Welcome back to Gateway Sessions, the podcast that dives deep into the realms of health, wellness, psychedelics and longevity. I’m your host, Ariane Sommer, and today we are journeying into the microscopic landscape of our biology, specifically zeroing in on the secrets of female reproductive aging. This episode is not just for women, but for anyone interested in the complex dance between aging and vitality, and how the body's smallest components can have grand ramifications on our overall well-being.

My guest is an illustrious figure in the field of aging research, Dr. Jennifer Garrison. She's an Assistant Professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, the world's first institution dedicated solely to unlocking the mysteries of aging. Her groundbreaking work also extends to her roles as Assistant Professor in Residence in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at UCSF, and Assistant Adjunct Professor at the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at USC.

In her laboratory—aptly named the Garrison Lab—Jennifer and her team explore cutting-edge topics like Neuropeptide Signaling, the role of Neuropeptides in Aging, and particularly for today's conversation, the Role of the Brain in Ovarian Aging. Their work brings a whole new dimension to how we perceive and understand menopause, essentially shifting the paradigm and pointing to the brain as the epicenter of this life-altering transition.

Now, why should you care? Because this research could redefine the way we look at aging, not just for women, but for everyone. From the rapid aging of ovaries to the global effects that menopause has on bone health, cognitive functions, and even cardiovascular well-being; Jennifer's work has profound implications.

So if you’ve ever wondered why reproductive longevity is crucial, what menopause may signal about your overall lifespan, or how future research might completely eliminate the need for things like IVF and egg freezing, then buckle up. We'll also delve into the controversial topic of hormone replacement therapy, discuss the potential risks and benefits of having or not having children, and envision a future where anti-fibrotic drugs and high-quality oocytes could redefine what aging means for women.

Get ready to have your mind expanded and your perceptions about aging and vitality redefined. This is a conversation that pushes the boundaries of what we know, and ventures into what could be possible.

In this episode with Dr. Jennifer, you'll discover:

-Jennifer's journey into medicine was inspired by a desire to find a cure for AIDS...04:15

-Why reproductive longevity is essential to understanding a woman's overall health and vitality...06:05

-Why do ovaries age faster than other parts of the female body?...09:05

-Andropause, and how it affects both women and men...12:45

-We can predict a woman's lifespan based on when they enter menopause...15:40

-Is it possible to assess our menopausal cycle?...23:05

-Vast disparity in resources invested in women's vs. men's health...27:30

-Women need to be better informed on hormone replacement therapy(HRT)...30:25

-What's on the horizon for HRT?...36:00

-Anti-fibrotic drugs and means of extending the quality and lifespan of a woman's eggs...40:15

-Steps women can take to improve longevity for their reproductive system and beyond...45:30

-How bearing children affects a woman's reproductive health, for better or for worse...47:15

-How Jennifer maximizes her own health and vitality...49:20

-And much more...

Resources mentioned:

Global Consortium for...

Get ready for an episode filled with wisdom, compassion and inspiration as we talk with the remarkable Dr. Mark Goulston, who has been admiringly described as a "people hacker".

With his extensive experience as a psychiatrist, executive coach, and consultant to major organizations, Dr. Goulston has made a name for himself as a thought leader in the fields of leadership, empathy, and healing. He is the creator of the innovative process known as Surgical Empathy, which uses targeted and focused empathy to help people break through emotional and psychological blocks that impede their wellbeing and functioning in life.

He has been a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute for over 20 years and has worked with numerous high-profile companies and organizations such as IBM, ESPN, and the FBI. Dr. Goulston is also a best-selling author, speaker, and passionate social activist, and his mission is to inspire people to make a positive change in the world. His books include "Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone," which ranked #1 in six Amazon categories and has been translated into 14 languages. Dr. Goulston has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, CNN and is the Cofounder of Heartfelt Leadership, an organization whose mission is “to identify, celebrate, pay tribute to, develop, empower, embolden and impassion heartfelt leaders to heal the world and then change it for the better.” 

As a former clinical interventional psychiatrist and professor of psychiatry, Dr. Goulston has also worked extensively on suicide prevention and has learned to "hack" into the minds of suicidal as well as potentially violent individuals to prevent acts of harm to themselves or others. In short, Dr. Goulston's experience and expertise make him an incredible resource for anyone looking to improve their communication skills, overcome self-defeating behavior, or cope with trauma and mental health challenges. Please join us as we learn from his insights on how to heal the world, one conversation at a time.

In this discussion with Dr. Goulston, you'll discover:

-Transactional relationships are like putting lipstick on the pain...04:00

-Psychedelics are an aid to regain control of your thoughts, emotions, etc...10:12

-Eight steps to helping a loved one overcome suicidal ideations...15:30

-The five "Reallys" to assist a loved one in dealing with anxiety and despair...23:56

-How Mark helped a group of businesspeople who were negatively affected by the covid pandemic...31:50

-Ways in which oxytocin is used therapeutically for issues specific to women...37:15

-Three steps to dealing with extreme emotions when triggered...39:40

-The two words men can't stand in conversation with spouses and others...48:10

-Love is the most powerful drug in the world...51:15

-And much more!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Mark's website

Books by Mark Goulston

My Wakeup Call Podcast

Connect with our guest!

LinkedIn

Facebook

Instagram

Real human connection and love is the foundation of individual and collective wellbeing. The lack of true connection is at the root of many issues we are facing as a society. How can we create and deepen authentic connection? Our guest today is Dr. Molly Maloof, the founder and CEO of Adamo Bioscience, a company pioneering the science of love.

Dr. Molly is passionately dedicated to radically extending health span and life span through her concierge medical practice, as well as her endeavors as an educator and entrepreneur. 

She has been at the cutting edge of using biohacking, functional medicine and personalized healthcare to maximize human potential. 

Dr. Molly has worked as an advisor or consultant to over 50 companies in the digital health, consumer health, and biotech industries. She provides personalized medicine to entrepreneurs, investors, technology executives, as well as numerous celebrities and teaches a course on health span in the Medical School at Stanford University. 

In her brand new book The Spark Factor: The Secret to Supercharging Energy, Becoming Resilient, and Feeling Better Than Ever, 

Dr. Molly shares the knowledge and tools we need to create more energy, more love and more connection to live our best lives.

In this discussion with, you'll discover:

-Relationship quality is a major factor in our overall health...02:30

-A breakdown of the science of love...08:45

-Designing an ethics framework for psychedelics related to relationships...14:30

-Why the younger generation is hesitant to engage in sex...23:00

-How epigenetics connects to sexual dysfunction...26:30

-A brief overview of Dr. Maloof's new book The Spark Factor...29:10

-What kind of supplements are ideal for optimizing sexual health...37:00

-Questions to ask your doctor to begin the journey of optimizing your sexual health...43:55

-How to use trauma for good rather than bad...47:40

-Meditation and getting into a "flow state" is congruous with psychedelics...56:00

-And much more...

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Molly's personal website

The Spark Factor

Your Healthspan Journey course

Levels Health

Connect with our guest!

Instagram

Facebook

Twitter