Nina’s Notes Podcast

Nina Patrick
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Technology
  • Updated Weekly

A weekly, non-technical podcast on health, longevity & psychedelics. www.ninasnotes.xyz

  1. #182: 🎙️ What Menopause REALLY Does to the Female Brain with Nahid Zokaei

    May 20

    #182: 🎙️ What Menopause REALLY Does to the Female Brain with Nahid Zokaei

    This week on the Nina’s Notes Podcast, I sit down with Nahid Zoukaei, an Oxford researcher, cognitive neuroscientist, and founder of Cerebella, to explore why menopause may be one of the most overlooked neurological transitions in a woman’s life. We talk about the connection between menopause, brain fog, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s risk, why women are often dismissed when reporting cognitive symptoms, and how hormonal changes can directly affect the brain during midlife. Dr. Zoukaei also shares the science behind estrogen and brain health, the future of non-drug cognitive therapies, and what women can do today to better protect their long-term cognitive health. KEY TOPICS: * How hormonal changes during midlife affect memory, focus, mood, and cognition. * Why menopause-related brain fog is a real neurological symptom, not “just stress.” * Exploring why women make up the majority of Alzheimer’s patients. * How estrogen supports memory, cognition, and overall brain function. * Why women’s midlife health has been historically overlooked in science and healthcare. * How non-drug cognitive interventions may help support women’s brain health. * The importance of sleep, exercise, hearing health, and staying mentally active during midlife. TIMESTAMPS: * 00:00 – Why 60% of Alzheimer’s Patients Are Women * 00:39 – Leaving Academia to Build a Women’s Brain Health Startup * 05:13 – The Menopause–Alzheimer’s Link Explained * 06:27 – Understanding Menopause and Brain Health * 13:55 – Brain Fog Is Not Taken Seriously And What Brain Fog REALLY Means * 17:36 – Women Are Being Gaslit About Menopause Symptoms * 19:18 – Menopause as a Window to Prevent Alzheimer’s * 23:34 – Why Most Brain Training Apps Don’t Work * 29:06 – Building Brain Games for Women in Midlife * 35:11 – Early Symptoms Women Should NEVER Ignore * 38:35 – Why Women’s Health Research Is So Behind * 42:11 – What Women Can Do TODAY for Better Brain Health * 45:41 – Why So Many Women Quit Their Jobs During Menopause * 47:21 – The Worst Advice Doctors Give Women ABOUT NAHID ZOUKAEI: Nahid Zoukaei is a cognitive neuroscientist, Oxford researcher, and Founder of Cerebella, is focused on advancing women’s brain health through science-backed digital therapeutics and non-drug cognitive interventions. After more than a decade researching dementia, cognition, and aging, she now works at the intersection of neuroscience, menopause, and Alzheimer’s prevention helping redefine how women’s cognitive health is understood and supported during midlife. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website: https://www.cerebella.health/ WhatApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/H5tNvI5LPAE4OmOOeBrHc1 Professor Aimee Spector’s Lab: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/1239-aimee-spectorNahid Zoukaei Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nahid-zokaei-b3795563/ ABOUT NINA’S NOTES: Nina’s Notes explores the intersection of longevity science, neuroscience, and human optimization. Hosted by Nina Patrick, PhD in pharmaceutical sciences and longevity researcher, each episode translates cutting-edge research into actionable insights for living longer, better. CONNECT WITH NINA’S NOTES Newsletter: https://www.ninasnotes.xyz LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz Thanks for reading Nina’s Notes! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    53 min

  2. May 6

    #180: 🎙️ She Reversed Her Biological Age with Katrin Dreissigacker

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Katrin Dreissigacker, a plastic surgeon turned longevity architect and founder of Epigenedit, to explore why hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be one of the most overlooked tools in longevity science. We talk about her journey from a small village in East Germany to becoming known as the “Queen of Needles,” how she reversed markers of biological aging, improved her VO2 max in midlife, and why oxygen, mitochondria, skin health, resilience, and reinvention are all deeply connected. Key Topics: * Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and its role in longevity * Innovations in aesthetic medicine and needling techniques * The impact of oxygen saturation on aging and skin health * Biomarkers of aging and how hyperbaric oxygen influences them * The use of peptides and biohacking for healthspan extension Timestamps: * 00:00 – Reversing Biological Age? The Power of Oxygen * 00:30 – From East Germany to Elite Medicine * 02:30 – Why She Chose Medicine (Unexpected Path) * 02:57 – What Is Aesthetic Medicine (Beyond Vanity) * 05:14 – “Queen of Needles” & Revolutionizing Fillers * 08:46 – First Encounter with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy * 11:24 – From Pandemic to Longevity Innovation * 12:43 – Why She Built Her Own HBOT Chamber * 16:22 – Can HBOT Really Improve VO2 Max? * 18:02 – How HBOT Actually Works (Simple Explanation) * 20:11 – Mild vs Medical HBOT: What’s the Difference? * 21:23 – What It Improves: Sleep, Recovery & Aging * 24:00 – How Often Should You Do HBOT? * 26:17 – Risks, Side Effects & Common Fears * 30:40 – The Real Benefits (Why You Don’t Feel It Immediately) * 33:29 – Skin, Collagen & The ‘Glow Effect’ * 36:04 – Who Should NOT Use HBOT? * 38:22 – Peptides: Hype or Breakthrough? * 42:48 – Biggest Misconceptions About HBOT * 44:24 – Most Overused Aesthetic Treatment Today * 47:10 – Daily Habits for Longevity & Energy * 48:08 – What Shows Up on Your Skin the Most? * 49:49 – Reinvent Yourself at Any Age ABOUT DR. KATRIN DREISSIGACKER: Physician, pioneer in aesthetic medicine and Co-Founder of EpigenEdit, believes ageing is not something to fight but something to design. After three decades at the forefront of aesthetics, she now focuses on longevity science, using tools such as mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy to support cellular regeneration, performance, and vitality from within. RESOURCES MENTIONED: * www.epigenedit.com * Instagram: @epigenedit_europe / @katrin_dreissigacker * LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/katrin-dreissigacker * Katrin’s individual practice: www.katrin-dreissigacker.com ABOUT NINA’S NOTES: Nina’s Notes explores the intersection of longevity science, neuroscience, and human optimization. Hosted by Nina Patrick, PhD in pharmaceutical sciences and longevity researcher, each episode translates cutting-edge research into actionable insights for living longer, better. CONNECT WITH NINA’S NOTES Newsletter: www.ninasnotes.xyz LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: www.ninapatrick.xyz Thanks for reading Nina’s Notes! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    54 min

  3. Apr 1

    #175: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | The Power of Early Prevention and Stem Cells with Dr. Yi Song, Author of The Regeneration Effect and Founder of Zenerchi

