The Girlfriend Doctor w/ Dr. Anna Cabeca

Latest Episodes:

My Keto-Green 16 Book Is Out! May 05, 2020

Show notes

I am so excited to share with you all the information you need to know about my newest book, Keto-Green 16, that's releasing TODAY! Following the Keto-Green 16 plan will help you increase your resilience and willpower, enrich your sense of strength and empowerment, and feel connected to a community of like-minded women on a similar journey.

About Keto-Green 16

In this episode, I'm sharing snippets from my new book, Keto-Green 16! I start by reading the wonderful forward by my friend, colleague, and mentor, Dr. Perlmutter. I'm honored to have had Dr. Perlmutter share his thoughts on Keto-Green 16 for publication.

I've been developing Keto-Green 16 using medical studies and reports, personal experience, and clinical trial groups to come up with the ideal way to eat for women in peri-menopause. But it's not only for women! There's a chapter dedicated to working with your partner to do Keto-Green 16 together.

I share some of the experiences of women in my trial groups, including one who has had so much energy since starting Keto-Green 16. And she's not alone, following the Keto-Green way does increase your energy levels.

You've probably heard horror stories of getting the "keto flu" when you transition to a ketogenic diet. You'll be happy to hear that Keto-Green 16 plan won't actually give you keto flu! This makes getting keto so much more accessible.

But Keto-Green 16 isn't only about your diet! I explain why you should keep a journal and write in it every day. Included in this ritual is the power of writing out daily affirmations. I keep a journal and schedule writing time every single morning.

Keto-Green 16 can benefit so many aspects of your health, even if you have specific and long-term health conditions, such as diabetes. Personally, my hemoglobin levels have improved significantly since following the Keto-Green way.

Some other aspects of Keto-Green 16 I wanted to let you know about: You'll get access to a community of supportive people on the same journey as you. Community has a positive impact on your success! I've also developed a vegan and vegetarian plan that comes included in Keto-Green 16.

Are you ready to take control of your health? Do you have a long-term health condition? As always, you can ask me anything and let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com.

In This Episode:

How eating Keto-Green 16 can increase your energy levels
How following the Keto-Green 16 diet can help you avoid "keto flu"
Why you should be keeping a journal and practicing daily affirmations
How following Keto-Green 16 can improve your hemoglobin levels
How creating a supportive community impacts the results of Keto-Green 16

Quotes:

"We want an increase in Oxytocin. We want an improvement in overall alkalinity and Oxytocin is the most alkaline hormone." (10:57)

"Yes, in sixteen days we can get life-transforming results. And it's certainly proven by our group medical visits that have now been run continuously and we are seeing fabulous, lasting results." (15:28)

"For me, it's about helping you and helping others. But I know I couldn't do that without this KetoGreen way in my life. My story is shared in KetoGreen 16 and how I was having brain fog, memory loss, and seemingly overnight weight gain without doing anything different. The KetoGreen Way that I teach has transformed my life and my relationships." (22:20)

Resources Mentioned

Buy Keto-Green 16 Today!

Join the KetoGreen Community on Facebook

Buy The Hormone Fix

Or Listen & Subscribe free on Apple Podcasts | Android

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

The Link Between Your Beliefs & Your Longevity Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

You can control your health and how long you live by examining your deeply held belief systems and resolving generational trauma. How? This episode with Dr. Mario Martinez explores the links between cultural beliefs and longevity.

About Dr. Mario Martinez

Dr. Martinez is a clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in how cultural beliefs affect health and longevity. He proposes, based on credible research evidence, that longevity is learned and the causes of health are inherited. He has studied healthy centenarians (100 years or older) worldwide and found that only 20 to 25% can be attributed to genetics - the rest is related to how they live and the cultural beliefs they share.

He is the author of the bestselling book, The MindBody Code: How to Change the Beliefs that Limit Your Health, Longevity, and Success that teaches his theory and practice of biocognitive science to the general public. In addition to longevity, he also explains why our immune system is not just a protector. Instead, it responds to the cultural premises we learn to perceive the world.

In this episode, Dr. Mario explains why some cultures live longer and how we can adopt some of their beliefs and practices in our own lives. He also shares the scientific basis for how generational trauma happens and what we can do to heal from this. Dr. Mario also talks about the creative outcome from discipline and positive patterns.

You know one of my favorite hormones is Oxytocin - the love hormone - well, Dr. Mario talks about what some daily activities are that will increase our Oxytocin and why we should. His research into centenarians has revealed the true role of Oxytocin plays in our longevity. He also shares how creating and following simple rituals can increase your lifespan.

We talk about how this collective quarantine we're experiencing with the Coronavirus can actually alter the way our minds work. What was important to you before this supervirus might not hold the same weight when we're through this health crisis.

What we need to do in order to increase our longevity is to create our own eudemonic pleasure. This is a simple part of your daily life, like taking a shot of rum at the end of the day, which brings you pleasure for no other reason than creating joy. For you, this might look like regular phone calls with your friends, an indulgence that fills your cup, or even a morning run.

Do you have any daily rituals or eudemonic pleasures you participate in? As always, you can ask me anything and let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com.

In This Episode:

What some of the cultural standards are that lead to longevity
How you can be experiencing generational trauma
What discipline and positive patterns create
Why you should practice compassion
How to increase your Oxytocin
What power there is in rituals
How a long-term traumatic experience, like collective quarantine, can change your perspective on what's important now
How to create your own eudemonic pleasure
What a subculture of wellness is and why you should create one

Quotes:

"That's a powerful statement. Embody your truth, essentially, embody what is true to you versus the lies that have been told about you. Embody what's true to you and practice it." (19:15)

"Find out what is good about your culture and see what you're not doing that your culture taught you that you can incorporate. Then, also look at how your culture limited you. And, sometimes even berated you, and begin to question that." (43:22)

"The antidote for shame is honor-consciousness. And I use honor-consciousness as an anti-inflammatory." (49:39)

Links

Pre-Order Keto-Green 16 to get a sneak peek and free gifts!

Buy The MindBody Self: How Longevity is Culturally Learned and the Causes of Health Are Inherited

Find Dr. Mario Martinez Online

Find Dr. Mario Martinez on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Improving Your Immune System Starting Now Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

The single most important thing you can do to protect your health right now during this international health crisis is to wash your hands. The next is to boost your immunity. In this episode of The Girlfriend Doctor, I'm talking about how you can improve your immune system starting today by following my tips.

About Boosting Your Immunity

Do you realize how important it is to wash your hands regularly, especially during an outbreak such as COVID-19? I'm going to tell you a story of an Austrian doctor who faced ridicule over the concept a few centuries ago. Once doctors finally agreed with him, there was a significant decrease in medical and labor deaths.

I cannot stress enough how vital it is for you to be washing your hands right now. Stop spreading this disease. Help keep our healthcare system under control.

We have a responsibility to boost our own immune system. It's not just the foods we put in our bodies, it's also the chemicals we use around us and the air we breathe. Take some time to examine the ingredients in the products you use on a regular basis.

I explain how we can start removing harmful substances from our system. By replacing the chemical cleaning products we use regularly with more natural ones, we can start making a huge difference. Also, by cleaning our fruits and vegetables well, we'll start reducing how much pesticides we ingest.

Finally, I'm talking about how you can start improving your immune system by making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. And you can start today! Sharing your love, increasing your Oxytocin, and taking some of my Mighty Maca supplements are great ways to start.

I also invite you to pre-order Keto-Green 16. We'll be following my plan live and it's a wonderful way to improve your immune system.

I challenge you to watch the sunrise and sunset every single day for the next 7 days to reset your circadian rhythm! How can you be more loving today? Ask me anything and let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com

In This Episode:

What happens when people don't wash their hands
What our responsibility in boosting our immunity is
How we can remove harmful substances from our system
What you can do, starting today, to improve your immune system

Quotes:

"We need to lead. We need to lead with love and kindness and compassion. And fortify our system." (7:54)

"How can I improve my lifestyle and my nutrition and nourish my body so that I am the strongest freaking body that I can absolutely be." (10:45)

"We are not succumbing to a plague. We are going to flourish. With love, some fun, and as we fortify our body… you guys have this. You got this. We're in this together. We're not alone." (17:22)

Links

Pre-Order Keto-Green 16 to get a sneak peek and free gifts!

