The Dr. Plant Podcast

Can supplements actually improve stress, mood, and cognitive performance, or are the benefits mostly hype? In this episode of The Dr. Plant Podcast, Dr. Joshua Plant sits down with clinical psychologist and nutraceutical researcher Dr. Adrian Lopresti to explore what the research really shows. They dive into the science behind ashwagandha, curcumin, saffron, magnesium, and other nutraceuticals, including how researchers measure their effects on stress, mood, cognition, cortisol, inflammation, and testosterone. Dr. Lopresti also explains why results can vary from person to person, why supplement quality and clinically studied extracts matter, and why even statistically significant benefits should be kept in perspective. Above all, they discuss why supplements work best as part of a bigger picture that includes diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management, not as a replacement for them. The Dr. Plant Podcast is sponsored by The Science Standard.

What if creatine could do more than help build muscle? In this episode of The Dr. Plant Podcast, Dr. Joshua Plant sits down with Dr. Rick Kreider, Professor and Director of the Exercise & Sport Nutrition Lab at Texas A&M University and co-founder of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, to explore the evolving science of sports nutrition and healthy aging. They discuss decades of research on creatine, including its potential role in muscle preservation, brain energy, cognition, and quality of life as we age. They also dive into nootropics and adaptogens like ashwagandha, the science of stress and cortisol, and what emerging research may tell us about supporting cognitive and physical performance. Along the way, Dr. Kreider explains why supplements should build on—not replace—the fundamentals of exercise, protein, sleep, and a healthy diet. If you still think creatine is just for building muscle, this conversation may change the way you look at it.

Can you actually trust what’s on your supplement label? In this episode of The Dr. Plant Podcast, Dr. Joshua Plant sits down with Dr. Tod Cooperman, founder and CEO of ConsumerLab.com, and Dr. Mark Anderson, Vice President of Research, for an inside look at supplement quality and independent testing. They explore how the supplement industry has changed over the past 25+ years, why some products fail quality testing, whether higher prices actually mean higher quality, and the challenges behind testing everything from gummies and multivitamins to creatine. They also break down proprietary blends, third-party testing claims, counterfeit supplements, and what consumers should actually look for when choosing a supplement. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re really getting what you paid for, this conversation is a good place to start.