Episodes

  • GLP-1s for Women Pt2: Your Appetite Is a System: Food Noise, Leptin and Plateaus #24

    GLP-1s for Women Pt2: Your Appetite Is a System: Food Noise, Leptin and Plateaus #24
    Oct 27 2026

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    Hunger is not one feeling. In Part 2, Dr Federica Amati of ZOE maps appetite as a four-stage system, from the moment you smell food to the fibre still feeding your gut microbes hours later, and shows where GLP-1 drugs act on it. She explains what food noise is and is not, why psychological support belongs alongside these medicines, and how leptin resistance can leave someone feeling starved in a body with plenty of stored energy. We also cover why eating very little can stall weight loss, what a plateau is, and how the next generation of drugs differs from the first.


    KEY TOPICS

    Full versus satiated: the four stages of appetite (head, stomach, small intestine, colon)

    Why the fibre-fed colon stage is the one most of us miss

    Why diet culture works against these drugs

    Food noise: what it is, and how it differs from loving food

    Why psychological support is an essential part of treatment

    Leptin resistance and the body's drive to return to its set point

    Very low calorie intake, metabolic adaptation and plateaus

    Switching between drugs, and why slow increases and decreases in dose matter

    Why cycle syncing the dose does not hold up for this group

    What makes second and third-generation drugs different


    TIMESTAMPS

    0:00 Introduction

    2:05 Full versus satiated: the four stages of appetite

    9:30 Why diet culture works against these drugs

    11:40 Food noise, and what it is not

    15:00 Why psychological support matters

    17:00 Leptin resistance: starving in a body full of energy

    21:40 Eating very little, and weight-loss plateaus

    24:20 Breaking a plateau, and the lowest effective dose

    26:40 Switching between drugs

    27:40 Cycle syncing: does it apply here?

    30:40 What makes the next generation of drugs different

    32:35 Coming up in Part 3



    REFERENCES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED

    The Appetite Reset, Dr Federica Amati (Penguin Michael Joseph, 2026)

    Gut hormones discussed: GLP-1, PYY and GIP

    Drugs discussed: Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide)


    GUEST LINKS

    Website: https://federicaamati.com

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.fede.amati/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-fede-amati/

    ZOE: https://zoe.com/en-gb?utm_medium=press&utm_source=website&utm_campaign=UK_app

    ZOE Daily30: https://zoe.com/en-gb/daily30?utm_medium=press&utm_source=daily30&utm_campaign=UK_daily30

    This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. GLP-1 medications should only be used under qualified medical supervision. If you are considering starting, stopping or changing one, speak to a doctor who knows your full medical history.

    Insta/TikTok: @BiohackingEve
    Website: www.BiohackingEve.com
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    33 mins
  • GLP-1s for Women Pt1: Why Being Overweight Was Never About Willpower #24

    GLP-1s for Women Pt1: Why Being Overweight Was Never About Willpower #24
    Oct 13 2026

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    What do GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro actually do? In Part 1 of this four-part series, Dr Federica Amati, Head Nutritionist at ZOE and author of The Appetite Reset, explains why 'appetite suppressant' is the wrong way to think about them. They amplify a fullness signal your own gut already makes, holding it for about a week rather than a couple of minutes. From there she takes apart the willpower story: how the brain's hunger centre is wired differently from person to person, how genetics and influences before birth shape it, and why that matters for anyone deciding whether to start, or stay on, one of these drugs.

    KEY TOPICS
    - Why these are effective medicines, and why so many people are set up to waste them
    - Why so many people stop taking them, and what usually goes wrong
    - Sarcopenic obesity: losing fat without keeping strength
    - How GLP-1 drugs amplify the body's own satiety signal
    - Why 'natural Ozempic' supplements cannot copy the drug
    - The hypothalamus, genetics and why obesity is not a question of willpower
    - Whether GLP-1s may be lifelong for some people
    - Pregnancy, and why these drugs are not for women trying to conceive
    - Transgenerational influences: the Dutch Hunger Winter and endocrine-disrupting chemicals

    TIMESTAMPS
    These are estimates and may shift in final editing.
    0:00 Introduction
    1:45 The opportunity being squandered
    4:05 Why so many people stop
    6:45 Sarcopenic obesity and who is most at risk
    7:45 Not an appetite suppressant: the system these drugs amplify
    10:05 Why 'natural Ozempic' supplements can't copy the drug
    11:45 Brain wiring, and why obesity is not about willpower
    14:35 Are GLP-1s lifelong for some people?
    17:05 Pregnancy and the 'Ozempic babies'
    19:45 Over a hundred genes: why siblings can differ
    22:35 The Dutch Hunger Winter and endocrine disruptors
    24:10 Coming up in Part 2

    REFERENCES AND RESOURCES MENTIONED
    - The Appetite Reset, Dr Federica Amati (Penguin Michael Joseph, 2026)
    - Professor Giles Yeo, research on the genetics of obesity
    - Professor Lucilla Poston, research on GLP-1 exposure in pregnancy
    - Dutch Hunger Winter cohort studies

    GUEST LINKS
    - Website: https://federicaamati.com
    - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.fede.amati/
    - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-fede-amati/
    - ZOE:
    https://zoe.com/en-gb?utm_medium=press&utm_source=website&utm_campaign=UK_app
    - ZOE Daily30:
    https://zoe.com/en-gb/daily30?utm_medium=press&utm_source=daily30&utm_campaign=UK_daily30

    This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. GLP-1 medications should only be used under qualified medical supervision. If you are considering starting, stopping or changing one, speak to a doctor who knows your full medical history.

    Insta/TikTok: @BiohackingEve
    Website: www.BiohackingEve.com
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    25 mins
  • #23 Pt3: Skeleton in the Closet - Stress, Trauma, HRT and the Full Risk Picture for Women's Bones

    #23 Pt3: Skeleton in the Closet - Stress, Trauma, HRT and the Full Risk Picture for Women's Bones
    Sep 29 2026

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    In the final part of this three-part series, Gary Rhodes covers the complete risk factor landscape for bone loss — including the underappreciated role of emotional trauma and chronic stress. He gives a frank assessment of bisphosphonates and injectable bone drugs, makes a clear case for HRT as bone-protective, and connects skeletal health to the entire body system. Followed by curveball questions: books, investments, morning protocols, and the Tony Robbins partnership that has defined much of Gary's public platform.

    Key topics:
    Full risk factor list: smoking, alcohol, stress, trauma, drugs, hormonal contraception, eating disorders, over-exercising, non-weight-bearing sport, cancer treatment, genetic predisposition
    Emotional trauma and self-kindness as bone health variables
    Bisphosphonates: mechanism (slowing osteoclasts), place, and concerns about early prescription
    Injectable bone drugs: spontaneous fractures and the trabecular glueing concern
    HRT: oestrogen's bone-protective role; Dr Vonda Wright and Dr Louise Newson advocacy
    Genetic factors: predispositions to absorption, DNA testing
    Whole-body connections: bone marrow, magnesium storage, cardiovascular, cognitive, neurological links
    Mortality statistics: 15–30% death risk within 12 months of hip fracture over 65
    Osteoporosis kills more people than breast cancer and ovarian cancer combined
    Screen My Bones platform: 50,000 screening target, integrated health data roadmap
    Curveball: billboard message ("Osteoporosis is a choice")
    Curveball: current work (Screen My Bones platform, 50,000 scan target)
    Curveball: sidekick — Napoleon Hill (Think and Grow Rich)
    Curveball: books — Unbreakable (Dr Vonda Wright), The 7 Habits (Stephen Covey), The 48 Laws of Power (Robert Greene), Dharma (Amish Tripathi), Tao Te Ching (Wayne Dyer)
    Curveball: purchase under £100 — water bottle
    Curveball: purchase under £1,000 — BrainTap headset (~$500–600)
    Curveball: best investment — Tony Robbins UPW event (2012)
    Curveball: unusual habit — ice bath + sauna 3–4x/week as morning protocol; cortisol awareness, no coffee until post-workout
    Tony Robbins firewalk story (walked the coals three times in one night)

    References and resources mentioned:
    Dr Vonda Wright — Unbreakable (book)
    Stephen Covey — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (book)
    Robert Greene — The 48 Laws of Power (book)
    Amish Tripathi — Dharma: Decoding the Epics for a Meaningful Life (book)
    Wayne Dyer — Tao Te Ching (book)
    Napoleon Hill — Think and Grow Rich (book, mentioned in sidekick answer)
    Tony Robbins — Unleash the Power Within (UPW) event: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/events/unleash-the-power-within
    BrainTap — brain entrainment headset and app (Dr Patrick Porter): https://braintap.com
    Dr Louise Newson — UK HRT and menopause advocate
    Dr Vonda Wright — women's health and bone health advocate
    OULA hydration tracker device

    Guest social links:
    Website: screenmybones.com
    Instagram (Gary Rhodes): https://www.instagram.com/garyandrewrhodes/
    Instagram (Screen My Bones): https://www.instagram.com/screenmybones?igsh=MWY0ZWc1OWY1OGhubw==
    Instagram (Screen My Bones US): https://www.instagram.com/screenmybones.us/
    Instagram (Performance Health MSK): https://www.instagram.com/performancehealthsystemsmsk/
    Facebook (Screen My Bones): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566125690406
    Facebook (Performance Health MSK): https://web.facebook.com/PerformanceHealthSystemsMSK

    Insta/TikTok: @BiohackingEve
    Website: www.BiohackingEve.com
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    39 mins
  • #21 Pt1: Ocean Wave, Avalanche or Volcano? 40 Years of Female Orgasm Science

    #21 Pt1: Ocean Wave, Avalanche or Volcano? 40 Years of Female Orgasm Science
    Jul 7 2026
    Send us Fan MailAnna Lee, CEO and co-founder of Lioness, joins Judith to reveal what a dataset of around 100,000 orgasms has uncovered about female sexual pleasure — and how little the science had actually established before. This part covers how the Lioness biofeedback vibrator measures involuntary pelvic-floor contractions, the three distinct orgasm patterns the data reveals, and the finding that will genuinely surprise most listeners: orgasm strength tends to increase as women move into their fifties and sixties, not decline.Key topics discussed- What the Lioness device actually measures, and how biofeedback orgasm data works- The three orgasm patterns — ocean wave (rhythmic, most common), avalanche (high force tapering down), and volcano (rare, single explosive peak) — identified through involuntary pelvic-floor contractions- Why those patterns matter: correcting four decades of incomplete research based on a 1982 study of only 11 women- The type-switching debate: whether a person moves between orgasm patterns over time, and what the current data does and does not show- The age finding: women aged 51–60 appear to reach orgasm fastest and generate the strongest peak force — contradicting the widespread assumption that sexual pleasure declines with age- Why this podcast cares: the knowledge gap in female sexual health, and how understanding your own body is a health act, not a vanity oneTimestampsThese are estimates and may shift in final editing.0:00 — Introduction: Judith introduces Anna Lee and Lioness1:00 — What Lioness measures: involuntary pelvic-floor contractions during pleasure and orgasm2:30 — How the app works: pairing the device, reading the data, tracking lifestyle factors4:00 — The three orgasm patterns: ocean wave, avalanche, volcano6:30 — The 1982 Bohlen study (n=11) versus the Lioness dataset (~100,000 data points); the Pfaus/Hartmann research8:30 — The type-switching debate: do people move between patterns?10:00 — The age study: orgasm strength increases in the 51–60 range12:30 — Why this matters: "knowledge is pleasure," and the parallel to tracking sleep and nutrition14:00 — Fertility and orgasm type: what we do and do not know15:30 — End of Part 1ReferencesLioness Smart VibratorThe biofeedback device discussed throughout. Measures involuntary pelvic-floor contractions during pleasure and orgasm and displays the data via paired smartphone app.https://lioness.ioPfaus J, Hartmann D, Wood E, Wang J, Klinger E. "Women's Orgasms Determined by Autodetection of Pelvic Floor Muscle Contractions Using the Lioness 'Smart' Vibrator."The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2022, Vol 19, Suppl 3. Led by Dr. Jim Pfaus of Charles University, Prague. The study defining the three orgasm patterns (ocean wave, avalanche, volcano) using the Lioness dataset; approximately 37–40 participants.https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article-abstract/19/Supplement_3/S2/7012773Hartmann D, Pfaus J, Wood E, Klinger L, Wang J. "Are All Orgasms Created Equally Regardless of Age?"The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2023, Vol 20, Suppl 2. Led by Dee Hartmann, pelvic-floor therapist. Study of 26 women aged 21–60 showing that women aged 51–60 reached orgasm fastest and generated the strongest peak force (~1,425 gm/f).https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article/20/Supplement_2/qdad061.034/7165577Bohlen JG et al. "The Female Orgasm: Pelvic Contractions."Archives of Sexual Behavior, 1982. The original study identifying different orgasm contraction patterns in 11 women. The foundational paper that the Lioness research builds on and substantially extends.[No URL — print publication; flag for editorial review if a DOI link is required]Dr. Jim PfausResearcher at Charles University, Prague. Led the orgasm-pattern classification study using Lioness data.Dee HartmannPelvic-floor therapist based in the United States. Led the age and orgasm-strength study using Lioness data. Also mentioned in connection with the Kegel/pelvic-floor research (covered in Part 2).Guest links and socialsAnna Lee, CEO and co-founder of LionessLioness website: https://lioness.ioLioness Instagram: @lionesshealthLioness LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lionesshealthAnna Lee personal Instagram: @annaisaverageAnna Lee personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annakleeLioness app: available on iOS and Android — search 'Lioness' in the App Store or Google PlayInsta/TikTok: @BiohackingEveWebsite: www.BiohackingEve.com
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    15 mins
  • #21 Pt2: Caffeine, THC, Alcohol - What Actually Changes Your Orgasm

    #21 Pt2: Caffeine, THC, Alcohol - What Actually Changes Your Orgasm
    Sep 15 2026
    Send us Fan MailPart 2 of Judith's conversation with Anna Lee, CEO and co-founder of Lioness, gets into the practical side: what actually changes your orgasms, and what the data shows. Anna walks through the findings from Lioness's Sexperiments platform — including why edging outperforms everything else tested by a significant margin, why alcohol consistently weakens orgasms, and what the THC data looks like. She also corrects the most common misunderstanding about Kegel exercises, explains how a sports concussion showed up as flatlined orgasm data before anyone knew what to look for, and makes the case that female sexual dysfunction could be an early signal of broader health problems — in the same way erectile dysfunction flags cardiovascular risk.KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED— Sexperiments platform: how Lioness runs collective experiments with users and analyses aggregated data— Edging: what it is, why it produces the largest measurable effect on orgasm intensity and duration of anything tested, and how sessions typically run three to four times longer— Alcohol, THC, CBD, caffeine, and socks: what the data shows for each— The concussion case study: how a flatlined orgasm pattern in an elite athlete pointed to neurological impact rather than a broken device, and why this matters clinically— Sexual dysfunction as a potential early-warning signal: the parallel to erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular disease— Kegels, corrected: why pelvic-floor health is built on muscle relaxation as much as contraction, and why the bicep-curl analogy changes how you think about it— Involuntary orgasmic contractions vs voluntary Kegel contractions: preliminary data suggesting masturbation may be a more effective pelvic-floor workout than Kegels alone (note: study is at abstract stage, not yet published)— Cycle tracking: the gap in the current Lioness dataset, and why tagging cycle phase into the data matters— Integrations on the horizon: Oura ring heart rate and stress data, period and fertility tracking apps, EEG consumer monitors, and vaginal moisture monitoring (Kegg)— How Lioness differs from other vibrators: design choices made specifically for female bodies, including insertable length, platinum-cure silicone, low-battery indicator, and travel lock— The full shape of the clitoris: how recently this was understood, and why it changes how we categorise orgasm types— The nerve-fibre correction: why the widely-cited 7,000–8,000 figure came from a cow sample, and what Dr. Blair Peters's 2023 human study actually found— The cultural shift in female sexual wellness: what has changed in nine years, what is still lagging, and the billboard censorship story— Anna's "magic pill" answer: why the most effective single thing is knowledge of your own body, not a product— Book recommendations: Bonk by Mary Roach and The Toaster Project by Thomas ThwaitesTIMESTAMPSThese are estimates and may shift in final editing.0:00 — Introduction to Part 2 / transition from Part 10:30 — Sexperiments platform: what it is and how it works2:30 — Edging: definition, why it outperforms all other tested variables5:00 — Alcohol, THC, CBD, caffeine effects on orgasm data; socks myth debunked9:00 — The concussion case study: athlete's flatlined data and the neurological connection11:30 — Sexual dysfunction as potential early health signal; the erectile dysfunction parallel13:00 — Kegels corrected: the bicep-curl analogy, relaxation vs squeezing, fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscles15:30 — Preliminary data: involuntary orgasmic contractions vs voluntary Kegel contractions; masturbation and pelvic-floor strength (abstract stage)17:00 — Cycle tracking gap; the IUD oversight; new tagging feature in the Lioness app18:30 — Integrations: Oura, period tracking, EEG monitors, Kegg moisture data20:00 — Lioness vs other vibrators: design decisions, insertable size, silicone safety, travel lock22:00 — The full clitoris shape and the nerve-fibre correction (Dr. Blair Peters, 10,281 fibres; cow-sample origin of the old figure)24:00 — Cultural shift: what has changed in nine years; social media policies; the billboard censorship story27:00 — Anna's "magic pill" thesis: why knowing your own body is the answer29:00 — Book recommendations: Bonk and The Toaster ProjectREFERENCESLioness Sexperiments platformhttps://lioness.io"Are All Orgasms Created Equally Regardless of Age?" — Hartmann D, Pfaus J, Wood E, Klinger L, Wang JThe Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2023, Vol 20, Suppl 2. Age-stratified study of 26 women (ages 21–60) using Lioness biofeedback data; women aged 51–60 reached orgasm fastest and generated the strongest peak contractile force (~1,425 gm/f).https://academic.oup.com/jsm/article/20/Supplement_2/qdad061.034/7165577"Women's Orgasms Determined by Autodetection of Pelvic Floor Muscle Contractions Using the Lioness 'Smart' Vibrator" — Pfaus J, Hartmann D, Wood E, Wang J, Klinger EThe Journal of ...
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    29 mins
  • #23 Pt2: Skeleton in the Closet - The Tests, Tech and Nutrition That Actually Build Stronger Bones

    #23 Pt2: Skeleton in the Closet - The Tests, Tech and Nutrition That Actually Build Stronger Bones
    Sep 1 2026

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    Gary Rhodes of Screen My Bones gets practical in Part 2: which bone scans are available, what they measure, and how often to retest. He explains the science behind osteogenic loading and BioDensity — a technology that builds bone safely even in people with severe osteoporosis — and covers what someone with no gym access can do. The episode also covers the specific nutrition that supports bone density, including the calcium-K2 relationship that most people get wrong.

    Key topics:
    DEXA scan: T-score, Z-score, fragility score, TBS, radiation, inaccuracy rate
    EchoLight (REMS ultrasound): bone density + quality, no radiation, 5-year risk window
    Why the TBS function on DEXA machines is rarely used — and why it matters
    Retest frequency: every 12 months recommended vs NHS 3-year standard
    BioDensity and osteogenic loading: the science, the safety, Wolff's Law
    Power Plate (whole-body vibration) and the Rev Bike (vibration + VO2 max)
    Impact vs loading: what each does for bone and whether you need both
    Zero-budget bone-building: running, hopping, jumping, heavy lifting
    Why cyclists, swimmers, and rowers have unexpectedly poor bone density
    EMS (electro-muscular stimulation): role and limitations
    Results: bone quality and T-score changes in 6 and 18 months
    Nutrition: whole foods, protein, absorption, eating in parasympathetic state
    Specific nutrients: D3 + K2/MK-7, magnesium, collagen, boron, Omega-3
    Calcium supplementation: why it can cause harm without K2 and exercise
    Protein and bone: the muscle-bone connection

    References and resources mentioned:
    EchoLight / REMS ultrasound technology
    BioDensity — Performance Health Systems
    Power Plate — Performance Health Systems
    Rev Bike — Performance Health Systems
    eGym (variable resistance training technology)
    Dr Vonda Wright — Unbreakable
    Dr Gabrielle Lyon — creatine research
    Wolff's Law (foundational bone remodelling principle — medical school curriculum)

    Guest social links:
    Website: screenmybones.com
    Instagram (Gary Rhodes): https://www.instagram.com/garyandrewrhodes/
    Instagram (Screen My Bones): https://www.instagram.com/screenmybones?igsh=MWY0ZWc1OWY1OGhubw==
    Instagram (Screen My Bones US): https://www.instagram.com/screenmybones.us/
    Instagram (Performance Health MSK): https://www.instagram.com/performancehealthsystemsmsk/
    Facebook (Screen My Bones): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566125690406
    Facebook (Performance Health MSK): https://web.facebook.com/PerformanceHealthSystemsMSK

    Insta/TikTok: @BiohackingEve
    Website: www.BiohackingEve.com
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    23 mins
  • #23 Pt1: Skeleton in the Closet - GLP-1s, Stress and Why Bone Loss Starts Decades Before You Expect

    #23 Pt1: Skeleton in the Closet - GLP-1s, Stress and Why Bone Loss Starts Decades Before You Expect
    Aug 18 2026

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    Gary Rhodes, founder of Screen My Bones, opens a three-part deep dive into the most overlooked pillar of women's longevity: skeletal health. Part 1 covers what osteoporosis and osteopenia actually are, why bone loss in women accelerates so dramatically at menopause, and the hidden risks from GLP-1 weight loss drugs, chronic stress, and emotional trauma. Gary reversed his own grandmother's severe osteoporosis in 23 months — and has since scanned over 20,000 people to build the evidence base for early, proactive bone screening.

    Key topics:
    Reversing osteoporosis: Gary's grandmother's story (T-score minus 2.7 → normal range in 23 months)
    What osteoporosis is — and why "disease" is the wrong framing
    Bone density vs bone quality — two distinct measurements, both essential
    T-scores, Z-scores, fragility scores: what to pay attention to
    The menopause bone cliff: 1–5% loss per year, up to 20% over 5–7 years
    Why women lose bone faster than men (oestrogen mechanism)
    Osteoporosis prevalence: 19.6% in women vs 4.4% in men over 50
    Peak bone mass at 28–32 and the case for screening in your thirties
    GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Mounjaro) and the 40% muscle/bone loss risk
    Osteoimmunology: bone marrow as immune factory; inflammatory cytokines and bone resorption
    Cortisol, adrenal stress and mineral depletion from bone
    Emotional trauma as a bone health risk factor

    References and resources mentioned:
    Screen My Bones: screenmybones.com
    Tony Robbins — Unleash the Power Within (UPW): https://www.tonyrobbins.com/events/unleash-the-power-within
    Dr Gabrielle Lyon — creatine and muscle protein research

    Guest social links:
    Website: screenmybones.com
    Instagram (Gary Rhodes): https://www.instagram.com/garyandrewrhodes/
    Instagram (Screen My Bones): https://www.instagram.com/screenmybones?igsh=MWY0ZWc1OWY1OGhubw==
    Instagram (Screen My Bones US): https://www.instagram.com/screenmybones.us/
    Instagram (Performance Health MSK): https://www.instagram.com/performancehealthsystemsmsk/
    Facebook (Screen My Bones): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566125690406
    Facebook (Performance Health MSK): https://web.facebook.com/PerformanceHealthSystemsMSK

    Insta/TikTok: @BiohackingEve
    Website: www.BiohackingEve.com
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    35 mins
  • #22 Pt2: How Microplastics End Up in Vaginal Tissue

    #22 Pt2: How Microplastics End Up in Vaginal Tissue
    Aug 4 2026

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    In Part 2, materials engineer Shagun Maheshwari unpacks what conventional menstrual pads are actually made of — up to 90% plastic — and what that means for the body and the environment. Phthalates, microplastics, greenwashing, and why she designed Papaya to degrade in a landfill, not just a composter.

    Key topics in this part:
    - Why conventional pads can be up to 90% plastic; heat-bonding and textile engineering
    - Adhesives as a still-unsolved sustainability problem
    - Phthalates and VOCs; endocrine disruption and absorbent vulvovaginal tissue
    - Why fragrance can worsen period odour rather than mask it
    - Antimicrobial properties and the delicate vaginal microbiome balance
    - Microplastics vs nanoplastics, and how they reach tissue
    - Why plastic doesn't biodegrade; what genuine biodegradability requires
    - Greenwashing: "biodegradable top sheet," bamboo/cotton pads that still contain SAP, the label test
    - Industrial composter vs landfill degradation standards
    - Lifetime product volume (≈5,000–15,000 products); ~800-year SAP degradation
    - Where to find Papaya; what's next for the product
    - The case for putting people who experience the problem on the technical design team

    Timestamps:
    00:00 — Hookable intro
    00:42 — Biohacking Eve intro
    01:07 — Recap of Part 1
    01:27 — Episode summary
    02:27 — Conversation resumes: plastics in pads
    08:00 — Endocrine disruptors, fragrance, microbiome
    16:00 — Microplastics and how they reach tissue
    22:00 — Why plastic doesn't biodegrade; greenwashing and the label test
    28:00 — Composter vs landfill; lifetime volume
    33:00 — Where to find Papaya
    34:00 — Curveball questions
    40:00 — Close → outro

    References mentioned in this part:
    - Super absorbent polymer / sodium polyacrylate (SAP); polyacrylate, polypropylene, polyurethane
    - Phthalates; volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
    - Industrial composting vs landfill degradation standards (≈90% in six months)
    - Strange Pictures by Uketsu — Japanese mystery novel
    - Agatha Christie; P.G. Wodehouse (Jeeves and Wooster); Joseph Campbell (the hero's journey)

    Guest & product links:
    Website: papayapads.com
    Instagram: @papaya.india and @shagun.maheshwari
    LinkedIn (Shagun): https://www.linkedin.com/in/maheshwarishagun/
    LinkedIn (company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/papayaindia/
    Pilots in other countries: bulk orders only — contact Shagun directly


    Insta/TikTok: @BiohackingEve
    Website: www.BiohackingEve.com
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    38 mins