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In this fascinating episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon talks with neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein, PhD (author of Why Brains Need Friends), about the science of social connection, emotion, and cognitive health. Dr. Rein, an expert in neurobiology and psychedelic research, reveals the cutting-edge studies that explain why loneliness is as damaging as smoking and how our digital world is affecting our brain's ability to connect.

They discuss the neurochemistry of love, the controversial use of MDMA in therapy, and whether AI can ever truly replace human intimacy. This conversation provides an essential look at the biological drivers of happiness, performance, and long-term brain health.

Chapter Markers:

0:00 - MDMA (Molly): The History & Therapeutic Benefits

5:59 - The Legal Status of MDMA for PTSD

6:44 - The Safety and Effectiveness of MDMA in Clinical Trials

8:29 - PTSD (The Amygdala Alarm)

9:41 - How MDMA Soothes the Amygdala to Access Memory

11:42 - Is There an Alternative to MDMA? (Ketamine's Mechanism)

13:16 - Ketamine and Neuroplasticity for Depression

15:48 - Botox and Empathy:

18:12 - The Problem of Volume: How Screens Depersonalize Interaction

19:48 - The Virtual Disengagement Hypothesis Explained

25:00 - Defining Cognitive and Emotional Empathy

29:43 - MDMA's Link to Serotonin & Social Reward

31:04 - Do SSRIs Have Pro-Social Effects?

36:10 - The Science of Likability and "Easy to Read" Faces

40:10 - Top 3 Ways to Be More Likable

49:49 - The Likability Gap: Why You Underestimate How Well-Liked You Are

56:59 - The Neurobiology of Oxytocin, Dopamine, and Serotonin

1:09:23 - The Goldilocks Zone of Empathy

1:15:58 - Narcolepsy

1:18:16 - Alcohol: Why the Neurotoxin is Bad for Brain Health

1:21:47 - Exercise and Neurogenesis

1:22:27 - Sex, Orgasm, and Oxytocin Release

1:25:06 - Oxytocin During Childbirth

Who is Ben Rein:

Dr. Ben Rein is an award-winning neuroscientist and Chief Science Officer of the Mind Science Foundation, where he supports early-career researchers in neuroscience. He earned his PhD from SUNY Buffalo and completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University, publishing over 20 peer-reviewed papers on autism, empathy, MDMA, and digital behavior. Recognized by the NIH, the Society for Neuroscience, and Sigma Xi, he also serves as a scientific advisor to more than 20 organizations. With over one million followers and 75 million video views, Dr. Rein is celebrated for making neuroscience accessible to the public and has been featured by outlets such as Good Morning America, ABC News, and PopularMechanics.

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Find Ben Rein at:

• Website: https://www.benrein.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.benrein/#
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In this explosive episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with relationship expert Marianne Brandon to confront the modern crisis of intimacy and sexual wellness. They dive into how the digital world—including porn, AI companions, and VR technology—is creating an evolutionary mismatch that clashes with our primal needs for bonding, leading to rising loneliness and sexual dysfunction.

Dr. Lyon and Marianne Brandon explore the science behind what truly impacts performance, from erectile dysfunction (ED) and hormonal imbalances to the neurological effects of stress. This is a must-watch for couples, parents, and anyone navigating romance in the digital age.

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Chapter Markers

0:00 - Intro

0:49 - The Primal Need for Sex vs. The Digital World

1:10 - The Hidden Cause of Erectile Dysfunction (ED)

2:10 - The Loneliness Crisis: Gen Z, AI, and Intimacy

3:50 - Do Women and Men Experience Desire Differently?

5:15 - Stress is the #1 Libido Killer

6:30 - Porn and AI: Is Sexting with a Bot Cheating?

8:05 - The Surprising Impact of VR Porn on Sperm Quality

9:30 - Action Plan: The #1 Move to Improve Your Sex Life Today

Who is Marianne Brandon:

Dr. Marianne Brandon is a licensed clinical psychologist and a diplomate in sex therapy, recognized for her expertise in technologies impact on intimacy, evolutionary influences on human sexuality, and cultivating a more exciting sexual connection in long-term relationships. Dr. Brandon is best known for her forward-thinking work on the future of intimacy through blogging, lecturing, and podcasting. Her popular Psychology Today blog, “The Future of Intimacy,” explores emerging trends in technology and human connection. As a continuing education provider, she lectures on sex tech’s impact on intimacy as well as the impact of technology on humanity. Together with her husband, urologist Dr. Abraham Morgentaler, she co-hosts the podcast “The Sex Doctors,” bringing expert insight and candid dialogue to listeners on all aspects of sex, relationships, and technology’s transformative role in our lives. Drawing from nearly three decades of clinical experience, she offers psychotherapy focused on relationship issues and sexual concerns, with a reputation for blending clinical skill and compassionate care.

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Find Marianne Brandon at:

• Website: https://www.drbrandon.net/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariannebrandon-59224513
• X: https://x.com/drbrandon

Find Dr. Gabrielle Lyon at:

• Instagram:@drgabriellelyon
• TikTok: @drgabriellelyon
• Facebook: facebook.com/doctorgabriellelyon
• YouTube: youtube.com/@DrGabrielleLyon
• X (Twitter): x.com/drgabriellelyon
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In this episode, Dr. Gabrielle Lyon sits down with Dr. Heidi van den Brink; one of the only scientists in the world studying the ovarian transition from fertility to menopause. Together, they unpack what textbooks and wellness influencers often miss: the biology behind how your ovaries, uterus, metabolism, and nutrition interact across every stage of a woman’s life.

Dr. Heidi reveals the never-before-seen dynamics of the ovarian cycle, how follicles develop in “waves,” and what really happens during the menopause transition. They discuss how undernutrition, obesity, and metabolic health shape reproductive hormones; why early menarche and delayed ovulation matter for long-term health; and the surprising connection between your gut microbiome, bile acids, and fertility.

If you’ve ever been told to “balance your hormones” with seed cycling, apps, or supplements, this episode separates myths from mechanisms. It’s a masterclass in understanding the science of your hormones and how to truly support reproductive health through every decade of life.

Chapter Markers

0:00 - Can You Get Pregnant While on Your Period?

1:21 - Intro to Dr. Heidi & Ovarian Cycle Research

3:39 - The Uterine Cycle vs. The Ovarian Cycle

6:19 - Follicle Waves: The Hidden Drama in Your Ovaries

10:38 - Novel Discovery: Follicle Waves in the Luteal Phase

12:00 - Why One Follicle is Selected for Ovulation

13:17 - Does Nutrition Affect Ovarian Function?

14:48 - The Variation in Menstrual Cycles (It's Not Always 28 Days)

17:23 - The Impact of Obesity on the Ovarian Cycle

18:11 - The Problem of Luteal Phase Defects & Fertility

24:52 - Ovarian Morphology as a Bio-Marker of Health

26:54 - How Undernutrition Affects Ovarian Health

31:56 - The Metabolic Tipping Point of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

33:26 - The Myth of the "String of Pearls" Ovary

35:25 - The Menopause Transition & Rogue Follicles

39:04 - Can We Predict Menopause by Scanning Ovaries?

45:59 - Early Menarche (First Period) and Long-Term Disease Risk

48:33 - The Surprising Link Between Puberty Timing and Environment

52:28 - The Role of Leptin in Reproductive Health

55:50 - Debunking the Myth: Can Nutrition Cure PCOS?

59:07 - PCOS Diet Myths (Fruit, Timing, and Supplements)

1:04:40 - Fish Oil for Menstrual Cramps (Dysmenorrhea)

1:08:37 - Breakthrough: Bile Acid, The Gut Microbiome, and Ovulation

1:11:50 - Closing Remarks

Who is Heidi Vanden Brink:

Dr. Vanden Brink is a reproductive physiologist with over a decade of research in nutrition, metabolism, and female reproductive health. Her work focuses on how diet and metabolic conditions like obesity influence reproductive development during adolescence, with the goal of preventing disorders such as PCOS.

Find Heidi Vanden Brink at:

• Texas A&M University: https://nutrition.tamu.edu/people/vanden-brink-heidi/
• Google Scholar: