feelgoodery

The internet is full of wellness trends, and some of them are wild. In this quick episode of feelgoodery, Kyle Buchanan looks at two you might be seeing right now, standing on Epsom salts for better sleep and the Japanese walking method, and sorts out what's actually backed by research, what isn't, and whether either one is worth your time

In this episode:

• The Epsom salt foot trend: what people are doing, what they're claiming (lower cortisol, less inflammation, better sleep), and where the evidence falls short
• Why a slow, sensory bedtime ritual can still improve your sleep - even if the explanation going around online isn't correct
• The Japanese walking method (interval walking training): how to do it - 3 minutes at a comfortable pace, 3 minutes fast, for 30 minutes
• What the original Japanese studies found
• Kyle's ratings
• Today's feelgood thing: 

Studies mentioned:

• Effects of High-Intensity Interval Walking Training on Physical Fitness and Blood Pressure in Middle-Aged and Older People — the original Japanese study (Nemoto et al., Mayo Clinic Proceedings) comparing no walking, steady moderate walking, and interval walking

New here? feelgoodery is your weekly space for feeling good without pretending everything's fine - nutrition, mindset, and real strategies for showing up for yourself, hosted by Kyle Buchanan (Broadcaster, Speaker, Certified Nutritional Practitioner, Resident Wellness contributor on Canada's The Morning Show & host of The Exhale on SiriusXM), and his live-studio dog Sam.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult with your health care provider.

Follow along: Instagram @itskyleb | New episodes weekly

Yes, it's really called that, and yes, it comes from the same word you're thinking of. Spermidine is becoming bigger and bigger in the longevity world, and for good reason.

Today, Kyle's breaking down what spermidine actually is, why researchers are excited about its link to a cellular "clean-up" process called autophagy, whether it's connected to Japan's remarkably high number of centenarians, and which everyday foods (yes, including one very sticky Japanese staple) are the richest natural sources. 

Plus: is the supplement version worth trying, or is food still your best bet?

In this episode:

• What spermidine is 
• The autophagy connection: your body's cellular clean-up crew, and how spermidine may support it (without replacing fasting)
• Why natural spermidine levels decline with age, and what that might mean for healthy aging
• What the actual human research shows so far, including a small BDNF study and a larger observational trial, and where the evidence is still thin
• The best natural food sources of spermidine (natto, wheat germ, mushrooms, legumes, aged cheese), for people who will never touch a supplement
• Kyle's honest take on spermidine supplements, and why his current stance is "food first, supplement curious"
• Today's feelgood thing: the small, smug joy of being right

Studies mentioned:

• Nutraland rice germ extract pilot study coverage
• Longitudinal association of dietary spermidine with hepatic function indexes and cardiometabolic traits (European Journal of Nutrition)
• Effects of Spermidine Supplementation on Cognition and Biomarkers in Older Adults (JAMA Network Open)

New here? feelgoodery is your weekly space for feeling good without pretending everything's fine -  nutrition, mindset, and real strategies for showing up for yourself, hosted by Kyle Buchanan (Broadcaster, Speaker, Certified Nutritional Practitioner, Resident Wellness Contributor on Canada's The Morning Show & host of The Exhale on SiriusXM), and his live-studio dog Sam.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult with your health care provider.

Follow along: Instagram @itskyleb | New episodes weekly

Feeling small, scared, or checked-out lately? You're not imagining it . . .  and you’re also not failing because of it. In this Season 5 premiere of feelgoodery, Kyle Buchanan breaks down why the brain defaults to passivity when bad news keeps piling up (AI anxiety, rising costs, the state of the world), and gives five practical, science-backed ways to climb out of it - from the gut-brain connection to a tough love talk, and a perspective shift that might make all the difference.  

In this episode:

• Why feeling powerless right now isn't a personal failing -  the psychology passivity
• The "control what you can control" method: small, immediate actions that retrain your brain out of shutdown mode
• How your gut microbiome influences anxiety and mood via the vagus nerve, and what a Stanford fermented-food study found
• The real cost of staying small and scared, and why empaths especially need to hear this one
• The reminder that might make all the difference
• Today’s feelgood thing, and why 5HTP might be something to consider 

Studies mentioned:

• Learned Helplessness at Fifty: Insights From Neuroscience  Maier & Seligman's reinterpretation of their own landmark theory, showing passivity is the brain's default response, not something learned
• Gut-microbiota-targeted diets modulate human immune status — the Stanford (Sonnenburg Lab) fermented-food trial, published in Cell
• Fermented Foods, Neuroticism, and Social Anxiety: An Interaction Model — the ~700-person survey on fermented food intake and social anxiety

New here? feelgoodery is your weekly space for feeling good without pretending everything's fine - nutrition, mindset, and real strategies for showing up for yourself, hosted by Kyle Buchanan (Broadcaster, Speaker, Certified Nutritional Practitioner, Resident Wellness contributor on Canada’s The Morning Show & host of The Exhale on SiriusXM) , and his live-studio dog Sam. 

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and isn't a substitute for professional medical advice. If you're in a state of despair or depression, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional.

Follow along: Instagram @itskyleb | New episodes weekly

We live in a time where we've never had more tools to improve our health.

Wearables. Supplements. Peptides. Longevity clinics. Clean eating. Sleep trackers. AI-powered health advice.

But what if the pursuit of "optimal health" is actually making some of us less healthy?

Today, we're exploring where the line is between building healthy habits... and becoming trapped by them.

We're covering:

• The hidden downside of tracking every health metric
• When "clean eating" quietly becomes an unhealthy obsession
• Why perfect sleep might not always be worth chasing
• The surprising pressure behind today's sobriety movement
• How wellness products can sometimes disconnect us from what our bodies are really trying to tell us
• Why feeling your best doesn't require optimizing every moment of your life

Plus... today's feelgood thing.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by wellness advice, biohacking, longevity trends, or the pressure to constantly improve yourself... this episode is for you.

If you are feeling a sense of urgency all the time, and that you are constantly falling behind . . . you are not alone. 

Modern life trains us to be urgent. 

We are also doing things to our own biology that is exacerbating this urgency. 

So today, I'm taking about key considerations to counteract that feeling, so we feel calmer and have greater agency over our lives. 

Whether you're struggling with chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this episode offers simple shifts that can help you reclaim a greater sense of calm and control.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why your breathing pattern directly affects your nervous system and stress response
• How caffeine may be increasing feelings of urgency without you realizing it
• The surprising connection between posture, body language, and emotional state
• Why eating too quickly affects both digestion and your nervous system
• How magnesium influences stress resilience and emotional regulation
• Why even mild dehydration can increase cortisol levels
• The neuroscience behind boredom, and why your brain actually needs it
• Practical ways to feel less overwhelmed in everyday life
• Today's feelgood Thing ✨

This episode is for you if...

• You constantly feel overwhelmed or behind
• Your brain never seems to switch off
• You're looking for natural ways to reduce stress and anxiety
• You want practical nervous system regulation techniques backed by science
• You're trying to create a calmer, healthier life

Topics discussed

Stress management • Anxiety • Nervous system regulation • Chronic stress • Cortisol • Burnout • Mindfulness • Vagus nerve • Magnesium • Caffeine • Emotional regulation • Mental health • Productivity • Default Mode Network • Healthy habits • Feelgoodery

Today we're revisiting one of the most popular episodes of last year, because it's a tool I continue to use today that's made a notable difference. 

And apparently - I'm not alone!! Thank you for all your dm's and emails about this episode, more fun to come soon!
_______
Today's episode is for the days when you’re feeling stuck, or are feeling so overwhelmed that your brain can't make a single decision. . . 

Maybe work is piling up, or maybe it’s just a boring laundry day that’s draining you. Either way, you’re not quite sure how to break out of it.

Today, I'm gonna break down  a perspective shift that’s been helping me lately, a way to  step out of the stress, the what-ifs, or the boredom, and see everything with fresh eyes. Because when you can shift your perspective—even just a little—it can make life feel just a little easier.

We’re covering:

• Perspective shift for your consideration 
• The ripple effect of that perspective shift
• Why even the boring, mundane moments matter in the bigger picture
• How to use this tool in daily life—no matter what you’re dealing with

If you’ve ever found yourself caught up in the noise of your own thoughts, this one’s for you. 

And if this shift clicks for you? Amazing. If not, that’s okay too. As always, take what you need and leave the rest.

We all try do our best (most of the time).. drink water, eat our veggies, take the occasional supplement  . . . 

But what if some of the things we're doing for our health could occasionally be working against us?

Today,  we're breaking down some of the lesser-known ways good health habits can sometimes produce unintended results -  and why timing, dosage, and context matter more than most people realize.

We're covering:

• Why taking Vitamin C after a workout may not always be the best idea
• The surprising downside of eating too many thyroid-popular nuts
• The smoothie ingredient that recently sparked concern online
• How a common immune-support supplement can create a different nutrient deficiency
• The hidden risk of drinking too much water too quickly
• Why health headlines often miss the nuance
• How to get the benefits of healthy habits without accidentally sabotaging your efforts

Plus... today's feelgood thing. 

If you've ever wondered whether you're doing too much of a good thing, this episode is for you.

Big thanks to our sponsor, ITL Health. 

For More information on their magnesium formulations, designed with bioavailability in mind, can be found here: http://www.itlhealth.ca 

Thank you for being part of this space. xo

The GLP-1 conversation has completely changed the wellness world. What started as a diabetes medication is now being talked about for weight loss, metabolism, cravings, inflammation, and even longevity.

But as more people jump on medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, some important questions are getting overlooked. .  .

Today, we're talking about:

• The hidden mistake that could make your weight loss backfire
• Why some people lose more than just body fat, but lean tissue
• The nutrient strategy experts say becomes even more important on GLP-1 medications
• The surprising symptom many people can blame on the medication itself (but could not be)
• How to protect your metabolism while losing weight
• Natural ways to support your body's own GLP-1 production
• The connection between your gut bacteria, appetite, and cravings
• Why sleep may be playing a bigger role than you realize

Plus . . . today's feelgood thing.

Big thanks to our sponsor, ITL Health.

More information on their magnesium formulations, designed with bioavailability in mind, can be found here:

https://itlhealth.ca/

Thank you for being a part of this space! xo

Lyme disease and tick-borne illness can be a scary thing... and, even scarier - they are on the RISE. 

Sometimes we know we've gotten exposed - other times, not so much - and we can go undiagnosed for years ... 

With ticks expanding in numbers and areas across North America, more and more people find themselves dealing with everything from flu-like symptoms and joint pain to fatigue, brain fog, neurological symptoms, and chronic illness that can be difficult to explain. 

SO - how do you know if a tick bite has become something more serious? 
What are the early Lyme disease symptoms to watch for? 
And what should you do if you suspect you've been exposed, whether recently or years ago?

Today, I sit down with Lyme disease expert and naturopathic physician Dr. Alexis Chesney, author of Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases.  She has got us COVERED, and after the episode, you will feel much better equipped to deal with what's going on now. 

We're covering:

• What Lyme disease actually is and how it's transmitted
• Why Lyme disease cases are increasing across North America
• The truth about the classic bullseye rash
• Early warning signs of Lyme disease that are often overlooked
• How Lyme can affect the brain, nervous system, energy levels, and mood
• Why symptoms can come and go, making diagnosis difficult
• The testing limitations that can lead to missed diagnoses
• The difference between acute Lyme disease and long-term Lyme-related illness (and treatment!)
•  Why some people struggle for years before getting answers
• Common tick-borne co-infections including Babesia and Anaplasmosis
• Whether Lyme disease can be fully treated—and why there is more hope than many people realize
• Practical prevention strategies to reduce your risk of tick bites
• The importance of finding a practitioner who understands both the science and complexity of tick-

Tick & Tick-Borne Illnesses Resources
Dr. Chesney's Website: https://www.dralexischesney.com/

Dr.Chesney's Book: click here

Find a practitioner: International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society

Canadian resource for ticks, photos & education - https://etick.ca/

Test a tick you find for potential diseases - https://geneticks.ca/

Canadian Lyme disease Support - https://canlyme.com/ & https://www.lymehope.ca/

Big thanks to our sponsor - ITL Health
To learn more and explore products - click here!

Fasting trends have officially gone off the rails -  and some of them are actually worth knowing about, while others come with side effects nobody seems to be talking about.

So today, we're breaking it all down and cutting through the noise.

We're covering:

• Sardine fasting - the reset trend with a side of gout nobody warned you about  Water fasting -  the most "true" fast, and why it's not for everyone 
• The Fasting Mimicking Diet -  the science-backed method where you actually get to eat 
•  Dopamine fasting -  the trend that has nothing to do with food 
• Why when you fast matters just as much as how long you fast

Plus, the electrolyte reminder you probably needed heading into summer. 

And of course . . . today's feelgood thing.

Dr Erin Boynton's Program I'm doing for back pain - click here 

Big thanks to our sponsor, ITL Health.

More information on their magnesium formulations, designed with bioavailability in mind, can be found here:
https://itlhealth.ca/