A single overlooked bacteria in your mouth can alter hormones, disrupt implantation, and delay pregnancy — and most doctors never test for it.

That’s what I discovered reading a study showing that women with periodontal disease take two months longer to conceive, and that the gingivitis pathogen P. gingivalis has been found in the placentas of women who miscarried.

In this minisode, I sit down with biological dentist Dr. Staci Whitman to uncover how oral pathogens, inflammatory cytokines, and “leaky gums” impact reproductive health for both women and men. We discuss saliva, diet, mouth breathing, and why oral microbiome testing may be one of the most powerful—and overlooked—tools in fertility care.

This episode features highlights from our full conversation, which premiered August 26th, 2025. Watch the full episode here → https://youtu.be/vqcNFx4CRfk

If you care about hormones, fertility, pregnancy, or inflammation, this is a must-listen.

***

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

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AquaTru

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***

I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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

Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_

Topics discussed:
00:00:00 Introduction: The Oral Health-Fertility Connection

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What if your mouth could reveal your hormonal health, fertility status, and even your brain’s risk for Alzheimer’s?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Leedia Riman, a biological and integrative dentist redefining how we care for our teeth. She reveals the science behind estrogen receptors in the mouth, jawbone, and salivary glands—and how they link oral health to menopause, fertility, and brain aging.

We explore the oral microbiome and how an imbalance can spark inflammation that spreads to the brain, gut, and even the placenta. Dr. Leedia explains how testing your oral microbiome can flag disease risks early, and why every woman over 35 should understand what’s happening inside her mouth.

This episode isn’t just for women—oral inflammation also impacts male fertility, bone density, and long-term health. From dry mouth to dementia, pregnancy gingivitis to biofilm mapping, this is one of the most eye-opening conversations we’ve had on The Neuro Experience.

***

About Dr. Riman:

Dr. Leedia Riman is a Beverly Hills biological and integrative dentist who connects oral health with whole-body wellness. She specializes in conservative, biomimetic cosmetic dentistry, gum and bone health, and a root-cause approach—with a focus on how hormonal shifts, especially in women, affect the mouth and jaw. Dr. Leedia coined “Responsible Cosmetic Dentistry” to describe her philosophy of long-term, minimally invasive, personalized care.

Instagram: @drleedia

Website: https://www.drleedia.com

Elev8 Dentistry: https://elev8care.com

***

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

***

A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts:

Function Health:
Visit https://functionhealth.com/louisa or use code NEURO100 at sign-up to own your health. 

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***

I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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

Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_


***

Topics discussed:

Use 00:00:00 Intro

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What if the most powerful predictor of your lifespan has nothing to do with your genetics, diet, workouts, or supplements?

In this groundbreaking episode, neuroscientist Louisa Nicola sits down with bestselling author Shawn Stevenson to reveal the real missing piece in the longevity equation. Drawing from a massive 148-study meta-analysis of 300,000+ people and Harvard’s 80-year longitudinal study, Shawn explains why the quality of your social relationships is the strongest determinant of how long you’ll live — outperforming exercise, nutrition, and even quitting smoking.

This episode features highlights from our full conversation, which premiered July 7th, 2025. Watch the full episode here → https://youtu.be/FXWvyU21ILs

***

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

***

I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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

Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_

***

Topics discussed: 

00:00 – Intro
00:20 – Why Food, Exercise & Sleep Aren’t Enough
00:50 – Relationships Cut Mortality by 50%
01:41 – Harvard’s 80-Year Longevity Study Findings
02:49 – Why “Warm Social Bonds” Outperform Diet & Exercise
03:26 – How Relationships Improve Stress Metabolism
04:40 – The Real Impact of Chronic Stress on Disease
06:09 – 80% of Doctor Visits Are Stress-Related
07:25 – Why We Aren’t Taught How to Build Healthy Relationships
08:52 – How Your Environment Shapes Your Health Behaviors
10:38 – Social Isolation, Aging & Cognitive Decline
11:16 – Why Loneliness Accelerates Alzheimer’s and Disease Progression

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What if everything you’ve been told about menopause is wrong?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mary Claire Haver — board-certified OB/GYN and leading menopause expert — to unpack the science reshaping women’s health. We break down the FDA’s recent removal of the 22-year black box warning on hormone therapy, why only 4% of women use HRT today, and how fear and misinformation have shaped decades of care.

Dr. Haver also dives into the rise of menopause “biohacks,” from NAD and PRP to the fundamentals that truly move the needle: sleep, strength training, and metabolic health. Her message is simple: Menopause isn’t a disease — it’s a transition, and you deserve informed, evidence-based support.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed or confused during midlife changes, this conversation will give you clarity, confidence, and the science to advocate for yourself.

Follow Dr. Haver:
Instagram: @drmaryclaire
TikTok: @drmaryclaire
Website: The Pause Life
Pre-order The New Perimenopause, set to release on April 7, 2026: https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-new-perimenopause-book
Listen to Dr. Haver's podcast, unPAUSED, here: https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-unpaused-podcast

***

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

***

A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts:

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Give it a try at https://www.troscriptions.com/NEURO or enter NEURO at checkout for 10% off your first order. 

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***

I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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

Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_


***


Topics discussed:

00:00 – Intro

01:55 – The FDA removed the “black box” warning for HRT

05:16 – The Social Media Effect on Menopause Education

07:54 – How Doctors Historically Dismiss Women’s Symptoms

11:12 – Why So Many Women Get Antidepressants Instead of HRT

14:07 – Life Stress vs Hormone-Driven Symptoms

16:48 – The Timing Hypothesis / Critical Window Explained

19:06 – Why Modern RCTs Aren’t Happening

20:10 – Proven Benefits: Bone Health & Osteoporosis Prevention

21:35 – HRT, Dementia, and Brain Health: What the Data Actually Shows

23:16 – Environmental Toxins, Brain Health & Midlife Risk Factors

25:24 – How the Internet Distorts Menopause Education

27:10 – The “Brain Eating Itself” Debate: The Real Science

30:09 – What Brain Fog Really Is During Perimenopause

32:24 – Why High-Functioning Women Struggle the Most

34:03 – Breast Cancer Risk: What the WHI Actually Found

35:00 – Why Sleep Is the First Line of Treatment

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Every decade after 30, women lose up to 8% of their muscle mass—and by 50, many can’t even carry groceries upstairs. In this minisode, I sit down with  celebrity fitness trainer Ben Bruno to cut through the noise and talk about what really keeps you strong, mobile, and confident for life. From full-body training to bone-density myths, we unpack the truth about longevity, fitness, and how to stay powerful well into your 50s and beyond.

This episode features highlights from our full conversation, which premiered August 19th, 2025. Watch the full episode here → https://youtu.be/BeDB8pAfpLs?si=Lfg-ISGmVxYB0SLq

***

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

***

I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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

Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_

***

Topics discussed:

00:00 – Intro: The Shocking Truth About Muscle Loss After 30
00:53 – Why Full-Body Strength Training Beats Every Trend
04:22 – Online Fitness vs. Real-World Results
07:24 – Biohacking, Red Light Therapy & Longevity Myths
10:19 – How to Train for Life, Not Just Looks
11:35 – Exercise Is Medicine: Finding the Right Dose

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For decades, we’ve been told Alzheimer’s strikes in our 70s or 80s — but that’s not the full story. The truth is, it begins silently, building for years—sometimes decades—before symptoms ever appear. And by the time you notice it, the damage has already been done.

In this solo episode, I break down what I’ve learned after a decade studying brain health — especially the unique risks women face in midlife. Two out of three cases of Alzheimer’s are female. Why? It’s not just about age — it’s about hormones, metabolism, and lifestyle choices that start changing in our 30s, 40s, and 50s.

I’ll also share why I created Brain Code™ — my new digital course for women 40+ who want a science-backed plan to lower their risk of cognitive decline and live sharper, longer, and stronger lives. This isn’t optional self-care — it’s your cognitive Olympics.

***

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

***

A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts:

Function Health

Visit https://functionhealth.com/louisa or use gift code NEURO100 at sign-up to own your health.

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Jones Road Beauty

For a limited time our listeners are getting a free Cool Gloss on their first purchase when they use code NEURO at checkout. Just head to https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com and use code NEURO at checkout.  

Branch Basics

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***

I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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

Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_
Topics discussed:

00:00:00 The Alzheimer's Crisis: Why This Disease Matters

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I used to assume conception began at the first sign of pregnancy — until I learned about Trimester Zero. The 100-day window before conception may be the most powerful period in shaping your baby’s lifelong health — and your own.

In this minisode, I sit down with Vida Delrahim and Ronit Menashe, co-founders of WeNatal, to unpack what science now calls the pre-pregnancy trimester. We talk about how both women and men can dramatically influence fertility and genetics before conception through nutrition, lifestyle, and the health of one mighty organelle — the mitochondria.

This episode features highlights from our full conversation, which premiered August 12th, 2025. Watch the full episode here → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gztCFH603g

About the guests:
After experiencing miscarriages just a week apart, best friends Vida and Ronit were devastated — and confused. Both were healthy, both on prenatal vitamins, and yet doctors dismissed their losses as “random” or “age-related.” They partnered with leading experts, pored over research, and created a science-backed prenatal system for both women and men. What began as a personal mission has grown into WeNatal — a movement giving couples the knowledge, tools, and products to support conception, pregnancy, and the lifelong health of future generations.

***

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

***

A huge thank you to my sponsor for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts:

Honeylove
Save 20% Off Honeylove at https://www.honeylove.com/NEURO.

***

I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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

Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You think you’re living healthy—organic food, filtered water, supplements—but what about the air you breathe? In this episode, I sit down with disaster-recovery expert and Jaspr founder Mike Feldstein to expose the hidden dangers of indoor air and how it may be silently sabotaging your health, sleep, and longevity.

After years rebuilding homes post-disaster, Mike discovered that people were getting sicker—not from what they ate, but from what they breathed. His solution: Jaspr, a sleek air-scrubbing system that removes 99.9% of ultra-fine particles. We break down how poor air quality impacts your biology and why cleaning the air could be the missing link to better performance and longer life.

00:00 – Intro

03:09 – The Birth of Jaspr: Making Clean Air Beautiful

07:10 – What Is Toxic Air and How It Makes You Sick

09:05 – Mold, Mycotoxins, and the Hidden Health Connection

16:23 – PM 2.5: The Microscopic Particles That Can’t Escape Your Lungs

18:01 – Air Pollution, Dementia, and Alzheimer’s Risk

21:43 – Why Hotel Air Is Making You Sick

24:52 – Cooking, Hair Dryers, and Hidden Air Pollution in Your Home

27:45 – Where the Toxins Go: Your Couch, Carpet, and Clothes

31:00 – Why “Zero” Air Quality Is Impossible

32:24 – The Difference Between an Air Purifier and an Air Scrubber

33:29 – Real-World Air Testing: Hotels, Dentists, and Dangerous Jobs

40:46 – Clean Air and Relationships: Stopping Snoring and “Sleep Divorce”

43:40 – What to Look for in an Air Purifier

46:34 – When and How to Replace Filters

47:31 – How to Prevent Mold and Moisture Buildup in Bathrooms

48:49 – Pets, Shoes, and the Hidden Dangers of “Fur Pollution”

51:11 – The Gym Air Problem: Rubber Floors and Toxins

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I used to think of fiber as just “good for digestion,” but it turns out this single nutrient can lower cholesterol as powerfully as a statin—and do so much more for your brain, gut, and longevity.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In your 30s, everything changes, and your fitness plan should too.

In this episode of The Neuro Experience, I sit down with Sam Christine, mom of two, marathoner, macro coach, and creator of the EMPWR app, to unpack what actually works for women when fat loss stalls, hormones crash, and burnout creeps in.

After pushing her body too far during marathon training, Sam lost her period for 13 months. The cause? Undereating, overstressing, and overtraining, all while juggling career, motherhood, and a crumbling marriage. Now, she’s helping thousands of women rebuild their health from the inside out.

About Sam:

Samantha Christine is a nutritionist, certified trainer, and founder of EMPWR by Sam—a fitness app helping women train smarter, fuel better, and build lasting strength. As a mom of two, she makes fitness realistic and sustainable through workouts, recipes, and mindset shifts that empower women to feel strong and confident.

Where to find Sam:

Instagram: @samcfit

The EMPWR Podcast

EMPWR by Sam Fitness App 

***

Subscribe to The Neuro Experience for more conversations at the intersection of brain science and performance. I'm committed to bringing you evidence-based insights that you can apply to your own health journey.

***

A huge thank you to my sponsors for supporting this episode. Check them out and enjoy exclusive discounts:

Function Health:

Visit https://functionhealth.com/louisa or use gift code NEURO100 at sign-up to own your health.

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Go to https://ThriveMarket.com/neuro to get 30% off your first order, and a free $60 gift
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***

I’m Louisa Nicola — clinical neurophysiologist  — Alzheimer’s prevention specialist — founder of Neuro Athletics.

My mission is to translate cutting-edge neuroscience into actionable strategies for cognitive longevity, peak performance, and brain disease prevention.

If you're committed to optimizing your brain — reducing Alzheimer’s risk — and staying mentally sharp for life, you’re in the right place.

Stay sharp. Stay informed. Join thousands who subscribe to the Neuro Athletics Newsletter → https://bit.ly/3ewI5P0

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

Twitter : https://twitter.com/louisanicola_

Topics discussed: 

00:00 – Intro

02:17 – How Sam turned her life around

04:00 – The Critical Decade for Women’s Health

06:20 – Under-Fueling, Hormones & Recovery

13:50 – From Rock Bottom to EMPWR

17:30 – Reinvention: Friendship, Clean Living & Divorce

23:20 – How to Build Muscle & Lose Fat (The Right Way)

28:30 – Nutrition Myths & Mindset Shifts

35:30 – Women’s Health, Fertility & Family

38:00 – Navigating Hormonal Shifts & Reinvention

43:00 – Exercise as Brain Medicine

51:30 – Biohacking, Bloodwork & Longevity Tools

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices