Podcasts about Serotonin

In this episode of the Health Optimization Medicine Podcast, Dr. Ted Achacoso, Dr. Scott Sherr, Dr. Allen Bookatz, Dr. Jup Kuipers, and Jodi Duval take a deep dive into the gut-brain-microbiota axis. Moving past the simplistic, pathogenic "pill-for-an-ill" approach of conventional psychiatry and the mainstream hype around over-the-counter probiotics, the faculty breaks down why establishing enteric safety must always precede biochemical optimization. Join us as we delve into: The Tripartite Axis: How the enteric microbiota, gut barrier, and central nervous system communicate at a molecular and metabolomic level to dictate brain state and mood. Epigenetic Signaling: How gut microbes act as active metabolic factories, fermenting dietary fibers into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate that cross the blood-brain barrier to upregulate BDNF and support synaptic plasticity. The IDO Serotonin Hijack: How gut-driven inflammation activates indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), shunting tryptophan down the kynurenine pathway to produce neurotoxic quinolinic acid instead of serotonin and melatonin. The Microglial Fire: How circulating cytokines cross the blood-brain barrier at the circumventricular organs, placing the brain's microglia into an active defense state that triggers cognitive fatigue and brain fog. The 3-Phase Gut-Brain Protocol: Why seeding probiotics into inflamed soil fails, and how to logically sequence clearing overgrowth, rebuilding mucosal integrity with L-glutamine, and seeding validated strains. This episode is for you if: You are running on high-dose over-the-counter probiotics for mood issues but feeling no relief or worsening symptoms. You want to understand the exact cellular and biochemical mechanisms connecting leaky gut to leaky brain and psychiatric distress. You want a practical, clinically sequenced blueprint to restore gut barrier safety before attempting to optimize your neurochemistry. You can also find this episode on… YouTube: https://youtu.be/A43LDN6FgvA  Find more from Health Optimization Medicine and Practice (HOMeHOPe): Website: https://homehope.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homehopeorg/ HOMeHOPe Conference 2026: https://homehope.org/homehope-conference-2026 Use PODCAST10 to get 10% OFF your purchase of the Clinical Metabolomics Module at https://homehope.org/products/clinical-metabolomics Find more from Troscriptions: Website: https://troscriptions.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troscriptions/ Use POD10 to get 10% OFF your Troscriptions purchase at https://troscriptions.com/collections/our-products

On this episode, Jared explores one of the most important yet overlooked foundations of long-term health: intestinal barrier health, often referred to as "leaky gut." He explains what a healthy gut lining does, the lifestyle factors that may compromise it, and why supporting gut integrity can influence digestion, immune function, mood, and overall wellness. Jared also introduces Vitality Nutrition's new research-informed Leaky Gut Protocol, breaking down the role of ingredients such as L-glutamine, zinc L-carnosine, targeted probiotics, prebiotic fibers, and botanical compounds that help support a healthy intestinal lining and microbiome. If you've been looking for a practical, step-by-step approach to supporting digestive health naturally, this episode provides the science, the strategy, and the lifestyle principles to help you build a healthier gut from the inside out.Products:1 Month Leaky Gut Protocol Bundle3 Month Leaky Gut Protocol BundleCoreMend GINutraBio L-Glutamine PowderPrecision Probiotic Vital SporesSource Naturals GastricSoothe (Zinc L-Carnosine)Ancient Nutrition ColostrumRebuild+ Functional Beef Bone Broth ProteinION Gut SupportOmega-3Assimil-8 Digestive EnzymesAdditional Information:#427: How the Intelligence of Nature Can Help Restore your Gut Health with Kim StevensVisit the podcast website here: VitalityRadio.comYou can follow @vitalitynutritionbountiful and @vitalityradio on Instagram, or Vitality Radio and Vitality Nutrition on Facebook. Join us also in the Vitality Radio Podcast Listener Community on Facebook. Shop the products that Jared mentions at vitalitynutrition.com. Let us know your thoughts about this episode using the hashtag #vitalityradio and please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. Thank you!Just a reminder that this podcast is for educational purposes only. The FDA has not evaluated the podcast. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The advice given is not intended to replace the advice of your medical professional.This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/⁠

Kennst du das, wenn dein Kind müde ist, noch müder, richtig müde und auf einmal putzmunter? Genau da spielen die Hormone eine große Rolle. In dieser Folge erfährst du, welche Hormone den Schlaf deines Schatzes steuern und wie sie zusammenarbeiten. Miriam erklärt dir, warum ein abgedunkeltes Zimmer die Melatoninbildung so stark unterstützt, wieso Tageslicht und Bewegung über das Serotonin für entspanntere Abende sorgen, was der Schlafdruck über das Adenosin mit den Müdigkeitsanzeichen deines Kindes zu tun hat, und warum du das Stresshormon Cortisol und die überdrehte Übermüdung unbedingt im Blick behalten darfst. Dazu bekommst du praktische Impulse, wie du den richtigen Einschlaf-Zeitpunkt findest.

For 22 years, I predicted death for life insurance companies. One pattern showed up in file after file: most "genetic" conditions have no gene behind them. Ask your doctor which gene causes your blood pressure, your autoimmune condition, or your ADHD, and most can't answer, because it doesn't exist. What actually runs in your family is a nutrient deficiency, not a disease, and once your body gets what it's missing, the disease often clears on its own. This isn't medical advice, so bring this to your own doctor before you assume anything is permanent. CLICK HERE TO BECOME GARYS VIP!: https://bit.ly/4ai0Xwg Thank you to our partners A-GAME: “ULTIMATE15” FOR 15% OFF: http://bit.ly/4kek1ij AION: “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4h6KHAD AIRES: "ULTIMATE20 " FOR 20% OFF: https://bit.ly/4a3Duze BAJA GOLD: "ULTIMATE10" FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/3WSBqUa BODYHEALTH: “ULTIMATE20” FOR 20% OFF: http://bit.ly/4e5IjsV COLD LIFE: THE ULTIMATE HUMAN PLUNGE: https://bit.ly/4eULUKp CYMBIOTIKA: "ULTIMATE20" FOR 20% OFF: https://bit.ly/4tjyluP  GENETIC METHYLATION TEST (UK ONLY): https://bit.ly/48QJJrk GENETIC TEST (USA ONLY): ⁠https://bit.ly/3Yg1Uk9 GOPUFF: GET YOUR FAVORITE SNACK!: https://bit.ly/4obIFDC H2TABS: “ULTIMATE10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4hMNdgg HEALF: 10% OFF YOUR ORDER: https://bit.ly/41HJg6S PEPTUAL: “TUH10” FOR 10% OFF: https://bit.ly/4mKxgcn SNOOZE: LET'S GET TO SLEEP!: https://bit.ly/4pt1T6V WHOOP: JOIN & GET 1 FREE MONTH!: https://bit.ly/3VQ0nzW Watch  the “Ultimate Human Podcast” every Tuesday & Thursday at 9AM EST: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3RPQYX8 Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3RQftU0 Connect with Gary Brecka Instagram: https://bit.ly/3RPpnFs TikTok: https://bit.ly/4coJ8foX: https://bit.ly/3Opc8tf Facebook: https://bit.ly/464VA1H LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/4hH7Ri2 Website: https://bit.ly/4eLDbdU Merch: https://bit.ly/4aBpOM1 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/47ejrws Ask Gary: https://bit.ly/3PEAJuG Timestamps 00:00 - Intro of Show 01:57 - 22 Years Predicting Mortality 03:00 - Medical Error and Misdiagnosis 07:40 - Idiopathic Hypertension Explained 09:59 - Autoimmune of Unknown Origin 11:00 - Presence of Oxygen, Two Promises 14:07 - The Methylation Pathways Map 16:00 - Attention Overload, Not Deficit 19:00 - MTHFR Gene and Folic Acid 22:00 - What Anxiety Actually Is 26:50 - COMT Gene and B12 Forms 29:00 - Serotonin and the SSRI Problem 33:00 - Dana White's Blood Pressure Story 37:00 - Circulation, Homocysteine, and TMG 43:00 - Blood Sugar and Insulin Resistance 57:15 - The Truth About LDL Cholesterol 59:00 - The Only Diet Rule That Matters 01:01:31 - Community and Faith as Medicine 01:04:00 - Molecular Hydrogen Explained 01:08:00 - Morning Routine: Sun and Breath 01:13:37 - Q&A: Thyroid and Selenium 01:18:51 - Q&A: Autoimmune and Heavy Metals 01:22:00 - Q&A: Neuropathy and Circulation  Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. It is not intended for diagnosing or treating any health condition. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before making health or wellness decisions.  Gary Brecka is the owner of Ultimate Human, LLC which operates The Ultimate Human podcast and promotes certain third-party products used by Gary Brecka in his personal health and wellness protocols and daily life and for which Ultimate Human LLC and / or Gary Brecka directly or indirectly holds an economic interest or receives compensation.  Accordingly, statements made by Gary Brecka and others (including on The Ultimate Human podcast) may be considered promotional in nature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Mein Job macht mich unglücklich."Diesen Satz höre ich in meinen Coachings regelmäßig.Doch je länger ich Menschen begleite, desto häufiger stelle ich mir eine andere Frage:Macht der Job wirklich unglücklich – oder ist der Job nur das Ventil für etwas, das viel tiefer liegt?In dieser Folge möchte ich gemeinsam mit dir einen Schritt zurückgehen und einen Blick auf das werfen, worüber wir viel zu selten sprechen: Glück.Nicht als flüchtiges Gefühl, sondern als etwas, das wir aktiv beeinflussen können.Ich nehme dich mit in spannende Erkenntnisse aus der Glücksforschung und zeige dir, warum langfristige Zufriedenheit weit mehr mit deiner inneren Haltung als mit deinem Jobtitel oder deinem Gehalt zu tun hat.In dieser Folge erfährst du unter anderem:warum Wissenschaft zwischen kurzfristigem Vergnügen und echtem Glück unterscheidetwelche Rolle Dopamin, Serotonin, Oxytocin und Endorphine für dein Wohlbefinden spielenweshalb Dankbarkeit und Beziehungen einen größeren Einfluss auf dein Glück haben als Karriere oder Geldwarum viele Menschen den Job wechseln – aber ihre Unzufriedenheit einfach mitnehmenwie du erkennst, ob dein Job wirklich das Problem ist oder ob die Ursache tiefer liegtweshalb Veränderung immer im Inneren beginnt und sich erst dann im Außen zeigt.Außerdem stelle ich dir fünf Fragen, die ich auch in meinen Coachings nutze, um herauszufinden, ob ein Jobwechsel wirklich die richtige Lösung ist – oder ob es zunächst darum geht, die eigene Identität und innere Haltung zu verändern.Hier geht's zu dem Journaling, über das ich gesprochen habe.www.lubyjournals.comEin Gedanke begleitet mich schon lange:Glück ist kein Zufall. Es ist eine Fähigkeit, die wir trainieren können.Und genau deshalb lohnt es sich, nicht nur den Arbeitsplatz zu hinterfragen, sondern auch den Blick auf sich selbst.Die Botschaft dieser Folge:Vielleicht brauchst du keinen neuen Job.Vielleicht brauchst du zuerst eine neue Perspektive auf dein eigenes Leben.Denn erst wenn sich etwas in dir verändert, kann sich auch nachhaltig etwas im Außen verändern.

In this episode, we review the high-yield topic of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠from the Psychiatry section.Follow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Medbullets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on social media:Facebook: www.facebook.com/medbulletsInstagram: www.instagram.com/medbulletsofficialTwitter: www.twitter.com/medbullets

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts or check out the fully edited transcript of our interview at the bottom of this post.In this episode of The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, Michaeleen Doucleff and I talk about her new book Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take You're your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods. Michaeleen's position is not that screens and ultra-processed food are “bad.” Rather, Michaeleen explains how they can take the place of things that truly bring us joy and pleasure, leaving us with an empty feeling of "what's next?" and an endless cycle of wanting. We focus on how dopamine has been misunderstood and how it actually works, how magnets like screens and ultraprocessed foods keep us stuck, and small changes you can make to start shifting things in your home.Know someone who might appreciate this episode? 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THANK YOU!We talk about:* 00:00 Introduction to Dopamine Kids and why our understanding of dopamine is outdated* 02:15 Michaeleen's journey from NPR science journalist to parenting author* 05:00 Dopamine isn't pleasure—it's wanting: the neuroscience that changes everything* 07:20 Why kids say they'd rather play with friends than be on screens* 08:00 The difference between dopamine, serotonin, and real satisfaction* 13:30 How apps and ultra-processed foods hijack the brain's reward system* 16:45 Why endless scrolling never feels satisfying* 18:30 “Bottomlessness”—one of the biggest design tricks keeping us hooked* 20:30 Why we want activities for our kids with a clear purpose and a clear endpoint* 22:00 The veggie straw experiment that changed Michaeleen's thinking about food* 26:50 Magnets and cues: how screens become automatic habits* 32:00 Why removing screens isn't enough—you have to replace them* 33:30 Helping kids meet their real need for adventure and autonomy* 36:00 Small, permanent changes vs. temporary screen detoxes* 37:30 Why the car is a great place to start reducing screens* 38:00 Is reducing screens really more work?* 40:15 Why laws and regulations haven't caught up with technology* 43:00 Why this isn't a willpower problem* 46:30 Can kids ever use screens in moderation?* 49:00 Paid video games vs. free games* 51:30 This isn't about screens being “bad”* 53:00 Helping kids gradually learn to use technology well* 54:00 School Chromebooks and why parents have more influence than they realize* 58:00 Advice Michaeleen would give her younger parenting self* 1:00:00 Why kids have to experience offline joy before they'll want it* 1:01:00 Sarah's client who removed the TV—and what happened next* 1:02:30 Final thoughts and where to find MichaeleenResources mentioned in this episode:* Michaeleen's website* Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take You're your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods* How to Stop Fighting About Video Games with Scott Novis * The Peaceful Parenting MembershipConnect with Sarah Rosensweet:* Instagram* Facebook Group* YouTube* Website* Join us on Substack* Newsletter* Book a short consult or coaching session callxx Sarah and CoreyYour peaceful parenting team- click here for a free short consult or a coaching sessionVisit our website for free resources, podcast, coaching, membership and more!>> Please support us!!! Please consider becoming a supporter to help support our free content, including The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, our free parenting support Facebook group, and our weekly parenting emails, “Weekend Reflections” and “Weekend Support” - plus our Flourish With Your Complex Child Summit (coming back in the fall for the 3rd year!) All of this free support for you takes a lot of time and energy from me and my team. If it has been helpful or meaningful for you, your support would help us to continue to provide support for free, for you and for others.In addition to knowing you are supporting our mission to support parents and children, you get the podcast ad free and access to a monthly ‘ask me anything' session.Sarah: Hey everyone. Welcome back to another episode of the Peaceful Parenting Podcast.Today's guest is journalist Michaeleen Doucleff. She is the author of the book Hunt, Gather, Parent and now has a new book out called Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultra-Processed Food.Michaeleen's first book is one of our favorite parenting books, and now we can add this one to the list. She walks us through how screens and ultra-processed food hook us and keep our brains stuck in a hijacked wanting cycle without giving us actual rewards and pleasure.We eventually get around to discussing this, but I want to stress right here at the beginning that Michaeleen isn't saying that screens and ultra-processed food are evil or that they have no place in our lives. Rather, they can take the place of things that truly bring us joy and pleasure, leaving us with an empty feeling of “what's next?” and an endless cycle of wanting.I learned so much from this book. I'd been wanting to make some changes in my own life with my relationship with my phone, and this book helped me understand why it was so hard and what I could do. A hint: as it turns out, we don't understand dopamine correctly at all. Our cultural shorthand about what dopamine is and what role it plays in the motivation and pleasure cycle is totally outdated.If you're interested in making some positive shifts in your child's life, in your family, and in your own life, you're going to love this interview and Michaeleen's book.If you like this episode, please share it with a friend so more parents can learn about peaceful parenting. If you're a fan of the podcast, you can help us out not only by sharing it, but by leaving a review and a five-star rating in your podcast player app. While you're there, don't forget to follow the show so you don't miss an episode.If you'd like to support us even more, you can become a supporter on Substack to help us offset the cost of making the show. We'll put a link in the show notes.Let's meet Michaeleen. I hope you enjoy this conversation and get as much out of her insights as I did.Sarah: Hi, Michaeleen. Welcome back to the podcast.Michaeleen: Thank you so much for having me.Sarah: When we had you on a few years ago to talk about your first parenting book, Hunt, Gather, Parent—we'll link to it in the show notes—it ended up being one of our favorite podcasts out of the 200-some episodes we've done. I'm so excited to have you back to talk about your new book.Michaeleen: Thank you so much. That's so nice. It's an honor to come back.Sarah: I'm so happy to have you. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do.Michaeleen: I was—or I still am—a science journalist. I've been one now for about 16 years, and I spent 13 or 14 years as a radio correspondent at NPR. I'm still there covering children's health, global health, neuroscience, and psychology.Before that, I was trained as a chemist. I have a PhD in chemistry.Five years ago, I wrote the parenting book Hunt, Gather, Parent, and I had no idea I'd ever become a parenting expert. That definitely wasn't on my life bingo card.When I had my daughter Rosie almost 11 years ago, I had no clue what I was doing. It just seemed like an impossible task. Then I started studying parenting around the world, and I realized there was an easier way to do things. That's what Hunt, Gather, Parent is about.More recently, about six years ago, I was really trying to fix my own screen problem—my own addiction to my phone. I was so obsessed with it. As I investigated neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral psychology, I started to realize, “Oh gosh, we're really getting a lot of things wrong when it comes to screens and our kids.”That led me to write this next book, Dopamine Kids, to clarify a bunch of myths but also update the advice because it's really old. A lot of the advice out there is based on psychology from 20, 30, even 40 years ago.Sarah: Or even more.Michaeleen: Exactly.Sarah: Exactly. And I'm going to ask you about that. So tell us, what's the central idea behind your new book, Dopamine Kids?Michaeleen: One of the biggest ideas is that we're thinking about screens wrong. We think they're these endless sources of pleasure. We think dopamine is this molecule that brings us pleasure and that the more we have, the happier we are.But that's really old neuroscience.What dopamine actually gives us is the feeling of desire, wanting, and craving. It makes us obsessed.So what screens are doing is cranking that system up. They're increasing motivation, craving, and wanting. But if you look at what happens over time, they actually rob us of pleasure and reduce the amount of pleasure we experience in our lives.So this idea that screens—video games and social media—are treats and rewards for kids is wrong. It's all wrong.What is actually most rewarding and pleasurable for kids are things in the real world because real-world experiences don't just give us desire and wanting. They also give us satisfaction, joy, and long-lasting pleasure.So Dopamine Kids is really a reset of what actually brings our kids pleasure in life. It also provides a toolset to retrain your kids' brains so they naturally want and reach for offline activities and foods that make them feel good—foods that really nourish them and bring satisfaction.It's about rethinking our idea of pleasure. What does pleasure actually look like?I think the media, marketing, and corporations have taught us that pleasure and wanting are basically the same thing—that we want things because they bring us pleasure.But if you actually look at the science and the data, there are so many things out there that drive our wanting while robbing us of pleasure.Social media is a really good example. Kids use it because they want a sense of belonging. They want to feel connected. But over the long run, social media does the opposite. It makes them feel lonelier, and yet they still want it.I see this book as an operating manual for shaping and changing your kids' habits into the ones you want for them as a parent, but also habits that nourish kids and bring joy, happiness, and pleasure to the whole family.We often think limiting screens is about depriving kids of pleasure.It's actually the opposite.It's about reclaiming pleasure.Sarah: I had Lenore Skenazy on the podcast. Do you know her work?Michaeleen: Yeah, we're friends.Sarah: She was on the podcast a few months ago, and she was talking about how, if you ask kids what they want—would they rather be on screens or play with their friends?—by far the number one answer is playing with their friends, not being on screens.Michaeleen: Yeah. I think it's almost double.Sarah: Exactly. And yet I don't think most parents realize that.Michaeleen: Right. I didn't realize that either. I think it's because we confuse begging, screaming, and tantruming for the screen with joy and pleasure.Sarah: Okay, so tell us about that, because what I learned from your book is that everyone thinks dopamine is, “Ah, I just got a hit of dopamine and I feel so good.”Michaeleen: Yeah.Sarah: But it's not dopamine that makes you feel good. It's serotonin and, I think, endorphins that make you feel good.You go into this in much more detail in the book, and I highly recommend it. It was excellent. I have to tell you, I was on an office hours call with my membership before I even knew you had written a new book, and one of my members said, “I'm reading this parenting book called Dopamine Kids, and it's a page-turner.”She said, “I've never had a parenting book that's a page-turner, but you've got to get your hands on this.”Then I looked it up and realized it was your book, and I was so excited to get it and read it.Can you explain the basic idea? I know it's too much detail to go into fully, but what's the difference? What does dopamine actually do, and why isn't it what we think it is?Michaeleen: For a long time—really since the 1950s—neuroscientists thought we do things over and over again because they're pleasurable.Neuroscientists have been obsessed with getting people and animals to press buttons for over a hundred years. Rats, mice, apes, pigeons—they've all been part of these experiments. It's almost like an iPad. Press, press, press, tap.For a long time, researchers could stimulate one region of the brain—the dopamine center—and the animals would go crazy pressing the button all day long. They wouldn't even stop to go to the bathroom. It makes you think of someone playing video games for hours. They're just obsessed with pressing the button.Researchers believed that because this was the dopamine center of the brain, dopamine made you press the button because it felt good and brought you pleasure. They even conducted similar experiments with people, and that very simple explanation stood for a long time.Then, about 30 years ago, a couple of scientists came along and asked, “Wait a second. Is this really true? Do we always act because something is pleasurable?”They designed better experiments, and what they found was astonishing. Dopamine doesn't do that at all.Dopamine makes us want.It makes you want something, and it makes you want to do something over and over again. It's like a “do it again” button in the brain.Do it again.Do it again.Whenever you can, do it again.The way the system is supposed to work is that first you want something, and dopamine motivates you to work for it. Then, when you get what you wanted, the pleasure center starts to light up.Those are different neurotransmitters. That's where endorphins—the body's natural opioids—and serotonin come in.Serotonin allows you to appreciate what you have. It's what lets you say, “Oh, I got what I wanted. I feel really good. Ah... I can stop now. I can take a break.”In many ways, pleasure is the opposite of dopamine because it gives you satisfaction, and satisfaction stops wanting.There are a couple of classic examples. One is sex, which is probably the R-rated version. But another is thirst.Imagine you're running on a hot day. You've run out of water, and after half an hour or an hour, you really want something to drink.That's dopamine. That's your dopamine hit—that strong feeling of desire.Wanting can actually feel good. If I fall in love and I want to be with my partner, the wanting feels good.But wanting can also become frustrating. If you want something for too long and don't get it, that feeling turns into frustration.So you're out running on this hot day thinking, “Oh my gosh, I want water so badly.”That's dopamine.That's not pleasure yet.Then you see a glass of water, or you get one and take a drink, and you think, “Ah, that feels so good.”That's the pleasure system.Sarah: That's where you get the serotonin and the endorphins.Michaeleen: Exactly. And the endocannabinoids too—the body's natural cannabinoids. A whole bunch of things kick in.The wonderful thing about this pleasure response is that it can last a long time. It lingers. It makes you feel optimistic and gives your life a kind of glow because you've gotten what you need to survive.I remember being really upset as a kid, and my mom would come over and hug me. I'd bury my face into her, and it felt so good. It was just this feeling that everything was okay again.That's what these pleasure molecules do.Dopamine is saying, “Everything is not okay. I need this before things can be okay.”They're very different.Sarah: Okay. This is the part I still feel like I'm only beginning to understand.How do the makers of apps and video games—and we've mostly been talking about screens, but you also write a lot about ultra-processed foods—how do they get us stuck in the dopamine cycle?What I took away from your book is that these things are so powerful because they keep us trapped in that cycle of wanting...Sarah: What I understood from your book is that these things are so powerful because they keep us stuck in the dopamine cycle. It's just wanting, wanting, wanting.You said something in the book about how they've figured out a way to hack a weakness in our brain circuitry. Forgive me if that's not the exact wording, but they've essentially hacked a weakness in the brain to keep us stuck in dopamine without ever giving us a real reward.How does that work?Michaeleen: First of all, both the tech industry and the food industry have admitted this for a long time. This isn't something I've come up with. They've openly admitted it. Even the food industry says, “We want to make something you can't stop eating.”Sarah: Right. You read all these interviews with industry insiders, and they're very open about it. Everybody knows they've admitted it. But how does it actually work?Michaeleen: There are a lot of tricks.Let's start with screens because a lot of these techniques actually came from the gambling industry. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, casinos started replacing mechanical slot machines and poker machines with video versions—basically gambling apps on giant touchscreens.They explicitly asked, “What can we do to this game to keep people playing for as long as possible?” Some people would play for 24 or even 48 hours straight. They ran massive A/B tests to figure out exactly how they could tweak the games to send people into this dopamine loop—this wanting loop—where people actually stopped wanting to win because winning took them out of the loop.So it's very empirical. They've simply tested what keeps people there.In the book, I describe it as a kind of recipe parents can use to recognize whether an app is doing this to their child. Psychologists even have a name for this state. It's called dark flow, where you lose track of time and where you are. We've all experienced it while scrolling social media. Twenty or thirty minutes go by and you think, “What just happened?” You're in this loop of wanting because, if you actually experienced pleasure and satisfaction, you would stop. You'd stop wanting.One of the biggest tricks is speed. The faster the cycle runs, the more it traps you. If you think about videos and video games, they've become faster and faster. Even children's iPad games are just question, answer, question, answer, question, answer over and over again. That's driving up dopamine.But where's the satisfaction? What's the reward? Basically, it's just a light on the screen.Another trick is promising something fundamental. The dopamine system evolved to help us fulfill our basic human needs—water, food, social support, adventure, creation. These are things we needed to survive, so kids are naturally highly motivated to pursue them.These apps promise they'll meet those needs. Social media, for example, promises belonging. It says, “Get on here and you'll finally feel connected. You'll finally feel like you belong.” The problem is that it never actually fulfills that promise.If you look at some of the leaked internal documents, you can see the algorithms intentionally withhold what people actually want. One neuroscientist explained it this way: they figure out what you're looking for and why you're on social media, then they give you something that's close to what you want. Maybe on the next click they give you something a little closer. Then a little closer.This does several things. First, you never actually receive the reward because you never get what you really need. Second, you develop this feeling of making progress—as though you're getting closer and closer. “Maybe one more comment. Maybe five more likes. Then I'll finally get it.”What most people don't realize is that we produce the most dopamine not when we get what we want, or even when we think we're about to get it, but when we feel like we're making progress.That's one of the biggest tricks.Video games are a perfect example. Kids always feel like they're making a little more progress. A little more. A little more. By the time they reach the next level, they're already making progress toward another one.There are all these different tricks designed to crank up wanting while dialing down satisfaction and pleasure because satisfaction is what gets you off the game. You think, “Okay, I'm done.”The same thing applies to social media. If social media actually gave me what I was looking for, I'd be finished. I'd think, “I got what I needed. I'm done.”But it never gives it to you.It can't.Sarah: I started feeling kind of gross about how much time I was spending on Instagram and Facebook—really just on my phone in general. I'd think, “Oh, I need a five-minute break,” and immediately pick up my phone.Actually, I did this before I started reading your book, but now I realize it fits perfectly with what you're talking about. I downloaded the New York Times Games app.Now, when I feel like I need a little break, I'll do Wordle or the Mini Crossword or Connections. What's nice is that it's limited. You get one crossword, one mini crossword, one Wordle, and one Connections each day.I'm almost never on Facebook or Instagram anymore because of it. It actually feels like a real reward. I finish the crossword and think, “Oh, I did the Mini in one minute and 38 seconds.”There's an ending to it. It really does feel like I accomplished something, which is very different.Michaeleen: Exactly. And you've actually stumbled onto one of the biggest tricks: bottomlessness.This is huge.TV didn't used to be bottomless.Michaeleen: TV didn't used to be bottomless. You had a handful of channels, and eventually the content ended or it got bad enough that you simply stopped watching.Now everything is endless. There's always another news story, another level in a game, another post, another video. That endlessness is what keeps us trapped in the cycle.You actually did so many things right with the New York Times Games app. You found something that takes a little more effort, but it also has a clear stopping point. You finish it, and then you're done. You created a bottom.That's exactly what I want to do with my own kids. I want to help them find activities that have a clear purpose and a clear ending. When you're done, you're done, and you turn it off.Compare that with scrolling Instagram for 30 minutes. What's the purpose? What are you actually doing? What are you looking for? There's always more content. It never ends, and it's incredibly fast.I think it's Chapter 4 of the book where I talk about figuring out how to use these technologies—if you're going to use them at all—in ways that don't manipulate you into these loops but instead feel genuinely satisfying.People often ask, “How do you know it's a real reward?” Your brain tells you. You feel better afterward than you did before. You feel done. You feel full. You think, “I'm ready to stop.”If, instead, you're thinking, “What's next? One more. One more,” then you're still stuck in the loop.For a lot of people—for a lot of kids, and certainly for me—that loop is frustrating and deeply unsatisfying. It just makes life feel gray and gloomy.Sarah: I noticed something a while ago. One of my favorite activities in the world is reading, and I realized I can't read if my phone is in the same room with me.When I was reading your book, I thought, “This is something I absolutely love doing, but it doesn't create that same dopamine loop.”Reading doesn't do that.I actually have to keep my phone in another room because reading takes more effort than scrolling Instagram.Michaeleen: Exactly. It takes more work, and that's part of why it's more satisfying.We're made to work. Human beings are actually very good at working, and that effort is part of what creates satisfaction. If something is too easy, it's much easier to get trapped in the wanting loop.Sarah: You also say in the book that, evolutionarily, our brains are designed to look for the easy way out.Back when life was hard, that made perfect sense.But now that everything comes to us so easily, it doesn't make sense anymore.Michaeleen: That's exactly right. These products are exploiting that tendency.Food is probably where you can see it most clearly.Our brains evolved to look for the foods with the most calories per bite. Why would you eat something with fewer calories per bite, especially when food was scarce? That's how we evolved.We also evolved to look for calories that our bodies could use quickly. A refined white-flour cracker gives you calories much faster than a carrot does. You'd have to eat carrots for much longer to get the same energy.Our brains are completely designed to choose the cracker.You'd never touch the carrot. It doesn't make evolutionary sense.That's especially true for kids, who are eating much more instinctively. But honestly, I'd argue that adults have the same problem. If the crackers are sitting there beside the carrots, most adults are going to have a hard time choosing the carrot.Sarah: Tell the story about the strawberries and the veggie straws.Michaeleen: This was when I really understood what was happening.Rosie was about eight years old, and we went to the pool with one of her friends. I packed raw edamame and strawberries. The girls were tired and hungry, and they were happily eating them. They were enjoying them.Then I pulled out a bag of veggie straws—which, by the way, aren't really veggies and aren't really straws. They're basically highly processed potato starch.Sarah: I think it's extruded potato starch.Michaeleen: You're right. Extruded potato starch.The starch is chemically extracted from the potato, so there's really nothing potato-like left except the starch. It's heated at a very high temperature, pushed through machinery, then sprayed with fat or basically fried and covered with salt.If you really look at the research, your body treats it almost like sugar. It practically dissolves in your mouth. There's almost no digestion required. It moves into your gut and into your bloodstream incredibly quickly.So even though the package says “veggie” and even though it says “potato,” what you're really getting are extremely fast calories, much like sugar.The moment I put those veggie straws on the table, those two girls ate the entire bag.One after another.You want to talk about dopamine?“Do it again. Do it again. Do it again. Do it again.”They didn't stop until every single veggie straw was gone.And then they completely forgot about the strawberries and the edamame.That was the moment I realized that if any ultra-processed food is available, kids simply won't choose the whole foods.Sarah: You asked Rosie afterward which she actually liked better, and she said, “Oh, the strawberries.”Michaeleen: Exactly. Even though she genuinely likes strawberries better—they taste better—her brain, and all of our brains, are designed to choose the veggie straws because they're such a dense source of fast calories.That realization led me to start doing little experiments. I'd make homemade meals with whole foods, then put one ultra-processed starch on the table—a dinner roll or some corn chips. I'd sit there and watch my husband and Rosie eat all of the ultra-processed food first. Then my husband might eat some of the whole foods, but Rosie wouldn't touch them.It wasn't her fault. It wasn't my fault. This is simply how our brains are designed. It makes perfect sense from an evolutionary perspective, and the food industry is explicitly taking advantage of that. If you look at the calorie density of ultra-processed foods, it's gone up and up over time. What really surprised me, though, is that it isn't just about sugar. Sugar clearly triggers dopamine—”Do it again. Do it again.” But highly refined potato starch, corn starch, and white flour are just as powerful, and in some studies they're actually more addictive than foods with added sugar.I recently read a study describing almost the exact recipe you mentioned: extruded starch that's fried or sprayed with a little fat and loaded with salt. That combination is incredibly addictive. The moment you see it, you want it, and then you eat it. The dopamine hit actually happens before you eat it. It's, “Oh, I see the bag. I want the bag.” That's the dopamine.Then there's almost no satisfaction or pleasure because satisfaction comes from protein and fiber—and, to a lesser extent, fat. Those are the things that make you feel, “Ah, I've had enough. I'm done.” Ultra-processed foods have stripped away almost everything that creates that feeling of satisfaction. That's what pleasure actually is.I really believe we can learn to tell the difference between wanting and genuine pleasure. Just like you did with the New York Times games, you replaced endless scrolling—which kept you wanting more—with something that actually makes you feel good every day.Sarah: Can you talk a little bit about what you call “magnets” and “cues”?I finished your book last week—it really was a page-turner—and I'm already putting some of your ideas into practice. One of the simplest suggestions was to stop carrying your phone around everywhere. I wore a watch to a baseball game the other night because I didn't want to keep taking out my phone just to check the time.Then this morning I went for a walk with my daughter and left my phone at home. When I got back, I made something to eat and did a couple of other things before I suddenly realized, “Oh—I left my phone upstairs for two hours.”Just the act of not taking it with me on the walk and leaving it in another room made it disappear from my mind. It was amazing.Michaeleen: I love that. That's beautiful.I call phones, video games, iPads, and ultra-processed foods magnets because neuroscientists actually use the term motivational magnets, and that's where I borrowed it from. They work through space, and they create what we call cues.Let's use screens instead of veggie straws. Imagine Rosie comes home every day after school and plays Toca Boca World on the iPad.Sarah: My daughter used to play those hairdressing games—and even vacuuming games. I never understood the appeal until I read your book and realized she was basically getting dopamine-mined.Michaeleen: Exactly. If you look at what keeps young children on those apps, it's the repetition. They're doing essentially the same thing over and over again, which is actually very unsatisfying.At first, what keeps Rosie playing are those little dopamine hits—”Do it again. Do it again.” But over time, something fascinating happens: the dopamine hit moves backward in time. Eventually, just seeing the iPad triggers dopamine. Simply seeing it creates desire and makes her really want it. Dopamine doesn't just make us want things—it motivates us to work to get them.So she sees the iPad, and suddenly she wants it. If it's sitting there, good luck getting her interested in anything else because her brain has already triggered that powerful feeling of, “I need this to survive.” She'll be pulled toward it like a magnet. That's where the term comes from. You don't just want it—you physically move toward it. You want to pick it up. You want to hold it. You want to touch it.Even if it's hidden away in a drawer or a closet, if she knows it's there, those magnets work through walls. She'll go looking for it.Sarah: Have you seen that study where students either had their phone on their desk, in their backpack, or in another room? Just having it in the backpack was almost as distracting as having it sitting on the desk.Michaeleen: That's exactly right, because they know it's accessible. Over time, these cues become so deeply wired into our brains that we don't even have to see the object anymore. We just have to know it's there.What's often triggering the habit isn't even the phone itself—it's an emotion. For example, when I'm writing and I get a little frustrated, that feeling becomes the cue: “Go check the news.” That used to be mine. Then it became, “Go check your email.” Now I've stopped checking the news, so mine has become, “Go check the weather.”Sarah: At least that can only last so long unless you're checking the weather around the world.Michaeleen: Exactly. It's much less sticky.But that's the point. If the phone is in the backpack, the brain knows it's available. These magnets work through walls. They work through bags. To really make those cues disappear, you have to do exactly what you did. You leave it at home. Your brain knows, “I can't get it. I'm not walking all the way back home for it,” so it lets go.As parents, we have to make these things completely disappear within a particular context. That's another really important piece of this: magnets and cues work in contexts.Every day after school is a context for Rosie's brain. Every day after school, in our house, she plays Toca Boca World. So when she walks into the living room at four o'clock, her brain already knows what time it is, even without a watch. Human brains are incredibly good at tracking those patterns.That context triggers dopamine. It triggers the desire for Toca Boca World.What we want to do instead is use that same context to trigger a desire for something that actually fills her up. Maybe after school in the living room becomes the cue for making art, riding her bike, or going outside.That's really what Dopamine Kids is about: using dopamine to get your kids excited about the real world and training their brains accordingly.Sarah: Can I back you up a little bit there? Because one thing you say in your book is that it doesn't work to simply take the screens away and say, “Let them be bored. They'll figure it out.”That's really the only other advice I've seen out there: just take the screens away and let kids be bored.But you did a lot of work to create opportunities for dopamine from other things. You didn't just tell Rosie, “No more Toca Boca World.”Can you talk about that? I think a lot of parents try the approach of saying, “Okay, we're just not doing screens anymore.” Then they end up with weeks—or maybe months—of crying and begging: “Can I just play a little?”Michaeleen: I think that approach can sometimes work with very little kids, but even then I don't think it lasts. These things are like weeds. The screens will come back unless you replace them with something else.Behavioral psychology is actually very clear on this. It's much easier to create a new habit than it is to break an old one. It's much easier to replace a behavior than simply remove it.For example, while I was writing Dopamine Kids, I decided I wanted to stop drinking as much. I had gotten into the habit of having a glass of wine every night, and I realized it just wasn't working for me anymore.I didn't simply take it away. I bought non-alcoholic beer. I replaced it with something.Kids are the same way.If you just take away the iPad—especially if they've been using it for a long time—their brain has come to believe it's something they need to survive. That's what these products have tricked the brain into believing. So when you take it away, it genuinely feels awful.But if you give them another activity that's exciting, interesting, and something they genuinely want to do, taking the screen away doesn't feel nearly as difficult. Over time, you can actually help them discover activities that make them feel even better than the iPad does.That's what creates a permanent habit instead of a temporary one.Behavioral psychology is pretty clear that kids are using these things because they're trying to meet a need.Rosie wasn't obsessed with Toca Boca World or cartoons because she wanted screens. She wanted adventure.Adventure is a fundamental human need for kids. You could also call it autonomy, but I like the word adventure because I think it's easier to understand. Kids need to explore, learn, and take little risks. They need that in order to feel good.I think a lot of kids are using screens to try to fill that need.So instead of simply taking screens away and leaving that need unmet, you have to backfill it.I said to Rosie, “Tonight we're not going to watch Netflix. We're going to take a break. Instead, we're going to do something you've been dying to do that I just haven't made time for yet. You're going to ride your bike to the market by yourself.”I would even say to her, “Instead of watching cartoon characters have adventures, you're going to have a real adventure yourself.”That's the difference.You're taking something that was trying—but ultimately failing—to meet a real human need and replacing it with something that actually does.When you do that, it's not nearly as hard.It goes back to what you mentioned earlier about kids saying they'd rather be with their friends than on screens. That same research also found that kids would rather be outside playing than watching screens. So you're giving them the opportunity to do the thing they actually want to do.That's really the process: figure out a replacement activity—or a replacement food—and then gradually begin taking the old thing away.The result is that your child isn't angry at you all the time. Your relationship is better because they have something wonderful replacing what they lost.More importantly, it creates a lasting habit because they're not simply complying with a rule. They're building a hobby, a skill, or a way of living that genuinely brings them pleasure and meets their needs.One of my biggest concerns with a lot of the screen advice that's out there is that it isn't permanent.Real change comes from making small but permanent changes.It's not, “We're doing a 30-day screen detox.”It's, “We don't use screens after dinner anymore,” or, “We don't use screens on Saturdays.”And that's just how our family does things now.That's how you train the brain.If you keep bringing the old habit back, you undo the learning and go right back to where you started.So I always encourage people to think small—but think permanent.Sarah: One suggestion you make is starting with something simple, like, “We don't do screens in the car.”Michaeleen: Yes.Sarah: I think that's such a great place to start. Your book is full of practical little ideas like that, so the whole thing doesn't feel overwhelming.We've been talking about some of the bigger concepts, but the book is incredibly practical.I'm working on a book myself right now, so I know how much work goes into something like this. I just want to say you did a really beautiful job balancing the theory with concrete things families can actually do.I really, really recommend it.Michaeleen: Thank you.The car is a great place to start because it's such a clear context for a child's brain.They get into the car and their brain thinks, “Screen time.”Instead, you can make the car mean, “Reading time,” or “Journaling time,” or even “Bored time.”It's a really useful place to begin because they're already somewhat contained, so it's easier to establish a new routine.Sarah: I love that.The one thing I want to ask about—and I hope you don't take this as criticism—is that some of what you've done takes a lot of time and energy privilege.Michaeleen: Yes. I think it's very similar to what I found with Hunt, Gather, Parent. There is some work up front, but I also think we dramatically underestimate how much work we're already doing when we rely on screens as babysitters or pacifiers.We tend to think that's the easy route, but even in the short term, I don't think it actually is.Sarah: That's a really good point because the fighting itself takes a lot of energy.Michaeleen: Exactly. That's ultimately what made me change and what made me want to write this book. I was just tired of arguing with Rosie about screens. I hated policing her.It's very similar to what I found with Hunt, Gather, Parent. Recently, one parent gave me some feedback that I actually thought was really insightful. She said, “I think you could have been clearer that having daily screen time—or unlimited screen time—is actually a lot of work.”And she's right.The parent is managing it every single day, moment by moment. There's constant fighting, negotiating, and policing.I'll tell you something else. Once we got ultra-processed foods out of our house, the amount of work I do around food dropped to about one-tenth of what it had been before. We actually spend less money because we're eating less.People don't realize that ultra-processed food makes you eat more. That's very well documented. Kids snack constantly when those foods are around. Rosie now eats two or three real meals a day when she's eating whole foods.So I'm actually doing much less work because those foods aren't in the house.I do agree there's some work at the beginning. Teaching Rosie to ride her bike to the market took time. But now she's 10, and she rides her bike everywhere. She bikes to piano lessons. She bikes all over town.That investment keeps paying dividends.Sarah: That's a really fair point.I had just been telling you before we started recording that, over the years, I've noticed more and more parents coming to coaching specifically because of challenges around screen time.The fights about screens, getting kids off screens—it has become such a common struggle.They just need to read your book and get some strategies.Michaeleen: I'm really just trying to encourage people that if they have that gut feeling—that sense of, “This just isn't working for our family”—it's okay to say no.There is a way to do it that doesn't require an enormous amount of ongoing work.Really, what you're doing is setting up the environment so the default becomes these other activities. You're designing things so you're not constantly policing or managing every moment.That's my biggest pushback against the idea that this approach is more work.It took a lot of work for me to figure all of this out and understand how it works—Sarah: And you did that for us.Michaeleen: Exactly.I also think the court system—and society more broadly—is slowly starting to catch up. The regulations around screen content are so far behind the technology.If you think about it, 20 years ago Rosie wouldn't have been able to walk into a movie like Jaws without a parent. There were very clear rules about what children could and couldn't see.Now I can hand her a device that gives her access to some of the most extreme content imaginable.One scientist told me that a child today can see, in about ten minutes, more pornography than our grandparents' generation would have encountered in an entire lifetime.Something is clearly out of balance.Either society has changed dramatically, or our regulations simply haven't kept pace.When you look at child exploitation, trafficking, and abuse online, it's obvious that regulation is behind.Sarah: Big Tech has so much money and so much influence that I think that's part of why the laws have fallen so far behind.Michaeleen: It absolutely is. But I also think there's this persistent myth that kids need these technologies and that they're doing so much good.One of my hopes for this book—and for the work many other researchers are doing—is that people will begin to understand that kids genuinely need help regulating this stuff.They cannot regulate it on their own.Right now, that entire burden falls on parents, and that's a tremendous amount of work.Sarah: We can't regulate it on our own, and we're grown-ups.Michaeleen: Exactly.When I first started researching this book, I interviewed a famous economist at Stanford—someone in his forties who will probably win a Nobel Prize someday. He spent our entire conversation telling me all the systems he had to build so he wouldn't look at the news while he was working.He had blocked it at the router. He'd blocked it on his computer. He'd blocked it in multiple other ways.I remember sitting there thinking, “If he has to do all of that, how is a thirteen-year-old supposed to do her homework?”That's one of the central messages of the book.This isn't about willpower.It's not about teaching kids to resist temptation through self-control.It's about teaching them to build environments where they aren't constantly tempted in the first place.That's exactly what you described earlier when you left your phone at home.You create spaces in your life where the temptation simply isn't there.That's the key to living a happier, healthier life—not relying on willpower, but learning to avoid unnecessary temptation and building habits that don't require you to fight yourself every day.Ironically, that's what ends up making life much easier.Sarah: That was another really interesting thing you talked about in your book—willpower.Michaeleen: One of the really interesting findings about willpower is that people with fewer bad habits don't actually have more willpower. They've simply arranged their lives so they're exposed to fewer temptations.Sarah: That's right. A great place to start might be something like what you did with food. You talked about not eating food on the go.Michaeleen: Exactly. No food on the go.Sarah: Baby steps.Michaeleen: Right. Or parents will tell me things like, “We don't have ultra-processed foods at breakfast.” Breakfast is actually an easy place to start. You have oatmeal. You have eggs. There are lots of simple whole-food options. So you make that one meal your starting point.That's really the idea. Start with something small.I think the same principle applies to parenting. Parenting actually becomes easier when the temptations simply aren't there. You're not constantly managing them.Sarah: When my kids were growing up—and thankfully they mostly missed all of this because my youngest is 19, so there wasn't Netflix and everything else that's available now—we had a simple family rule: no screens Monday through Thursday.Back then it was television, but they just knew that was how our family worked. If they asked, I'd simply say, “Remember, it's Wednesday. We'll watch TV on the weekend.”It was actually very easy.Michaeleen: Exactly. And that's the dopamine system at work.Their brains know what day of the week it is. We're remarkably good at keeping track of time and routines. They knew they were in your house, after school, and that there wasn't going to be TV.It's like a smoker on an airplane. Eventually the smoker's brain learns, “I'm on a plane. I can't smoke.” The craving relaxes because the brain understands the context.The same thing happens with family routines.In Israel, for example, many families observe a digital Sabbath where they unplug for a full 24 hours every week. Parents tell me their kids love it because they know that's the time they play board games, spend time outside, and do other things together.Their brains learn that weekly rhythm.Our brains naturally work this way, so we can use that tendency to make family life calmer and more peaceful.Honestly, one of my favorite outcomes is that when nine o'clock comes around, my daughter is calm and actually wants to go to bed. Whatever effort it took to establish those habits at the beginning has been completely worth it. It's peaceful now, and hopefully those routines will stay with her for years.Ironically, it was much harder for me to stop scrolling before bed than it was for her.Sarah: Do you think there's any place for moderation?For example, could Rosie ever pick up Toca Boca again and play it for a little while? Or is it more a case of, once it's gone, it's gone?Michaeleen: That's a really good question.I think there are a couple of ways to think about it.The first is simply asking whether a particular technology is worth it. Does Toca Boca actually give us something valuable enough that it's worth the possibility of bringing back arguments and struggles? Or is there something else that gives us the same benefit without those downsides?One of the goals of the book is to help parents start asking that question about technology in general: Is this actually worth it?The second question is whether your child can handle it.I use YouTube for work. I'll watch scientists explaining research, informational videos, or sometimes I'll listen to music. I also know all the tricks YouTube is playing on me, so I can use it pretty intentionally.But Rosie at ten years old?No way.YouTube is far too sophisticated for her to use purposefully.Maybe when she's sixteen, seventeen, or eighteen. Maybe fifteen. I don't know.But I'm not going to intentionally introduce it.If it becomes necessary because of school or something else, then we'll try it and see how she handles it. If she can use it well, maybe we'll continue. If she can't, then we won't.I think a lot of this is really about figuring out what your own child can handle.We don't give children alcohol or tobacco because they can't handle them. We don't give them pornography for the same reason.These technologies have entered our lives so quickly that we're all trying to answer entirely new questions.One of the most important things parents can watch is what happens afterward.How does your child behave? What's their mood like? Is it immediately, “One more. One more. One more”?If that's what's happening, then they're probably not ready for it.Sarah: Right. It's not restorative.This reminds me of a guest I had on the podcast a year or two ago. He was a former video game developer, and the episode was called How to Stop Fighting With Your Kid About Video Games.Sarah: This reminds me of something another guest said on the podcast, and I think it fits perfectly with what you're talking about.He was a former video game developer, and he said something I've never forgotten. He said, “If you're going to let your kids play video games, don't let them play anything that's free.”He said there are lots of amazing games that you actually buy because they're designed with a real story arc, real challenges, and an ending. As I was reading your book, I kept thinking about that because those paid games are designed to give you an actual reward at the end. You complete levels, you build skills, and then you finish.He wasn't talking about buying things inside free games. He meant games that you purchase outright. I remember my husband used to play The Legend of Zelda. It was a game you started and eventually finished.Michaeleen: I love that. There's so much I love about it because the business model is completely different.With free games, the longer you stay on them, the more money the company makes through advertising and in-game purchases. Their entire goal is to keep you there for as long as possible. They're holding the child inside that loop.But with purchased games, they actually want you to finish because then they hope you'll buy another game. It's almost like movies used to be. They wanted you to enjoy the experience, reach the end, and then come back for the next one.You're exactly right—they're designed to end.I think that's really beautiful advice because it highlights how much the business model shapes the experience.Sarah: That's what he said. In the free games, the commodity is your child's attention.Michaeleen: Exactly.Whereas with a purchased game, you're paying for an experience that has a beginning and an end.We've actually done something similar with movies and television. We got rid of all of our subscriptions, and honestly, we've saved a lot of money. Now, if we want to watch a movie, we buy it.We're much more intentional. We stop and ask ourselves, “Do we really want to watch this? Is it worth it?”Then, when the movie ends, we're done.I think that simple change does so much to keep you out of the wanting cycle we talked about earlier. Paying for something slows the whole process down. It makes you think about your choice, and the design itself is completely different. It's designed to leave you feeling satisfied—to let you say, “I finished it.”Sarah: It's an experience. It's an adventure. There's a reward.Michaeleen: Exactly. I love that idea. I wish I'd put it in the book. It's really good. Honestly, I didn't even realize there were that many games designed that way.Sarah: I'll send you his contact if you ever want to talk with him.I could honestly talk to you about this all day.I'm just trying to think if there's anything else I really wanted to ask, but I do want to highlight something for anyone who's still listening.This isn't a moral argument about screens or ultra-processed foods being “bad.” You make that very clear throughout the book.It's really about bringing more joy and fun back into your life because getting trapped in this cycle of wanting without ever feeling rewarded is making all of us kind of miserable.Michaeleen: That's exactly right.The first thing I hope parents take away is that this isn't their fault.This has happened incredibly quickly, and most of us don't even understand what we're up against. These products are intentionally designed by multibillion-dollar companies to capture and hold our children's attention. That's what we're competing with, and for a long time we simply haven't had the right tools.The second thing is that this isn't about taking everything away. That's a fantasy. It's not going to work.It's about figuring out what actually brings joy to you and your family, keeping those things, and letting go of the things that don't.We've also moved beyond the old idea that kids will somehow fall behind or be left out if they don't have all these technologies. There's so much evidence now showing that giving kids a phone or social media doesn't suddenly make them feel accepted or like they belong.In fact, it often does the opposite.So we can let go of that fear.Instead, we can ask, “What actually works for our family?” Then we can build the skills to get there and help our kids gradually adopt these technologies in healthy ways because they're going to be part of their lives.Almost everyone will eventually have a phone. Most kids will eventually use some form of social media, whether that's YouTube, Instagram, or whatever comes next.The question isn't whether they'll ever use it.The question is: When are they ready?And how do we help them use it in a way that still allows them to be productive?For me, that's one of the essential parenting skills of the twenty-first century: helping kids set up their environments—their computers, their workspaces, their routines—so they aren't constantly fighting temptation.Sarah: You also talk specifically about having kids work where a parent can see them because I think that's becoming a huge challenge now that so many students are issued Chromebooks at school.Sarah: You also mention having kids work where a parent can see them, because I think that's becoming a huge challenge now that so many students are issued Chromebooks at school.Everyone I've talked to—and maybe there are exceptions out there—says you can't put parental controls on school-issued devices. Kids need YouTube to watch something for school, and suddenly you've opened the door to all kinds of temptation.Every parent I know whose child has a school-issued Chromebook struggles with it.Michaeleen: Yes, and I think this is an area that's really in flux.From what I'm learning, parents are starting to push back—not only on schools issuing Chromebooks in the first place, but also on not being allowed to set them up in ways that remove things like YouTube. I think parents actually have more power than I realized.Some schools will work with families if parents speak up. You can go to the teacher or the principal and say, “This is what I want for my child's Chromebook. I don't want them to have access to YouTube,” or, “I want these restrictions in place.”Parents have more rights than I think most of us realize.I've talked with parents who are trying to get Chromebooks out of kindergarten through Grade 2 altogether. Others are asking for more limited internet access or different settings during school hours. There's really a whole spectrum of possibilities.I honestly think this is going to be one of the defining parenting issues of the next decade—the school-issued Chromebook, the school-issued iPad.For me, it just makes those screen-free gaps in the day even more important. If your child has spent the day doing schoolwork on a device, then after dinner becomes even more valuable as a screen-free time.You need a break. I need a break. We all need a break.Creating what I call sanctuaries becomes increasingly important as more of school moves onto screens. Kids need opportunities to move their bodies, relax their brains, and experience activities that are genuinely restorative.I also think there are resources available for parents who want more control over that digital space. It does take work, but as parents we sometimes hand over more authority to schools than we actually have to. We have more rights than we often realize.In fact, a lot of this is being challenged legally. There are lawsuits against school districts because some software has been given to children in ways that violate privacy protections and collect data improperly.So I think this whole area is changing, and I'm hopeful we'll eventually reach a place where, even if students are working on computers, they'll have better protections against unnecessary distractions.That's exactly how I work. I turn on an app blocker so I can't wander around the internet while I'm working. Otherwise, I'd be distracted constantly.I have a colleague who says she can't work for more than a couple of minutes before she finds herself checking something online.Sarah: I struggle with that too.It's getting easier the more I practice, but the pull—that feeling of wanting—is incredibly strong.Michaeleen: It really is. It's become a habit, and eventually you're barely even thinking about it.I remember when I first installed an app blocker. It felt so uncomfortable. I kept thinking, “But I want to check this. I want to check that.”Then it faded.It actually faded pretty quickly.Sarah: Thank you so much—not just for being here, but for writing this book. It's really remarkable.Even though I'm past the most active stage of parenting, I keep noticing the ideas from the book working their way into my own life.I have to tell you, the last couple of nights I've made brown rice instead of white rice because of something I read in the book. I love white rice, but I know I need more fiber. Honestly, once you start eating brown rice regularly, you hardly notice the difference.You've gotten me wearing a watch, eating brown rice, and leaving my phone at home when I take the dog for a walk.Michaeleen: I love that.It lets your brain relax because you're not constantly multitasking anymore.I have my watch on too. Rosie and I actually wear the same watch. To me, it's become a little symbol of this more digitally minimalist way of thinking.I was doing exactly the same thing—checking my phone every time I wanted to know the time. Eventually I thought, “Why am I using this little computer just to tell the time?”Sarah: Exactly.Well, thank you so much.Michaeleen: Thank you.Sarah: Before I let you go, I have one question that I ask every guest. It'll be interesting because I can compare your answer to what you said the last time you were on.If you could go back in time to your younger parent self, what advice would you give yourself?Michaeleen: Which age?Sarah: Any age. Go back to brand-new-mom Michaeleen. What would you tell yourself?Michaeleen: I'll give you two answers.For the baby stage, I would tell myself, “Michaeleen, just carry her all the time. Put her in the carrier and carry her. Don't worry so much about putting her down.”She was so happy whenever I carried her, and that's how so many cultures do it. The baby is simply on someone's back or on their front while life goes on. I really wish I'd done more of that because I think it would have made both of our lives much easier.For the older years, I'd tell myself to stop worrying so much that taking away the screens was going to be hard.I built it up in my mind as this enormous thing. I thought, “It's going to be so difficult to take away Netflix at night. It's going to be so difficult to take away Toca Boca.”But it wasn't.It really wasn't.Our lives became so much easier afterward, and I wish I'd been able to see that ahead of time.Sarah: Well, how could you have known?What you were seeing was the outward expression of all that wanting—the crying, the begging, the desperation. It would be so easy to mistake that for, “I'm denying my child something that brings them enormous pleasure.”I think that's an important distinction for parents.Just because your child is crying and screaming that they want something doesn't actually mean that it's bringing them pleasure or that it's good for them.Michaeleen: Exactly.Someone said something to me that I think made it into the book. A child can desperately want to spend another hour playing a video game while actually getting very little pleasure—or no pleasure—from it.That's really where the trick is.That's the hijacking.I also think Lenore's work is right. Kids really do want the offline world.They just have to experience it first.I didn't fully appreciate this before, but you can't really want something until you've experienced the joy of it yourself. Maybe you can see someone else enjoying it, but to actually build that dopamine pathway, you have to get out there and feel it yourself.You have to think, “Oh, this is wonderful. I love this.”Then your brain starts wanting more of that.Sarah: I was thinking about one family I work with. They have five kids, they run their own business, and they're incredibly busy.Their five-year-old son was having constant meltdowns and aggression, so I suggested they start tracking what happened right before those moments.When they came back, they realized that about 90 percent of the incidents were connected to screens. He was trying to get one of his parents' phones. He was trying to grab the remote from his sisters. He wanted the TV turned on or wanted it to stay on.This was actually before I read your book, so I probably could have given them even better advice afterward.But I suggested they experiment with going screen-free for a while and see whether it changed the aggression.The next time I talked to them, the dad told me that, out of pure frustration, he'd picked up the television and put it out in the garage. He basically announced, “No more TV for the rest of the summer.”The following week, the mom started texting me pictures.“Here's the girls sleeping in a fort they built on the trampoline.”“Here's our five-year-old playing with his trucks.”Picture after picture.She said, “I think this is going to be the best summer ever without TV.”Michaeleen: I love that story.I really do.And it's easier.It's easier.All he did was move the TV into the garage.That's amazing.That's exactly the advice I'd give myself.Just do it. Trust your instincts. Do it.Sarah: Do it.Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate you coming back on the podcast.As always, it's been such a pleasure talking with you, and you've written another wonderful book to add to the parenting canon.Michaeleen: Thank you so much for having me. It was truly a pleasure to come back.Sarah: Thanks so much.We'll put links to everything we talked about in the show notes, along with your website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sarahrosensweet.substack.com/subscribe

Dealing with the heat - Europeans' disdain for air conditioningI have scaly and bumpy areas on my scalp that itch!Did homeopathic human growth hormone increase my cholesterol?

What if the word uncurable really just means a doctor has run out of ideas? This episode dares you to question that verdict and discover a functional medicine approach built on gut health, trace minerals, and nervous system repair that has helped many people defy impossible odds and rewrite a hopeless diagnosis into a story of hope.Host Jenn Trepeck welcomes Dr. Aaron Hartman to Salad with a Side of Fries, where he shares how chronic illness recovery starts with the basics everyone overlooks, and why patients in remission from conditions like multiple sclerosis prove healing is possible even when doctors say there is nothing more they can do.What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ Why the label “incurable” often just means idiopathic (unknown cause) and how functional medicine looks deeper✅ How gut health, sleep, and stress form the foundation of true chronic illness recovery✅ The connection between hypermobility, dysautonomia, mast cell activation, and autoimmune disease✅ Why organ meats, bone broth, and trace minerals support the nervous system and healingThe Salad With a Side of Fries podcast, hosted by Jenn Trepeck, explores real-life wellness and weight-loss topics, debunking myths, misinformation, and flawed science surrounding nutrition and the food industry. Let's dive into real-life wellness and weight loss, including drinking, eating out, and skipping the grocery store.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to this episode on functional medicine and rethinking an incurable diagnosis03:47 Dr. Aaron Hartman explains cerebral palsy and his daughter Anna's dire early diagnosis07:17 Why incurable and idiopathic are labels Dr. Hartman refuses to accept and exploring the mast cell activation, hypermobility, autoimmune, gut, and dysautonomia super syndrome15:28 The big three foundations of gut health, stress regulation, and quality sleep for healing21:41 Why trace minerals, organ meats, and bone broth matter for true nutrient-dense nutrition24:38 Practical sleep hygiene tips rooted in circadian rhythm and nervous system regulation28:58 Balancing sugar addiction and dopamine-driven cravings with real food healing habits31:43 How the body's self-healing capacity applies at any age, from childhood through adulthood37:12 Lipid medicine: Using fats to heal your bodyKEY TAKEAWAYS:

Most people walk out of a psychiatrist's office with a prescription and not much else. Dr. Arwen Podesta works differently, looking under the hood for root cause instead of just managing symptoms. We get into the gut and brain as a power couple, why more serotonin lives in your belly than your head, the amino acids your stressed system might be starving for, and how to come off medications safely when you've been on them too long. If you've ever felt dismissed, over-medicated, or like your body knows something your prescription doesn't, this one is for you. Dr. Arwen Podesta Resources: Website: ⁠www.podestawellness.com Website: www.drarwen.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podesta.wellness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PodestaPsychiatry/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arwen-podesta-md-8a396042 Hooked Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1457546078 Emotional Badass: WORK WITH NIKKI 1:1:⁠⁠ https://EmotionalBadass.com/coaching INTRO TO BOUNDARIES https://EmotionalBadass.com/intro THE BOUNDARIES INTENSIVE: https://EmotionalBadass.com/boundaries 30 DAYS TO PEACE: ⁠⁠https://www.EmotionalBadass.com/peace NARCISSIST ABUSE RECOVERY WORKSHOP:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://EmotionalBadass.com/narc THE FREE MORNING ROUTINE: ⁠⁠https://EmotionalBadass.com/morning PATREON: https://patreon.com/emotionalbadass WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:⁠⁠ https://EmotionalBadass.com/newsletter PATTERNSCAPES WELLNESS DECK:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://getpatternscapes.com⁠⁠ LISTEN TO THE PODCAST: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emotional-badass/id1363543523 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/60zP5sp5hWdFFuL5CFtu5m FOLLOW US: YT:⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@EmotionalBadass IG:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/emotional.badass FB: https://www.facebook.com/emotionalbadass TIKTOK:⁠⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@emotionalbadass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell A variety of topics all about a healthy life Presented by: Nutrition World www.nutritionw.com Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio www.noogadentistry.com Production of: Whitfield Media Group www.vitalhealthradio.com High baseline of general anxiety in pets; fireworks can escalate it dramatically Rough estimates from Dr. Smith: ~30% with noticeable anxiety ~10% with severe reactions: Destruction of property Defecating/urinating in house Extreme escape behaviors (e.g., dog through plate glass window)  Natural vs Pharmaceutical Support & Timing Severe cases: Trazodone often used; Dr. Smith avoids drugs that completely knock pets out Mentions older drugs (e.g., acepromazine) that overly sedate animals She prefers starting treatment the day before fireworks: Anxiety and pain wind up; if you get behind, it's hard to control Natural options she likes: Melatonin, tryptophan, theanine, GABA Pet products that combine several of these Start 1–2 days before fireworks because neighbors often start early [0:18:58]  Melatonin Dosing & CBD for Pets + Environmental Concerns Melatonin for dogs: Start around 3 mg, can go up, even up to ~10 mg in some cases Must be given at bedtime to preserve serotonin/melatonin rhythm Human reference: some serious disease protocols use up to 50 mg CBD: She likes CBD: generally very safe, large margin before toxicity Important: oil directly in mouth, not hidden in food (stomach acid breaks it down) Treats are OK, but observe individual response Ed notes TN hemp rule change (July 1) hurting many businesses; pet CBD appears less restricted for now Environmental side of fireworks: Harm to birds and nocturnal wildlife Startled flocks flying at night, running into obstacles [0:21:57] About CHAI: Services & Ozone Therapy Chai = Chattanooga Holistic Animal Institute On Main Street, Southside Open ~13–14 years Services: Conventional: surgery, X-rays Integrative: herbal medicine, nutrition-first approach, acupuncture, chiropractic Heavy focus on nutrition as foundation Ozone therapy: Used for cancer (mixing with blood + UVB), ear infections (ear cups), GI issues (ozone enema + fecal transplant) Antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial; research supports it but not mainstream due to lack of patentability Ed shares parallel human ozone experiences and enthusiasm [0:24:27] Regulatory Limits on CBD Advice & Practical Dosing Forms California example: Vets cannot legally discuss CBD with clients, while retail hemp shops can freely advise For cats: Liquids in vegetable glycerin are best Alcohol-based tinctures: cats won't like them (foaming, spitting) Liquids can go in food or directly in mouth For dogs: Easier to hide products, but Dr. Smith dislikes many chews: Often have rice flour, tapioca starch, molasses, smoke flavor (potential carcinogen) Prefers powders and liquids [0:26:16] Why Kibble Is Harmful & Heat Safety for Pets Core problems with kibble: Ultraprocessing damages proteins and fats Produces advanced glycation end products (AGEs)—carcinogenic High carbohydrate; not species-appropriate for carnivorous animals Expensive kibble = “expensive Skittles” – processing is still the issue Better options: Raw, dehydrated, freeze-dried Balanced homemade diets Light cooking under ~200°F for seniors to aid digestibility without denaturing nutrients Heat and Summer Safety for Pets Hot ground + hot air → limit daytime walks, adjust exercise Brachycephalic (“smushy-faced”) dogs at special risk: Pugs, Boston Terriers, bulldogs, etc. Shortened face doesn't reduce internal soft tissue; narrow airways = breathing through a straw Heat + humidity = much higher risk of heat exhaustion; many just lie on A/C vents Cats handle heat better (tend to stay inside), but should still be kept cool and supervised Pool safety: pets often don't know how to get out, so human supervision is essential [0:30:41] Independent Practice vs Corporate Vet Medicine CHAI is one of the last independent practices in town Independence allows: Thinking outside the box and the standard “cookbook” Corporate practices: Strict protocols, less flexibility Vets can't always practice as they'd like [0:36:09] Chemical Aging, Peakspan, and Electrolytes Ed quotes Dr. Keith Scott-Mumby (81-year-old MD) on “chemical aging”: Modern environment “poisons” us: Plastics, can linings, pesticides (glyphosate), microplastics Addictive refined carbs, seed oils Many of these mimic hormones and drive accelerated aging “Chemical aging” shows up as: Hair thinning, dry/crepey skin, age spots Persistent belly fat, “man boobs,” fragile bones, poorly fitting clothes Ed's own book: “Are You Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired?” He believes it lays out an A–Z game plan for aging better / “peakspan” Available as an ebook on TheHolisticNavigator.com Electrolytes vs Gatorade; Critique of Mainstream Sports Drinks Context: intense summer heat and need for electrolytes Our bodies run on electrical currents (heart, brain, nervous system) regulated by electrolytes Daily potassium need ≈ 3,400 mg Comparison: 20 oz Gatorade: ~75 mg potassium (very low) 0 mg magnesium ~270 mg sodium ~34–36 g carbohydrates/sugar Gatorade Zero: no sugar but uses sucralose, which Ed says can disrupt the gut microbiome Ed's personal take: Would rather “spend” that sugar on a cheesecake dessert than on Gatorade Example True Grace electrolyte formula (carried at Nutrition World): ~750 mg sodium ~250 mg potassium ~100 mg magnesium ~100 mg cordyceps (supportive for lungs/endurance) Great Naturally has ~700 mg potassium per serving Conclusion: many store-brand sports drinks are nutritionally weak and sugar-heavy compared to targeted electrolyte blends [0:44:27] Pepcid (Famotidine), Serotonin, and Essential Oils for Sore Throat Ed introduces Pepcid (famotidine): H2 blocker commonly used OTC for heartburn Prefers it over long-term proton pump inhibitors (e.g., Nexium) Key claim from research Ed cites: Famotidine uniquely blocks certain serotonin activity Can sometimes help with: Chronic pain Inflammation Fatigue Case example: life-threatening serotonin syndrome reversed in 15 minutes with famotidine Elevated serotonin may: Impair mitochondrial energy production Promote chronic inflammation and, paradoxically, some depression and pain Ed has bought a box himself; recommends it as the safer short-term choice for bad heartburn Essential Oils vs Antibiotics for Sore Throats Study on sore throat treatment: 97 adults with clinically diagnosed sore throat Group 1: penicillin twice daily Group 2: oral essential oils capsule 3× daily Group 3: both Outcomes: 100% improvement in antibiotic group 88% improvement in essential oil–only group 100% improvement in combined group Essential oil blend ingredients: Oregano, eucalyptus, lemon, cinnamon, pine oils Clint raises important question: absent a no-treatment control, some percentage may have improved naturally) Quick guide to buying quality beef: Prefer “100% grass-fed” over just “grass-fed” Look for or confirm grass-finished (often not on labels due to cost; best to know your farmer) Beware empty buzzwords: “natural,” “farm raised,” “pasture inspired” Real grass-fed/finished usually costs more due to land/time inputs Fat color: Slight yellow hue suggests carotenoids from real forage [0:53:35] Strength, Independence, and Vitamin D Ed references recent high-production video interview in Atlanta Draws inspiration from Jack LaLanne: Early television fitness and vitamin pioneer Nutrition World once helped bring him to Chattanooga; he lived to ~95 Paraphrased LaLanne theme: Strength gives you options: Carry your own groceries Climb stairs confidently Travel, explore, stay active Play with grandchildren, work in the yard, maintain independence Without strength: Tasks become difficult Confidence drops Independence shrinks; world gets smalle Ed reiterates: muscle is the organ of longevity and needs: Regular weight training Adequate protein Targeted supplementation Discussion of vitamin D: Ed's recent lab: ~54 ng/mL despite summer tan Wants to remain above 50 ng/mL year-round; may increase winter dosing Clint mentions his last check (~3 years ago) was ~70 ng/mL, even before supplementation  The post Radio Show / Podcast – July 5, 2026 first appeared on Vital Health Radio.

Serotonin is famous for what it does in the brain, but most of your serotonin isn't in your head at all! And don't miss the following topics that Terry will also discuss on this show: Serotonin, When the Diagnosis is Prostate Cancer, Nutrient of the Day: Melatonin, Lyme Disease.

Hosts: Ed Jones (Owner – Nutrition World) & Clint Powell A variety of topics all related to living a healthy life Presented by: Nutrition World www.nutritionw.com Broadcasting from the Nooga Dentistry Studio www.noogadentistry.com Production of: Whitfield Media Group www.vitalhealthradio.com Title: Breakthrough Treatments for C Diff with Guest Dr. Oscar, Kiwi for Bowel Regularity with Julia from Enzymedica [0:00:00] Opening, Banter, and Announcements Ed plugs an upcoming podcast episode on heartburn with Julia from Enzymedica, explaining simple steps to get off PPIs (proton pump inhibitors) safely. MMA fighter sponsor shout‑out Discussion of Chance, an 8–0 MMA fighter who works at Nutrition World's warehouse. Upcoming fight at Camp Jordan in July; Nutrition World is a sponsor. Ed describes Tallow House in Cleveland: Burgers cooked in tallow Sourdough buns, high-quality ingredients Comparison to seed oils, stating tallow is preferable, though any fat can be overdone. Setup for today's show / guests Dr. Oscar – discussing a “revolutionary” next‑generation probiotic based on a super donor / fecal transplant science. Julia from Enzymedica – discussing constipation and digestive enzymes. [0:08:56] Gut Microbiome & Origin of the MET Probiotic Ed reiterates the show's philosophy: better aging means adding strength, clarity, mobility, and energy to existing years. Emphasizes his longstanding passion for the gut microbiome and how cluttered/confusing that field is. Ed welcomes Dr. Oscar and frames the topic as a truly unique/probably revolutionary probiotic advance. Personal story: Ed's father died from C. diff about 20 years ago. C. diff often triggered by antibiotics, then treated with more antibiotics → vicious cycle. Ed wanted to give probiotics/Saccharomyces boulardii; doctor was lukewarm but allowed it. How the product started (C. diff & FMT) – Dr. Oscar Traditional fecal microbiota transplants (FMT): Helpful for C. diff, but risky for immunocompromised patients. Concerns: pathogens, genetic material, and “yuckiness.” Microbial Ecosystem Therapeutics (MET) A company developed an alternative: MET, using a single “super donor”. Process: Select a rigorously screened donor with a healthy microbiome, no gut issues. Extract unique anaerobic bacteria. Use lyophilization (freeze-drying) to remove the fecal material and problematic components, leaving a purified community of bacteria. Result: a blister‑pack capsule containing live anaerobic strains that can engraft in the gut. C. diff trials and efficacy Comparative trials (MET-1 / MET-2) vs. fecal transplants for C. diff: MET formulations performed as well or better than FMT in some outcomes. One MET‑based product has already been used specifically for C. diff. Transition to functional / preventive use The MET company partnered with Designs for Health and Guelph University (Ontario). After years of research and clinical work, they created a five‑strain formulation used in the Designs for Health product. Claim: these five strains regulate roughly 85% of metabolic and immune functions influenced by gut bacteria. [0:14:47] How this Probiotic Differs from Traditional Probiotics Ed underscores: Thousands screened to identify an optimal super donor with best diversity. Human‑sourced strains → high compatibility with human physiology. Wants clarification on aerobic vs. anaerobic differences and why they matter. Traditional probiotics vs MET strains – Dr. Oscar Traditional probiotics: Often from exogenous sources (fermented dairy, industrial fermentation, etc.). Usually Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium etc. They are generally transient: Work while you take them. Poor ability to engraft and persist once discontinued because they're not native to the host. Still useful (like eating salad: benefits only while you keep consuming them). Human‑derived MET strains: Sourced from a human donor, recognized by the body as “self‑like.” Have co‑evolved with humans over long timeframes. Function as an “accessory organ system”: E.g., certain strains stimulate the production of new cells. Specific strain examples Akkermansia: Consumes mucin in the gut lining. Produces metabolites that activate stem cells and progenitor cells, leading to new cell formation in the gut. Other strains have specialized roles: Ferment food. Create an anaerobic environment. Modulate immune responses. Oxygen & anaerobes, “crowding out” pathogens Healthy human colon = low‑oxygen (anaerobic) environment. Certain beneficial strains (e.g., Roseburia) help remove oxygen: They create conditions where anaerobic commensals thrive. Pathogens and opportunistic bacteria that prefer oxygen are crowded out, not killed with antibiotics. Clinical observations: Pre‑ and post‑testing show reductions in overgrowth bacteria when taking this formulation. This suggests a “crowding out” approach vs. broad‑spectrum microbial killing. Terrain theory & engraftment duration Ed references terrain theory (Antoine Béchamp): improve the internal environment to resist disease. Engraftment data: Early engraftment seen in ~2 weeks. MET C. diff studies showed strains persisting up to 6 months. Key dependency: diet and “fertilizing” the microbiome. Good fiber, colorful plant foods, polyphenols → support long‑term survival. Threats: alcohol, glyphosate, long‑term antibiotics, stomach acid meds, narrow macro diets (strict keto, carnivore, low‑FODMAP) without adequate diversity. Solutions for narrow diets: add prebiotic fibers, greens/reds powders. Dosage & synergistic use with other probiotics Ed confirms he's taking one capsule per day of the Designs for Health product labeled “Next Generation Multi‑Strain Probiotic” and tolerating it well. Dr. Oscar: One cap is enough Emphasis on quality of the seed, not quantity (CFU count). High‑quality engrafting strains self‑propagate as long as diet supports them. Synergy with other probiotics: Example: Lactobacillus produces lactate, which serves as a food source for some MET strains. Hypothesis: traditional probiotics may have better persistence and function when the MET strains are present. Ed notes: Very high‑strain blends (20+ strains) may have unknown “infighting.” In contrast, a single donor community has already proven internal compatibility. Where to learn more Designs for Health website: designsforhealth.com Search “Complete Commensal” for patient education materials. Note: two of the strains have never before been available in commercial probiotics due to encapsulation challenges with strict anaerobes; newer technology solved this. [0:33:14] Constipation, Enzymes, Kiwi Regularity (with Julia from Enzymedica) Introducing Julia with Enzymedica Julia is a long‑time educator (20+ years) in the natural health industry. Ed compares clinical experience in natural health to a physician needing years of patient contact beyond textbooks. Julia: First-line advice – don't rely on stimulant laxatives Avoid over‑the‑counter stimulant laxatives except in rare, urgent situations. Chronic use irritates the bowel and makes it dependent, reducing natural motility. Foundational step: chew your food & nervous system calm Proper chewing: Activates salivary amylase and lipase (carb and fat‑digesting enzymes). Signals stomach acid secretion and subsequent digestive steps. Ed notes: Most people eat while on their phones, in a rushed state. He tries to pause for ~1 minute before eating to reset. Good digestion starts even with thought and sight of food. Why constipation happens & normal frequency Normal bowel frequency: At least once daily, ideally 2–3 times/day. Some people report going only once a week, which is problematic. If food is not broken down properly: The body delays gastric emptying and slows peristalsis. Leads to constipation, gas, and bloating. Digestive enzymes: Help break food down. Improve signal timing for stomach emptying and intestinal motility. Provide relatively rapid symptom relief (gas, bloating, heavy stomach). Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying Can manifest as: Heaviness (“rocks in my stomach”). Minimal or absent bowel movements. Bloating, gas, occasional heartburn, and nausea. GLP‑1 drugs (e.g., Ozempic and similar): Work partly by slowing gastric emptying. Can exacerbate pre‑existing motility issues. Digestive enzymes are compatible and can help. Enzyme basics & age Humans make tens of thousands of enzymes, but production declines with age. This explains why people often say: “I used to be able to eat X, and now I can't.” Gut–brain link & psychological burden Many neurotransmitters (or their precursors) are made/processed in the gut: Serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, etc. Poor gut function → can influence mood, sleep, appetite, social drive. Constipation/diarrhea leads to stress, anxiety, fear of leaving home (e.g., unpredictable loose stools). Kiwi Regularity: a non‑stimulant “regulating” approach Product: Enzymedica Kiwi Regularity (chewable). Based on a concentrated kiwi extract, not a harsh laxative. Works in both directions: Helps people who can't go (constipation). Helps bind loose stools (diarrhea/urgency). Gently supports motility and microbiome over time. Miralax concerns Ed and Julia criticize chronic use of Miralax: Widely prescribed, even for children. Kiwi Regularity: Gentle, non‑addictive, appropriate for: Children. Pregnant women (though labeling can't state it due to regulations). Works long‑term and supports microbiome. Shown in 4‑week studies to: Increase commensal Bifidobacteria. Support Akkermansia and butyrate production. Butyrate nourishes colon cells and supports gut barrier. [0:43:01] Practical Enzyme Use, Histamine, and Product Recommendations Industrial vs human‑oriented enzymes Many enzymes on the market were originally developed for industrial uses. Enzymedica (since 1998) focused specifically on human digestive enzymes and research. Emergency backup vs daily habits Ed shares a travel anecdote: Severe constipation scenario solved with a Fleet enema while out of town. Enemas are non‑addictive, suitable for rare emergencies. Emphasizes hydration and magnesium: Magnesium (especially certain forms) helps pull water into the bowel. Regular use of magnesium oxide solely as a laxative is not ideal; better to use more balanced forms (e.g., magnesium glycinate). Most people over ~30 benefit from enzymes Declining enzyme production with age + modern diet → strong case for broad digestive enzyme support. Histamine & DAO enzymes Enzyme DAO (diamine oxidase) can help break down histamine from food. It's typically porcine‑sourced. Crucial caveat: Must pair with a low‑histamine diet; enzymes alone won't fully overcome high‑histamine intake. Gluten‑digesting enzymes limits Gluten enzyme products can help with cross‑contamination or minor slip‑ups. They are not a license to eat full gluten-rich meals (like a whole pizza) with impunity. Which Enzymedica product for the “average American diet”? For “standard” American eating patterns (larger, richer, mixed meals): Digest Gold: Enzymedica's most potent formula. Suited for heavy or complex meals, people early in their digestive-health journey. For somewhat cleaner / smaller meals: Digest Complete: Slightly smaller capsule, still potent. Good for those who have already improved diet somewhat. Enzymedica's research shows digestive enzymes also support microbiome health, not just symptom relief. In the broader health context, Both Julia and Ed highlight: Modern environmental and lifestyle burdens (glyphosate, EMFs, etc.). Need for foundational supports: enzymes, probiotics, microbiome‑friendly diet. Where to learn more Website: enzymedica.com Contains educational articles, research summaries, and product info. Ed notes Enzymedica has extensively trained Nutrition World staff on enzymes, heartburn, slow/fast transit, etc. [0:55:36] Final Segment Ed references a study: A single course of antibiotics can alter gut microbiome for years, affecting digestion, immunity, and metabolic health. Most recover within first two years post‑antibiotics, but not fully without support. Reaffirms importance of probiotics and enzymes on the “first page” of gut health tools.  Balanced view on medicine Acknowledge a time and place for antibiotics and conventional care (e.g., pneumonia, UTIs). Stress avoiding reflexive decisions based on fear; consider pros/cons, then act. The post Radio Show / Podcast – June 28, 2026 first appeared on Vital Health Radio.

You've made it to part three, and this is the one that ties everything together. If parts one and two left you with a clearer picture of your stress system and your sleep, this episode takes you somewhere deeper: into your thyroid, your brain chemistry, and a layer of midlife that almost nobody talks about on a podcast about hormones. I'm breaking down why your thyroid and your adrenal system are locked in a relationship that most doctors never explain, and why a normal TSH does not mean your thyroid is actually working. Then we go into your neurotransmitters. Serotonin, dopamine, GABA, the gut connection. If you've ever wondered why you suddenly feel less resilient, less motivated, or like you don't know who you are anymore, this is the missing piece. And if you've been prescribed an antidepressant during perimenopause or menopause, I want you to hear this part especially. But this episode also goes somewhere I don't always go. We talk about the identity and spiritual layer of this transition. The old patterns, the buried feelings, the relationships and jobs that suddenly feel impossible to keep tolerating. I share something personal about what came up for me last year, and why I believe what feels like falling apart in midlife might actually be something else entirely. And because I know all of this can feel like a lot, I close the series with exactly where I'd start if I were you. What to test, what to ask for, and what I actually do every night for my own sleep. In This Episode, We Cover: Why a normal TSH result does not mean your thyroid is functioning properly The two way relationship between chronic stress, cortisol, and thyroid hormone conversion Why so many women are prescribed antidepressants in perimenopause and menopause when the real driver may be hormonal How estradiol affects serotonin (your sense of okay-ness) and dopamine (your motivation and drive) The role of progesterone and GABA in anxiety, racing thoughts, and the 2 to 4 AM wake up How chronic cortisol elevation disrupts neurotransmitter balance across the board Why 90 percent of your serotonin is made in your gut, not your brain The spiritual and identity layer of perimenopause and menopause, and why old patterns resurface now A personal story about a repeating pattern Karen had to finally face What Karen recommends first: the four point cortisol and DHEA test, and why it matters more than a single blood draw Karen's actual nightly routine for sleep, including HRT and magnesium Who This Episode Is For This one is for you if you have been told your labs are normal but you do not feel normal. It's for the woman who has been on an antidepressant for years and has quietly wondered if her hormones were ever part of the conversation. It's for anyone who feels more anxious, less motivated, or less like themselves than they used to, and cannot figure out why. And it's for the woman who feels like midlife is cracking something open in her, whether that shows up as a relationship that no longer fits, a job that drains her, or a feeling she cannot quite name yet.     Sponsors Timeline is offering up to 39% off your first order of Mitopure. Gummies. Go to timeline.com/HORMONE use coupon HORMONE Get 15% off Masszymes By BiOptimzers at bioptimizers.com/hormone with coupon code 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

Neuroscientist TJ Power – author of The Dose Effect joins Trending with Timmerie. Episode Guide How Do I Fix My Dopamine? (1:58) Why Do We Need to Heal Our Serotonin? (26:40) Human Relationship (40:38) St. John the Baptist (45:04) Tomorrow on Trending (50:42) Resources mentioned: The Dose effect https://thedoseeffect.co.uk/ https://thedoselab.com/# TJ Power https://www.instagram.com/tjpower/

Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are a common treatment for major depressive disorder, but they are inadequate for many patients. An article published in the July-August 2026 issue reviews decades of evidence suggesting that their effects may be improved by developing medications, based on candidate compounds, that are specifically designed to increase the brain's ability to make more serotonin.    In this podcast, Dr. Stephania Chaikali discusses the promise of a two-step strategy of both increasing brain supply of serotonin and blocking its reuptake. Dr. Chaikali is a research clinical fellow in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. Her coauthor is Jacob Jacobsen, PhD, of Evecxia Therapeutics, Inc. The article is titled "Serotonin Synthesis Amplification to Augment the Therapeutic Efficacy of Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants: Five Decades of Clinical Evidence."    Article doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000002180

Fiber is one of the most universally recommended nutrients for gut health, and in most cases that recommendation comes from a good place with good intentions. But there are specific scenarios where more fiber adds insult to injury, and most of the standard advice doesn't account for them. Inside today's episode, I walk through three situations where increasing fiber can actually make symptoms worse. I cover the motility and serotonin physiology behind that finding, the supporting interventions that pair with a short-term fiber reduction, and why this episode is about finding the right dose and the right types of fiber for the right people rather than demonizing fiber across the board.Topics Discussed: - When Fiber Backfires- Stacked Fibers from Processed Foods- Soluble Corn Fiber and Resistant Wheat Starch- Therapeutic Supplemental Fibers- FODMAPs and Gut Symptoms- SIBO and Diarrhea-Dominant IBS- Food and Symptom Tracking- The Zero Fiber Constipation Study- Motility, Serotonin, and the Gut- Right Dose, Right Type, Right Person---------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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."

Four chemicals, produced by your brain, serve as a master switch for nearly everything you think, do, and feel. In no small way, they also control our lives. But, all too often, instead of harnessing them to fuel amazing experiences and outcomes, we are controlled by them. Today, we learn how to take back control and harness them for good.Our guide is TJ Power, lead neuroscientist at the DOSE Lab and the author of The DOSE Effect. His research investigates how modern sedentary, digitally saturated lifestyles are reshaping the brain chemicals that govern how we feel, connect, focus, and recover from stress. He has delivered live experiences to over 75,000 people at institutions including Oxford University, Amazon, and the NHS.His DOSE framework centers on four chemicals: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. These chemicals evolved over hundreds of thousands of years for a very different experience of life. One with more movement, more connection, more sunlight, more sustained effort, and far less of what TJ calls dopamine land, the scroll-and-reward loop that phones have engineered into our days.In this conversation, you will explore:Why dopamine is not the reward chemical you were taught it was, and why the phone has hijacked the system that was supposed to motivate youThe difference between dopamine and oxytocin, and why TJ believes we are pursuing the wrong chemical as a speciesHow 90% of your serotonin is manufactured in your gut, and what ultra-processed food is actually doing to your moodWhy stress evolved to be released through physical movement, and why sitting still with your problems makes them worseThe 20 free behaviors from The DOSE Effect that recalibrate all four chemicals without cost, pills, or a major life overhaulIf you have been wondering why certain things that used to feel easy now feel effortful, this conversation gives you a biological explanation and a practical path forward.You can find Tj at: Website | Instagram | Episode TranscriptNext week, we are sitting down with Dr. Vonda Wright to talk about why most of what you have been told about aging is actually data about people who did nothing. The decline curve, it turns out, is negotiable, and ages 35 to 45 are the highest-leverage window. But she also makes the case that the door never closes. Be sure to follow Good Life Project wherever you get your podcasts so you don't miss it.Check out our offerings & partners: Join My New Writing Project: Awake at the WheelVisit Our Sponsor Page For Great Resources & Discount Codes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

00:00 Welcome to Boys Club Live 00:34 On the Ground at ETHConf 05:00 Today's Guest Lineup 05:49 Amanda Cassatt (Serotonin) 06:57 Ethereum's Big Mission 10:03 Institutions vs Exit Money 12:12 Talent Drain to AI and Beyond 15:44 Marketing and What Sells Now 17:03 What Excites Amanda Next 18:22 Scott Dykstra (Space and Time) 19:40 Virtual Vaults Explained 22:27 CLARITY Act and Tokenization 26:43 Quantum Threat and ETH Outlook 28:41 Buy The Dip Banter 29:23 Azeem Khan (Miden) 33:28 Privacy Versus Compliance 35:38 Digital Assets Rebrand 36:52 Crypto Maturity Optimism 40:09 Chris Yin (Plume) 40:27 Plume RWA Vaults 42:15 Looping Yield Strategies 45:07 TradFi Culture Clash 47:25 EthCC Closing Thoughts

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are a class of antidepressants that increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain. Common agents include venlafaxine (Effexor XR), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), levomilnacipran (Fetzima), and milnacipran (Savella). In addition to treating depression and anxiety disorders, several SNRIs have important pain indications, making them especially useful in patients with neuropathy, fibromyalgia, or chronic musculoskeletal pain. Common adverse effects include nausea, sweating, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and elevated blood pressure. Clinicians should also remember the significant discontinuation risk associated with shorter half-life agents like venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine. Be sure to check out our free Top 200 study guide – a 31 page PDF that is yours for FREE! Support The Podcast and Check Out These Amazing Resources! NAPLEX Study Materials BCPS Study Materials BCACP Study Materials BCGP Study Materials BCMTMS Study Materials Meded101 Guide to Nursing Pharmacology (Amazon Highly Rated) Guide to Drug Food Interactions (Amazon Best Seller) Pharmacy Technician Study Guide by Meded101

Eric Casaburi — founder of Serotonin Centers and former builder of Retro Fitness — is back to break down one of the most exciting business models emerging at the intersection of fitness and longevity medicine. In this episode, Eric walks us through the creation of SLIM Gym (Serotonin Light Impact Model), a turnkey longevity clinic concept that plugs directly into existing gym and fitness studio spaces (think 200–500 square feet of unused office or childcare rooms). It delivers hormone replacement therapy, medical weight loss, GLP-1 protocols, peptide therapy, IV therapy, and comprehensive lab work to gym members—without the gym owner ever touching a medical compliance headache. Eric shares the real data behind why active gym members on longevity protocols retain at dramatically higher rates, why GLP-1s may actually be a "gateway drug" into fitness culture, how Serotonin handles HIPAA compliance and nurse practitioner training through a robust internal LMS, and why he believes the next major wave in the fitness industry isn't a new piece of equipment — it's the full integration of preventative health and performance medicine on the gym floor. Key Takeaways: 

Serotonin does far more than regulate mood — 90% of it is made in your gut, not your brain. In this episode, Nurse Doza breaks down exactly what serotonin does, why so many people are unknowingly depleted, and how to naturally restore levels through gut health, B vitamins, sunlight, and targeted supplementation.   FEATURED PRODUCT Bliss by MSW Nutrition Serotonin production depends on methylation — and if your methylation pathways are sluggish, you can be doing everything right and still come up short. Bliss is a lemon-flavored sublingual powder featuring TMG (trimethylglycine), a powerful methyl donor that directly supports the methylation reactions your body needs to synthesize serotonin and dopamine. As discussed in this episode, the MTHFR gene, B vitamins, and SAMe are all essential cofactors in serotonin production — and Bliss is formulated to address exactly that gap. Just place it on your tongue and let it absorb in seconds. One serving a day is all it takes.

Before there was a crypto marketing playbook, someone had to write it...Nic Cary sits down with Amanda Cassatt, former CMO of ConsenSys and founder and CEO of Serotonin. Amanda helped bring Ethereum to market before the playbook existed - pitching Joe Lubin for a role she invented, building the global meetup network that launched MetaMask, Infura, Truffle, and Gitcoin, and shaping the narrative of an entire industry from the ground up, before going on to build her own marketing empire.

Dr. Christine Bishara, gut health physician, founder of From Within Medical in New York City, and author of The Gut Revolution, joins Dr. Tara Perry for a live Q&A exploring the science of the gut-brain connection and what most people are getting wrong about healing from the inside out.Dr. Bishara draws on her personal journey, losing over 70 pounds as a teenager through food, intermittent fasting, and microbiome science before most of the research even existed, to lay out a practical, back-to-basics framework for optimizing mood, metabolism, and immunity through the gut.KEY TAKEAWAYS00:00 The conscious mind processes 30 bits of information per second. The subconscious processes 40 million. Lasting healing requires reaching the elephant, not just the rider.07:39 Most Americans are eating in a way that keeps their gut in digestion mode around the clock, leaving no time for immune function or neurotransmitter production.10:04 Inflammation begins in the mouth. Oral microbiome imbalances can deposit arterial plaque directly into the heart.15:34 Serotonin requires tryptophan, an amino acid the body cannot make on its own. Mood disorders are often a nutrient deficiency problem, not just a chemistry problem.22:15 Acetylcholine controls the speed of neuronal communication. Brain fog and sluggish thinking are often tied to low healthy fat intake, not willpower.29:25 Chronic cortisol elevation keeps the body in fat storage mode. It is persistent stress, not short-term spikes, that drives chronic inflammation and disease.45:37 The biggest intermittent fasting mistakes: not eating enough fiber, fasting too long, and confusing restriction with healing. For women, prolonged fasts can backfire by triggering cortisol.54:47 Beneficial gut bacteria produce postbiotics that activate GLP-1 receptors naturally. You can get the satiety effect without medication, just eat the vegetables first.58:13 Children who had high levels of bifidobacteria were largely protected from severe COVID outcomes. Bifidobacteria, which thrive on plant fiber, is the single most important bacteria in the microbiome.01:00:26 Studies show meditation and prayer increase lifespan by an average of five years. Heart-brain coherence directly affects immune function at the cellular level.RESOURCES MENTIONEDFrom Within Medical — Dr. Bishara's practice and free gut health starter guide (50 best foods, healthy oils, healthy sweeteners)The Gut Revolution — Dr. Bishara's book, available in print and on AudibleDr. Christine Bishara on Instagram — @dr.christinebWork with Dr. Tara PerryTune in every Wednesday for a new episode of Next Level Healing. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Darien, CT A new way to help alleviate Neuropathic Pain is using Transcutaneous Pulsed Radio frequency therapy. This treatment helps quiet pain signals coming from the brain in several ways. Lets use tPRF to describe the therapy.Chronic pain bombards the brain, like a phone left off the hook-the pain signals are trying to get the brain's attention. The electromagnetic field created by tPRF quiets the oversensitized nerves. When this happens, it is called allodynia. This presents as extreme pain being felt where it should not. The damaged nerves can deplete neurotransmitters that facilitate normal nerve firing. GABA acts like a brake on the nervous system to prevent overfiring of damaged nerves.Norepinephrine binds to receptors to block the release of pain chemicals from peripheral nerves.Serotonin is another inhibiting neurotransmitter that inhibits the transmission of pain signals. However, In chronic states, its role can become complex, sometimes facilitating pain if the system is "exhausted".How your brain stops pain. The body has a built-in "volume knob" for pain called the **Descending Inhibitory Pain Pathway**. When the brain decides to suppress pain, it sends efferent signals from the **Periaqueductal Gray (PAG)** in the midbrain down to the **Rostral Ventromedial Medulla (RVM)** and finally back into the spinal cord.This pathway works like a gatekeeper. If the "gate" in the spinal cord is closed by these descending signals, the pain message from your nerves never reaches your conscious brain.Transcutaneous Pulsed Radio frequency can help people with chronic debilitating nerve pain by changing the brain's ability to suppress pain signals. This can dramatically improve the life of a person suffering from neuropathy. If you have questions please reach out to me Dr.Brian McKay at 203-656-3636Have a Question? Just AskThis podcast welcomes your feedback here are several ways to reach out to me. If you have a topic you would like to hear about send me a message.  I appreciate your listening. Dr. Brian Mc Kayhttps://twitter.com/DarienChiro/https://www.facebook.com/ChiropractorBrianMckayhttps://chiropractor-darien-dr-brian-mckay.business.sitehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-just-chiropractor-for-stamford-darien-norwalk-new/id1503674397?uo=4Core Health Darien-Dr.Brian Mc Kay 551 Post RoadDarien CT 06820203-656-363641.0833695 -73.46652073GMP+87 Darien, Connecticuthttps://youtu.be/WpA__dDF0O041.0834196 -73.46423349999999https://darienchiropractor.comhttps://darienchiropractor.com/darien/darien-ct-understanding-pain/Find us on Social Mediahttps://chiropractor-darien-dr-brian-mckay.business.site  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNHc0Hn85Iiet56oGUpX8rwhttps://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nJ9wlvg2Tne8257paDkkIBEyIz-oZZYy/edit#gid=517721981https://goo.gl/maps/js6hGWvcwHKBGCZ88https://www.youtube.com/my_videos?o=Uhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/darienchiropractorhttps://www.facebook.com/ChiropractorBrianMckayhttps://sites.google.com/view/corehealthdarien/https://sites.google.com/view/corehealthdarien/home

Gut health has become a major focus in nutrition, medicine, and consumer wellness, but the term is often used loosely. Claims about microbiome testing, probiotics, fermented foods, fibre, and "boosting" the gut microbiome are now common, yet the evidence behind these claims varies substantially. In this episode, Dr. Emily Leeming examines what gut health actually refers to, why it cannot be reduced to the microbiome alone, and where current microbiome science is being applied before it is ready. The discussion covers the limits of commercial stool testing, the difficulty of defining a healthy microbiome, and the practical strategies most strongly supported by current evidence. Timestamps: [02:48] Interview start [04:17] Defining gut health [09:03] What is a "healthy microbiome"? [15:25] Microbiome testing - any clinical utility? [24:08] Interpreting microbiome studies [34:39] "30 plants a week" is not evidence-based [39:53] Serotonin and gut brain [45:34] Fiber research frontier Links/Resources: Go to episode page (w/ links to mentioned studies) Join the Sigma newsletter for free Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium Enroll in the next cohort of our Applied Nutrition Literacy course Dr. Leeming's newsletter: Second Brain

There's more to mental health than pills, prescriptions, and counseling. In this episode, I dive deep into the often-overlooked connection between major depressive disorder and neuroinflammation. While many focus solely on serotonin as the "happiness chemical," I'll reveal how chronic inflammation can actually "steal" the raw materials your brain needs to produce it. We'll unpack the biochemistry of how pro-inflammatory cytokines create a "fork in the road" for tryptophan, shifting it away from serotonin and toward neurodegenerative molecules that impact your memory, focus, and sense of reward.Topics discussed: - Link between systemic inflammation and major depressive disorder- Why genetics matter - Inflammation hijacking- Understanding cytokines- Physical changes in your brain- Anti-inflammatory effects - Steps to identify and mitigate inflammation ---------- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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."

Timestamps 00:00 — Intro & Show Opening 01:00 — Why Strong Moms = Strong Kids 01:30 — Meet Debra Atkinson 03:31 — Debra's Journey & Mission 05:28 — Why Moms Must Put Themselves First 07:37 — Where to Start: Food & Movement 08:52 — Minimum Exercise for Busy Moms 09:14  — The Harvard Hotel Maid Study 11:19 — Best Exercises for Moms 15:36 — Hormones & Mood Swings 16:26 — Serotonin, Dopamine & Oxytocin 17:35 — Can Too Much Cardio Hurt Moms? 19:29 — The Danger of Chronic Cardio 20:24 —Top Fitness Myths Busted 21:46 — Muscle Is a Girl's Best Friend 22:07 — How Kids Can Help Mom Get Healthy 24.51 — #1 Tip: Find What You Love 25:45 — How to Stay Consistent 27:19 — Connect with Debra Atkinson In this special Mother's Day episode of The Holistic Kids Show, hosts Zane, Dula, and Ima sit down with hormone-centric fitness coach and 41-year fitness expert Debra Atkinson — bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and host of the Flipping 50 Podcast — to talk about one of the most important topics of all: the health and wellbeing of our moms. Did you know the average mom works 98–112 hours a week? Or that 75% of moms feel their lives are entirely for others? In this powerful conversation, Debra shares how moms can reclaim their energy, strength, and mental resilience — without overcomplicating it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why muscle is a mom's best friend (and how strength training changes everything) How movement, sunshine, and connection naturally boost mood and reduce stress The truth about cardio — and why more isn't always better How small, everyday activity counts more than you think Simple ways kids can support their moms in getting healthier How to stay consistent with exercise even when motivation runs low Whether you're a mom, a kid who loves their mom, or someone on a wellness journey — this episode is packed with practical, science-backed wisdom that applies to the whole family.

In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain the neural circuits that activate and control aggressive states and behaviors. I discuss how hormones, genes and environmental factors such as day length can shift our aggressive tendencies. I also share science-based tools for modulating aggression, including sunlight exposure, heat therapy and supplementation with ashwagandha or acetyl-L-carnitine. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Aggression, Types of Aggression (00:01:43) Context, Aggression vs Sadness (00:03:11) Hydraulic Pressure Model of Aggression (00:06:40) Sponsor: LMNT (00:08:12) Brain Areas for Aggression, Ventromedial Hypothalamus (00:15:26) Biting, Neural Circuits of Physical Aggression (00:17:52) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (00:19:09) Estrogen & Aggression, Testosterone & Competitiveness (00:22:37) Seasonality, Sunlight, Melatonin & Aggression (00:24:50) Cortisol, Serotonin & Aggression (00:26:35) Tool: Reduce Cortisol with Sunlight & Sauna; Ashwagandha (00:30:39) Sponsor: AG1 (00:31:58) Irritability, Aggression & Genetics; Seasonality (00:34:49) Tool: ADHD, Acetyl-L Carnitine & Aggressive Behavior Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brain Rot Killing Your Productivity? | TJ Power The Dose Effect InterviewThe average person checks their phone 217 times per day, each check delivering a dopamine hit that wears out your reward system. TJ Power, author of The Dose Effect, explains why this stimulation addiction is killing your productivity and relationships, and what you can do about it.TJ has taken over 100,000 people through his DOSE neuroscience programme, teaching them how to fix their brain chemistry through understanding dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins. His core insight: we're chasing dopamine when what we actually need is oxytocin, and boredom isn't the enemy; it's the solution.What You'll Learn:How Phones Hack Your Dopamine System: Discover why 217 daily phone checks create artificial dopamine spikes that wear out your reward system, leading to apathy, anxiety, and brain rot.The 15-Minute Boredom Barrier That Changes Everything: Learn why pushing through 15 minutes of boredom during phone-free walks activates your default mode network for self-projection and future planning.Healthy Dopamine, Willpower, and the AMCC Brain Region: Understand the difference between dopamine from completing important tasks versus scrolling, and how resisting phone checks strengthens your willpower muscle.The Five-Hug Daily Challenge You're Failing: Adults average just 1.2 hugs per day, and teenagers, only 0.4, but we need five proper hugs (three to five seconds each) for oxytocin.Serotonin, Gut Health, and Slow Living: Discover why 90% of your serotonin is produced in your gut, and how Greek yoghurt, eggs, and slow mornings support calm and clarity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 It’s estimated that 1 in 10 adults experience tinnitus, often described as a phantom ringing noise in the ears. The condition can develop due to head trauma, hearing loss, exposure to loud noise or as a side effect of certain medications.   There’s no cure for tinnitus and its origins have long been a mystery. But new research from Oregon Health & Science University has linked tinnitus with elevated serotonin levels in certain regions of the brain. While far from a cure, the discovery could one day help scientists understand how to reverse the condition through brain chemistry.   Larry Trussell is a professor of otolaryngology at OHSU and interim director of the Oregon Hearing Research Center. Angie Garinis is an associate professor of otolaryngology at OHSU and a member of the Oregon Hearing Research Center. She’s also a principal investigator at the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research at the Portland VA.   They both join us to talk about what this new information could mean for patients who suffer from tinnitus.  

Stephen's website & podcasthttps://bgbodymindspirit.com/https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bgcast--5832809Forbidden Knowledge Network https://forbiddenknowledge.news/ FKN Link Treehttps://linktr.ee/FKNlinksMake a Donation to Forbidden Knowledge News https://www.paypal.me/forbiddenknowledgenehttps://buymeacoffee.com/forbiddenTake control of your health now with Christian Yordanov's Live Longer Program https://www.livelongerformula.com/fknWe are back on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@forbiddenknowledgenews?si=XQhXCjteMKYNUJSjBackup channelhttps://youtube.com/@fknshow1?si=tIoIjpUGeSoRNaEsDoors of Perception is available now on Amazon Prime!https://watch.amazon.com/detail?gti=amzn1.dv.gti.8a60e6c7-678d-4502-b335-adfbb30697b8&ref_=atv_lp_share_mv&r=webDoors of Perception official trailerhttps://youtu.be/F-VJ01kMSII?si=Ee6xwtUONA18HNLZListen to Forbidden Knowledge News on clearair.fm every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 12:15pm CSThttps://clearair.fm/Pick up Independent Media Token herehttps://www.independentmediatoken.com/Be prepared for any emergency with Prep Starts Now!https://prepstartsnow.com/discount/FKNStart your microdosing journey with BrainsupremeGet 15% off your order here!!https://brainsupreme.co/FKN15Book a free consultation with Jennifer Halcame Emailjenniferhalcame@gmail.comFacebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561665957079&mibextid=ZbWKwLWatch The Forbidden Documentary: Occult Louisiana on Tubi: https://link.tubi.tv/pGXW6chxCJbC60 PurplePowerhttps://go.shopc60.com/FORBIDDEN10/or use coupon code knowledge10Johnny Larson's artworkhttps://www.patreon.com/JohnnyLarsonSign up on Rokfin!https://rokfin.com/fknplusPodcastshttps://www.spreaker.com/show/forbiddenAvailable on all platforms Support FKN on Spreaker https://spreaker.page.link/KoPgfbEq8kcsR5oj9FKN ON Rumblehttps://rumble.com/c/FKNpGet Cory Hughes books!Lee Harvey Oswald In Black and White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ2PQJRMA Warning From History Audio bookhttps://buymeacoffee.com/jfkbook/e/392579https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jfkbookhttps://www.amazon.com/Warning-History-Cory-Hughes/dp/B0CL14VQY6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=72HEFZQA7TAP&keywords=a+warning+from+history+cory+hughes&qid=1698861279&sprefix=a+warning+fro%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1https://coryhughes.org/Our Facebook pageshttps://www.facebook.com/forbiddenknowledgenewsconspiracy/https://www.facebook.com/FKNNetwork/Instagram @forbiddenknowledgenews1@forbiddenknowledgenetworkXhttps://x.com/ForbiddenKnow10?t=uO5AqEtDuHdF9fXYtCUtfw&s=09Email Forbidden Knowledge News forbiddenknowledgenews@gmail.comsome music thanks to:https://www.bensound.com/ULFAPO3OJSCGN8LDDGLBEYNSIXA6EMZJ5FUXWYNC6WJNJKRS8DH27IXE3D73E97DC6JMAFZLSZDGTWFIBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/forbidden-knowledge-news--3589233/support.

She's 70 years old, holds a PhD she earned in her late 60s, and looks like she cracked the code on aging. But Dr. Catharine Arnston isn't selling a beauty secret she's sharing 17 years of research into two of the most scientifically documented superfoods on Earth: spirulina and chlorella.In this episode of SHE MD, Mary Alice Haney and Dr. Aliabadi sit down with Dr. Catharine Arnston, Chief Scientific Officer of ENERGYbits, for one of the most eye-opening conversations we've had on this show. It started with her sister's breast cancer diagnosis and a pivot away from a 25-year corporate career. What she found in the research changed everything she thought she knew about energy, brain health, aging, and women's bodies.This isn't wellness fluff. There are over 100,000 peer-reviewed studies on these two algae. NASA has been feeding them to astronauts for 50 years. The United Nations endorsed spirulina as the answer to world hunger. And yet most women in the Western world have never heard of them.Learn More Here: https://energybits.com/discount/SHEMD?rfsn=9096638.6abd9cc1&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=9096638.6abd9cc1What You'll LearnWhy algae was the first life on Earth and why that matters for your bodyThe difference between macroalgae (seaweed, kelp) and microalgae (spirulina, chlorella)How spirulina creates cellular energy without the crash of caffeine or sugarWhat phycocyanin is and how this blue pigment behaves differently in healthy versus unhealthy cellsWhy mitochondria decline with age and how to protect them with nutritionThe role of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and why your body stops making it after age 30Why menopause damages women's mitochondria twice as fast as men'sHow chlorella detoxes heavy metals, glyphosate, aluminum, and other environmental toxinsWhy chlorella is essential for anyone on a GLP-1 or any weight loss journeyHow chlorella naturally supports serotonin, melatonin, sleep, and bowel motilityThe right dosage of each algae by age, condition, and time of dayWhy high heat in processing kills the benefits of most algae on the marketThe truth about excess stored iron, inflammation, and "rusting from the inside" after menopauseHow ENERGYbits are sourced in Taiwan in triple-filtered mountain spring waterHow to use algae for weight loss, sleep, brain fog, skin health, and longevityKey Timestamps00:00 Welcome Dr. Catharine Arnston & Why Algae Matters00:25 Catharine's Sister, Cancer, and the Origin of ENERGYbits01:49 Plant-Based Nutrition and the Otto Warburg Discovery02:46 Why People Don't Eat Vegetables (and What to Do About It)03:28 Why No One Knows About Algae Despite 100,000 Studies04:19 Why NASA Feeds Algae to Astronauts04:43 Algae Is Food, Not a Supplement06:45 "Aging Is Natural, Declining Is Not"07:08 Macroalgae vs. Microalgae Explained08:24 Why Lake & Ocean Algae Can Be Toxic09:27 Spirulina: Energy at the Cellular Level10:22 Why Algae Protein Beats Animal Protein10:49 Dosage 101: When and How Much to Take12:13 Phycocyanin: The Blue Pigment That Targets Unhealthy Cells14:34 The Electron Transport Chain & ATP (The "Ferrari" Analogy)15:48 Aging, Mitochondria & Cellular Decline16:13 Superoxide Dismutase (SOD): The Hidden Antioxidant17:53 Why Menopause Hits Women's Mitochondria Twice as Hard19:38 Brain Fog, Depression & Damaged Mitochondria20:37 Mary Alice's Family History & The Case for Prevention22:10 How Fast You'll Feel It & Mitochondrial DNA Regeneration23:16 Anti-Angiogenesis & Stopping Tumor Blood Supply24:10 Chlorella: The Body's Tow Truck for Toxins27:45 Chlorophyll, Hemoglobin & Building Your Blood28:35 Glutathione, Liver Health & Tryptophan29:03 Chlorella, Serotonin & Mood29:34 Chlorella for Bowel Motility30:25 The Athlete Protocol (NHL & NFL Dosing)31:12 Sleep, Melatonin & Why Chlorella Works at Night32:54 Chlorella for Chemotherapy Recovery36:01 Pricing, Daily Cost & the Discount Code36:45 Important: Talk to Your Oncologist Before Combining38:17 Algae for Weight Loss & GLP-1 Support40:32 Safety, Sourcing & Why ENERGYbits Are Grown in Taiwan42:20 Catharine's Trip to Taiwan & Why It Matters43:31 Excess Iron, Menopause & "Rusting From the Inside"46:07 Final Thoughts & Why Consistency Wins47:32 Absorption, Exosomes & Why Algae Works So Fast48:39 Dosage for Kids, Husbands & Pets49:41 Beauty Bits: The Pink Spirulina for Skin & Hair51:07 Mary Alice Starts Her Algae JourneyKey TakeawaysAging is natural, declining is notAlgae is food, not a supplement, so your body recognizes and absorbs it instantlySpirulina nourishes & energizes, chlorella detoxes & repairsYou need both algaes for different reasons, especially after 40Most brain issues trace back to damaged mitochondriaWomen lose antioxidant and hormone protection twice as fast as men in menopauseThe right dosage matters more than the right ingredientConsistency beats intensity, your body is not a light switchMost supplements are artificial, your body wastes up to 90% of themToxins live in your fat, so detoxing is part of any weight loss journeyThe science exists, the connection between scientists and women is what's missingMother Nature provided answers long before pharmaceutical companies didWhat you can't see at the cellular level is often what's hurting you mostGuest BioDr. Catharine Arnston is the founder and Chief Scientific Officer of ENERGYbits, the medical-grade algae company she launched 17 years ago after pivoting from a 25-year international corporate career to research plant-based nutrition for her sister, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Her research led her to spirulina and chlorella, two microalgae backed by more than 100,000 scientific studies, and to a mission of bringing clean, hand-sourced algae nutrition to women, families, and elite athletes around the world. Catharine earned her health coaching certificate from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and went on to complete her PhD in her late 60s, becoming one of the most credentialed and outspoken advocates for algae nutrition in the world. Her upcoming book, Love Your Health to Bits with Algae, set for an October release, distills 17 years of research into accessible, "science with sarcasm" guidance for the everyday reader. Catharine lives by the philosophy that "aging is natural, declining is not" and is on a mission to make algae as common in the Western world as it has been in Asia for the past 60 years.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gregory W. Mattingly, M.D., provides an overview of the key neurotransmitter systems — particularly dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin — that contribute to the core features of ADHD, and the medications used to treat the condition. Resources: ADHD & Brain Health Free Download: Unraveling the Mysteries of Your ADHD Brain Read: ADHD Neuroscience 101 Read: Everything You Never Knew About the ADHD Brain Read: Using a Dopamine Menu to Stimulate Your ADHD Brain Access the video and slides for podcast episode #603 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/brain-chemistry-dopamine-serotonin-norepinephrine-adhd/ This episode is sponsored by the podcast Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson. Search for "Hyperfocus with Rae Jacobson" in your podcast app or find links to listen at https://lnk.to/hyperfocusPS!adhdexperts. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

A few months back, there were statements about SSRIs and increase violence in youth. Not true and I found a well written article explaining what a government official said and what is the factual, data based findings. I'll have that linked below.  What I want to do is share with you the process of evaluating a medication so that you know the benefits and possible side effects so that you can make an informed choice.   The basic questions are:   What is this drug and why do I need it? Specifics on how much to take, when and with or without foods or liquids. What are the known side effects and when should I be concerned? Are there foods, drinks, vitamins, herbals or other things I should not take with the medication? How do I quit or stop taking the medication? There are some meds that you have to be weaned off of or you might experience harsh withdrawal symptoms. Resources Mentioned:  What Is (and What Is Not) on Trump and Kennedy's Make America Healthy Again Public Health Agenda by KFF News. Simply Psychology page on Serotonin and how it affects the brain and body.   The Mayo Clinic has a good information page about anti-depressants   Antidepressants for kids and teens: What the science says. For parents who need background information on anti-depressants for their kids or teenagers.   Medline Plus Drug Information Page, you can type the generic name or the brand name of the drug to get information on it.    Emergency Resources:    The Trevor Project: Provides crisis support specifically for LGBTQ+ youth through phone (1-866-488-7386), text (START to 678-678), and online chat. Available 24/7. They also provide peer support and community.    Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat online. There are phone lines for those serving overseas. Visit the website to find the current status of the Veteran line and international calling options.    National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support 24/7. This service operates independently of the 988 service. Users can use text, chat or WhatsApp as a means of contact. Disclaimer:  Links to other sites are provided for information purposes only and do not constitute endorsements.  Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health disorder. This blog and podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Nothing in this program is intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Dr. Mala Cunningham (PhD in Counseling Psychology, senior disciple of Swami Satchidananda, and founder of Neuroscience and Yoga TT, Cardiac Medical Yoga TT, and Mental Health, Neuroscience and Yoga TT) joins us to explore the powerful intersection of ancient yoga practices and modern neuroscience.Learn how yoga and meditation actually change your brain, stimulates your vagus nerve for instant calm, and why giving your brain conscious rest is so important. As well as the role of gratitude and intention in reshaping your neurobiology, micro-resting techniques, learning styles in meditation, body awareness, emotional safety, and much more.This conversation blends Neuroscience with Yoga techniques and strategies you can use immediately for better emotional regulation, stress reduction, emotional health, and peak performance.M. Mala Cunningham, Ph.D., E-RYT-1000, C-IAYT is a licensed psychotherapist, educator, trainer, author, and innovator in Neuro-Yoga Psychology™. With over 30 years of clinical experience, she specializes in integrative mental health, vagus nerve regulation, and psychodynamic therapy. A former Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Virginia, she developed the University of Virginia's Cardiac Medical Yoga Program and taught Integrative Medicine in the Nursing and Medical School for over 12 years. Dr. Mala is the CEO of Positive Health Solutions, LLC, and leads nationally recognized trainings in medical yoga, neuroscience, and mental health integration. She is an international speaker and consultant for healthcare professionals, yoga therapists, and educators. She lives in Charlottesville, VA. Her website is: www.cardiacyoga.comDr. Mala's new book:"Neuroscience, Yoga, and Psychology: Tools for Regulating the Vagus Nerve for Health and Peak Performance" (out June 2026). This book can be pre-ordered.Learn more & upcoming trainings:Cardiac Yoga / Positive Health Solutions:https://cardiacyoga.comNeuroscience & Yoga Teacher Training at Yogaville (Integral Yoga Ashram): Check yogaville.org--Timestamps below ⬇️If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe, share, and leave a review — it helps more people discover these tools for healing and well-being.Chapters / Timestamps00:09 Introducing Dr. Mala Cunningham — yoga, neuroscience & counseling psychology01:01 How yoga impacts neurobiology and why technology finally proved it03:40 Yoga is now mainstream in science, business & government04:58 Personal experience: knowledge + practice gives real agency06:59 What is the vagus nerve? (The wanderer — 75% of parasympathetic system)08:12 Activating your inner pharmacy: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins (DOSE)10:43 Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic balance, dorsal/ventral vagal states & the gunas13:31 Simple ways to stimulate the vagus nerve (neck rolls, eyes, ears, breathing)14:52 Meditation, learning styles & why mantra didn't work for a visual learner18:29 Giving the brain conscious rest (more powerful than sleep)20:23 fMRI insights: Left prefrontal cortex, pleasure centers & BASS practice22:14 Ego, safety, emotional threat & defensive patterns28:52 Micro-resting technique (eyes, tongue, jaw, shoulders at stoplights)34:54 Gratitude practices — cognitive vs felt sense39:03 Intention (sankalpa), optimism & rewiring the amygdala42:24 Trauma wiring, protection & becoming objective50:38 Reading body language & genuine somatic awareness55:32 The power of a simple smile + deep sigh to activate parasympathetic56:35 Dr. Mala's upcoming Neuroscience & Yoga Teacher Training at Yogaville + new book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life doesn't slow down. Between the daily inconveniences and the hard, unexpected stuff — relationship struggles, loss, disappointments — our bodies are constantly being asked to manage more. One of the reasons Jess has such deep reverence for nutrition is its power to set us up biologically, so when life gets hard, our bodies have something to stand on. Because health isn't just physical. It's mental, social, spiritual, and biological — and if we can shore up the biological piece, we give ourselves a real fighting chance with the rest. In this episode, Jess breaks down: A fascinating gut mechanism that most people have never heard of — and how it directly impacts your mood, energy, and mental wellbeing when your nervous system is in overdrive. The science (made simple): Tryptophan is an amino acid your body uses to make serotonin. But under chronic stress, inflammation, or fight-or-flight, an enzyme called IDO activates and diverts tryptophan away from serotonin production — toward a compound called kynurenine (KIN-yoo-reh-neen). This is your body's survival response. But the cost? Lower serotonin availability, and with it, low mood, anxiety, and fatigue. Your body is literally stealing from your serotonin supply to deal with stress. The nutrition connection: When we're stressed, we're also usually not eating the foods that support this pathway — and that's the double hit. Chronic stress depletes the very micronutrients your body needs to produce serotonin in the first place: B6 — required to convert tryptophan into serotonin Magnesium — supports serotonin synthesis AND calms the HPA axis Zinc — activates the enzyme that kicks off serotonin production Iron — works alongside zinc in that same enzyme pathway (especially important for women) Vitamin D — regulates the genes involved in serotonin synthesis upstream What this looks like in practice: Jess shares how she works with clients to assess their nutrition rhythms, run functional labs and GI-MAP testing, and identify where the raw materials for serotonin production may be missing — so that nourishment becomes intentional, not reactive. Grab the Eat To Energize Freebie HERE! 

Explore the fascinating world of blood tests, focusing on platelets, serotonin, and the impact of diet on blood health. Learn how modern blood analysis works, common errors, and the significance of interpreting results in context.Chapters00:00 Platelets and Serotonin: A Surprising Connection08:32 The Role of Diet in Blood Health10:57 Common Blood Test Errors and Their Implications13:48 Optimising Health Through Blood Test InterpretationArticle https://open.substack.com/pub/theukcarnivore/p/platelets-the-secret-serotonin-supplier?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

Welcome to PsychEd, the psychiatry podcast for medical learners, by medical learners. This short episode covers the basics of serotonin syndrome.Hosts: Eric Yu (MS3)Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)Dr. Shaoyuan Wang (PGY5)Audio Editing: Dr. Angad Singh (PGY2)References:1. Boyer, E. W. (2024). Serotonin syndrome (serotonin toxicity). In UpToDate.2. Buckley, N. A., Dawson, A. H., & Isbister, G. K. (2014). Serotonin syndrome. Bmj, 348.3. Dunkley, E. J. C., Isbister, G. K., Sibbritt, D., Dawson, A. H., & Whyte, I. M. (2003). The Hunter Serotonin Toxicity Criteria: simple and accurate diagnostic decision rules for serotonin toxicity. Qjm, 96(9), 635-642.4. Foong, A. L., Grindrod, K. A., Patel, T., & Kellar, J. (2018). Demystifying serotonin syndrome (or serotonin toxicity). Canadian Family Physician, 64(10), 720-727.For more PsychEd, follow us on Instagram (⁠@psyched.podcast⁠), Facebook (⁠PsychEd Podcast⁠), X (⁠@psychedpodcast⁠), and Bluesky (⁠@psychedpodcast.bsky.social‬⁠). You can email us at ⁠psychedpodcast@gmail.com⁠ and visit our website at⁠ psychedpodcast.org⁠.

