Biohack-it

In this episode of Biohack-it, host Iman Hasan sits down with Dr. Brian Levine, a leading authority in reproductive endocrinology and a passionate advocate for making surrogacy more accessible and affordable. Listeners can expect an in-depth discussion on the evolving landscape of surrogacy, including the rising costs, common misconceptions, and innovative solutions aimed at democratizing this vital family-building option.

What to Expect:

- Insight into the skyrocketing costs of surrogacy, with figures ranging from $185,000 to $550,000.

- A breakdown of why surrogacy is often misunderstood, particularly regarding the motivations of surrogates.

- Exploration of Dr. Levine's startup, Nodal, which aims to streamline the surrogacy process and reduce costs through transparency and efficiency.

- Discussion on the various reasons individuals seek surrogacy, from medical conditions to personal choice.

- Real-life stories that highlight the unique relationships between intended parents and surrogates.

Dr. Brian Levine is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist based in New York City. As a founding partner of a prominent fertility practice, he has dedicated his career to helping individuals and couples navigate their reproductive journeys. Dr. Levine is also the founder of Nodal, an innovative online platform designed to make surrogacy more affordable and transparent. His expertise in both clinical practice and technology positions him as a thought leader in the field, advocating for changes that empower families to achieve their dreams of parenthood.

Episode highlights

00:00 Intro  

00:12 Rising Costs of Surrogacy  

01:15 Introduction of Dr. Brian Levine  

01:41 Importance of Discussing Fertility  

02:01 Dr. Levine's Background  

02:15 Launch of Nodal, a Surrogacy Platform  

02:53 Factors Behind High Surrogacy Costs  

03:34 Reasons Patients Seek Surrogacy  

04:31 Medical Reasons for Surrogacy  

05:20 Social Surrogacy Explained  

05:55 Efficiency in Family Planning  

06:02 Misconceptions About Surrogate Backgrounds  

08:36 Strategies to Lower Surrogacy Costs  

11:31 Relationship Between Intended Parents and Surrogates  

12:20 Building Connections in the Surrogacy Journey  

13:10 Emotional Aspects of Surrogacy  

14:05 Legal Considerations in Surrogacy Contracts  

15:15 Support Systems for Surrogates  

16:30 The Role of Agencies in Surrogacy  

27:45 Impact of State Laws on Surrogacy Costs  

38:50 Future of Surrogacy Accessibility  

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In this unfiltered episode, Cristina Cataman shares her thoughts on modern day feminism, cancel culture, and the impact social media has on politics.

Learn how she navigates social media, maintains privacy, and handles hate from social media. Take advantage of this insightful conversation on social media's real impact and dangers.

Episode Highlights

0:52 Introduction

9:44 Freedom of Speech in the U.S.?

18:19 The US Health Care System

29:29 Bullying on Social Media

41:20 The Body “Positive” Movement 

52:25 Celebrity Scandals 

1:01:00 Modern Relationships and the Fall of Feminism 

1:13:24 Balancing Traditional and Western Values

Episode Sponsors

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Despite living in an era of hyper-wellness, chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes continue to rise, challenging our conventional understanding of health. In this eye-opening conversation, celebrity nutritionist and wellness expert Mona Sharma joins us to explore the paradox of our modern health crisis.

Mona shares her powerful personal journey, including two heart surgeries that led her to take control of her own healing. Drawing from her unique background growing up in an Ashram, she reveals how ancient wisdom and modern nutritional science can work together to prevent and reverse chronic diseases.

Key topics covered:

- The current state of health and how we arrived in a chronic disease epidemic

- Mona's transformative experience with self-healing

- The critical role of both nutrition and mindset in preventing chronic diseases

- Practical lessons from Ashram living applied to modern wellness

- Holistic approaches to healing that go beyond just diet

This insightful discussion challenges viewers to rethink their approach to health, offering a fresh perspective on achieving true wellness in today's world.

Episode Sponsors

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Dr. Will Cole on the Epidemic Killing a Generation 

Today we are with Dr. Will Cole, a leading functional medicine expert and practitioner.  Dr. Cole is one of the top 50 functional doctors, specializing in investigating underlying factors of chronic disease and creating an approach for thyroid issues, autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, digestive disorders, and brain problems.

In this episode we discuss the role grief plays in the healing process and how addressing trauma can enhance your well-being, the gut-brain connection, the perfect diet for optimal health, the damaging effects of social media in the health space, and the epidemic killing our generation. 

Topics:

0:00 Dr. Will Cole’s background

2:52 The difference between Traditional and Functional medicine 

8:11 Medical errors and misdiagnosis 

10:35 Food is medicine 

15:01 Dr. Cole’s perfect diet

19:21 The effects of trauma on our health

25:02 The gut-brain connection 

31:35 Emotional eating 

36:37 Social media and the noise online 

38:32 The carnivore diet 

43:33 What you need and don't. Navigating the supplement isle.

48:14 Dr. Cole's lesson 

Episode Sponsors 

BodyBio

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My preferred method of non-hormonal contraception: Natural Cycles 

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➤ Only for 18+ and not used to treat against STIs

Dr. Vincent Pedre on the Transformative Power of Plant Medicine 

Dr. Vincent Pedre is a Board-Certified Internist and Functional Medicine expert. His mission is to transform your health, through gut health, mindset, biohacking, and plant medicine. With over two decades of experience in Western and Eastern medical traditions, he provides a personalized pathway to wellness.

In this episode we dive into his journey with plant medicine and the link between chronic disease and our energy.

Episode Highlights

:50 Dr. Pedro’s Background 

8:30 Introduced to Plant Medicine

16:20 The Death of the Ego?

23:18 The Blocks Holding You Back

28:48 The Layers of Health

32:42 You Cannot Health a Stressed Body

Episode Sponsors 

BodyBio

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Use code BIOHACKIT for 20% off first purchase

 OneSkin 

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My preferred method of non-hormonal contraception: Natural Cycles 

➤ Visit their website for more information https://naturalcycles.app/Biohack

➤ Use code BIOHACK for 15% off your subscription

➤ Only for 18+ and not used to treat against STIs

If you've ever been single, wondered if you'll ever meet the love of your life, questioned the concept of 'the one', or want to improve your long-term relationship: this episode is for you.

Jillian Turecki is a certified relationship coach, teacher, and writer who for 20 years has taught others how to transform their relationships with themselves and their partners. 

She has studied psychology, yoga, meditation, & somatic practices, and brings together this ancient wisdom and modern insights to her approach.

In this episode we discuss…

0:55 Jillian’s Background 

2:16 The most important relationship: Yourself 

9:27 Are your standards keeping you single?

15:27 Growing apart and losing connection 

17:30 How to attract the right partner 

22:00 Fighting styles 

25:27 Love and Dating Apps 

30:08 Money and Sex in Relationships 

42:02 Toxic relationships 

44:53 Love Languages

53:05 Red Flags

Episode Sponsors: 

BodyBio

Use code IMAN for 15% off

Use code BIOHACKIT for 20% off first purchase

 OneSkin 

Use code BIOHACKIT for 15% off

My preferred method of non-hormonal contraception: Natural Cycles 

➤ Visit their website for more information https://naturalcycles.app/Biohack

➤ Use code BIOHACK for 15% off your subscription

➤ Only for 18+ and not used to treat against STIs

Carolina Reis PhD on Reversing Aging and Keeping Skin Healthy

Carolina Reis, holds a Ph.D. in stem cell biology and tissue engineering, is a co-inventor of 5 patents and co-author of numerous scientific publications. She relocated from Brazil to Silicon Valley to found OneSkin, a fast-growing longevity company developing products to promote skin age reversal by targeting a central driver of aging, the accumulation of senescent cells. 

In this episode, we dive into everything that you need to know to skin aging: products to avoid, Carolina’s top skincare tips, why we age, and MORE

Episode Highlights:

1:20 Carolina’s Background 

10:59 The OneSkin Line 

14:01 What are Zombie Cells? Why Do They Cause Aging and Disease?

19:55 The OS-01 Peptide’s Magic

24:50 Shocking Discoveries in Skincare

30:25 Melasma and Hyperpigmentation 

45:12 Carolina’s Skincare Tips

48:50 Effect of Environmental Toxins and UV Exposure 

54:32 Carolina’s Greatest Lesson

Episode Sponsors: 

BodyBio

Use code IMAN for 15% off

Use code BIOHACKIT for 20% off first purchase

 OneSkin 

Use code BIOHACKIT for 15% off

My preferred method of non-hormonal contraception: Natural Cycles 

➤ Visit their website for more information https://naturalcycles.app/Biohack

➤ Use code BIOHACK for 15% off your subscription

➤ Only for 18+ and not used to treat against STIs

Dr. John Kim is a highly regarded functional medicine pharmacist and a leading voice in the fields of health, wellness, and preventative medicine. Driven by a personal health journey, Dr. Kim is dedicated to uncovering the root causes of chronic illnesses. 

In this episode we discuss 

Episode Sponsors

BodyBio

Use code IMAN for 15% off

Use code BIOHACKIT for 20% off first purchase

OneSkin 

Use code BIOHACKIT for 15% off

My preferred method of non-hormonal contraception: Natural Cycles 

➤ Visit their website for more information https://naturalcycles.app/Biohack

➤ Use code BIOHACK for 15% off your subscription

➤ Only for 18+ and not used to treat against STIs

Today on Biohack-it we are sat with Carline Van Hove, President and CEO of Revelle Aesthetics, a Silicon Valley-based FermTech company focused on innovating smart solutions that address the root cause of women’s aesthetics - starting with cellulite.

In this episode we discuss what exactly is cellulite, the emotional impact of cellulite, and does anything really work?

Episode Sponsors 

BodyBio

Use code IMAN for 15% off

Use code BIOHACKIT for 20% off first purchase

OneSkin 

Use code BIOHACKIT for 15% off

My preferred method of non-hormonal contraception: Natural Cycles 

➤ Visit their website for more information https://naturalcycles.app/Biohack

➤ Use code BIOHACK for 15% off your subscription

➤ Only for 18+ and not used to treat against STIs

Disclaimer:

Avéli® is indicated for long-term reduction in the appearance of cellulite in the buttocks and thigh areas of adult females as supported by clinical data demonstrating treatment benefits through one year of observation. The most common side effects reported were mild pain within the first 24 hours and bruising and tenderness to the touch which typically resolved within 30 days. Some patients returned to normal activities within one day of the procedure and most within a week. As with any medical procedure, there are risks associated with the procedure. Consult with your physician for full safety information. Individual results will vary. 

Emanuele E. Cellulite: advances in treatment: facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol. 2013;31(6):725-30.

Stevens WG, et al. Aesthet Surg J. 2023;43(4):455-466

AVÉLI® is a registered trademark of Revelle Aesthetics, Inc. BOTOX® is a registered trademark of Allergan, Inc., an Abbvie Company. All rights reserved

Dr. Jolene Brighten on PMS, Libido, Hormonal Imbalances & MORE

Dr. Jolene Brighten is a board certified naturopathic endocrinologist, clinical sexologist, and leader in women’s medicine. 

In this episode we discuss the root cause of low libido, why doctors are managing PCOS with the pill, how to eat right in each phase of your cycle, and MORE.

Episode Highlights: 

0:00 Who is Dr. Jolene Brighten 

1:17 Sexual libido and hormones 

4:04 The link between stress/ cortisol and your libido 

8:15 Trauma on Hormone and Sexual Health

31:40 Understanding PCOS and Insulin Dysregulation

33:57 Fixing PCOS with the Pill?

39:04 Thyroid Problems in Women

49:48 The importance of Fiber

Episode Sponsors

BodyBio

Use code IMAN for 15% off

Use code BIOHACKIT for 20% off first purchase

OneSkin 

Use code BIOHACKIT for 15% off

My preferred method of non-hormonal contraception: Natural Cycles 

➤ Visit their website for more information https://naturalcycles.app/Biohack

➤ Use code BIOHACK for 15% off your subscription

➤ Only for 18+ and not used to treat against STIs