Neurocosmetics

Anything But Mid is hosted by Amy Edwards and Whitney Stropp. Neither host is a doctor and nothing here is medical advice. Lightly cleaned for readability.

Whitney: I'm Whitney.

Amy: And I'm Amy. Oh, and you make me a midlife.

Whitney: But you're anything but mid. Almost, almost.

Amy: You nailed it. I was just a deer in the headlights. You know what? You can't do it.

Whitney: You can't nail it every time.

Amy: That's right. And that is a great life lesson.

Whitney: Ain't it though? Yes. How are you doing?

Amy: I am fine.

Whitney: What's happening with your shoulder?

Amy: My shoulder is acting up. But you know, it's just that's I've been going to the gym and getting back on my gym game. And, you know, my body's just a little tired.

Whitney: Well, I think it gets tense, right? Everything is tense. And then if you don't do you stretch before you work out or anything?

Amy: Yeah. I'm a big stretcher. I don't stretch as much before. I stretch like I'll like go really slow on the treadmill at the very beginning and like stretch where I hop off while warming up and just kind of like do some good stretches or whatever. But oh damn it. Now I forgot what I was going to say. I had something good to add in to whatever it was you were talking about.

Whitney: The shoulder?

Amy: Shoulder, and then stretching, and Who knows?

Whitney: Well, I'm going to share my mid moment.

Amy: Please do.

Whitney: So, I went from the estradiol pill to the estradiol patch and you have to change the patch twice a week. I keep forgetting to change it.

Amy: So, how long do you go?

Whitney: So, well, I I'm supposed to do Tuesdays and no, I'm supposed to do Wednesdays and Sundays, but then I was forgetting. So, I started again on a Tuesday, but then I forgot to change it on Saturday, so now I'm on Wednesday. So, now I'm doing Wednesday and Sunday. I think the answer to your question is a long time. Like, I'll go a week forgetting, and then I'll be in the shower and I'm like, what is this? Oh yeah, I have a patch that I'm supposed to change.

Amy: Oh, my gosh.

Whitney: And my boobs sometimes hurt now because

Amy: Oh, estrogen.

Whitney: Like,

Amy: Do you like the patch? Do you like it?

Whitney: No. I don't. I don't because I was in I'm in a good routine with pills. You know, I'm taking pills every day. Now I'm on this new protocol where I'm taking some in the a.m. and some in the p.m.

Amy: What do you keep your pills in?

Whitney: Well, this new thing that I've got has them already in packets, an a.m. packet and a p.m. packet.

Amy: Nice.

Whitney: But I just have one of those, you know, normal, Monday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.

Amy: We need to invent a nice-looking one.

Whitney: Yeah, it's just a crappy plastic one, which now I've been using it so much, and when I travel, it'll open in my bag, and then all the pills are out. Yeah.

Amy: Perfect. Perfect.

Whitney: And that's really fun to go through.

Amy: Oh, shit.

Whitney: But I think I like the pill better because I remember to take it. But I know the patch is better for getting the right dose, because it's bypassing your stomach.

Amy: Have you thought about putting it on your calendar?

Whitney: What calendar would that be?

Amy: Don't you keep like a Google Calendar?

Whitney: No, I have my phone calendar, but

Amy: Yeah. Yeah, your phone calendar.

Whitney: Yeah, I guess. I'm guessing I'm going to have to do that.

Amy: Yeah, do that.

Whitney: I don't know. I I guess I do look at my phone calendar.

Amy: I mean, how much is on your calendar, really?

Whitney: Let's see. Today, nothing. My mom's doctor's appointment.

Amy: Okay, so like put it on your calendar, and you can set it for every Tuesday and Friday or whatever it was.

Whitney: Good know. Yeah, it's it's Tuesday, Saturday, or Wednesday, Sunday, it's something like that. But now so, today is Thursday, and

Amy: You just need to start all over.

Whitney: I just got to start all over, rip this patch off.

Amy: Start all over on Sunday, put your reminders on the calendar. You can set it up to be like every

Whitney: Yeah. You're right. You're right.

Amy: Tuesday, whatever. Sunday and what is it?

Whitney: It's Sunday and Wednesday.

Amy: Sunday and Wednesday.

Whitney: Or Tuesday and Saturday. I don't know. I just yeah, I'm not in a routine of thinking about the patch. And so,

Amy: Yeah. Yeah.

Whitney: I'm keeping it on too long and then I think, well, I'm sure there's still some in this patch. It's not like it's 100% depleted. Right.

Amy: Yeah, it's like run out of it, right. For sure.

Whitney: Anyway.

Amy: You know, I'm glad you brought this up. Because I was thinking of doing a new segment for us, maybe every quarter,

Whitney: Great.

Amy: called suppdate. And it would be our suppdate.

Whitney: Suppdate. I love it.

Amy: So, updating what we're doing for our supplements.

Whitney: Oh, okay.

Amy: And so, I would love your suppdate and I'll share mine.

Whitney: Well, I just started a new one, so I I can't tell you today because I don't have it written down.

Amy: Oh, shit.

Whitney: It's just a it's through that Remember when I told you my friend asked me to be become a member of this wellness health store or whatever?

Amy: Vaguely.

Whitney: And it was kind of like a not a Potsie scheme, but like Potsie? Whatever. What's that called? Ponzi. Ponzi, it's not Potsie from Happy Days. I really enjoy

Amy: But don't you think Potsie would have been in a Ponzi scheme?

Whitney: Yeah, quite possibly.

Whitney: Like, so it's It's you can understand why I got confused. Potsie would totally be in a Ponzi scheme. Anyway, it's not a Ponzi scheme. It's one of those levels. It's like, oh, I'm going to join and sell it and then you sell it under me.

Amy: Pyramid.

Whitney: Yes, there you go. So many schemes to to keep up with.

Amy: That's what it is.

Whitney: I prefer the Potsie the Potsie scheme.

Amy: What's the brand? What's the brand?

Whitney: It starts with an M. It's like Melaleuca or something. But when you research the company, it's it's really legit and has great reviews. And the products are really good.

Amy: They're all like that.

Whitney: Okay. Well, I'm a member now, so watch it.

Amy: I full of mistrust.

Whitney: No, I'm only trying.

Amy: So, now you have these on auto ship and you get charged.

Whitney: No. No, well, that's the that's the thing that is what I don't like, right? If you don't make you have to spend like a certain amount of points each month or if you don't, they just send you some random stuff. Like you're getting charged regardless. But I wanted to try the products and just see. And when you do when you Google the products and stuff, they do have very good reviews.

Amy: Well, that's good.

Whitney: So, I'll I'll bring it in next time and I'm not I'm not making disparaging comments about Melaleuca or whatever the name of the company is.

Amy: I am. I just don't trust it. I don't trust it.

Whitney: No, I get it.

Amy: And it's it's unnecessarily complicated. Now you have points and whatever else.

Whitney: I know. And I'm only going to I'm just trying it for a little bit out of courtesy for my sweet, sweet friend. And also, I wanted to see, you know, what are they offering and is it legit? Does it work better?

Amy: Okay. So, that's all you're doing right now?

Whitney: I'm doing this particular protocol. No, I've got I've got several things plus this a.m./p.m. packet. But I'm still taking like something for brain fog. I'm still taking, you know, my thyroid and and hormone replacement therapy stuff. And then at night you take their stuff? I'm taking I've got I just bought some Thorne vitamin K and D in liquid form.

Amy: Ooh.

Whitney: But it is killing me trying to get the two drops out of the tiny bottle. Like, it's not a dropper. It's like one of those, you know, just has a little hole in the middle. And and you're just supposed to like shake it out. The drops won't come out. I'm literally shaking it as hard as I can. I'm going to crack a tooth. It's going to hit me in the face.

Amy: It's supposed to just in your face, you just uh uh drop, drop?

Whitney: Yeah, but it doesn't. You have to go uh uh uh uh uh uh uh and then maybe a drop and a half comes out.

Amy: Poke a poke a pin in there.

Whitney: I know. I might have to, cuz I don't think I'm getting enough vitamin D and K. So, I started that. And then and then the this something that starts with a C for brain fog. And then I am back on magnesium.

Amy: Ooh, good for you.

Whitney: Because that was in my Bryan Johnson packet, but it's not in this one. So, magnesium.

Amy: That's a good one. Yeah.

Whitney: And I feel like there's Oh, and of course my minoxidil. And I think I think that's it. The vitamin D, the vitamin K, the brain fog thing, the packets, and magnesium. There.

Amy: Cool. Very nice.

Whitney: What about you?

Amy: For me, I'm still doing the algae. So, I do 15 and 15 of the spirulina. And the chlorella is at night. I take it before bed. I take 30.

Whitney: But they're teeny, teeny tiny. It's not 30 horse pills.

Amy: Teeny little tablets. These are ENERGYbits.

Whitney: ENERGYbits.

Amy: This is my algae experiment, because the owner of ENERGYbits is like glowing, and she's like 70 whatever, 68, 70.

Whitney: Yeah, don't call her 70 yet. She would not be like that.

Amy: Somebody like I had like a nasty comment on one of my Instagram videos on Facebook, of course, because that's where

Whitney: The mean people are. Oh, really?

Amy: the trolls come out. Oh yeah. And one of them was like, "Oh, you look you're 60 acting like you're 20." And I was like

Whitney: To you? On your Oh man, well, you know he's

Amy: I said, "Yeah." LOL, "Yeah." I was like fuck it.

Whitney: Yeah. I wouldn't even respond.

Amy: Honestly, I don't think any of them are real people. I don't think they're I think they're bots.

Whitney: But why would a bot Why would a bot do a negative comment?

Amy: Because the more outrage that you have, the more you're staying online to fight and the more you're online, the more you're on the platform, and that's all they want. They want you on the platform the longer the better.

Whitney: But it's your platform.

Amy: No, it's not, it's Meta.

Whitney: Oh, oh, oh. I was thinking like your page.

Amy: No, they just want you using the apps and then

Whitney: So, you think Meta has mean bots out there?

Amy: Yes, sure do. Sure do, that's my theory. I don't think all these these men holding fish pictures that make nasty comments, I don't think they're real.

Whitney: Oh, I do agree with Yeah. Oh, and I'm sure you get this too, tons of fake profiles trying to hit you up. And then it's so easy to find out. You just go to their profile and they have all these pictures that were created on the very same day.

Amy: Tons. Yeah.

Whitney: And they all like love their country and are like buff or like they have money and they're showing themselves like doing things that they think women want.

Amy: This one was an AI-generated image of a super hot woman and then she was she her profile was posting things about Andrew Tate. Pro, pro-Andrew Tate.

Whitney: Oh. Oh.

Amy: And like stuff like that, and I was like, what in the world have I encountered here?

Whitney: And then when you notice if you go I mean, now if they're hateful, then maybe people are commenting, but like on the men that are just trying to get you to, you know, cat fish you, nobody's commenting on any of their photos or anything. So, that's a dead giveaway. But I bet if it's content that is getting people riled up,

Amy: Oh yeah.

Whitney: did she have comments on her?

Amy: Bots are super sophisticated, and I'm like I will preach this like so much. So, let's just talk about this for a second. I listen to this podcast called Who Trolled Amber. Have you listened to it?

Whitney: Ooh, no, but I just got chills.

Amy: Everyone has to listen to it. And the crazy

Whitney: Who did who did?

Amy: Exactly. Well, this is about Amber Heard, right, who we all ended up hating because of Johnny Depp.

Whitney: Oh, yeah. Mhm.

Amy: Well, guess what? Amber didn't do shit, really. And I mean maybe she got drunk and had a fight with Johnny Depp, but

Whitney: I think she pooped in his bed or something.

Amy: It's all bullshit. And Johnny Depp is I I fucking hate Johnny Depp now, I which I hate to say, cuz I always liked him. But anyway, it's more than the story of Johnny and Amber. What this podcast is about is about bots and trolls, and it ends up Who Trolled Amber is something I think it's a bot farm in Saudi Arabia and Johnny Depp has ties to the Prince of Saudi Arabia. It's very complicated. But very big and

Whitney: And horrifying because it took this Amber is a real person and she has to live with that kind of harassment and bullying.

Amy: Mega harassment. And really they would take one little thing out of context maybe from the trial or whatever, one little clip, and they the bots And this is when this came out, this is what how many years has it been since this, right?

Whitney: Yeah, it's several years ago. Yeah.

Amy: So, when that was going on, in less than a second, they can create over 500,000 bot accounts that are all slightly differ- in a second. And they're all slightly different. They have profiles and everything. They can say basically what they want them to say and spread, and they're all like basically spread spreading misinformation. And all these accounts are following each other, and then they do their own sort of take on the misinformation that they want to relay, and then they'll reshare things with the clip, and it just it spreads far and wide, and then we think, oh my gosh, tons of people think this. And it's fake.

Whitney: Yeah, that's what's so scary. That's Honestly, I kind of want to just get back to if you don't know if I don't know you personally, then I shouldn't have you as a friend on social media, because you just everybody is getting catfished.

Amy: Oh, my gosh, I saw one today and it was like these very believable-looking videos of girls that were like having a glow up and they were like, "Oh, he didn't like me before," and she's got like she's all scruffy or whatever. And then she's suddenly like crazy hot and

Whitney: She got dolled up, yeah. Yeah.

Amy: this Danae Mercer, if you follow Danae, Danae is really good at pointing stuff out that's fake, and she was pointing out like all these They're just getting more sophisticated. I guess my point is that if they could do that back with Amber and Johnny's trial, and and really it was about Johnny Depp saving his ass with his movie career and saving his money from paying her anything. And when he is he was abusive, and

Whitney: Mhm. Mhm.

Amy: that's that's the bottom line. And then he abused her like this, and it's so awful. And the But they get into several different stories on that podcast about the bots and what they can do and different stories.

Whitney: Ooh, and so it's called Who Trolled Amber?

Amy: Who Trolled Amber. I just I cannot recommend it highly enough. Everybody should listen, because you will And the fact that it's old, and you'll just have a whole new perspective on on bots and and like I just I have all these thoughts like that they're selling our data, they're

Whitney: Okay, I will listen to it. Oh, 100%.

Amy: It's constant. The other day, listen to this.

Whitney: What?

Amy: The other day I was in Lowe's. I was in Lowe's in Florida, wherever I was, and there's a a band called Durand Jones & The Indications. But I bet you've never heard of them.

Whitney: I've never heard of them.

Amy: No, right. They're not famous. I mean they're kind they're kind of getting a following or whatever, they just came out with a new album, and I've been listening to it. One particular song on there I really like and and I I listened to it a few times. I'm walking through Lowe's, and that fucking song comes on.

Whitney: Shut up.

Amy: And I'm like, why would they be playing this song in Lowe's? And so, then I go down a rabbit hole in my own mind, like

Whitney: They're following you.

Amy: are they selling my data to where they know my location, cuz of course they do, they know my location, I'm at Lowe's, do they pick different people in Lowe's at that moment, because of their listening history, they play a song that they know you like to make your experience at Lowe's more relaxing and fun? And I was like,

Whitney: Yeah. And they want you to buy a ton of hardware.

Amy: And that's that's not the first time that's happened to me.

Whitney: That's crazy.

Amy: That's happened in several different stores, I would say in the last few months, and I and I immediately my radar goes up because I'm like, why would they be playing this song that is heavy listening for me, but not for anybody else?

Whitney: So random. Yeah.

Amy: And

Whitney: We should go try it out. I'll go to Lowe's. See if they play my song.

Amy: Go to Lowe's, I'm serious. But I'm just and so, I told Justin after, I go, "I think they're selling our data," cuz I don't know what's in those fucking agreements that you click agree to

Whitney: Did you find out? They are, nobody reads those. Nobody reads them.

Amy: when you start I said that in Apple one day. I was in Apple Store and I was like um I was like they set they had me click on one and I go I go, "Oh, nobody reads these, right?" And someone beside me goes, "I do." And I was like, "What? You do? What the fuck?" I'm like, oh my god. So, yeah, I mean, I remember John Oliver making a joke once and he was like, they could put the entire text of Mein Kampf in there and people would be like, "Sure."

Whitney: Yeah, it's sad, but of course all of our data is being stolen or sold.

Amy: It's being sold. And so,

Whitney: And I don't even trust when it says you can click here and you won't we won't sell my your data. I always feel like

Amy: Oh yeah. Ask app not to track or

Whitney: Yeah, then I'm like I'm sure that they're going to especially sell it after I tell them not to.

Amy: They're like, oh, she doesn't want us to?

Whitney: Yeah, oh well. Oh, this bitch. Whitney Stropp, she definitely has data that we need to sell.

Amy: Try going to Lowe's.

Whitney: She's hiding something from us.

Amy: I mean I mean, maybe Durand Jones & The Indications is a really hot band right now and I just don't know it. But I'm like, that's too weird.

Whitney: And very big with the Lowe's customer base.

Amy: I know. Why would they play that in Lowe's?

Whitney: I don't know, that's creepy.

Amy: Lowe's Florida. I mean anyway, anyway. Okay.

Whitney: Maybe that's why in the grocery store the music's always so good, cuz it's all my age group there. You know?

Amy: And they're just picking up what you're putting down.

Whitney: And they so it is '80s all day long at H-E-B. '80s H-E-B.

Amy: '80s ladies. Yeah. Yeah, pretty wild, right?

Whitney: It's scary.

Amy: I don't know how we got on this.

Whitney: We went down a little rabbit hole.

Amy: I don't know. But anyway, we were doing supplements.

Whitney: Oh, yeah.

Amy: Yeah, for some reason we got on bots. Okay. Okay, so I could rant on bots all day, cuz I am

Whitney: It's scary.

Amy: I the internet is dead, it's all bots. Yes.

Whitney: Yeah, at this point, I think everyone should just assume that nothing is real and nobody is the people that are saying they believe like don't just talk to your community people. Talk to them and find out what they are truly thinking.

Amy: Yeah, if it's somebody you don't know, don't waste your time getting outraged. Do not, do not, no.

Whitney: No.

Amy: Okay. My suppdate, I'm still on the algae. Oh, we were talking about algae.

Whitney: Oh, yeah.

Amy: Yeah, I'm still on the algae and I haven't done my blood work yet, but they're it's coming soon. So, that's exciting. I, you guys Okay, I had a guy on my show and he talked about wheatgrass juice.

Whitney: Oh, gosh, I know when he gave you some you were like

Amy: He did.

Whitney: And you loved it.

Amy: So, well, the other day I hadn't really eaten and I'd only had coffee, and I this was a while back, and I thought, I don't feel so great, so I think I'll have some wheatgrass just to try it.

Whitney: As one does. I'm not feeling great.

Amy: So, I made a small cup and I chugged it. Instant.

Whitney: Shut up.

Amy: Instant felt good.

Whitney: No.

Amy: Instantly felt better.

Whitney: No way.

Amy: And I was like, this is wild, yes.

Whitney: You just did a shot of it?

Amy: I it's a powder, so I did a full scoop with maybe a cup of water.

Whitney: I want to try some when I leave. Do you still have some?

Amy: I almost made you some, but then I was like, oh, it's very green.

Whitney: I know, all you brought me was this stinking water, just water.

Amy: She might

Whitney: Not even a hydrogen tablet in there.

Amy: I am trying to in the new year drink wheatgrass juice every day. I like it.

Whitney: Well, remember you used to get shots like That was a thing like to do the the wheatgrass shot.

Amy: Yeah. And that's like freshly juiced, which I'm sure is incredible. But these

Whitney: Yeah. Yeah.

Amy: wheatgrass powders are made super sustainably and very carefully, so they're supposed to be just as good. And I'm telling you I had in- instant.

Whitney: And is that what he was saying is was he saying that if you drink wheatgrass it just instantly

Amy: No, he didn't say that.

Whitney: What what was his

Amy: He just said you should do this every morning. It's really good for you and makes you feel good. And I was like, meh, maybe. And then he sent me some and I went and bought some cuz I was like, maybe there's something to this, cuz we're always, you know, swept up in every trend. And but this one's been around for a long time. I think I'm going to do an episode on wheatgrass, cuz I'm very curious.

Whitney: Okay, good. And in the meantime, I'll try to do some shots.

Amy: Yeah, let me write that down.

Whitney: Not of wheatgrass, but just all the shots.

Amy: I'm I'll give you some, but like maybe when you're feeling brain foggy or something like try it and see what happens.

Whitney: You didn't hear my joke.

Amy: What was it?

Whitney: I said I'm going to do some shots. Not of wheatgrass.

Amy: Just shots. I'm sorry, I missed your joke. Damn, Drew.

Whitney: That's all right. I know. I I won't let you miss it, obviously.

Amy: So, that's I'm doing testosterone a little bit on my arm.

Whitney: Yeah, how much testosterone are you doing?

Amy: Well, they say two clicks on my thing, so that's quite a lot, so I just do one click.

Whitney: Okay. So, you don't follow the rules.

Amy: No, I don't. That's too much.

Whitney: The doctor said two clicks.

Amy: Holy Lord, your orgasms get so much better.

Whitney: Huh.

Amy: Like,

Whitney: I just went off testosterone.

Amy: so much better. And you didn't Did you think your orgasms got better?

Whitney: Well, actually, I mean I would say just in general my libido was really great for the first like two years on hormone replacement therapy. But then part of the reason why I went off of testosterone is because I was like, this isn't doing anything. I'm I'm still tired, I'm still this, I'm still that. So, the short answer is I don't know.

Amy: Yeah, isn't that isn't that always it?

Whitney: I used to I used to be very, very Look, I'm still very sexual. But now

Amy: We all should be. Yes.

Whitney: Yeah, I'm still very sexual, but maybe not as much as I was over the last two years. I'm sure testosterone had something to do with it. I can't do testosterone right now, I'm doing minoxidil, I will literally grow a hairy beard.

Amy: Okay. Okay, well, we we don't want that. I kind of get one, but whatever.

Whitney: We'll see. We'll see. I I'm going to my doctor in in like next month, so we'll come back with

Amy: Cool.

Whitney: with new info.

Amy: Well, I'm doing some I'm doing some hair oil, too, one I found at Sephora. No, it's something brand. But I don't know, since I've had my extensions out, I just thought, why not?

Whitney: Oh. Rosemary? Oh. For growth, like on your scalp or to go through the hair?

Amy: I massage it into my scalp. Yeah. Yeah, I massage it in my scalp, it's supposed to be really good for hair growth and stuff. So, I figured, why not, while my extensions are out. So, I'll get in the sauna, I'll put that on, get in the sauna,

Whitney: Okay, good. Yeah.

Amy: stuff like that. Yeah. So, but that's pretty much it for my supp report. Oh, and of course, I do my thyroid medicine in the mornings. So,

Whitney: Yeah. Perfect. Yeah, me too.

Amy: it's pretty much it. Yeah, mine are mine are low right now, just cuz

Whitney: Yeah, I'm excited to hear your blood work when it comes back. I want to know about the testosterone, too.

Amy: Oh, but I do make smoothies with GLP-1 booster in it, which is like a powder that I found at Sunlife Organics.

Whitney: A GLP-1?

Amy: It's GLP-1 booster, so I think your natural GLP-1

Whitney: Oh, okay.

Amy: it's supposed to be good for it. And then also I put creatine in that.

Whitney: Oh, yeah, well, I also do creatine and collagen and colostrum, all the Cs.

Amy: Oh, you do, in your in your smoothies?

Whitney: Yeah, in my coffee. It's not even my coffee, it's MUD\WTR.

Amy: In your coffee?

Whitney: Well, it's not even real coffee. It's like lion's mane and mushroom crap.

Amy: Is it good? I I

Whitney: It's almost good.

Whitney: It's like if I just trick myself, you almost feel like you're drinking a chocolatey cinnamon thing, but it's just not there.

Amy: I need coffee. I want coffee.

Whitney: I actually don't feel like I need coffee anymore. So, that's good.

Amy: But you said you're tired.

Whitney: I know. Interesting.

Amy: I wonder if those like go together.

Whitney: Perhaps I need to re-evaluate.

Amy: Yeah. Yeah, maybe, maybe. All right, so

Whitney: What's today about?

Amy: my last thing I really wanted to bring up was do you put your eye makeup on first?

Whitney: As in, no, like the very first thing?

Amy: Before the rest of your face?

Whitney: No, I put on my tinted moisturizer first.

Amy: Well, I

Whitney: Why?

Amy: Because makeup artists always do your eyes first, you know? And so, I decided to start doing my eyes first, and then the rest of my face, which is hard to do, but I think as Gen Xers, we were never taught that. And I've been meaning to make a post about this.

Whitney: Okay. I wasn't taught anything. Okay, but what is why?

Amy: So, I swear to God, my face looks brighter and I look better. Look at me right now.

Whitney: You think because when you start with your eyes, you're more focused by the time

Amy: No. No, no. I think that little bits of dark of eye makeup get around your eyes, and you want to put your makeup on after that. Like, you want

Whitney: Oh. You want to do your Yeah, I see what you're saying. Well, see, right now, I'm wearing I've still got some of my eyelashes on, but I told myself I was not going to re-

Amy: They look so good.

Whitney: redo them. So, like they're on their way out.

Amy: They look good, though.

Whitney: But I did just

Amy: I forgot, thought they were natural.

Whitney: Yeah, I know. And I'm going to be really sad when I let them all disappear and then I got to pay $200 to go back in and get them all. But I just don't want to keep up with the two week every two weeks. Although this is like three three weeks. Right?

Amy: Can you sleep with a sleep mask? You can't, right?

Whitney: I can do what I want, whatever I want.

Amy: I thought it messed them up, so.

Whitney: No, but here's the thing. So, I was at my sister's the other day, and she only wears fake eyelashes, the strips, and she has for years. And hers look natural now, but it's because I know her, like that's just how she's always looked. But I decided I'm going to invest the $10 in strips of lashes and just I'm going to try that.

Amy: Sure. Yeah.

Whitney: But I'm worried like like in the shower today, I don't worry about my lashes, but if I have a strip on, cuz I asked her, I go, "Do you take them off every night?" And she goes, "No, I just keep them on until they start to get wampy." Wampy, wonky.

Amy: I've thought about doing that, but I just I just don't like stuff glued to me. But I'll do a strip for a special event.

Whitney: So, right now your eyelashes are you with mascara?

Amy: Yep. Do they look good?

Whitney: Yeah, they look great.

Amy: They do?

Whitney: Mhm.

Amy: Well, I started using a new mascara that the kids are using.

Whitney: All the kids are using it?

Amy: Yeah, the Size Up mascara from Sephora, it's like $16, and I curl my freaking eyelashes like a champ.

Whitney: Oh, I always curled mine, yeah.

Amy: Curl them like a champ, then I use that, and that's what Gigi, of course, my 16-year-old, hers are like gorgeous, yeah. So, anyway, I'm

Whitney: Her gorgeous, long.

Amy: that's what I'm using.

Whitney: I also the last time I went to get my lashes put on, I bought some of the RevitaLash. And I'm like, you know what? I'll just Cuz I used to use

Amy: I think you should use that if you're using

Whitney: What was the What was the stuff that everyone was using to make their eyelashes grow? What was it called?

Amy: Yeah, it was called the one that could turn your eyes darker.

Whitney: Yeah, yeah, and you people would use it for glaucoma and then they realized that they also had beautiful lashes. And it was called Something. Anyway, yeah, I used to use that and it was great. But again, with any of this stuff, as soon as you stop, your lashes go back to short and stubby.

Amy: My friend's retina's my friend's retina started to detach, though,

Whitney: Eek.

Amy: and they didn't know what it was. And so, while she was healing, she stopped using her lash serum, and then her eye healed. But they were like, "We caught this just in time." And then she started using it again, and it started to fucking detach.

Whitney: Yeah. Wow.

Amy: But isn't RevitaLash the same thing? I don't I don't know.

Whitney: I think it's the same type of thing. It makes your lashes grow. So, I think it's got whatever the name is that I know people listening are yelling at at us right now, but we don't remember. Dang it.

Amy: Yeah. Yeah. Anyway, I don't know, I don't want to use it anymore. I haven't been right now. My lash my eyelash lines get sensitive and they itch, and so I'm just I don't know, I just am like kind of over it and I'm just trying to grow them out.

Whitney: They look good. I just feel prettier with these on when I wake up in the morning. I feel pretty like right away versus normally without the lashes I go into the mirror and I'm like, ah, get that mascara on as fast as possible.

Amy: I get it. Okay. Okay, well, let's get to it today. We've been talking for like oh, my gosh, a while. So, today we're going to jump into neurocosmetics. That was a new one for me.

Whitney: Brain cosmetics, mental cosmetics. What is that What is a neuro

Amy: I mean I'm going to tell you everything. But that kind of I just saw an article on Who What Wear. It was on Apple News or whatever, I'll put it in the show notes. And it didn't really tell you much about it, it just had these different products listed. But so, I'm going to put that in the show notes if anybody is interested in different products.

Whitney: Yeah, I've never even heard of it. I have I have a hunch for what it might be, but Okay. I love Who What Wear.

Amy: Me too, I like them, too. So, you can sort of I recognize some things and some of them actually said on them neurocosmetics. There was one from like a

Whitney: Interesting.

Amy: a brand I use, I can't think of what it was called. And so, there's there's some that say that, but the article didn't tell much, so I was like, I need to I've never heard of this. Is this trending?

Whitney: I have a I have a hunch for what it might be, but

Amy: Well, I'll tell you my final verdict at the end. So, because I have a thought, what this made me think about. So, neuro neurocosmetics is not makeup on your brain,

Whitney: Okay. Okay.

Amy: it's

Whitney: A little blush for your brain?

Amy: It is I could just jazz up your brain a little bit. No, it is a skin care or body care product that's designed to interact with the skin-brain axis. So, this is super interesting to me. I'm going to come back to this part. So, your skin is We know it's our biggest organ, right? Right?

Whitney: Right. Yeah.

Amy: And so, it's

Whitney: And we're slathering stuff all over that we don't even know is in it. Jergens lotion, I'm sure that's not good.

Amy: Right. Spoiler alert, that's that's my kind of take on this a little bit. Okay, so it's a highly complex sensory organ. It has tons of nerves. It helps with our immune like immune system, and it's functionally intertwined with the central nervous system. Now, two of the two articles I really used to research this, one is from ScienceDirect and one is from um Uh oh shit, well anyway, I'll talk about it in a Oh, I know. Here it is. One is from PubMed, I do believe. And so, they were both from July of 2025, so this is like recent and there's not a ton of study done yet, but I pulled what I could. Okay? But here's what we know about skin, okay. So, it's intertwined with our central nervous system and it has its own neuroendocrine system. Did you know that, our skin?

Whitney: Mhm. Very recent. Okay. I did not know that.

Amy: I didn't. And it has its own intrinsic neuroendocrine system with keratinocytes, keratin, keratin, melanocytes, melanin, and immune cells capable of producing and responding to neuromediators and I mean like we've got all sorts of things that are considered neuromediators, which are like endorphins, dopamine, serotonin, that sort of thing.

Whitney: Yeah. Okay.

Amy: Right? So interesting, right?

Whitney: Yeah.

Amy: You don't really think about your skin that much. I mean, honestly, I

Whitney: No, not in this way. Not in this way. Mhm.

Amy: No. I think of supplements that we take and that kind of thing, so, you know, like it needs to go inside. And I guess I just didn't think that my skin was so sensitive to all this stuff. Super fascinating. So, this means that your skin has something to do with inflammation, with immune responses, and and we know this like when people break out with eczema, right?

Whitney: Right, or hives, yeah.

Amy: That's something internal that's going on. So, these are connected, which totally makes sense. I think I just needed to read this to put it together.

Whitney: Right. Right.

Amy: So, the skin participate Oh, sorry. Let me finish that sentence. And the immune responses, it also though, contributes the skin contributes to how we perceive and express psychological states, right? Like when you start sweating when you're nervous.

Whitney: Sure, sure.

Amy: Makes sense.

Whitney: Yeah, that makes sense. Or your skin starts to crawl or you get chills. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Amy: Also Yeah. Yeah. So, the skin participates in continuous bidirectional dialogue with the brain, just like your just like what you just brought up, which is a complex regulatory network known as the skin-brain axis,

Whitney: Mhm. Oh.

Amy: skin-brain axis, aka the neurocutaneous system, which we've heard subcutaneous, all that kind of stuff.

Whitney: Yeah. Oh, we've heard it. Have I heard it?

Amy: Sub Yeah. Yeah. Come on, you did that whole thing on that that cream. So, your skin-brain axis, so that's your skin's sensory nerves and the neuro-immune signaling, right? So, these products are designed to influence like how your skin looks and how you feel. So, like calm, less react-

Whitney: Okay. Well, what okay, so what I'm imagining is just like lavender cream. Like, that calms you. It it kind of, but that's more of a scent.

Amy: That's something Yeah. Well, there's a whole thing. There was a whole article about neurocosmetics and aromatherapy through through neurocutaneous receptors or skin-brain axis. And but the aromatherapy had a lot more research, but it wasn't really science backed. Hate to break it to us all about aromatherapy, which I like some aromatherapy.

Whitney: Yeah. Sure. Right. Right. It's the placebo effect.

Amy: Yeah, I think it's very placebo. But so, today we're not so much talking about the aromatherapy aspect, but I mean

Whitney: But are you saying that like there are the neurocosmetics are like there's a cream that you put on your skin that then does something in your brain?

Amy: Yeah. Yeah.

Whitney: And it has nothing to do with your your scent. It has nothing to do with that.

Amy: That helps your mood. Yep. Yes.

Whitney: Okay, gotcha.

Amy: Yes. Exactly.

Whitney: Interesting.

Amy: Yes. So, okay, so there's I'm not going to get into too much science-y stuff right here, but you get you're getting the idea, right?

Whitney: Right.

Amy: So, you can get, of course, things like eczema, psoriasis, that's when there's a disruption to your skin-brain axis. Which like or gut problems, right? Stuff like that, like acne.

Whitney: Yeah, acne.

Amy: Totally, totally. So, so this field of it's a whole field of neurocosmetics has emerged within this context, right?

Whitney: Crazy. Yeah.

Amy: Very interesting. They can be defined as a novel class of topical agents designed to act upon the skin's neurosensory system and influence psychophysiological psychophysiological psychophysiological responses.

Whitney: Okay. Psychophysiological.

Amy: So, you're talking about, yeah, it's going to make your skin feel good and you're going to feel good.

Whitney: Yeah. Yeah. Right. It's going to give me a feeling right, a feeling of calm or a feeling of excitement or

Amy: Big claims. Big claims. Yeah. Yeah.

Whitney: focus.

Amy: So, there's There's another thing called psychodermatology,

Whitney: Ooh.

Amy: which I didn't know that was a thing either, which addresses psychiatric comorbidities secondary to skin disease, whatever. This is different.

Whitney: Whatever.

Amy: Whatever, this is different. This is more about modulating your mood

Whitney: Yeah. Okay.

Amy: and mitigating stress.

Whitney: So, when they say cosmetics, what kind of cosmetics are we talking about?

Amy: Well, we're going to get into it, okay?

Whitney: Okay.

Amy: So, what that looks like is like the the article I sent you, too, I don't know if you saw, there was just like all different kind of like potions and serums and stuff like that.

Whitney: Yeah, yeah, I saw it. Yeah.

Amy: So, I just feel like it's a new way for all these people to sell us something that's probably not going to be, you know, super verified, because there's not a lot of research into this just yet. But we do know that what we're putting on our skin can have an effect like that. So, that's kind of where this balance lies, right? So, they're going to say soothing stress reactive skin. I mean lavender lotion does sound right, like But that's an aromatherapy thing.

Whitney: Well, it's also Right, but it's also like, like we said before, a placebo effect, though. Like if I put lotion If I lotion myself up, then I feel pretty because I feel like my skin feels soft and supple and and that creates a better mood, you know, or makes me feel sexy or whatever.

Amy: Hydrated. Yeah. Yeah.

Whitney: So, I don't know if it's if if it's actually the the product itself or if it's just the act of applying a product.

Amy: You know, it's so hard to differentiate what it is.

Whitney: Yeah. But they're saying that there are things in the cosmetics

Amy: Right, like imagine if that lotion that you put on had adaptogens in it, cuz we did an episode on like

Whitney: that has Right, right. Or GLP-1 or whatever. Yeah, yeah. Exactly. Okay, gotcha.

Amy: ashwagandha. Yeah. And so, like if it's got ashwagandha in it, then you're like suddenly like, wow, my mood feels lighter. But is it related to the fact that you feel sexy and you're clean and whatever else?

Whitney: But if you think about it

Amy: I mean I don't know.

Whitney: this is how I mean this is how my estrogen is getting in. It's a patch on my skin going through my skin. So, if you can give supplements to yourself through lotions and serums I mean, you're putting serum on your head.

Amy: Yep. That's right. That's right.

Whitney: That's a And you're telling your I mean, this is the placebo.

Amy: And it feels good, and I'm like blah blah blah.

Whitney: I'm putting something on my hair that's going to make my hair grow. Now, I have done research and, you know, do believe your thoughts kind of create your reality. So, if I'm telling myself constantly that my hair is growing, I'm telling my body that my hair is growing,

Amy: Your hair is listening.

Whitney: and then my hair starts growing. Yeah, kind of.

Amy: I mean that's like your brain

Whitney: That's the Joe Dispenza.

Amy: your brain is always listening, your body's listening. Yes, yes, the head sauce. Dr. Amen, too, has that book Your Brain Is Always Listening. Yeah, so I know. Because, you know, we can perceive that we're calmer or less stressed with some of this stuff, so it's just really hard

Whitney: Yes. Yeah. I believe that. Right.

Amy: It could even be just the act of rubbing on yourself. Yes.

Whitney: Yes. Rubbing calms you. Tapping.

Amy: Yes, or just like the massaging something into your face. I know! So, it's really hard to say, right? And it's just blossomed into a whole industry now called neurocosmetics.

Whitney: Yeah. Yeah. An expensive industry, I'm sure, where they're charging ridiculous amounts.

Amy: Oh. Yeah, they want your money. And they're going to say anything they can get to get your money. So, that's that's the part like that's my that's my end game here is I feel like use cleaner, good ingredients and like take care of your skin, and then you're going to feel better.

Whitney: Right. Yeah, be aware of what you're putting on your skin. I mean, and I never used to think about it. Even now I still have the Jergens lotion just cuz I still have it, so I'm still using it. But with my new membership with Melaleuca,

Amy: Oh, Lord.

Whitney: I got their Renew cream and I'm using that now.

Amy: What's in that?

Whitney: Healthy things.

Amy: Good stuff.

Whitney: They wouldn't steer me wrong. I don't know, I'll bring it in next time.

Amy: I've never even heard of Melaleuca. I'm sure that's not even

Whitney: I'm saying I'm sure I'm saying it wrong. Probably. I'll get my shit together before the next episode and know how to say these things.

Amy: All right. So, some ingredients discussed in neurocosmetic contexts are things like things that are going to influence inflammation and the barrier, which gets worse with stress. We know that.

Whitney: Mhm. Yep.

Amy: Man, I look back on pictures of me when I was stressed out, too, and I can just see I can see it on my face. Okay, then also neurogenic inflammation pathways, which is itching, redness, anything like that. And then appearance of expression lines, let's call it, or wrinkles.

Whitney: I love how they call them frown lines, but really they could be smile lines.

Amy: Expression lines. Expression lines, they said. Expression lines.

Whitney: Yeah. But a lot of times they call it frown lines to get you to want to get rid of them.

Amy: I mean I I'm overdue for some Botox right now, I've got some, but I like it when my face moves. Okay, so there it lines with peptide signaling, so we'll talk about that. Okay, so I just think they can make a lot of claims, so I would say take everything with a grain of salt, because not we know how little these things are regulated, so

Whitney: Right, right.

Amy: And they're they're not actually regulated.

Whitney: It's a money-making industry at the end of the day. They're not really trying to make everybody healthy and beautiful. They really just want our money.

Amy: Right, and some of them say things like, "Oh, affects your mood like a supplement." And that's a big claim, and we know how much bullshit there is in the supplement industry, right? It's not regulated either. So, this is where we don't have any clinical evidence on this stuff, so as I feel like seeing this article and just reading this, I was like, oh my gosh, this is going to be happening, and so we need to talk about it. And so, just take it all with a grain of salt, because but there is some research, so let's talk about that.

Whitney: Right. So much. Okay.

Amy: So, like I said, I

Whitney: Are they on rats? Rat research. In the rat skin care industry, it's working wonders.

Amy: Probably. Probably, they they rub something on the rat's skin. Yeah. Yeah. So, let's see. Sorry. Let's see what what do I want to share with you? So, there are a bunch of articles that are starting to define not only define neurocosmetics, but they're talking about this epidermal level and the mechanisms of sensory pathways, which I know that's a mouthful.

Whitney: Yeah. You lost me.

Amy: I know. I know. But the peptides are kind of starting to fall under this a little bit, so it would be pretty interesting to see topical peptides and like the studies behind those. So, they're starting to do some clinical research on peptides as Botox alternatives and stuff, but they're actually topical.

Whitney: Okay. Yeah. Oh, interesting.

Amy: I know. So, okay.

Whitney: I mean, look, I'm willing to inject a bunch of peptides in me, might as well what's big deal about putting it on my skin?

Amy: I mean, honestly. We don't know what we're putting on sometimes.

Whitney: Yeah. And, like I said, I keep using the estrogen patch as an example. Like, this is working, I think, if I remember to

Amy: Your skin is such a big, sensitive organ. I mean, why not? Like if if it's legitimately got peptides in it, I I think you're going to have to spend money for that.

Whitney: Right, right.

Amy: Like, I and when I say spend money, I mean buy it from like your doctor's office.

Whitney: What about Martha Stewart's new skin care line?

Amy: What? I didn't even know she had a new skin care line. Are you kidding me?

Whitney: What? Yes. I can't remember what it's called like right now, but Melaleuca. It's being sold in Melaleuca stores. You can have to have a membership. No, but she's talking about it's revolutionary and I've wanted to try it, but it's like $135 for the main thing she talks about.

Amy: Really?

Whitney: But she looks great. But also, let's be honest.

Amy: She's Martha Stewart, yeah.

Whitney: Well, she's had a lot of work done.

Amy: Yes, yes, she has.

Whitney: I mean, she had a great plastic surgeon.

Amy: Yes. I know, I know.

Whitney: But her skin, as she says, looks and feels luminous.

Amy: Yeah. Well, that's they love to say that.

Whitney: Maybe she's using the neuro

Amy: I'm always suspicious, cuz I'm sure she's using a lot of shit that she's not telling us.

Whitney: Well, that's true, that's true.

Amy: You know? Yeah. But no, I didn't know she had it, so hopefully it's clean ingredients.

Whitney: Yeah. Well, I would think Martha would be clean.

Amy: I would think. I would think.

Whitney: Yeah. I mean, but she has been in jail, so who knows?

Amy: I mean, yeah. Gives her some more cred. So, anyway, I've got some articles, too, that I'll link in here, but they just don't know if peptides are doing what the injectable peptides can, but there's research being done, so that's good. And and so, I'm going to link that, too. And then there is a cool website, too, called the Cosmetic Ingredient Review that's doing safety assessments on these things, so I'll put that in there so people can go there and like check their ingredients.

Whitney: Well, and I will say remember I've talked about this app, the Yuka app or Yuka, Y-U-K-A?

Amy: Yeah. Yeah, I like that one.

Whitney: It's food and beauty. So, you can go and scan barcode scan the barcodes on on on beauty stuff. Maybe not the newer things yet, maybe they're not in the system, but

Amy: I love that. Cool.

Whitney: it's a good way to know what what's the what are the ingredients and are any of them problematic.

Amy: That's so good. So, they do it for cosmetics?

Whitney: Yeah. Yeah. I'll show you.

Amy: I got to remember to use that. I know I downloaded it, but then I have Ask Bobby, too. Bobby does it um for all the

Whitney: Costco stuff, right?

Amy: He does it for all grocery items.

Whitney: Oh, okay.

Amy: Yeah, so

Whitney: Yeah, I think because of him I can no longer buy rotisserie chicken at Costco and it makes me so sad.

Amy: Why?

Whitney: He said it wasn't good.

Amy: It's not. There's no way it's good.

Whitney: No, they're not it's not like organic chickens, it's like chickens with antibiotics and stuff. But I don't know.

Amy: Good. Good for you. I'm glad you stopped.

Whitney: But I really am sad about it, because I love those rotisserie chickens.

Amy: Yeah, but they're

Whitney: Anyway. Damn you, Bobby.

Amy: like they're so pumped up full of stuff that they can't even walk really, and it's just oh, it's so awful. That's partly why I'm a vegan a lot of the time, but then sometimes I eat a chicken tender.

Whitney: But then sometimes give me me.

Amy: So Occasionally, I want a chicken tender. Occasionally, I smell the nuggets from Chick-fil-A, and I eat one. So, anyway, whatever, whatever. So, let's see. So, they're making midlife promises to us. Are you peeking at my notes?

Whitney: That's okay. Of course. No.

Amy: Yeah, I think you're like

Whitney: I think I'm just trying to follow along.

Amy: You You're just so relaxed over there.

Whitney: I'm sorry. Okay.

Amy: Okay. So, it's promising to calm our skin's redness, tightness, and make the routine feel like a nervous system reset. But it is anyway, because you're taking the time for yourself.

Whitney: Right, exactly. And you're massaging and you know, touching and loving.

Amy: And do and loving yourself. Right.

Whitney: Yeah, right.

Amy: So, anyway, I mean I again, I think it just comes back to like treat yourself really well, be careful what you're putting on your skin and in your body. Like that's really where I got to. So, part of this trend is also neurofragrance. So, I mean

Whitney: And I I believe I believe in neurofragrance, I think.

Amy: You believe in it?

Whitney: I think so. Just like smelling things impacts your brain's performance, yeah.

Amy: For sure. For sure, I'm very sensitive to smells, period, like Literally, the other day I smelled something so random and it just unlocked a memory of like a book that I used to have that was like a scratch and sniff book when I was really little. I was like, yeah, it was really weird.

Whitney: Oh, yeah. That's crazy.

Amy: You know, and like it's so tied to memory and stuff. So, but but but saying that it's going to change our mood um I mean and really have those brain chemicals, I don't know.

Whitney: I I think that it does, yeah.

Amy: You think so? Say that in the mic, girl.

Whitney: I think that it does.

Amy: So, they're talking about adding a it in your stack, a calming neuro product, just introduce one at a time, really try to gauge and see how you feel. So, that's, you know, if you're adding it to retinoids or any acids. I mean I love I'm a glycolic girl myself, so anyway. Do you use retinol and all that?

Whitney: I use something from Goop, like this peptide serum thing that it's got She says it's the if you're only going to get one, this is the one to get.

Amy: Is it good? Oh, see, that's a peptide serum, so that's probably already considered a neurocosmetic.

Whitney: Maybe so. Yeah, maybe so.

Amy: Yes, for sure.

Whitney: But I trust Gwyneth Paltrow to have clean products. I don't

Amy: I pretty much do, too.

Whitney: Yeah, I I know she's ridiculous with her the pricing of things, but if I I don't worry about what's in the products that she's selling me.

Amy: Have you ever been in a Goop store?

Whitney: No, you told us the story about meeting her, yeah.

Amy: Oh no, but then I went in a Goop store in Hawaii at a resort I stayed at, and I wanted every fucking thing in there. It was amazing. They have amazing products,

Whitney: Oh, yeah.

Amy: clothes, like everything. Everything's so expensive.

Whitney: I don't like her style. I'm not a fan of her

Amy: She's a little conservative.

Whitney: She's very boring conservative, like not just conservative, but like weirdly boring conservative.

Amy: Yeah. Yeah, she is. She's just very very simple, very simple.

Whitney: Monotone.

Amy: So, okay. So, I think that if we're going to look at it, look at topical serums and creams like what you've got, right, with peptides. And for moods and comfort, we're going to see like more mists and oils and things like that. So, it really does seem to cross over that line of oils with fragrances.

Whitney: Well, what's confusing me is I know why I'm putting the peptide serum on my face, because I want my skin to look better. But I'm confused on how it's impacting my brain. Well,

Amy: that's I guess because your skin is so deeply linked to your brain, because of the skin-brain axis.

Whitney: I don't So, shouldn't I just be telling my brain to tell my skin to be do better?

Amy: I mean, seriously. Like, look good, skin. Glow already, this pimple should go away.

Whitney: Yeah. Glow. Yeah, exactly. Maybe so. Although, I'm yeah, yeah, I don't know.

Amy: I have been using that I think I sent it to you, that I use the adapt I was breaking out, as everybody knows, that's why I went off my supplements. Forgot to say that during the my suppdate. And I have I used adapalene, Differin, adapalene gel, and then I put a little powder of The Ordinary sulfur powder on that, mixed it up, and that's what I put on my face. And it's totally working, I do it every night.

Whitney: Yeah. Yeah. I should have I remember you telling me that before. I should have gotten all of that for my kid.

Amy: I just ordered it for both my kids, cuz I was like they they need to just do this every day. Well, when he gets back. They They need to just do this every night, and like won't I I feel like it's just like taking care of my skin and my pores look better and everything. I think my skin's looking pretty good.

Whitney: He's gone now? Yeah, no, it looks great.

Amy: Yeah, which I don't know, is it that? Is it the algae? Like what is it? Who knows?

Whitney: I don't know.

Amy: We don't know. Is it testosterone?

Whitney: We don't know. Is it the sauna?

Amy: Is it the could be sweating, sweating makes a difference. I mean, as we just brought

Whitney: Yeah. I think it's everything, it's all of that. But you don't have to do all of it to see the effects.

Amy: It is.

Whitney: Every little any little thing can help.

Amy: Yeah. Yeah. So, yes. Yes, any little thing can help. So, like our final verdict is that this is a real thing, but I think that you just have to

Whitney: It's not a biohack.

Amy: It's not a biohack, it actually is a real thing, but I believe that it will be used irresponsibly by companies.

Whitney: Of course.

Amy: And so, there is a risk of thinking that you're getting something and you're not, but maybe you will through placebo, because just the act of rubbing it on It's true. Just make sure you're using good ingredients.

Whitney: And your brain, when you're rubbing it on, your brain is telling your skin, "Do better." "Look pretty."

Amy: Yeah, it kind of Kind of, and then your mood improves. So, I mean also my final verdict is that the mood changing claims don't have a lot of clinical evidence behind them. But who knows? I mean, maybe, but maybe you could take some ashwagandha powder and just mix it on into one of your serums.

Whitney: I think we just created a new cosmetic product.

Amy: I mean, really, Somebody told me that you can just buy the powdered vitamin C and add it to a serum and put it on your face, and it's totally clean.

Whitney: Oh. Yeah, that makes sense.

Amy: Yeah. You just have to get the right one, and I haven't done it yet, but I want to.

Whitney: I have to just I have to slow down for a moment and just stick with what I got going on before I add anything new.

Amy: Yeah. Yeah. I keep it pretty simple with like what I use, but I know. But I am particular about using good products, so.

Whitney: Yeah. Same.

Amy: But I take the time with them, too. I always, you know, take time with washing my face, like I have a whole ritual and routine, and I know that's calming my nervous system.

Whitney: Of course, it's like meditation.

Amy: It is. It really is. And so, I mean But they're talking about the science-y aspect of that actually getting into your brain, so I don't know.

Whitney: Yeah, that's what's confusing me.

Amy: Me too, me too. So, anyway, there's the report on that. If you have thoughts, please let us know. So, what do you think?

Whitney: I I

Amy: You're already using one.

Whitney: Yeah, I think there's some validity to it. Thank you. I do think there's some validity to it, but I'm just not my brain is not understanding the science-y part of it. But like we said, we're putting all these things on our skin, my estrogen patch is working, like I'm sure, you know,

Amy: Your skin looks great, too.

Whitney: I'm sure it Oh,

Amy: Oh! Oh, my goodness gracious.

Whitney: Okay, it's a wasp. Look at him, oh my gosh. Where did he come from?

Amy: And on that note, You're anything but mid, friend. Something's going on in our house, they'll they'll sometimes just show up. So, look at him. Can y'all see him on the wall? He's crawling up the wall.

Whitney: In your attic. In your attic. He is huge. Now, he's flying up.

Amy: He is huge.

Whitney: Oh, yikes. All right, well, on that note, I'm out of here.

Amy: And you're anything but mid. Email us at anythingbutmidpodcast@gmail. Follow us at @anythingbutmid on Instagram and please share with your friends. And we want to know what you think, write us a review. We love it, love it, love it, love it, love it, wherever YouTube and all that, wherever you listen. So, thank you so much for being here.

Whitney: Thank you, guys.

Amy: Yes. And ultimately, we do what we want.

Whitney: Do what you fucking want.

Amy: Just like that wasp.

Whitney: He's minding his own business. He's not, he's in our space.