Send us Fan Mail About 90% of your serotonin, the chemical most people associate with happiness, is not made in your brain. It is made in your gut. In this conversation, Dr. Shawn Talbott, PsychoNutritionist and founder of 3 Waves Wellness, sits down with host Yusuf to explain why the place that processes your lunch is also, in a very real way, processing your emotions. You will hear how the gut-brain axis works in plain language, the everyday signs that your two brains have stopped talking to each other (tired in the day, wired at night), what modern food and chronic stress are quietly doing to your microbiome, and where supplements honestly fit alongside a whole-food approach. Grounded, practical, and the kind of episode that changes how you look at your next meal. About the Guest: Dr. Shawn Talbott is a nutritional biochemist with a PhD from Rutgers and an executive master's in entrepreneurship from MIT, and a self-described PsychoNutritionist who integrates nutrition, biochemistry, and psychology. He has authored multiple academic textbooks and best-selling books including Mental Fitness, developed nutraceuticals that have generated over a billion dollars in global sales, and is a multi-time Ironman triathlete and ultramarathoner. He runs the 3 Waves Wellness Center in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he trains Certified Mental Wellness Coaches in the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Key Takeaways: Your gut is your second brain. Around 90% of serotonin, 70% of dopamine, 80% of melatonin, and a large share of GABA and oxytocin are produced in the gut, not the head. Neurotransmitters are simply signals. When the signals are balanced, you feel good. When they are out of balance, you feel low, unmotivated, or anxious, and that is biochemistry, not personal failure. Modern food and chronic stress imbalance the system. Highly processed, low-fibre diets starve helpful bacteria, and chronic stress quietly grows the harmful ones, creating a feedback loop that drags mood down. Tired in the day and wired at night is a hallmark sign. If you cannot find energy in the morning but cannot wind down at night, your gut-brain conversation likely needs attention. Modern problems often need old-fashioned solutions. Eating more like your grandmother did, more whole foods, fibre, fermented foods, and colourful flavonoid-rich produce, solves much of what supplements alone cannot. Supplements have a place, but only if they are evidence-based. Look for companies that name their strains, share the research, and treat supplements as a way to help you feel well enough to make better lifestyle choices, not a shortcut around them. Connect With the Guest: Website: https://3waveswellness.com Personal site: https://doctalbott.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doctalbott/ Episode Chapters: [00:00] The Surprising Fact: 90% of Your Serotonin Is Made in Your Gut [05:00] Welcome and Why Your Gut Is Your Second Brain [07:00] Neurotransmitters Explained in Plain Language [09:00] How Modern Food and Chronic Stress Imbalance the Gut [11:30] Tired in the Day, Wired at Night: The Signs to Watch For [14:00] Modern Problems, Old-Fashioned Solutions [15:00] The Hype Around Gut Health and What People Get Wrong [18:30] Food First, Supplements Second [20:00] How to Sustain Microbiome Habits in a Real, Busy Life [23:30] How to Connect With Dr. Shawn and 3 Waves Wellness Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life? DM on PM - Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Disclaimer: This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. 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Healthy Mind By Avik™ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic, it's become a sanctuary for healing, growth, and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty, storyteller, survivor, and wellness advocate. With over 6500+ episodes and 200K+ global listeners, we unite voices, break stigma, and build a world where every story matters. Subscribe and be part of this healing journey. 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The Network does not verify or endorse guest statements. Nothing here is medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional. Engage critically. Third-party content referenced under fair use. Guests are responsible for their own statements. Concerns? Contact us | Full disclaimer. By listening, you accept this disclaimer in full.