    Hey friends, Dr. Yi Song has spent her career bridging Eastern and Western medicine. What she’s found is that most people are already losing the health game before they feel a single symptom. In this conversation, Dr. Song breaks down why treating symptoms is not the same as healing, what stem cell therapy can actually do (and what the industry gets dangerously wrong), and how meditation and energy flow aren’t just ancient metaphysics - they’re measurable, teachable tools for longevity. If you’ve ever wondered whether regenerative medicine is real or hype, or how to find a clinic you can actually trust, this episode will sharpen your thinking. Key Topics: * Why early prevention is the most overlooked lever in healthcare * Stem cell types, functions, and what mesenchymal stem cells can treat * How stem cell production declines with age — and what to do about it * Navigating the unregulated stem cell clinic landscape safely * The six principles of natural longevity from The Regeneration Effect * Meditation, energy flow, and metaphysical states of consciousness Timestamps: * 00:00 The Intersection of Eastern and Western Medicine * 08:05 The Importance of Early Prevention in Healthcare * 13:19 Exploring Stem Cell Therapy and Its Benefits * 16:18 Understanding Stem Cells: Types and Functions * 19:56 Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Treatment * 22:39 Preventative Measures for Joint Health and Aging * 28:05 The Decline of Stem Cells with Age * 29:17 Skepticism and FDA Approval in Stem Cell Therapy * 30:58 Quality Control in Stem Cell Treatments * 33:45 Identifying Reputable Clinics for Stem Cell Therapy * 35:21 The Importance of Personalized Treatment * 38:12 The Regeneration Effect: Principles for Longevity * 40:46 Six Principles for Health and Longevity * 46:24 Rapid Fire Longevity Questions * 49:52 Myths and Realities of Stem Cell Therapy RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Regeneration Effect Book — https://book.regenerationeffect.com StemCell Therapy Experts — https://stemcelltherapyexperts.com Cell Therapy Experts Podcast — https://youtube.com/CellTherapyExperts Free Regeneration Effect eBook — https://gift.regenerationeffect.com Connect with Dr. Song: https://regenerationeffect.com ABOUT DR. YI SONG: Dr. Yi Song is a regenerative medicine physician and author of The Regeneration Effect. Drawing on decades at the intersection of Chinese medicine and modern science, she guides patients through personalized stem cell protocols and holistic longevity frameworks at StemCell Therapy Experts. ABOUT NINA’S NOTES: Nina’s Notes explores the intersection of longevity science, neuroscience, and human optimization. Hosted by Nina Patrick, PhD in pharmaceutical sciences and longevity researcher, each episode translates cutting-edge research into actionable insights for living longer, better. CONNECT WITH NINA’S NOTES LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz Key Words holistic health, early prevention, stem cell therapy, meditation, longevity, Chinese medicine, regenerative medicine, energy flow, aging, biohacking Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    53 min

  4. Mar 18

    #173: 🎙️INTERVIEW | What Actually Happens at a Psychedelic Retreat?

    Plant medicine is moving from the fringe into the mainstream. In this episode of the Nina’s Notes Podcast, I speak with Danny and Sarah, founders of Behold Retreats, who have guided more than 1,500 people through plant medicine ceremonies around the world. Their participants range from professional athletes and high performers to people seeking deep emotional healing. We explore what actually happens inside a psychedelic retreat, how medicines like ayahuasca, psilocybin, and Bufo are used in ceremonial contexts, and why these experiences are attracting people interested in healing, personal growth, and expanded consciousness. Danny and Sarah also explain the concept of ego dissolution, the importance of integration after psychedelic experiences, and the difference between using these medicines for healing versus expansion. Topics we discuss: • What happens during a plant medicine retreat• The meaning of ego dissolution (sometimes called “ego death”)• The biggest misconceptions about psychedelics• Why athletes and high performers explore plant medicine• Healing versus expansion in psychedelic experiences• Why integration is essential after ceremony Plant medicines have been used for thousands of years in indigenous traditions. Today, they are becoming part of a growing conversation around mental health, consciousness, and human potential. Learn more about Behold Retreats: https://bit.ly/4rwJszz Thanks for reading Nina’s Notes! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    44 min

  5. Mar 11

    #172: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | You'll Be Disabled at 62 - Unless You Fix This in Your 40s with Roderick Lambert, Founder of Midlife Metabolic Health

    Hey friends, Most longevity conversations focus on labs, supplements, and biomarkers. This week’s guest, Roderick Lambert, goes deliberately upstream of all of that. After 15 years of struggling with obesity and a doctor warning him at 35 that he could have a heart attack within five years, Roderick overhauled his life, lost 24kg in seven months, and never looked back. Today he coaches people aged 40–60 on the root causes of metabolic decline and accelerated aging. The calories in, calories out model isn’t just bad advice. It’s physically inaccurate. You’ll discover: * Why mitochondrial dysfunction is the root cause of most chronic diseases * How fat produces up to 6x more usable energy than glucose * Why the 40–60 window is your last real chance to turn back the clock * The role of light, circadian biology, and coherence in cellular health * Why “you can’t get well in the environment you got sick in” * How to build habits that stick, without willpower Cheers, Nina Timestamps: * 00:00 Roderick’s Journey: 15 Years of Obesity * 05:30 The Doctor’s Warning That Changed Everything * 12:00 Why Calories In/Out Is Inaccurate Physics * 18:00 Mitochondria: Far More Than the Powerhouse of the Cell * 25:00 Accelerated Aging and the 40–60 Window * 31:00 Food First: Fat vs. Glucose as Fuel * 38:00 Light Diet and Circadian Biology * 44:00 Fasting, Movement, and Building Habits * 50:00 Accountability as the Missing Link ABOUT RODERICK LAMBERT: Roderick Lambert is a metabolic health coach and founder of Midlife Metabolic Health. After reversing his own metabolic syndrome in his early 40s, he now works with clients aged 40–60 to address the root causes of accelerated aging through first principles nutrition, light biology, movement, and mindset. ABOUT NINA’S NOTES: Nina’s Notes explores the intersection of longevity science, neuroscience, and human optimization. Hosted by Nina Patrick, PhD in pharmaceutical sciences and longevity researcher, each episode translates cutting-edge research into actionable insights for living longer, better. CONNECT WITH RODERICK LAMBERT Website: https://midlifemetabolichealth.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MidlifeMetabolicHealth/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodericklambert/ Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    36 min
  6. #168: ☀️ Joyspan vs Lifespan: What Makes Aging Worthwhile | READ ALOUD

    Feb 11

    #168: ☀️ Joyspan vs Lifespan: What Makes Aging Worthwhile | READ ALOUD

    Living longer isn't the same as living well. In this episode, I explore a concept that might matter more than your health span or lifespan: your joy span, the years you spend actually liking your life. Dr. Kerry Burnight, professor of geriatric medicine at UC Irvine, argues that how we respond to aging determines whether we thrive or suffer. And the good news? You can lengthen your joy span at any age through everyday choices. What You'll Learn: - The difference between lifespan, health span, and joy span - Dr. Burnight's 4 non-negotiable actions: Grow, Adapt, Give, Connect - Why asking questions makes you more likeable (science-backed) - How to continue learning as you age (including free college options for 60+) - Why I believe this matters at 38, not just in your later yearsIn The Video, I Share Practical Challenges: - Journal prompts to assess your current joy span - How to adapt when life throws you curveballs - Creative ways to stay connected and give back - Dr. Burnight's quizzes to get your baseline (link below) Timestamps: 00:00 Understanding Joy Span vs. Health Span 01:00 The Four Non-Negotiable Actions for Thriving 03:36 Adapting and Growing as we Age 05:35 The Book of the Week 07:15 Check this Out Links Joyspan Quizzes: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/JoyspanExtendedExcerpt.pdf CONNECT WITH ME Newsletter: https://www.ninasnotes.xyz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz joy span, health span, aging, quality of life, mental health, connection, lifelong learning, geriatric medicine, Dr. Kerry Burnight, thriving, Nina’s Notes Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    9 min
  7. #167: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Why Preventative Healthcare Is Only for the Rich (And How to Change That) with Emilian Popa, Founder of Expand Health

    Feb 4

    #167: 🎙️ INTERVIEW | Why Preventative Healthcare Is Only for the Rich (And How to Change That) with Emilian Popa, Founder of Expand Health

    Preventative healthcare isn’t just for the wealthy few, it can be accessible to everyone who needs it most. In this episode, Nina sits down with Emilian Popa, founder of Expand Health, for a candid conversation about democratizing longevity and preventative care. From his early days as an entrepreneur in Romania to working in venture capital and finally building his own healthcare company, Emilian reveals the critical gaps in our current healthcare system and how technology can bridge them. This isn’t about boutique longevity clinics charging $10,000 for annual memberships. It’s about making evidence-based preventative care accessible and affordable for the middle class, the people who need it most but are currently priced out of the market. Emilian explains why behavior change is the hardest part of healthcare transformation, how AI is revolutionizing patient experience and cost structures, and why the fundamentals of nutrition, movement, and sleep remain non-negotiable. You’ll discover what’s actually stopping people from accessing preventative care, how healthcare will evolve over the next decade, and why brain health deserves more attention in the longevity conversation. Timestamps: 00:00 Emilian’s Entrepreneurial Journey 05:47 Building Expand Health: A New Approach to Healthcare 12:11 Behavior Change and Health Span 20:24 Innovations in Preventative Care 25:43 Scaling Preventative Health Across Continents 30:57 The Cost of Healthcare and Access to Testing 32:31 Democratizing Healthcare: Bridging the Gap 34:59 Behavior Change: The Key to Health 37:16 The Future of Work: Balancing Productivity and Health 41:05 Foundational Health: Nutrition, Movement, and Sleep 43:33 Emerging Technologies in Health and Longevity 48:15 Advice for Individuals in the Longevity Space 52:58 The Importance of Brain Health and Future Innovations Where to find Emilian Popa: * Expand Health * LinkedIn Where to find Nina Patrick, PhD: * Newsletter * LinkedIn * Website Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    52 min
  8. #166: 🤖 We Expect Perfection out of AI and Not of Humans, Why? | READ ALOUD

    Jan 28

    #166: 🤖 We Expect Perfection out of AI and Not of Humans, Why? | READ ALOUD

    In this conversation, I explore a fascinating paradox in our relationship with artificial intelligence. Why do we demand absolute perfection from AI while accepting human error as inevitable? When an LLM hallucinates or cites fake sources, I get frustrated. But when a colleague misspeaks or misremembers, I give them grace. Why the double standard? I walk through the reality of human error across industries: * Diagnostic mistakes happen in 5-20% of doctor visits * 80% of aviation accidents trace back to human error * 20% of Big Four audits have significant deficiencies * Even elite professionals only achieve 90-95% accuracy. The thread tying all of this together is simple but uncomfortable: our imperfections are what make us human and interesting. AI-generated content feels soulless. You can sense it. It lacks emotion, depth, playfulness, and personality. I believe we’re heading toward an age where we’ll pay a premium for human-generated content, art, and music. We think we can scale the human experience with AI, but what we’ll find instead is an overly perfect, emotionless dark age of art and culture. The choice isn’t between perfect AI or imperfect humans. It’s about deciding which imperfections we’re willing to live with. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Hello from Australia! 01:16 We Expect Perfection out of AI and Not in Humans, Why? 06:41 The Paradox of Perfection in AI and Humanity 07:05 Mentoring Opportunities 07:26 The Book of the Week 08:34 Grab My Guidebooks 08:51 Check this out Links https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/patient-safety https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666691X23000246 https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/audit-deficiency-rate-drops-in-2024-in-sign-of-improvement/ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/1907590_Thinking_is_Bad_Implications_of_Human_Error_Research_for_Spreadsheet_Research_and_Practice CONNECT WITH ME Newsletter: https://www.ninasnotes.xyz Longevity.Technology Unlocked Podcast: https://longevity.technology/unlocked/ Longevity Guidebooks: https://ninapatrick.xyz/guidebooks Mentoring: https://ninapatrick.xyz/startup-mentor/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninapatrick/ Website: https://www.ninapatrick.xyz Get full access to Nina’s Notes at www.ninasnotes.xyz/subscribe

    10 min
See All (116)

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

A weekly, non-technical podcast on health, longevity & psychedelics. www.ninasnotes.xyz

Information

  • Creator
    Nina Patrick
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    116
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Nina Patrick
  • Show Website
    Nina’s Notes Podcast

You Might Also Like