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  • The Neuroscience of Cycle Syncing, Part 2: Ovulation, Luteal Phase & the Brain-Body Connection

    The Neuroscience of Cycle Syncing, Part 2: Ovulation, Luteal Phase & the Brain-Body Connection
    2025/10/08

    If you have ever wondered why your energy, focus, and mood shift throughout the month, this episode will help you understand why.

    In Part 2 of our Cycle Syncing series, Mads and Kat explore the neuroscience of the female brain during the ovulation and luteal phases. These phases shape how you think, feel, and perform by influencing key brain chemicals like estrogen, dopamine, and progesterone.

    You will learn how hormonal changes impact motivation, memory, and emotional regulation, and how to align your workouts, nutrition, and rest with your natural rhythm. This episode connects evidence-based neuroscience with practical lifestyle tips so you can better support your mind and body through each stage of your cycle.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:
    • How the follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases affect the brain and nervous system
    • Why estrogen supports learning, confidence, and creativity
    • The neuroscience behind dopamine, motivation, and focus
    • How progesterone influences mood, energy, and stress regulation
    • The role of the HPO axis (hypothalamic pituitary ovarian connection)
    • How cycle syncing can ease PMS and PMDD symptoms
    • Science-based nutrition and exercise strategies for each phase

    Why less than one percent of neuroscience research focuses on women’s health

    If this episode helped you understand your brain and body on a deeper level, share it with a friend who would love it too.

    Your shares and reviews help more women discover science-based conversations on hormones, brain health, and emotional wellbeing.

    Follow us on Instagram at @rewiredwomanpod Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube Leave a quick review to support the show

    Understanding your cycle is not just about hormones. It is about knowing your body, rewiring your habits, and working with your brain.
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    59 分
  • Neuroscience of Cycle Synching Part 1: The Emotional Reality of Menstruation

    Neuroscience of Cycle Synching Part 1: The Emotional Reality of Menstruation
    2025/10/02
    In this episode of the Rewired Woman Podcast, Kat and Mads open up about cycle syncing and what it means to live in rhythm with the phases of the menstrual cycle. What begins as a light conversation quickly becomes personal and vulnerable, touching on painful teenage periods, the effects of birth control, fertility concerns, and the cultural silence that surrounds menstruation. Together, they explore how neuroscience, spirituality, and lived experience intersect, showing how syncing with your body’s natural cycle can bring relief, clarity, and a deeper sense of connection. Part one focuses on the “winter” season of the cycle, or menstruation. Kat and Mads share both research and practical strategies for navigating this phase, from nutrition and exercise to self-care and rest. Cycle syncing is the practice of aligning daily habits with the phases of the menstrual cycle. During menstruation, the body and brain naturally shift into lower energy, which makes rest and gentle care important. Nutrition choices such as warm meals, hydration, and herbal teas can help reduce discomfort. Gentle movement like stretching, yoga, or mindful walking is more supportive during this phase than intense exercise. Talking openly about menstrual health helps break down stigma and creates space for healing. If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who might benefit. Be sure to subscribe to the Rewired Woman Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite listening platform. Leaving a review is one of the best ways to help other listeners discover the show. Follow us on Instagram: @rewiredwomanpod References A. Amanzholkyzy, D.S. Kulzhanova, G.Zh. Sakhipova, A.Z. Mussina, & Sh.B. Kosmuratova. (2025). Stress-related changes in the menstrual cycle and their significance for health: A literature review. Репродуктивная медицина (Центральная Азия), 2, 69–74. https://doi.org/10.37800/RM.2.2025.514 Bruinvels, G., Hackney, A. C., & Pedlar, C. R. (2022). Menstrual Cycle: the Importance of Both the Phases and the Transitions between Phases on Training and Performance. Sports Medicine, 52(7). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01691-2 Cucci, D. (2024, May 15). Cycle Syncing: How to Understand Your Menstrual Cycle to Reduce Period Symptoms. NewYork-Presbyterian; NewYork-Presbyterian. https://healthmatters.nyp.org/cycle-syncing-how-to-understand-your-menstrual-cycle-to-reduce-period-symptoms/ Doctrow, B. (2024, September 30). Brain changes observed during pregnancy. National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brain-changes-observed-during-pregnancy Draper, C. F., Duisters, K., Weger, B., Chakrabarti, A., Harms, A. C., Brennan, L., Hankemeier, T., Goulet, L., Konz, T., Martin, F. P., Moco, S., & van der Greef, J. (2018). Menstrual cycle rhythmicity: metabolic patterns in healthy women. Scientific Reports, 8(14568). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-32647-0 Francois, M. (2024). Cycle Syncing: Optimizing Women’s Quality of Life Cycle Syncing: Optimizing Women’s Quality of Life. https://idun.augsburg.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2579&context=etd Hagemann, G., Ugur, T., Schleussner, E., Mentzel, H.-J., Fitzek, C., Witte, O. W., & Gaser, C. (2011). Changes in Brain Size during the Menstrual Cycle. PLoS ONE, 6(2), e14655. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0014655 Helfrich-Förster, C., Domenie, E. D., Mitesser, O., Hovestadt, T., Ferlin, A., Wehr, T. A., Costa, R., & Montagnese, S. (2025). Synchronization of women’s menstruation with the Moon has decreased but remains detectable when gravitational pull is strong. PubMed, 11(39), eadw4096–eadw4096. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adw4096 Menstrual cycles today: how menstrual cycles vary by age, weight, race, and ethnicity | Study Updates | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2024, July 17). Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; HSPH. https://hsph.harvard.edu/research/apple-womens-health-study/study-updates/menstrual-cycles-today-how-menstrual-cycles-vary-by-age-weight-race-and-ethnicity/ Mikhael, S., Punjala-Patel, A., & Gavrilova-Jordan, L. (2019). Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Ovarian Axis Disorders Impacting Female Fertility. Biomedicines, 7(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines7010005 Montero-López, E., Santos-Ruiz, A., García-Ríos, M. C., Rodríguez-Blázquez, M., Rogers, H. L., & Peralta-Ramírez, M. I. (2018). The relationship between the menstrual cycle and cortisol secretion: Daily and stress-invoked cortisol patterns. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 131, 67–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2018.03.021 Oyelowo, T. (2015). Menstrual Cycle - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. Sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/menstrual-cycle Pletzer, B. (2015). Editorial: From sex differences in neuroscience to a neuroscience of sex differences: new ...
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    45 分
  • Neuroscience of Intuition

    Neuroscience of Intuition
    2025/09/24
    Is intuition really just a “woo woo” concept, or is there evidence to support it? In this episode of Rewired Woman Podcast, Kat and Mads explore how neuroscience, psychology, and spirituality overlap when it comes to trusting your gut. We talk about what makes intuition different from impulsivity and insight, how the insula and vagus nerve help explain gut feelings, and why women are often better at reading nonverbal cues. We also unpack Dr. Joel Pearson’s SMILE framework for using intuition wisely and reflect on where science stops and spirituality begins. Along the way, you’ll hear personal stories about love, relationships, and even adopting a soul-dog, plus practical ways to strengthen your intuition through mindfulness, journaling, and dancing. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How intuition and impulsivity potentially overlap, especially for people with ADHD The brain regions involved in intuitive knowing (insula, prefrontal cortex, amygdala, anterior cingulate) Why the gut–brain connection and vagus nerve make “gut feelings” feel so real The role of intuition in language, communication, and nonverbal decoding The SMILE model and when to trust your gut (and when not to) Spiritual perspectives like ancestral memory, “future memories,” and higher-self guidance These science girlies have come to a verdict. Intuition is not some pie-in-the-sky concept. It is a blend of unconscious pattern recognition, interoception, and emotional evaluation (with a little dash of mysticism if you ask us). Understanding how to harness your intuition can help you make better decisions, deepen relationships, and strengthen your confidence. 💬If you enjoy this episode, subscribe wherever you listen, leave a review, and share it with a friend. It helps us grow and reach more women who are ready to rewire their lives with science and soul. Follow us on Instagram @rewiredwomanpod for more behind-the-scenes, journaling prompts, and neuroscience-meets-girl-chat conversations. 🧾 References: Bechara, A., Damasio, H., & Damasio, A. R. (2000). Emotion, Decision Making and the Orbitofrontal Cortex. Cerebral Cortex, 10(3), 295–307. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/10.3.295 Bush, G., Luu, P., & Posner, M. I. (2000). Cognitive and emotional influences in anterior cingulate cortex. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 4(6), 215–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1364-6613(00)01483-2 Craig, A. D. (2009). How do you feel — now? The anterior insula and human awareness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 10(1), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2555 Critchley, H. D., Mathias, C. J., Josephs, O., O’Doherty, J., Zanini, S., Dewar, B.-K., Cipolotti, L., Shallice, T., & Dolan, R. J. (2003). Human cingulate cortex and autonomic control: converging neuroimaging and clinical evidence. Brain: A Journal of Neurology, 126(Pt 10), 2139–2152. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awg216 Dunn, B., Galton, H., Morgan, R., Evans, D., Oliver, C., Meyer, M., Cusack, R., Lawrence, A., & Dalgleish, T. (2010). Psychological Science Listening to Your Heart : How Interoception Shapes Emotion Experience and Intuitive Decision Making On behalf of: Association for Psychological Science. Psychological Science, 21(12). https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610389191 Headspace. (2025, September 15). The Neuroscience of Intuition: How to Rewire Your Brain to Trust Yourself | Radio Headspace. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w1oj4zamDM Kotler, S., Parvizi-Wayne, D., Mannino, M., & Friston, K. (2025). Flow and intuition: a systems neuroscience comparison. Neuroscience of Consciousness, 2025(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/nc/niae040 Lufityanto, G., Donkin, C., & Pearson, J. (2016). Measuring Intuition. Psychological Science, 27(5), 622–634. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797616629403 McCrea, S. (2010). Intuition, insight, and the right hemisphere: Emergence of higher sociocognitive functions. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 1. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s7935 Modinos, G., Ormel, J., & Aleman, A. (2009). Activation of Anterior Insula during Self-Reflection. PLoS ONE, 4(2), e4618. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0004618 Parisi, G. (2023, July 19). Nobel Prize-winning physicist explains the power of intuition in scientific discovery. Big Think. https://bigthink.com/thinking/power-intuition-science/ Tisserand, A., Philippi, N., Botzung, A., & Blanc, F. (2023). Me, Myself and My Insula: An Oasis in the Forefront of Self-Consciousness. Biology, 12(4), 599–599. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology12040599 Volz, K. G., & von Cramon, D. Y. (2006). What Neuroscience Can Tell about Intuitive Processes in the Context of Perceptual Discovery. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 18(12), 2077–2087. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2006.18.12.2077
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    1 時間 24 分
  • Neuroscience of Suicide: Coping in Community Part 2

    Neuroscience of Suicide: Coping in Community Part 2
    2025/09/10
    In this episode, we continue the conversation around suicide by examining how public policy, personal experience, and community care intersect. While not our direct experience, we approach this topic with care and humility, sharing research and insights that deeply impact LGBTQ+ youth, cisgendered men and other vulnerable groups. We touch on: The relationship of highly traditional masculinity on the higher rate of suicide deaths in male populations How all mental health is political and why policy decisions can directly increase suicide risk 2024 data from The Trevor Project and the urgency of supporting LGBTQ+ youth The emotional weight of not knowing what to say and how just showing up still matters Risk factors like trauma, mental illness, abuse, impulsivity, and lack of access to care How poverty, homelessness, unsafe environments, and access to firearms contribute to suicide risk The importance of community support, compassionate dialogue, and stigma reduction Coping tools and the role of personal safety plans in navigating moments of crisis How conversations, even imperfect ones, can save lives We also reflect on how connection, compassion, and clear support systems can make all the difference. If you've ever wondered how to be there for someone or how to be honest about your own struggle, this episode offers both vulnerability and education. 💬 Whether you're personally affected, politically engaged, or just trying to understand more deeply, this episode is a raw, real look at how collective care, not silence, becomes a lifeline. 🧾 References: Also provided in the show notes American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. (2019). AFSP Annual Report. Https://Afsp.org/Pdfs. https://annual2019.afsp.org/pdfs/AFSP-AnnualReport-web.pdf CDC. (2025, March 26). Suicide data and statistics. Suicide Prevention; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/data.html Coleman, D., Feigelman, W., & Rosen, Z. (2020). Association of High Traditional Masculinity and Risk of Suicide Death. JAMA Psychiatry, 77(4), 435. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2019.4702 Firearm Suicide | Center for Gun Violence Solutions. (2023). Center for Gun Violence Solutions; John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/firearm-suicide Holt‐Lunstad, J. (2024). Social connection as a critical factor for mental and physical health: evidence, trends, challenges, and future implications. World Psychiatry, 23(3), 312–332. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.21224 Lee, W. Y., Nicholas, H. J., Hobaica, S., DeChants, J. P., Price, M. N., & Nath, R. (2024). State-level anti-transgender Laws Increase past-year Suicide Attempts among Transgender and non-binary Young People in the USA. Nature Human Behaviour, 8(8), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-024-01979-5 Marshall, C. A., Crowley, P., Carmichael, D., Goldszmidt, R., Aryobi, S., Holmes, J., Easton, C., Isard, R., & Murphy, S. (2022). Effectiveness of suicide safety planning interventions: A systematic review informing occupational therapy. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 90(2), 000841742211320. https://doi.org/10.1177/00084174221132097 National Institute of Mental Health. (2025, March). Suicide. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide Nikhil Palekar, MD. (2024, April 19). How To Improve Working Memory with Everyday Habits. Stony Brook Medicine Health News. https://health.stonybrookmedicine.edu/how-to-improve-working-memory-with-everyday-habits/ Siegel, J. Z., & Crockett, M. J. (2013). How serotonin shapes moral judgment and behavior. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1299(1), 42–51. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12229 Stack, S. (2021). Contributing factors to suicide: Political, social, cultural and economic. Preventive Medicine, 152(1), 106498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106498 The Trevor Project. (2024). 2024 U.S. national survey on the mental health of LGBTQ+ young people. The Trevor Project; The Trevor Project. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/ Young, S. N. (2007). How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience : JPN, 32(6), 394. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2077351/ Keywords: Suicide prevention, LGBTQ youth mental health, Trevor Project 2024, Suicide risk factors, Mental health and public policy, Gun control and suicide, Borderline personality disorder (BPD), Depression and suicide, Suicide and trauma, Emotional neglect and mental health, Coping with suicidal thoughts, Suicide safety planning, Personal safety plan mental health, How to support someone suicidal, Mental health stigma, Executive dysfunction and mental illness, Childhood trauma and suicide, Suicide statistics 2024, Mental health podcast, Mental illness and politics, Access to mental health care, Community support and suicide, Neurobiology of suicidal ...
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    1 時間 26 分
  • Neuroscience of Suicide: Spreading Awareness Part 1

    Neuroscience of Suicide: Spreading Awareness Part 1
    2025/09/03
    Our first episode we cover the heavy topic of suicide, and how it unexpectedly laid the foundation for our relationship. Join us as we go through our personal experiences and brief research on some of the mechanisms involved. We also reflect on the grief and complexity of losing someone to suicide, and how our own struggles shifted after that loss. We touch on: the risk factors such as mental health diagnosis, symptoms, and thinking patterns. Our personal experiences with suicidal thoughts and attempts How childhood trauma, emotional neglect, and loneliness shaped our inner worlds The neuroscience behind suicidal ideation and mood disorders like borderline personality disorder (BPD) and depression The role of brain chemistry, trauma, and executive dysfunction in mental health How safety plans, support systems, and compassionate conversations can reduce suicide risk The stigma surrounding suicide and how we can better support each other through it Join us as we experience the full range of emotions; from laughing about our origins, to crying, to intellectual discussion and our attempt to find meaning in a topic near and dear to our lives. This episode isn’t just about mental health struggles; it's about survival, understanding, connection, and healing. 💬 Whether you're someone who has battled these feelings yourself, know someone who has, or are simply ready for a real and raw conversation about mental health, this episode is a safe space for reflection and hope. 🧾 References: Also provided in the show notes Balcioglu, Y. H., & Kose, S. (2018). Neural substrates of suicide and suicidal behaviour: from a neuroimaging perspective. Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 28(3), 314–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750573.2017.1420378 Gvion, Y., Levi-Belz, Y., Hadlaczky, G., & Apter, A. (2015). On the role of impulsivity and decision-making in suicidal behavior. World Journal of Psychiatry, 5(3), 255. https://doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v5.i3.255 Keilp, J. G., Sackeim, H. A., Brodsky, B. S., Oquendo, M. A., Malone, K. M., & Mann, J. J. (2001). Neuropsychological Dysfunction in Depressed Suicide Attempters. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(5), 735–741. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.158.5.735 Kernberg, O. (2009). The concept of the death drive: A clinical perspective. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 90(5), 1009–1023. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-8315.2009.00187.x Kirsch, M., Dimitrijevic, A., & Buchholz, M. B. (2022). “Death drive” scientifically reconsidered: Not a drive but a collection of trauma-induced auto-addictive diseases. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.941328 Klonsky, E. D., May, A. M., & Saffer, B. Y. (2016). Suicide, Suicide Attempts, and Suicidal Ideation. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 12(1), 307–330. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-021815-093204 LeGris, J., & van Reekum, R. (2006). The Neuropsychological Correlates of Borderline Personality Disorder and Suicidal Behaviour. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 51(3), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.1177/070674370605100303 Ling, Z., Qing, T., & Chunming, X. (2024). Epigenetic insight into the suicidal biomarker of depression with suicide Ideation: A narrative review. Neuroscience, 560, 48–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.09.029 Mann, J. J., & Rizk, M. M. (2020). A Brain-Centric Model of Suicidal Behavior. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 177(10), 902–916. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20081224 Orsolini, L., Latini, R., Pompili, M., Serafini, G., Volpe, U., Vellante, F., Fornaro, M., Valchera, A., Tomasetti, C., Fraticelli, S., Alessandrini, M., La Rovere, R., Trotta, S., Martinotti, G., Di Giannantonio, M., & De Berardis, D. (2020). Understanding the Complex of Suicide in Depression: from Research to Clinics. Psychiatry Investigation, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.0171 PMC, E. (2020). Europe PMC. Europepmc.org. https://europepmc.org/article/nbk/nbk565877 Richard-Devantoy, S., Berlim, M. T., & Jollant, F. (2013). A meta-analysis of neuropsychological markers of vulnerability to suicidal behavior in mood disorders. Psychological Medicine, 44(8), 1663–1673. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291713002304 Whiteley, C. (2023). Suicide Psychology. Cgd Publishing. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=fWOjEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT38&dq=suicide+and+neuropsychology&ots=xZiwF05erl&sig=-52ytsnjyg3-qG9sDZxLgPzYNAE#v=onepage&q&f=false 🧠 Trigger Warning: This episode contains open and honest discussions around suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, trauma, and mental illness. Listener discretion is advised. Keywords: suicide prevention podcast, suicidal ideation, borderline personality disorder, mental health awareness, September suicide prevention month, depression, trauma recovery, safety plans, suicide stigma, neuroscience of mental health, DBT, BPD support, mental health podcast, grief and suicide, coping with loss, ...
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    1 時間 19 分
  • Trailer: Rewired Woman Podcast

    Trailer: Rewired Woman Podcast
    2025/08/10

    Join Kat and Mads as they bring women the science-backed support and soulful reminders they need to feel safe in their bodies, confident in their choices, and powerful in their purpose. We’re reviewing the research and bringing you evidence-based insights and tools with a feminine lens mixed with a little woo, lots of curiosity, endless laughs, and heart-felt magic.
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    4 分