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RE:ThyraFemme Balance Reviews: Is It Worth Trying? Customer Opinion
... why many women are now turning to wellness supplements like ThyraFemme Balance... like iodine, selenium, zinc, L-tyrosine, ashwagandha, and vitamin B12, which are... building block of thyroid hormones. Ashwagandha root – An adaptogenic herb that... levels. Stable mood: Adaptogens like ashwagandha and vitamin B6 can promote .... Ashwagandha and B6 help mood and stress. Together, they aim to give women...
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www.fitness.com |
Carryjohn020 |
May 20, 2026 |
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Steel Power Review 2026 – Worth It or a Scam?
... mental performance. Unlike some supplements that focus solely on testosterone...emphasizes natural components, which include: Ashwagandha – A well-known adaptogen that helps.... Stress Management: Adaptogens like Ashwagandha help reduce stress levels, improving...studies support the safety of Ashwagandha, Tribulus Terrestris, Maca Root, ... supplement. Pregnant or nursing women should avoid this product, as...
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www.boxingscene.com |
Steelpower |
Apr 12, 2026 |
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What's In Your RFY? Friday 15th May 2026
Morning all, To start us off... Toner Cartridge for HP https://amzn.eu/d/08eJYhcA Milk Thistle Supplement https://amzn.eu/d/0d3v6B6t Collagen Powder https://amzn.eu/d/0e6qG1Cq Turmeric & Glucosamine Joint Support https://amzn.eu/d/01bPyuhJ Barber Neck Tape https://amzn.eu/d/08ru0Otn Liquid Collagen https://amzn.eu/d/0aoqOV88 Ultrapome Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/09HvgqeV Nootropic Brain Supplement https://amzn.eu/d/0fdxMMDJ Cayenne Pepper Softgels https://amzn.eu/d/0iemZjQu L-Theanine Powder https://amzn.eu/d/0dpSNzdp Cayenne Pepper Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/0hyTb8M5 Plant Sterols Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/00IFtYlB Rest & Restore Support https://amzn.eu/d/06U5ogAW Iron Supplement https://amzn.eu/d/0cEHLVz7 Liquid Collagen https://amzn.eu/d/0d6QRNNm Eye Health Supplement https://amzn.eu/d/0dJl3i7p Magnesium L-Threonate Powder https://amzn.eu/d/0a5fUdkP Moringa Powder https://amzn.eu/d/04zzRNVk Omega 3 Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/0bsR5RRS Vitamin B Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/0duAmSmG Vitamin D3 https://amzn.eu/d/02RvLuvg Vegan D3 Drops https://amzn.eu/d/0eerQwES Pine Bark Extract https://amzn.eu/d/01tXCdLT Iron Fish Cooking Tool https://amzn.eu/d/09rIOIXA Ashwagandha Gummies https://amzn.eu/d/0hBzCdTh Saw+ Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/0dsRXDhN Case for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 https://amzn.eu/d/0aWIJgKR Multivitamin Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/0hpTOKK8 Glucosamine Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/02KVUWUi Prebiotics & Probiotics for Women https://amzn.eu/d/01kcYwQU Vitamin D3 https://amzn.eu/d/01xvuO5f Creatine + Electrolytes Powder https://amzn.eu/d/0geV9GqC Blood Sugar Support Capsules https://amzn.eu/d/0hT13wsy Herbal Food Supplement https://amzn.eu/d/03E461MK Beta-Alanine Powder https://amzn.eu/d/02xcKF8P Smart Interactive Dog Toy Ball https://amzn.eu/d/00PdwIuz Eyelashes Kit https://amzn.eu/d/0hGxhorp Go for Gold Bunting https://amzn.eu/d/0aXI0vtE Incontinence Pads https://amzn.eu/d/0aWZk2MP Resistance Bands https://amzn.eu/d/0gSIEKs1 Nail Art Kit https://amzn.eu/d/07AXy7GE Enjoy your day! submitted by /u/jay_the_saint to r/AmazonVineUK [link] [comments]
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r/AmazonVineUK |
jay_the_saint |
May 15, 2026 |
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How to Spot a Health Grifter and Why I Hate the Phrase"Hormone Balance" – A(nother) Mod Essay
I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. It has been a rainy day here in Georgia and I wanted to pop in for a chat. This time about health influencers/grifters/and predatory marketing of supplements and various regulatory bodies and how it affects people with PMDD, as this is a topic near and dear to my heart and I've been working on this for a few weeks. TL;DR, because, yes, this is a long one. "Hormone imbalance" is not a medical diagnosis. It is a marketing term worth an estimated $4.12 billion annually, built on a condition that does not exist, targeting AFAB folks specifically, and designed to intercept you before you reach a clinician. Real hormonal disorders have names, diagnostic criteria, and are treated by endocrinologists with evidence-based medicine. PMDD specifically is not a hormone level disorder at all. It is a disorder of neurological sensitivity to normal hormonal fluctuations, which means any product claiming to treat it by balancing your hormones is targeting the wrong thing entirely. The supplement industry operates in a regulatory environment that requires no proof of safety or efficacy before products reach shelves. Social media, particularly TikTok, is an engagement optimization system that profits from health misinformation and is not a substitute for medical care. This post breaks down the science, the regulatory gaps, the grift tactics, and what the evidence actually shows for supplements that may help PMDD symptoms specifically. But at the end of the day, if you find something that works for you, that is FANTASTIC. In my time as a mod, I've seen a lot of folks post some randomly specific multi-component supplement that costs a small blue western fortune and asking if someone has tried it. Said supplement is either a) stated to treat “womens health issues” or “PMS” or both, but is marketed toward those with PMDD; and b) boasts claims of relieving all your symptoms by “balancing your hormones”, “detox your metabolic pathways”, “promote good mood”, “increases your energy and vitality”, “psychic powers.” (loljk). Lots of promises and little delivery. When I see these posts, the first thing I do is go and look at the labels and look at how those ingredients measure up to therapeutic dosage and how they impact folks with PMDD. Now, I'm not a medical doctor or a supplement expert, but I have worked in the medical field, and I am currently working in the legal field. I have a strong “bullshit” and “scam” and and “bad faith” detector. I analyze and dissect arguments all day, every day, and write up what I find and I cite my sources. So, lets unpack predatory supplement marketing and why I passionately hate the term “hormone imbalance”. First and foremost, your symptoms are real. The mood lability, the urge to light things on fire, the overwhelming existential crisis, the desperate need to sabotage all of your relationships, quit your job, and move to the woods to become a bonafide swamp witch (is that just me?). All of it. And it is exhausting, debilitating, and overwhelming. So when you finally put a name to it, and type "PMDD" into a search bar, or say it out loud near your phone, the algorithm is already waiting. Within hours you are being served ads for supplements, cycle-syncing programs, magic moon bean juice, and herbal protocols, diets, cleanses, detoxes, because everything we do is being tracked, recorded, archived, and analyzed in order to sell stuff to us, and your moment of vulnerability is someone else's opportunity to make money off of your medical issues. Additionally, marketers use "PMS" and "PMDD" interchangeably to lend weight to products that have never been tested on anyone with the actual condition. And y'all know how I feel about that: https://www.reddit.com/r/PMDD/comments/1pi6tl9/rehashing_things_you_already_know_pms_pmdd_edition/ (side note: I suck at reddit links. If I mess up a link in the pasta sauce, please let me know!) Before we go any further: PMS and PMDD are not the same condition This needs to be said clearly and early because the supplement industry is counting on you not knowing it, and if you are newer to your diagnosis it is especially important: PMS and PMDD are not the same condition. The clinical distinction matters because PMDD is classified in the DSM-5 as a a psychiatric condition triggered by normal hormonal fluctuations. PMS is common. Estimates suggest it affects up to 75% of people who menstruate at some point in their lives. PMDD is not. The most methodologically rigorous current estimate, using confirmed diagnosis requiring prospective daily symptom tracking over at least two menstrual cycles, puts prevalence at 1.6% in community-based samples. Studies relying on provisional diagnosis produce artificially higher numbers, which is where the 3 to 8% figures circulating online come from. Even at 1.6%, that is millions of people globally whose condition is being algorithmically intercepted by supplement marketing before they ever reach a clinician. To understand the scale of what we are talking about: the global dietary supplement market was valued at roughly $200 billion in 2024. For AFAB folks specifically: the global hormone balance supplements market alone reached $4.12 billion in 2024, growing at nearly 9% annually. The marketing language is right there in the investor-facing market research reports themselves. "Hormonal imbalance is prevalent among females, with approximately 80% experiencing it during their lifetime." That statistic has no clinical source, no diagnostic basis, and no definition of what hormonal imbalance actually means. This is not a fringe industry selling to a small vulnerable population; it is one of the fastest growing consumer markets on earth, built substantially on a diagnosis that does not exist, targeting AFAB folks specifically, and it got here by deliberately blurring the line between PMS and PMDD because clarifying that distinction would cost them customers. The entire hormone balancing market depends on consumers conflating vague symptom clusters with diagnosable endocrine conditions. So, let us be very clear about what those conditions actually are, what hormones are actually involved, and what it actually looks like when something in that system genuinely goes wrong. Estrogen disorders: Estrogen excess can present as a driver of endometrial pathology and is associated with estrogen-secreting ovarian tumors, though these are rare. Estrogen deficiency is most commonly associated with menopause and perimenopause, and has been strongly linked to osteoporosis, cardiovascular risk, and neurological function including mood regulation and risk of psychotic disorders. Progesterone disorders: Luteal phase deficiency (LPD) is a clinical diagnosis associated with an abnormal luteal phase length of ten days or fewer, with potential causes including inadequate progesterone duration, inadequate progesterone levels, or endometrial progesterone resistance. Endometrial progesterone resistance is a distinct condition where progesterone levels are adequate but the uterine lining fails to respond properly, associated with endometriosis and certain fertility disorders. Androgen excess disorders: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common, characterized by elevated androgens, irregular cycles, and often metabolic effects. Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is a genetic disorder where the adrenal glands overproduce androgens due to an enzyme deficiency. Androgen-secreting tumors of the adrenal glands or ovaries can drive rapid onset androgen excess. Cushing's syndrome involves excess cortisol from the adrenal glands, which can drive androgen excess as a secondary effect. Androgen deficiency disorders: Hypogonadism involves inadequate androgen production and can be primary (gonadal failure) or secondary (pituitary or hypothalamic failure). Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurs when the ovaries stop functioning normally before age 40, causing low estrogen and androgens simultaneously. Hypothalamic amenorrhea involves suppression of the entire hormonal signaling cascade, commonly triggered by undereating, over-exercising, or chronic stress, resulting in low estrogen, low androgens, and absent cycles. Pituitary signaling disorders: Hypopituitarism occurs when the pituitary fails to signal the gonads properly, resulting in low sex hormones across the board. Diagnosed with blood panels and pituitary imaging. Hyperprolactinemia, the most common endocrine disorder of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, presents with hypogonadism, infertility, and irregular cycles, and is most commonly caused by a prolactinoma, a benign pituitary tumor, once pregnancy, hypothyroidism, and certain medications have been excluded. The point of this list is not to overwhelm you with clinical terminology. It is to show you the specificity that real medicine operates with, and to contrast it with the single vague umbrella term the wellness industry uses to describe all of it. While actual endocrine disorders are measurable, regulated, and when they go wrong, the problem has a name, and it ain't “hormone imbalance”. Why the grift works: the regulatory gap A quick note before we get into this: most of our community is based in the US and Europe, and those are the regulatory frameworks I am unpacking here. That is not an intentional omission of everywhere else. It is me trying to be useful to the people most likely reading this. To understand why the grift is so entrenched, you have to understand the laws that built the pond it this alligator lives in. In the US, the industry effectively wrote its own regulations. In the early 1990s, when Congress was moving toward strengthening FDA oversight, the health food industry responded by warning consumers that the government was coming for their vitamins, generating an avalanche of communications to Congress by angry constituents despite it being bullshit. The result was the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, DSHEA, which exempted the supplement industry from most FDA drug regulations, allowing products to be sold and marketed without scientific backing for their claims. For readers in the UK, the framework is stricter on paper. The Advertising Standards Authority prohibits medicinal claims for supplements unless the product is a licensed medicine, but food manufacturers are still not required to prove safety or efficacy before going to market, and supplements are not monitored proactively once they are on shelves. Vague "support" claims remain legal, and enforcement against companies who flagrantly break the rules, particularly online, is a valid and acknowledged criticism of the regulatory bodies. For readers in the EU, the framework is theoretically the most rigorous, requiring EFSA scientific approval for health claims before marketing. In practice, no health claim on plant substances has received a favorable EFSA assessment, mainly due to the absence of human intervention studies, resulting in 2,078 botanical health claims sitting on an "on hold" list that companies may still legally use while a final decision is pending. A study of EU supplement labels found that only 75.6% of online health claims were even authorized, with compliance significantly lower for botanicals. The playbook, and how to read it The persistence of health grift reflects more than individual bad actors. It is embedded in a broader sociopolitical climate where deregulatory movements, scientific defunding, and politicized skepticism of public institutions have weakened oversight while emboldening grifters. Researchers who study medical grift have documented what this looks like in practice. Grifters deploy polished marketing strategies designed to mimic legitimacy, using scientific-sounding terminology, bundling unproven products with common-sense advice like eating well and sleeping more, and leveraging emotionally charged testimonials and celebrity/influencer endorsements. The structure is consistent enough that once you see it you cannot unsee it: First: manufacture fear and distrust. The wellness industry profits by manufacturing distrust of scientists, doctors, and regulatory bodies. It stokes fears about toxins, Big Pharma, and Big Food, then offers costly “natural” alternatives. Legitimate frustrations with the healthcare system, insurance nightmares, dismissive doctors, long wait times, are lumped together and used to indict all of medicine. Yes, we get the system is broken, and the wellness industry uses this fact to prey on people. The grifter presents themselves as the trustworthy insider who has escaped the corrupt system, the one person telling you the truth everyone else is hiding. Second: sell the solution. The distrust in medical institutions is reinforced by political divisions, emotional messaging, and misinformation disguised in scientific language, with emotional narratives portraying health authorities as corrupt deepening skepticism and resistance to medical interventions. Once that skepticism is established, the product is the only remaining option. How to recognize it in the wild Vague, unfalsifiable language "Supports balance." "Optimizes your system." "Boosts cellular energy." "Restores hormonal harmony." These phrases sound scientific but carry