Influenced to Death

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit influencedtodeath.substack.comIn this episode, Hannah & Victoria discuss AI as the most powerful up-and-coming health influencer and some surprising use cases.They cover: * “Psychosis Fueled by Generative AI Are Tearing Families Apart As Some Claim Chatbots Represent Spiritual Higher Consciousness,” an article on Substack by Azadeh Joon * Some history of AI and our relationship to it, a…

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria delve into the highly controversial topic of fluoride, especially its use in public drinking water.This is the most complex and multifaceted topic yet, and lots of ground gets covered in this slightly lengthy but super interesting episode. They discuss: * Some basic fluoride facts—what it is and why it’s currently up in public discourse* Symptoms of fluorosis, aka excess fluoride exposure* The history of fluoride in drinking water (it’s been controversial from the very beginning)* The chemistry of fluoride (big thanks to chemist Kyle Carter!)* Where the fluoride in our drinking water comes from* Some brief discussion of the multitude of compounds intentionally added to municipal water* The full-body impact of fluoride exposure—effects on the pineal gland, sleep, neurological, and cognitive effects* Some popular claims about fluoride…can it be lethal?* The difference between systemic and topical use of fluoride* Other factors that can influence oral health* Hannah’s fabulous recommendation to find a trusted water filterExtra resources:* The NSF chemical search page we shared during the episode* EPA fluoride supply chain chart (where the fluoride in your water comes from)* More on how the optimal levels in drinking water were determined* The reintroduction of fluoride into Calgary, Canada’s water supply* Evidence from archeological digs shows exposure to naturally occurring fluoride in human remains* From one study we read: “The effect of fluoride is mainly achieved when applied topically, which is further enhanced when accompanied by good oral hygiene.”* In this study, fluoride is described as a double-edged sword.* The study Hannah shared on fluoride and the pineal gland* Two studies (here and here) on fluoride and sleep* Click here and here for information on fatalities connected to fluoride, as claimed in the podcast clip we shared: One child died after eating an unknown amount of fluoride-based insecticide. Otherwise…“Children who ingested up to 8.4 mg/kg of elemental fluoride in dental products had mild and self-limited symptoms, mostly gastrointestinal.”* The study Hannah shared on the effectiveness of fluoride varnish* Click here and here for information on fluoride toxicology and IQ: The determination about lower IQs in children was based primarily on epidemiology studies in non-U.S. countries such as Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mexico, where some pregnant women, infants, and children received total fluoride exposure amounts higher than 1.5 mg fluoride/L of drinking water. The U.S. Public Health Service currently recommends 0.7 mg/L, and the World Health Organization has set a safe limit for fluoride in drinking water of 1.5 mg/L.* Research on the oral microbiome, second only to the gut in diversity and number of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa.* Vitamins that play a role in the prevention of cavities* Vitamin D seems especially crucial* Perhaps most importantly, what toxicants are more concerning than fluoride? PFAs, heavy metals, etc. * Check your local drinking water here This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

In this bonus episode, Hannah & Victoria hang out with Geoff Futch, a science-loving stats nerd (we say that with love!) who has a remarkably balanced take on research, science, and how we should approach an admittedly faulty process that supplies a huge chunk of the information we use in health sciences and our day-to-day lives.They cover: * Geoff’s bio and our long-term relationship and trust in his thought processes* Why people trust the sources they do * Does “good science” even exist due to outside influences like funding, government manipulation, or other forms of bias?* How unscupulous practices and messy science have undermined our trust* A great example of how the game of “science telephone” happens and can lead to misinformation * The role of nuance and subtlety in our ability to navigate information * Why we distrust experts and how social media and influencer culture have filled that vacuum * Geoff’s recommendation to meet a scientist and become more involved in the way information comes about in your topic of interest* The real-world ways that poor information becomes accepted and intertwined as a trusted belief* Evolutionary reasons why humans are captive to their biases and what we can do to break out of siloed thinking This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria talk with Kelsey Keener about MAHA’s (Make America Healthy Again) impact in the first 100 days of the Trump administration.Kelsey is a 3rd-generation farmer in Southeast Tennessee at Sequatchie Cove Farm (you can read his blog at this link or follow him on Instagram @sequatchiecovefarm). His grandparents started the farm 25 years ago, and he learned from his parents and continues to teach his children about regenerative farming, as well as the community and other farmers.They discuss: * The (brief) history of MAHA * Their personal biases around MAHA and the positive and negative details of what MAHA has promoted and achieved * The reason why MAHA’s ideas and actions are extremely impactful * Skepticism about climate change and what Kelsey understands about climate change as a farmer* Changes MAHA has made in the first 100 days of the Trump administration and how it’s impacted Kelsey’s work as a small farmer* How much food actually costs versus what we pay for it as consumers * Kelsey shares surprising information about the egg shortage and government-funded relief payments* How the government currently subsidizes farming and why that might not align with popularized MAHA speaking points* How Kelsey thinks MAHA’s current policies will affect small farms in the future* Are food dyes and fluoride the most important issues to focus on for most people?Helpful links: * HHS’s list of what has been accomplished in the first 100 days* Food Policy Tracker’s first 100 days of MAHA* $1 billion that was going to help put farm fresh food in schools and food banks was cancelled. This was an amazing program that was getting fresh vegetables and even grass-fed beef into school cafeterias. Kelsey talks more about this in the episode. More info here, here, here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit influencedtodeath.substack.comIn this episode, Hannah & Victoria explore whether dirt, germs, & worms might actually be good for us, and discuss the growing popularity of parasite cleanses.They cover: * The Old Friends Hypothesis, developed by Graham Rook—more from Graham here.* Graham’s latest publication: Evolution and the critical role of the microbiota in the reduced mental and phys…

