Something is shifting. The way we talk about Herpes in 2026 looks nothing like it did ten years ago.

This episode is dedicated to changing the way we speak about this very, very common virus - Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Because HSV affects an enormous proportion of the global population, yet it remains one of the most stigmatised, misunderstood, and under-discussed diagnoses in sexual health.

Today we're joined by Jessie, Naturopath and founder of Botanical Abundance, who specialises in hormonal, vaginal, and sexual health.

In this episode, we're going more than skin deep. We're talking about how common HSV actually is, how it spreads, why so many people go undiagnosed for years, where the stigma came from, how naturopathic care can support people, including neurodivergent folk living with HSV, what it means for fertility and pregnancy, and what someone who has just been diagnosed actually needs to hear right now.

Let's get this episode to Go Viral, excuse the pun... But this conversation is one everyone needs to be having.

Episode Resources

• Jessie-Anne, Botanical Abundance - Join her waitlist for "The Ultimate Guide to Herpes"
• Comfortable In My Skin - Herpes Stories
• Good Vibes Clinic
• @IntimateEcology

Abbreviations Used

• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
• MetaDaddy aka @Meta

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email us at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.

Sorry we ghosted you, but here's the tea on where the bloody hell we've been!

Also, this weeks episode we're exploring the gut–brain axis, and a program called Nerva that we've been recommending to clients for a few years now with some genuinely incredible results.

We're joined by Amy Coen, Accredited Practising Dietitian at Nerva, a clinically validated gut-brain therapy program for IBS and other disorders of gut-brain interaction. Amy brings firsthand clinical experience as well insight into her role educating healthcare practitioners across Australia to deepen their understanding of the gut-brain axis and its role in gastrointestinal symptoms.

In this episode we cover:

• What the gut–brain axis actually is (and why it matters for digestive symptoms)
• How the brain influences bloating, pain and bowel changes
• What Nerva is, how it's structured, and who it's for?
• How long before people start noticing results?
• Some interesting (and funny) case studies - #freethefart
• Why hypnotherapy can feel confronting — and what the science actually says
• Is Nerva appropriate for those with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis?

So whether you're a practitioner or someone navigating your own gut health journey, this one is worth a listen.

If you are interested in Nerva and you are a current or prospective client - please reach out to us at directly hello@hormonehealthstudio.com or get some further information on Nervas website or Youtube.

In this episode, we are speaking with Renée Grandi all about "Endometriosis Brain"

Renee is a Neuroscience Researcher with a Master’s in Neuroscience and a clinical background as a Naturopath and Clinical Nutritionist. She is also the founder of the Women’s Integrative Health Clinic, where she focuses on complex conditions such as endometriosis, autoimmune disorders, and chronic fatigue, particularly their effects on the brain and nervous system.

- When we talk about endometriosis, it’s usually framed around pelvic pain and reproductive health. But the impact of endometriosis goes far beyond the pelvis—right into the brain and nervous system. In this episode, we dive deep into the neuroscience of endometriosis, exploring how chronic pain reshapes the brain, why mental health struggles are so common, and what this means for healing.

Here’s what we cover in this conversation:

• What is the “endometriosis brain”? Understanding how this term captures the neurological and psychological dimensions of endometriosis.
• Endometriosis and mental health: The strong links between pain, mood, and cognitive changes.
• Central sensitisation explained: How bottom-up and top-down pathways, neurotransmitters, and even the brain’s detox systems contribute to neuropathic pain.
• What brain imaging shows us: Key research findings on the differences in the brains of women with symptomatic versus asymptomatic endometriosis.
• How pain rewires the nervous system: A closer look at the regions of the brain involved, how they interconnect, and what this means for the symptoms women experience.
• The role of stress, trauma, and hormones: How external and internal factors can trigger or intensify symptoms.
• The glymphatic system: A newer area of neuroscience research that sheds light on brain inflammation and pain in endometriosis.
• Therapeutic goals: Why supporting the brain and nervous system is just as important as treating physical symptoms.
• Practical strategies for healing: From medical to integrative and lifestyle approaches, ways to help rebalance the nervous system and reduce pain.
• A message of hope: What women need to know about the brain’s ability to change, adapt, and heal.

✨ Whether you’re living with endometriosis, supporting someone who is, or curious about the mind-body connection in chronic pain, this episode offers a science-driven, compassionate perspective on the “endometriosis brain.”

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Send us a DM on Instagram or email at hello@hormonehealthstudio.com.