no actual measurable claim, and that is entirely intentional. If it cannot be tested, it cannot be trusted. This is also where the invented sub-diagnoses live: "adrenal fatigue," "leaky gut syndrome," "toxin overload," "cortisol dysregulation." Each one is constructed around a real biological system stripped of its diagnostic specificity and that is the design. A condition that cannot be ruled out requires indefinite management, which means indefinite purchasing. The systemic villain The grift always opens with a sweeping indictment. "Doctors don't want you to know." "The system is designed to keep you sick." "Big Pharma is suppressing this." The step is load-bearing because the product only makes sense once every alternative has been discredited. The grift uses real complaints about the medical system and vacuums them all up to dismiss all of medicine. Also, for the record: scientists who do research absolutely want you to know. That is the entire point of publishing research. They present at conferences, they write abstracts, they post on academic social media, and if you email them about their work, a significant number of them will respond and send you the paper. The information is not being suppressed. It is sitting in PubMed, freely searchable (see the sause for the pasta at the bottom), often with a direct email to the corresponding author right there in the abstract. "They don't want you to know" is not a description of how science works. It is a sales technique. One product fixes many problems If a supplement claims to simultaneously address anxiety, fatigue, weight, libido, focus, immunity, skin, sleep, pain, and hormonal balance, that is a profound red flag. Real medicine is specific because biology is specific. A drug that genuinely affected all of those systems at once would either be the most important medical discovery in history or a dangerous substance requiring serious regulatory oversight. Snake oil is universal because it is treating nothing, and treating nothing has no side effect profile and no contraindications and no ceiling on the number of conditions it can claim to address. Testimonials instead of trials, and why social media is built to amplify them Personal stories are emotionally powerful... and also scientifically worthless. Sorry. Anecdotal evidence is great and all, but show me the science. Personal stories are affected by placebo response, confirmation bias, regression to the mean, and selective reporting. This is where TikTok and social media become a structural problem rather than just an incidental one. A 2024 University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine study found that around44% of health videos on TikTok contained non-factual information,with the majority of misleading content coming from nonmedical influencers, and that their content was far more popular and visible than content from medical professionals despite having significantly lower accuracy. TikTok is designed to sustain user engagement, and all engagement, including exposure to misinformation, is profitable. The longer a user engages with content, the more advertisements and similar content they are shown. The financial incentives run in multiple directions simultaneously: the platform profits from engagement regardless of accuracy, the creator profits from followers, brand deals, affiliate links, and supplement sponsorships pointing to the products they are promoting, and the supplement company profits from an audience that has been conditioned over months to distrust doctors and trust that creator instead. A sponsored post is not a recommendation. It is an advertisement with the disclosure buried in the caption. Check the bio. Check the links. Check for the word "sponsored" or the hashtag "#ad." It is almost always there. And anything that takes hold on TikTok migrates to every other platform within weeks. The pipeline flows in one direction. Credentials misused or absent Credentials misused or absent "Nutrition coach," "holistic nutritionist," "wellness consultant," "functional medicine practitioner," "integrative health coach." These are unregulated titles that anyone can use without training, oversight, licensing, or accountability. Look for RD or RDN for nutrition claims, and MD or DO for medical claims. And critically, watch for credentialed practitioners who use a legitimate degree to lend authority to claims far outside their specialty or the evidence base. A credential is not a blank check, and a white coat in a YouTube thumbnail is not peer review. This is where the more sophisticated end of the grift lives, and it is worth understanding how it operates. The playbook typically looks like this: a practitioner with a real but limited credential, most commonly a naturopathic/chiropractic degree, which is not equivalent to an MD or DO or recognized as such by conventional medicine, builds a large social media following by producing content that validates common frustrations, speaks in accessible language about hormones and cycles, and positions conventional medicine as dismissive of AFAB folks' health. That last part is not entirely wrong, which is what makes it effective as AFAB folks have historically been dismissed by the medical system. The grift uses that real and legitimate grievance as the foundation for something else entirely. From that platform they typically move into books, courses, and podcasts, each of which reinforces their authority and expands their audience. Then come the supplements. Not recommendations for supplements you can buy anywhere, but proprietary supplement lines sold directly through their website, frequently as part of a protocol tied to their specific framework, which you learned about in the book or the course. The supplements are often blends with names like "cycle support" or "hormone harmony" or "luteal phase formula," containing ingredients at doses that may or may not reflect therapeutic ranges, with health claims carefully worded to stay just inside regulatory limits. There is no separation between the advice and the product. A practitioner who understands PMDD at a mechanistic level would not be selling you something to balance your hormones. The fact that they are tells you something important about whether their framework is built on the evidence or built around the product. Contradictory messaging The influencer who rails against processed food while selling a heavily processed supplement powder is not confused. They just hope you are. The functional medicine practitioner who says to distrust pharmaceutical companies is selling you a supplement that has undergone less testing than any pharmaceutical and was probably produced by the same manufacturer as said pharmaceutical. Supplements just don't grow on trees – they have to be processed and refined. This is done in a laboratory, same as any medication. The wellness account that tells you to "listen to your body" is also telling your body that its signals can only be interpreted correctly with the help of a $70 product. Watch what they say, then watch what they sell. The gap between those two things is where the grift lives. Okay. That was a lot. If you have made it this far you have just absorbed a fairly comprehensive breakdown of a multi-billion dollar industry built on exploiting people who are already struggling, the regulatory frameworks that enable it, the social media pipelines that amplify it, and the fake diagnoses it uses as raw material. That is not a light read on a weekend and if you've made it this far, I sincerely appreciate it. Here is the thing: knowing how the grift works does not mean you are helpless, and it doesn't mean that nothing works. It means you get to be a more informed consumer of your own healthcare, which in the context of PMDD, a condition that takes a few years to diagnose, is often misdiagnosed, and is still dismissed by a significant portion of the medical community, is not a small thing. The next step is making sure the things you are trying are grounded in something real. So here is what we actually know. Not what influencers say. Not what the label claims. Not what the supplement company's in-house blog post asserts. What the peer-reviewed literature, the community survey data, and honest support for people with PMDD specifically. It is a shorter list than the supplement aisle would have you believe. But shorter and honest beats longer and exploitative every single time. In our wiki, we have compiled a comprehensive list of vitamins and minerals known to help with PMDD symptoms. These have been proven tried and true, backed by science, and are always the top answers in our annual “Stuff You've Tried” survey. And, none of these things will cost you a small blue western fortune. Edit: future Ndnd here. Get labs done before starting a supplement regimen. Dont start taking somwthing if you dont have a deficiency. Overdoing it on anything can have serious adverse effects. Remember: its the dose that makes the poison. https://www.reddit.com/r/PMDD/wiki/index/vitamins_supplements/ Calcium — 28% community improvement The most clinically studied supplement in this context. MGH's Center for Women's Mental Health directly compared calcium to fluoxetine in a PMDD-specific trial. The result: fluoxetine had clear therapeutic benefit; calcium's effect was much smaller. A 2015 comprehensive PubMed review concluded that of all supplements studied, calcium is the only one with any consistent evidence for PMDD, and even that is modest. It's low-risk and cheap, and your body needs it to function. But as with anything, follow dosing guidelines. Magnesium — 60% community improvement (highest rated). There is not a lot of good studies on this. Most of them center around PMS, not PMDD. So, this data is anecdotal, but we see it time and time again that magnesium does help. In people with PMDD, the brain has an abnormal response to ALLO fluctuations across the luteal phase, meaning the inhibitory effect that should accompany rising progesterone either doesn't happen properly or paradoxically backfires. Magnesium sits right in the middle of this system: at physiologically relevant concentrations it directly potentiates GABA-A receptor function, and serves as a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions including neurotransmitter regulation and HPA axis function. The mechanism is plausible. We just need more and better studies to back this up. That said, magnesium is widely available, inexpensive, and low risk. The main side effect at higher doses is gastrointestinal (read: diarrhea. It's used as colonoscopy prep for a reason) and different forms have different tolerability, with glycinate generally considered the gentlest on the stomach. The studied range is 200-360mg/day. Low cost, low risk, plausible mechanism, high community endorsement, unconfirmed by PMDD-specific trials. All things considered, that ain't bad. Vitamin B6 — 43% community improvement. Vitamin B6, in its active form pyridoxal-5-phosphate (PLP), serves as a coenzyme for over 100 enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism. In neuroscience it is essential for the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine. The theoretical connection to PMDD runs through the same GABA pathway as magnesium: B6 is the crucial coenzyme for the conversion of glutamate to GABA by the enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase, and B6 depletion has been used as an animal model of serotonin deficiency. Given that PMDD appears to involve dysregulated GABA-A receptor sensitivity, a cofactor that supports GABA synthesis is theoretically relevant. The mechanism is plausible. The caution is the same as with magnesium: the clinical trials showing benefit were conducted on PMS populations, not people with diagnosed PMDD, and that data cannot be responsibly applied here. There is no PMDD-specific trial, unfortunately. But, B6 is also inexpensive and widely available, but it carries a hard ceiling that magnesium does not: doses above 100mg/day long-term cause peripheral neuropathy. The studied range for PMS is 50-80mg/day. Stay well under that ceiling and treat the absence of PMDD-specific evidence as what it is: not a green light, just an open question nobody has funded yet. Vitamin D — 40% community improvement. Roughly 63% of the US population is either deficient or insufficient in vitamin D, with deficiency being highest in AFAB folks and adults aged 20 to 29. If you have PMDD, there is a huge chance you are also deficient.Vitamin D regulates serotonin synthesis by increasing expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), the rate-limiting enzyme in brain serotonin production, and may also influence serotonin transporter and receptor function. Given that PMDD involves dysregulated sensitivity in exactly the systems serotonin feeds into, the theoretical connection is not a stretch. There are no PMDD-specific clinical trials. What exists is a plausible mechanism and a body of evidence connecting deficiency to mood disorders broadly -- which suggests that being deficient probably makes things worse, even if correcting it is not a PMDD treatment per se. On a personal note, I am vitamin D deficient, and when my levels drop my PMDD is measurably worse and I feel worlds better when I supplement and my levels are normal. One data point, not a clinical trial, but consistent with everything above. Get your levels checked. It is inexpensive and low risk at standard doses, though unlike magnesium and B6 it is fat-soluble and accumulates, so very high doses over time can cause toxicity. Standard supplementation of 1,000 to 2,000 IU daily is generally considered safe; if correcting a diagnosed deficiency your doctor will guide the dose based on lab results. Everything else on the list — lemon balm, GABA, B12, zinc, evening primrose, ashwagandha, and the rest have no PMDD-specific clinical trials exist. The research simply has not been done. That isn't saying they dont work, we just don't have the data. There is anecdotal evidence, however, and that evidence has been consistent from year to year in our survey. Finally, none of this is meant to shame anyone for taking supplements or to suggest that nothing works. That is not the point and it has never been the point. I personally take vitamin D (I'm deficient), inositol (for PCOS), fiber (because I'm a stereotypical late 30's millennial that is terrified of colon cancer), l-methylfolate (I have the MTHFR polymorphism), and prenatals (TTC) daily. They are a non-negotiable part of my routine and I genuinely notice when I miss them. If something is working for you, keep doing it. Your body and your experience are valid data points. What this post is asking for is a little more rigor in how we evaluate the things we put in our bodies and recommend others to put in their bodies, specifically when those things are being sold to us by people who profit from our suffering and are operating in a regulatory environment that requires nothing of them before they make their claims. The difference between a supplement that helps you and a grift is not always obvious, and the industry is designed to make that distinction as blurry as possible. So ground it in science where science exists. Be honest with yourself about where it does not. Be skeptical of anything that promises to fix everything, that cannot be tested, that is sold by someone who needs you to distrust your doctor first. And if you suspect something is genuinely wrong, please go get bloodwork. Not because supplements are bad, but because you deserve an actual answer, not someone selling you snake oil. Sauce for your pasta will be in a separate comment. submitted by /u/ndnd_of_omicron to r/PMDD [link] [comments]
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r/PMDD |
ndnd_of_omicron |
May 10, 2026 |
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Guide to what influences staying asleep through the night (Research Based)
Here's a guide I built to better understand what actually influence staying asleep based on research. This is a completely different area than what influences sleep latency (falling asleep faster) and focuses mostly on Wake After Sleep Onset. I broke this into 5 main areas: nutrition, supplements, exercise, environment, and demographics. Even though most people use Garmin for activity and sleep tracking isn't always it's strong suit I hope you find it useful overall though. I added a plain english explanation column for each row and short definitions to try to help make it easier to understand each one briefly. All sources are linked at the bottom and suggest you explore any if you want to learn more. Sorry know the tables are rough on mobile. Acronyms: WASO - Wake After Sleep Onset PSG - Polysomnography SMD - Standardized Mean Difference RCT - Randomized Controlled Trial SWS - Slow Wave Sleep AHI - Apnea-Hypopnea Index SWSD - Shift Work Sleep Disorder HPA - Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (axis) Nutrition Factor Impact Key Info (study/effect size) Plain English Evidence Dietary Fiber Decrease Arousals St-Onge 2016; n=26, PSG, controlled crossover More fiber = fewer nighttime wake-ups Strong Sugar / Refined Carbs Increase Arousals St-Onge 2016; n=26, PSG, significant predictor Sugar directly increased sleep arousals Strong Caffeine Increase WASO +12 min Gardiner 2023; meta-analysis, 24 studies Caffeine adds ~12 min of nighttime waking Strong Alcohol Increase Fragmentation Spadola 2019; Jackson Heart Study, n=785, actigraphy Sleep breaks apart as alcohol metabolizes Strong Late Eating (50 dBA) Increase WASO +30 min Basner 2018; WHO systematic review, 74 studies Noise above 50 dB adds ~30 min of waking Strong CO2 >1000 ppm (poor ventilation) Increase Wake time +5 min Kang 2024; n=36, field-lab, 3 ventilation levels Stuffy bedroom air measurably fragments sleep Moderate Mattress (medium-firm) Decrease Most consistent WASO Hu 2025; n=12, PSG, 3 firmness levels compared Medium-firm mattress gave most stable sleep Limited Demographics Factor Impact Key Info (study/effect size) Plain English Evidence Aging (30–60+) Increase WASO ~10 min/decade Ohayon 2004; meta-analysis, 65 studies, 3,577 subjects Each decade adds ~10 min of nighttime waking Strong Female Sex Paradox: more complaints, better PSG Ohayon 2004; women better objective metrics, more subjective complaints Women report worse sleep but objectively sleep better Strong Menopause (hot flashes) Increase WASO, 69% flashes awakening Joffe 2013; PSG + GnRH model, n=29, hot flashes = 27% of WASO Nighttime hot flashes are a major wake trigger Strong Obesity (BMI ≥30) Increase WASO significantly Zhao 2021; Sleep Heart Health Study, n=5,723, PSG Higher WASO independently associated with obesity Strong Shift Work Increase WASO, Decrease sleep efficiency Wickwire 2017; narrative review, SWSD patients, Chest Shift workers have more fragmented daytime sleep Moderate Nocturia (≥2 episodes) Increase WASO +34 min Fung 2017; SOF study, n=1,520, actigraphy More bathroom trips = much more nighttime waking Strong Obstructive Sleep Apnea Increase WASO, Increase arousals with severity Patel 2019; comprehensive review, PSG data Each breathing event triggers arousal and waking Strong Chronic Pain Increase WASO, large effect Mathias 2018; meta-analysis, 37 studies, PSG Pain significantly increases nighttime wake time Strong Psychological Stress Increase WASO via cortisol elevation Vgontzas 2001; n=24, 24-hr cortisol sampling, PSG Stress hormones directly fragment sleep Moderate Sources Nutrition Exercise Supplements Environment Demographic Fiber & Sugar — St-Onge 2016 Aerobic Exercise — Riedel 2024 Melatonin — Menczel Schrire 2022 Temperature — Akiyama 2021 Age — Ohayon 2004 Caffeine — Gardiner 2023 Resistance Training — Kovacevic 2018 Ashwagandha — Cheah 2021 Light at Night — Cho 2016 Menopause — Joffe 2013 Alcohol — Spadola 2019 Yoga — Bu 2025 Glycine — Yamadera 2007 Noise (WHO Review) — Basner 2018 Obesity — Zhao 2021 Late Eating — Crispim 2022 Evening Exercise — Dolezal 2017 Magnesium — Abbasi 2012 CO2/Ventilation — Kang 2024 Shift Work — Wickwire 2017 Tart Cherry — Pigeon 2010 Vigorous Exercise — Stutz 2019 L-Theanine — Systematic Review 2025 Mattress — Hu 2025 Nocturia — Fung 2017 Valerian — Shinjyo 2020 OSA — Patel 2019 Chronic Pain — Mathias 2018 Stress — Vgontzas 2001 submitted by /u/KygoApp to r/Garmin [link] [comments]
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r/Garmin |
KygoApp |
Apr 26, 2026 |
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Guide to what influences staying asleep through the night (Research Based)
Here's a guide to better understand what actually influence staying asleep based on research. This is a completely different area than what influences sleep latency (falling asleep faster) and focuses mostly on Wake After Sleep Onset. I broke this into 5 main areas: nutrition, supplements, exercise, environment, and demographics. Hope you find it useful overall. I've been posting these to this community for a little while now and really appreciate the support from everyone along the way! I added a plain english explanation column for each row and short definitions to start which I hope helps make it easier to understand each factor. All sources are linked at the bottom. I know the tables are difficult for some individuals on mobile so I take all the data to make it into a free tool that lets you explore the data in a more visually appealing way. Here's the page if interested: kygo.app/tools/staying-asleep-factors Acronyms: WASO - Wake After Sleep Onset PSG - Polysomnography SMD - Standardized Mean Difference RCT - Randomized Controlled Trial SWS - Slow Wave Sleep AHI - Apnea-Hypopnea Index SWSD - Shift Work Sleep Disorder HPA - Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (axis) Nutrition Factor Impact Key Info (study/effect size) Plain English Evidence Dietary Fiber Decrease Arousals St-Onge 2016; n=26, PSG, controlled crossover More fiber = fewer nighttime wake-ups Strong Sugar / Refined Carbs Increase Arousals St-Onge 2016; n=26, PSG, significant predictor Sugar directly increased sleep arousals Strong Caffeine Increase WASO +12 min Gardiner 2023; meta-analysis, 24 studies Caffeine adds ~12 min of nighttime waking Strong Alcohol Increase Fragmentation Spadola 2019; Jackson Heart Study, n=785, actigraphy Sleep breaks apart as alcohol metabolizes Strong Late Eating (50 dBA) Increase WASO +30 min Basner 2018; WHO systematic review, 74 studies Noise above 50 dB adds ~30 min of waking Strong CO2 >1000 ppm (poor ventilation) Increase Wake time +5 min Kang 2024; n=36, field-lab, 3 ventilation levels Stuffy bedroom air measurably fragments sleep Moderate Mattress (medium-firm) Decrease Most consistent WASO Hu 2025; n=12, PSG, 3 firmness levels compared Medium-firm mattress gave most stable sleep Limited Demographics Factor Impact Key Info (study/effect size) Plain English Evidence Aging (30–60+) Increase WASO ~10 min/decade Ohayon 2004; meta-analysis, 65 studies, 3,577 subjects Each decade adds ~10 min of nighttime waking Strong Female Sex Paradox: more complaints, better PSG Ohayon 2004; women better objective metrics, more subjective complaints Women report worse sleep but objectively sleep better Strong Menopause (hot flashes) Increase WASO, 69% flashes awakening Joffe 2013; PSG + GnRH model, n=29, hot flashes = 27% of WASO Nighttime hot flashes are a major wake trigger Strong Obesity (BMI ≥30) Increase WASO significantly Zhao 2021; Sleep Heart Health Study, n=5,723, PSG Higher WASO independently associated with obesity Strong Shift Work Increase WASO, Decrease sleep efficiency Wickwire 2017; narrative review, SWSD patients, Chest Shift workers have more fragmented daytime sleep Moderate Nocturia (≥2 episodes) Increase WASO +34 min Fung 2017; SOF study, n=1,520, actigraphy More bathroom trips = much more nighttime waking Strong Obstructive Sleep Apnea Increase WASO, Increase arousals with severity Patel 2019; comprehensive review, PSG data Each breathing event triggers arousal and waking Strong Chronic Pain Increase WASO, large effect Mathias 2018; meta-analysis, 37 studies, PSG Pain significantly increases nighttime wake time Strong Psychological Stress Increase WASO via cortisol elevation Vgontzas 2001; n=24, 24-hr cortisol sampling, PSG Stress hormones directly fragment sleep Moderate Sources Nutrition Exercise Supplements Environment Demographic Fiber & Sugar — St-Onge 2016 Aerobic Exercise — Riedel 2024 Melatonin — Menczel Schrire 2022 Temperature — Akiyama 2021 Age — Ohayon 2004 Caffeine — Gardiner 2023 Resistance Training — Kovacevic 2018 Ashwagandha — Cheah 2021 Light at Night — Cho 2016 Menopause — Joffe 2013 Alcohol — Spadola 2019 Yoga — Bu 2025 Glycine — Yamadera 2007 Noise (WHO Review) — Basner 2018 Obesity — Zhao 2021 Late Eating — Crispim 2022 Evening Exercise — Dolezal 2017 Magnesium — Abbasi 2012 CO2/Ventilation — Kang 2024 Shift Work — Wickwire 2017 Tart Cherry — Pigeon 2010 Vigorous Exercise — Stutz 2019 L-Theanine — Systematic Review 2025 Mattress — Hu 2025 Nocturia — Fung 2017 Valerian — Shinjyo 2020 OSA — Patel 2019 Chronic Pain — Mathias 2018 Stress — Vgontzas 2001 submitted by /u/KygoApp to r/fitbit [link] [comments]
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r/fitbit |
KygoApp |
Apr 22, 2026 |
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Guide to what influences staying asleep through the night (Research Based)
Here's a guide to better understand what actually influence staying asleep based on research. This is a completely different area than what influences sleep latency (falling asleep faster) and focuses mostly on Wake After Sleep Onset. I broke this into 5 main areas: nutrition, supplements, exercise, environment, and demographics. Thank you to everyone on my last post who suggested this topic! Hope you find it useful! I added a plain english explanation column for each row and short definitions to start which I hope helps make it easier to understand each factor. All sources are linked at the bottom. I know tables are difficult on mobile so I take all the data to make it into a free tool that lets you explore the data in a more visually appealing way. Here's the page if interested: kygo.app/tools/staying-asleep-factors Acronyms: WASO - Wake After Sleep Onset PSG - Polysomnography SMD - Standardized Mean Difference RCT - Randomized Controlled Trial SWS - Slow Wave Sleep AHI - Apnea-Hypopnea Index SWSD - Shift Work Sleep Disorder HPA - Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (axis) Nutrition Factor Impact Key Info (study/effect size) Plain English Evidence Dietary Fiber Decrease Arousals St-Onge 2016; n=26, PSG, controlled crossover More fiber = fewer nighttime wake-ups Strong Sugar / Refined Carbs Increase Arousals St-Onge 2016; n=26, PSG, significant predictor Sugar directly increased sleep arousals Strong Caffeine Increase WASO +12 min Gardiner 2023; meta-analysis, 24 studies Caffeine adds ~12 min of nighttime waking Strong Alcohol Increase Fragmentation Spadola 2019; Jackson Heart Study, n=785, actigraphy Sleep breaks apart as alcohol metabolizes Strong Late Eating (50 dBA) Increase WASO +30 min Basner 2018; WHO systematic review, 74 studies Noise above 50 dB adds ~30 min of waking Strong CO2 >1000 ppm (poor ventilation) Increase Wake time +5 min Kang 2024; n=36, field-lab, 3 ventilation levels Stuffy bedroom air measurably fragments sleep Moderate Mattress (medium-firm) Decrease Most consistent WASO Hu 2025; n=12, PSG, 3 firmness levels compared Medium-firm mattress gave most stable sleep Limited Demographics Factor Impact Key Info (study/effect size) Plain English Evidence Aging (30–60+) Increase WASO ~10 min/decade Ohayon 2004; meta-analysis, 65 studies, 3,577 subjects Each decade adds ~10 min of nighttime waking Strong Female Sex Paradox: more complaints, better PSG Ohayon 2004; women better objective metrics, more subjective complaints Women report worse sleep but objectively sleep better Strong Menopause (hot flashes) Increase WASO, 69% flashes awakening Joffe 2013; PSG + GnRH model, n=29, hot flashes = 27% of WASO Nighttime hot flashes are a major wake trigger Strong Obesity (BMI ≥30) Increase WASO significantly Zhao 2021; Sleep Heart Health Study, n=5,723, PSG Higher WASO independently associated with obesity Strong Shift Work Increase WASO, Decrease sleep efficiency Wickwire 2017; narrative review, SWSD patients, Chest Shift workers have more fragmented daytime sleep Moderate Nocturia (≥2 episodes) Increase WASO +34 min Fung 2017; SOF study, n=1,520, actigraphy More bathroom trips = much more nighttime waking Strong Obstructive Sleep Apnea Increase WASO, Increase arousals with severity Patel 2019; comprehensive review, PSG data Each breathing event triggers arousal and waking Strong Chronic Pain Increase WASO, large effect Mathias 2018; meta-analysis, 37 studies, PSG Pain significantly increases nighttime wake time Strong Psychological Stress Increase WASO via cortisol elevation Vgontzas 2001; n=24, 24-hr cortisol sampling, PSG Stress hormones directly fragment sleep Moderate Sources Nutrition Exercise Supplements Environment Demographic Fiber & Sugar — St-Onge 2016 Aerobic Exercise — Riedel 2024 Melatonin — Menczel Schrire 2022 Temperature — Akiyama 2021 Age — Ohayon 2004 Caffeine — Gardiner 2023 Resistance Training — Kovacevic 2018 Ashwagandha — Cheah 2021 Light at Night — Cho 2016 Menopause — Joffe 2013 Alcohol — Spadola 2019 Yoga — Bu 2025 Glycine — Yamadera 2007 Noise (WHO Review) — Basner 2018 Obesity — Zhao 2021 Late Eating — Crispim 2022 Evening Exercise — Dolezal 2017 Magnesium — Abbasi 2012 CO2/Ventilation — Kang 2024 Shift Work — Wickwire 2017 Tart Cherry — Pigeon 2010 Vigorous Exercise — Stutz 2019 L-Theanine — Systematic Review 2025 Mattress — Hu 2025 Nocturia — Fung 2017 Valerian — Shinjyo 2020 OSA — Patel 2019 Chronic Pain — Mathias 2018 Stress — Vgontzas 2001 submitted by /u/KygoApp to r/ouraring [link] [comments]
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r/ouraring |
KygoApp |
Apr 21, 2026 |
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Looking for safe ways to reduce high libido for female
I’m a 29F dealing with a consistently high libido and it’s starting to affect my daily life. I’ve already tried supplements like ashwagandha and vitex but unfortunately didn’t notice any real change. I’m hoping to find supplements to reduce it. I’d prefer options that are safe long-term and won’t put extra strain on my liver or overall health. TIA Update: Thanks everyone for the recommendations and suggestions Just wanted to clarify a few things in case this post is helpful for other women in the future: My libido has become quite strong over the past year. Before that, it was more intermittent for a few years, and almost nonexistent before I was 25. My menstrual cycle is somewhat irregular (usually around 30–40 days), often with PMS. That’s why I’ve been taking Vitex and it helps ease my symptoms quite a bit. I’ve also noticed my cycle is more regular when I’m eating consistently and feeling more relaxed that month. While some people see a high libido as a positive thing, for me it’s been quite overwhelming. It’s affecting both my productivity and how I manage my relationship. My goal is to keep it at a level where I can fulfil the need myself and feel more in control Over the next week, I’m planning to try spearmint tea and lion’s mane mushroom. I’ll also get some blood tests done and start jogging a few times a week. For now, I’m trying to avoid birth control pills and antidepressants. I’ll share another update once I’ve seen how these changes affect me. Thanks again folks! submitted by /u/Business_Working3204 to r/Supplements [link] [comments]
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r/Supplements |
Business_Working3204 |
Apr 2, 2026 |
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L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 – The Most Effective Supplement I’ve Found After Years of Trying Almost Everything
Hi all, First, I want to briefly explain why I’ve been experimenting with supplements and why I’ve tried so many different ones. I suffer from ADD, a sleep disorder, and aura migraines. For a couple of years I was prescribed amphetamines (dexamphetamine) for ADD, but unfortunately this only made my migraines worse and negatively affected my overall well-being. After eventually quitting the medication cold turkey, I started looking for natural alternatives that might help manage both my ADD and migraines. Most of my research focused on supplements that influence hormones, blood flow, and blood sugar, since these factors can play a role in both ADD and migraines. Some of the supplements I tried include: Ashwagandha KSM-66, Rhodiola Rosea, Lion’s Mane, Fenugreek Seed, Tribulus Terrestris, Cordyceps Militaris, Shilajit, Ginseng, NAC, Reishi, and many others. Out of all of them, I found Rhodiola, Ashwagandha, and Cordyceps to be the most effective. They noticeably improved my performance and overall sense of well-being. The downside, however, is that their effects tend to fade after a few weeks. You have to cycle them, and even then they never seem quite as effective as they were in the beginning. On top of that, high-quality Rhodiola and Cordyceps can be quite expensive. During the off-cycles, my migraines would also return. Eventually I started reading about probiotics and the strong influence they can have on hormones. In particular, I became interested in serotonin, a hormone that is known to play a role in migraines when it’s out of balance. One probiotic strain that stood out in research was L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475, which appears to increase serotonin production. The highest-dose version of this strain I could find is a patented product from BioGaia, originally developed for women’s bone health. Still, I decided to give it a try. During the first month I didn’t notice major changes. My bowel movements improved slightly, and my sleep became a bit better. Importantly, I experienced no side effects. Now I’m halfway through my third month, and I’m noticing several improvements in my overall well-being: Migraines: For the first time in years, I haven’t had my usual monthly migraine. Health glow: My skin, eyes, and hair look noticeably healthier. Increased sex drive: There is a clear increase in libido, stronger erections, and more semen volume. Overall well-being: More energy, feeling better emotionally, and finding it easier to talk and connect with people. Sleep: Much deeper sleep with extremely vivid dreams. Suddenly I’m having intense, clear dreams almost every night, and I can remember them. Sometimes they’re so vivid that I feel slightly disoriented when I wake up. Body composition: I seem to be losing fat around my waist more easily, without changing my diet. At the moment I’m still seeing gradual improvements day by day, so I plan to continue using it. I’m curious to see how things develop over the next few months. If you’re dealing with migraines, ADD, sleep issues, or similar problems, this might be something worth looking into. Just keep in mind that it can take several weeks before you start noticing any effects. The most noticeable 'side effect' so far is the extremely vivid dreams. Sometimes I wake up sweaty because the dreams are so intense, clear, and realistic. They also tend to stick with you during the day, you don’t forget them easily. So if you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy very vivid dreaming, that’s definitely something to keep in mind. Overall, I didn’t expect such a noticeable positive effect, and it really showed me how much impact the microbiome can have on both mental and physical health. My next step is to try making my own yogurt with L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475, since the supplement form is quite expensive. submitted by /u/Pure_Ad_9865 to r/Supplements [link] [comments]
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r/Supplements |
Pure_Ad_9865 |
Mar 12, 2026 |
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Guide to figuring out what influences your HRV (Based on research)
Heart Rate Variability in my opinion is one of the most finicky health metrics out there so here's a guide to better understand what influences it based on research. I broke this into 5 main areas lifestyle factors, exercise, micronutrients, supplements, and demographics. Additionally I added a plain english explanation column for each row and short definitions to start which I hope helps make it easier to understand each factor. I'd love to expand these tables further so if there's any I missed please feel free to share (a link to the research article would be a huge +) and I'll review /add if it all checks out. All sources linked below too if you want to check those out yourself. I also put together a free visual breakdown of all this if tables aren't your thing. https://www.kygo.app/tools/hrv-factors Definitions HRV (Heart Rate Variability): How much time varies between heartbeats RMSSD: Beat-to-beat variation. What Garmin/Fitbit/Oura/WHOOP show you SDNN: Overall HRV. What Apple Watch uses HF Power: Your rest and digest activity level LF Power: Mix of stress + relaxation signals LF/HF Ratio: Balance between stress and calm Parasympathetic: Your body's brake pedal think (calm/recover Sympathetic: Your body's gas pedal (fight/flight) Vagal Tone: How strong your calm down nerve is Micronutrients Micronutrient HRV effect Key Finding Plain english explanations Vitamin B12 Positive (when deficient) Deficiency reduces LF power Your nerves need B12 to work properly. Low B12 can quietly wreck your autonomic function before you notice anything else. Vitamin D Positive (when deficient) 8 studies link to reduced HRV Your heart literally has vitamin D receptors. Being deficient is linked to worse HRV and cardiovascular outcomes. Magnesium Mixed / Positive 1 RCT showed increase (n=36) Helps stabilize your hearts electrical activity. Results are inconsistent but seems to be because dose,form, and duration vary so much. Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) Positive Most studied dietary HRV factor The best researched nutrient for HRV. Fish oil consistently boosts parasympathetic power. Zinc Positive (prenatal) Improved offspring HRV Super interesting but niche. Zinc during pregnancy improved the baby's HRV for years. Limited adult data so far. Supplements Supplement HRV Effect Evidence Plain English explanation Ashwagandha (Witholytin) Positive (RMSSD) Strong - RCT, n=111, 12 weeks This one didn't boost HRV but stopped it from dropping unlike the placebo. Also cut fatigue nearly in half. Ashwagandha (Zenroot) Positive (transient) Moderate - RCT, n=90, 84 days Quick early bump in HRV that faded. Stress and anxiety kept improving though so potentially more useful for mood Probiotics Positive (emergin) Moderate - specific strains tested in RCT (2025) Your gut talks to your brain via the vagus nerve. Specific strains (L. paracasei, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, B. lactis) reduced inflammation markers. Polyphenols Positive (HF power) Moderate - mechanistic + limited Colorful plant compounds (berries, dark chocolate, green tea) fight inflammation. Helps your nervous system relax. Multivitamin Protective (prevents decline) Moderate/Weak - 1 RCT Like Ashwagandha Witholytin, it protects HRV from declining rather than actively raising it GABA Positive (parasympathetic) Moderate - RCT, n=30, 90 days The brainss main 'calm down' chemical. Supplementing shifted the nervous system toward rest and recover mode. L-Theanine Positive (attenuates sympathetic) Moderate - multiple studies The calming amino acid in green tea. Lowers cortisol and helps take the edge off your fight or flight response Beetroot Juice Positive (post exercise) Moderate - meta-analysis, n=54 Nitrates boost nitric oxide, helping your body recover faster after workouts. Main benefit is quicker HRV bounce back. Lifestyle Factors Factor HRV Effect Key Finding Plain English explanation Sleep Quality Positive (strong) Top predictor of nocturnal HRV Nothing surprising here. Bad sleep = bad HRV almost guaranteed. Slow Breathing (6/min) Positive (strong) SDNN improved after 4 weeks (RCT) Breathing at 6 breaths per minute hits your body's 'resonance frequency' and maximizes HRV. 20 min/day works. Cold Exposure Positive (acute) RMSSD +54-85% post-session Cold shocks your vagus nerve awake. Ice baths and cold showers give a big immediate HRV spike that fades in roughly 15 min. Meditation Positive LF & HF both increased (p submitted by
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r/Garmin |
KygoApp |
Mar 2, 2026 |
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Ashwagandha Supplements for Hair Loss in Females - Does It Work?
I'm in a crisis. I'm shedding tons of hairs and I'm looking for a permanent solution. I'm particularly searching for supplements for hair loss in females and one recommendation keeps popping up - Ashwagandha. I'm currently using Evavitae Root Fortifying Hair Essence but I'm searching for something more natural. I know it does wonders in the men's field but how good/effective is it when it comes to helping restore women's hairs? Have you had an experience using it and saw results? submitted by /u/Rozay_Njeri to r/NooTopics [link] [comments]
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r/NooTopics |
Rozay_Njeri |
Oct 7, 2025 |
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Ashwagandha: why so much hate?
Guys (29M) I am suffering from overthinking and anxiety, I also had low libido and some low seman issue (my life was fucked for 1/1.5 years after loosing my father & worst breakup). My testosterone levels are 503 ng/dl. Lh/fsh - ok, prostate issue no, psa fine. Desperately wanted to get out of it, I started to get ashwagandha 500mg/day. After 3-4 weeks I started noticing good result. Less worried, a bit improved seman but good sleep. More importantly I started attracting towards women. Desire is okesh. Anxiety is better than before. I felt it's working great. I came to this subreddit but most posts mentions ashwagandha as useless but gives NAC credit. Am I taking wrong supplement? Should I stop it (if any future risks), Will NAC or any other supplement will help? submitted by /u/Parking-Net-9334 to r/Supplements [link] [comments]
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r/Supplements |
Parking-Net-9334 |
Oct 1, 2025 |
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Thyroid support for women - what supplements actually work?
I’m 28F and have been dealing with what feel like thyroid symptoms for about a year now, fatigue, brain fog, hair thinning, and trouble losing weight despite being active. My TSH is 3.8 (technically “normal”), but I still feel awful most days. I’ve been researching natural thyroid supplements and the info out there is all over the place. Some people swear by selenium and zinc, others say ashwagandha helps, and iodine seems especially confusing (some say it’s essential, others warn it can make things worse). Has anyone here with subclinical/borderline thyroid issues found supplements that actually helped? Did combos work better than single ones? Also curious about dosage ranges—like I’ve seen selenium suggested anywhere from 50mcg to 200mcg. My mom has hypothyroidism, so I know it runs in families. I’m trying to support my thyroid naturally before considering other options. Would love to hear what’s worked for you; real experiences would be super helpful! submitted by /u/redzkaizer to r/Biohackers [link] [comments]
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r/Biohackers |
redzkaizer |
Sep 25, 2025 |
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Ashwagandha is a popular supplement frequently effective for generalised anxiety disorder; but it is important to be aware of the potential side effects
Ashwagandha is good for anxiety (but NAG may be better) Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an ayurvedic herb whose roots and leaves are shown to have anxiolytic and stress-reducing action in many studies. This herb can also help with insomnia, can improve cognitive function, and can enhance physical exercise performance. Ashwagandha may increase testosterone levels in men, and it has libido-boosting qualities for both men and women. There is no standard dosage for ashwagandha, but around 1 to 3 grams of the dried root taken once or twice a day is typically employed. With concentrated standardised extracts, approximately 300 mg twice daily has been used in clinical trials. For the majority of people, the calming effects of ashwagandha appear within hours of taking the supplement; but for some, the reductions in anxiety only manifest after a week or two of daily use. Ashwagandha is a highly popular supplement, with many positive anecdotal reports online about its calming action and its anti-stress effects. Though some people find that it does not work for their anxiety at all. In terms of side effects, ashwagandha can cause emotional numbness or anhedonia (reduced enjoyment from pleasurable activities). Sometimes this herb may cause anger or irritability. Ashwagandha can also have sedative effects which may cause sleepiness, and some people find it lowers motivation. Although ashwagandha often boosts libido, some people experience a reduction in sex drive on this herb. In a few individuals, ashwagandha in large doses may cause stomach upset, diarrhoea, and vomiting. Some people get withdrawal symptoms lasting a few weeks when discontinuing this herb. There are rare but concerning anecdotal reports of long-term emotional numbness, anhedonia or sexual dysfunction that persist for months or years after stopping this supplement. Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy, as there may be a risk of miscarriage. It is not known if ashwagandha is safe to take while breastfeeding. The drugs.com interactions checker lists 7 major interactions and hundreds of moderate or minor interactions between ashwagandha and other medications. Very rarely, ashwagandha has been linked to liver toxicity, though this generally resolves on discontinuation of the herb. The calming action of ashwagandha may be due to several mechanisms: ashwagandha may decrease the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which forms part of the body's stress response system; it may influence GABA and serotonin systems; and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may also play a role in reducing anxiety. ——————————————————— The above excerpt comes from this Kindle book about anxiety: Return to Tranquillity: A Guide to Evidence-Based & Emerging Supplement & Drug Options for Anxiety As well as covering many pharmaceutical drugs and herbs for anxiety, the book also showcases the remarkable anxiety supplement N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), which often has profound calming effects for generalised anxiety disorder. See this thread or this thread for NAG testimonials. The chapter on NAG is free to read in the eBook preview. The eBook costs only $0.99. A paperback is also available on Amazon. ——————————————————— The book covers 48 pharmaceutical drugs that are used for anxiety, including: SSRI drugs like escitalopram (Lexapro), benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), and anticonvulsants like pregabalin (Lyrica).Plus this book covers 12 supplement options for anxiety: ashwagandha, taurine, GABA, passionflower, valerian, lemon balm, probiotics, prebiotics, lavender essential oil, chamomile, theanine and kava kava. The book contains a special chapter on the supplement N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG), an emerging new option for generalised anxiety disorder. The book critically examines all of these anxiety options, detailing both the pros and the cons of each supplement and drug. In addition, the book scientifically explains the possible physical causes of anxiety disorders in the brain. And the book examines the current anxiety epidemic, offering a theory about a hidden biological factor that may be causing this epidemic. The book contains a total of 262 references to scientific studies and articles. This book can be obtained on Amazon in many different countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Netherlands, India, Japan, and others. submitted by /u/Hip_III to r/GADanxiety [link] [comments]
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r/GADanxiety |
Hip_III |
Sep 7, 2025 |
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Sea Moss Black Seed Oil Ashwagandha Ginger - Advanced Irish Sea Moss Capsules All in One Supplement with Seamoss Black Seed Oil Ashwagandha Burdock Root Bladderwrack - Pills for Energy, Immune, Gut
About this item Complete Superfood Blend: Our premium capsules combine Organic Irish Sea Moss, Black Seed Oil, Ashwagandha, Ginger, Burdock Root, Bladderwrack, Ginseng, Turmeric with Black Pepper, and Rhodiola Rosea in one convenient daily supplement for men and women. Advanced Wellness Formula: This comprehensive blend includes Apple Cider Vinegar, Dandelion Root, Elderberry, Manuka Honey, Yellow Dock Root, and Chlorophyll – natural ingredients valued for centuries in traditional herbal practices worldwide. Simple Daily Routine: Take just 2 easy-to-swallow capsules daily with or without meals. Our capsules are designed for busy lifestyles – no messy powders, no unpleasant taste, just pure, raw sea moss and herbal extracts in convenient capsule form. Premium Quality Assurance: Manufactured in a GMP-certified facility in the USA with non-GMO, organic ingredients. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing for purity and potency, with no artificial additives or preservatives for a truly pure supplement. Complete Nutritional Support: Our multimineral sea moss formula contains essential nutrients from natural sources. Perfect for those seeking a single daily supplement to replace multiple products in their wellness routine, with all the goodness of organic sea moss and herbal ingredients in one convenient capsule. submitted by /u/OUAMA_ETSY to r/AmazonDeals2025 [link] [comments]
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r/AmazonDeals2025 |
OUAMA_ETSY |
Apr 24, 2025 |
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Andrew Huberman and Stacy Sims Talk About the Best Supplements for Women
If you haven't watched the video yet, great talk about all things women and health, training, supplements and more. A lot of talk about women over 40. I talk with women at the gym all the time about supplements and it's nice to see some of what I recommend, they talked about during the show as well. Here is a link to the complete video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZX8ikmWvEU Here are some links to all the supplements Stacy Sims recommended for women (specific brands are our recommendations): Creatine Monohydrate: https://supplementwarehouse.com/products/allmax-creatine-400g Precision Whey Protein Powder: https://supplementwarehouse.com/products/htp-precision-protein-2-lbs Ashwagandha: https://supplementwarehouse.com/products/htp-ashwagandha-90ct Vitamin D3: https://supplementwarehouse.com/products/htp-vitamin-d3-100t submitted by /u/Valuable-Experience8 to r/supplementwarehouse [link] [comments]
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r/supplementwarehouse |
Valuable-Experience8 |
Apr 3, 2025 |
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I’ve lost just under 60lbs. in the past year in my 40’s with PCOS, perimenopause,and pre-diabetes. (No shots!) Here’s how.
TL;DR - CICO(with lots of carbs!), getting treated for ADHD, supplements, books The long story- I’m in my mid 40’s now, but I’ve been heavy my whole life. When I turned 40, perimenopause symptoms hit me like a bag of bricks to the face. I started bleeding 3-4 weeks every month and gained a ton of weight. I went from 250ish lbs to 310, a new record for me. I was doing the typical mom thing of taking care of everyone else and putting myself last. On top of all of this, my ADHD symptoms (executive dysfunction, ADHD paralysis, inattentive behaviors) and PCOS issues (hormones all over the place, unpredictable cycles, extreme fatigue that made me feel like I couldn’t move sometimes) were making me miserable. My big wake-up call was when I had to get iron infusions at a cancer center for 5 weeks because I hadn’t been taking an iron supplement during my period and I didn’t see a doctor early enough. Blood tests revealed that my hemoglobin was below 7, and also that I was pre-diabetic. Seeing my weight on the scale was quite a shock as well. I felt sore all over, and sweaty. I was suffering from “moon face,” and I looked pregnant. To be completely honest, I was disgusted with myself. After seeing an OBGYN to get all of my bleeding under control, my next step was to finally get an official ADHD diagnosis. I spent a couple of years on a non-stimulant medication, but it didn’t help much and actually raised my blood pressure to scary levels I’d never seen before. After an episode where I almost fainted from high blood pressure while making dinner, I went to a doctor this past August and finally started on a stimulant. I wish I hadn’t waited so long, it has been absolutely life changing. It doesn’t remove my appetite, but it definitely has eliminated my extreme fatigue and made it much easier for me to get up and move around. After getting treated for ADHD, I began taking supplements to try and help with my inflammation. I had sore & swollen knuckles and other joints. Getting out of bed in the morning, it hurt to stand up and move around. My list of supplements has been tweaked a bit here and there, but here is what has consistently helped me: FLO vitamins (3 with breakfast) Fish oil 2x daily Turmeric 2x daily Vitamin D 5,000iu 1 daily at night L-Carnitine 2x daily Iron complex 2x daily (includes vit C and B12) Magnesium glycinate 2x daily at night Ashwagandha 1 daily at night I don’t have a specific brand to recommend, but lately I have been buying NOW on Amazon since it is good quality at a decent price and I can get it delivered within 24hrs. I have also bought Kirkland brand from Costco in the past, which was good and less expensive, but less convenient for me to get since Costco is a bit of a distance from me. In addition to adding supplements, I also started following “The Glucose Goddess” and incorporating some of her advice. Mainly, making sure I eat the protein & fiber in my meal first before digging into the carbs. I drink the ACV water when I remember to, which isn’t often. I have not restricted carbs AT ALL. As long as it fell within my calorie budget for the day, I ate absolutely whatever I wanted. My doctor assured me that this is fine as long as the weight is coming off, since lowering my weight will lower my A1c and improve my insulin resistance as well. I attempted to get one of the popular weight loss injectables (Ozempic & monjauro) but my insurance company rejected me for both because I’m pre-diabetic and insulin resistant and they only cover it for diabetes. For tracking food, I use the Loseit app. The app itself is free but I paid $20 for the year to unlock all of the features. I absolutely love it and cannot recommend it enough. Right now it has me on a max of 1,939 calories a day. I wear an Apple Watch and it shares my activity with the app. On days that I’m more active, I earn more calories, which is kind of fun in a way. I weigh myself using a Eufy smart scale and it automatically logs it within the app. Given my ADHD, anything that I can automate is going to make things easier and make me less resistant to tracking. For exercise, I find that my daily walking around in the house is often enough to put me over 10k steps, but I do have a walking pad that I occasionally use. I’ll just hop on and walk for 15-20 mins while I watch a show. I don’t have a gym membership because if I did, I’d probably never go. I also listened to the audiobook “Allen Carr’s Easy Way for Women to Lose Weight.” I found this really helpful for my overeating issues. If you have a Spotify premium account, you can listen to it for free. That’s about it for now. I still have a long way to go with close to 100 more lbs. to lose (I currently weigh 253), but the app estimates I should get there around December. Wish me luck! submitted by /u/EggplantAstronaut to r/PCOS [link] [comments]
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r/PCOS |
EggplantAstronaut |
Feb 12, 2025 |
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2025's Best Night Time Fat Burners: Ultimate Supplements for Men & Women
Many people do not attend to their nighttime routine when it comes to fat burning and weight loss. It's the activities taken during the daytime, such as workout and diet, which burn off that excess fat but fat-burning supplements working even at night might hasten even the sleeping individual's rate of burning the said fat. They work with the natural processes of your body: they support fat metabolism and contribute to enhanced recovery so that you wake up leaner, refreshed, and ready to go for your busy day. In the article, we discuss the best night-time fat burners for 2025 and the top fat-burning supplements for men and women that will get you closer to your fitness goal. PhenQ PM addresses all three stages of nighttime fat-burning: Increases Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Increases calorie burning and muscle growth. What are Night Time Fat Burners? These supplements work by allowing the body to break down the extra fat accumulated when it's in rest and recovering. As such, these fat burners that work during nighttime focus on metabolism as the rest time processes take over during nightfall. Most supplements come with compounds like antioxidants to induce oxidation, regulate hormones involved in metabolism, and facilitate deep sleep quality. Using a night-time fat burner is helpful in placing your body into the fat-burning state while you are resting at night, leading to better loss of fats and a leaner body. Additionally, most supplements include ingredients for relaxed sleep; thus, allowing your body to recover and build muscle efficiently. Why You Need a Night Time Fat Burner: Increased Fat Burn During Sleep: Your body is still burning calories while you sleep, and some ingredients may increase the rate of this process. Improved Quality of Sleep: Many nighttime fat burners include ingredients that support deep, restful sleep, which is critical for recovery and health. Appetite Regulation: Some night-time fat burners assist with hunger control, thus helping in avoiding late-night cravings. Improved Energy Levels: Optimizing fat-burning processes during sleep could leave you waking up refreshed and energized to take on the day. Top Night-Time Fat Burners for 2025 Here are the top-rated night-time fat burners for both men and women in 2025 that are proven to enhance fat loss, improve sleep, and boost energy. 1. Phantom Night Time Fat Burner One of the most popular fat-burning supplements of 2025 is Phantom Night Time Fat Burner. This supplement targets fat oxidation by improving metabolic function and supporting deep, restorative sleep. Key Ingredients: L-theanine, melatonin, ashwagandha, CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), and green tea extract. Benefits: Phantom reduces cortisol levels, a hormone that can cause fat storage. Its sleep-enhancing and fat-burning ingredients make it ideal for those looking to maximize fat loss while resting. Who Should Use It: Ideal for both men and women who want to reduce stress, sleep better, and burn fat overnight. NightShred by Jacked Factory NightShred is a highly-rated fat-burning supplement designed to work while you sleep. It uses a combination of ingredients that not only aid fat loss but also promote relaxation and help you wake up feeling refreshed. Key Ingredients: L-theanine, melatonin, 5-HTP, L-carnitine, and green tea extract. Benefits: The inclusion of 5-HTP helps balance serotonin levels, improving mood and promoting restful sleep. The formula also contains ingredients like L-carnitine, which helps your body utilize fat for energy, making it easier to shed pounds even while you sleep. Who Should Use It: For anyone who wants to suppress late night cravings, sleep better, and increase fat loss. Cortex Night-Time Fat Burner Cortex Night-Time Fat Burner is a potent formula created for extreme night-time fat burning. This supplement enhances your metabolism, improves sleep, and balances hormones responsible for weight gain. Active Ingredients: GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), melatonin, forskolin, and magnesium. Benefits: GABA promotes relaxation and helps reduce stress, while forskolin stimulates fat breakdown. Magnesium supports muscle recovery and helps regulate blood sugar, reducing late-night cravings. Who Should Use It: Ideal for individuals who need a powerful supplement to manage weight loss and improve sleep simultaneously. Lipo-6 NightTime by Nutrex Research Lipo-6 NightTime is another top contender for the best night-time fat burner of 2025. This supplement is designed to support fat loss while you sleep by leveraging thermogenic ingredients and sleep-enhancing compounds. Key Ingredients: Melatonin, theobromine, GABA, and forskolin. Benefits: Lipo-6 NightTime is a thermogenic and sleep-support ingredient that burns fat at night. GABA helps to reduce anxiety and induce deep sleep, which is crucial for muscle recovery and fat loss. Who Should Use It: Perfect for anyone looking to burn fat overnight while experiencing improved sleep quality. Burn-XT Night Time Fat Burner Burn-XT Night Time Fat Burner is a fat-burning supplement formulated to target stubborn fat while enhancing your sleep and improving recovery. This supplement provides a natural and effective way to burn fat overnight. Key Ingredients: L-theanine, melatonin, magnesium, and green tea extract. Benefits: The pairing of green tea extract and magnesium is great as it works to improve fat metabolism while you sleep and L-theanine will give you a sense of relaxation without sedating, therefore waking you up fresh. Who Should Take It: A good option for men and women if they want to lose the accumulated fats during the night while being energized upon waking up. Best Night Time Fat Burners for Women When it comes to women’s health and fat loss, the following night-time fat burners have been formulated with ingredients tailored to support women’s hormonal balance and fat metabolism: 1. Lean PM by Jacked Factory Lean PM is a fat burner specifically designed for women who want to target fat loss while improving their sleep quality. Its ingredients support metabolism and help manage hunger and cravings during the night. Key Ingredients: L-theanine, melatonin, CLA, and 5-HTP. Benefits: Lean PM promotes fat loss while helping women manage emotional eating and stress levels. Its calming ingredients ensure a restful night’s sleep, improving recovery and hormone regulation. Who Should Use It: Women who struggle with stress, cravings, and want to maximize fat-burning during sleep. Resurge Resurge is a night-time fat-burning supplement, specifically designed for women who wish to lose weight while sleeping. It focuses on both fat loss and deep sleep, which makes it a good supplement for health and wellness in general. Key Ingredients: Melatonin, hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), magnesium, and zinc. Benefits: This supplement supports weight loss by promoting deep sleep and boosting metabolism. The magnesium and zinc ingredients also support muscle function and recovery. Who Should Use It: Women who want to lose fat without disrupting their sleep cycle and improve recovery. Best Night Time Fat Burners for Men For men looking to optimize their fat-burning potential overnight, here are some top options: 1. Old School Labs Night Shred Night Shred by Old School Labs is an excellent choice for men who want to burn fat while promoting better sleep quality. Its carefully selected ingredients work together to increase fat metabolism and promote muscle recovery. Key Ingredients: L-theanine, melatonin, ashwagandha, and green tea extract. Benefits: The combination of relaxing and fat-burning ingredients helps reduce cortisol levels, support healthy testosterone, and promote deep, restorative sleep. Who Should Use It: Men who want to reduce fat while supporting muscle recovery and healthy hormone balance during sleep. V3 Burn Night Fat Burner V3 Burn Night Fat Burner is a potent fat-burning supplement for men, designed to enhance your metabolism and promote fat breakdown while you sleep. Key Ingredients: Melatonin, forskolin, and magnesium. Benefits: V3 Burn uses scientifically-backed ingredients to burn fat without disrupting sleep. The inclusion of forskolin helps activate fat cells, while magnesium supports relaxation. Who Should Take It: Men can use to facilitate weight reduction as well as accelerate muscle restoration while avoiding intake of stimulants. PhenQ PM addresses all three stages of nighttime fat-burning: Increases Human Growth Hormone (HGH): Increases calorie burning and muscle growth. Conclusion: Best Over-The-Counter Night Time Fat Burner Available In 2025 It makes a huge difference having the night time fat burning right. In 2025, supplements like Phantom Night Time Fat Burner, NightShred, and Burn-XT provide powerful, natural ingredients to promote fat burning, boost metabolism, and improve sleep quality. Whether you're a man or a woman, these fat burners can be an essential part of your fat loss strategy, helping you wake up leaner, more energized, and ready to take on the day. Be sure to choose a fat burner that aligns with your personal health goals, and remember that consistent use, paired with a balanced diet and regular exercise, will yield the best results. submitted by /u/katara500 to r/alertingreviews [link] [comments]
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r/alertingreviews |
katara500 |
Jan 22, 2025 |
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My sponsor told me if I don’t quit ashwagandha- she’s dropping me
I am just over 100 days clean and sober. 4 weeks ago I asked a woman I heard speak at a meeting if she would be my sponsor. She said yes and we’ve met up to read the big book 3 times since. Today she gave me a list of supplements that are “ok” and a list that’s not. On my “ok” list was: Hops (ok for me as alcohol was not my drug of choice) Chamomile Passionflower Skullcap On my “no” list was: Valerian (which she told me is “like a benzo”) Shankar pushpi Ashwagandha Jatamamsi Kava kava I asked her to explain why ashwagandha was on the “no” list since it is a widely sold adaptogen supplement and is in the probiotic I take. She responded that it is addictive and causes cravings. I told her I’ve never felt effects from it to which she responded “good, so you won’t miss it” I tried to probe the subject further but she said “look, if your not willing to quit taking it, I probably can’t work with you”. I said I was fine to stop taking it I was just curious her reasoning behind it, since this is a supplement my PCP has reviewed and approved. She said that MD’s get no training in supplements unless they work specifically with substance abuse or similar. She said she knows this to be true because she went to medical school. I said ok and we moved on but I am left with a feeling of uneasiness. For some reason my gut told me this conversation was a red flag- but is that just my disease talking? Should I keep my mouth shut and continue following the guidance of someone who is much more experienced? She has nearly 30 years, has worked in the field, and has sponsored many. But when I ran this by a couple other women I’ve met in the program, they were just as confused as me. Any advice or opinions? submitted by /u/chinacatsunflow to r/alcoholicsanonymous [link] [comments]
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r/alcoholicsanonymous |
chinacatsunflow |
Dec 28, 2024 |
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What does Ashwagandha do for women?
Ashwagandha offers numerous health benefits for women, making it a valuable addition to their wellness routines. Here are some key benefits: Hormonal Balance: Ashwagandha can help balance hormones, which is particularly beneficial for women experiencing menstrual irregularities, menopause symptoms, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Improved Fertility: It may enhance female fertility by supporting hormonal balance and improving reproductive health. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: The adaptogenic properties of Ashwagandha help reduce stress and anxiety, promoting overall mental well-being and emotional stability. Enhanced Sleep Quality: Ashwagandha can improve sleep patterns and quality, making it helpful for women dealing with insomnia or sleep disturbances. Increased Energy and Vitality: It helps boost energy levels and combat fatigue, enhancing overall vitality and stamina. Cognitive Function and Memory: Ashwagandha supports better cognitive function, including improved memory and focus, which can be particularly beneficial for women facing cognitive challenges or high-stress environments. Immune System Support: It strengthens the immune system, making women more resilient to infections and illnesses. Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects: The herb’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help protect the body from cellular damage and inflammation, reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Sexual Health: Ashwagandha can enhance libido and sexual satisfaction, improving overall sexual health. Muscle Mass and Strength: For women engaging in physical fitness or athletic activities, Ashwagandha can help increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance. These benefits make Ashwagandha a versatile and beneficial supplement for women looking to improve various aspects of their health and well-being. submitted by /u/AutoModerator to r/ASHWAGANDHA [link] [comments]
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r/ASHWAGANDHA |
AutoModerator |
Jul 25, 2024 |
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The Complete Blueprint Protocol - Updated Easy to Follow Format
Hey guys, so I decided I wanted to try out the Blueprint Protocol for myself and measure my progress. Upon reviewing https://protocol.bryanjohnson.com/ , Bryan Johnson's YT Channel, Bryan's X account, and numerous podcasts and interviews, I realized there are some inconsistencies between what the official protocol states and what Bryan says or does. As many in this subreddit have pointed out, the official protocol page is long overdue for an update, so this is my attempt at compiling all available information and simplifying in a easy to follow format. I will try to update this as new information about his routine pops up. I hope this can be of use to somebody. This will be a Before Blueprint Stack Protocol. I might make another one with the Blueprint Stack if needed. Also please let me know if I missed something or if you have any suggestions. Notes: Bryan's diet is vegan by choice, not by necessity. He often recommends people adding meat and other animal foods to his diet. This diet is also what worked for him and along with his routine is what got him to a speed of aging slower than 99% of 20 year olds. Bryan uses other therapies apart from this protocol. Bryan has stated he does not expect nor suggest anyone to follow 100% of his protocol or routine. He hopes you can pull nuggets from this on what you want to do to improve your health and life. Disclaimer: This protocol is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Before Blueprint Stack Protocol: Morning Routine: 4:30 - 6:00 AM - Wake Up Naturally (no alarms) - Measure Body Temperature using a Braun Ear Thermometer - (Bryan's Avg Temp: 96°F, Most People Avg Temp: 98.7°F) Light Exposure using a UV Light at 10,000 LUX - For a few minutes to set Circadian rhythm (helps to "replace" the sun as their usually is very little sunlight in early mornings) Oral Care: First use a Waterpik, then Floss (Bryan recommends choosing a brand with a more thicker string), then Brush (Bryan recommends an electric toothbrush with soft brissles and a non-fluoride toothpaste. Also recommends waiting 30 minutes after a meal before brushing), then add 2 drops of Tree Oil to your mouth *some people prefer to dilute it with water first, swish, then rinse, then apply Coq10 gel, then use a Tongue Scraper. *Thanks to u/ZynosAT for pointing this out: Bryan has stopped rinsing with tea tree oil because the data showed it wasn’t necessary for his oral health. It may work for you, however (found in the description of his oral health video). Bryan also uses a mouthwash but only in situations where he will be in close proximity to other people. If you suffer from bruxism like Bryan does, he strongly recommends using a this device. Visit the Dentist every 6 months. Skin Care: Apply a Mineral Face Sunscreen (Protocol webpage shows Elta MD *confirmed to be his current sunscreen of choice via X, while his evening routine video shows Cerave AM) Take 2 pills: 10mg of Heme Iron and 250mg of Vitamin C (I could only find this part of the routine in This YT Video from Sep, 2023 where Bryan notes he was trying to get his Iron levels up) - Might be Temporary Measure weight, muscle, bone, BMI, fat, visceral fat, water, EDa and Heart Rate (Bryan uses a Withings Body Scale 5 Minute Blue Light Therapy (Bryan uses Celluma Pro) - Might be Experimental 10 Minute Meditation to get ready for the day Check Air Quality Inside and Outside (Bryan uses Air Visual Pro) Eye Care (Bryan Uses a iTear 100 for 30 seconds because of his Dry Eye and applies Eye Drops for cataract prevention - an electric toothbrush may work just as well as the iTear 100) - Personal for Bryan Drink Green Giant: 8 oz of water (240ml) + Spermidine (2 Tbsp Chlorella Powder) + 7.6g Amino Complex + 2.5g Creatine + 20g Collagen Peptides + 500mg Cocoa Flavanols + 1Tbsp Ceylon Cinnamon. (Note: Green Giant was discontinued from the protocol as of 10/23. More of a reorganization of where everything goes. Aminoacids aren't necessary anymore as protein intake is now adequate. Spermidine was added to the morning pills. Cocoa was added to Nutty Pudding. Collagen Peptides can be added to Nutty Pudding as well. And Bryan continues to take Creatine - now included in his Longevity Mix Product.) RIP Green Giant 10/23 Take about 40 pills/supplements: Acarbose 200 mg (Rx), Ashwagandha 600 m, Astaxanthin 12 m, B Complex .50 pill Mon & Thus (1/2 pill, twice a wk), Boron 2 m, BroccoMax 17.5mg, C 500mg, Ca-AKG 1 gram, Cocoa Flavanols 500 mg, CoQ10 100 mg, D-3 2,000 IU, DHEA 25 mg, E 67 mg, EPA/DHA/DPA 800 mg, Fisetin 200 mg, Garlic 2.4 g equivalent, Garlic 1.2 g (kyolic), Genistein 125 mg, Ginger Root 1.1 g, Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCL 1500 mg, Iodine as potassium iodide 125 mcg, K2-MK4 5 mg, K1 1.5 mg, K2 MK-7 600 mcg, Lithium 1 mg, Lycopene 10 mg, Lysine 1 g, Metformin ER 1,500 mg (Rx), Nicotinamide Riboside 375 mg , N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) 1,800 mg , Proferrin 10 mg, Turmeric 1 g, Taurine 2 g, Viviscal (male) (female) 1 pill, Zeaxanthin (20 mg Lutein, 4 mg Zeaxanthin) 3x/wk, Zinc 15 mg 6 Minute Red light Therapy for Hair Growth (Bryan uses a Capillus Pro) 30 Minutes of HRV Therapy for Stress Reduction (Bryan uses a Nurosym) - This is repeated in the evening routine Work on Lung Capacity (Looks like Bryan uses a MIR Spiro or a Airofit Pro) Workout Routine (45 - 60 Minutes, Every Day, 20+ Exercises): Workout Routine made for the purpose of slowing speed of aging. Training for Longevity Goals: Zone 1 (88 - 105 bpm): ~1 Hour per Week Zone 2-4 (106 - 159 bpm): ~ 4:30 Hours per Week Zone 5 (159+ bpm): ~ 1:30 - 2 Hours per Week Weight Training Incorporate ATG exercises High VO2 Max Do Routine (in order): Source *For posture correction exercises Bryan recommends starting off with 2-3 times per week at first and to be really careful *No breaks between exercises (think of it as a circuit) *Bryan also does some Hiking, Basketball and Tennis on weekends Backwards Sled (as a warmup and for knee health): 3-5 Minutes or 4 Laps (Bryan uses a weight of 95lbs or 45kg) Levator Scapula Shrug (for posture correction): 1 Set (Bryan uses 20lbs or 9kg) Suboccipital Stretch (for posture correction): 1 Set Tricep Extensions: 1 Set/25 reps *Hold for 1sec at the top (Bryan uses 10lbs or 4.5kg) Face Pulls: 1 Set/15 reps (Bryan uses bands) Butterfly Pulls: 1 Set/15 reps (Bryan uses bands) Band Pull Apart: 1 Set/15 reps External Rotation (for shoulder health): 1 Set/10 reps for each arm Hamstring Stretch (for flexibility): 1 Set of 30-60 seconds Back Extensions (for flexibility): 1 Set/25 reps *Focus on flexing the glutes (Bryan uses 45lbs or 20kg) Obliques (for flexibility): 1 Set/25 reps on each side *Touch knee when coming up Couch Stretch (for flexibility): Gradually work your way up to 1 Set of 60 seconds per leg *Advanced: lunge forward Kneeling Shin (for flexibility): 1 Set of 30 seconds Hip Flexor Stretch (for flexibility): 1 Set of 30 seconds for each side Leg Raises (core strength): 1 Set/50 reps Oblique Touches (core strength): 1 Set/50 reps Reverse Pushups: 1 Set/25 reps Seated Calf Raises: 3 Sets/25 reps (Bryan uses 90lbs or 40kg) Poliquin Step Up (ATG exercise): 3 Sets/10 reps on each side (Bryan uses 20lbs or 9kg in one hand) Slant Board Squats: 3 Sets/10 reps (Bryan uses 20lbs or 9kg on both hands) Split Squats (ATG exercise): 3 Sets/10 reps for each side (Bryan uses 20lbs or 9kg on both hands) Nordics: 1 Set/10 reps Reverse Nordics: 1 Set/10 reps Tib Raises: 1 Set/25 reps (Bryan uses 25lbs or 11kg) Isotib Ankle Rotations: 1 Set/25 reps for each leg (Bryan uses 10lbs or 4.5kg) Pull Ups: 1 Set/15 reps Chin Ups: 1 Set/15 reps Bicep Curls: 1 Set/15 reps (Bryan uses a 45lb/20kg bar with 10lbs/4.5kg to each side) 10 Minute HIIT for VO2 Max (only done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays): Choose either a bike, elliptical or rowing machine. You can also warm up on one and then do high intensity intervals on another. 7:00 - 8:00 AM (depending on time Bryan wakes up) - First Meal of the Day Eat Super Veggie: 150 grams cooked Black lentils, 250 grams Broccoli (head+stalk), 150 grams Cauliflower, 50 grams Shiitake or Maitake Mushrooms, 1 clove (a piece) Garlic, 3 grams Ginger Root, 1 Lime, 1 Tbsp Cumin, 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar, 1 Tbsp Hemp Seeds. After prep: 1 Tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. In his most recent video on diet, he is adding 50 grams of Carrots and 1 Avocado. Optional: Nusalt *All Organic Ingredients \"Super Veggie makes me suuper happy\" How to Prepare Notes: *Boil or steam your chopped ginger and garlic for a few minutes (until soft) BEFORE adding to the plate. Jamie does this in the same pot as the broccoli and cauliflower, which gives the vegetables a nice flavor. *"If you chop your broccoli and cauliflower and let it rest in room temperature open air, then it allows the enzyme in broccoli (myrosinase), which is activated when chopped, to convert more glucoraphanin into sulforaphane, thereby doubling its content! Sulforaphane is the strongest known anti-cancer compound known to us in our food! Same benefits apply for cauliflower" (YT Comment) *"One tip: In Japan, we steam the veggies instead of boiling them to retain as many nutrients as possible." (YT Comment) 8:00 - 9:00 AM (1 Hour after Super Veggie) - Second Meal of the Day Eat Nutty Pudding: 50-100 mL Macadamia Nut Milk or Almond Milk, 3 Tbsp ground macadamia nuts (20% off), 2 tsp of ground walnuts, 2 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 tsp of ground flaxseed (seed that is ground into flour), 1/4 brazil nut, 6 grams of cocoa powder, 1 tsp sunflower lecithin, 1/2 tsp ceylon cinnamon, 1/2 cup blueberries, raspberries or strawberries (your choice), 3 cherries, 2 oz pomegranate juice. *Bryan supposedly consumes 1 Tbsp of EVOO with every meal, so he might be adding it to the nutty pudding mix or taking it directly, before consuming nutty pudding. Edit: He confirmed he likes it stirred in. \"The saddest moment of my day is the last bite of nutty pudding\" How to Prepare *video forgot to include cocoa powder in recipe 10:00 - finish by 11:00 AM (~ 2 Hours after Nutty Pudding) - Third Meal of the Day Eat 3rd Meal: For this 3rd Meal, Bryan presents various options that vary and consist of mostly vegetables, nuts, seeds, berries and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You can change these each day. See here. Stuffed Sweet Potato Take these pills/supplements: Acarbose 200 mg (Rx), BroccoMax 17.5mg, Ca-AKG 1 G, Cocoa Flavanols 500 mg, Garlic 2.4 g equivalent, Garlic 1.2 g (kyolic), Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCL 1,500 mg, Hyaluronic Acid 300 mg, L-Lysine 1g, L-Tyrosine 500 mg, Metformin ER 500 mg (Rx), N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) 1,800 mg, NR 375 mg OR NMN 500 mg, Taurine 1 g, Turmeric 1 g, Viviscal (men) (women) 1 pill *Bryan also takes the following: Rapamycin (Rx) wk 1: 13 mg wk 2: 9 mg wk 3: 13 mg wk 4: 9 mg, 17α-E2, 8 mg wk transdermal, B12 methylcobalamin 1x/wk. Although it is not properly specified at which time during the day. *A note on EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) which Bryan takes 3 Tbsp (1 with each meal) daily or 45ml. Edit: Thanks to u/LzzyHalesLegs for finding this, seems that Bryan in this YT Short says he takes 1.5 Tbsp per day or 22ml. But in his most recent video on diet, he still mentions 1 Tbsp per meal. Will update when this is clarified. These are the criteria Bryan's team suggest when buying EVOO: \"Better than resveratrol, NR, cold plunge, sauna and your favorite podcast\" Cold pressed High polyphenol count (over 400 mg/kg) -Blueprint EVOO has 523.4 mg/kg total biophenols (HPLC) High Oleic acid count (over 67%) • Blueprint EVOO (May Harvest 2023) has 72.26% oleic acid Harvest Date • Where possible, try to find EVOO with a recent harvest date. This lets you know when the olives were picked. • The fresher the olives, the more nutrients they’ll have. UV protectant bottle Third-Party Tested • Every single batch of oil needs to be quality tested by a trustworthy third party, so you know that it is what it says on the bottle. *A note on Green Tea/Coffee: Bryan has previously stated, in particular in this video, that he takes up to 5 cups of Green Tea per day. A closer look at his pantry reveal in this video, reveals he takes Yogi's Green Tea Super Antioxidant. In this video, he states he doesn't drink coffee, instead drinks a few cups of green tea per day, totalling 60mg of caffeine per day, which would amount to 4 Tea Bags of Yogi's Green Tea. Keep in mind, these are somewhat older videos, and recently there has not been any talk about Green Tea from Bryan nor in the offical protocol website. We do know, that Bryan doesnt like drinking coffee, as sleep is his coffee. *A note on fasting and calories: Bryan does 18/6 intermittent fasting, meaning he fasts for 18 hours and only eats in a 6 hour time frame. He has stated that the science of fasting is "not there yet", but he found that when he finishes eating ~8-10 hours prior to sleeping, he gets his best sleep. So the reasoning behind his short very early eating window is mostly for sleep quality. Bryan's total daily calories amounts to ~2,250, which aproximates to a 10% Caloric Restriction. Essentially he is burning more than he consumes. This is NOT ideal for building or sustaining muscle and lowers testosterone, so he has mentioned he supplements testosterone with patches to stay in the normal levels. Edit: He USED TO supplement with testosterone when he was consuming 1950 calories which was 21% Caloric restriction. Now, since he increased his calories to ~2,250, he is no longer taking testosterone. Afternoon Routine: 12:00 - 6:00 PM - Work, Treatments, Travel Time *Not much is shown about Bryan's Afternoon routine. We know he mostly travels to work outside of home, (except for when outdoor air quality is very low), is constantly thinking about keeping excellent posture, some days gets new treatments, on weekends enjoys hiking and other activities with his son and friends, and tries to minimize sun exposure. Stop drinking liquids by 1PM Edit: For further clarification, Bryan does this to get the maximum sleep quality and not be woken up because of the urge to pee. Bryan has tested with various hours and this is what gets the best results (100% sleep). Your time can be different. Evening Routine: 6:30 PM - Arrive Home Switch shoes: Bryan has outdoor shoes and indoor shoes for hygiene. Take Thyroid Medicine: 112 mcg Levothyroxine, 60 mg Armour Thyroid (Bryan was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at age 21). - Personal for Bryan Take Aspirin: 81 mg 3x wk 30 Minutes of HRV Therapy for Stress Reduction (Bryan uses a Nurosym) Theta Waves for HRV Therapy and Improved Sleep (Bryan uses this Free Youtube Video and puts it on speaker) - Experimental, showes promising short-term results in sleep quality Eye Care (Bryan uses a iTear 100 for 30 seconds because of his Dry Eye) - Personal for Bryan 60 minutes of Audio Cardio for ear health: stimulation within 4,000Hertz and 12,000Hertz (Bryan uses Skullcandy Headphones without Noise Cancellation) - Experimental, not yet proven Work on Lung Capacity (Looks like Bryan uses a MIR Spiro or a Airofit Pro) Skin Care: Apply Facial Cleanser and then Moisturizer (Protocal webpage shows he uses Vanicream Cleanser and Moisturizer, but in his evening routine video he shows Cerave Cleanser and Cerave PM Moisturizer). Then apply a Peptide Serum (couldn't find the exact brand/product). Also apply Tretinoin .1% (couldn't find exact brand). *Bryan does a lot of interventions for his skin, primarily involving lasers, these are what make most of the difference in his skin. Oral Care: First use a Waterpik, then Floss (Bryan recommends choosing a brand with a more thicker string), then Brush (Bryan recommends an electric toothbrush with soft brissles and a non-fluoride toothpaste. Also recommends waiting 30 minutes after a meal before brushing), then add 2 drops of Tree Oil to your mouth *some people prefer to dilute it with water first, swish, then rinse, then apply Coq10 gel, then use a Tongue Scraper. Bryan also uses a mouthwash but only in situations where he will be in close proximity to other people. If you suffer from bruxism like Bryan does, he strongly recommends using a this device. Visit the Dentist every 6 months. Video Demonstration *Bryan applies a Hair concoction to reverse gray hair and a Testosterone patch of 2ml 7:00PM - Wind Down Period (get into sleep mode) *Bryan likes to hang out with son, read, talk, etc. *Avoid screens or anything that gets you stressed. Avoid alcohol and stimulants. Avoid Blue Light (use blue light blocking glasses and Blue Light Blocking features on devices if you are looking at screens). Take 300 mcg Melatonin (no liquid) 10 Minutes of Pulsetto or Sensate to relieve stress before going to bed 8:30 PM (non-negotiable) - Sleep \"Sleep deprivation makes hard things feel impossible. High quality sleep makes seemingly impossible things doable.\" Sleep environment: Blacked out room, Very quiet, Room Temperature not too hot or too cold, Bed Temperature controlled bed using 8Sleep (Bryan has it set at 71° - 73° F, for deep and rem sleep), grounded sheets, ergonomic pillow (Bryan uses a ZAMAT Memory Foam, 2 air filters. No work or other activities done in the sleep room. Consider sleeping alone. Use a sleep tracking device to gather data (Bryan uses a Whoop). Sleep position: side sleeping to improve blood flow to brain, ergonomic pillow for head, pillow between knees. Sleep time: 8 - 8:30 Hours End of Protocol submitted by /u/TheBestRed1 to r/blueprint_ [link] [comments]
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r/blueprint_ |
TheBestRed1 |
Jun 11, 2024 |
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Discovering Ashwagandha: Nature’s Secret Weapon for Women’s Wellness
Ever come upon a hidden gem that’s been quietly creating waves in the wellness industry but is still mostly unknown to most people? It’s about time we have a conversation about this because I have insider information about a treasure that has been the talk of the knowledgeable. This is not another health fad — I’m talking about ashwagandha, an incredible herb. This small miracle has great benefits and is deeply rooted in Ayurvedic history. It is especially beneficial for women. https://preview.redd.it/3l8iovm4u9lc1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=5238c61c267ff0bce69fe8a3574ce5188d6d329c Now, before you roll your eyes at the mention of another “miracle” herb, hear me out. Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera as the science buffs call it, is not your run-of-the-mill supplement. This unassuming shrub, with its dainty yellow flowers, is a veritable force of nature, known for its stress-busting, energy-boosting, and hormone-balancing prowess. And who couldn’t use a bit of that in their life, right? For the ladies among us, though, this is where things get interesting. Ashwagandha does more for you than just help you feel less stressed and have more energy. Whoa, it has some tricks up its sleeve only for the women. It can help with everything from menstruation problems to menopausal symptoms, and it may even increase fertility. Imagine a natural ally that assists in calming the hormone rollercoasters that we are all too acquainted with. It does sound fairly delicious, doesn’t it? And let’s not forget about its contributions to beauty and overall well-being. From giving your skin and hair that sought-after glow and vitality to supporting your bones’ health, Ashwagandha seems to tick all the boxes. It’s like having your wellness coach, wrapped up in a little green package. Now, I know what you’re thinking. “This all sounds great, but is it too good to be true?” It’s a fair question, and I’m all for a healthy dose of scepticism. But here’s the kicker — the benefits of Ashwagandha aren’t just old wives’ tales. They’re backed by science, with studies to support the claims. So, while it might sound like a magic bullet, there’s genuine research behind the buzz. But, as with anything, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Ashwagandha, while a boon for many, isn’t suitable for everyone. It’s important to be aware of potential side effects and to consider your own health needs and conditions. Always a good idea to have a yarn with your healthcare provider before jumping on the Ashwagandha bandwagon, just to be on the safe side. So, how much of this wonder herb should you take, and how can you be sure that you’re taking the appropriate amount? That’s where things get intimate on the voyage. Although there isn’t a single solution that works for everyone, it’s a good idea to start small and pay attention to your body. Since every one of us is different, what works perfectly for one person may not be the right fit for another. Intrigued? I thought you might be. Ashwagandha is more than just a supplement; it’s a pathway to balancing our hectic lives with a touch of nature’s magic. Whether you’re already on the Ashwagandha train or just considering buying a ticket, there’s no denying the potential this humble herb has to transform our approach to health and wellness. So, why keep this little secret to ourselves? Let’s spread the word and get the conversation going. Share your thoughts, and experiences about “What Is Ashwagandha Good For Woman Power Facts; 8 Of The Best” and let’s dive deeper into the world of wellness together. After all, sharing is caring, and when it comes to our health, there’s nothing better than discovering new ways to thrive, naturally. submitted by /u/DetoxAndCure to u/DetoxAndCure [link] [comments]
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Reddit |
DetoxAndCure |
Feb 28, 2024 |
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A warning for DIY-ers
I was just made aware of this product advertised as a "natural estrogen alternative" called "I can't believe it's not estrogen!" made by a company called Estrolabs. Do NOT buy this product, it's main ingredient is ashwagandha which is known and used to boost Testosterone levels in people who naturally produce a lot of testosterone. This has the exact opposite effect as advertised. Not only is it a scummy thing to advertise as a supplement that could boost estrogen but does the opposite, but it is being marketed as an alternative for transwomen's medication is downright false advertising. I know DIY is the only choice for a lot of women around the world, but please be safe and do your own research. And whatever you do, do NOT buy this product. submitted by /u/LightningNinja2 to r/MtF [link] [comments]
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r/MtF |
LightningNinja2 |
Jun 8, 2023 |
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Part 6 - Cultivating Sexual Energy with Herbs
An interesting thing happens when we first start building up our sexual energy - the world becomes juicy. Things go hi-definition, things seem to pop and glow on their own. Music becomes richer, the air feels crisper, emotions are deeper - we feel more alive. And the women, goddamn.. The best analogy I can give is the difference in the way food tastes when you're not so hungry vs when you're starving. It's the same meal, but it tastes so much better. A similar principle is at play for me every time I looked at the female form - same girls but damn do they become more attractive. My whole life, and all of my senses, upgrade by a solid 15-20% when I build up this sexual energy. The ladies, much to my surprise, seemed to notice this increase in sexual energy as well. I was getting much more attention than usual. Tons of glances from random girls. My female friends were much more cuddly - fine by me. Being a bartender, I got much more attention and tips from the female patrons. You guys are all familiar with this effect - we just exude this sexual charisma. Now I could rationalize this in all sorts of ways - it was the Baader-Meinhoff effect, or pheromones, or maybe my testosterone had somehow increased leading to me having better posture, confidence and charisma. Maybe. But it didn't account for girls I hadn't seen or spoken to in months suddenly sliding into my DMs. It was like I was just broadcasting this sexual energy throughout the cosmos. Life was good, my friends. The thing is, back then I wasn't practicing strict semen retention, I had merely cut back. I was building this powerful sexual energy through consuming certain herbs, and damn were they potent. The Connection We know how all of this stuff works. How increasing one's Jing via semen retention leads to an increase in Qi within the body, creating a magnetic aura. Being in such a high energy state is simply attractive - people want to be around you because you literally radiate energy. And if you practice meditation and have strong positive vibes, all the more attractive. Part 3 went into detail on what our auras actually are, on how to strengthen them and how to make them particularly magnetic. This post is about how to make our auras much more palpable. There are three effects at work when it comes to energetic attraction, the first two of which we've already covered - People with less energy are attracted to those of with ample amounts of energy - this is why people and even animals and puppies get attracted us while retaining - we have a strong aura, and that feels good for others to be around. This is also the principle behind people following obviously dangerous cult leaders - the cult leaders just have strong auras. Because of this energetic principle, we on the semen retention path naturally attract others. People are attracted to those with very high frequency energy. Someone who is genuinely loving, caring, giving and nice is welcome anywhere, and people are sad to see them go. Lift others up, even if with just your presence, and you'll be in high demand. Someone with lots of Shen is like this - they may not even have abundant sexual energy, so their aura may not be super strong, but the energy they give off is so positive that people love to be around them. In terms of sexual attraciton, yang attracts yin, and yin attracts yang. We haven't touched on this yet, but this is the sexual attraction we experience when we retain. This is exactly the same as the negative and positive polarities of a magnet attracting one another. As men, we generally have more yang energy, and women naturally have more yin. So when we retain, not only do we build up the energy of Jing, Qi and Shen, but because we're men, we also build up yang energy. This can enhance our attractiveness to those who are more yin in nature. Yin, Yang and Sexual Attraction Yin and yang are two opposite but complementary forces within all of us and all of creation. We've all seen the yin yang symbol - within the yin is a kernel of yang, and within yang, a kernel of yin. They are two different parts in the same cycle of energy. Yin energy is naturally cooling, receptive, yielding and contractive. It is the part of the cycle in which energy is assimilated and stored. Yang energy is naturally warming, dynamic, expressive, expansive. It is the part of the cycle in which energy is used up and expressed for a certain purpose. Women are generally more yin in nature. They receive sperm, and then assimilate all the energy needed to grow that baby within them. They generally are the ones waiting for the man to come approach them, although this has a societal aspect to it as well. Women are generally more cautious and less likely to take risks. They are more caring and nurturing. In tribal societies, women usually gathered food and stayed in the village, nurturing the young. Men are generally more yang in nature. We shoot forth our frothy, funky foam into the female. We generally are the ones to approach the woman in a social situation. There's a reason men are more likely to die young, because we are prone to doing stupid shit - we have more yang energy than we know what to do with. We are generally more aggressive, both in terms of going after what we want and in terms of physical aggression. In tribal societies, we were the ones going out and hunting game. Do understand that some women can be extremely yang in nature, and some men are extremely yin in nature. So why do we seem to magically attract the ladies when we begin a semen retention practice? Why do other guys seem to suddenly respect us so much more? Not only do we have an abundance of high vibration energy, but that energy is extremely yang in nature. And we can enhance this energy even further with the right supplemental herbs. Yin and Yang Herbs Remember above how I said yin is the part of cycle where energy is stored and assimilated, and yang is the release and expression of this energy? This means that, especially in the beginning, you want to be focused more on building yinJing, setting up a solid foundation for when you take more yang herbs. When we retain semen, we are inherently increasing our yang energy. It increases testosterone and dopamine, two very yang substances, and decreases prolactin, a very yin substance. This naturally makes us feel quite amazing - that's yang Jing at work. By using yin herbs, we build a bigger foundation or capacity for even more yang energy. Yin is the ground out of which yang energy can do its thing. Yin herbs aren't estrogenic, they don't increase prolactin or oxytocin, and they won't make you girly. They simply build up sexual fluids and deep, restorative energy - yang herbs get all that energy heated up and moving around, so we can more easily express it. These herbs are the fastest way to cultivate sexual energy, other than having tantric sex, which most of us just aren't ready for. Going back to the leaky bucket analogy, semen retention increases our sexual energy, our Jing, by plugging up our biggest leak; yoga, breathing exercises and visualizations, herbs and tantric sex directly increase this energy, turning the faucet all the way up. The Easiest Sexual Energy Hack Jing-boosting herbs help bolster our hormone and neurotransmitter levels, improve our fertility, increase sperm health and sperm count, enhance blood flow and circulation, and are great for the immune system. They're anti-aging, and many are powerful cognitive enhancers. For all those that doubt that these herbs can have any effect on this practice, reread that last paragraph - they increase sperm health and sperm count. Pretty key considering this whole sub is based off of retaining semen. More semen = more sexual energy. That said, the more powerful yang herbs are also extremely potent aphrodisiacs, so if you're already struggling everyday with temptation, leave these for later. To get the most out of these herbs, you need to have a strong digestive system and balanced endocrine system. If your digestive system is weak, you won't be able to absorb some of these compounds. In fact, Daniel Reid devotes a whole chapter in The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity to improving the digestive system. So step one is to make sure your digestive system is cleaned out and working in tip top shape. Next, if your hormones and neurotransmitters are all out of whack, these herbs won't be able to work their magic, because they work directly with the endocrine system, with your hormones and neurotransmitters. It will take forever to see results if you're constantly in fight or flight mode, your body dumping out loads of adrenaline and cortisol every day. It's important to note that because they work with your endocrine system, they also take time to fully kick in. These aren't extracted synthetic chemicals, they are tonic in nature - they need some time to build up in the system. Some of them you may notice in a few days, but many take a few weeks. The best way to purify the digestive tract is simply by doing a few fasts - a couple 2-3 day green juice fasts would be sufficient. If fasting just won't work in your schedule, I suggest eating lots of fiber and tons of greens for a week or two. Things that heal the digestive tract, such as homemade bone broth, collagen, marshmallow root or colostrum (which is a potent Jing-boosting substance!) are of great help here too. The best way to get your nervous and endocrine systems in good order is to just practice de-stressing. If you've cut back on stimulants, social media and gaming, and have been doing yoga and meditation like advised, and get ample, high-quality sleep, you should be good to go. Quick Warning Some of these yang herbs are insanely potent. Those of us with months, even years of retention under our belts still need to be careful, cuz these things increase our sexual energy and libido to insane heights. There is a high likelihood of you spilling your seed if you try to start off with the more potent tonics. Remember being a teenager and sporting a chub all day long, ogling over every pubescent pair of tits you saw? It's this, and then some. I have tried more than a few formulas that started off with me feeling great and getting all sorts of attention from the ladies, but that quickly left me surrounded by empty bottles of Jergens, dick chafed, utterly defeated. Some of these herbs you're going to learn about will kick your ass if you're not careful, but they can also be a boon if you slip up - you'll be able to gain your sexual energy back much faster, but again, focus on the more yin herbs. I have a very potent damage control formula just in case I slip up, or in case I ever plan to release with a lady. In all things, we seek balance, and especially so here. Yang herbs are a ton of fun, but they must be preceded by and balanced with yin herbs. On to the good stuff, boys. Getting Started Keep in mind that you get what you pay for with these herbs. Cheap herbs are absolute crap and since the majority of this stuff comes from China, you run the risk of getting contaminated product. These herbs also must be taken on an empty stomach - first thing after waking up or a couple hours after meals. My preferred brands are listed on my website, no affiliation with those companies. Schisandra - builds Jing, increases sperm count, and has the special property of "locking in" Jing This herb should be the cornerstone of your Jing-building protocol. It actually increases all Three Treasures, Jing, Qi and Shen, and is one of only a handful of herbs to do so. It is slightly yin, but most importantly for us, it has an astringent quality that "locks in" Jing. Its astringent quality helps conserve fluids, and in the case of schisandra, this means it helps conserve semen, combating wet dreams and other leakages. When/if you start practicing tantric sex, this herb will be an essential part of that practice. Schisandra is said to vastly increase the "Water Qi in the sexual organs." Increasing "water Qi in the sexual organs" means exactly what you think - it increases sperm production in men and vaginal secretions in women. More than one study points to this fact, with another summarizing that schisandra "promotes spermatogenesis by upregulating abnormal sex hormones and decreasing proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6; TNF-α)." It has a bevy of other benefits as well, helping improve deep sleep, detoxifying the liver, improving skin quality, and because it is an adaptogen, it helps reduce fatigue and keep it at bay. This is the cornerstone of my Jing-building routine, and in fact, many Qi Gong practitioners start with taking 10 grams of this herb for 100 consecutive days to build a strong base of Jing and Qi. Why stop at 100 days? Edit - u/thousanddragonboy brought up a good question about “10 grams a day for 100 days” - that is of traditional preparation with actual schisandra berries. The products I listed are concentrated extracts so it would be more like quarter- to half-teaspoon of powder, or 3-6 droppers of liquid extract. Good looks buddy Does not need to be cycled. Goji berries - delicious tasting yin-Jing snack Some of you guys may already be familiar with goji berries - these bright red berries are often found in health food stores in dried, raisin-like form. They have a long history of use as a sexual tonic in China, where they're revered for their anti-aging, beauty-promoting, immune- and Jing-boosting effects. They improve liver function, as well as decrease depression and anxiety. They're also delicious and simple to snack on. Goji berries improve semen quality, have protective effects on cryogenically frozen sperm, and they improve the functioning of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal system, enhancing the body's own production of sperm and sex hormones. One study concluded, "Our results suggested that LBP reduced glucose levels and insulin resistance, increased testosterone levels and insulin sensitivity, and decreased testicular oxidative stress and pathological damage in obese mice... Our results show that LBP is a potential novel drug for preventing male infertility" LBP stands for lycium barbarum polysaccharides - the main active constituents within goji berries. Does not need to be cycled. Ashwagandha - builds Jing, is mildly yang, and lowers levels of cortisol, a major Jing-leaking hormone Ashwagandha actually comes to us from Ayurveda, India's traditional system of healing. Within Ayurveda, it is considered an Ojas rasayana - rasayana meaning a rejuvenative. It's sometimes called Indian ginseng. Ashwagandha improves thyroid and testosterone levels, making it slightly yang in nature. Many people notice a slight increase in sex drive, but not anything overpowering. Very suitable for us in the beginning stages of semen retention. Like most Jing-building herbs, it increases spermatogenesis, improves hormone levels and boosts cognition. Its best attribute for us on the semen retention path? It's one of the few proven herbs to lower cortisol, a stress hormone that is a huge leak of Jing. Most of us are chronically stressed out and it shows. We try to make up for our lack of energy (which is caused by stress) by overusing stimulants, further draining our bodies - we in this sub are well aware of this vicious cycle. Ashwagandha is so powerful for us because it helps bring cortisol, our primary stress hormone, back into a normal range. This would give anyone an advantage in today's world, but for the gang on the retain train? Stress is the biggest waste of Jing other than emission, and this herb shuts stress right down. Now we're not only retaining semen, but cutting down on stress with ashwagandha and then further locking in our sexual energy with schisandra. Amazing. Ashwagandha also boosts levels of the calming neurotransmitter GABA so it's great for anxiety, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which helps to heal damaged neurons and help us to grow new connections within the brain. Ashwa has a ton of other benefits too, as listed in the previous study linked. Should be cycled, both for effectiveness and because of interactions with the thyroid. 1-2 months on, 2-4 weeks off. Important note - it is not uncommon for people to experience anhedonia, or a lack of motivation and pleasure, from this herb, which is likely due to lowering cortisol too much. I've never experienced this, but keep it in mind if you're taking it. In fact, I'd only consider using it regularly during periods of higher stress. Cistanche - improves male hormones, increases dopamine, steroids for the brain, may enlarge the male appendage This is possibly my favorite yang herb. Cistanche is a flowering herb found in the desert plateaus of Mongolia - in fact it's said that cistanche was consumed daily by Genghis Khan, who, as we all know, did a whole lotta fuckin. It's commonly referred to as "the stalk enlarger" (hint, hint) in China, and in The Essence of Medical Prescriptions, a tenth century medical text, cistanche was found in 80% of the formulas used to help male impotence and infertility. It improves blood flow and enhances erection quality. One study found that cistanche increased sperm count and sperm motility, nearly tripling sperm count! It concluded "serum level of progesterone and testosterone in rats was also increased by CTE administration… Our results suggest that the increase in sex hormone levels could be mediated by the induction of testicular steroidogenic enzymes.” Multiple studies show it enhances cognition via increases in BDNF, glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and nerve growth factor. It’s basically steroids for your brain. Two companies joined forces with Peking University to study Cistanche, with many interesting results. They found that cistanche increases the body’s production of SOD (one of our most powerful endogenous antioxidants), improves the plumpness and appearance of the skin, increases amounts of neurotransmitters (like dopamine), improves learning and memory, and (shocker!) is a potent aphrodisiac. The great thing about cistanche is that while it's a potent herb, it shouldn't be so strong as to set us off the rails. Safe to consume regularly. If using for libido-boosting effects, cycle - 1-3 months on, 2-4 weeks off. Polygala - anti-depressant, increases will power, directly transmutes sexual energy Now this herb actually doesn't help increase Jing at all, but it's a powerful tool in our toolbox all the same. Polygala is one of the most powerful Shen tonics available, and is known as the "will strengthener" within Traditional Chinese Medicine. Ancient Taoists said that if there was a fourth treasure, it was will power, or Zhi. Polygala is said to directly increase one's will power, a very crucial thing for us on the semen retention path. Polygala opens up the Penetrating Vessel, the energy channel in the body that runs up the spine, from the base chakra and sexual organs up to the crown of the head and the brain. This is the very channel that sexual energy gets sublimated into, and is why we practice alternate nostril and spinal breathing. Polygala also directly connects the energy of the lower chakras to that of the heart chakra, or connects the "Kidney" to the "Heart". Within TCM, the Kidney is the seat of Jing, of sexual energy, with the Heart being the seat of Shen. So polygala directly sublimates Jing into Shen, sexual energy into its higher form - love - and that frequency of love saturates our auras. Polygala is also a potent anti-depressant, with the constituent Yuanzhi-1 increasing dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine twice as effectively as the prescription anti-depressant Cymbalta. It increases neuroplasticity, increasing both BDNF and nerve growth factor within the brain. A 2014 study comments on its effectiveness as an anti-depressant herb and on its ability to abolish anhedonia, aka our utter lack of motivation to get anything done. It's also one of the few herbal remedies that most people notice almost instantly, providing a nice mood lift and a smooth supply of energy. Definitely should be cycled, especially if using the extract recommended on my site. 1-2 months on, 1 month off. Summed Up We in this community are well aware of the enormous potential just waiting to be tapped into by every man, if he could just learn to retain his seed. This is how we begin to reclaim our manhood. Using [these herbs](www.artofsemenretention.com/herbs) takes the practice of building this deep, sexual energy to the next level. Recommended reading - The Tao of Health, Sex and Longevity by Daniel P. Reid The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs by Ron Teeguarden Intro to Tonic Herbalism - great link for info on all of this submitted by /u/Fusion_Health to r/Semenretention [link] [comments]
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r/Semenretention |
Fusion_Health |
Oct 22, 2020 |