It is the season finale and as a little pre-holiday gift, I bring you a juicy ending to Season 2.
This week we are diving deep into what happens in the brain throughout the menstrual cycle.
Meet Emilė Radytė, the founder of Samphire Neuroscience, a technology company creating neuroscientific solutions for women.
Their first product Nettle is a medical-grade wearable that uses brain stimulation technology to treat period pain. With 8 clinical trials running right now, Emilė is just getting started. Post-partum depression and menopause symptoms are next 🔥
🍿 Listen on your favourite podcast platform
It feels impossible to attempt a summary of what was an incredibly informative episode. But I shall try.
The Cycle-Brain Connection
Emilė talks about how the menstrual cycle is a huge physical, psychological, and even existential transformation. Naturally, it is felt not just in our body, but also in our mind.
Many of you already know that there are 4 phases of the menstrual cycle: follicular, ovulatory, luteal, and menstrual (the period). Each phase is marked by hormonal shifts, driven largely by oestrogen and progesterone.
But what exactly is happening in the brain?
Why do we feel more "energised" during ovulation and less "motivated" towards our period?
Turns out, key neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, glutamate and GABA are participating in coordinating the cycle as well:
But the more you investigate, the more interesting it gets.
For example, the screenshot below is from a 2024 paper in Nature Magazine showing that right before ovulation, the female brain has the highest metastability. This means the brain has more dynamism, potentially enhancing its ability to process complex cognitive tasks and emotions.
Fascinating, right? We discuss this in more detail in the episode.
As Emilė puts it, our brains are a reflection of our lives. Understanding them gives us agency over how we think, feel, and heal.
In this episode, we also cover:
Emilė's insights from studying depression
Neuroscience 101: How the brain operates chemically and electrically
Phases of the menstrual cycle
Menstrual Phase: Brain activity and the role of pain sensitivity
Follicular Phase: Creativity, dopamine, and social engagement
Ovulation: Hormonal peaks and Mittelschmerz
Luteal Phase: Emotional introspection and the influence of progesterone
Alpha waves in the luteal phase
Brain stimulation technology
Future of Nettle & Samphire Neuroscience
Consciousness and the brain
Lessons about life, nature and the universe
I loved recording this episode. If you enjoy listening to this episode, we'd love to hear from you in DMs or comments ❤️🔥
That's a wrap for Season 2. What's next for MOTHER-podcast?
Thank you for subscribing and listening! ❤️
About MOTHER-podcast
MOTHER is a movement of bold ideas about the female body.
In this newsletter, we will dive into fascinating science and new technology pushing the boundaries of the female experience as we know it.
🍿 Subscribe to MOTHER-podcast on your favourite platform
The name for the podcast "MOTHER" is inspired by the creative force inside us all - the force that creates ideas, businesses, spaces, communities, and life itself.