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria finish discussing the most delicious the highly controversial topic of gluten. They cover: * Some updates on continuous glucose monitors and colostrum—you can find those studies here and here (CGM) and here (colostrum).* If wheat is really different in Europe. Check out resources on that here and here.* The curious workings of the immune system and why you might react to scrambled but not hard-boiled eggs, for example. More info here and here.* The accuracy of cross-reactive food testing (Cyrex Array 4) for people who react to gluten (YIKES). The study Victoria discusses is here.* The connection between gluten reactivity and neurological/psychological symptoms and diseases, including the case study Hannah mentioned where the patient’s brain healed with a GF diet. You can find a great summary of studies on this topic here, and more info dating back to the mid-70s here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria welcome back Sara Russell, Ph.D., to finish our discussion on research-based blood test analysis in pregnancy and postpartum, plus an exploration of the general brilliance that is speaking with Sara.We cover:* General review of the blood markers that have special postpartum ranges* 6 blood markers that can detect an early risk of preeclampsia * The incredible medicinal qualities of plain old white button mushrooms* Why you shouldn’t be afraid of soy* The brand of prenatal Sara recommends (no, she’s not affiliated!) and why choline is so crucial* The 3 layers of celiac disease and the connection to pregnancy and postpartum* The links between postpartum thyroiditis, non-celiac gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, bipolar disorder, and postpartum psychosis and why some people should NOT take SSRIs when experiencing postpartum depression* The paternal contribution to preeclampsia (yep, the dad)* Why aspirin might be a great tool for you in pregnancy You can find Sara at www.sararussellntp.com and click here for more information on her pregnancy & postpartum blood work analysis course. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit influencedtodeath.substack.comIn this episode, Hannah & Victoria discuss the now-internationally famous story of Belle Gibson, an Australian influencer who rose to fame in the mid-2000s for her social media accounts of battling and winning against brain cancer.But her Instagram account was hiding a massive secret that may have hurt her followers.We cover: * The details of the Belle Gi…

Delve into the historical journey of methylene blue, a synthetic dye turned medical marvel, and explore its surprising links to mitochondrial health. The conversation dives into the rising trend of colostrum and its supposed benefits versus marketing hype. You’ll also hear insights on high-protein diets, unraveling myths around collagen and nutrition. Additionally, the hosts highlight the importance of balancing health claims with credible research while examining the social implications of dietary choices.

In this episode, Hannah & Victoria dive into one of the most contentious topics in all of wellness: delicious, delicious gluten. They discuss: * What, exactly, is gluten?* Where macronutrients come from (like, originally)* If gluten is a lectin, or not, and if you should worry about eating lectins* The history of gluten and gluten-free diets* If grain and gluten hurt our health * Our opinions on whether gluten is appropriate for the general population * Victoria and Hannah’s personal experiences with gluten * The possible harms of a gluten-free diet* If cross-reactive foods are a real thing for people who react to gluten* Is celiac reversible???For our most mature listeners, the South Park explanation of gluten. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit influencedtodeath.substack.com/subscribe