Join the KetoGreen Community on Facebook

Buy The Hormone Fix

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

The Biggest Issues In Men's Health Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

Looking after our men's health is just as important as our health, am I right, girlfriends? Men's health specialist, Dr. Anthony Capasso, joins me to talk about the issues facing men's health care, how we can support our guys, and what they can do to naturally boost their testosterone.

About Dr. Anthony Capasso

Dr. Anthony Capasso helps men reclaim their youthful and energetic bodies by lowering their weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk for Diabetes. He specializes in functional men's health, using a natural approach to medicine with preventative care, age management, and bioidentical hormone treatment.

In this episode of The Girlfriend Doctor, we're talking about the biggest issues facing men's health right now. Do you know how resilient men's bodies are? When men make changes in their diet and exercise routine, the positive changes to their health are almost immediate.

Anthony explains that taking statins can lower a man's testosterone. This is why he prescribes them as a last resort. He shares a few other reasons why men's testosterone might be lower than our ancestors, including environmental factors and the standard American diet.

For Anthony, focusing on rebuilding the mitochondria is a vital aspect of his approach to healthcare. He talks about how men can stimulate theirs to start improving their health. Anthony also explains why maintaining a regular strength-training routine is important for men as they age.

Finally, Anthony shares some of the ways men can naturally boost their testosterone levels. He believes that diet and exercise changes should have immediate weight-loss results to encourage sustained behavior.

What motivates you to make a lifestyle change? Ask me anything and let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com.

In This Episode

What some of the biggest issues facing male health are
How quickly making changes in their diet and exercise can impact men's health
Why testosterone levels drop when a man takes statins
What the impact of environmental toxicity has on men's fertile health
How you can stimulate you mitochondria
Why building your muscles is so important
How to naturally boost testosterone

Quotes

"One of the best ways of slowing your aging down is to focus on mitochondrial health. Diet plays a huge role. I think one of the biggest drivers of mitochondrial dysfunction I see is the SAD - standard American diet." (17:34)

"As we age, our muscles become very important because they release things called myokines which are these little message regulator hormones that allow our bodies to run the way they should run." (21:38)

"Healthy guts and healthy diets are the two things I focus on in most of my patients." (27:37)

Links

Pre-Order Keto-Green 16 to get a sneak peek and free gifts!

Buy Mitoblast 2 Online

Find Dr. Anthony Capasso and Thin MD Med Spa Online

Call Dr. Anthony Capasso on (904) 694-0992

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

How to Nurture Your Inner Home of Happiness Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Developing strategies to increase your happiness is something we should all work towards. Luckily, I'm joined by the happiness guru herself, Marci Shimoff, who shares how to be happy for no reason.

About Marci Shimoff

Marci is a #1 NY Times bestselling author and transformational leader. She is an expert on happiness, success, and unconditional love. Marci inspires others to feel happiness and love for no reason, from the inside out.

In this episode, we talk about why it's so important to nurture our thoughts. When we focus on the good in the world, we see and experience more good. On the flip side, if we focus on the negative, we only see negative things.

Marci explains what the happiness set-point is and why it's so important to learn more about it. She also talks us through how we can change our happiness set-point - and why want to!

Marci briefly describes what the Inner Home of Happiness is and how it's built. There are four different parts of your life to nurture to boost your Inner Home. What area are you neglecting?

Training yourself to appreciate the good in every day is a practice. The happiest people in the world practice gratitude and seek out good moments. Marci shares how long it actually takes to appreciate a good moment.

Marci shares three techniques to help with spending more time at home with our families. She encourages you to play The Appreciation Game every day with your family. After all, "there is no better time to help raise the happiness set-point than with children."

Are you living an inspired life? Ask me anything and let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com.

In This Episode

Where you should focus your attention
What your happiness set-point is
How you can change your happiness set-point
What you need to do to build your Inner Home of Happiness
How long it takes to appreciate the good
Why you should play The Appreciation Game every day

Quotes

"The key to our happiness is not the changing of the outside circumstances. It's actually the raising of the happiness set point." (8:50)

"Be on the lookout for the positives. They are out there. We have a billion different bits of information that come our way every second and we only notice what it is we're on the lookout for. Happy people are actually on the lookout for the positives." (16:58)

"There's no better time to help raise the happiness set point-than with children." (25:45)

"When there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person. When there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house. When there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in this world." (28:37)

Links

Pre-Order Keto-Green 16 to get a sneak peek and free gifts!

Get your FREE copy of The Happiness for No Reason Workbook: 21 Ways to Raise Your Happiness Set-Point

Find Marci Shimoff Online

Find Marci Shimoff on Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Boosting Your Immune System Right Now Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

COVID-19, or Coronavirus, is the word on everyone's mind right now. But how can you support yourself and your loved ones during this crisis? I'm joined by Dr. Kellyann Petrucci to talk about how we can boost our immune systems and become better humanitarians right now.

The single most important thing we can do during this uncertain time is to be a better humanitarian. Human connection, even virtual, is so important, as it increases oxytocin, the happiness hormone, which helps to strengthen our immune system. Please, please be a good person, help your community where you can, and share as much love as you can.

Dr. Kellyann and I talk about some of the ways you can help boost your immune system are right now. Starting with sleep, it's essential that you prioritize getting 7-8 hours a night. Kellyann also explains why you shouldn't eat sugar and how it actually harms your immune system - yes, even a little bit.

We also talk about burn-out. This is especially important during these times when you genuinely do want to be there for others and help them. It's important to care for yourself first and foremost. Say no more than you say yes, but never close down your heart and love.

Kellyann shares the advice her dad gave her: Dare to be great every day. This is such a wonderful thought that I want to share with you all to take to heart. Loving yourself and filling any holes in your soul with your own love and kindness, being great every day, and sharing your truth is how we get through this, together.

How can you be a better humanitarian right now? Do you have any questions about how to bolster your immune system during this viral outbreak? Ask me anything and let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com.

In This Episode:

How you can be a humanitarian in these times of Coronavirus crisis
Why you need to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night
Why sugar harms your immune system
How you can boost your immune system during a viral crisis
What the biggest problem with burn-out is
Why you should say no more than you say yes
How you can dare to be great every day
What happens with you fill the holes in your soul with love from yourself

Quotes:

"When you eat sugar, it actually suppresses your immunity by 40% for about 5 hours." (5:33)

"Believe it or not, even people can give you a high level of burnout. It's very easy to let people in your life, not so easy to get them out." (17:50)

"You have a certain amount of energy and power in which you can emit and use. And you can't use it towards things that (18:25)

"When you are in a state of stress, I promise you, your immune system is not anywhere near the capacity it could be to fight off anything." (18:59)

Links

Pre-Order Keto-Green 16 to get a sneak peek and free gifts!

Find Dr. Kellyann Petrucci Online

Find Dr. Kellyann Petrucci on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Announcing The Girlfriend Doctor Podcast Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

Introducing: The Girlfriend Doctor. I am so excited to share my rebrand with you! I've been working with the incredible brand strategist Nancy Hala, CEO of BrandStory, to develop a brand that truly resonates with me.

It was actually Nancy who started calling me The Girlfriend Doctor after I was on her podcast. She said it was like chatting with your girlfriend… but your medically trained girlfriend who actually has the answer to your most personal health questions. That's how The Girlfriend Doctor was born and I've been working with Nancy to bring it to life.

Nancy asks me what we need to know about dealing with Coronavirus, the current pandemic sweeping the world. My advice in these times of isolation is to find ways to increase your oxytocin. This helps reduce the fear that many of us are experiencing while boosting your immune system. Do your best to connect with your friends, family, and community, even if it has to be online.

I explain why the pelvis is the most important area of your body and how to keep it in tip-top condition, especially during this pandemic. Giving you the information you need in order to take charge of your own health is what I do as The Girlfriend Doctor. Having the knowledge to take charge and make our own decisions is a game-changer, ladies!

Nancy and I talk about why it's not just what you put in your body, but how you live that's going to impact your life. And, did you know that following a strictly keto diet actually isn't that healthy for women over 40? I talk about this a lot in my new book, Keto-Green 16, which you can pre-order now.

Lastly, Nancy and I touch on what happens when we change our entire way of thinking. Our words and thoughts impact the world around us, so being more open and receptive to change is important. We also talk about why it's so important when we talk to our parents and children about sexual and menstrual health!

I want to answer all your questions! So please, ask me anything and let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com.

In This Episode:

Where The Girlfriend Doctor started
What you need to know about Coronavirus
Why our pelvic health is even more important now
What happens when you take control of your own health
Why it's not just what you eat but how you live that impacts your longevity
What could be if we changed our whole way of thinking
Why you should have conversations with your kids about sexual and menstrual health

Quotes:

"When sex is painful, intimacy suffers. That's one of your big core messages and it's not just for women." (16:48)

"I want each woman to take the power back. I'm going to give you the information and the solutions but it's really your choice to do it. Then you own it and the results are even better than you can imagine." (20:12)

"It's more than about what we eat. It has everything to do with how we balance our female hormones, how we boost our immune system, how we fight inflammation, and then have energy, clarity, and focus." (44:37)

Links

Get 15% off everything in the Dr. Anna store with code GIRLFRIEND15

Pre-Order Keto-Green 16 to get a sneak peek and free gifts!

Find Nancy Hala Online

Find Nancy Hala on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

How To Speed Start The Keto Diet Mar 08, 2020

Show notes

There is so much information, and misinformation, out there about what the best way to eat is. We think that you need to figure out the diet and lifestyle that works best for YOU. Brad Kearns joins me to talk about following the Keto diet, fasting, micro-exercising.

Brad explains how you can speed start the Keto diet by following his tips. Particularly, it is about being very strict right from the start: no sugars or processed carbs! Brad also mentions the type of people who shouldn't follow the Keto diet.

We are both big believers in how incredible fasting, both intermittent and for days at a time, is for your productivity. Brad says that humans perform at their highest in a fasted state, and I have to agree - I actually fast for a few days before making any big decision as I feel I'm in my most mentally clear state.

Brad talks about the benefit of micro-workouts, especially in our modern society. Micro-workouts are small bursts of exercise throughout that keep your baseline fitness built-up at all times. People who are active throughout the day tend to have a higher fitness level than those who only workout at the gym a couple of times a week.

We talk about why your blood sugar spikes when you're working out, even if you're fasting or in a fasted state. Brad shares his desire to constantly challenge his food beliefs and why he thinks you should always question what you're eating, what diets you're following, and what the experts say. Finally, Brad implores us all to keep in touch with our youthful spirit for a long and healthy life.

Do you challenge your food beliefs regularly? Do you have any questions about the Keto diet after listening to this episode? Let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com.

In This Episode:

How you can speed start the Keto diet
Who can't follow the Keto diet
How fasting makes you a more productive version of yourself
What micro-workouts are and how they can improve your fitness routine
Why your blood sugar spikes when you're working out
Why you should challenge your fixed food beliefs
Why you need to cultivate your youthful spirit

Quotes:

"If we feel intimidated about fasting or we're not sure how long we can last; when a 16-18 hour fast sounds too hard, my suggestion is to wake up in the morning and wait until you experience a true sensation of hunger to eat something." (13:04)

"We live in a life of excess and indulgence and massive choice that's overwhelming in the number of choices that we have. So if you can narrow things down, and make some commitments, I think you'll get a really positive benefit, even if it happens to be something someone might dispute as the very best thing to do, it's worth thinking about and trying out." (39:50)

"Psychological age is by far the number one factor for your rate of aging and demise and longevity. Biological age is strongly correlated with psychological age. And then third, and a distant third, is your chronological age." (42:07)

Links

Find Brad Kearns Online

Find Brad Kearns on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

How to Be Confident As Fu*k Mar 01, 2020

Show notes

While confidence is a natural state of being for a lot of people, it is something that you can learn even if it doesn't come easily to you. Elle Russ, writer and author of Confidence as Fu*k, joins me to talk about what led her to pursue confidence as a career.

There are so many different ways to be confident. And for so many confident people, they're at the top of their game. This doesn't mean, however, that there aren't pitfalls to having innate confidence and Elle explains what some of these are. We also talk about how you can be confident in one area of your life, such as your career, but not others, such as parenthood.

Elle shares about her disability and the shame that she felt when she initially received her lifelong diagnosis. It wasn't until she started opening up and talking about her disability that her confidence started to grow back. She quickly found out that by taking the power of her shame away that she was able to live a happier and healthier life, exploring the paths she thought she'd never see.

Elle explains what some of the things confident people don't do. From competing to comparing, confident people don't care what other people are doing, they focus on themselves and their goals. She also tells us what you absolutely need to let go of in order to step into your own confidence.

Like everyone, Elle has had her share of doubters, downers, and naysayers in her life. While initially, their words of discouragement hurt, she's learned how to handle these people.

Elle's final piece of advice is about how to make your dreams a reality. Less thinking of the "how" to make it happen, as that's where you'll get stuck and stagnate, and more trying to make your dreams happen.

What has this conversation about confidence brought up for you? Let me hear your thoughts in the comments on the episode page. If you have questions, email team@drannacabeca.com

In This Episode:

What the pitfalls of being a confident person are
How you can be confident in one area of your life but not others
Why you need to deal with your shame in order to move forward with your life
How opening up about something you're ashamed about can help you be more confident
What confident people don't do
What you need to let go of in order to move forward in confidence
How you can handle the downers and naysayers in your life
What happens when you live in the "how" of a dream

Quotes:

"Confident people are usually the most authentic, they're the most revered, the most employed, they're usually the most successful and there's a reason for that: Because they do speak up and stand by that tenant of 'it never hurts to ask.' They take chances and risks." (5:31)

"You never know what's going to throw you into your purpose or some avenue that's going to lead you somewhere you never thought you would go." (33:16)

"To me, it's not about proving them wrong. It's about proving yourself awesome." (47:40)

Links

Buy Confident as Fu*k

Find Elle Russ Online

Find Elle Russ on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

This Is Your Brain On Birth Control Feb 23, 2020

Show notes

Your brain on birth control can have some pretty horrific side effects on your body. That's why, when you're considering going on the birth control pill, you need to research the current evidence out there, weigh up the pros and cons, and make an educated decision. Sarah E. Hill, author of This is Your Brain on Birth Control, joins me to talk about what actually happens to our bodies when we're on the pill.

Sarah is a psychologist who specialized in studying women's health and the birth control pill, in particular, after she noticed some changes to her body when she came off it. The biggest thing she discovered was that being on the pill actually damped her personality traits - coming off it allowed her actual likes, loves, quirks, and dislikes to shine through again.

Sarah explains what role cortisol has in our bodies. We're often scared into thinking cortisol is such a negative hormone, but actually, it has a lot of positive actions. When we're taking the birth control pill, however, it's almost like our body doesn't respond to the cortisol triggers and forgets to have normal, positive responses to situations.

The birth control pill can be linked to a lot of the health problems and issues our society is currently experiencing, such as post-partum depression, autism, teenage anxiety, and autoimmune diseases. Though Sarah warns against a blanket statement that all birth control pills impact all women in these areas; how our bodies react is really down to our individual brains and physiology.

Sarah also talks about how being on the birth control pill can actually impact what type of partner we choose. Research has shown that if you choose a partner that you're attracted to while on the pill, you're more likely to stay together if you come off it, as opposed to choosing a mate you're not attracted to but has other redeeming qualities. But overall, women who are on the pill are less likely to get divorced than women with naturally occurring cycles.

Are you on the birth control pill? Have you had any of the health issues we've talked about on this show? Do you feel like your personality traits are less your own while on the pill?

In This Episode:

Why the birth control pill can dampen your personality traits
How the birth control pill blunts our body's cortisol response
What the link between the birth control pill and post-partum depression is
How being on the birth control pill impacts choosing our mates
What the relationship between the birth control pill and autoimmune diseases is
How your brain and individual physiology impacts the way your body reacts to being on the birth control pill
Why you should monitor a teenager's anxiety levels if they choose to start using the birth control pill

Quotes:

"Cortisol is part of how our body is embedding those meaningful events into our memories and making us feel good." (15:31)

"Women who chose their partners when they were on the Pill were less likely to get divorced later than women who chose their partners while naturally cycling." (29:18)

"There's a million different factors that are going to influence the way that the pill plays out in your individual body's landscape. So knowing what to look out for, keeping a journal, and knowing what the domains of influence are can really help women start conversations with their doctors to troubleshoot their options." (43:18)

Links

Buy This is Your Brain on Birth Control

Find Sarah E. Hill Online

Find Sarah E. Hill on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

Check out the full episode page

Find Dr. Anna Online

Follow Dr. Anna on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter