Send a text

A Neuroscientific Approach to Menstrual Wellness with Dr Emile Radyte: Exploring Brain-Based Pain and Mood Therapies

In this episode, we welcome Dr Emile Radyte, a Harvard and Oxford-trained neuroscientist specialising in how the brain influences menstrual mood and pain

Dr Radyte discusses her extensive background, including her leadership at Harvard’s emergency medical service and the founding of Lithuania’s largest neuroscience NGO. She is the co-founder of a neuroscience company focused on a brain-first approach to menstrual wellness. The conversation dives deep into the neuroscience behind menstrual pain and mood, explaining how brain circuits, rather than just hormones, regulate these experiences

Dr Radyte elaborates on the innovative non-invasive brain stimulation techniques her team is developing to provide pain relief and mood stabilisation for women with conditions such as PMS, PMDD and endometriosis. She also shares insights on the interplay between hormones, neuroplasticity and brain circuits, as well as ongoing clinical trials and the personalisation of therapeutic protocols for different conditions

Throughout the episode, she highlights the crucial role of self-tracking and personal responsibility in women’s health optimisation

Timestamp

00:00 Introduction and guest welcome
01:05 Understanding the brain-first approach to menstrual health
02:57 Brain circuits and emotional regulation
06:54 Pain perception and sensitivity
09:19 PMS vs PMDD: clinical definitions and differences
12:54 Brain stimulation: a new approach to menstrual health
29:14 Devices and technology for menstrual wellness
35:50 Understanding women’s symptoms and tracking
37:32 Common user mistakes and how to avoid them
41:06 Clinical trials and research initiatives
50:33 User experience with the devices
01:00:43 Curveball questions and personal insights

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. Samphire Neurotechnology

• Samphire is a neurotechnology company focused on women’s brain health, particularly hormonal-cycle related symptoms such as:
  • PMS
  • PMDD
  • Menstrual migraines
  • Brain fog
  • Mood and cognitive disruption linked to hormonal changes
• The technology discussed is non-invasive neuromodulation, designed as a drug-free alternative for managing symptoms.

2. Neuroscience & Hormonal Health

• Discussion around how hormonal fluctuations impact the brain, not just reproductive organs.
• Emphasis on the lack of research funding and innovation in women’s neurological health.
• The gap between male-centric medical research models and women’s lived neurological experiences.
  
  

3. Clinical & Regulatory Context

• Samphire’s work within regulated medical frameworks.
• Importance of clinical validation, safety, and evidence-based design for women’s health technology.
• Barriers women face accessing care for cycle-linked neurological symptoms.

4. Lived Experience & Advocacy

• Emile shares the personal motivation behind building Samphire.
• Reframing “normal” suffering around periods and hormones.
• Advocating for women to expect better solutions, not just coping strategies.
  
  
  

Social Media Links

Samphire Website: https://url-shortener.me/4QQW
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/eradyte/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/radytee/?hl=

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

Send us a text

Navigating the world of assisted reproduction with Mary Fusillo

In this episode, we speak with Mary Fusillo, a practitioner in assisted reproduction for over 25 years. Mary shares insights on her company, Family Solutions International, which provides egg donation, surrogacy, and fertility consulting. She contrasts US and European practice, particularly around donor compensation, and details the screening and selection of egg donors. We examine financial, logistical, and emotional aspects of egg donation and surrogacy, including cost breakdowns, roles and expectations for surrogates and intended parents, and ethical questions around donor anonymity. Mary also highlights psychological impacts and common challenges for all involved. This episode gives a comprehensive look at the complexities, joys, and ethical considerations of assisted reproduction

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and guest introduction
00:08 Mary’s background and career in assisted reproduction
00:52 Focus on egg donors and surrogacy
01:17 The egg donor process in the US
01:38 Compensation and selection of egg donors
03:41 Fresh vs frozen eggs
04:59 Costs and European perspective
06:11 Ethics and anonymity in egg donation
08:54 Logistics and travel for egg donation
16:03 Progesterone support in early pregnancy
21:03 Donor-egg cycle timeline
22:44 Age and ethics in donor-egg usage
25:46 Reasons for choosing donor eggs
28:09 Attachment to DNA and family
30:23 Introduction to surrogacy
33:11 Cost of donor-egg surrogacy
34:26 Typical surrogate profile
36:05 Surrogate relationships and dynamics
43:00 Cross-border surrogacy trends
47:49 Single men and surrogacy
50:23 Genetic testing and embryo screening
53:39 Ethics of telling children about their origins
56:33 Regrets and relief in egg donation and surrogacy
01:00:04 Final thoughts on third-party parenting

Social Media Links

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/familysolutionsinternational/

https://www.facebook.com/DonorSolutionDotCom/

Instagram:

@the_eggsplanation_pod

@familysolutionsinternational

@donorsolution

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. Egg Donation & Surrogacy Pathways

• Egg Donation – Discussed as a family-building option for individuals and couples facing infertility, genetic conditions, or age-related fertility decline.
• Gestational Surrogacy – Explained as a process where the surrogate carries a pregnancy but has no genetic link to the baby.
• Key Distinction Covered:
  • Traditional vs gestational surrogacy
  • Donor eggs vs intended mother’s eggs
    
    

2. Legal & Ethical Considerations

• Importance of legal contracts for:
  • Egg donors
  • Surrogates
  • Intended parents
• Discussion of cross-border surrogacy risks
• Emphasis on using licensed agencies and fertility clinics
• Consent, autonomy, and long-term wellbeing of all parties involved

3. Medical & Screening Processes

• Psychological screening for donors and surrogates
• Medical testing and fertility screening
• Hormonal stimulation and egg retrieval (egg donation)
• IVF processes involved in surrogacy journeys

4. Emotional & Human Aspects

• Emotional readiness of intended parents
• The lived experience of donors and surrogates
• Importance of counselling and emotional support throughout the journey
• Reframing stigma around non-traditional family building

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

Send us a text

Harnessing the Power of Cycle-Syncing for Female Productivity with Maggie McDaris

In this episode of Biohacking Eve, Judith speaks with Maggie McDaris, founder of Phase, about the untapped potential of aligning work with female biology. Contrary to popular belief, every phase of the menstrual cycle—menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal—comes with its own surprising cognitive superpowers. We explore how understanding and leveraging these shifts can help women optimise focus, creativity, communication, and decision-making at work, while reducing burnout. Maggie shares insights from neuroscience and endocrinology on why the traditional 9–5 model often clashes with women’s natural rhythms, and how cycle-synching can transform workplace productivity. This conversation is a practical roadmap for women—and the organisations that support them—to harness biology as a strategic advantage.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and guest introduction
00:59 The problem with traditional work schedules
02:21 Maggie’s personal burnout story
03:59 Introduction to cycle-synching
05:00 How Phase works
07:27 The four cycle phases and their superpowers
12:38 Phase integration in the workplace
22:19 User feedback and future plans
33:50 Embracing strengths during the luteal phase
35:03 Challenges in building Phase
35:56 Integration and user experience
39:08 Addressing irregular cycles and contraception
41:04 Future of hormone tracking and integration
48:10 Cycle-based vertical opportunities
01:02:33 Cultural and organisational challenges
01:12:30 Medium-budget wellness solutions
01:13:29 High-budget organisational wellness
01:15:59 Cultural shifts for wellness
01:18:24 Phase app: current features and plans
01:20:00 Personal insights and feedback mechanisms
01:23:15 Engaging with Phase: user participation
01:25:41 Lightning round: myths, metrics, and personal hacks
01:37:21 Investments in personal well-being
01:40:56 Future breakthroughs and sentimental reflections

Social Media Links

LinkedIn (Maggie McDaris): Maggie McDaris

Instagram: @maggiemcdaris

📚 Resources Mentioned in This Episode

1. Phase.io – Cycle-Aware Productivity App
   
   
   
   • A neuroscience- and endocrinology-informed app that helps women align work and wellbeing with their hormonal cycles.
     
     
     
   • Features: personalized daily insights, “cognitive radar,” workplace integrations (Google Workspace, Office 365), and mobile app.
     
     
     
   • 🌐 Website: Phase.io – Meet the team and learn more about the mission
     
     
     
2. Related Research & Concepts
   
   
   
   • Cycle Syncing – Adapting lifestyle, work, and wellbeing to the four phases of the menstrual cycle.
     
     
     
   • Feasibility Study (University of Greenwich) – Early research validating demand for cycle-aware productivity tools.
     
     
     
   • Cognitive Radar – Mapping six key strengths: energy, focus, motivation, creativity, communication, reflection.
     
     
     
   • Future Integrations – Google Calendar, Office 365, Slack, Asana, Todoist, Reclaim.ai.
     
     
     
3. Referenced Tools & Comparisons
   
   
   
   • Oura Ring – For sleep, stress, HRV, and cycle insights.
     
     
     
   • Headspace & Calm – Examples of integrated wellness resources.
     
     
     
   • Peloton & Zoey – Models for

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