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In this episode of the Hotflash inc Podcast, journalist Ann Marie McQueen interviews Dr Sarah McKay, Oxford-educated neuroscientist, author of The Female Brain Book, and founder of the Neuroscience Academy.

This is a powerful, nuanced conversation about what we know, what we don’t, and what’s being exaggerated online. Grounding, clarifying and deeply reassuring.

If you’ve been worried about your brain in midlife, this episode is for you. 

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What we explored this episode:

07:15 – Cognitive load, smartphones & the myth of “midlife decline”
 18:40 – Brain restructuring during menopause: adaptation vs degeneration
 27:30 – “The brain eats itself” – what the mouse study actually showed
 39:10 – Dementia risk: incidence vs prevalence explained clearly
 44:30 – Absolute vs relative risk
 58:20 – Hormone sensitivity, the pill & depression research

Memorable quote:
“We absolutely must report absolute risk.”

Fact check:

1. Dr. Pauline M. Maki leads NIH-funded research on women’s cognitive/mental health and how sex hormones and reproductive transitions affect well-being.
2. Dr Susan R. Davis is an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow (since 2007) and Director of the Women’s Health Research Program at Monash University (School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine).
3. TGA = Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration, the government regulator for medicines, medical devices, and biologicals.

Connect with our guest:

Website: https://drsarahmckay.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsarahmckay

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