Treated with Dr. Sara Szal

If your cycle is unpredictable, you’re growing hairs where you shouldn't, and your period is acting like a rebellious teenager: this episode is for you. Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi (Dr. A) is an OB/GYN and leading expert in endometriosis and PCOS, who has dedicated her life to raising awareness and advancing women's health. You may have heard of her through her popular podcast, SHEMD, and she’s the gynecologist to celebrities like The Kardashians. This is the second episode in our Hormone series; if you missed Dr. Sara’s first hormone episode a few weeks ago, go back and listen because it lays the foundation for this conversation. Today, Dr. Sara and Dr. A explore everything you need to know about endometriosis and PCOS. From what they are, to how she diagnoses them, and why they’re so underdiagnosed. Dr. A discusses the epidemic of medical gaslighting among women, how big pharma creates a vicious cycle with pain medication, and why 75% of PCOS patients have eating disorders. She also shares her passion for spreading awareness about breast cancer. Dr. A wants every woman to understand her lifetime risk, which can be calculated using a specific tool (linked here and in the resources below). While 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, 85% of those cases occur in women with no family history. To finish, Dr. A shares her own experience with breast cancer, including how she faced medical gaslighting and advocated for herself to undergo a double mastectomy. You don’t want to miss this one—it’s informative, energizing, and moving.// RESOURCES // Click here to get SaraSzalMD Lab reference rangeMyRisk by Myriad: A genetic test for cancer-causing genes and breast cancer risk calculation.Breast Cancer Lifetime Risk Calculator: Dr. A has a questionnaire on to calculate this riskThe Surrender Experiment: The book that Dr. A found helpful during her breast cancer journey// LEARN MORE FROM DR. THAÏS ALIABADI // Listen to her podcast, SHEMD.Visit her website draliabadi.com. Follow her on Instagram, @drthaisaliabadi, @shemd.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kayla Barnes-Lentz, a healthcare entrepreneur dedicated to female longevity, joins the conversation to uncover the impact of microplastics and environmental toxins on health. They discuss her lab findings, including elevated BPA levels, and the importance of genomic testing for women's health. Chronic exposure to toxins' effects on hormones and inflammation is explored, alongside proactive solutions like diet and biomarker testing. The dialogue emphasizes the need for personalized health strategies, empowering women with data-driven insights for optimal wellness.

Welcome to Hormones 101—the first episode in Dr. Sara’s deep-dive hormone series. In this foundational solo, Dr. Sara breaks down what hormones are, why they matter, and how imbalances can impact everything from mood and metabolism to sleep, libido, and energy. She introduces the “Big Five” hormones—cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid—explaining their distinct roles, how they interact, and why cortisol calls the shots. Dr. Sara also unpacks underdiagnosed conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, and reveals how modern life, chronic stress, environmental toxins, and medical gaslighting contribute to widespread hormonal dysfunction. You’ll walk away with practical steps for testing and balancing your hormones through lifestyle changes. This episode is all about understanding your biochemistry and learning how to advocate for better care.// REFERENCES // Get Dr. Sara’s Lab Reference Ranges Guide in Healthy Adults Here. Listen to her episode with Andrew Huberman. Read her book, The Hormone Cure. JAMA study from 2023 (regarding subclinical hypothyroidism and cognitive decline): Papaleontiou, M., and J. P. Brito. "Disentangling the Association Between Excess Thyroid Hormone and Cognition in Older Adults." JAMA Internal Medicine 183, no. 12 (2023): 1332–1333. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.5618.Fertility in Sterility in 2023 review (regarding luteal phase progesterone deficiency and infertility): Raperport, C., E. Chronopoulou, R. Homburg, et al. "Endogenous Progesterone in Unexplained Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis." Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 40 (2023): 509–524.2024 study (regarding men with low progesterone, estradiol/testosterone ratios, and visceral adiposity): Mauvais-Jarvis, F., and S. H. Lindsey. "Metabolic Benefits Afforded by Estradiol and Testosterone in Both Sexes: Clinical Considerations." Journal of Clinical Investigation 134, no. 17 (September 3, 2024): e180073. doi:10.1172/JCI180073.2023 meta-analysis published in JAMA Psychiatry (regarding mindfulness and salivary cortisol)Vargas-Uricoechea, H., A. Castellanos-Pinedo, K. Urrego-Noguera, H. D. Vargas-Sierra, M. V. Pinzón-Fernández, E. Barceló-Martínez, and A. F. Ramírez-Giraldo. "Mindfulness-Based Interventions and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis: A Systematic Review." Neurology International 16, no. 6 (November 20, 2024): 1552–1584. doi:10.3390/neurolint16060115.Sanada, K., J. Montero-Marin, M. Alda Díez, M. Salas-Valero, M. C. Pérez-Yus, H. Morillo, M. M. Demarzo, M. García-Toro, and J. García-Campayo. "Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions on Salivary Cortisol in Healthy Adults: A Meta-Analytical Review." Frontiers in Physiology 7 (October 19, 2016): 471. doi:10.3389/fphys.2016.00471. // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Do you always feel a sense of urgency—like you’re on edge, reactive to everything around you? Or, on the other hand, shut down and withdrawn? Then you may be experiencing dysregulation. Dysregulation occurs when the body and mind fall out of balance and struggle to return to a neutral state. Today, clinical psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera (@theholisticpsychologist) joins Treated to explore how and why so many of us live in a constant state of dysregulation. Dr. Sara and Dr. Nicole discuss how our early environments shape the way we respond to stress as adults, what a healthy stress response looks like versus a chronically dysregulated one, and why women are more susceptible to dysregulation. Then they dive into the importance of taking a “bottom-up” approach to healing and explore the role cortisol plays in keeping us stuck in survival mode.Throughout the episode, Dr. Nicole shares personal stories from her own healing journey—from the impact of her mother’s emotional withdrawal during childhood, to using substances to self-regulate in high school, and even how her mother’s stress during pregnancy contributed to her chronic anxiety. To close, Dr. Sara and Dr. Nicole offer practical tools for regulating the nervous system– from setting boundaries to improving sleep.// LEARN MORE FROM DR. NICOLE LEPERA // Visit his website theholisticpsychologist.comFollow her on Instagram @theholisticpsychologist. Purchase all of her books through her website, How To Be The Love You Seek, How To Meet Yourself, How To Do The Work.   // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The common prescription to heal our psyche today is to take an SSRI and go to talk therapy. But as we’ve learned through the past few episodes, this only works for 30% of people. That means we need to explore other ways to heal our consciousness. Today on Treated, Dr. Sara sits down with Dr. Brad Jacobs to learn about the alternative ways he has healed his consciousness. From taking MDMA for the first time in college, to surfing and skiing, doing Ayahuasca in ceremony, and both experiencing and prescribing Ketamine therapy—Dr. Brad Jacobs walks us through how to use the present moment as a tool for mental healing.// LEARN MORE FROM DR. BRAD JACOBS // Visit his website drbradjacobs.com Follow him on Instagram @bradjacobsmd.  Listen to our first conversation here and second one here.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Dr. Sara and her sister, Anna Reed, for an honest, funny, and sincere conversation around navigating the healthcare system in the United States as a woman and learning how to regulate your nervous system with age. Anna is a fourth grade teacher and was diagnosed with endometriosis earlier on in life–-a condition that runs in their family. Today, she’s had three surgeries to remove it and underwent a hysterectomy last year. Anna shares the advice she got from Dr. Sara while going through that period and the health protocols she now follows. Then, Anna opens up about the joys and struggles of being a teacher, the importance of cultivating female friendships, and how she found herself after divorce. They close with practical tips to optimize your health for any stage of life.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rob Fisher is a marriage and family therapist (MFT), Hakomi trainer, professor, and author. After working in the entertainment industry, he began studying for his master’s degree in psychology. About a decade later, he discovered Hakomi—a body- and mindfulness-centered approach to psychotherapy that emphasizes experiential healing and the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Today, Rob has taught many therapists this practice and is developing “The Compassion Companion,” an AI tool powered by ChatGPT, for patients to use.Rob joins Dr. Sara on Treated to discuss what led him to switch careers, how he found Hakomi, why it’s such an important form of therapy, and what he’s learned about human nature through it. They also explore the power of writing and what inspired him to write both nonfiction and fiction books. Later, Rob shares his hopes and fears about AI and what the impact will be on human connection and in-person therapy. Dr. Sara tests out “The Compassion Companion,” Rob’s AI therapy tool, and they engage in a real-time Hakomi experience. To close, he shares a memory of one of his favorite clients and reflects on how he hopes to be remembered.// LEARN MORE FROM ROB FISHER // Visit his website robfishermft.com Check out the Compassion Companion and use it here. Purchase his book, The Weeping Buddha and Experiential Psychotherapy With Couples, A Guide for the Creative Pragmatist. // OTHER REFERENCES // Research studies on AI and psychotherapy: Kuhail, Mohammad Amin, Mohamed Bahja, Ons Al-shamaileh, Justin Thomas, Amina Alkazemi, and Joao Negreiros. "Assessing the Impact of Chatbot-Human Personality Congruence on User Behavior: A Chatbot-Based Advising System Case." IEEE Access PP (2024): 1-1. doi:10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3402977. // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the key to financial success and a fulfilling life is slowing down and feeling safe? Kate Northrup is an author, podcaster, and coach who helps people regulate their nervous systems to attract abundance. After the traumatic birth of her daughter in 2016, Kate was left with anxiety and hypervigilance. It was then that she realized she had been using stress and pressure as fuel—and began to strategically relax. When she did, abundance started to flow into her life.In this episode, Kate guides us on how to move more slowly, engage our senses, and strengthen our intuition. Tune in to learn the simple, tangible advice that can lead to a life filled with more joy, peace, and abundance. // LEARN MORE FROM KATE NORTHRUP // Visit his website katenorthrup.com. Follow her on Instagram @katenorthrup.  Listen to her podcast, Plenty, wherever you podcast. Purchase her books, Do Less and Money: A Love Story.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you know that some people take a small dose of LSD in the morning instead of an SSRI to treat depression? Microdosing psychedelics has become more mainstream, and today, Dr. Sara explores the growing body of research on microdosing to improve overall health. Although limited, studies have shown that microdosing LSD and psilocybin can improve blood pressure, sleep, mood, social cognition, and—anecdotally—creativity, with no reported adverse side effects. Dr. Sara examines the intricacies of these studies and highlights some of their limitations—particularly the lack of research on microdosing in women, and why this needs to change as the field continues to grow. To finish, Dr. Sara shares her personal experience with microdosing and what she hopes to see in the future.// BOOKS AND ARTICLES ON MICRODOSING // ‘Microdosing: The people taking LSD with their breakfast’‘Silicon Valley Is Micro-Dosing ‘Magic Mushrooms’ To Boost Their Careers’‘Mommies Who Mushroom’‘Microdosing Psilocybin Mushrooms Improves Mood And Mental Health After One Month, New Study Finds’Ayelet Waldman — A Really Good Day: How Microdosing Made a Mega Difference in My Mood, My Marriage, and My LifeJames Fadiman — Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced PerformanceJames Fadiman — The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys// RESOURCES ON MICRODOSING LSD // Study published in 2024 (examining doses of 5 to 20 micrograms of LSD): Murphy, Robin J., Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, and Harriet de Wit. 2024. "Microdosing Psychedelics: Current Evidence From Controlled Studies." Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging 9 (5): 500-511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.01.002.  Study published in 2024 by Allen et al. (examining 10 micrograms of LSD in men):  Allen, Nathan, Aron Jeremiah, Robin Murphy, Rachael Sumner, Anna Forsyth, Nicholas Hoeh, David Menkes, William Evans, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, Frederick Sundram, and Partha Roop. 2024. "LSD Increases Sleep Duration the Night After Microdosing." Translational Psychiatry 14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-02900-4.Study of eight men given LSD for creativity:  Murphy, R.J., R.L. Sumner, K. Godfrey, et al. 2025. "Multimodal Creativity Assessments Following Acute and Sustained Microdosing of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide." Psychopharmacology 242: 337–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-024-06680-z.Study in men on LSD and sleep (80 subjects):  Allen, Nathan, Aron Jeremiah, Robin Murphy, Rachael Sumner, Anna Forsyth, Nicholas Hoeh, David B. Menkes, William Evans, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, Frederick Sundram, and Partha Roop. 1 2024. "LSD Increases Sleep Duration the Night After Microdosing." Translational Psychiatry 14 (1): 191. // RESOURCES ON MICRODOSING MUSHROOMS // Study of 34 people given 0.5 grams of dried mushroom: Cavanna, Federico, Stephanie Muller, Laura Alethia de la Fuente, Federico Zamberlan, Matías Palmucci, Lucie Janeckova, Martin Kuchar, Carla Pallavicini, and Enzo Tagliazucchi. 2021. "Microevidence for Microdosing with Psilocybin Mushrooms: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study of Subjective Effects, Behavior, Creativity, Perception, Cognition, and Brain Activity." bioRxiv 2021.11.30.470657. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.30.470657.// RESOURCES ON MICRODOSING LSD AND MUSHROOMS // Polito, Vince, and Priyanka Liknaitzky. 2022. "The Emerging Science of Microdosing: A Systematic Review of Research on Low Dose Psychedelics (1955-2021) and Recommendations for the Field." Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews 139 (August): 104706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104706.  Polito V, Liknaitzky P. Is microdosing a placebo? A rapid review of low-dose LSD and psilocybin research. J Psychopharmacol. 2024 Aug;38(8):701-711. doi: 10.1177/02698811241254831. Epub 2024 Jun 14. PMID: 38877715; PMCID: PMC11311906.  // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTubeProduced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do we balance our polarities—our feminine and masculine, our lightness and darkness? In this episode, Dr. Brad Jacobs and Dr. Sara discuss how to balance our lives to optimize our healthspan by focusing on what is common sense but not common practice. Dr. Brad Jacobs delves into the top health issues he sees in his patients: loneliness, sleep disturbances, and a complete denial of their health. He then explores the complexities of modern masculinity and the pitfalls of traditional masculine models. To conclude, Dr. Brad Jacobs provides practical strategies for men to achieve balance, improve their well-being, and foster healthier relationships.// LEARN MORE FROM DR. BRAD JACOBS // Visit his website drbradjacobs.com Follow him on Instagram @bradjacobsmd.  Follow on // KEEP IN TOUCH WITH DR. SARA //If you have a question, leave a voicemail at speakpipe.com/treated Follow on IG: @saragottfriedmd @treatedwithdrsaraWatch Treated on YouTube Produced by Dear Media. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.