Nếu bạn đã theo dõi phần 1 — dựa trên cuốn sách tạm dịch “Cảm thấy nhạt nhẽo ư? Vì sao cuộc sống trở nên thiếu niềm vui và làm thế nào để lấy lại những khoảnh khắc thăng hoa”, bạn có lẽ đã hiểu vì sao chúng ta ngày càng dễ rơi vào trạng thái chán nản và mất kết nối với cảm xúc của mình. Và hôm nay, chúng ta sẽ đi tiếp một bước quan trọng hơn - bắt đầu thay đổi thực sự. Trong phần này, mình sẽ cùng bạn khám phá 4 phương pháp cốt lõi,dựa trên việc hiểu và chủ động cân bằng 4 chất dẫn truyền thần kinh quan trọng: Dopamine, Cortisol, Serotonin và Oxytocin. Đây là một bản thiết kế hành động cụ thể. Một bản đồ giúp bạn tìm lại cảm giác an vui, trở thành kiến trúc sư - người tự thiết kế lại trải nghiệm hạnh phúc cho chính mình một cách có chủ ý và khoa học. Xin mời bạn cùng lắng nghe!Link phần 1:    • Vì sao bạn ngày càng dễ chán nản? (PHẦN 1)...  -------------------------Nếu bạn muốn mua sách giấy để đọc, có thể ủng hộ Better Version bằng cách mua qua đường link này nhé, cám ơn các bạn! ❤️ Link tổng hợp các cuốn sách trong tất cả video: https://beacons.ai/betterversion.vn/b... ❤️ ỦNG HỘ KÊNH TẠI: https://beacons.ai/betterversion.donate

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-26-2026: li> Dr. Dawn announces a UCSF study recruiting participants for psilocybin therapy to help patients cope with chronic low back pain, requiring ages 25-70 with failed prior treatments. A caller preparing for bladder stone surgery asks about avoiding a repeat of severe post-anesthesia disorientation. Dr. Dawn recommends pharmacogenomic testing through 3x4 Genetics to identify slow acetylator status and other detoxification enzyme variants that can guide anesthesiologists toward better drug choices. A clinical trial found that 24 minutes of music with binaural beats—where slightly offset audio in each ear generates synchronized brainwaves—significantly reduced anxiety in medicated patients. Dr. Dawn encourages trying this accessible, low-risk intervention. Chronic noise exposure triggers oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Data centers and server farms are emerging noise pollution sources, and Dr. Dawn recommends affordable noise-canceling headphones as a health investment. A Crohn's patient in Switzerland reports alarming neurological symptoms including speech arrest with preserved awareness and transient visual disturbances. He is having trouble finding any Functional Medicine trained physician and Dr. Dawn recommends emailing to info@ifm.org. Furthermore, Dr. Dawn suspects possible seizure activity from brain inflammation and recommends pursuing a sleep-deprived EEG and MRI through a neurology referral. MIT researchers discovered Interlectin-2, a protein that both strengthens the mucus barrier by cross-linking mucins and directly traps and kills pathogens like Salmonella and Shigella. Imbalanced levels may contribute to inflammatory bowel disease. Synthetic versions may be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. A 33-year-old man survived 48 hours without lungs after flu-triggered bacterial pneumonia caused ARDS and multiple organ failure. Surgeons removed both lungs treat septic shock while ECMO (extracorporeal oxygenation)sustained him until a successful double lung transplant. A meta-analysis of 43 studies involving millions of births found no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy increases autism, ADHD, or intellectual disability risk, contradicting recent political claims. Green tea contains about 30% more L-theanine than black tea, with studies showing 200mg daily improves verbal fluency, sleep quality, and reduces anxiety. Decaffeinated green tea retains full theanine content. Pop star Robbie Williams developed scurvy while on GLP-1 weight loss drugs, highlighting that only 2 of 40+ major GLP-1 trials assessed vitamin intake. Dr. Dawn urges anyone on these medications to take a comprehensive multivitamin.

RESOURCES- Join me in my 30-Day Booty Camp to feel strong, sexy, and radiant in just 15 minutes a day - no gym needed at danettebootycamp.com- Free of artificial flavors, sugars, and dyes- It's only 5 calories per serving, and every order comes with a 365-day money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free. Visit nativehydrate.com/DANETTE to see what Native Hydrate could do for your health.Listen to Gina's podcast episode interviewing me here.CONNECT WITH DANETTEInstagram: @thedanettemayFacebook: Danette MayTikTok: @thedanettemayNEW TV Show on Youtube: @TheDanetteMayListen to The Danette May ShowRead my book: danettemay.com/embraceabundancebookGet The Rise book: therisebook.comWork with Danette: danettemay.comIn this powerful episode, I sit down with Gina Worful, founder of the Mastering Mindfulness Institute, to uncover the real reason behind sugar cravings, emotional eating, and why so many women feel stuck in cycles with food. If you've ever wondered why you can't stop craving sugar or why willpower never seems to work, this conversation will completely shift your perspective. We explore how cravings are not a lack of discipline, but powerful signals from your body tied to your nervous system, stress, blood sugar, and deeper emotional needs.We go beyond diet culture to reveal how your relationship with food is deeply connected to your sense of safety, pleasure, and self-worth. You'll learn how to decode your cravings, understand emotional eating, and begin healing your relationship with food in a sustainable, compassionate way. This episode is for anyone ready to stop fighting their body, release shame around eating, and finally feel empowered, balanced, and at peace with food.IN THIS EPISODE:(0:00) Cravings vs shame mindset shift(0:35) Meet Gina Worful mindfulness and food expert(1:25) 30 day booty camp energy and confidence(2:21) Hydration and energy crash fix(3:48) Life in Austin and community energy(4:42) Gina's journey into nutrition(8:04) The shame moment that changed everything(11:11) Self compassion over willpower(13:35) Cravings are nervous system signals(15:59) How to decode your cravings(18:42) Blood sugar vs stress eating(20:38) Serotonin and brain chemistry explained(21:52) Why you crave sugar at night(22:19) Emotional and childhood eating patterns(24:39) Why comfort eating isn't bad(25:49) Pleasure stress and weight loss(28:07) Trauma safety and food(33:57) Your body isn't broken(36:16) GLP 1 weight loss drugs honest take(38:58) Healing your relationship with food(41:58) Final message curiosity changes everything

SPONSORS: 1) AMENTARA: Check out https://www.amentara.com/go/JULIAN and use code JD22 for 22% off your first order PREVIOUS EPISODE w/ BALAND: https://open.spotify.com/episode/34gzpfwIyqB9IfOgsh1Ste?si=3247bc95e1de49f3 JOIN PATREON FOR EARLY UNCENSORED EPISODE RELEASES: https://www.patreon.com/JulianDorey CLIPPERS DISCORD: https://discord.gg/8QmWEKJ3BT (***TIMESTAMPS in Description Below) ~ Baland Jalal is a Danish neuroscientist at Harvard University's Department of Psychology, whose work spans clinical neuroscience, cultural psychology, and the biology of altered state of consciousness. Originally from Denmark and of Kurdish-Iraqi descent, he is best known for his research on dreams and sleep paralysis. BALAND's LINKS: IG: https://www.instagram.com/balandjalal/# YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCumyt6mGLaVO4_N1LkAoXdA WEBSITE: https://balandjalal.com/ FOLLOW JULIAN DOREY IG: https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey/ X: https://x.com/juliandorey JULIAN YT CHANNELS - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Clips YT: https://www.youtube.com/@juliandoreyclips - SUBSCRIBE to Julian Dorey Daily YT: https://www.youtube.com/@JulianDoreyDaily - SUBSCRIBE to Best of JDP: https://www.youtube.com/@bestofJDP ****TIMESTAMPS**** 0:00 - Jordan Peterson, Romantic Love & Serotonin, TPJ Brain 7:09 - Prefrontal Brain Element in Love, Aggression & Love, S*xual Desire, Mother Theory 16:03 - Sensory Map of Body, Eyes & Vision, Cortisol & Romance 25:23 - The Mother-Child “Attachment Theory” Experiment 32:52 - Julian's 2 Definitions of “Love” 38:27 - Struck by “the thunderbolt,” Are Soulmates Real? 42:36 - Females “Hot & Cold” Psychology, How Men Choose Females (Evolutionarily) 52:50 - “Super Normal” Stimulus, Learning Language, Brain Hemispheres, Women Reading You 1:05:04 - Falling in love w/ “the idea” of somebody, Halo Effect, Female Context 1:12:15 - Elegance & Grace, “Tough Guy,” Beauty & The Beast, “Love is letting go” 1:22:21 - Women do NOT want to be “saved” EXPLAINED 1:33:19 - Physical Attraction & S*x, The Coolidge Effect, Dopamine, The God Helmet 1:43:13 - Deranged Self, Delusions, Robots, Human Terminators 1:53:32 - Are psychopaths born, molded or both?, The Joker in Dark Knight 2:03:49 - 2 Types of Empathy, Free Will, Consciousness 2:13:59 - Dreams PROOF Free Will exists?, Reading Minds (Telepathy), History of Dreams 2:30:56 - The Illusion of Dreams, Controlled Hallucinations, Interstellar, Neuroscience & Physics 2:43:07 - Machine Brain Interfaces, Metaphysics CREDITS: - Host, Editor & Producer: Julian Dorey - COO, Producer & Editor: Alessi Allaman - https://www.youtube.com/@UCyLKzv5fKxGmVQg3cMJJzyQ - In-Studio Producer: Joey Deef - https://www.instagram.com/joeydeef/ Julian Dorey Podcast Episode 400 - Baland Jalal Music by Artlist.io Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Rhonda Patrick, PhD, is a biomedical scientist and public science educator. She shares the exercise, nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle practices linked to better health and lower disease risk including specific cardio and resistance training routines, when and why to do intermittent fasting, ways to lower visceral fat, omega-3 sourcing, creatine for brain and muscle and peptides such as BPC-157. It's broad and thorough coverage of how to build a total health program tailored to your goals and individual biology. Read the show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Rhonda Patrick (00:02:40) Competition, Jumping Rope, Rope Flow (00:06:49) Rhonda's Exercise Routine, Cardiovascular & Resistance Training (00:12:30) Cognitive & Physical Benefits of Exercise, Serotonin & Impulse Control (00:14:40) Sponsors: Our Place & Lingo (00:17:03) Phones While Training? (00:18:45) Rhonda's Strength Training, Low-Reps, Modifications, Mental Resilience (00:27:00) Daily Protein Intake, Intermittent Fasting, Processed Carbohydrates (00:33:32) Lipopolysaccharide (LPS); Gut Permeability, Gluten; Cardiovascular Health (00:42:58) Sponsor: AG1 (00:44:21) Tight Junctions, Gut, Neuroinflammation (00:47:26) L-glutamine, Immune System, Cancer Risk (00:54:55) N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Vitamin E; Antioxidant Balance, Reductive Stress (01:00:08) Starch, Tool: Bedtime Fast & Cardiovascular Health (01:03:36) Cortisol, Intermittent Fasting Benefits (01:08:09) Cortisol, Train Fasted?; Hormones, Visceral Fat (01:13:35) Visceral Fat, Perimenopause/Menopause, Insulin Resistance in Brain & Body (01:21:13) Sponsor: LMNT (01:22:33) Cortisol & Sleep (01:25:42) Intermittent Fasting, Metabolic Switch, Ketones, Muscle Loss? (01:36:47) Tools: Logic-Based Habits; Daily Metabolic Switch; Exercise, Autophagy (01:45:06) Exercise After Poor Sleep?; Training Breaks (01:52:47) Tool: "Exercise Snacks"; Sedentary Lifestyle & Cardiorespiratory Fitness (02:03:31) Sponsor: Function (02:05:16) Creatine, Dose, Resistance Training, Cognitive Function (02:17:43) Biology; Creatine; Supplement Safety (02:25:18) Omega-3s, Inflammation, Cancer Risk, Vitamin D; Trans Fat (02:36:52) Magnesium Threonate vs Bisglycinate, Sleep, Cognitive Benefit; Vitamin D (02:45:46) Supplement Types, Multivitamin, Coenzyme Q10, Urolithin A, Sulforaphane (02:55:10) Microplastics (02:57:26) Sponsor: Mateina (02:58:28) BPC-157, NMN, NR, Tool: Evaluating Supplements, Safety, Sources (03:06:28) L-Carnitine, Alpha-GPC, Nicotine, GABA & Ketogenic Diet (03:15:20) Nattokinase; Microplastics, Water Bottles; Seed Oils (03:22:21) Sauna, Creatine for Kids?, Bananas, Tool: Evaluating Studies (03:28:37) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're dealing with delayed ejaculation or a noticeable drop in sexual pleasure, it's not random — and it's not something you just have to live with. What's really happening runs much deeper than technique or performance. For most men, this starts at the level of the nervous system, and it slowly reshapes how your body experiences arousal, sensation, and connection.In this video I break down why delayed ejaculation and reduced pleasure tend to show up together, how modern stress patterns quietly rewire your sexual response, and what it actually takes to bring your body back into a state where pleasure can flow naturally again. We'll explore how your internal state affects everything from erection quality to orgasm, why forcing or chasing sensation usually makes things worse, and how to begin shifting out of survival mode and back into a relaxed, receptive, pleasure-capable state.Get my FREE Ebook - 3 Techniques for Legendary Ejaculation Control:

Broadcast from KSQD, Santa Cruz on 3-19-2026: Dr. Dawn warns that stacking multiple gummy supplements can cause GI distress from sugar alcohols like xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol, with symptoms persisting up to three days after stopping. She recommends limiting sugar alcohol intake to 6mg daily and switching to non-gummy formulations if experiencing bloating, cramping, or diarrhea. An emailer asks about finding treatment for abdominophrenic dyssynergia, a condition causing progressive abdominal distension after meals. Dr. Dawn recommends using AI search to locate physical therapy centers offering EMG-guided biofeedback, and suggests ruling out SIBO and low stomach acid. Researchers at the American Chemical Society have created modified psilocybin variants designed to release the active compound more slowly, potentially reducing hallucinogenic effects while maintaining therapeutic benefits. Dr. Dawn expresses concern that such patentable alternatives could prevent legalization of natural psilocybin for addiction treatment. Japanese researchers used PET imaging to discover that ketamine rapidly relieves treatment-resistant depression by altering the distribution of AMPAR glutamate receptors in the brain. Within two weeks, patients' receptor patterns normalized to resemble healthy controls, with enduring changes tracking symptom improvement. A study found CBD and CBG improved fatty liver disease markers in mice by increasing phosphocreatine energy reserves and reactivating cellular recycling centers. Dr. Dawn notes the compounds were injected directly into the abdominal cavity, making the results impossible to translate to oral consumption, an example of headlines exceeding reality. King's College London research found that root canal treatment for apical periodontitis improved blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation markers over two years. Dr. Dawn advises regular flossing and periodically tapping teeth with a metal instrument to detect painful teeth needing attention. An emailer asks about Crohn's disease and the gut-brain axis. Dr. Dawn explains that the vagus nerve serves as a bidirectional highway between brain and gut, with gut bacteria producing serotonin that affects mood, while stress increases intestinal permeability and worsens inflammation. In medical news of the weird, scientists discovered that malaria parasites contain tiny iron crystals powered by hydrogen peroxide—the same fuel used in rockets. This first-ever biological self-propelled nanoparticle could inspire new approaches to powering medical nanobots.

 Whether you feel stuck in your career, your relationship, your friendships, your habits, your overall life, it can feel hopeless. It can feel confusing. It can feel really, really frustrating. In my over 400 conversations with experts on this podcast, the topic of feeling stuck or how to make the right decision or how to get out of a slump comes up so, so often. So I decided to put together the ultimate unstuck toolkit, which covers everything you need from all angles (neuroscience, behavioral patterns, relationship patterns) to help you gain motivation, clarity, and finally feel like you are able to move forward.

Today we're having an uncomfortable but very necessary conversation about antidepressants and the theory that these drugs work for those with depression by correcting imbalanced chemicals in their brain.Our guest to discuss this topic is Joanna Moncrieff, a Professor of Psychiatry at University College London, and works as a consultant psychiatrist in the NHS. She is author of numerous scientific papers including a major review that showed there was little evidence to support the idea that depression is caused by a serotonin abnormality. Her most recent book "Chemically Imbalanced: the making and unmaking of the serotonin myth” is what we're going to be discussing today.This was a complete eye opener for me. For years I believed in the pharmaceutical washed message that antidepressants worked because of a genuine brain chemical imbalance that we corrected with medications. This is not proven.Today we'll discuss over-use and misrepresentation of psychiatric drugs in the public sphere, the changing philosophy of mental health and how we got to a point where over 8 million people in the UK use antidepressants.We discuss what serotonin is, how we measure it in the body, why the imbalance theory is inconclusive, whether antidepressants have good evidence that they work and their many side effects.I want to make it clear that this episode is not meant to shame or belittle anyone on medications for mental health, but provide accurate information about how we can safely treat these problems and offer informed consent weighing up the pros and cons of medications like antidepressants. The use of these medications has well recognised withdrawal and dependency effects and should not be stopped without strict supervision of your medical practitioner. We've also linked to the Maudsley deprescribing guidelines here in the show notes for practitioners educating themselves on how to do this with their patients.Chemically Imbalanced BookWebsite: https://joannamoncrieff.com/

Dr. Read Montague, PhD, is a professor and director of the Center for Human Neuroscience Research at Virginia Tech and an expert in how dopamine and serotonin shape human learning, motivation and decision-making. We discuss how they impact focused effort in the context of short- and long-term goals of all kinds. Also, how SSRIs and low-effort, high-engagement activities reduce the rewarding properties of dopamine, and how AI algorithms are revolutionizing understanding of the brain. Episode show notes are available at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Read Montague (00:02:54) Dopamine, Motivation & Learning (00:08:49) Reward Prediction Error, Expectations (00:12:24) Sponsors: David & Joovv (00:14:54) Foraging, Dating, Expectations vs Outcomes; AI (00:23:36) Dopamine, Expectation, Motivation; Forward Drive; Dopamine "Hits" (00:29:58) Baseline Dopamine & Fluctuations; Parkinson's Disease (00:34:36) Movement, Urgency; ADHD, Bee's Dance, Explorer vs Focus Mode (00:42:29) Sponsor: AG1 (00:43:40) Social Media, ADHD; Explorers vs Task-Based, Combat (00:50:54) Effort, Learning; Social Media & Phones, Resisting Behaviors (01:01:36) Serotonin & Dopamine, Opponency, SSRIs (01:11:21) Hunger, Dopamine; Negative Feedback, Learning, Trauma; Torture (01:18:34) Drugs of Abuse & High Dopamine (01:19:48) Sponsor: Function (01:21:35) Trauma & Dopamine Adaptation (01:27:34) SSRIs, Dopamine, Positive Experiences (01:29:50) Deep Brain Stimulation; Measuring Dopamine & Serotonin in Humans (01:36:16) Sleep; Divorce; Science is a Contact Sport (01:45:14) Long-Term Motivation, Learning How to Fail, Tool: Kids & Sports (01:54:14) Sponsor: LMNT (01:55:34) Meditation, Breathing, Learning; Dopamine as a Currency (02:04:38) Function of Sleep, Motivation; Time Perception & Dopamine, Tracking Time (02:13:18) LLMs, AI, Uses & Problem Solving (02:18:33) Future Projects, Commercial Brain-Machine Interfaces; Concentration (02:25:57) Dopamine "Hits"?; Depression & Schizophrenia; Quitting (02:30:17) Dopamine & Serotonin Misunderstandings; Internal Satisfaction; Motivation (02:35:58) Serotonin Syndrome; Acknowledgements (02:38:31) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices