What if psychedelics could transform the way we treat trauma, chronic pain, and insomnia? This week, neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher Grace Blest-Hopley joins the show to break down the research on psychedelics and female biology. She discusses how psychedelics work in the brain, and the ways that psychedelic-assisted therapies might be beneficial for women in midlife.

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Hystelica’s resources on psychedelic retreats

The Heroic Hearts Project

Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics

Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelics Administered to Military Veterans in Naturalistic Retreat Settings

The acute effects of classic psychedelics on memory in humans

Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up

Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression

Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial

Johns Hopkins study on psychedelics and Alzheimer’s

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

What if psychedelics could transform the way we treat trauma, chronic pain, and insomnia? This week, neuroscientist and psychedelic researcher Grace Blest-Hopley joins the show to break down the research on psychedelics and female biology. She discusses how psychedelics work in the brain, and the ways that psychedelic-assisted therapies might be beneficial for women in midlife.
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://hystelica.com/retreats/">Hystelica&rsquo;s resources on psychedelic retreats</a>
<a href="https://heroicheartsproject.org/about/hhp-research/">The Heroic Hearts Project</a>
<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.724606/full">Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics</a>
<a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/brb3.70660">Exploring the Therapeutic Effects of Psychedelics Administered to Military Veterans in Naturalistic Retreat Settings</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33420592/">The acute effects of classic psychedelics on memory in humans</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29119217/">Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up</a>
<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206443">Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5367557/">Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial</a>
<a href="https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/alzheimers">Johns Hopkins study on psychedelics and Alzheimer&rsquo;s</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women’s health & gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women’s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.

Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women’s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife—from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.

Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health—now and for the future—with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive. 

Why is it still so hard for women to find reliable, modern health information about their own bodies? On Decoding Women's Health, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor, chair of women&rsquo;s health &amp; gynecology at the Atria Health Institute, shares expert insights on women&rsquo;s health, hormones, and longevity science to help you thrive at any stage of midlife and beyond.
Dr. Poynor, a world-renowned gynecologic oncologist and advanced pelvic surgeon, speaks with leading physicians, researchers, and educators to share the latest science on women&rsquo;s wellness, disease prevention, and what it really means to age on your own terms. Each episode explores a different aspect of how to improve your health during midlife&mdash;from heart disease and genetic risks to metabolism, hormones nutrition, cognitive health, and beyond.
Whether you're in perimenopause, postmenopause, or simply looking for tools to prepare for the next chapter, take charge of your health&mdash;now and for the future&mdash;with expert guidance and practical advice to help you thrive.&nbsp;

Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

Decoding Psychedelics with Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5547c041-3d10-4ea0-a533-b3de01704984/transcript

When both his popular culture podcast and long-term relationship come to an end, journalist Brendan finds he has the time — and freedom — to pursue his dream: a travel podcast where he goes places and learns about them by getting invited to a stranger’s house for dinner. A friend joins him at each destination and they drink, dance, and eat their way from Montréal to Mexico City, often learning as much about themselves as the place they’re visiting. Not Lost is both a delightful travel escape and an insightful look at people — locals and visitors alike — trying to make sense of a constantly changing world.



Not Lost is a co-production of Pushkin Industries, Topic Studios and iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.

When both his popular culture podcast and long-term relationship come to an end, journalist Brendan finds he has the time — and freedom — to pursue his dream: a travel podcast where he goes places and learns about them by getting invited to a stranger’s house for dinner. A friend joins him at each destination and they drink, dance, and eat their way from Montréal to Mexico City, often learning as much about themselves as the place they’re visiting. Not Lost is both a delightful travel escape and an insightful look at people — locals and visitors alike — trying to make sense of a constantly changing world.
 
Not Lost is a co-production of Pushkin Industries, Topic Studios and iHeartMedia. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.

Not Lost

What if we reframed the way we approach exercise? On today’s show, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor is joined by Robert Brace - founder of Brace Life Studios. He’s also Elizabeth’s trainer. They discuss how he tailors his workouts to women in midlife, the benefits of exercising in a group and how movement and exercise connect to our mental and spiritual well-being. Robert also gives advice about how to approach training at different hormonal cycle phases, and ways to get started, even when it feels tough. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Robert Brace’s Studio

Martial arts increase oxytocin production

Systematic review: pain, cognition, and cardioprotection—unpacking oxytocin’s contributions in a sport context

Bidirectional Association between Physical Activity and Dopamine Across Adulthood—A Systematic Review

Embodied mood regulation: the impact of body posture on mood recovery, negative thoughts, and mood-congruent recall

Bone mineral density loss in relation to the final menstrual period in a multiethnic cohort: results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise

Menstrual cycle tracker apps – Natural Cycles, Flo and Apple Health 

Exercise platforms/apps – Nike Training, TheBraceLife.com 

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

What if we reframed the way we approach exercise? On today&rsquo;s show, Dr. Elizabeth Poynor is joined by Robert Brace - founder of Brace Life Studios. He&rsquo;s also Elizabeth&rsquo;s trainer. They discuss how he tailors his workouts to women in midlife, the benefits of exercising in a group and how movement and exercise connect to our mental and spiritual well-being. Robert also gives advice about how to approach training at different hormonal cycle phases, and ways to get started, even when it feels tough.&nbsp;
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="http://BraceLifeStudios.com">Robert Brace&rsquo;s Studio</a>
<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49620-0">Martial arts increase oxytocin production</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11194439/">Systematic review: pain, cognition, and cardioprotection&mdash;unpacking oxytocin&rsquo;s contributions in a sport context</a>
<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8301978/">Bidirectional Association between Physical Activity and Dopamine Across Adulthood&mdash;A Systematic Review</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27626675/">Embodied mood regulation: the impact of body posture on mood recovery, negative thoughts, and mood-congruent recall</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21976317/">Bone mineral density loss in relation to the final menstrual period in a multiethnic cohort: results from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21694556/">American College of Sports Medicine position stand. Quantity and quality of exercise for developing and maintaining cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and neuromotor fitness in apparently healthy adults: guidance for prescribing exercise</a>
Menstrual cycle tracker apps &ndash; <a href="https://www.naturalcycles.com/">Natural Cycles</a>, <a href="https://flo.health/">Flo</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.apple.com/health/">Apple Health</a>&nbsp;
Exercise platforms/apps &ndash; <a href="https://www.nike.com/ntc-app">Nike Training</a>, <a href="http://thebracelife.com/">TheBraceLife.com</a>&nbsp;
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Exercise Physiology with Robert Brace

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2b2b01f4-d6bb-4400-a707-b3d0017a8e50/transcript

Midlife can be a period of immense change and, sometimes, challenging emotions. But it’s also an opportunity to cultivate deeper, more lasting happiness. In today’s episode, Dr. Laurie Santos — renowned psychologist, happiness expert, and host of The Happiness Lab — shares insights on how midlife women can thrive. She breaks down the components of happiness, explains why we’re often mistaken about what makes us happy, and provides practical tools and habits to boost wellbeing, manage negative emotions, and navigate burnout. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

World Happiness Report

University of Michigan’s Healthy Minds Study

Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries

A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren’t

Signature Strengths Test

RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Midlife can be a period of immense change and, sometimes, challenging emotions. But it&rsquo;s also an opportunity to cultivate deeper, more lasting happiness. In today&rsquo;s episode, Dr. Laurie Santos &mdash; renowned psychologist, happiness expert, and host of The Happiness Lab &mdash; shares insights on how midlife women can thrive. She breaks down the components of happiness, explains why we&rsquo;re often mistaken about what makes us happy, and provides practical tools and habits to boost wellbeing, manage negative emotions, and navigate burnout. 
Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://www.worldhappiness.report/ed/2024/">World Happiness Report</a>
<a href="https://healthymindsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2024-2025_HMS-National-Data-Report_Student.pdf">University of Michigan&rsquo;s Healthy Minds Study</a>
<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00148-020-00797-z">Is happiness U-shaped everywhere? Age and subjective well-being in 145 countries</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/30/well/mind/happiness-flourishing-young-adult-study.html">A Global Flourishing Study Finds That Young Adults, Well, Aren&rsquo;t</a>
<a href="https://www.viacharacter.org/account/register">Signature Strengths Test</a>
<a href="https://www.tarabrach.com/rain/">RAIN: Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture</a>
<a href="https://www.drlauriesantos.com/happiness-lab-with-dr-laurie-santos-podcast">The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Happiness in Midlife with Dr. Laurie Santos

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2e583987-7340-43f0-a3d1-b3bc01450265/transcript

GLP-1s are everywhere. But are they the only medical weight loss intervention worth considering? On today’s episode, Dr. George Fielding - a pioneer of laparoscopic adjustable band surgery and a patient of the procedure himself - offers an insider’s look at the world of weight loss surgeries. How do these surgeries work? Who are they really for? And how should we think about them alongside the surge of GLP-1 medications? We also dig into the stigmas people face when trying to lose weight with medical support, and the biggest misconceptions around obesity. 

Links to resources mentioned in this episode:

Genomics reveals eleven obesity endotypes with distinct biological and phenotypic signatures

Obesity Drugs May Drop to as Little as $149 a Month

The lung is a site of platelet biogenesis and a reservoir for haematopoietic progenitors

Associations of Hysterectomy, Oophorectomy, and Hormone Replacement Therapy With the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women

Note: In this show, we use “women” as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

GLP-1s are everywhere. But are they the only medical weight loss intervention worth considering? On today&rsquo;s episode, Dr. George Fielding - a pioneer of laparoscopic adjustable band surgery and a patient of the procedure himself - offers an insider&rsquo;s look at the world of weight loss surgeries. How do these surgeries work? Who are they really for? And how should we think about them alongside the surge of GLP-1 medications? We also dig into the stigmas people face when trying to lose weight with medical support, and the biggest misconceptions around obesity. Links to resources mentioned in this episode:
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40630572/">Genomics reveals eleven obesity endotypes with distinct biological and phenotypic signatures</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/health/obesity-drug-prices-trump.html">Obesity Drugs May Drop to as Little as $149 a Month</a>
<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature21706">The lung is a site of platelet biogenesis and a reservoir for haematopoietic progenitors</a>
<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40255188/">Associations of Hysterectomy, Oophorectomy, and Hormone Replacement Therapy With the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Postmenopausal Women</a>
Note: In this show, we use &ldquo;women&rdquo; as shorthand for people with XX chromosomes. We understand sex and gender are more complex, and acknowledge the experiences we describe reach beyond that word.

Decoding Medical Weight Loss with Dr. George Fielding

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/af1fdc0f-a8a9-400f-8e26-b3b40167ae90/transcript

Decoding Psychedelics with Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley

Not Lost

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Decoding Women's Health with Dr. Elizabeth Poynor

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