Nina’s Notes Podcast

Ever heard of Quaaludes? 

This popular drug in the 60s & 70s has a fascinating history. 

Curious about its rise, fall, and lasting impact? 

Check out my latest article to learn more.

💬 In this note:

* 💊 Where have all the Quaaludes gone?

* 📚 Emily in Paris

* ⚡️ Where Love Lives in the Brain

Thanks for listening to Nina’s Notes #99. If you like this newsletter, click the share button and send it to a friend.

🎙️ INTERVIEW |The Power of Immersion for Mental Health with Noah Robinson, CEO of Innerworld

In this episode, my guest is Noah Robinson, CEO of Innerworld, shares his personal journey of how video games saved his life and inspired him to create a platform for evidence-based mental health intervention.

Innerworld offers immersive virtual worlds where users can attend live mental health groups and learn cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills. The platform aims to bridge the gap between the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders and the shortage of therapists. 

Innerworld has shown significant decreases in symptoms of depression and anxiety through their intervention, and they have received positive qualitative feedback from users.

A unique part of Innerworld is that you can participate in VR for a fully immersive experience. I tried Innerworld with Noah at the BrainMind conference in New York in June, and completely forgot that I was in the middle of an auditorium while in the game.

During this episode, we chat about the role of immersion in delivering mental health intervention and the potential of virtual reality in transforming therapy. 

Noah and his co-founder, singer-songwriter Jewel, are working together to create a space that is accessible and anonymous for their users. 

Innerworld has already reached over 10,000 people, and now as it grows, Noah and his team are partnering with businesses to offer guide training to managers and other employees. They are  working on AI initiatives to enhance the therapeutic experience and remain focused on the importance of human connection in therapy.

Key Takeaways:

* Innerworld is a platform that delivers evidence-based mental health intervention through immersive virtual worlds.

* The platform offers live mental health groups and teaches cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills.

* Innerworld aims to bridge the gap between the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders and the shortage of therapists.

* Anonymity and accessibility are key features of Innerworld, allowing users to open up and explore their inner selves in a safe environment. 

* They have a certification program for their guides and a robust screening and evaluation process.

* Innerworld has shown significant decreases in symptoms of depression and anxiety through their intervention.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Substack Podcasts.

Recommended Timestamps

00:00 Noah's Background and Inspiration for Inner World

03:38 Introduction to Inner World and its Offerings

07:07 Impact and User Base of Inner World

08:51 Expanding Inner World for Adolescents

13:08 Navigating the Celebrity Relationship

15:37 Accessibility and Platforms of Inner World

17:28 The Science and ROI of Immersive Technology

20:53 Cognitive Behavioral Immersion in Inner World

23:26 Discussing Politics and Current Events in Inner World

25:12 Certification Program for Effective Guide Leadership

29:04 AI Initiatives to Enhance the Therapeutic Experience

36:31 The Importance of Human Connection in Therapy

41:50 Significant Decreases in Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Where to find Noah Robinson, MSc:

* Website

* Linkedin

Where to find Nina Patrick, PhD:

* Newsletter

* LinkedIn 

* Website

Thanks for listening to Nina’s Notes #99. If you like this newsletter & podcast, click the share button and send it to a friend.

Edited by Wright Time Publishing

The FDA rejected MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD last week. 

A major setback for psychedelic medicine, but certainly not a complete surprise to insiders and the team at Lykos Therapeutics after the decision in June by the FDA's Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee.

The FDA asked Lykos to complete more studies, so now we will wait to see how Lykos works hand-in-hand with the FDA to make sure the trial design fits their criteria.

Lykos, and parent company MAPS, have been researching MDMA-AT for PTSD and working to get MDMA-AT approved for nearly two decades.

This is a setback, but definitely not the end for these breakthrough therapies.

💬 In this note:

* 💊 MDMA-AT Gets a No from the FDA

* 📚 The Dark Forest

* ⚡️ The Exopulse Mollii Suit

Thanks for listening to Nina’s Notes #97. If you like this newsletter, click the share button and send it to a friend.

Edited by Wright Time Publishing

🎙️ INTERVIEW | Using Non-Invasive Neurostimulation for Epilepsy and Depression with Ana Maiques, CEO of Neuroelectrics

In this episode, my guest is Ana Maiques, CEO of Neuroelectrics. Together we discuss the journey of bringing neurotech products to market and the challenges of navigating the regulatory and reimbursement processes.

She explains the technology behind Neuroelectrics' non-invasive brain stimulation device and its potential to treat epilepsy, depression, and Alzheimer's disease. 

Ana also discusses the future of neuromodulation, including the use of computational neuroscience models to personalize treatments and enhance cognitive function. 

Neuroelectrics is leading the way in creating digital twins of the brain and using non-invasive EEG and stimulation to treat various medical conditions.

They gather EEG signals from patients wearing their devices, allowing for personalized treatment and data collection.

Neuroelectrics has collaborations with artists and musicians to explore the impact of digital art and music on the brain.

I was lucky enough to see a performance at the BrainMind Summit in New York where music organization, Reverberation, founded by Michael Hermann and Anna Gabriel, teamed up with Ana Maiques and her Neuroelectrics team to wire up two talented marimba players to demonstrate how music and science produce real-time digital art between the two players' brains. 

We are at the beginning of a new decade of the brain, and the future of mental and brain health interventions will include a variety of options, including devices, psychedelics, and apps, providing patients with more choices for treatment.

Key Takeaways:

* Bringing neurotech products to market involves navigating complex regulatory and reimbursement processes.

* Neuroelectrics has developed a non-invasive brain stimulation device that can record and stimulate brain activity.

* The device has shown promising results in treating epilepsy, depression, and Alzheimer's disease.

* The future of neuromodulation lies in personalized treatments and the use of computational neuroscience models.

* While the technology has the potential to enhance cognitive function, more research is needed to understand the long-term effects. Neuroelectrics is a leader in the brain digital twin space, using non-invasive EEG and stimulation for personalized treatment and data collection.

* They collaborate with artists and musicians to explore the impact of digital art and music on the brain.

* The future of mental and brain health interventions should include a variety of options, such as devices, psychedelics, and apps.

* Entrepreneurs in the brain tech space should persevere, stay motivated, and be open to changing approaches.

* Regulatory agencies and reimbursement processes need to support the faster development and adoption of new interventions.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts.

Recommended Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Background

04:20 Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation for Epilepsy, Depression, and Alzheimer's

09:40 The Future of Neuromodulation: Personalized Treatments and Computational Neuroscience

17:01 Exploring the Potential of Neurostimulation for Cognitive Enhancement

28:10 Closed-loop EEG and Electrical Stimulation

30:41 Neuroelectrics' Devices Deployed Worldwide

32:27 Collaborations with Artists and Musicians

37:48 Exploring Non-Invasive Stimulation Methods

41:32 The Potential of Sound and Ultrasound

44:12 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

47:30 The Future of Mental and Brain Health Interventions

Where to find Ana Maiques:

* Website

* Linkedin

* Newsletter 

Where to find Nina Patrick, PhD:

* Newsletter

* LinkedIn 

* Website

Thanks for listening to Nina’s Notes #96. If you like this newsletter & podcast, click the share button and send it to a friend.

Edited by Wright Time Publishing

🚀 Scientists are exploring cures for cancer in space.

In collaboration with @NASA and @Space Tango, @Dr. Catriona Jamieson and her team are pioneering cancer research in space. 

By sending stem cells and tumor organoids into microgravity, they discovered rapid aging and stress responses in cells. 

They also discovered that the “cancer kill switch” drug, Rebecsinib, showed promise against triple-negative breast cancer in space trials.

These findings highlight the potential of space as a unique environment to accelerate understanding of cancer and human biology. 

With upcoming missions and the launch of commercial space stations, the future of drug development might be in space.

💬 In this note:

* 🚀 Will We Find The Cure For Cancer In Space?

* 📚 Over the Edge of the World

* ⚡️ Bears Hunting Salmon

Thanks for listening to Nina’s Notes #95. If you like this newsletter, click the share button and send it to a friend.

Edited by Wright Time Publishing

💬 In this note:

* 📘 GUIDEBOOK | Breath for Longevity

* 📚 Ruthless Vows

* ⚡ Cryptle

In this month’s guidebook, I teamed up with Oktay Özen, a Certified Personal, Business & Breath Coach to create a Breath for Longevity Guidebook.

Oktay conducts breathwork workshops for groups and companies across Europe. His focus is to give people theoretical background knowledge and teach them breathwork techniques they can use on their own.

In the guidebook, we cover:

* Breathing 101

* Breathwork

* Benefits of Breathwork

* Link Between Breathing and Brain Activity

* Mouth Breathing vs. Nasal Breathing

* Over Breathing

* Improving CO2 Tolerance

* Breathing Exercises:

* Balance

* Focus

* Sleep

* Anxiety Reduction

* Energy

Links:

Cryptle: a word puzzle game that combines elements of cryptography and linguistics.

Can canines crack the aging code?

In my latest Nina’s note, I cover two research projects that think dogs will help with aging.

Dog Aging Project studies dog health to unlock secrets for longer, healthier lives for our furry friends & us! 

Biotech startup, Loyal, has received promising FDA feedback on their lifespan extension drug for dogs.

💬 In this note:

* 🐶 Unleashing Longevity

* 📚 Divine Rivals

* ⚡️ Bark Air

Thank you for listening to Nina’s Notes #93. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Can hyperbaric chambers reverse aging at the cellular level?

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) uses pressurized oxygen to potentially reverse two hallmarks of aging: telomere shortening & cellular senescence.

Recent evidence suggests that HBOT can reverse telomere shortening 20% faster than other lifestyle interventions.

My most recent Nina’s Note explores the science of HBOT & the experience itself.

Could this become a staple at med spas in the future?

💬 In this note:

* 😮‍💨 What are the Benefits of a Hyperbaric Chamber for Healthspan?

* 📚 Endurance

* ⚡️ Kunstformen der Natur

Thanks for listening to Nina’s Notes #92. If you like this newsletter, click the share button and send it to a friend.

PTSD affects 6% of people in the U.S., with women at higher risk than men. 

Women often experience PTSD due to traumatic events like sexual assault. 

Current treatments, like SSRIs, fail for many patients.

We need better solutions.

MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) shows promise, with studies indicating it may be particularly effective for women, leading to significant symptom reduction and remission rates.

Despite recent advisory panel doubts, the FDA's final decision on MDMA-AT's approval remains pending. 

💬 In this note:

* 🤸🏽‍♀️ Could MDMA-AT Have a Bigger Impact For Women?

* 📚 Vengeful

* ⚡️ Dinosaur skeletons for sale

Thanks for listening to Nina’s Notes #91. If you like this newsletter, click the share button and send it to a friend.

In this episode my guest is Hélène Guillaume, founder and CEO of the award winning company, Wild AI.

Hélène shares her personal journey as an athlete and how she discovered the impact of hormonal fluctuations on her performance. 

Her experience as an elite athlete drove her to start Wild AI to help women optimize their training schedules based on their menstrual cycle and enhance their performance.

Hélène and Wild AI are helping close the gender data gap and are leaders in fighting gender bias inequality.

Listen to this episode to learn about how insanely powerful the female body is and how Wild AI can help women deeply understand their bodies.

Key Takeaways:

* Understanding and training with the female reproductive cycle can optimize performance and reduce negative symptoms.

* There is a gender data gap in medical research and more studies need to include women to address their specific health needs.

* The gender data gap in medical research leads to biased and irrelevant outcomes for women's health.

* Birth control methods impact the body differently and understanding these effects can help women make informed choices.

* Embracing the natural changes in the female body can lead to empowerment and improved overall well-being. 

* Misconceptions and myths about women's health, nutrition, and fitness need to be corrected.

* There is a lack of education and support for postpartum women and more research is needed in this area.

* Advancements in technology and personalized health insights have the potential to greatly benefit women's health.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Substack Podcasts.

Recommended Timestamps

* 00:00 Introduction and Hélène’s Background

* 05:21 Training with the Menstrual Cycle

* 08:05 Predicting Optimal Training Schedules with Wild AI

* 10:27 Unlocking Personal Confidence and Power through Wild AI

* 12:25 Navigating Menopause and Aging Well

* 21:12 Closing the Gender Data Gap with Wild AI

* 23:16 Understanding the Effects of Birth Control

* 26:12 The Empowering Effects of Stopping Birth Control

* 30:42 The Gender Data Gap in Medical Research

* 32:32 Closing the Gap with Funding and Inclusion

* 36:43 Dispelling Myths and Stereotypes about Women's Bodies

* 39:19 Misconceptions in Nutrition and Fitness for Women

* 44:03 Breaking Double Standards in Sports and Fashion

* 48:02 Understanding and Embracing Menopause

* 53:59 The Future of Women's Health: Personalized Insights

Learn More About Wild.ai

* Download Wild AI from the Apple App Store

* Download Wild AI on Google Play

* Instagram 

* Website 

Where to find Hélène Guillaume:

* Website

* LinkedIn

* The Wild Performance Podcast

Where to find Nina Patrick, PhD:

* Newsletter

* LinkedIn 

* Website

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