 million. Both began as resource companies and have re-rated substantially as they have moved toward production. Impact Minerals currently sits at a significant discount to both, at a stage where the technology has been proven in batch mode, IP is protected, and initial customer engagement — including 3kg sapphire-grade samples dispatched to European buyers — is underway.The market entry strategy is measured. Rather than chasing premium 5N pricing immediately, management has chosen to enter the higher-volume 3N advanced ceramics segment first, building commercial credibility before moving up what Dr. Jones calls the "pyramid of purity." This approach mirrors the path taken by peers and reduces the risk of prolonged customer qualification timelines.The company's byproduct streams add further resilience to the investment case. Potash which is almost entirely imported into Western Australia and aluminium chlorohydrate have both attracted early buyer interest and are the subject of a separate scoping study. A joint venture on these streams would allow Impact to advance its HPA programme without proportional increases in capital expenditure.The principal risks are clear and should be held alongside the opportunity. Back-end engineering challenges remain unresolved, the technology has not yet been demonstrated at scale, and the company is pre-revenue. However, with patent protection secured, a breakthrough in production efficiency, a clear commercialisation roadmap, and peers trading at valuations ten to twenty times higher, the risk-reward profile at current prices warrants serious investor attention.View Impact Minerals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/impact-mineralsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Warum fühlen wir uns nach einem Streit in der Beziehung tagelang körperlich erschöpft, selbst wenn der Streit eigentlich schon vorbei ist? Die Antwort ist nicht, dass wir „zu empfindlich“ sind. Beziehungskonflikte machen uns nicht deshalb krank oder müde, weil sie stattfinden, sondern weil wir es oft nicht schaffen, uns danach gegenseitig wieder das Gefühl zu geben: „Du bist sicher, wir gehören zusammen.“ Welche Fragen beantwortet die Folge?„Warum bin ich nach einem Streit so extrem erschöpft, obwohl es nur eine Diskussion war?“„Warum kann ich mich nach einem Konflikt nicht alleine beruhigen?“„Warum reagiere ich so panisch und mein Partner so kühl?“„Ist meine Wahrnehmung falsch, wenn ich mich unsicher fühle?“„Was ist die Lösung? Muss ich lernen, nie wieder zu streiten?“„Warum hat das langfristige Folgen für meine Gesundheit?“---Wie erwähnt findest du hier, die beiden Workshops (8 Komponenten für sichere Bindung & Nervensystemreaktionen verstehen) hier:Kurs-Paket: Sichere Bindung lernen---

A dysregulated nervous system will stall body recomposition no matter how dialed the nutrition is or how consistent the training is. Inside today's episode, I dig into trauma as a physiological variable rather than a soft emotional topic, and why most coaching certifications skip this conversation entirely. I break down the autonomic nervous system and HPA axis interplay, the two nervous system presentations , and why the cortisol literature looked contradictory for years.Topics discussed: - Trauma as a Spectrum- Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation- HPA Axis and Cortisol Output- Sympathetic Dominance Presentation- The Dissociative Subtype- Cortisol Patterns Over Time- Childhood vs Adult Trauma- Inverted Diurnal Rhythm- Lifestyle and Clinical Interventions- The Coach's Role and Scope---------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠My Live Program for Coaches: The Functional Nutrition and Metabolism Specialization ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.metabolismschool.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------- [Free] Metabolism School 101: The Video Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.metabolismschool.com/metabolism-101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----------Subscribe to My Youtube Channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@sammillerscience?si=s1jcR6Im4GDHbw_1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----------⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grab a Copy of My New Book - Metabolism Made Simple⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠---------- Stay Connected: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram: @sammillerscience⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube: SamMillerScience⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: The Nutrition Coaching Collaborative Community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: @sammillerscience⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠----------“This Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast and the show notes or the reliance on the information provided is to be done at the user's own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is for educational purposes only. Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program and users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions. By accessing this Podcast, the listener acknowledges that the entire contents and design of this Podcast, are the property of Oracle Athletic Science LLC, or used by Oracle Athletic Science LLC with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of Oracle Athletic Science LLC, which may be requested by contacting the Oracle Athletic Science LLC by email at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠operations⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@sammillerscience.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. By accessing this Podcast, the listener acknowledges that Oracle Athletic Science LLC makes no warranty, guarantee, or representation as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information featured in this Podcast."

This episode is about more than food. It's about understanding why we reach for certain foods, creating a realistic off-ramp from ultra-processed eating, and giving your body a chance to reset. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right but still struggling with weight, energy, inflammation, or cravings, this episode is for you.   Citation: Hall, Kevin D., et al. “Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake.” Cell Metabolism, vol. 30, no. 1, 2019, pp. 67–77.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2019.05.008 — This is the cornerstone. Same calories, sugar, fat, fiber, and macros on both diets; people ate ~500 kcal/day more on the ultra-processed one and gained weight. It's the strongest evidence that the processing, not just the nutrients, changes intake. Why fat + sugar together hijack reward more than either alone (the “hyperpalatable” mechanism) DiFeliceantonio, Alexandra G., et al. “Supra-Additive Effects of Combining Fat and Carbohydrate on Food Reward.” Cell Metabolism, vol. 28, no. 1, 2018, pp. 33–44.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2018.05.018 McDougle, Molly, et al. “Separate Gut-Brain Circuits for Fat and Sugar Reinforcement Combine to Promote Overeating.” Cell Metabolism, vol. 36, no. 2, 2024, pp. 393–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2023.12.014 — Together these support your point that engineered fat-plus-sugar foods (the Doritos idea) light up reward pathways more than natural foods, because fat and sugar run on separate gut-brain circuits that combine. Why “glycemic velocity” matters — hidden refined starches like maltodextrin Hofman, Denise L., et al. “Nutrition, Health, and Regulatory Aspects of Digestible Maltodextrins.” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, vol. 56, no. 12, 2016, pp. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2014.940415 — Supports the egg-bite/maltodextrin point: maltodextrin is a refined starch with a glycemic index around 85–110, higher than table sugar, hiding on labels as “modified food starch.” Backs your “what the calories came from” framing. Why these foods genuinely relieve stress (your central, original thesis) Ulrich-Lai, Yvonne M., et al. “Pleasurable Behaviors Reduce Stress via Brain Reward Pathways.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 107, no. 47, 2010, pp. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1007740107 Tomiyama, A. Janet, et al. “Comfort Food Is Comforting to Those Most Stressed: Evidence of the Chronic Stress Response Network in High Stress Women.” Psychoneuroendocrinology, vol. 36, no. 10, 2011, pp. 1513–1519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2011.04.005 — This is the science behind “the food was doing something right.” Palatable food measurably dampens the HPA (cortisol) stress axis through reward pathways — which is exactly why pulling it without replacing the stress tool fails. Why cravings are state-dependent and rise with stress (the “urge depends on the state of your blood / stress level” claim) Adam, Tanja C., and Elissa S. Epel. “Stress, Eating and the Reward System.” Physiology & Behavior, vol. 91, no. 4, 2007, pp. 449–458. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.04.011 Darcey, Valerie L., et al. “Brain Dopamine Responses to Ultra-Processed Milkshakes Are Highly Variable and Not Significantly Related to Adiposity in Humans.” Cell Metabolism, vol. 37, no. 3, 2025, pp. 616–628. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2025.02.002  (edited)      WHAT TO EAT FOR THE NEXT SIX WEEKS — Protein. Plant. Potato. (P³) The formula for every meal: one protein + one plant + one starch (potato, or beans and rice). Add fat — olive oil, butter, avocado, cheese, nuts. Add flavor — salt, pepper, garlic, lemon, vinegar, salsa, hot sauce, herbs. This is not the meal you dreamed of. This is the meal that sets you free. BREAKFAST Eggs + sautéed vegetables + fruit on the side Plain Greek yogurt + berries + a handful of nuts Leftover chicken or beef + potato + vegetables (last night's dinner works) LUNCH Chicken + roasted potato + green salad with olive oil and lemon Tuna + white beans + cucumber + tomato, dressed with olive oil and vinegar Beef + potato + peppers + salsa DINNER Sheet-pan chicken + potatoes + green beans Instant Pot chicken + potato + a vegetable Burger patty (no bun) + potato + salad Batch chili (beef + beans + tomato) over rice Baked fish + sweet potato + roasted broccoli Pork + beans and rice + sautéed greens THE DURESS PLATE — for when the day collapses One protein + one plant + one starch, zero cooking. Examples: • Hard-boiled eggs + apple + handful of nuts • Tuna + canned beans + cucumber, with olive oil • Pre-cooked/frozen ground beef + frozen vegetables + microwave potato • String cheese + fruit + a few nuts (in a real pinch) SIMPLE RECIPES Sheet-Pan Chicken & Potatoes (serves 4) Toss chicken thighs and quartered baby potatoes in olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic. Roast at 425°F (220°C) ~35–40 min. Add green beans for the last 15 min. Batch Chili (serves 6) Brown 2 lb ground beef with chopped onion. Add 2 cans diced tomatoes, 2 cans beans (drained), garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt. Simmer 30+ min. Freezes well — make once, eat all week. Serve over rice. Instant Pot Chicken Chicken breasts + ½ cup broth + salt, garlic, paprika. Pressure cook 10 min, natural release 5. Shred. Pairs with any potato + vegetable. The 5-Minute Tuna Bean Bowl Can of tuna + can of white beans (rinsed) + diced cucumber and tomato. Dress with olive oil, lemon or vinegar, salt, pepper. Microwave Potato, Done Right Pierce a potato, microwave 5–7 min. Split, add butter or olive oil, salt, pepper. The reliable, universal starch. Remember: Don't aim for one perfect week repeated six times. Just follow the basic protocol the best you can for six weeks. When a craving hits, run the nine-minute interrupt from Episode 14.   Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he's helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He's also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you're ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.

Emotional loneliness is one of the most common and least talked about experiences in complex trauma recovery. It's not about the number of people in your life. It's about whether your nervous system has learned to let them in. And for a lot of survivors, it hasn't. Not because something is permanently wrong with you, but because your nervous system learned some very specific things about connection a long time ago.In this episode, I break down some of the neuroscience and nervous system mechanics behind emotional loneliness in CPTSD, why it runs so much deeper than social isolation, and what actually helps.In this episode:Why emotional loneliness and social isolation are not the same thing, and why adding more people to your life won't fix the second oneThe push-pull cycle so many survivors live in, desperately wanting connection and pulling back the moment someone gets closeHow emotional neglect specifically creates a loneliness that's hard to name because the wound is in what didn't happen, not what didWhy hyperindependence is often a nervous system adaptation, not a personality traitThe role of the HPA axis and oxytocin in why connection can feel physically threatening even when you want itHow shame creates concealment, and how concealment sustains loneliness in a cycle that's hard to breakWhat dissociation and hypervigilance have to do with why connection doesn't land even when it's right in front of youWhy healing often makes loneliness feel worse before it gets better, and what that actually meansWhat capacity building looks like when the goal is learning to receive connection, not just find itResources that might support you:Episode 126: The Inner Critic with Emily PagoneEpisode 127: Attunement and Rupture in the Clinical Relationship with Katie FriesEpisode 128: Fawning as a Trauma ResponseThanks for listening to The Complex Trauma Podcast!Be sure to follow, share and give us a review on your favorite podcast platform.Follow on Instagram: @sarahherstichlcsw Follow on TikTok: @sarahherstichlcswLearn more about EMDR & trauma therapy in Pennsylvania with Reclaim TherapyThis podcast is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.Remember, I'm a therapist, but I'm not your therapist. Nothing in this podcast is meant to replace actual therapy or treatment. If you're in crisis or things feel really unsafe right now, please reach out to someone. You can call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, text them, or head to your nearest ER.The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not represent the opinions of any organizations or institutions. Reliance on any information provided by this podcast is solely at your own risk.

Send us Fan MailStress can quietly sabotage GLP‑1 therapies by turning up cortisol, spiking cravings, and flattening the satiety signals you're counting on. We unpack that hidden loop and share a practical playbook to lower stress, protect your appetite control, and make your plan more sustainable.We start by mapping how the HPA axis elevates cortisol and interferes with GLP‑1 secretion and action. From there, we explore the gut microbiome's role in incretin signaling and why fiber, prebiotics, and fermented foods can restore metabolic rhythm. You'll hear how small daily choices—hydration, meal timing, and protein plus fiber at each meal—smooth glucose swings and reduce the urgency that leads to overeating. We make mindfulness tangible with short breathing protocols, body scans, and progressive muscle relaxation you can layer into a busy day, plus mindful eating tactics that help fullness show up on time.Movement rounds out the plan. Aerobic sessions lower anxiety and improve insulin sensitivity, strength training supports lean mass and confidence, and yoga or tai chi blend relaxation with mobility. We explain how better sleep ties it all together, reinforcing appetite control and recovery so your medication works as intended. Throughout, we focus on simple, repeatable routines: anchor habits in the morning and evening, fiber first shopping, post meal walks, and community for accountability.If you're using semaglutide, tirzepatide, or another GLP‑1 and feel stuck, this conversation gives you the tools to reclaim momentum with a calm nervous system, a nourished gut, and a movement plan you enjoy. Subscribe, share this with someone on a similar journey, and leave a review telling us which habit you'll start this week. Support the showSponsor Affiliates Empowering Your Healthhttps://www.atecam.com/Get YOUR Own Joburg Protein Snacks Discount Code:  Damaris15 Or Damaris18Feeling need to Lose Weight & Become metabolically HealthyGET METABOLIC COURSE GLP 1 REseTThis course is designed for individuals looking to optimize their metabolic health through integrative and functional medicine approaches. Whether you're on a GLP-1 medication or seeking natural ways to enhance your metabolic function, this course provides actionable steps, expert insights, and a personalized roadmap sustainable wellness.Are you feeling stressed, tired, or Metabolism imbalanced? Take advantage of our free mindful steps to help improve your well-being.ENJOY ONE OF our Books Mindful Ways  Health Wealth & Life https://stan.store/MindfullyintegrativeJoin Yearly membership ALL IN ONE  FUNCTION HEALTHAsk Us for help with Medica...

Spoiler: you were never meant to do this alone. In the final episode of Joy Lab's Resilience series, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons explore the most powerful — and most underrated — ingredient in lasting resilience: deep, meaningful connection. They unpack the neuroscience of belonging, the illusion of separation that quietly wrecks our wellbeing, and two surprisingly accessible practices: shared-joy and moral elevation. These practices can open us to greater connection right now, no personality overhaul required. The takeaway from this episode is that deep connection isn't a bonus feature of a resilient life. It's the foundation. And the good news? You're already wired for it.   Try It Free

What if the root of your hormonal disruption, your chronic fatigue, your gut issues, and your anxiety isn't what your doctor has been looking for? What if it's people-pleasing? In this episode of Aligned Vitality, certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner and Christian Life Coach Tanya Engesether makes the clinical and spiritual case that people-pleasing is not just an emotional pattern — it is a chronic stress state with real, measurable consequences for the body. Drawing from functional health science, trauma-informed psychology, and a faith-rooted perspective, Tanya unpacks what people-pleasing actually is at a nervous system level, where it comes from, and what it is doing to your hormones, your gut, your thyroid, your immune system, and your brain. If you are a high-capacity woman in midlife who is exhausted, symptomatic, and starting to suspect that something deeper is at the root — this episode is for you. In This Episode You'll Learn: What people-pleasing actually is at a nervous system level — and why it's not a character flaw The fawn response — the fourth stress response most people have never heard of Where people-pleasing patterns typically originate — childhood, faith communities, identity, and worth The full metabolic cascade of chronic people-pleasing — from HPA axis dysregulation to hormones, gut, thyroid, inflammation, and neurotransmitters What the pregnenolone steal is — and why it matters for midlife hormone health Why midlife amplifies everything that chronic stress has been quietly building The difference between fear-driven appeasement and Spirit-led service What Galatians 1:10 has to say about people-pleasing and identity The physiological reality of living rooted in God's approval instead of human approval Where to begin — practically and spiritually — if this episode resonates Scripture Referenced Galatians 1:10 — "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?" Key Takeaway People-pleasing is not just emotionally costly — it is physiologically destructive. The fawn response keeps the body in a chronic stress state that disrupts hormones, degrades gut health, suppresses thyroid function, drives inflammation, and depletes the neurotransmitters responsible for mood and resilience. Healing begins when we address the root — not just the symptoms.   I hope this episode blesses you! Xoxo, Tanya   Book a FREE functional health discovery call HERE. Episode Resources: Episode Catalog   My trusted Supplement Dispensary: Aligned Vitality Fullscript Dispensary My trusted Telehealth Peptide Provider:  EllieMD_Tanya Engesether *I do get a small commission when you use one of the above affiliate links. 3 Ways To Connect With Me: 1️⃣COACHING: Are you READY to Lead Well, Live Well and BE Well? Book a FREE discovery call with me to find out more about functional health coaching. It's the accountability and guidance you need to reclaim your health and happiness! ➡︎ https://alignedvitalityhealth.com/coaching   2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others navigating life and leadership ➡︎ https://alignedvitalityhealth.com/community   3️⃣ CONTACT: Leave me a question or comment ➡︎ https://alignedvitalityhealth.com/contact   "Yes! Finally, a podcast helping others become the thriving leaders they're meant to be outside of hustle-culture! This is an amazing resource! Thank you so much for sharing and helping us become Spirit-driven, peaceful leaders!"    If you can relate, please consider rating and reviewing my show! It helps me reach more people – just like you – to help them change their future. Don't forget to follow the show so you don't miss any episodes! And, if you're feeling really generous, I'd be SO honored if you would share this podcast with someone.   Click here to view our privacy policy.   Reminder:  The information you hear on this show is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.  It is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your own health practitioner before you make any changes to your health.

Dr. Corey Schuler, PhD(c), FNP, DC, CNS, and director of medical affairs at Allergy Research Group, details his paper “Energy Allocation Resilience and Endocrine Integration” in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. He introduces the Energy Allocation System (EAS), which emphasizes how the body allocates energy—not just produces it—and links many symptoms to impaired bioenergetics and resilience. They discuss mitochondria as energy generators and cellular signaling hubs, the integrated stress response and endocrine coordination (HPA axis, thyroid, gonads), and mitohormesis/eustress (exercise, fasting, heat/cold, circadian “zeitgebers”). Schuler explains nuanced testing for fatigue (diurnal cortisol, CGM patterns, thyroid markers including T3/reverse T3) and a case of a perimenopausal woman where oral contraceptives and cortisol dysregulation affected glucose patterns. They cover mitochondrial support (removing obstacles like pollutants/antibiotics, triglycerides, carnitine, dietary fats, micronutrients) and pacing/sequencing lifestyle interventions.

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In Episode 44 of Pursuit of Balance, Corey breaks down how exercise directly and indirectly improves mental health — and why "the best path to the mind is through the body." This isn't your typical mental health awareness conversation. Instead of journaling, breathing, and bubble baths, Corey gets into the actual mechanisms behind why training works — and the indirect benefits most people don't realize they're signing up for when they commit to a real fitness routine. What we cover: -Why exercise is technically a stressor (and how that actually builds stress resilience) -BDNF and why post-workout is one of the best times to learn -How aerobic training recalibrates your HPA axis and stress threshold -Vagal tone, HRV, and what your nervous system is trying to tell you -The neurotransmitter cocktail behind the runner's high -The biggest mistake people make when joining a gym (and why "trying it out" is the worst strategy) -Identity shifts, community, healthy competition, and structure as mental stabilizers -Why hard training leads to better sleep — and why productivity beats busyness -The role of light exposure and outdoor training in mental health -Why exercise rivals SSRIs for treating depression and anxiety

What if the anxiety, overthinking, people pleasing, emotional shutdown, hypervigilance, burnout, and relationship struggles you experience today… were never actually "you" to begin with? In this deeply personal and profoundly eye-opening solo episode, Darin Olien dives into the hidden nervous system programming formed between the ages of 0 and 8 that silently shapes our adult lives. Drawing from neuroscience, trauma research, attachment theory, epigenetics, somatic healing, and his own emotional breakthroughs, Darin explores how childhood experiences become subconscious operating systems that influence everything from relationships and stress responses to chronic disease and self-worth. This episode is a powerful roadmap toward healing. Darin breaks down the science behind trauma, the ACE study, nervous system dysregulation, emotional patterning, and neuroplasticity, while also sharing practical tools like somatic experiencing, expressive writing, EMDR, and Internal Family Systems to help listeners begin rewiring their emotional lives from the inside out. What You'll Learn How childhood experiences program the nervous system Why most adult emotional reactions are subconscious survival patterns The connection between trauma, stress hormones, and chronic disease How the nervous system stores emotional experiences in the body Why people pleasing, hypervigilance, burnout, and emotional shutdown develop The science behind neuroplasticity and rewiring the brain What the ACE Study revealed about childhood trauma and adult health How trauma impacts the amygdala, hippocampus, and stress-response systems Why emotional patterns are adaptations, not character flaws How epigenetics can pass trauma responses across generations The role of somatic experiencing in trauma healing Practical tools for emotional regulation and nervous system repair Chapters 00:00:03 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:32 – Sponsor: Bite Toothpaste and eliminating toxic plastic exposure 00:02:47 – Darin introduces emotional reactions and nervous system triggers 00:03:15 – A personal story about reacting vs responding in conflict 00:03:50 – Emotional shutdowns, rage, withdrawal, people pleasing, and overcorrection 00:04:19 – Darin's physical pain journey and emotional discoveries in 2025 00:04:42 – Birth trauma, childhood conditioning, and nervous system programming 00:05:04 – Why the ages of 0–8 are the most neurologically influential years 00:05:18 – Theta and delta brainwave states during childhood 00:05:55 – How children absorb emotional patterns without filters 00:06:22 – Childhood experiences becoming subconscious operating systems 00:06:44 – Adults unknowingly living through a 5-year-old nervous system 00:07:12 – Why this episode became deeply personal for Darin 00:07:35 – The neuroscience behind stress responses and emotional conditioning 00:08:17 – Brain development, neuroplasticity, and subconscious programming 00:09:13 – How the HPA axis, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex are shaped early in life 00:09:45 – Core childhood questions that program the nervous system 00:10:29 – Why adult stress responses originate in childhood environments 00:11:05 – Research showing childhood adversity alters brain structure and chemistry 00:11:18 – The ACE Study explained 00:11:49 – Why patients losing weight became emotionally overwhelmed 00:12:18 – The ten categories of adverse childhood experiences 00:13:02 – "The health crisis of America begins in childhood" 00:13:36 – How adverse childhood experiences increase disease risk 00:14:03 – Suicide, alcoholism, autoimmune disease, depression, and trauma correlations 00:14:37 – Chronic disease as a nervous system issue 00:15:04 – Survival mode, inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and emotional scarcity 00:15:42 – Self-sabotage and emotional coping patterns explained 00:16:02 – Why your emotional patterns are not character flaws 00:16:22 – Childhood survival adaptations and nervous system intelligence 00:16:52 – Hypervigilance, people pleasing, rage, emotional shutdown, and fear 00:17:05 – Sponsor: Manna Vitality and frequency-based wellness 00:18:59 – Epigenetics and inherited trauma responses 00:19:22 – Cortisol regulation genes and hyperactive stress responses 00:19:51 – Holocaust survivors, inherited trauma, and generational nervous systems 00:20:19 – Why healing requires nervous system awareness—not just intellectual understanding 00:20:45 – "You were never supposed to get over it—you were supposed to heal from it" 00:21:01 – Real-life examples of subconscious nervous system programming 00:21:16 – Why receiving compliments can feel unsafe 00:21:30 – Darin's personal struggle with overachievement and scarcity programming 00:22:03 – Emotional neglect, chronic striving, and feeling "not enough" 00:22:16 – The nervous system roots of burnout and exhaustion 00:22:23 – Hair-trigger emotional reactions and hyperactive amygdala responses 00:22:38 – Chronic self-abandonment and losing personal boundaries 00:22:52 – Fear of intimacy, trust issues, and emotional safety 00:23:02 – "The body keeps the score" explained 00:23:22 – Trauma stored in posture, breath, digestion, immunity, and emotional regulation 00:23:43 – Harvard research on trauma-related brain changes 00:24:19 – The radical power of neuroplasticity and nervous system rewiring 00:24:48 – Why healing requires conscious participation 00:25:01 – Darin shares how healing changed decades of emotional pain 00:25:33 – Somatic Experiencing and Peter Levine's trauma work 00:25:57 – How animals discharge stress naturally 00:26:23 – Trauma as incomplete physiological responses frozen in the body 00:26:42 – Why humans suppress emotional discharge 00:27:16 – PTSD research and the effectiveness of somatic experiencing 00:27:41 – A step-by-step somatic grounding practice 00:28:14 – Why healing is more powerful with a regulated person beside you 00:28:38 – EMDR and reprocessing traumatic experiences 00:28:55 – Internal Family Systems and the "parts" inside the psyche 00:29:13 – Inner critics, overachievers, and nervous system adaptations 00:29:39 – Compassionately listening to emotional parts instead of suppressing them 00:29:51 – Expressive writing as a trauma healing practice 00:30:22 – The neuroscience behind emotional journaling 00:30:48 – A four-day expressive writing protocol for healing 00:31:05 – "You are not broken" 00:31:16 – Reprogramming the nervous system through love and safety 00:31:37 – Why deep healing happens in the presence of another regulated person 00:31:52 – Darin considers creating a future healing workshop 00:32:04 – Final reflections: "You are not what happened to you" 00:32:12 – Peace. Love. SuperLife. Thank You to Our Sponsors Bite Toothpaste: Go to trybite.com/DARIN20 or use code DARIN20 for 20% off your first order Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order. Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien     Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "The emotional patterns, fears, reactions, and coping mechanisms that run your adult life are often survival adaptations created by your nervous system during childhood. They are not your identity. They are not permanent. And through awareness, somatic healing, emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and conscious repetition, those deeply rooted patterns can be rewritten into something healthier, freer, and more aligned with who you truly are." Bibliography/Sources Neuroscience & Early Programming Agorastos, A., Pervanidou, P., Chrousos, G. P., & Baker, D. G. (2019). Developmental trajectories of early life stress and trauma: A narrative review on neurobiological aspects beyond stress system dysregulation. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, Article 118. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00118 Bolton, J. L., Short, A. K., Simeone, K. A., Daglian, J., & Baram, T. Z. (2019). Programming of stress-sensitive neurons and circuits by early-life experiences. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 13, Article 30. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00030 Shonkoff, J. P., & Boyce, W. T. (2024). Toxic stress and developmental programming of the HPA axis. Annual Review of Developmental Psychology. https://www.annualreviews.org/journal/devpsych Teicher, M. H., & Ohashi, K. (2023). Childhood trauma and reduced hippocampal, anterior cingulate, and corpus callosum volumes. JAMA Psychiatry. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking / Penguin. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/313183/the-body-keeps-the-score-by-bessel-van-der-kolk-md/ ACE Study & Adverse Childhood Experiences Felitti, V. J. (2002). The relation between adverse childhood experiences and adult health: Turning gold into lead. The Permanente Journal, 6(1), 44–47. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6112216/ Felitti, V. J., & Anda, R. F. (2010). The relationship of adverse childhood experiences to adult health, well-being, social function, and healthcare. In R. Lanius, E. Vermetten, & C. Pain (Eds.), The impact of early life trauma on health and disease (pp. 77–87). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511777042 Hillis, S., Mercy, J., Amobi, A., & Kress, H. (2023). Economic burden of health conditions associated with adverse childhood experiences among U.S. adults. JAMA Network Open, 6(12). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen Liu, Y., Croft, J. B., Chapman, D. P., et al. (2013). Associations between adverse childhood experiences and health outcomes in adults aged 18–59 years. PLOS ONE, 8(3), e58625. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0058625 Epigenetics & Trauma Baratta, M. V., et al. (2021). Epigenetics of childhood trauma: Long term sequelae and potential for treatment. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 132, 1049–1063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.043 Jiang, S., Postovit, L., Cattaneo, A., Binder, E. B., & Aitchison, K. J. (2019). Epigenetic modifications in stress response genes associated with childhood trauma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10, Article 808. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00808 Provençal, N., & Binder, E. B. (2015). The effects of early life stress on the epigenome: From the womb to adulthood and even before. Experimental Neurology, 268, 10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.12.001 Healing Modalities — Research Brom, D., Stokar, Y., Lawi, C., et al. (2017). Somatic experiencing for posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized controlled outcome study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 30(3), 304–312. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22189 Fratarolli, J. (2006). Experimental disclosure and its moderators: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(6), 823–865. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.6.823 Gilbert, P. (2009). The compassionate mind: A new approach to life's challenges. New Harbinger Publications. https://www.newharbinger.com/9781572248403/the-compassionate-mind/ Justice Resource Institute. (2022). Evaluation of the efficacy of Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy for trauma-related symptoms among complexly traumatized adults. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05155930. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05155930 Kuhfuß, M., Maldei, T., Hetmanek, A., & Baumann, N. (2021). Somatic experiencing — effectiveness and key factors of a body-oriented trauma therapy. European Journal of Psychotraumatology, 12(1), Article 1929023. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2021.1929023 Levine, P. A. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books. https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/shop/in-an-unspoken-voice/ Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the Mindful Self-Compassion Program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.21923 Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic process. Psychological Science, 8(3), 162–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1997.tb00403.x Rodenburg, R., Benjamin, A., de Roos, C., Meijer, A. M., & Stams, G. J. (2009). Efficacy of EMDR in children: A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(7), 599–606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2009.06.008 Schwartz, R. C. (2021). No bad parts: Healing trauma and restoring wholeness with the Internal Family Systems model. Sounds True. https://www.soundstrue.com/products/no-bad-parts Shapiro, F. (2017). Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy: Basic principles, protocols, and procedures (3rd ed.). Guilford Press. https://www.guilford.com/books/Eye-Movement-Desensitization-and-Reprocessing/Francine-Shapiro/9781462532766  

We're in our Element of Resilience and we're going somewhere most mental health conversations completely skip: the heart.  Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek unpack why mental health has been so brain-centric for so long, what the field of neurocardiology is revealing about the heart's role in how we feel, think, and connect, and why ancient healing traditions were frankly ahead of the curve on all of this. Then they walk through three practical, research-backed heart-centered practices to support your mental health: self-acceptance, loving-kindness, and compassion. Henry also shares a simple, portable exercise called The Three Kindnesses that you can do anywhere, anytime. Whether you've been with us throughout this series or this is your first episode, this one is a great entry point into what Joy Lab is really about.   Try It Free

Your relationships are reshaping your biology in ways that diet and exercise alone cannot fix, and the science behind it will change how you think about longevity, metabolism, and what it actually means to be healthy. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Host Dave Asprey sits down with Dr. Molly Maloof, a physician and one of the most innovative voices in personalized medicine, functional medicine, and human performance. Since 2012, she has advised or consulted for over 50 companies across digital health, consumer health, and biotechnology. She pioneered a course on healthspan at Stanford University and founded Adamo Bioscience, a company dedicated to unlocking the science of love as a pathway to healing and human connection. Dr. Maloof brings a rare combination of clinical depth, biohacking credibility, and entrepreneurial range to one of the most overlooked conversations in longevity. Together, Dave and Dr. Maloof dig into the neurobiology of love and attachment, the hormonal drivers of the sex drive and pair bonding, and how chronic isolation wrecks your metabolism at the cellular level. They explore the cell danger response and how toxic relationships, mold exposure, and trauma can lock your cells into a self-protection mode that blocks healing. They also cover psychedelics as hormetic tools, oxytocin as nature's medicine, the placebo response, peptide therapy for mitochondrial repair and anti-aging, and why regenerative medicine is about to rewrite the rules of human lifespan. If you are serious about biohacking your body from the inside out, this episode is essential. You'll Learn: Why human connection is a biological necessity, not a lifestyle preference, and what isolation does to your mitochondria and metabolism How the three neurobiological drives of sex, romantic love, and attachment are wired into your hormones and what happens when they go wrong What the cell danger response is, why it gets stuck, and which peptides, supplements, and therapies help break the cycle How oxytocin drives wound healing, immune function, and the placebo response Why psychedelics work as hormetic love drugs and how they reproduce the neurobiology of romantic love The top peptides for mitochondrial repair, brain optimization, and telomere biology Why Dave and Dr. Maloof believe we have already reached longevity escape velocity How AI is accelerating precision medicine, protein folding breakthroughs, and the future of anti-aging therapeutics Why fasting, breathwork, neurofeedback, and somatic therapies all converge on the same biological reset mechanism How to build the adaptive capacity and bioenergetic reserves to bounce back from anything Thank you to our sponsors! - Danger Coffee | Grab yours at DangerCoffee.com and use code DAVEPOD at checkout for 15% off. - Amp | If you're ready to make fitness fit into your life, go to amp.ai to check it out - Puori | Go to Puori.com/DAVE or use code DAVE at checkout to get 32% off your Puori Fish Oil subscription. You save more than $18 - Our Place | Stop cooking with toxic cookware and upgrade to Our Place today. With a 100-day risk-free trial, plus free shipping and returns, you can experience this game-changing cookware with zero risk. Visit: fromourplace.com/DAVE Use code: DAVE for 10% off sitewide Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights inhealth, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Keywords: Dr. Molly Maloof, Adamo Bioscience, Stanford University, personalized medicine, functional medicine, healthspan, longevity, biohacking, human performance, anti-aging, regenerative medicine, longevity escape velocity, cell danger response, mitochondria, mitochondrial health, oxytocin, vasopressin, dopamine, serotonin, neurobiology of love, attachment theory, pair bonding, sex drive, hormone replacement therapy, testosterone, estrogen, menopause, andropause, libido, female sexual dysfunction, relationship biology, social health, isolation, community, co-regulation, trauma healing, psychedelics, MDMA, psilocybin, ibogaine, ayahuasca, hormetic stress, social hormesis, neurofeedback, 40 Years of Zen, breathwork, nervous system regulation, HPA axis, cortisol, mast cell activation, histamine, long COVID, mold exposure, phospholipid therapy, glutathione, vitamin C, BPC-157, TB500, SS31, epothilone, SELANK, SEMAX, BDNF, telomere biology, telomerase, peptides, GLP-1, placebo response, wound healing, metabolism, continuous glucose monitoring, gut health, AI, precision medicine, supplements, brain optimization, neuroplasticity Resources: • Grab Molly's Book The Spark Factor: https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Factor-Supercharging-Optimizing-Feeling/dp/0063207206 • Learn More About Dr. Molly's Work: https://drmolly.co/ • Visit Your Healthspan Journey: https://yourhealthspanjourney.mystrikingly.com/ • Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/ • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com Timestamps: 00:00 – Trailer 00:28 – Intro 01:39 – COVID Isolation & Its Effects 03:11 – Science of Love & Hormones 04:24 – Psychedelics & Love Chemistry 09:22 – Cell Danger Response 11:07 – AI, Tech & Human Connection 13:20 – Social Connection as Medicine 20:50 – Placebo, Care & Psychedelics 24:49 – Altered States & Healing Modalities 30:09 – Peptides & Longevity Drugs 35:44 – Mast Cell & Personal Health Challenges 43:46 – Regenerative Medicine & The Future 46:17 – Longevity Escape Velocity 50:05 – Outro See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Does GABA Actually Help With Sleep? What the Research Says for Brain Injury Recovery Someone in our community recently asked me about GABA for sleep. They’d seen it recommended online, understood that sleep was critical for their recovery, and wanted to know whether the supplement was worth exploring or just noise. It’s a genuinely good question. And it deserves a proper answer. In this post, I’m going to walk you through what GABA is, what the clinical research actually shows about its effect on sleep, why the blood-brain barrier debate matters (and why it might not derail the whole argument), and what the evidence says about the relationship between sleep and brain recovery. By the end, you’ll have enough to have an informed conversation with your medical team. I’m not a doctor. I’m a three-time haemorrhagic stroke survivor who has spent years researching the science of brain recovery and interviewing hundreds of clinicians and survivors on the Recovery After Stroke podcast. What I offer is a careful read of the evidence, not a clinical prescription. What Is GABA and Why Does It Matter for Sleep? GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. If your nervous system were a car, GABA is the brake pedal. It reduces neuronal excitability, quiets cortical arousal, suppresses the brain’s primary arousal centre (the locus coeruleus), and modulates the HPA axis, the stress-response system that drives cortisol. Most sedative medications work by amplifying GABA activity. Benzodiazepines, for instance, bind to GABA-A receptors to increase chloride channel opening, producing their calming effect. GABA isn’t doing something unusual here – it’s doing something fundamental. The question with supplemental oral GABA is more specific: Does taking GABA as a capsule or powder actually produce meaningful neurological effects? What Does the Research Show? Finding 1 — Oral GABA Reduces Sleep Latency (and EEG Can Measure It) A 2015 clinical trial published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology by Yamatsu and colleagues used EEG measurement, actual brainwave monitoring, rather than self-reported sleep questionnaires. One hundred milligrams of oral GABA shortened sleep latency (time to fall asleep) by 5.3 minutes compared to placebo. That might sound modest. But for someone lying awake for 30–40 minutes each night, it’s a meaningful shift. Crucially, this was objective neurophysiological data, not a survey response. (PMID: 26052150) Finding 2 — A 90-Day RCT Showed Improved Sleep Efficiency and Mood A 2024 randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements (Guimarães et al.) gave 200 mg of GABA daily for 90 days to sedentary overweight women also undergoing an exercise program. The GABA group showed significantly improved Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, significantly reduced depression scores, and improved heart rate variability, a marker of parasympathetic nervous system activity. The HRV finding is particularly interesting. It suggests GABA may be doing something broader than simply reducing sleep latency – it appears to support the overall physiological state that makes rest restorative. (PMID: 38321713) Finding 3 — But a High-Dose RCT Found No Effect Here’s where intellectual honesty matters. A 2023 Dutch RCT (de Bie et al.) published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition gave participants 500 mg of GABA three times daily, 1,500 mg/day total, and found no significant effect on self-reported sleep quality. Fasting plasma GABA wasn’t significantly elevated either, raising real bioavailability questions at that dose. This isn’t a reason to dismiss GABA entirely. It is a reason to pay attention to the dose. The evidence base supports 100–300 mg, not 1,500 mg. Higher is not better, and the non-linear dose response is clinically important. (PMID: 37495019) The Blood-Brain Barrier Debate — and Why the Gut May Be the Point The most common objection to oral GABA supplementation is this: GABA is a zwitterion at physiological pH, meaning it has low lipophilicity and poor predicted ability to cross the blood-brain barrier via passive diffusion. So if it can’t get into the brain directly, how does it produce neurological effects? The emerging explanation involves the gut-brain axis. The enteric nervous system, your gut’s own neural network, has GABA receptors. When oral GABA activates these enteric receptors, it can signal the brain via vagal afferents without needing to cross the BBB at all. Think of it as a side door rather than the front entrance. Supporting this: a 2024 RCT (Li et al.) found that a probiotic strain engineered to increase gut GABA production significantly improved objective sleep duration as measured by wearable devices, alongside reduced cortisol and suppressed HPA axis activity. The mechanism wasn’t direct CNS access – it was gut-brain signalling. (PMID: 39385735) The BBB debate doesn’t negate the clinical effect. It changes how we understand the mechanism. Why Sleep Is Not Optional in Brain Recovery This is the part that I think gets underweighted in recovery conversations — and the research is unambiguous. A 2026 large retrospective cohort study (Muhtar et al., Sleep Medicine) matched over 35,000 stroke patients and found that post-stroke insomnia was associated with a 29% higher risk of post-stroke cognitive impairment and a 30% higher risk of all-cause dementia. The association with Alzheimer’s disease was also significant. (PMID: 41924789) A 2024 observational study from Monash University and Alfred Health (Smith et al.) found that in stroke rehabilitation patients, poor sleep quality was significantly associated with higher fatigue severity and lower salivary BDNF gene expression. BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is one of the primary molecular drivers of neuroplasticity. Less BDNF means a less receptive environment for the neurological rewiring that rehab is trying to build. (PMID: 38802847) And then there’s the glymphatic system: the brain’s waste-clearance mechanism that is most active during deep sleep. Poor sleep means reduced clearance of metabolic byproducts, including proteins associated with neurodegeneration. This is not a theoretical risk. It is an active, ongoing process. Sleep is not passive recovery. It is one of the primary mechanisms of recovery. What to Do With This Information Here are three practical steps if you’re exploring GABA for sleep: 1. Measure your sleep baseline first. Use the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (freely available online) before you make any changes. Understanding whether you’re struggling with latency, duration, or quality will determine what you actually need to address. 2. If you trial GABA, choose the right form and dose. Look for PharmaGABA — naturally fermented GABA, derived from Lactobacillus hilgardii, which has the strongest clinical evidence base. A dose of 100–300 mg taken 30–60 minutes before bed is consistent with the positive studies. Avoid very high doses; the null result at 1,500 mg/day is important context. Important drug interaction note: If you are taking benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants (gabapentin, pregabalin, valproate), or any other GABAergic medication, discuss GABA supplementation with your prescriber before adding it. The additive sedative effect is a real risk. The same applies if you drink alcohol regularly. 3. Don’t skip the foundation. Sleep hygiene interventions, consistent sleep and wake times, a dark and cool room, and no screens in the 60 minutes before bed, are consistently among the highest-leverage sleep interventions in the literature. GABA may provide a genuine incremental benefit. But it cannot compensate for a fundamentally disrupted sleep environment. The Bottom Line The evidence for GABA and sleep is more substantive than I expected when I started researching it. The EEG data is real. The 90-day RCT showed meaningful clinical outcomes. The gut-brain axis mechanism is biologically plausible and now has direct RCT support. And the consequences of poor sleep in neurological recovery are not trivial – they are quantifiable, significant, and, to a degree, addressable. GABA is not a guaranteed fix. Individual responses vary. The research is not yet definitive at the level of large multi-centre trials in neurological populations. But as one tool in a comprehensive approach to sleep quality alongside good sleep hygiene, appropriate medical support, and consistent rehabilitation, the case for cautious exploration is reasonable. The next step is a conversation with your neurologist, GP, or rehab physician. Take the research with you if it’s useful. Research References All studies cited in this post are retrievable via PubMed: Yamatsu et al. — GABA sleep latency EEG clinical trial (2015) — PMID: 26052150 Guimarães et al. — GABA 200mg RCT, sleep efficiency + mood (2024) — PMID: 38321713 de Bie et al. — GABA high-dose RCT, null sleep result (2023) — PMID: 37495019 Li et al. — Gut-brain GABA axis and sleep RCT (2024) — PMID: 39385735 Muhtar et al. — Post-stroke insomnia and cognitive decline cohort (2026) — PMID: 41924789 Smith et al. — Sleep, BDNF, and fatigue in stroke rehabilitation (2024) — PMID: 38802847 This post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your supplementation or treatment plan. If you or someone you care about is recovering from a stroke, brain injury, or any neurological condition, the Recovery After Stroke podcast and this blog exist for you. Subscribe on YouTube @BillGasiamis, or visit Recovery After Stroke to find episodes, resources, and community. The post GABA, Sleep, and Brain Health – Neurological Recovery appeared first on Recovery After Stroke.

What if healing wasn't about chasing symptoms… but restoring coherence? In this powerful episode, Dr. Fred Schofield dives deep into the philosophy, frequency, and function behind chiropractic care, and why so many people today are stuck living in survival mode instead of true alignment. Dr. Fred challenges doctors to stop going through the motions and start developing a deeper passion for analyzing, locating, and adjusting the subluxation with intention and certainty. He unpacks the importance of pre-checks and post-checks, the role of the nervous system in adaptability, and how true healing happens when the body is brought back into balance, not pushed too far sympathetic or parasympathetic. This episode also explores the overwhelming "noise" of modern life, how stress hijacks the glandular system and HPA axis, and why slowing down may actually be the key to greater energy, clarity, and practice growth. From hydration and morning rituals… to quantum physics, vibration, and chiropractic philosophy… this conversation is a reminder that healing starts when we reconnect to the frequency of life itself. If you've been feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply going through the motions in practice or life, this episode will challenge you to recenter, refocus, and "expect a miracle." "Chiropractic adaptability is about bringing the body back into coherence" - Dr. Fred Keep Charging!! MoChihChu! Ask a Question for a Future Episode! Apply to work with our coaches! Join Susan's monthly CA webinars Join us at our next seminars! Join the Rhino Digital Training!

If you have clients doing everything right eating clean, cutting gluten and dairy, exercising consistently and they're still bloated, exhausted, and stuck, this episode is for you. I'm sitting down with gut health expert Hannah Aylward to talk about what's actually going on when food isn't the problem, what "leaky gut" really means, and what signs fitness coaches should watch for before referring clients out for deeper support.What You'll Discover:- Why food sensitivity tests are often misleading and what to look at instead- The truth about leaky gut — what the science actually says and how to identify root causes- How to differentiate fat, protein, and fiber reactivity in clients- The real story behind "adrenal fatigue" and HPA axis dysregulation- What signs tell a coach that a client needs deeper gut health support- Hannah's 80-85% compliance rule and why perfection sabotages results- How long gut healing actually takes at the root cause levelTimestamps:00:00 — Intro01:20 — Who is Hannah Aylward and what is HAN?04:15 — Why practitioners and coaches end up as clients07:30 — Hannah's personal gut health story13:45 — Why food isn't usually the root cause of reactions20:00 — How to read fat, protein, and fiber reactivity patterns25:30 — The dairy, lactose, and casein question30:10 — Is leaky gut real? Breaking down intestinal permeability37:20 — Adrenal fatigue vs. HPA axis dysregulation43:00 — Signs coaches should watch for in clients48:15 — The "I'm fine" coma — normalizing feeling bad54:00 — Navigating perfectionism with clients59:30 — How long does gut healing actually take?63:00 — Where to find HannahResources Mentioned:Hannah Aylward Nutrition: https://hannahaylward.com- Hannah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannahaylwardhhc/- The Nutrient Dense Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nutrient-dense-podcast/id1788408977Resources & Links MentionedWant more client leads on Instagram™?  Grab lifetime access to 90- Days Done for You that Converts: https://ptprofitformula.com/content

In this episode of the Joy Lab Podcast, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons dig into one of the most counterintuitive resilience skills we can build: turning toward negative emotions instead of running from them. This isn't about wallowing. It's about befriending the feelings that are already there so they can actually move through you, instead of getting lodged and piling up.  We're talking fear (the emotion at the core of so many others), the science of emotions vs. feelings, why your emotional immune system needs exposure to develop, and three grounded steps (embody, observe, yield) to help you navigate the next emotional flurry before it becomes a blizzard. This one pairs beautifully with our Grief Series (starting at Episode 248) and our last episode on the observer self. Whether you're new to this work or deep in it, there's something here for you.   Try It Free

Happiness isn't a nonstop high. For us, the real win is an elevated baseline: that steady, grounded sense of wellness that makes you more resilient, less reactive, and far harder to knock off course when a day goes sideways.We unpack why that baseline is built less by hype and more by biology. I share why omega-3 fatty acids matter so much for mental health, mood, and brain function, especially the marine forms EPA and DHA. We talk about how your brain relies on healthy fats for cell membrane function, why omega-3s are often discussed in relation to depression support, and how they can influence stress response through the HPA axis and cortisol regulation. If you've ever wondered why you can “know” the right mindset but still feel anxious, flat, or tangled in your emotions, this is the missing link: the state of your body shapes the state of your mind.Beyond the non-negotiables of quality sleep, exercise, and balanced meals that meet real nutrient requirements, I lay out a simple, evidence-based supplement routine your brain and body need to make the chemicals tied to motivation, focus, and calm. This is unglamorous work, but it's the work that makes thriving feel repeatable.If this helped you, subscribe, share it with one person who needs an elevated baseline, and leave a rating and review so more people can find the tools to feel better every day.Text Me Your Thoughts and IdeasSupport the showBrought to you by Angela Shurina  Certified Health, Sleep, Performance & Executive Coach 360 with 18 years of experience helping people change to feel, be and do their best.

Cortisol after cancer is the conversation nobody on my care team had with me. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 — invasive ductal carcinoma, stage one, grade two. I went through lumpectomy, radiation, ovarian suppression, and two years on an aromatase inhibitor before I had to come off because my bones were already in osteoporosis. Throughout all of it, my nervous system was screaming. My cortisol was running hot all day long, confirmed by a Dutch test. And not one doctor told me what stress was doing to my body or how to mitigate it. In this solo episode of Not Today Cancer, I'm walking you through the seven activities that lowered my cortisol...broken into the things that don't cost a dime (meditation, breathwork, walking outside, unplugging) and the things that do (acupuncture, energy healing, therapy). I'm also sharing the actual research behind each one, so you know this isn't woo...it's documented science.  What you'll learn: • Why cortisol is wrecked after a cancer diagnosis (and why mine was high long before) • The symptoms of high cortisol most breast cancer survivors miss • How mindfulness meditation protected the cortisol rhythm of breast cancer survivors in a randomized controlled trial • Why a single session of slow breathing drops cortisol immediately • The "nature pill" research showing 20–30 minutes outside lowers cortisol 21% per hour • Why the NCCN officially recommends acupuncture for cancer survivors If you're a breast cancer survivor, caregiver, or anyone whose body has been running on fumes...this episode is for you. We don't get the option of not mitigating stress. Pick one thing on this list and start tomorrow. Disclaimer: This episode reflects my personal experience and a summary of public research. It is not medical advice. Always consult your care team.

I'm kicking off the brand-new Her Stack series — a women's health-focused series designed to break down common goals through nutrition, lifestyle, biohacking, supplements, and peptides. Today's focus is energy: why so many women feel tired, wired, depleted, or stuck in the afternoon crash cycle, and what it actually takes to rebuild energy from the foundation up. I talk about mitochondrial health, circadian rhythm, HPA axis dysregulation, postpartum and perimenopause-related energy shifts, hydration, protein, sleep, movement, peptides, and the 12-week framework I would use to start feeling like yourself again. Join The LongHer Life for women-specific guidance on peptides, hormones, and longevity. I TALK ABOUT:  01:25 - Why Her Stack is built around women's health, longevity, and four core pillars 03:05 - Why low energy is the number one complaint I hear from women 10:55 - Why postpartum and perimenopause can create major energy shifts 12:20 - Simple questions to help you assess whether your energy is actually broken 15:25 - Key data points to track, including HRV, resting heart rate, body temperature, and sleep stages 19:00 - Labs to consider when fatigue, brain fog, or hormone changes are showing up 21:40 - Why nutrition is the foundation before supplements or peptides 28:40 - Why hydration and minerals matter more than just drinking plain water 34:50 - Mitochondrial nutrients that support energy production 39:35 - Morning sunlight, blue blockers, and sleep routines for circadian health 44:50 - How grounding may support cortisol, HRV, and inflammation 45:30 - Why Zone 2 cardio and heavy lifting are essential for women's energy and longevity 53:50 - Fringe and cutting-edge biohacks, including methylene blue, hyperbaric oxygen, ketamine therapy, and EMF mitigation 59:10 - Foundational supplements for energy, cognition, and mitochondrial health 1:04:10 - Peptides for energy, inflammation, stress, mitochondria, and recovery 1:14:40 - How peptide protocols may shift across postpartum, perimenopause, menopause, and breastfeeding 1:15:50 - The 12-week energy rebuilding plan 1:20:00 - Why energy restoration requires a holistic approach, not one quick fix RESOURCES: Join The LongHer Life for women-specific guidance on peptides, hormones, and longevity. Free Peptide Masterclass for Women: Join the waitlist for the next live class. The Her Stack Planner: The first peptide tracking journal built around female biology. PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Peptide Serum for Women Waitlist: Early access and founder's pricing. SiPhox Health At Home Blood Testing (code: BRITTANY10) Baja Gold Salt Mineral Sea Salt (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) BiOptimizers Gut & Performance Supplements (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) Filter Optix Blue Light Blocking Glasses (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) HigherDOSE Red Light Therapy (code: BRITTANY15)  Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulation (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) Kineon Red Light Therapy (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) Leela Quantum Tech EMF Protection (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) Defender Shield EMF Protection (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) Juunaday EMF Protection Clothes For Women (code: BRITTANY) Timeline Nutrition Mitochondria Supplement (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) NOVOS Longevity Supplement (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) Nuchido Time+ NAD+ Supplement (code: BIOHACKINGBRITTANY) LET'S CONNECT: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Shop my favorite health products Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music

Calming the mind sounds simple, right? And yet most of us would rather do almost anything other than sitting quietly with our thoughts. In this episode, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons dig into the science of Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs), the surprising research on just how much we think, and the powerful practice of the observer self: the part of your mind that can step back, see what's happening, and choose differently. This episode makes the case that our relationship with our own minds might be the most important resilience work we do.   Try It Free

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Dr. Asare Christian and Dr. Jaclyn Smeaton discuss female longevity and health span. Dr. Christian brings his unique perspective as a former pain specialist who discovered that many of the chronic conditions he was treating were rooted in hormone imbalance.This episode also highlights:·       Three main factors that can contribute to women living longer·       The protective qualities of estrogen as well as the effects of its decline during perimenopause·       The importance of testing early and getting baseline hormone levels before symptoms appear·       How the DUTCH Test provides a picture of hormone metabolism, leading to clarity around estrogen metabolites, the HPA axis, and more·       Treating the hormonal root cause rather than prescribing medications for each symptom Show NotesLearn more about Dr. Asare Christian and his practice, Aether Medicine. Follow him on Instagram @aether_medicine!Become a DUTCH Provider to get access to free educational resources, expert clinical support, comprehensive patient reports, and peer-reviewed and validated research.

Sleep and weight gain are directly connected. Poor sleep disrupts hormones, raises blood sugar, tanks testosterone and estrogen, causes fatty liver, and wrecks your gut. If you've been doing everything right and the scale won't move, your sleep could be the missing link. FEATURED PRODUCT Chill by MSW Nutrition is a powdered drink mix formulated to support your body's natural calming chemistry — exactly what's needed when chronic stress and cortisol overload are stealing your sleep. Featuring GABA, L-Theanine, myo-Inositol, Taurine, and Magnesium, Chill helps balance neurotransmitters, quiet the nervous system, and promote the deep, restorative sleep your hormones, metabolism, and weight depend on — all five mechanisms discussed in this episode.

What does it actually mean to be resilient? Spoiler: it's not about white-knuckling through hard times or being the type of person who just 'endures' everything. In this episode, Dr. Aimee Prasek and Dr. Henry Emmons kick off Joy Lab's month-long exploration of Resilience. They'll share a science-grounded, warmly human look at what resilience really is, where it comes from, what depletes it, and, most importantly how to keep filling it back up. About: The Joy Lab Podcast blends science and soul to help you cope better with stress, ease anxiety, and uplift mood. Join Dr. Henry Emmons and Dr. Aimee Prasek for practical, mindfulness-based tools and positive psychology strategies to build resilience and create lasting joy. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!   Important notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Subscribe to our Newsletter: Join us over at Joylab.coach for exclusive emails, updates, and additional strategies.   Like and follow Joy Lab on Socials:  Instagram TikTok Linkedin Watch this episode on YouTube   Key moments: [00:00:00] — Welcome & introduce Resilience as this month's Element of Joy. [00:00:35] — Defining Resilience: Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick's definition: "a process to harness resources to sustain wellbeing" Resilience isn't a fixed state; it doesn't require the absence of illness, a certain mood, or a feeling of confidence. You can be resilient even when you feel completely unresilient. [00:01:40] — Henry's Take: Resilience as a Natural, Inborn Quality Henry frames resilience as something every human already carries — we wouldn't be here without it. He describes it as a capacity to face life's challenges with enough skill to deal with them "more or less successfully" (emphasis on more or less), get back up after being knocked down, and still hold onto some equanimity and connection to joy. [00:03:20] — Why Equanimity and Joy Are Part of Real Resilience: Aimee highlights that joy and equanimity aren't commonly included in definitions of resilience — and argues they should be. She makes the case that teaching people to simply endure hardship without attending to their relationship with it leads to only survival, not wellbeing. Personal story: her family's history of survival alongside deep, untended grief. [00:05:25] — The Research: Resilience Is Inborn and Universal- Aimee reviews longitudinal research on resilience: no single demographic, personality trait, or biological factor strongly predicts resilience. Chronic stress and difficult childhoods can "dent or delay" it, but they don't break it. The Joy Lab approach: tapping into the factors that boost resilience in meaningful, joyful ways. [00:07:10] — Henry's "Resilience Container" Model: Henry introduces a central metaphor for the episode- imagine a container in your brain/body holding a "magical elixir" that keeps you afloat. The size of that container differs between people — influenced by genetics and early environment. But the most important thing isn't container size — it's how well you keep refilling it. [00:08:10] — Factor #1: Genetics. Some resilience (and vulnerability) runs in families. Depression, for example, has a clear genetic component — but it's one piece of a much larger picture, not a sentence. [00:08:50] — Factor #2: Early Environment. How safe, nurtured, and emotionally respected we felt as children sets a tone for our emotional life. It's not something we can change retroactively, but its impact doesn't have to be permanent. Joy Lab's work is explicitly about shifting that emotional set point. [00:10:30] — Nobody Is Immune — But That's Not the End of the Story. Even the most naturally resilient person can be brought to their knees by a relentless string of losses or prolonged stress. The goal: reduce the drain and actively refill. It's a dynamic system. [00:11:50] — You Have to Test Resilience to Build It: The Biosphere 2 Story Aimee tells the story of Biosphere 2, the closed experimental ecosystem in Arizona — where trees given perfect growing conditions (no wind, no stress) grew fast and then simply collapsed. Scientists eventually discovered that wind stress causes trees to form stress wood (reaction wood): dense, concentrated cells that structurally reinforce the tree.  [00:13:55] — Eustress: The Good Stress That Builds You Up. Aimee introduces eustress (eu = Greek for "good") — the kind of stress that actually strengthens us. Like exercise for muscles, or cardiovascular training: the system doesn't improve without being challenged. Our nervous systems, emotional resilience, and capacity to handle difficulty follow the same pattern. You are biologically laying down stronger capacity every time you navigate a challenge and come through the other side. [00:16:10] — Stress Isn't the Enemy — Imbalance Is. Henry clarifies: stress itself isn't the problem. It becomes a problem when it's too intense, lasts too long, or when we don't respond to it well. Our bodies are built to handle stress — in appropriate doses. [00:16:50] — The Brain Chemistry of Resilience: Norepinephrine & Serotonin. Henry breaks down two key neurochemicals: norepinephrine (the brain's version of adrenaline — activates focus and alertness under stress) and serotonin (his candidate for the "magic elixir" in the resilience container — a coolant that counterbalances overactivation). When these get depleted or thrown out of balance by chronic stress, we feel it — sluggish, run-down, depressed. [00:18:20] — Our Collective Resilience Depletion Right Now. Henry names what many are feeling: after years of pandemic stress, ongoing political turmoil, and a relentless churn of bad news, people are depleted on a large scale. What began as activation has, over time, curdled into exhaustion. This is a collective resilience crisis — and it calls for collective attention. [00:19:40] — Aimee on Equanimity and Agency in Brain Chemistry. Aimee connects the brain chemistry back to the equanimity point: even at the biological level, we have influence. This is self-care with scientific grounding. She invites listeners into the Joy Lab Program (free through the month of May 2026) to put these ideas into practice. [00:21:30] — Closing Quote: Alan Watts on Your Inborn Nature .Aimee closes with a reflection from Alan Watts on seeing yourself as part of nature — as extraordinary and as fundamental as trees, clouds, fire, and galaxies. A reminder that your resilience isn't something you have to earn. It's already what you are.   Sources and Notes: Joy Lab Program: Take the next leap in your wellbeing journey with step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life. Chemistry of Calm (Dr. Emmons' book referenced in this series) Dr. Catherine Panter-Brick- Yale faculty page Resilience definitions, theory, and challenges: interdisciplinary perspectives Annual Research Review: Positive adjustment to adversity -Trajectories of minimal-impact resilience and emergent resilience Effects of a 12-week endurance training program on the physiological response to psychosocial stress in men: a randomized controlled trial No man is an island: social resources, stress and mental health at mid-life How does the brain deal with cumulative stress? A review with focus on developmental stress, HPA axis function and hippocampal structure in humans Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind (this is the study of people shocking themselves out of boredom) Emotion Suppression and Mortality Risk Over a 12-Year Follow-up Cumulative Stress and Health The Times of Our Lives: Interaction Among Different Biological Periodicities      Full transcript here.   Please remember that this content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. Please see our terms for more information. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at helpline@nami.org. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Beyond the NICU: How Small Moments Shape a Developing BrainHow early experiences and neuroprotective care shape brain development and long-term outcomesWhat happens in the NICU does not end at discharge. In this episode, we take a deeper look at the lasting impact of NICU care and how early experiences shape a child's brain development and long-term outcomes. While many are familiar with the major complications of prematurity, we explore the often less visible—and frequently underestimated—effects sometimes referred to as “minor" or co- morbidities, and why there is nothing minor about their impact.We discuss how the premature brain is still developing, how stress and the NICU environment influence that development, and what happens when the stress response system develops under stress. More importantly, we walk through tangible, practical ways—core measures drawn from established models and frameworks—that support neuroprotective, family-centered, and developmentally supportive care in the NICU.This episode is for both NICU parents and clinicians. If you are a current NICU parent, you'll learn ways you can actively support your baby and feel more confident in your role. If your child is a NICU graduate, this episode may help explain some of the experiences and challenges you've seen—and remind you that you are not alone. And for clinicians, this is a powerful reminder of the impact you have every single day, and how small, intentional choices can shape the trajectory of a child's life.Because NICU care is not just about survival. It's about how we help these children grow, develop, and thrive long after they go home.Dr. Brown's Medical: https://www.drbrownsmedical.com  The Infant-Driven Feeding™ (IDF) Program: https://www.infantdrivenfeeding.com/ Our NICU Roadmap: A Comprehensive NICU Journal: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicujournal/  NICU Mama Hats: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/hats/  NICU Milestone Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/nicuproducts/  Newborn Holiday Cards: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shop/  Empowering NICU Parents Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/shownotes/  Episode 80 Show Notes: https://empoweringnicuparents.com/episode80  Empowering NICU Parents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweringnicuparents/  Empowering NICU Parents FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/empoweringnicuparents  Pinterest Page: https://pin.it/36MJjmHThank you for listening to the Empowering NICU Parents Podcast. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review—it helps other families find us. We're grateful to be part of this incredible community. Visit www.empoweringnicuparents.com for resources and support.

Why do you remember your most stressful moments so vividly but can't recall what you had for lunch last Tuesday? It's all about the limbic system. In this Jack Westin MCAT Podcast episode, Mike and Molly break down the biology of emotion and stress, covering every limbic system structure, the HPA axis, cortisol, and general adaptation syndrome, plus how all of it directly applies to surviving your MCAT prep without burning out.Get started with our resources!

On today's episode, I break down the brain circuits behind anxiety—the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and the HPA axis—and show how they create panic, overgeneralization, and sleeplessness. I then explain, in plain terms, why anxiety feels overwhelming and how chronic stress weakens the brain's safety signals. The episode also outlines practical recovery steps, especially exposure therapy: intentionally facing feared situations, creating prediction errors, and building new safety memories so the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus can override the alarm. It's a clear roadmap for moving from fear to freedom.   —The Anxiety Recovery Program— https://unpluganxiety.com/my-program/ —1 on 1 Coaching— https://unpluganxiety.com/1-on-1-coaching/ —The Website— https://unpluganxiety.com

Send us Fan MailNight vision keeps getting smarter, but our brains do not update on the same schedule. We're joined by defense expert Alan Kearney, a former Irish Defence Forces officer who now works in European defense industry, to explore a problem that reaches far beyond goggles and helmets: what happens when advanced soldier systems outpace human cognition in the exact moments stress is highest?We start with the fundamentals of modern night vision and thermal fusion, then move into the messy reality of human performance. Under lethal threat, the sympathetic response and HPA axis change attention, memory, and perception. That's where latency, digital overlays, AI cueing, and networked data can become more than “extra information” they can become friction. We talk human factors engineering, cognitive load, pattern recognition, and why an information feed is not the same thing as situational awareness.From aviation lessons to procurement-room demo traps, we pressure-test the assumptions behind modernization. We also dig into mission command and the risks that come with total visibility, plus the long-term cost of over-reliance on tools that quietly erode core skills. The takeaway is not anti-tech. It's a human-first approach: design systems that match neurobiology, and raise the baseline with realistic training and training to failure so warfighters are never learning the hard way.If you care about military readiness, law enforcement performance, or how people make decisions under pressure, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the biggest tradeoff you've seen between “more tech” and “better performance.”Alans Article: https://mwi.westpoint.edu/night-vision-at-a-crossroads-when-technology-outpaces-the-neurobiology-of-close-combat/Support the showWebsite: https://thehumanbehaviorpodcast.buzzsprout.com/shareFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHumanBehaviorPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehumanbehaviorpodcast/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ArcadiaCogneratiMore about Greg and Brian: https://arcadiacognerati.com/arcadia-cognerati-leadership-team/ 

In this Mini Mikkipedia episode, Mikki unpacks one of the most common yet misunderstood issues in modern health: the interplay between cortisol, stress, poor sleep, and elevated heart rate. Using a real community question as the foundation, she explains why feeling “wired but tired” isn't a personal failing, but a physiological response to chronic, unresolved stress.Mikki walks through how cortisol actually works, why both exercise and life stress use the same biological pathways, and what happens when your system never fully downregulates. She also explores the role of the HPA axis, autonomic nervous system imbalance, and why tools like HRV and resting heart rate can offer insight—but also create more stress if misused.Most importantly, this episode delivers practical, evidence-based strategies to help restore balance and build resilience. Key Highlights: Why cortisol is not the villain—and what it actually does  The difference between acute stress and chronic, unresolved stress  What a high morning heart rate is really telling you  How lifestyle, hydration, and training load impact your stress response  Practical tools to downregulate your nervous system Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenNZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

This conversation is one I've been wanting to have for a long time.I invited Robyn Kievit onto the podcast because she is doing something genuinely rare. She is the first dietician to become a nurse practitioner, she specialises in eating disorders, disordered eating and body image, and over the past several years she has become deeply educated in hormone therapy and perimenopause. She is one of very few clinicians in the world looking at all of this together, as one whole picture. And that matters enormously for the women I work with.We talk about what perimenopause actually feels like, why the hormonal shifts of this life phase can cause eating disorder symptoms to surge, what hormone therapy is and who it might help, and why so many women are being dismissed by their doctors when they deserve so much better. We also talk about body image, aging, grief, and what it means to enter this next season of life with compassion rather than resistance.This episode is for you if:You're in perimenopause or approaching it and want to understand what's actually happening in your bodyYour anxiety, depression or eating disorder symptoms have surged and you don't know whyYou've been dismissed by a doctor and told it's too early to seek supportYou have a history of an eating disorder and want to understand how that intersects with hormonal changesYou're struggling with body image as your body changes with ageYou want to know your options, natural, hormonal, and otherwise, for supporting yourself through this transitionYou believe, like I do, that you don't have to just white-knuckle your way through thisIn this episode, we cover:✨ The signs of perimenopause that often get missed or dismissed, and why they matter✨ How hormonal changes affect mood, sleep, cognition and anxiety in ways that are genuinely physiological, not just in your head✨ Why anxiety and depression can surge during perimenopause, especially if you have a history of either✨ The HPA and HPO axes explained in plain English, and why they're so central to how you feel during this transition✨ What hormone therapy actually is, who it can help, and what the current guidance really says✨ Why birth control pills and IUDs are considered hormone therapy, and what that means for you✨ The enormous gap in clinical education around eating disorders and menopause, and why Robyn created her course to address it✨ How to advocate for yourself if you're being dismissed by a doctor✨ Why bone health and cardiovascular health make hormonal support even more important for women with eating disorder histories✨ The body image and grief piece of aging, and why our bodies changing is not something to be corrected✨ What it means to enter the archetype of the crone, the wise woman, with self-compassion rather than fear✨ Why you are allowed to ask not to be weighed at a medical appointment✨ Robyn's course for clinicians and why it existsPowerful quotes from the episode:

Dr. Deb Muth February 2026, 3 million documents released, a network exposed. But here’s what no one is sayingThe trauma of trafficking doesn’t end when the victim escapes It doesn’t even end when that survivor’s lifetime. It writes itself into DNA. It alters the stress response of children not yet born. And it creates epigenetic markers that echo through 3, 4, and even 5 generations. This is not a metaphor, this is molecular biology. And if we don’t understand how deeply trauma sees itself. Biologically, genetically, and spiritually, we will never understand why autoimmune disease, addiction, and chronic illness are epidemic in families that carry this hidden history. Today, we’re going deeper than headlines. We’re going into the cells, the genes, and the soul. Welcome back to Let’s Talk Wellness Now. We’re here to uncover root causes, explore regenerative medicine, and empower you to heal from the inside out. I’m Dr. Deb, your medical detective, and today we’re confronting one of the most important and least discussed wellness topics of our time. How the exploitation and trafficking of women and children doesn’t just harm individuals, it damages bloodlines. And if you’re someone who carries an unexplained chronic illness, autoimmune disease, addiction, or trauma that seems to have no clear origin, this episode may finally connect the dots. Grab your cup of tea or coffee, settle in, and let’s go deep into this subject. Can you put an ad sponsor right here before we get started? Let’s start with what just happened. In February of 2026, the Department of Justice released over 3 million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. According to The Guardian, on February 2nd, 2026, these files contained allegations that Epstein didn’t just abuse women, he provided them to other powerful men. One accuser identified Harvey Weinstein from a photo lineup. Describing coercion and payment. Another FBI document described threats of force. Lativia launched a criminal investigation after the files linked Epstein’s network to modeling agencies overseas. But here’s what I need you to understand. As a practitioner who treats trauma survivors, Epstein’s operation was not new. It was ancient. From Mesopotamian slave codes to Roman markets to the transatlantic trade, trafficking has always been about the same thing. Power, and exploiting vulnerability for profit. The tools change. Private jets instead of ships, social media instead of market squares. But the wound, it’s identical. And that wound… It doesn’t heal when the victim is freed. It embeds itself into biology. Let me explain what happens when a human being experiences the kind of trauma that trafficking creates. The immediate biological response. When someone is trafficked, their body enters a state of chronic survival mode. The autonomic nervous system, which controls unconscious functions like heart rate, digestion, immune response, it gets locked into a fight or flight. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, floods the system. At least, at first. This is protective. But when the threat never ends, when abuse is daily, when escape is impossible, cortisol stays elevated for months and even years. And here’s what chronic cortisol does. It suppresses immune function, making the body vulnerable to infections, cancer, and autoimmune disease. It disrupts the gut microbiome, leading to leaky gut, food sensitivity, and systemic inflammation. It dysregulates hormone production, thyroid sex hormones, insulin, and it creates metabolic chaos. It damages the hippocampus, the part of the brain region responsible for memory and emotional regulation. But it goes deeper than that. Cellular memory, trauma written into our tissues. Research published in the Biological Psychiatry of 2025 and Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025 shows that trauma doesn’t just affect the brain, it reprograms cells throughout the body. Mitochondria, the energy factories inside every cell, shift from producing ATP energy to producing reactive oxygen species, stress signals. This is why trauma survivors often develop chronic fatigue syndrome. That cortisol, over time, starts to dive down, and eventually can’t be produced when it’s supposed to be during a traumatic episode, and it stays at this low level, creating what we now know as chronic fatigue syndrome. Inflammatory genes turn on and stay on, even after the threat is gone. This is why we see such high rates of autoimmune disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, inflammatory bowel disease, in trafficking survivors. The fascia, the connective tissue that wraps every muscle and organ, stores trauma physically. This is why survivors develop chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and tension that no amount of massage can release. The body literally remembers the violation at a cellular level. The ACE study, Childhood Trauma as a Disease Predictor, the CDC’s Adverse Childhood Experiences Study in 2025, showed that 64% of the U.S. adults had experienced at least one ACE abuse. neglect, or household dysfunction. And nearly 1 in 6 has experienced 4 or more. And the data is devastating. The ACE that you have maybe experienced, if you have had this, you have a higher risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disease, depression, suicide, and addiction. Trafficking survivors often score 8, 9, or 10 out of a 10 on the ACE scale. Their bodies are biologically aged by trauma. And according to the VA’s National Center for PTSD, PTSD is associated with excess mortality, meaning survivors die younger, not just from suicide, but from the stress related to chronic disease. Now, here’s where it gets even more profound. What is epigenetics? Well, your DNA is like a library of instructions, but not every book is open all the time. Epigenetics is the system that decides which genes get turned on. or off, without changing the DNA sequence itself. And here’s the critical discovery. Trauma can change those epigenetic marks, and those marks can be passed to your children. The Science of Inherited Trauma. The studies on the Holocaust survivors and their descendants showed that children and grandchildren of trauma survivors had altered stress hormone regulation, even though they never experienced the original trauma themselves. Research on famine shows in the Netherlands during World War II, Found that children born to mothers who were pregnant during starvation had higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease decades later. This happens because stress during pregnancy alters the developing fetus’ stress response system, and when a pregnant woman is trafficked, abused, or living in chronic fear, her elevated cortisol levels cross the placenta, and the baby’s developing brain is bathed in stress hormones. And the child’s HPA access, the stress regulation system, Is programmed for hypervigilance. The child is born with a biological predisposition to anxiety, depression, autoimmune disease, and addiction. And it doesn’t stop there. That child grows up, and if they have children, their altered stress response can influence the next generation through epigenetic inheritance, and through the environment they create. This is why we see patterns of addiction, autoimmune disease, and mental illness running through families, even when there’s no clear genetic mutation. It’s not just genetics, it’s inherited trauma written into gene expression. There is also a spiritual dimension to this. There’s something beyond biology here, something that science is only beginning to touch. Survivors often describe feeling disconnected from their bodies, as if their spirit left during the abuse. And never fully returned. This is disassociation, a survival mechanism. But in many healing traditions, somatic therapy, internal family systems, even ancient spiritual practices, there’s recognition that trauma fragments the self. And healing isn’t just about regulating cortisol or repairing the gut, it’s about reuniting the spirit with the body. It’s about teaching the nervous system that it’s finally safe to be fully present once again. And when that happens, when one person heals that fracture, it changes the trajectory for everyone else who comes after them. So what do we do with this knowledge? Well, first. Trauma-informed root cause medicine. Healing trafficking survivors and their descendants requires more than talk therapy. It requires nervous system regulation, vagal nerve stimulation, somatic experience, breathwork. Gut healing, repairing the microbiome, addressing that leaky gut, and reducing the inflammation. Hormone balancing, supporting adrenal function, thyroid, and sex hormones, detoxification, clearing accumulated toxins that the stressed body couldn’t process, both physically and emotionally. Nutritional restoration. Replenishing the nutrients depleted by chronic stress. This is functional medicine. This is what I do every day with my team. Second, we need epigenetic reversal, and that is actually possible. Here’s the hope. Epigenetic marks can be changed. Studies show that meditation therapy, safe relationships, and even nutrition can reverse some of the epigenetic damage caused by trauma. Every time a survivor learns to regulate their nervous system, they’re not just healing themselves, they’re changing what gets passed to the next generation. Third, we have to speak the truth. Silence protects the perpetrators. Truth-telling breaks generational curses. And every time we name trafficking for what it is, a crime that damages biology, genetics, and spirit, we create the space for healing. Thank you for going deep with me today on Let’s Talk Wellness Now. If this episode moved you, share it, because healing begins when we stop pretending trauma is only psychological, and we start treating it as a biological, genetic, and spiritual crisis that it truly is. If you or someone you love needs trauma-informed care, visit serenityhealthcarecenter.com or explore our functional medicine platform at venari.com. Survivors seeking support can reach the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Join our Seen at Last Facebook group, which is a free community where we support women to be seen at last. I’m Dr. Deb. Take care of your body, mind, and spirit. Be well, and we’ll see you on the next episode.The post Episode 260 – How Trauma Passes Through Generations: Epigenetics, Trafficking and Chronic Illness first appeared on Let's Talk Wellness Now.

What if your exhaustion isn't just part of motherhood… but a sign your body is asking for help?   In this episode, Corey and Christine sit down with Kristen Files, adrenal expert and founder of Forest Creek Wellness, to unpack what's really behind the constant fatigue so many moms are experiencing. From “mom burnout” to brain fog, low motivation, and that feeling of being only half yourself, this conversation challenges the idea that exhaustion is just something you have to push through.   Kristen shares her own story of severe burnout and recovery, and explains how what we often label as emotional or mental overwhelm may actually be rooted in physical imbalances, especially within the body's stress response system. Together, they explore how modern life, blood sugar swings, lack of rest, and constant low-level stress are quietly draining women's energy, and what can actually be done to rebuild it.   ✨ Topics Covered in This Episode: ✔️ The difference between “normal tired” and true burnout ✔️ What adrenal dysfunction (HPA axis dysregulation) actually is ✔️ Why you might feel like a “half version” of yourself ✔️ The connection between blood sugar, cortisol, and energy crashes ✔️ How burnout is often misdiagnosed as depression or anxiety ✔️ Why coffee, sugar, and quick fixes can make things worse ✔️ The role of protein, minerals, and whole foods in recovery ✔️ Why walking and nervous system regulation matter more than intense workouts ✔️ The hidden impact of isolation and lack of community on moms ✔️ Why some restrictive diets may harm women long-term  

We are now into Aries season — our first sign of the yearly zodiac. In honor of the astrological new year, we're kicking off a quarterly Element series here on the Plant Path, which we'll do at the equinoxes — in Aries and Libra, and at the solstices — in the signs of Cancer and Capricorn. Today, in honor of Aries and the recent equinox, we'll discuss the first Element: Fire, the spark of life, which governs vitality, transformation, and the movement of energy through people and plants. We'll explore how Fire expresses itself through humans and through plants, offering a deeper lens for understanding constitution, physiology, and plant energetics. Here's what you'll learn: Why the Elements form the foundation of traditional medicine systems worldwide How the Fire Element emerges in alchemy, astrology, and herbalism The role of the Fire Element in human physiology, including the HPA axis, circulation, and vital force Key differences between the three Fire signs: Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius How Fire moves through the body as a coordinated energetic system The core traits of Fire-type constitutions in people How to recognize Fire Element signatures in plants through morphology, taste, and energetics The primary actions of Fire herbs including stimulation, circulation, and immune activation How Fire herbs support (or balance) excess and deficiency patterns in the body Examples of classic Fire Element plants ———————————— CONNECT WITH SAJAH AND WHITNEY ———————————— To get free in depth mini-courses and videos, visit our blog at:  http://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com   Get daily inspiration and plant wisdom on our Facebook and Instagram channels: http://www.facebook.com/EvolutionaryHerbalism https://www.instagram.com/evolutionary_herbalism/   Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyP63opAmcpIAQg1M9ShNSQ   Get a free 5-week course when you buy a copy of the book, Evolutionary Herbalism: https://www.evolutionaryherbalism.com/evolutionary-herbalism-book/   Shop our herbal products:  https://naturasophiaspagyrics.com/   ———————————— ABOUT THE PLANT PATH ———————————— The Plant Path is a window into the world of herbal medicine. With perspectives gleaned from traditional Western herbalism, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Alchemy, Medical Astrology, and traditional cultures from around the world, The Plant Path provides unique insights, skills and strategies for the practice of true holistic herbalism. From clinical to spiritual perspectives, we don't just focus on what herbs are "good for," but rather who they are as intelligent beings, and how we can work with them to heal us physically and consciously evolve.   ———————————— ABOUT SAJAH ———————————— Sajah Popham is the author of Evolutionary Herbalism and the founder of the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, where he trains herbalists in a holistic system of plant medicine that encompasses clinical Western herbalism, medical astrology, Ayurveda, and spagyric alchemy. His mission is to develop a comprehensive approach that balances the science and spirituality of plant medicine, focusing on using plants to heal and rejuvenate the body, clarify the mind, open the heart, and support the development of the soul. This is only achieved through understanding and working with the chemical, energetic, and spiritual properties of the plants. His teachings embody a heartfelt respect, honor and reverence for the vast intelligence of plants in a way that empowers us to look deeper into the nature of our medicines and ourselves. He lives on a homestead in the foothills of Mt. Baker Washington with his wife Whitney where he teaches, consults clients, and prepares spagyric herbal medicines.    ———————————— WANT TO FEATURE US ON YOUR PODCAST? ———————————— If you'd like to interview Sajah or Whitney to be on your podcast, click here to fill out an interview request form.  

Is perimenopause something to dread, or is it the ultimate diagnostic tool for your future self? In this eye-opening episode, Lesley Logan sits down with Bria Gadd, the “Period Whisperer,” to dismantle the myths around female hormonal transitions. They explore the idea of “health debt”—what happens when life keeps demanding more than your body can give—and how that starts to show up over time. Bria reframes perimenopause as a “reverse puberty,” revealing where your foundations may need support, so you can move out of the shame spiral and start investing in a vibrant second half of life. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co mailto:beit@lesleylogan.co. And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/#follow-subscribe-free.In this episode you will learn about:Perimenopause can reveal what is really happening in your overall health.Many women are unknowingly living in a cycle of “health debt.”Functional issues can exist long before tests show physical problems.High-intensity workouts can drain an already stressed hormonal system.Joy and pleasure are essential sources of energy for the body.Episode References/Links:Bria Gadd's Website - https://www.briatheperiodwhisperer.comThe Period Whisperer Podcast - https://www.briagadd.com/the-period-whisperer-podcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bria_period_whisperer/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BriaThePeriodWhisperer/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briagaddYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bria_period_whispererDutch Test (Functional Lab) - https://dutchtest.comGuest Bio:Bria Gadd is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® Practitioner, holistic health coach, and certified personal trainer, who specializes in female hormones, helping women with weight release and energy gain in pre and post menopause, and finding clarity in hormonal chaos. Her podcast The Period Whisperer is a top 1% wellness podcast in the world with an instagram following of over 17,000. Bria has been featured in Fox News, Women's Health and top women's podcasts such as The MidLife Makeover Show to name a few. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox. https://lovethepodcast.com/BITYSIDEALS! DEALS! DEALS! DEALS! https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentCheck out all our Preferred Vendors & Special Deals from Clair Sparrow, Sensate, Lyfefuel BeeKeeper's Naturals, Sauna Space, HigherDose, AG1 and ToeSox https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/memberships/perks/#equipmentBe in the know with all the workshops at OPC https://workshops.onlinepilatesclasses.com/lp-workshop-waitlistBe It Till You See It Podcast Survey https://pod.lesleylogan.co/be-it-podcasts-surveyBe a part of Lesley's Pilates Mentorship https://lesleylogan.co/elevate/FREE Ditching Busy Webinar https://ditchingbusy.com/Resources:Watch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gLesley Logan website https://lesleylogan.co/Be It Till You See It Podcast https://lesleylogan.co/podcast/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan https://onlinepilatesclasses.com/Online Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjogqXLnfyhS5VlU4rdzlnQProfitable Pilates https://profitablepilates.com/about/Follow Us on Social Media:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lesley.logan/The Be It Till You See It Podcast YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq08HES7xLMvVa3Fy5DR8-gFacebook https://www.facebook.com/llogan.pilatesLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesley-logan/The OPC YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@OnlinePilatesClasses Episode Transcript:Bria Gadd 0:00  You have to slow down and be still. Take a minute every day or once a week, look at yourself in the mirror, eye to eye, and get really real with yourself about how you're feeling. Be honest, be vulnerable with yourself and take that stillness. Nobody wants to be still, but you need to be still. That's where your answers come from. It'll be uncomfortable, but you can do it. You can do hard things.Lesley Logan 0:23  Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action, knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self-doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guest will bring bold, executable, intrinsic and targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started. Lesley Logan 1:01  All right, Be It babe. We are going to talk perimenopause, periods and our bodies, and specifically, like listening to our bodies. And I am obsessed with our guest today. It will not be the last time I have her on the pod, for sure. Bria Gadd is here. She is the period whisperer, and she is someone who really is diving in on a on a holistic level, but like with tons of research and information and and really taking in herself and with hundreds of clients that she's worked with. And so this is really fun, educational, informational, and lots of great tools, things you can do on your own once you listen to this based on what you need. So here is Bria Gadd. Lesley Logan 1:11  All right, Be It babe, we are about to have an amazing conversation on a topic I have been wanting to have on this podcast for years. I'm very excited about it. I'm so excited our guest is here because she's amazing. She's the one and only period whisperer. Bria Gadd, can you tell everyone, I'm gonna kind of let them know, but can you tell everyone what you rock at?Bria Gadd 2:00  Thank you, Lesley, first of all, I love I'm super loving your podcast these days. I love what you bring, how you show up for people like I felt super inspired, and we actually had you on my podcast. And you should know that I have been actively searching for, like, a great Pilates studio with the certifications you told me about. So I'm really inspired by you, and I'm sure everyone listening already knows and loves your podcast, but I hope they go review it if they haven't. Lesley Logan 2:26  Aw thank you. Bria Gadd 2:27  Yeah, I'm excited to be here. Thank you. And yeah, I am a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner, you know, personal trainer, but really, I specialize in female hormones, so my whole goal and purpose is to help women better understand their bodies so that they can thrive and live out their dreams in midlife and beyond.Lesley Logan 2:47  I am obsessed with this topic lately because, you know, I'm really grateful I had friends who are well 10 plus years older than me, so they were like singing the perimenopause warning symbols well before I needed to hear them, which is great, because I could go in with research and information, like, first, like, sign, a potential symptom. I could, like, take some autonomy and some agency into like, what am I doing? What is this? What are my options, right? But I actually feel like, for generations, women's bodies, we have not been told information about them. I mean, the crappy little video that they teach you in the sixth grade, or maybe it was the fifth grade, right? That's like, the last time, that's the first and last time. Because I actually did AP science, biology, they don't talk about any of this stuff in schools ever, unless it's like you're, you're a specialty, and even then, I wonder, you know, so it's like you're kind of like, at the mercy of what your doctor knows, and you start to feel crazy because there's, there's symptoms of things that have, not that have, that might not appear to have anything to do with your female reproductive organs. So can you chat a bit about what we should know about our bodies? I mean, that's a big topic, but like, you know, with the women that you work with, like, what do we need to know? Because being it until you see it, it's completely tied to how we feel.Bria Gadd 4:01  Yeah, for sure, I love this, and I am going to disrupt some things, I think, a little bit here, because, I mean, look, seven years ago when I started entering into this magical age box, which, for everyone, begins around 35 right? It's like a reverse puberty. I mean, you could not define, I didn't, nobody even knew what the word perimenopause was, and now it is like shoved down your throat. You cannot scroll social media without seeing something about hormones or perimenopause or menopause, which I think is a wonderful thing on one hand. But what I like to kind of really explain, after now working with hundreds of women and kind of going through my own journey, is that perimenopause, as I said, like your reverse puberty, is really just the retiring of your ovaries. And do not get me wrong, they're a major player. They're a big support player in our body, and when they retire, that obviously causes a lot of stress. I really think about it like, you know, if you were working in a corporate, you know, land and one of your, like, best colleagues. Who does a boatload of work for you just is starts to retire. I mean, that puts a lot more pressure on the other people in the department. Lesley Logan 5:07  Brilliant. Love that description. I can feel that I've lost an assistant before, and I'm like, Oh, we can handle this. It's like, hold on, how long does it take to book a flight? Bria Gadd 5:15  Yeah. So like, all transitions, right? There's more workload happening in the body. You know, everyone understands this, if you're, you know, getting married, getting divorced, changing jobs, moving locations. We understand transition. Costs more energy and doesn't really provide more. So, you know, I think on on a macro level, that's really what's happening in our body. Now, if that was the only thing going on through a few months, you know, of hiring a new person or trying some hormone replacement therapy that would resolve the issue. And here's where I think a lot of women don't understand, and it took me a while to get there, is that this? I think what perimenopause really is, it feels like a burden, but it's like the gift we we didn't know we needed. It's like a measuring stick for where your body is at, I think so that you get uncomfortable enough to do the work to change and then, like, live the next four decades feeling fabulous. I mean, I don't know about you, but I plan to live to 100 and I'm almost 44 so I got decades left. I wanna feel great, right?Lesley Logan 6:21  Yeah, yeah. Well, and I think, like, I think there's right, I grew up in the in the age of, like, my period, like, this thing, of, like, we should, like, it's an annoyance. Don't talk about it. Make sure no one knows you're on it. I don't know why the tampons are in crinkly paper, anyways. Like, you know what I mean, anyways. But it could just be under like, paper and it would be biodegradable, but that's my like, all these different things, right? And so then you get to perimenopause, it's like another thing to hate. And that is all this stuff we don't like about our bodies when, because of all this information is out there. You know, I got to listen to this one woman who talked about how incredible the period is, and how it's, like, taking all these toxins out of your body and like, how you should, like, it's a sign of health all these different things, like, when it's consistent and on time, it's a sign of, like, what your health is and what's going on your body. And I was like, Oh, well, then we should just welcome every time it comes. I'm like, Well, this is a good thing, but to your point, like, we are going to transition, and it does put us in a different stage, and it is a rewiring of the brain, from what I've understood, like, with the way the our bodies have to work with different hormones and different types of it, but to get mad about it, oh, now I got a hot flash. Like, we're, we haven't ever been raised to like, love what is so uniquely different about our bodies.Bria Gadd 7:32  And that's a human thing, right? What do we all hate? Things we don't understand? I mean, it's just a normal thing for us to push back the things. And I really think about, I mean, listen, women weren't required to be a part of medical research until the mid 1990s so if you're in my age box of being born in like, the 70s or 80s, everything you have ever operated on has been adviced for men, yep. So we're working on strategies. So it's like learning the language of the female body is like learning Latin. No one speaks it. No one teaches it. I mean, we're getting more and more teachers now, which I think is super exciting, but you're trying to learn a language that no one is speaking that's very difficult for us.Lesley Logan 8:09  Yeah, and also, the people who are finally ringing the alarm bells, there's very limited scientific research, they have to go with a lot of anecdotal stuff, which is fine, like, I don't have a problem with that, because we need something, because it does take time to do research, but it is also hard. And I, and I, you know, you kind of alluded to this in the beginning. It's like, if you open up your Instagram account, there's a million things. Oh, you're perimenopausal, you need a weight vest. Oh, weight vest, don't do anything. Oh, you're perimenopausal, you need more protein. Oh, you don't cold plunge. Do cold plunge. Like, for the record, I love my cold plunge. Luckily, my husband does not like it too cold. And so as a woman, it says like, you shouldn't cold punch, but you can cold punch to like, 49 Guess what? That's what it's at. And I'll fucking breath it. And it works for my body right now. And I think it's but you just open it up and it's like, do this, don't do that. It's so difficult to know what to do. And then, on the top of that, you weren't ever raised to know your body.Bria Gadd 9:03  Yeah, in fact, we were raised to look outside of our body for approval, to decide what to do about our body. And that's, I think, the rub here, Lesley, for everyone, that's like, what has gotten us into what I think is the real problem for most women, which is not perimenopause, it's something I like to call health debt. And health debt is when the energy you supply your body, which is through sleep and nutrition and joy and purpose, right, no longer meets the energy demand of your body. And we've been probably in this deficit for a lot of our lives as women, but now, but one, youth is forgiving, and two, now we have this added energy demand, perimenopause, so it just kind of cranks that deficit into such discomfort that now all of a sudden we have so many of these symptoms. And we know it's not just perimenopause, because again, if all it was is that your hormones are decreasing, we could take hormones, and that would fix it, but it's not. I talk to women all the time who are taking bioidenticals or hormone replacement therapy, and it might work a little, but it's just not doing the they don't feel great, and I think that's because we're in this health debt, and we're in that debt because we've been operating on strategies for men, we're in that debt because we haven't paid attention to what our body says to us. You know, we're in that debt because maybe we, you know, aren't breaking down and absorbing things in our gut anymore. Maybe our adrenals are taxed from everything we've been through in the last two decades. You know. Maybe, you know, our liver is congested. Maybe our brain is putting on the brakes, on our thyroid hormone, like, until we dig deeper in to find the root cause, we can't really get out of that debt. And I think the problem for so many women and make what makes us like, really hate perimenopause, is the longer you stay in debt in health debt, it's like financial debt, it just compounds. Just compounds, compounds.Lesley Logan 11:00  Oh my God, you have the best analogies and metaphors. Not really sure which one it is. I'm so sorry, guys, I really did copy in English class. It just wasn't my thing. I like to read the books. I didn't want to learn all the words. But that makes so much sense, because it is interesting, right? Like, how some people can have a whole different experience than someone else, and you're like, What is going on? And I feel fortunate that, like, in my 30s, I had a digestive issue, problem that forced me to, like, take some actual stock of like, Oh, I am not sleeping enough. I am not absorbing the nutrition. We have to make massive changes so that, you know, two years ago, when I started having sleep issues again, I didn't like, go like go, I didn't go, oh well, it's just a bad night's sleep. No, oh hold on, yeah, two nights in a row, I didn't get good sleep. That's not normal for me, right? Like, and I don't think enough people, I think you're right. So many people have been operating on a on a health debt for so long that lack of sleep is normal for them, yeah, and just because it's common doesn't mean it's normal, right? And so that I love that idea. Like, you know, if you're in a health debt, it does compound how perimenopause is going to feel because you don't have enough to give it. And like, if bioidenticals aren't working for you, it might be a sign that you need other things, you know. Bria Gadd 12:18  100% and I mean, as a functional practitioner, I feel very strongly that we shouldn't just go blindly try things. Yeah, there's, there's a lot of reasons that can actually make things worse for us. But I love what you said there about, you know, kind of noticing in your 30s, like right away, or now right away, noticing what was starting to happen and jumping on it. Because you're right, it's not our fault. I don't think as women that we don't pay attention to ourselves. Again, culture puts us that way. Most women have been so busy doing 100 other things that they're just trying to kind of survive in advance. But that's why I think this is like your call to hone perimenopause. It's like before it gets too late, wake up, lady, like we need to listen to what our body is saying, and that's really what, because we don't know where the source of debt is coming from until we go digging. Like, that's why, you know, you get this confusing information. Like, everyone's like, eat more protein. Lots of women are eating more protein but not feeling any different. Why? Probably because their gut is not breaking down and absorbing the protein properly. This is a very common thing that I see, and then it's so frustrating because we think it's our fault. We're like, oh, something's wrong with me. I'm broken. And then shame spiral, right? Lesley Logan 13:29  Yeah, that shame. Oh, my God. Everyone listening knows the shame spiral. Okay, I think I have a question for the perfectionist and overachievers listening, listening to your body. Like, what are they should be listening for, you know, like, let's like, are they are like, what are the KPIs or biomarkers, or, like, what are some things like that they should because I again, like most of when listen this, are over 40. They're doing they're in that sandwich generation as well. They've got elderly parents who are still alive, causing drama. They got kiddos, and if they don't have kiddos, they're single women, working for themselves, so they're their own income source, right? Like, so they're exhausted, so, yes, they're tired. And so is that the only what are the other signs that they could be like, looking at their health, debt, or listen to their body?Bria Gadd 14:13  Listening to their body, yeah, I mean, I think like to try to make it super clear for the for the type errors, like, what's out there? Like, if whatever symptoms you are having is impacting your life more than 20% of the time you're in debt Period. End of the story. I think that's a really great measure.Lesley Logan 14:28  I love this bright line, yes, 20%. You guys thatBria Gadd 14:34  So like, that's four times a week, or, like, four, you know, in a way, I think about it right. If you think about it in nutrition, for example, we eat three meals a day. That's 21 meals in a week. You know, 20% of 21 is about 3.75 so, like, let's call it four times a week, where you're like, Oh, crap, I'm not sleeping well four times a week or, I mean, probably three times a week would be enough. You know, I can't get through the afternoon without like, brain fog or needing caffeine or needing sugar. You know, I can't get through my workout, or I'm not getting results from my workouts anymore, like big signs from your body. Like, let's not waste our time here. Let's step back and get out of debt so that we can get back to investing energy where we want it to go.Lesley Logan 15:15  I like that. I think that was a great, easy thing for people to think about, 20% of the time, and then it's disrupting your week. You are in health debt. And I think where people are going to struggle is like, well, if I'm having trouble sleeping, it's not like I just sleep more. Because some people it's not like they're going to bed too late, you know, like, you know, like I go to bed at the same time. And when I do have a bad night's sleep, it's so frustrating because I'm like, I set aside enough time to sleep, I woke up three times. You know it happens for me, it is typically, usually the night before my period. No matter what progesterone I take, no matter what supplements I take, it's just the night before my body is like, we're just having a rough time staying asleep. I've got at least a cycle to it, but it's not four times a week. But I guess, like, what I'm saying is, like, for the people who who are struggling, like they're committing to getting the sleep or eating well, who should they go to? Because you go on, you can get with your doctor sometimes first, like, what are they looking for?Bria Gadd 16:13  Yeah, no, it's a great question. I think, like, I was one of those people. I mean, I had been a personal trainer and nutrition coach for like, 10 years, and all of a sudden, I'm like, what is happening to my body? And, I mean, when I look back now, I'm like, Oh, I was like, all of a sudden having anxiety in my life. My periods got really heavy. You know, I was having this, like, weird, twitchy eye thing for a long time, I wasn't getting results from my workouts. In fact, I hadn't changed anything, but I was gaining weight. It took until my sleep, like, totally tanked, where I was waking up every night in a sweat for me to actually be like, Oh, maybe something's wrong. Hit yourself over the head with it. But I did go to my doctor, and she was wonderful. Asked all the questions, did all the lab work but she kind of looked at me, Lesley, and was like, Bria, you're the picture of health. I mean, then that's when you start to think, oh my gosh, I'm crazy. It's in my head, like, and then I also thought, like, that was 30 I was 37 so I'm like, if this is 37 and this is the picture of health, like, I'm not down for the next 37 years. Like, it does not sound fun for me. So to answer your question, that was a long way, sorry. Lesley Logan 17:14  No, you're good. Bria Gadd 17:15  I always think it's important that women understand doctors have an important role, but their job is to test and look for physical problems in your body. If you do not feel well, and you do not have a physical problem because your doctor says you're fine, it's a functional problem. It's way before, like, way before we have, you know, like, have to have a hysterectomy from really heavy periods and endometriosis. There is a hormone imbalance, there's a function imbalance, and it can be there for a long time before we get to that piece. Way before people are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, there is a conversion issue in the thyroid. So, and that's what our doctors aren't testing and looking at. So I really strongly believe that a big part of owning your health as a woman these days, in this landscape when we're uneducated, is working with a functional practitioner and getting to know the function of your body and your numbers now, where they're at, when you feel good, if you can, and if not, when you feel bad. So we can repair that function so that we don't get to that point.Lesley Logan 18:17  Okay, I love this. So now my next question is, because when I was on your show, we talked about like, how to find a good Pilates instructor, how to make sure you got a real Pilates instructor? And I think, like the way the algorithms work, whether it's YouTube, Instagram, Tiktok, the moment you start looking up stuff about your body, you could end up down a rabbit hole of people who don't pay attention to science. So how do we make sure that we get, aside from just looking up you how do we make sure that people like, what are the signs that someone's a true functional practitioner, like, and not, you know, just go do some tallow. And I don't know, I'm not really sure. Like, there's a lot of weird stuff out there. You're like, is that where we should all be going?Bria Gadd 19:01  Yeah, for sure. I totally, I love that. I've never been asked this question before, so I really love it. Lesley Logan 19:06  Because, like, because my mom, like, sends me something. She's like, you know, she like, sent me this one thing. I was like, oh, yeah, totally, I agree with that. My my MD, who also does Eastern medicine, agrees with that. And then to the next thing, I'm like, Okay, so I'm gonna push back on this one, Mom, I don't know what algorithm you're on, but like this, this thing is a little bit, you know, and then the next thing, she's sending me like, okay, you are, you need to change your algorithm. You are now on the wrong side of the internet. Bria Gadd 19:29  I'm curious about what those things were. Lesley Logan 19:31  Oh, yeah. Talk offline.Bria Gadd 19:35  Yeah, it's, there's, and I understand that it's challenging one. I feel very strongly like get on a free call with someone. I really think, you know that's the landscape, because, yes, a good, functional practitioner should, should always be working with you on like lifestyle and nutrition. First and foremost, they're the bedrock. And anything that comes up in a lab and any protocol, whether it's supplement or hormones or peptides, not really going to work if we don't have these foundations. So make sure that that's a part of the protocol, that they're trained, either holistically or with nutrition, so that we're dealing with that as the foundation of your health. But I think you know when you get on a call with someone, because I think that's important, and you know, you want to understand if they can actually order the labs and explain the labs for you. So sometimes, when I hop on a call with someone, I'll actually pull up my labs, because those are the only ones I can share and go over, like, what we're going to learn in there. Because I think I end up working with a lot of people who have ordered labs online themselves or through something, but they don't know how to read it or, like, they're just getting a written response when really, I think labs are so about customization to what you're feeling in your body. Like, why are you not sleeping well half of the month, Lesley, you know what I mean? Is it a blood sugar issue? Is it your thyroid? Like, where are the little kinks in the, you know, in the pipelines of energy, that's kind of making it harder for us to get there, especially if you are taking progesterone, for example, does that make sense?Lesley Logan 21:10  I love this because I like that, like, first of all, they should be, like, looking at lifestyle and nutrition first. Because before you just, like, add supplements, you could just be putting a band aid on a problem, and so you're not solving the source. Bria Gadd 21:20  Or wasting your money. Lesley Logan 21:22  Yeah, oh my gosh. And also wasting your money, because also, some of the supplements guys don't even have the things that they like. It's like, you got to be careful. You got to you got to be mindful. And and I love the supplements that I'm on, but I'm on specific ones after, like, doing some real research on, like, is my my room, the temperature, it needs to be like, okay, is it as quiet as I need to be? Is it? What do I need? How do I sleep the best so that I'm setting myself up for success? Then it's like, okay, now we can try some of this up. Otherwise we're just it's not working.Bria Gadd 21:55  Yeah, I love that. And what you do there is so important. Is that, again, it's this kind of self assessment. Like, okay, like, let's hold on a hot minute. Like, am I at least creating the space for my sleep? Like, going to bed at an appropriate hour, not staring at screens before I go? Am I just creating the space before I start, you know, testing out all these supplements to see if they're going to make that difference or not? Because we I think sleep is one of those things that's so hard to control, and the more you try to control it, it like, slips through your fingers like water. Lesley Logan 22:17  I understand what you're saying. You know, it's so funny. You just brought up, you guys, I was totally on my screen last night. I didn't have to walk my dog, wasn't here, and I was like, 1,000% like, I want to look at these reels and just like, laugh. So I fucked my own self up. That was me. It's really funny. We forget that we did that. Like, Oh, I have a no screen rule, and I usually walk my dog so I'm not on my screen an hour before bed and it's dark outside and I didn't do those things.Bria Gadd 22:51  I'll get into habits like on my last Dutch which is like a good functional lab that helps you understand not just your sex hormones, but your adrenal hormones, your cortisol pattern, the clearance and detoxification of your hormones, which I think is so important, I could see this elevation of my cortisol at night, which is now called like a like dysfunction in your HPA axis. And I'm like, I know exactly what that is. I was watching like The Walking Dead for all 11 seasons over like two years. So I'm watching this show before I go to bed, I'm like binding up my cortisol. And I'm like, why am I not sleeping well?Lesley Logan 23:25  Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's really, you know, like we have a rule at this house. Like, my husband loves to cook, and obviously, like, I could take responsibility there, but he sometimes cooks late, and like, we're Spaniards or something. And, you know, and I am like, I just, I need you to cook earlier, or I need to eat by myself, like, so I can take responsibility if you don't want to cook until 7:30 because that's when you got home. And 7:30 means you go to the store, whatever, like, maybe I need to go, okay, what can I make myself right now and then? Just sit with him while he eats. Because if I eat too late and I go to bed, I have a really rough time falling asleep. And that's normal. It's not like, oh, I should call my doctor. No, I didn't set myself up for success for what I need. And I think that like to your point in taking time to understand what your health debt is and understand like, what your lifestyle so I love that you said that the person you're talking to should want to touch those things first, because, if you you know, like, and yes, there should be labs. And yes, you can look at them and go, that's because of these things. But like, what are you currently doing? What is your current habit?Bria Gadd 24:32  Yeah, and I think where it's so helpful to get help is to recognize that we all don't have cookie cutter lives. You know, some of you know when, when you work, how you work, how much you work. You know what your family dynamics are like, what your partner support is like, like, all of these things really play a role in how we're able to change and create foundational habits, and what those habits are for you. And at the same time, like the people always want to know, like, what should I eat? How much should I eat, I'm like, I don't know your body knows. So we need to take the time, and what I think you've already done so well is like, what is good for me? And it's not like a magical answer, it's trial and error to kind of figure this out for yourself and maybe for you and I, being in the wellness industry, maybe that's been a little bit easier, because it is a priority for us. But so if you're someone who that's not, you're not in the wellness industry, and you cannot seem to do this for yourself. I mean, get some help. Like, that's what a practitioner should do, is help you nail the customization for yourself.Lesley Logan 25:34  I think that like and having patience and not trying 17 things at once ladies, so, like, don't start with a new trainer and a new functional medicine person and a new this at the same time. You got to, like, be kind yourself. It's really not the easiest thing to start a bunch of new things at the same it doesn't work. It's overwhelming, and then you don't know what's working.Bria Gadd 25:53  The analytics are hard because there's no constant, right? When you think about like I was, science wasn't my favorite thing in school, although I love more of it so much now, but you know, you have to have, like, a constant with the variable. So, like, you need to know what the solid things are and what the thing you're testing is, to know if it works, and you're right. Like, we didn't get here into health debt overnight. So getting out of debt is going to take a little bit of time. Always worth it. It's always worth it. Lesley Logan 26:21  Yeah, okay, I want to just in case, like, you know, I think that we all know that your Instagram account is full of everything about perimenopause, but just in case people are being because I do think people get a little misled or inundated with, what are some of the we talked about, 35 is this start point, probably for most people, what are some of there's the common symptoms that everyone knows about. What are some of the non common symptoms that could be that they're in perimenopause, and then maybe, if you have time, like, how can we address it a little bit differently than just, like, Oh, I gotta go. Now I'm perimenopausal. This is where I'm at. Like, how do we, like, welcome it in and, like, take care of ourselves for it?Bria Gadd 27:02  Yeah. So I would say uncommon symptoms are, like, frequent urination, things like that, or it might start any type of incontinence. So if you're waking up a lot in the night to pee, or, you know, that can be a really sign. Again, for me, I mentioned, like, I had this weird Twitch, like in my eye. And again, it wasn't perimenopause, but it's just that it just kind of, it was, like, likely how my life had always been going from my it was my adrenals actually off, but you add this all of a sudden challenge of your hormones shifting and like, oh boy. Like, this is a part of it. I mean, libido is always a quick one to go, but I think that's pretty common for people, Restless Leg Syndrome, you know, hair loss or changes in your hair and skin, that can all be a part of this time. But I think, like the real symptoms of hormones kind of decreasing, we really, if that's all again, that's going on for you, yeah, you might start to have a bit more trouble sleeping. Yeah, you might find a little bit more brain fog, and maybe not quite have the same energy and not quite have the same ability to repair after a workout. Yes, your libido might go down, because our sex hormones are really big part of our libido. But again, I think that if it's something that becomes consistent, like any of these things, that if they start impacting your life, so that you can't live the way you were living, that's when we know. One, it's time for help. And two, it's likely more than just perimenopause. It's not great. We can try some hormones, and then we should be feeling significantly better to navigate this transition.Lesley Logan 28:34  I love that reminder that, like it's quite possible that's not like the perimenopause is happening, but it's really shining a light on the other places in our bodies that we haven't been taken care of because we can't. I was just talking about with my client, actually, this is really funny, not funny, haha, but just, like, interesting. I was just talking about how, like, oftentimes, people are pushing themselves so much so that when something bad happens, they don't have enough in the tank to handle their life and the something bad happening, but if they had been taking care of things to the best that they could, so that when shit hits the fan, they could handle the shit and, like, the other plates don't fall down, right? But like, so that's the same thing, like perimenopause happens, and because they're already running on empty, all these other things are happening too. Yeah. Bria Gadd 29:20  Yeah, it's, it's the biggest reminder to learn how to work smarter, not harder. And I think a lot of us, especially women, have gotten by and gotten the success we have in the first half of our life by hustling, hustling hard, and it has come at a cost. So we need to start to learn and adapt different ways that prioritize the foundations of our health, so that, like we so that, yeah, a big wind storm comes in, or a tsunami.Lesley Logan 29:47  Yeah, I know you guys just had a crazy windstorm. Bria Gadd 29:50  Oh, yeah, we did. It wasn't, I mean, maybe it was crazier near the airport. It wasn't as crazy near what, where I was, but, yeah, anyway. But I think that's what happens. Like, we're going through life, and then life is going to have storms. It's just is, and we really don't want it to knock us over. We want to have the foundations of our health in place. So you kind of ask, like, you know, what are I think? What are those foundations? Or, you know, where do we go? Okay, now I know I'm in health debt, what is my first step? And I'll try to cut through some of the noise for people to give them, like, what I think of as like kindergarten, basics that we should be focused on and haven't been in our health to get us out of debt, right? Like, just same thing with like financial, you know, basics that we need to do. So one, we have kind of four pillars of our health that we all know pretty well we looked out to, like the Wild Kingdom of animals. And they all, they do all these things every single day. So we need to bring this back. We do it for our kids. We do this for our pets. One we gotta hold space for our sleep. We've already kind of talked about that. So, you know, making sure you are creating and really, the reality is, most women do need eight hours, like you can get away with seven here and there. But we do for the average need that eight hours. Again, everyone's a little different, but hold space and be consistent with it. Try to be as consistent as you can. Again, 80% is enough with when you go to bed, what you do before you go to bed, when you wake up, and what you do when you wake up. And obviously we know watching stressful shows at night or screen scrolling is not ideal for your adrenal hormones to help you sleep. Okay, so we want to hold that space and be consistent with it like we do for babies. Nutrition is the next one. So I think before we even worry about how much protein and how many carbohydrates, let's just have some consistency to our nutrition. Treat your body like a baby when you wake up, we need to eat within two hours of waking. We need to eat four and a half to five or four to four to five hours later. We need to eat four to five hours later. If you have to go longer, have a snack. Your food, the amount of food you eat should really keep you full and satisfied for four to five hours. So if you eat breakfast and you are hungry or anxious or exhausted before four and a half to five hours, you haven't eaten enough, or it's not the right fuel mixture. Right there. It's really, really simple to get to that. So you can play with that. You can then say, Okay, let's try more protein at this meal, specifically, because everyone's a little different. So at the very least, we want consistency in our nutrition. And I mean, this is not new news to everyone when we're trying to get out of debt, and food is one of our biggest suppliers of energy, like our currency, our salary, we could call it in that example. So make sure the food you're eating provides your body with more energy than it taketh away, right? And that's, so like, let's take be real about your food. You know, if you are eating processed foods, sugar, gluten, conventionally raised, dairy, you know, some of the heavy hitters, alcohol, right? If you're doing this more than 20% of your week, it's costing your body way more than it's providing, like, it's not even not, here's a double negative for you, English. It's not even that you're not going to get the energy you need right now, but it's creating inflammation in your body. So now, all of a sudden, the energy supply isn't getting where we need to go, and now we have a greater demand. So we got to get really real with our nutrition, that way, for kind of basic health debt. I really feel strongly that women need to be prioritizing movement, functional movement, over fitness. And we talked about this a bit when we interviewed you. So like walking, yoga, Pilates, like Pilates is a really great one, especially for those like type A women who really need to feel a workout, but we need to do something that literally is not calling on cortisol so significantly in your body, but is still moving the body in some ways. So before you start like lifting heavy weights and calling on cortisol on your body, or doing your CrossFit or any high intensity interval training, are you at least moving your body enough in a day so that it has what it needs for lymphatic drainage and for, you know, oxygen coming in and just overall functional movement. And I think that's a big one for women, is that we're out there, like, brushing it in our workout, and then we're tanked in the afternoon. It's like, three you just used a credit card to get something done when you don't have money.Lesley Logan 34:16  And that's like, you know, I realize, like, some of these things we talk about, some of the fitness, it's like, it can be inaccessible financially to have a personalized fitness program for you. That being said, be really mindful then if you are, oh, I have to go to a studio for my fitness classes. Then you got to pay attention to where you are in your cycle, if you can track it still, because that workout wasn't tailored to you, and you're going at the time that they're giving you. So I have a trainer I love to lift weights. This particular week is not the week for me to push as heavy as possible. So I had to go, Okay, what other things can I take off the plate? Because I still want to do the training that she provided, right? So I was supposed to film this week. I was like, we're not filming this week. I either can film or I can do these training sessions. I can't do both. So I was like, we're not filming also, I don't need a fucking camera right now. I don't want to be on a camera right now. So I'm going to honor that I don't want to be on camera right now, we're gonna film a different day. Then she goes, like, you can take two to three minute rest between these. Guess what? I took three plus. I was like, three plus was a long workout, but I didn't stress myself out. So I could sleep well, so when I woke up the next day, I wasn't sore. The other thing is, is, like, on the weeks that I know that it's not a pushy week, I am taking the max time, and I am doing my sauna blanket, or I'm doing my red light, like, whatever I can to just keep things. So if you're going to a class that is, oh, this is when the class starts, when the class ends, and I've do whatever the class is designed, you have to take care of yourself other places, because you're, you're just going to be in health debt. It's just not, it's gonna be fun. And when I learned that about my cycle, I was already like, like, you know, always hard on the same day, but the symptoms before my cycle completely changed, which was, like, amazing. I was like, Oh, I was in control the whole time.Bria Gadd 36:10  Yeah, I love that, you so, because what, exactly what you did there is, you're like, I can't afford both of these right now. So which one is my priority, and how do I make up some extra money, you know. And I think money energy is giving here, so. Lesley Logan 36:24  Yeah, oh, thank you. Well, thanks for validating that.Bria Gadd 36:27  And I'll just think real finally, like, onto that kind of the foundations, those kindergarten foundations, you know, you've got sleep, movement, nutrition, stress management and, or really, I mean, I, what I'd like to call it is joy, right? Like, joy is the most underrated, but like, 10x opportunity for you to provide energy for your body. Everyone can think of a time when, whether they were falling in love and, like, weren't hungry, couldn't could stay up all night talking on the phone, or, you know, went to a concert and just like, felt so amazing because of the energy we know that joy provides, you know, energy, however, if you're so stressed, like, everyone knows if they're stressed, like, we can't orgasm and we can't take a joke, so it's like, we need to find ways to relieve that stress in some ways. So whether you're someone who can take a few deep breaths, or whether you're someone who needs to, like, go scream into a pillow, like, you gotta get that out daily, so that you have space for pleasure and joy, because it's one of the biggest energy currencies for your body.Lesley Logan 37:28  I love the sign you can't take a joke and you can't have an orgasm. Because I think we all like, yeah, can't take a joke. There's a sign, ladies, you are not.Bria Gadd 37:38  If you can't take a joke and you haven't orgasmed in a while, you're likely in health debt.Lesley Logan 37:45  I love you so much. Okay, we're gonna take a brief break. Yeah, find out how people can find you. Follow your work with you. Lesley Logan 37:52  All right, Bria, where do you hang out? Are you on Instagram? Which website? Where's all the places people can go?Bria Gadd 37:58  Yeah, so I do hang out a lot on Instagram, which is @Bria_period_whisperer or come check out The Period Whisperer Podcast, anywhere you listen to your podcast. I think those are some of the best places to catch me. You'll find a website there anyway. Lesley Logan 38:12  Yeah. Also, like, go nerd out. Is this a topic like, this could be your hobby for a little bit everybody like, there's a you know what? Like, it's easier to get information from one great source than like from a bunch of sources that you're like, I'm not really sure why this is my feed. So go, go check her out. Okay, you've given us a ton of great tips already, but bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted steps people can take to be it till they see it. What do you have for us?Bria Gadd 38:35  Okay, number, I'm going to tell you to do all the things that you're not doing as a woman, get ready. Three very clear things. One, you have to slow down and be still. And the action step is like, take a minute every day or once a week, look at yourself in the mirror, eye to eye, and get really real with yourself about how you're feeling. Be honest, be vulnerable with yourself, and take that stillness. Nobody wants to be still, but you need to be still. That's where your answers come from. It'll be uncomfortable, but you can do it. You can do hard things. Number two, start with the foundations. Everyone wants to like, skip on up to university before we've done these kindergarten basics, do the basics. If you can't do the basics, you know it's time for my third action step, which is ask for help. Again, women are terrible at asking for help. They're terrible at being still, they're terrible at starting from the ground, and they're terrible at asking for help. But it is exactly like the obstacle is the way. It's exact things that you need to do first to start digging yourself out of debt so that you can increase your energy and invest that in anything you want to be investing it in in midlife and beyond.Lesley Logan 39:43  I love these so much. Also, like asking for help, ladies, I'm just gonna tell you right now, feels really weird because you're like, oh my god, I should I know? Like you feel like I don't. I don't want people to know I don't have I know how to do the thing I'm asking for help for everybody knows you can do it. Somebody wants to do that. That's the job that they want to have, you know, like, my amazing assistant, like, does all these amazing things for me, because it allows her to do things that she loves it to do, you know, so, like, just remember that, like, when you're not asking for help, you might be taking away someone else's opportunity to have joy, because that's what their strengths lie in. So you're stealing joy from other people by not asking for help, I'm just gonna. Bria Gadd 40:22  Stop stealing other people's joy.Lesley Logan 40:24  You know, some ladies are so good at feeling guilty, let's use a little guilt to motivate you and ask for some help. Bria Gadd 40:32  Thank you. Lesley Logan 40:34  Oh yeah, Bria, you're so great. This is so fun. We'll have to do this again sometime, because I'm sure there'll be next levels. We'll be on the other side of all of this, and we'll have more things to learn about our body, but I just adore you and what you're doing. Thank you so much. Everyone, how are you going to use these tips in your life? Make sure you let Bria know. Let the Be It Pod know. Share this with a female friend in your life who needs to hear it. We all have that friend who needs to slow down, take a minute and you know what, she won't know, that this is why you send it to her till right now, she'll just be getting great advice, and then right now she'll realize that you did it because she's not listening to you to slow down. So anyways, but it's all for love. Until next time, Be It Till You See It. Lesley Logan 41:13  That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It Podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review and follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcast. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the Be It Pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others Be It Till You See It. Have an awesome day. Be It Till You See It is a production of The Bloom Podcast Network. If you want to leave us a message or a question that we might read on another episode, you can text us at +1-310-905-5534 or send a DM on Instagram @BeItPod.Brad Crowell 41:56  It's written, filmed, and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan, and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 42:00   It is transcribed, produced and edited by the epic team at Disenyo.co. Brad Crowell 42:05  Our theme music is by Ali at Apex Production Music and our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 42:12  Special thanks to Melissa Solomon for creating our visuals. Brad Crowell 42:15  Also to Angelina Herico for adding all of our content to our website. And finally to Meridith Root for keeping us all on point and on time.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

She was a senior leader. She had navigated mergers, built teams, managed multimillion-dollar transitions. And then she stood in a meeting she had prepared for, in a room she had sat in a hundred times — and couldn't find the word. Not a complicated word. A word she had used ten thousand times. It was just gone. She didn't say anything. She pivoted. She stayed composed. And then she went to her car and sat there, because something felt different in a way she couldn't name. That experience has a name. It's perimenopause — and almost no one in the organizational world is talking about it. In this first episode of the Transitions series, host Stacie takes us inside one of the most significant and most ignored neurological events in women's working lives. What perimenopause actually does to the prefrontal cortex, the hippocampus, and the HPA axis. Why neuroimaging research on the menopausal brain didn't exist until 2021. What the cognitive fog, the 3am wakeups, and the emotional reactivity are actually signals of — and why none of it is failure. And then: what it costs when organizations stay silent. The 900,000 women estimated to have left the UK workforce because of menopausal symptoms. The CIPD data showing two-thirds of affected women say it impacted their work — and more than half told no one. The intersection of perimenopause and imposter syndrome that no one has named out loud. This is not a clinical episode. It's not a complaint. It's an argument — backed by neuroimaging research, longitudinal population studies, and lived experience — that perimenopause is not a personal health issue an employee should manage alone. It's an organizational design problem. And the organizations that understand that will be the ones worth returning to.   Stacie For more episodes, visit StacieBaird.com.

In this episode of the Science of Skin Podcast, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain sits down with world-renowned eczema and atopic dermatitis expert Dr. Peter Lio, founder of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center, to unpack a game-changing shift in how dermatologists think about chronic inflammatory skin conditions. If you're a dermatologist, skincare professional, or someone managing eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, or other steroid-responsive skin conditions — this episode is essential listening. What you'll learn: Why topical corticosteroids, despite being effective, carry real risks with long-term use — including skin atrophy, growth suppression in children, HPA axis suppression, and the increasingly recognized phenomenon of topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) What PDE4 (phosphodiesterase 4) is, how it drives the inflammatory cascade in atopic dermatitis, and why targeting it is a "Goldilocks" approach to treatment The evolution of PDE4 inhibitor topical therapies, including roflumilast (Zoryve) — its origins as an oral COPD drug and its transformation into a highly effective topical for eczema, psoriasis, and seborrheic dermatitis The concept of "PDE4 inhibitor-responsive dermatoses" — a new framework introduced in Dr. Lio's JAAD publication that expands the clinical use of this drug class across a wide range of skin conditions, including rare and pediatric diseases with zero FDA-approved treatments The excellent safety profile of topical roflumilast, including what side effects to watch for and how to counsel patients Why dermatologists must continue championing innovation in topical therapies — not just biologics — to serve patients with mild-to-moderate disease Featured guest: Dr. Peter Lio, MD — Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Pediatrics, Northwestern University; Founder, Chicago Integrative Eczema Center; Global speaker, researcher, and consultant in atopic dermatitis and inflammatory skin disease. Sponsored by Arcutis Biotherapeutics, makers of roflumilast (Zoryve) topical foam and cream. This episode was recorded ahead of the 2026 AAD Annual Meeting. Link to Dr. Lio's JAAD publication on PDE4 inhibitor-responsive dermatoses. DISCLAIMER: This podcast is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. Content provided in this podcast is for educational purposes only. Please consult with a physician regarding any health-related diagnosis or treatment See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is weight gain really about willpower… or is something deeper going on? In this episode, Dr. Brendan McCarthy, Chief Medical Officer at Protea Medical Center, breaks down the real biology behind stress, cravings, and weight gain—and why blaming yourself (or cortisol) is missing the point. You'll learn: Why chronic stress rewires your metabolism How stress drives cravings for ultra-processed foods The truth about cortisol and fat storage Why “just have more discipline” is bad medicine How ultra-processed foods hijack your hunger and reward systems The key to rebuilding control and agency This isn't about motivation—it's about understanding your biology so you can finally work with your body instead of against it. If you've ever felt stuck, frustrated, or blamed for your weight… this episode is for you.   Mechanism-Anchored References     1.    Glucocorticoids, stress, and eating Kuckuck S, van der Valk ES, Scheurink AJW, et al. Glucocorticoids, stress and eating: the mediating role of appetite-regulating hormones. Obesity Reviews. 2023. Supports the claim that stress biology and glucocorticoid signaling can alter appetite regulation and eating behavior.       2.    Stress-level glucocorticoids can increase hunger Bini J, et al. Stress-level glucocorticoids increase fasting hunger and alter cerebral blood flow in neural regions that regulate food intake. 2022. Supports the claim that stress-level glucocorticoid exposure can increase hunger and affect food-intake regulation.       3.    Stress-obesity link / HPA-axis context Lengton R, et al. Glucocorticoids and HPA axis regulation in the stress-obesity link. 2024. Supports the broader claim that chronic stress and glucocorticoid biology are relevant to obesity risk and metabolic dysregulation.       4.    Sleep loss changes appetite and metabolism Van Cauter E, et al. Metabolic consequences of sleep and sleep loss. 2008. Supports the claim that inadequate sleep alters appetite regulation and harms carbohydrate metabolism.       5.    Sleep deprivation impairs glucose handling and raises appetite pressure Knutson KL. The metabolic consequences of sleep deprivation. 2007. Supports the claim that sleep loss can worsen glucose metabolism, appetite drive, and obesity risk.       6.    Circadian disruption and metabolic dysfunction Depner CM, et al. Metabolic consequences of sleep and circadian disorders. 2014. Supports the claim that circadian disruption and sleep deficiency contribute to metabolic dysregulation and weight gain risk.       7.    Ultra-processed food and reward-system activation Calcaterra V, et al. Ultra-Processed Food, Reward System and Childhood Obesity. 2023. Supports the claim that ultra-processed foods interact with reward pathways in ways that can drive intake beyond simple calorie math.       8.    Ultra-processed food and metabolic dysfunction Vitale M, et al. Ultra-Processed Foods and Human Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. 2023. Supports the claim that higher UPF consumption is associated with obesity and metabolic disease risk.       9.    Stress and poorer diet quality / emotional eating Shatwan IM, et al. Association between perceived stress, emotional eating, and diet quality. 2024. Supports the claim that higher perceived stress is associated with worse dietary patterns and emotional eating.       10.    Compassion-based framing and adherence Sirois FM, et al. Self-Compassion and Adherence in Five Medical Samples. 2018. Supports the closing point that shame is a weak intervention model and that compassion-linked framing may better support adherence and change.     Dr. Brendan McCarthy is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of Protea Medical Center in Arizona. With over two decades of experience, he's helped thousands of patients navigate hormonal imbalances using bioidentical HRT, nutrition, and root-cause medicine. He's also taught and mentored other physicians on integrative approaches to hormone therapy, weight loss, fertility, and more. If you're ready to take your health seriously, this podcast is a great place to start.  

In this episode of Resiliency Radio with Dr. Jill, Dr. Jill Carnahan explores the powerful intersection of hormone optimization, peptide therapy, and cellular health with Dr. Crozier. Dr. Crozier shares insights from years of treating complex chronic illnesses and explains how many patients struggle with overlapping root causes such as mold toxicity, infections, immune dysregulation, and environmental toxins.  These factors often disrupt hormones, mitochondrial function, and metabolic health. The conversation dives into how therapeutic peptides are emerging as powerful tools for cellular repair, immune balance, and performance optimization. 

What if one of the most powerful longevity “superfoods” was literally falling from trees around you? In this episode, I sit down with naturopathic doctor Dr. Saeid Mushtagh to explore the science, tradition, and real-world benefits of pine pollen, a potent plant ally known for supporting hormones, energy, and longevity. From its roots in traditional Chinese medicine to modern clinical insights, this conversation dives deep into how pine pollen influences the HPA axis, supports anabolic health, and may help combat the chronic stress patterns of modern life. You'll also learn how to harvest, preserve, and use pine pollen safely, and why freshness matters more than species. In this episode, you'll learn: 00:00 – Teaser & Intro 01:51 – Meet Dr. Saeid Mushtagh 03:04 – The origin story of the Canadian Pine Pollen Company 13:59 – Pine pollen & longevity: what it is & why it's a superfood 18:55 – How to harvest & store pine pollen at home 22:12 – Balancing hormones, reducing cortisol & improving sleep 29:35 – How pine pollen supports adrenal gland health 31:01 – Anabolic health, aging & why hormones decline over time 37:16 – The key enzymes in pine pollen & how they work in the body 39:45 – Pine pollen, oxygen levels, cellular energy & inflammation 45:48 – Best ways to take pine pollen for maximum absorption 49:20 – Pine pollen & gut health: microbiome impact 53:01 – Canadian Pine Pollen Company products & where to find Dr. Saeid 59:42 – Pine pollen & PCOS: is it safe for women with high testosterone? Resources mentioned: Wild Certified Organic Pine Pollen | 100% Wildcrafted in Canada:Canadian Pine Pollen Company Enter code Wildherb for a discount at checkout About the guest, Dr. Saeid Mushtagh: Dr. Mushtagh is a licensed naturopathic Physician and has been practicing naturopathic medicine in Canada since 2006. He is a graduate from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and specializes in functional medicine, offering personalized diagnosis and treatment in his private practice. His integrative approach is rooted in therapeutic diets as the foundation for healing and long-term wellness. In addition to his clinical work, he is the co-founder of the Canadian Pine Pollen Company. Connect with Dr. Saeid Mushtagh: https://www.instagram.com/canadianpinepollen/ About the host, April Punsalan: April is a botanist, ethnobotanist, herbalist, and the founder of Wild Herb Academy, dedicated to teaching the healing world of plants. Connect with April: https://www.instagram.com/wildherbacademy/ Invitation If Pine speaks to you, take time this winter to sit with a pine tree. Observe its needles, cones, and presence. Let it teach you directly. Bring the wisdom of wild plants with you. Listen to Wild Herbs with April on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. If you loved this episode, please leave us a review or share it with someone who feels called to reconnect with plants in a deeper way.

Your gut microbiome controls your brain chemistry, your stress response, your sleep, your metabolism, and your ability to lose weight, and most people have no idea how broken theirs actually is. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR Get 20% off your next purchase of OMNi-BiOTiC with code ‘Dave20' at: https://omnibioticlife.com/ In this episode, Host Dave Asprey and microbiome expert Hannah Kleinfeld break down the hidden gut science behind GLP-1 drugs, ADHD, HRV, histamine intolerance, SIBO, and why most probiotics you're taking are probably dead before they even reach your intestines. Hannah Kleinfeld is the co-founder and COO of Omni-Biotic US, a Yale and Harvard graduate, and a certified health coach whose personal battle with Lyme disease drove her deep into functional medicine and microbiome science. Omni-Biotic is the number one probiotic brand in Europe, used in hospital systems alongside antibiotic treatment, and is now bringing that clinical-grade research to the US market. Dave and Hannah go deep on the gut-brain axis, the vagus nerve, and how dysbiosis drives everything from brain fog and poor sleep optimization to inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and compromised mitochondria. They cover how GLP-1 drugs slow gut transit time and trigger secondary dysbiosis, why most capsule probiotics rehydrate in stomach acid and fail, how short-chain fatty acids like butyrate cross the blood-brain barrier to regulate neuroinflammation, and how your gut bacteria directly control your heart rate variability, hormones, libido, and skin. This is biohacking your biology from the inside out, and it goes far deeper than supplements and fasting. You'll Learn: Why GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic create secondary dysbiosis and what to do about it How gut inflammation suppresses HRV, disrupts sleep, and accelerates aging Why most probiotics rehydrate in stomach acid and never make it to your intestines The gut-brain connection behind ADHD, brain fog, anxiety, and mood disorders How dysbiosis sabotages weight loss by skewing Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios What the vagus nerve has to do with stress resilience and mitochondria health How to support your microbiome through antibiotics, travel, and SIBO recovery The histamine problem hiding inside popular probiotic strains Why the first 1,000 days of a baby's life shape lifelong immunity and HPA axis function How targeted probiotic formulations are changing functional medicine Thank you to our sponsors! Suppgrade Labs | Grab your DAKE and Minerals 101 duo at shopsuppgradelabs.com and use code DAVEPOD for 15% off todayPre-order Arthur Brook's new book today at themeaningofyourlife.com. You can also see Arthur speak live at the 2026 Beyond Biohacking Conference Fatty15 | Go to https://fatty15.com/dave and save an extra $15 when you subscribe with code DAVEBrainTap | Go to http://braintap.com/dave to get $100 off the BrainTap Power BundleDave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Keywords: Hannah Kleinfeld, Omni-Biotic, gut microbiome, probiotics that work, GLP-1 gut damage, Ozempic side effects, secondary dysbiosis, gut brain axis, vagusnerve HRV, SIBO treatment, histamine intolerance probiotics, leaky gut inflammation, butyrate blood brain barrier, ADHD gut connection, probiotic capsules vs powder, antibiotic recovery, gut skin axis, microbiome sleep, Firmicutes Bacteroidetes weight loss, functional medicine gut health Resources: • Get 20% off your next purchase of OMNi-BiOTiC with code ‘Dave20' at: https://omnibioticlife.com/ • Get My 2026 Clean Nicotine Roadmap | Enroll for free at https://daveasprey.com/2026-clean-nicotine-roadmap/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/ • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com Timestamps: 00:00 - Trailer 01:10 - Intro03:12 - Kids & Gas: Gut Imbalance in Children 06:42 - Pills vs. Powder Probiotics 07:28 - Omnibiotic Overview & Dave's Story 10:44 - Probiotics & Heart Rate Variability14:14 - GLP-1 Drugs & the Microbiome 17:24 - Gut & Sleep Quality 19:13 - Probiotics & SIBO 27:47 - Gut Bacteria & ADHD 29:55 - Gut, Libido & Fertility 36:04 - Gut & Unusual Microbiome Facts 43:22 - Histamine Intolerance & Probiotics 51:58 - Kids' Microbiome vs. Adults' 56:10 - Outro See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof are joined in person by Dr. Lovey Bradley, NSI certified practitioner, BrainBased facilitator, and facilitator of the NSI BIPOC Affinity Group. Together they examine how racial stress and systemic oppression live in the body, how they shape nervous system patterns across generations, and what post-traumatic growth actually requires when the environment itself keeps activating survival. Dr. Lovey opens by sharing what brought her to this conversation, including a moment of messaging Elisabeth out of frustration, asking why race still has to be such a defining factor, and what it would take to start breaking those walls down. The answer they keep returning to: it starts with having the conversations. From there the episode moves into the physiology of racial stress, how chronic exposure to discrimination activates the HPA axis, elevates cortisol, suppresses progesterone, and drives the specific health disparities that show up disproportionately in melanated bodies, including fibroids, endometriosis, heart disease, hypertension, and chronic pain. Dr. Lovey names what she sees in the women she works with and connects those physical realities directly to suppressed expression, ancestral stress load, and the specific demands placed on bodies that have never had the systemic safety to soften. Elisabeth grounds the conversation in current research including the work of Resmaa Menakem on embodied racial trauma and Tema Okun's writing on white supremacy culture, which she connects directly to nervous system dysregulation rather than personality or ideology. The episode also traces how cultural conditioning normalizes threat-based behaviors like urgency, perfectionism, and emotional repression as efficiency or success, and what that means for everyone living inside those systems. Dr. Lovey also shares the story of how she accidentally created a healing community for melanated women after a single post went viral in a Facebook group, and what the response revealed about the collective hunger for real, unperformed connection. Topics Covered How racism functions as a chronic threat signal that reshapes the nervous system, not just belief or behavior What the HPA axis, cortisol, and progesterone have to do with racial stress and women's health outcomes How suppressed expression contributes to physical disease in melanated bodies What Resmaa Menakem's framework adds to neuro somatic approaches to racialized trauma Why white supremacy culture traits like urgency and perfectionism map directly onto chronic stress behaviors How the urgency to fix or regulate can itself become a form of bypassing in healing spaces What post-traumatic growth looks like at a collective level, not just an individual one Why witnessing state violence on social media is a genuine nervous system stressor, even for those not directly targeted How Dr. Levy's community for melanated women came to life and what it is building toward Chapter Markers 0:00 - Why This Conversation Had to Happen 01:57 - Welcome: Racial Trauma, the Nervous System, and Post-Traumatic Growth 07:25 - What Racial Stress Looks Like in the Body, for White and Melanated Bodies 10:44 - Post-Traumatic Growth at the Collective Level: What It Actually Requires 15:35 - The Danger of Regulating Out of Activation Before the Cycle Completes 18:09 - The Neuroscience: HPA Axis, Allostatic Load, and Chronic Racial Threat 24:27 - How Racial Stress Shows Up in Hormones, Cycles, and Women's Health 29:25 - Resmaa Menakem, White Supremacy Culture, and the Nervous System 38:42 - Dr. Levy's Community for Melanated Women and What It Is Building 41:35 - Witnessing Violence at Scale: What It Does to All Nervous Systems 49:11 - What This Work Has Made Possible: Dr. Levy on Choosing to Create a Different World 51:59 - Closing Reflection: What Post-Traumatic Growth Requires of Us Collectively Ways to Engage with Neurosomatics: Neurosomatic Intelligence is now enrolling : https://neurosomaticintelligence.com/nsi-certification Join us for a two week trial of neurosomatic practices at rewiretrial.com Free BrainBased neurosomatic workshop for entrepreneurs at rewirecapacity.com Sacred Synapse: an educational YouTube channel founded by Jennifer Wallace that explores nervous system regulation, applied neuroscience, consciousness, and psychedelic preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence.  Wayfinder Journal: Track nervous system patterns and support preparation and integration through Neurosomatic Intelligence. Learn to work with Boundaries at the level of the body and nervous system at https://www.boundaryrewire.com   Resources: Brave Heart, Maria Yellow Horse. "The Historical Trauma Response Among Natives and Its Relationship with Substance Abuse: A Lakota Illustration." Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, vol. 35, no. 1, 2003, pp. 7–13. Brave Heart, Maria Yellow Horse, and Eduardo Duran. "Healing the Soul Wound: Counseling with American Indians and Other Native Peoples." Teachers College Press, 1995. DeGruy, Joy. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing. Joy DeGruy Publications Inc., 2005. Hobson, J. M., M. D. Moody, R. E. Sorge, and B. R. Goodin. "The Neurobiology of Social Stress Resulting from Racism." Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, vol. 17, no. 2, 2022, pp. 181–191. Hicken, Margaret T., et al. "Everyday Discrimination, Chronic Stress, and Cardiovascular Health." American Journal of Epidemiology, 2014. Geronimus, Arline T. "Weathering and the Health of African-American Women." Ethnicity & Disease, 2006. Menakem, Resmaa. My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies. Central Recovery Press, 2017. Okun, Tema. "White Supremacy Culture." Dismantling Racism Works, originally published 1999, revised 2021. Williams, Monnica T. "Racial Trauma: Theory, Research, and Healing." American Psychologist, vol. 74, no. 1, 2019, pp. 33–42.  

Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and emotional reactivity are common symptoms many women experience during chronic stress and hormonal shifts in midlife. These patterns are often linked to cortisol imbalance and disruption in the body's stress response system.In this episode, Janell explains the cortisol cascade — a stress pattern that develops when the nervous system stays in a prolonged fight-or-flight state. Over time, chronic stress can disrupt the HPA axis, alter hormone signaling, destabilize blood sugar, and affect the hormones that support emotional regulation and restorative sleep.Many women notice that they feel more reactive than they used to. Small things trigger irritation. Emotional bandwidth feels narrower. Energy fluctuates throughout the day. These experiences are often misunderstood as mood issues, when in reality they can be rooted in chronic stress physiology.Janell walks through how cortisol interacts with progesterone, why the body prioritizes survival over hormone balance during prolonged stress, and how modern life continuously activates the stress response in ways our nervous systems were never designed to handle.This conversation helps reframe mood swings through a physiological lens so women can begin understanding the patterns behind what they are experiencing.In This Episode You'll Learn• What the HPA axis is and why it plays a central role in stress and hormone regulation• Why chronic stress can create mood swings, irritability, and emotional reactivity• The difference between high cortisol and low cortisol patterns• How the body shifts hormone production during prolonged stress• Why cortisol can contribute to progesterone imbalance in midlife• How stress and blood sugar instability reinforce each other• Simple daily shifts that help regulate the nervous system and support healthier cortisol rhythmsMentioned in This EpisodeTake the Hormone Clarity Quiz to better understand which physiological pattern may be affecting your energy, mood, and hormones right now.Connect with JanellInstagramhttp://instagram.com/thetransformationlifeListen to the full show:Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-transformation-show/id1441665376?uo=4Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3aWZqptF6dne2sZLPbJdkY

What if inflammation isn't the enemy? For decades we've been told to suppress it, silence it, and eliminate it as quickly as possible. Anti-inflammatory diets. Anti-inflammatory drugs. Anti-inflammatory supplements. But what if the body is doing exactly what it's supposed to do? In this powerful solo episode, Darin breaks down the biology of inflammation and challenges the modern narrative that inflammation itself is the disease. Instead, he reveals a deeper truth: inflammation is a signal — an intelligent response to disruption in the body's environment. From gut health and modern diet to stress, sleep deprivation, environmental toxins, and movement deprivation, this episode uncovers the real drivers behind chronic inflammation and why suppressing the signal without addressing the cause may actually delay healing. This isn't about rejecting modern medicine. It's about asking a better question. Why is the fire there in the first place?     In This Episode Why inflammation is the body's emergency response system The difference between acute inflammation and chronic inflammation The chemical cascade that activates the immune response How the body naturally turns inflammation off through resolution molecules Why chronic inflammation is often a signal that the trigger hasn't been removed The gut microbiome and the connection between leaky gut and systemic inflammation Why Western diets dramatically alter inflammatory signaling The omega-6 to omega-3 imbalance in modern food systems How refined sugar activates inflammatory pathways in the body Chronic psychological stress and the HPA axis inflammatory response The gut-brain-inflammation connection and mental health Sleep disruption and the immune-sleep "crosstalk" cycle Why skeletal muscle acts as an anti-inflammatory organ Environmental toxins, PFAS, pesticides, and microplastics as immune triggers What ancient systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine understood about inflammation thousands of years ago The global reliance on NSAIDs and the culture of suppressing symptoms Research showing anti-inflammatory drugs may delay healing The cycle of gut damage and chronic inflammation created by long-term NSAID use Why removing triggers is the real path to resolving inflammation     Chapters 00:00:03 – Opening: Welcome to SuperLife and the mission of building health sovereignty 00:00:33 – Sponsor: Manna 00:02:16 – Introducing the topic: Why inflammation may be widely misunderstood 00:03:00 – The modern obsession with "anti-inflammatory everything" 00:04:14 – Reframing inflammation: the body's emergency response system 00:05:30 – What actually happens inside the body during inflammation 00:07:00 – Breakthrough research on the body's natural inflammation resolution system 00:08:01 – Acute inflammation vs chronic inflammation explained 00:09:14 – Chronic inflammation and its link to major diseases 00:09:45 – Why inflammation is often a symptom rather than the root cause 00:10:40 – The gut microbiome and its role in regulating inflammation 00:11:40 – How ultra-processed foods damage the gut and trigger inflammatory signals 00:12:23 – Sponsor: Our Place 00:14:53 – Omega-3 vs omega-6 fats and their influence on inflammatory pathways 00:15:48 – Sugar, insulin signaling, and metabolic inflammation 00:16:09 – Chronic stress and the inflammatory cascade 00:17:06 – The gut-brain-inflammation connection 00:18:00 – Sleep and the body's nightly inflammatory reset 00:18:31 – Muscle contraction and the release of anti-inflammatory myokines 00:19:16 – Environmental toxins and why the immune system responds with inflammation 00:20:04 – Ancient perspectives on inflammation, including Ayurveda's concept of "Pitta" 00:22:48 – The widespread use of NSAIDs and anti-inflammatory medications 00:23:50 – Research showing suppressing inflammation may delay healing 00:25:05 – The vicious cycle of NSAIDs damaging the gut and increasing inflammation 00:26:15 – Dietary patterns that reduce inflammatory triggers 00:27:18 – Why daily movement acts as natural anti-inflammatory medicine 00:27:50 – A better question to ask your doctor: Why is inflammation present? 00:28:09 – The final perspective: inflammation as communication from the body 00:29:07 – Closing message: inflammation is not the enemy: it's the conversation     Thank You to Our Sponsors Our Place – Non-toxic cookware that keeps harmful chemicals out of your food. Get 10% off at fromourplace.com with code DARIN. Manna Vitality: Go to mannavitality.com/ and use code DARIN12 for 12% off your order.       Join the SuperLife Community Get Darin's deeper wellness breakdowns — beyond social media restrictions: Weekly voice notes Ingredient deep dives Wellness challenges Energy + consciousness tools Community accountability Extended episodes Join for $7.49/month → https://patreon.com/darinolien       Find More from Darin Olien: Instagram: @darinolien Podcast: SuperLife Podcast Website: superlife.com Book: Fatal Conveniences     Key Takeaway Inflammation is not a malfunction. It is your body raising the alarm: responding to stress, toxins, injury, imbalance, and disruption. Suppressing the alarm without asking why it's ringing keeps the cycle going. Healing begins when we stop fighting the signal and start listening to what the body is trying to tell us. Your body isn't broken. It's responding to the environment it's been given. Change the environment and the biology follows.  

→ My one stop shop for quality supplements: https://theswellscore.com/pages/drg Episode Description If coffee isn't cutting it anymore—and you're exhausted but still can't sleep—this episode is for you. That "wired but tired" feeling isn't a sleep problem or even a stress problem. It's your HPA axis stuck in overdrive. Your body can't tell the difference between a work deadline and a life-threatening emergency, so your stress response never shuts off. The supplement industry knows you're burned out. That's why they're pushing adrenal cocktails, proprietary blends with pixie dust dosing, and adaptogens stacks with zero human research behind them. Dr. Christian Gonzalez cut through the noise to find the five most clinically validated adaptogens—herbs proven in randomized controlled trials to actually restore your stress response. In this episode, Dr. G breaks down: • The adaptogen that reduced cortisol by 27% in a meta-analysis of 25 human trials • Which Soviet-era herb improved VO2 max and is still used by athletes today • The "Queen of Herbs" that lowered inflammatory markers by 28% in stressed adults • Why one popular adaptogen might cause emotional flatness in certain people—and who should avoid it • The Arctic root that pulled people out of burnout in just four weeks He's ranking each adaptogen by strength of clinical evidence, walking through the mechanisms, exact dosing, who it's for, who it's not for, and the brands that actually test their products. Your adrenals aren't broken. They just need the right support. This episode gives you the clinical roadmap to get there. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 2:15 - What's actually wrong (HPA axis explained)  4:30 - #5 Siberian Ginseng (Soviet secret weapon)  7:45 - #4 Holy Basil (the Queen of Herbs)  11:30 - #3 Korean Red Ginseng (results in 2 hours)  15:00 - #2 Rhodiola (the burnout fix)  19:30 - #1 Ashwagandha (king of adaptogens)  23:00 - Ashwagandha flatness warning (who should skip it)  26:30 - Exact dosing & best brands for each  28:45 - Dr. G's personal stack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices