[00:00:00] JJ: [00:00:03] I’m JJ Virgin, [00:00:06] PhD dropout, sorry mom, turned four [00:00:09] time New York Times best selling author. Yes, I’m a [00:00:12] certified nutrition specialist, fitness hall of famer, and [00:00:15] I speak at health conferences and trainings around the globe, [00:00:18] but I’m driven by my insatiable curiosity and [00:00:21] love of science to keep asking questions.

[00:00:23] JJ: Just digging for [00:00:24] answers and sharing the information I uncover with as [00:00:27] many people as I can. And that’s why I created the [00:00:30] Well Beyond 40 podcast, to [00:00:33] synthesize and simplify the science of health into [00:00:36] actionable strategies to help you thrive. In each [00:00:39] episode, we’ll talk about what’s working in the world of wellness, [00:00:42] from personalized nutrition and healing your metabolism, to [00:00:45] healthy aging and prescriptive fitness.

[00:00:47] JJ: Join [00:00:48] me on the journey to better health. So you can love how you [00:00:51] look and feel right now and have the energy to play [00:00:54] full out at 100.[00:00:57]

[00:00:58] JJ: So it turns out [00:01:00] we aren’t crazy. Our brains do [00:01:03] change as we go through menopause. We all [00:01:06] knew this as women going through menopause, but [00:01:09] um, there never had been any research on it [00:01:12] until now. Enter Dr. Lisa Mosconi, a [00:01:15] true innovator who has been [00:01:18] the first one to really go in there and start to image women’s [00:01:21] brains Um, pre [00:01:24] menopause, perimenopause, post menopause, and look at [00:01:27] the differences.

[00:01:27] JJ: And now she’s going in and starting to look at the [00:01:30] differences with women on HRT and not. [00:01:33] And what she’s finding is truly [00:01:36] miraculous. And one of the cool things she’s finding is, guess what, there are big benefits. [00:01:39] To, um, [00:01:42] postmenopausal brains. And you’re going to hear [00:01:45] all about that today. I’ve got Dr.

[00:01:46] JJ: Lisa Moscone in the [00:01:48] house. She is an associate professor of [00:01:51] neuroscience and neurology and radiology at Weill [00:01:54] Cornell medicine and the director of [00:01:57] women’s brain initiative and the Alzheimer’s prevention clinic at [00:02:00] Weill Cornell medicine, New York Presbyterian hospital. [00:02:03] I had her on the show before. She wrote the book XX [00:02:06] Brain, which was a New York Times bestselling book, [00:02:09] and also Brain Food.

[00:02:10] JJ: And I had her come on before to talk about, [00:02:12] you know, what we should feed our brains. We [00:02:15] will be digging into her latest research, which is [00:02:18] Wild and super [00:02:21] actionable, by the way. And then I have her sharing what [00:02:24] you can do right now that’s going to help you [00:02:27] wherever you are. If you’re 50, if you’re 40, if you’re 60, if you’re 80, [00:02:30] um, have the best brain [00:02:33] possible.

[00:02:33] JJ: So she’s going to be sharing all of that [00:02:36] information as well. Also, what’s, what’s different when you’re in [00:02:39] puberty? Like when do your brains, when does your brain change? [00:02:42] And what happens at puberty, at pregnancy, at post [00:02:45] menopause that is super [00:02:48] important actually for us to adapt to each of those stages.

[00:02:50] JJ: [00:02:51] So we’ll be digging into that. You’ll love her accent. [00:02:54] She is, uh, she’s [00:02:57] Italian and she went to the University of Florence in [00:03:00] Italy. And she is listed as one of the [00:03:03] 17 most influential living female scientists by the [00:03:06] times and called the Mona Lisa. Neuroscience [00:03:09] by Elle International. So this [00:03:12] is a fabulous, very provocative interview [00:03:15] that will make you, you know, some of [00:03:18] this, you’ll go, yes, I’ve been feeling that [00:03:21] okay.

[00:03:21] JJ: And, but more importantly, you know, it’s going [00:03:24] to help empower you as to how to really make the most of your [00:03:27] brain at this age and beyond. So I will [00:03:30] be right back with Dr. Lisa Musconi. I’ve put [00:03:33] the information for today, along with her amazing [00:03:36] Instagram channel, Dr. Musconi [00:03:39] and her last book in our last podcast, it’s going to all be [00:03:42] at jjvirgin.

[00:03:42] JJ: com forward slash menopause brain. [00:03:45] So be sure to check that out and I’ll be right back. With Dr. Lisa [00:03:48] Mosconi. Stay with me.[00:03:51] [00:03:54] [00:03:57]

[00:03:57] JJ: Dr. Lisa Mosconi, welcome back to the show.

[00:03:59] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: [00:04:00] Thank you for having me. So happy to be

[00:04:02] JJ: here. Well, how [00:04:03] could I not have you when you write a book called the menopause [00:04:06] brain? Oh my gosh. I’m like, how quickly can you come on the show? [00:04:09] And can we just do like, you know, 10 episodes? [00:04:12] So what made you [00:04:15] decide? I know you wrote The XX Brain, and that’s what we had you [00:04:18] on for, and you’re a neuroscientist that’s been looking at, [00:04:21] at brains, and specifically you’ve really unpacked women’s [00:04:24] brains, and I love that you’re now talking about, like, we have three different [00:04:27] phases in life where things are different in our [00:04:30] brains, um, which we’re going to impact too, but let’s [00:04:33] start with why did you decide to [00:04:36] write a book about the brain and [00:04:39] menopause?

[00:04:39] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Because when I wrote The [00:04:42] XX Brain, And I was talking [00:04:45] about how menopause and hormonal [00:04:48] changes impact the brain, also in terms of [00:04:51] Alzheimer’s prevention and all the things that we can do to protect [00:04:54] our brains for the long term. Everybody [00:04:57] wanted to talk about menopause. [00:05:00] It was really, so many women reached [00:05:03] out, there was so much interest, everybody wanted to learn [00:05:06] more, and they realized [00:05:09] that we don’t talk about the menopause brain.[00:05:12]

[00:05:12] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: It’s something that is still quite taboo, [00:05:15] that is not the subject of much [00:05:18] research, and also in clinical practice, there’s no framework [00:05:21] to address the brain symptoms. [00:05:24] And this [00:05:27] knowledge is really important because so many women [00:05:30] as they go through menopause experience brain [00:05:33] symptoms of menopause, especially brain fog, which [00:05:36] is a very unsettling, very puzzling [00:05:39] and very alarming symptom, [00:05:42] the many mistake for early onset [00:05:45] dementia, even.

[00:05:46] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And so [00:05:48] I really noticed a surge of interest, [00:05:51] um, among women and [00:05:54] readers and contacts, but also my friends, my friends and [00:05:57] colleagues who really wanted to know more. And at the [00:06:00] same time, we have so many patients who are coming to [00:06:03] us at the Alzheimer’s Prevention Clinic [00:06:06] specifically for menopause and brain [00:06:09] symptoms of menopause and the brain fog of menopause.

[00:06:11] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And so I [00:06:12] thought, Why don’t I just put all the information [00:06:15] that I have in a book so that I can [00:06:18] take the research out of the lab and out of [00:06:21] academia and make it accessible and [00:06:24] actionable for all women who are [00:06:27] experiencing these changes.

[00:06:28] JJ: Bless you for doing that. [00:06:30] You know, I think you look at menopause and [00:06:33] I’m loving that it’s becoming an open conversation because [00:06:36] it just seems like there’s been so much suffering.[00:06:39]

[00:06:39] JJ: Um, and so I appreciate that you’re getting it [00:06:42] out there when you talk about brain [00:06:45] symptoms. Okay. So brain fog is definitely one we’ve all [00:06:48] done the walk into a room and why did, why did I walk in this [00:06:51] room? Why am I here? But beyond [00:06:54] that one, what are some of the other symptoms?

[00:06:56] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: [00:06:57] Yes. So there are so many brain symptoms or [00:07:00] neurological symptoms of menopause that are [00:07:03] quite often misunderstood [00:07:06] as something to do with the ovaries, right?

[00:07:08] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: [00:07:09] So as a society, we have really focused [00:07:12] on only half of what menopause is all [00:07:15] about, which is the half pertaining to reproductive [00:07:18] life and ovarian function. But in [00:07:21] reality, menopause impacts your brain. [00:07:24] Surely, as it impacts your ovaries, in [00:07:27] fact, most of the symptoms of [00:07:30] menopause have nothing to do with the ovaries.

[00:07:31] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: They originate [00:07:33] in the brain. So when women say that they’re having [00:07:36] hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, [00:07:39] or disturbed sleep, and mood swings, and [00:07:42] depression, and anxiety, and brain fog, and memory [00:07:45] lapses, or having a hard time concentrating, but [00:07:48] even, even feeling anxiety or more stress, [00:07:51] Those are, indeed, [00:07:54] signs of menopause, but they have nothing to do with the [00:07:57] ovaries.

[00:07:57] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Those are neurological symptoms [00:08:00] that originate from the ways that the brain [00:08:03] changes. during menopause. So they are [00:08:06] a direct consequence of hormonal [00:08:09] changes in the brain.

[00:08:11] JJ: So I [00:08:12] know you’ve been mapping that, right? You’ve been doing brain imaging [00:08:15] so you could actually see what’s going on in the brain. [00:08:18] So what does, what does it look like?

[00:08:20] JJ: What’s happening? [00:08:21]

[00:08:22] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So, this is [00:08:24] interesting because, as you know, I am not an [00:08:27] OBGYN, I’m a neuroscientist, uh, I [00:08:30] specialize in brain health and Alzheimer’s prevention, [00:08:33] and when I started looking at [00:08:36] menopause as a possi as a possible trigger [00:08:39] for brain symptoms and increased risk of certain [00:08:42] brain, uh, conditions like Alzheimer’s [00:08:45] disease, I thought, well, what’s been done?[00:08:48]

[00:08:48] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: With brain scans, what’s already been published? What’s [00:08:51] my baseline? What can we add to the [00:08:54] conversation? And that was in 2015. [00:08:57] And there wasn’t a single brain [00:09:00] imaging study looking at women [00:09:03] before and after menopause, or even just women at [00:09:06] different stages of menopause, pre menopausal, [00:09:09] perimenopausal, postmenopausal, nothing.

[00:09:11] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: There wasn’t a [00:09:12] single brain imaging study. Whatever [00:09:15] had been done was focused on women who were [00:09:18] way past. 70s or [00:09:21] 80s. So MENA pose was really studied more [00:09:24] like an outcome than [00:09:27] something leading to a certain outcome. So I [00:09:30] said, well, we have the data we need to know. [00:09:33] Let’s, let’s do it. Even though it’s really not my [00:09:36] thing.

[00:09:36] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Right? It wasn’t my thing. Now it’s my thing. I was going to say it is [00:09:39] now! It’s certainly now! Because the [00:09:42] data was so impressive, so [00:09:45] we, we had enough data to compare [00:09:48] midlife women to men [00:09:51] matched by age, so exactly the same age. [00:09:54] And what we were seeing by comparing this group [00:09:57] is that the women consistently [00:10:00] showed changes in the [00:10:03] brain grey matter, so less.[00:10:06]

[00:10:06] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Grey matter in some specific brain regions that are [00:10:09] important for memory, for language, for [00:10:12] thinking and reasoning, and also [00:10:15] showed reduced brain energy levels. [00:10:18] I don’t know if you’ve seen those brain imagings that [00:10:21] now everybody’s using [00:10:24] without crediting us, that’s fine because it’s [00:10:27] becoming cultured, so it’s wonderful.

[00:10:28] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: But when we look at the [00:10:30] brain scans that are called positron emission tomography scan, we [00:10:33] will look at the way that the brain burns glucose to make energy. [00:10:36] And [00:10:39] if you look at the [00:10:42] same brain going from having [00:10:45] a menstrual cycle to not having a menstrual cycle, [00:10:48] that the brain intensity really decreases [00:10:51] during this period.

[00:10:52] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Yeah, there’s quite, [00:10:54] at least in our hands, there’s a reduction [00:10:57] in the way that the brain, in how fast [00:11:00] the brain burns glucose to make energy. [00:11:03] And we also find changes in connectivity. [00:11:06] And then for some women, we see an [00:11:09] increase in Alzheimer’s plaque. [00:11:12] Already at that point in life, and I want to clarify, not all [00:11:15] women, some women, mostly women with a [00:11:18] predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease, either a family history or [00:11:21] some genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, which [00:11:24] really brought us to think of midlife [00:11:27] as a tipping point for brain [00:11:30] changes that could potentially become issues later on in [00:11:33] life.

[00:11:33] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: But then the question was, well, is it [00:11:36] just that we’re women and their brains age [00:11:39] differently than men? Or is there something more [00:11:42] that can explain this difference? And [00:11:45] look, we looked at everything. We started with genetics, [00:11:48] which is, you know, everybody starts with genetics and [00:11:51] that didn’t quite explain the difference.

[00:11:53] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And then we [00:11:54] looked at medical. Comorbidities is [00:11:57] diabetes, and depression, and high [00:12:00] cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular disease rates. [00:12:03] Our participants are quite healthy, so that didn’t [00:12:06] quite explain the differences. Then we looked [00:12:09] at lifestyle, which helped a little bit, but not quite. [00:12:12] Until one day, my [00:12:15] students were doing cognitive testing, [00:12:18] and they were testing a woman who was like in her 40s, [00:12:21] and she was having a really hard time.

[00:12:23] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: She couldn’t [00:12:24] focus. And my students, the [00:12:27] coordinators, were like, would you like a glass of water? Would you like to take a minute? [00:12:30] She was like, I need you to open the [00:12:33] window. I’m having hot flashes. I [00:12:36] can’t think straight. And they were [00:12:39] like, you’re having what? They had no clue. And [00:12:42] eventually she was having such a hard time that she had to stop [00:12:45] testing.

[00:12:45] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And so they ran to me and said, she’s going to come [00:12:48] back. She really had to go. She wasn’t feeling good. [00:12:51] She was having half flashes? What are half [00:12:54] flashes? And I was like, well, that’s interesting, but she [00:12:57] was like 45. And so we went [00:13:00] back and we called OB GYN, our colleagues in OB GYN, [00:13:03] and we said, can you help us do all this [00:13:06] menopausal assessments and diagnosis, which they did.[00:13:09]

[00:13:09] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And then it’s clear. So if you look at women [00:13:12] who are pre menopausal, they have a regular menstrual [00:13:15] cycle, and match them with men of the same [00:13:18] age, then there is no difference in the brain scans. [00:13:21]

[00:13:21] JJ: So this is someone who is not peri, because you said [00:13:24] pre and peri, and I want everyone to understand the difference.

[00:13:26] JJ: Pre means [00:13:27] no symptoms at all, periods haven’t [00:13:30] shortened, none of the symptoms of menopause, everything’s [00:13:33] completely normal. Those [00:13:36] people, and they have the same brains as men?

[00:13:38] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: [00:13:39] Yeah, there’s no significant difference. in [00:13:42] the brainstems when comparing premenopausal women with a [00:13:45] regular menstrual cycle to men of the same age.[00:13:48]

[00:13:48] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: When you start looking at perimenopausal [00:13:51] women, where it’s missing periods over time and [00:13:54] mostly have symptoms of half lunches, disturbed [00:13:57] sleeps, and the brain fog, then you start seeing the [00:14:00] difference. There are changes in brain matter, there are [00:14:03] changes in blood flow to the brain, there are changes in [00:14:06] brain energy levels, and then you go to [00:14:09] the postmenopausal stage, and there’s [00:14:12] quite a divide, women’s brains and [00:14:15] men’s brains.

[00:14:16] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Which led us to look at [00:14:18] menopause as a very important predictor [00:14:21] of overall brain health for women in [00:14:24] midlife, which is quite, it’s certainly [00:14:27] new in my field. And I think it’s really important that we’re [00:14:30] doing this research because all women go through [00:14:33] menopause at some point. in their lives. And [00:14:36] many women, over 80 percent of women, [00:14:39] experience neurological symptoms during menopause, [00:14:42] brain symptoms, which can be very debilitating.[00:14:45]

[00:14:45] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So it’s important to validate women’s [00:14:48] experience. I think that’s what research really does, is that [00:14:51] we’re providing an objective [00:14:54] Validation of what women have been saying for thousands of years, right? [00:14:57] They’re not crazy and they don’t need Prozac. [00:15:00] Exactly. We’re not crazy. It’s not in your head. It’s [00:15:03] not all in your head.

[00:15:03] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: I mean, it is in your head, right? [00:15:06] And it’s really important to have science backing up. [00:15:09] For whatever reason, we need science to back [00:15:12] up whatever women are experiencing. Right.

[00:15:14] JJ: [00:15:15] So have you been able to [00:15:18] also look at women who are now in [00:15:21] perimenopause Or postmenopausal [00:15:24] and are on hormone [00:15:27] replacement therapy and look at the difference.

[00:15:29] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Yes, we’re [00:15:30] doing it now. We’re starting right now. Yay! [00:15:33] Best way! Can you tell any [00:15:36] preliminary step or is it too early? No, [00:15:39] we can’t. So descriptively, if you [00:15:42] look at observational data, like women who [00:15:45] spontaneously decide to take hormones as compared to [00:15:48] those who decide not to take hormones, [00:15:51] the differences are quite subtle, but there [00:15:54] seems to be a little bit of a [00:15:57] stabilization or higher brain energy levels.

[00:15:59] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So, um, I’m going to talk a little [00:16:00] bit about what’s going on in the women on hormone therapy. Now, this is [00:16:03] observational research, which is never [00:16:06] perfect, so we need clinical trials. We [00:16:09] just launched a clinical trial where we do [00:16:12] brain scans and cognitive testing and blood [00:16:15] biomarkers, and we do very thorough evaluations [00:16:18] before and during treatment [00:16:21] with, um, actually, we’re doing a specific type [00:16:24] of hormone therapy.

[00:16:25] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Which is more like a [00:16:27] nutraceutical. I thought you might like it because it’s more, [00:16:30] you know, it’s close, natural in quotes [00:16:33] for whatever that means. But, um, it’s a [00:16:36] CIRM. It’s a Select Estrogen Receptor Modulator. [00:16:39] It was developed by my mentor, Dr. [00:16:42] Roberta Diaz Brington in Arizona, and it’s [00:16:45] selective in that it specifically goes into your [00:16:48] brain to support brain energy while [00:16:51] having either neutral or [00:16:54] inhibitory effects on the reproductive system, which means [00:16:57] it does not increase the risk of reproductive [00:17:00] cancers.

[00:17:01] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So you can take it without a [00:17:03] progesterone. And once [00:17:06] thoroughly validated, we’re hoping that all [00:17:09] women will be eligible, including those [00:17:12] with a history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. [00:17:15]

[00:17:15] JJ: Would it have the cardiovascular and [00:17:18] bone benefits that other [00:17:21] estrogen replacement has? It should. [00:17:24]

[00:17:24] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: We are testing the brain specifically, [00:17:27] but, um, the team who [00:17:30] developed the compound is also looking at heart and [00:17:33] bone and lungs.

[00:17:33] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And yes.

[00:17:34] JJ: Yeah. Then [00:17:36] I bring those up, but I know you also call [00:17:39] estrogen, this master regulator of the [00:17:42] female brain. Um, so. [00:17:45] Would it be then that [00:17:48] the declines you’re seeing [00:17:51] would mimic what’s more normal, like a [00:17:54] male decline too then, instead of this dramatic fall off a [00:17:57] cliff? Would. So when you [00:18:00] talked about aging, you said men’s and women’s brains look the [00:18:03] same until we hit perimenopause.

[00:18:05] JJ: Then all of a [00:18:06] sudden we start declining and really decline in [00:18:09] post. And I’m just wondering if someone were able to [00:18:12] have hormone replacement therapy, would they just more [00:18:15] mimic what, how a man is aging, how [00:18:18] his brain is aging? Um, of [00:18:21] course, I don’t know if a man, when he goes through endopause, is going to end up in the [00:18:24] same boat, you know, if he’s not doing hormone replacement therapy.[00:18:27]

[00:18:27] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: We’re studying that now. We’re studying that now. [00:18:30] So the idea is that by taking [00:18:33] hormones, uh, during perimenopause [00:18:36] It might be, we might be able to [00:18:39] maintain the overall concentrations [00:18:42] stable, right? Because what [00:18:45] happens during menopause is that estradiol starts [00:18:48] fluctuating widely and that [00:18:51] people saying that that’s what contributing [00:18:54] to the symptoms of menopause is that the concentrations are not [00:18:57] stable, but they’re like all over the place.

[00:18:59] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So if you start [00:19:00] taking supplements or replacing the [00:19:03] hormones ahead of time, the idea is that The [00:19:06] concentrations were stabilized and your brain would not [00:19:09] go through this kind of Y fluctuations [00:19:12] as well. They could then hopefully [00:19:15] mitigate or ideally prevent the [00:19:18] symptoms from happening. I [00:19:21] wouldn’t want women’s brains to be the same as [00:19:24] a man’s brain.

[00:19:25] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: I’m just happy when there’s no clear [00:19:27] difference over time because our brains do age [00:19:30] slightly different, right? Different parts of the brain [00:19:33] tend to age a little bit faster or a little bit slower. [00:19:36] But different markers may change. So I, I’m [00:19:39] happy with the woman’s brain remaining, um, [00:19:42] you know, following the right trajectory for the [00:19:45] woman’s brain.

[00:19:46] JJ: Right. I just don’t want to fall off a cliff [00:19:48] there that you talked about. And you, you [00:19:51] mentioned in the book, you talk about the three [00:19:54] P’s and how is the brain different [00:19:57] in puberty versus pregnancy versus perimenopause? [00:20:00]

[00:20:01] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: That’s something that is really [00:20:03] fascinating to me and that is [00:20:06] so understudied. No surprise [00:20:09] there.

[00:20:09] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: But there are, so you know [00:20:12] this debate there’s on social media right now about [00:20:15] menopause, is it a disease or is it healthy [00:20:18] aging? And I think we’re missing the actual [00:20:21] definition of menopause, which is a neuroendocrine [00:20:24] transition state. Why is it [00:20:27] important to call it for what it is, a neuroendocrine [00:20:30] transition state, a state that [00:20:33] changes your brain and your reproductive system all [00:20:36] at once?

[00:20:36] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: you It’s because it’s, it’s, it’s really [00:20:39] its own unique category, which is not a [00:20:42] disease, it’s not, it’s got nothing to do with chronological aging, [00:20:45] but is a turning point that is specific to women [00:20:48] together with the three P’s, [00:20:51] puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, [00:20:54] and andropause for men. But for women, [00:20:57] our brains are cued [00:21:00] to transition and rewire [00:21:03] themselves at each one of the three P’s.[00:21:06]

[00:21:06] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And the changes are quite similar [00:21:09] if you look at them with brain scans, [00:21:12] actually. So at puberty, the brain [00:21:15] loses a lot of neurons. We lose a lot [00:21:18] of brain matter, which is called pruning. It’s [00:21:21] a process by which the brain initiates [00:21:24] This kind of dumping where [00:21:27] neurons that are no longer needed are [00:21:30] discarded.

[00:21:30] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And the interesting thing is that this [00:21:33] elimination process is actually, it may sound scary [00:21:36] that we’re losing brain matter, but in reality it’s better [00:21:39] because the brain is an incredibly active, [00:21:42] metabolically active organ and is extremely expensive to [00:21:45] maintain. So it’s way more [00:21:48] efficient to have a smaller brain that is better [00:21:51] interconnected.

[00:21:52] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: that you can maintain more [00:21:54] easily. However, that brings [00:21:57] vulnerability during puberty. Adolescents are [00:22:00] reckless. They have no impulse control, [00:22:03] right? They’re sleepy or they’re

[00:22:05] JJ: [00:22:06] all over the place. Are boys and girls brains [00:22:09] different at that time? Because it sure seems like boys [00:22:12] are way more reckless than girls are.

[00:22:14] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Yeah, so [00:22:15] there’s some evidence that girls brains [00:22:18] mature earlier, which in brain [00:22:21] terms means that they’ve reached the peak [00:22:24] of how many neurons you need to have, [00:22:27] and the different brain regions are fully interconnected [00:22:30] with each other a little bit earlier on than men. [00:22:33] It’s usually three years, so for girls, [00:22:36] girls hit puberty around 11, 12, or now even [00:22:39] earlier, whereas boys is more like 14, and this [00:22:42] kind of Peak maturity usually [00:22:45] tends to coincide with puberty.

[00:22:47] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And [00:22:48] then with puberty, a lot of neurons are shredded, [00:22:51] but then they stabilize. And [00:22:54] once women develop, or girls develop, a menstrual [00:22:57] cycle, what’s really important is that every time [00:23:00] the ovaries cycle, the brain goes [00:23:03] through a micro cycle as well. [00:23:06] So the brain is consistently in [00:23:09] sync with the ovaries, and even though the changes are [00:23:12] very subtle, of course, it does change.

[00:23:14] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: You can see it [00:23:15] on the microscope. You see the little dendrites branching [00:23:18] out, and Reach ovulation, so it’s really [00:23:21] interesting. And then the system, the neuroendocrine system, is [00:23:24] reactivated or over activated during [00:23:27] pregnancy, every time a woman gets [00:23:30] pregnant. And there’s another surge [00:23:33] of rewiring. And the neurons are [00:23:36] shed, are shed another time.

[00:23:37] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So the pregnant [00:23:39] brain, especially the postpartum brain, is a [00:23:42] transitional brain that is basically getting [00:23:45] rid of neurons and connections that, [00:23:48] once again, it no longer needs. And [00:23:51] that strengthens the other neurons, allows your brain [00:23:54] to really put more energy on the neurons that it [00:23:57] needs to keep. There are those neurons that really [00:24:00] support maternal instinct and the ability [00:24:03] to raise A baby human who can’t [00:24:06] speak and is completely helpless for a really long time.

[00:24:08] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So a [00:24:09] mom effectively turns into a [00:24:12] superhero with a super brain. Now the interesting [00:24:15] part is that a similar remodeling happens to the empiric [00:24:18] menopause. So once again, the brain goes [00:24:21] through a remodeling where we say that [00:24:24] menopause is a renovation project on the brain. [00:24:27] Because the brain rewires itself another time because [00:24:30] now all the neurons that are responsible for [00:24:33] having a menstrual cycle or for hosting a [00:24:36] pregnancy and for making you a super [00:24:39] mom, you don’t need them anymore.

[00:24:40] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: You’re still a super [00:24:42] mom, but you don’t need all those neurons. So [00:24:45] it makes sense that the brain would just say, you know [00:24:48] what, this is my clue to let go. of a bunch of [00:24:51] things that are just at this point, I don’t need them anymore and they’re [00:24:54] very hard to maintain. So I’m just going to get rid of them. [00:24:57] And I think that’s why we’re seeing the great [00:25:00] amount of reductions.

[00:25:01] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: These are the neurons that are, that are living [00:25:03] in the reduction in energy levels [00:25:06] because you’re losing neurons. So you don’t need to keep [00:25:09] such high energy. [00:25:12] Activity in your brain. In fact, it [00:25:15] looks like things stabilize for many [00:25:18] women after menopause and the symptoms go [00:25:21] away. For some women, the brain does [00:25:24] not adapt and stabilize, but it keeps [00:25:27] declining.

[00:25:27] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Cognitive function keeps declining. [00:25:30] The symptoms persist, and that’s when we [00:25:33] start talking about Alzheimer’s prevention or we do more [00:25:36] photo evaluations. We just make [00:25:39] sure that there’s nothing else

[00:25:40] JJ: that needs addressing. [00:25:42] So then some of that pruning that [00:25:45] happens, which I kind of look at it as like you’re kind of cleaning out your [00:25:48] closet.

[00:25:48] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Yes. Yeah, that, yeah. Thank you. [00:25:51]

[00:25:51] JJ: So putting it into terms of you’re [00:25:54] cleaning out your closet so you can get new cool stuff. Yeah. That’s [00:25:57] the style, but it sounds like it’s [00:26:00] a good thing. So [00:26:03] if you’re on HRT, are you not going to have [00:26:06] that pruning that happens? Because it sounds like some of that pruning [00:26:09] you’d want to have happen.

[00:26:11] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: There are [00:26:12] different theories about. The [00:26:15] idea that this remodeling and pruning is a [00:26:18] good thing is my own personal opinion, along [00:26:21] with that of many other scientists who believe [00:26:24] that there is an evolutionary reason [00:26:27] for women to go through menopause and live past [00:26:30] it. There are scientists who do not feel this [00:26:33] way, who feel that menopause is a disease [00:26:36] or an unhealthy state for women [00:26:39] that is only addressable by replacing hormones.[00:26:42]

[00:26:43] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So I cannot answer the question [00:26:45] because I don’t have

[00:26:45] JJ: data to really That’s interesting. I [00:26:48] like your opinion, however. Thank you. So I want your [00:26:51] opinion and, and in looking at this and kind of looking at, all right, this [00:26:54] is pruning you to step into that next phase of your life, which [00:26:57] I’m the most interested in at 60, [00:27:00] of where I think that we are our most powerful, [00:27:03] we are the matriarchs, we have the biggest [00:27:06] opportunities, and a lot of the things that might have taken our [00:27:09] attention in our time we had to focus on before, now we pruned [00:27:12] out.

[00:27:13] JJ: Where we still obviously [00:27:15] care about our kids, but we’re not awake all night, [00:27:18] every night, worrying about our kids. Like it’s not the hyper [00:27:21] focus that you’ve had to have before with them. [00:27:24]

[00:27:24] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Yeah, there’s a neurological basis for [00:27:27] that, but there are some studies, at least, that looked [00:27:30] at exactly what you said because so [00:27:33] many postmenopausal women report [00:27:36] feeling better after menopause than [00:27:39] they themselves were prior to [00:27:42] To menopause and also when they, when they had the [00:27:45] regular menstrual cycle, they feel more empowered, they feel more [00:27:48] self confidence, they feel like [00:27:51] they, what comes up a lot is the [00:27:54] idea, we call it emotional [00:27:57] transcendence.

[00:27:57] JJ: And it sounds like, I know you talk about the benefits of [00:28:00] the menopause brain, I’ve literally said this, Lisa, I’m like, if [00:28:03] I’d known this would feel this way, I [00:28:06] would have done a fast forward. Like, [00:28:09] how quickly could I have gone from, you know, [00:28:12] puberty over to here? Because there’s a lot of angst during that [00:28:15] time and worry and stress and, you know, [00:28:18] other focused that you get to this place [00:28:21] and now it’s, it’s this interesting peace where you [00:28:24] feel way more at peace.

[00:28:25] JJ: You’d like, you know, you. [00:28:27] You aren’t so concerned about what other [00:28:30] people think or how your clothes fit and all that kind of stuff. [00:28:33] You know, you’re into way bigger, more legacy types [00:28:36] of questions in life and, and it’s [00:28:39] super fun. So I did, so there’s a neurological basis for this. [00:28:42]

[00:28:42] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: There is, and studies have shown that [00:28:45] one very specific part of the brain [00:28:48] that’s called the amygdala changes.[00:28:51]

[00:28:51] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: during menopause in a way that is actually helpful to [00:28:54] women. So the amygdala is the emotional [00:28:57] center of the brain and is very [00:29:00] highly reactive in puberty and in pregnancy because [00:29:03] you really have to tap into your [00:29:06] aggressive side once you have a newborn that you [00:29:09] protect. Oh yeah, mama bear, man. Mama bear, yes, [00:29:12] exactly.

[00:29:12] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: That’s the neurological correlate of mama [00:29:15] bear behavior is this amygdala really over [00:29:18] activated during pregnancy. In [00:29:21] menopause, the amygdala is selectively [00:29:24] turned off in a way that [00:29:27] makes the brain just as responsive [00:29:30] to good things that happen to you, [00:29:33] but not as reactive to negative things that [00:29:36] happen to you.

[00:29:37] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So your emotional [00:29:39] response to stressful situations or [00:29:42] sad events is a little bit blunted. You don’t [00:29:45] suffer as much psychologically, perhaps, [00:29:48] but you’re just as happy when good things happen to [00:29:51] you. I think it’s a wonderful [00:29:54] way to think about getting older [00:29:57] as a woman and seems to also correlate with [00:30:00] having even more empathy.

[00:30:02] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: [00:30:03] So postmenopausal women are by far [00:30:06] the greatest empaths. of [00:30:09] all age groups. Wow. So I think it’s really [00:30:12] interesting and I, I would love to see more research on that. This is [00:30:15] more like psychologists is what they do, but I think it’s [00:30:18] fantastic cognitive psychology. It really [00:30:21] helps because we look at the [00:30:24] biology of menopause and the neurology and neuroscience of [00:30:27] menopause, but then it’s wonderful to see it [00:30:30] And to behave your own outcomes, right?

[00:30:32] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Because [00:30:33] the narrative of menopause is one of [00:30:36] doom and gloom. It’s like, Oh, you’re no longer [00:30:39] fertile. You’re no longer interesting. You’re basically [00:30:42] invisible. And now you’re, you’re, you’re unhealthy on top [00:30:45] of that. And it’s just

[00:30:46] JJ: not true. Why is that [00:30:48] message out there in the world when [00:30:51] It really is the opposite.

[00:30:52] JJ: Where is that coming from? [00:30:54]

[00:30:54] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: I would say from Darwin, as far as I’m [00:30:57] concerned. Darwin, who’s the father of modern [00:31:00] biology, was a complete misogynist, [00:31:03] right? Saying that his dog was smarter than his [00:31:06] wife, and stuff like that. But also, his teachings [00:31:09] are really the backbone of modern biology. [00:31:12] Biology and modern science, and they’re all [00:31:15] predicated on the assumption that evolution makes [00:31:18] you stronger, right?

[00:31:19] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: The survival of the fittest. [00:31:21] And in order to be fit and [00:31:24] successful, you need to be fertile and reproductive [00:31:27] because you need to pass on your genes to your next [00:31:30] generations. Which makes sense if you’re a man, because [00:31:33] men remain fertile into their 80s, as [00:31:36] tabloids keep reminding us. But [00:31:39] the beautiful thing about human menopause is [00:31:42] that it’s quite special, because if you look [00:31:45] at other animal species, most [00:31:48] females die soon after [00:31:51] the end of their reproductive span.

[00:31:53] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: But [00:31:54] women don’t, right? We live past [00:31:57] it, which I think is a gift. It’s a huge gift [00:32:00] in so many, so many ways. And also it means that [00:32:03] evolution just, the theory just does not apply to [00:32:06] women.

[00:32:06] JJ: We have important things to do. And I think this is the time [00:32:09] of our life when we really are stepping into doing those [00:32:12] things.

[00:32:12] JJ: And I’ve literally been collecting [00:32:15] role models of women out there who in their [00:32:18] 60s, 70s, 80s, Like, oh my gosh, [00:32:21] look at what you’re accomplishing at this time in your life. I mean, [00:32:24] look at, look at Dolly Parton. Yeah. [00:32:27] Like, holy smokes, Dolly, you know, you’re [00:32:30] just amazing. So, you know, you look at these [00:32:33] women and there’s so much proof out there and they are not [00:32:36] invisible.

[00:32:36] JJ: So this is such a great empowering [00:32:39] message. So someone going through all of this, what [00:32:42] are some of the things beyond the, okay, it’s time to step [00:32:45] into your, you know, your most powerful time in life, [00:32:48] your greatness. What can they do from a health standpoint [00:32:51] to help make sure they can do that?

[00:32:52] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Yes, there are so [00:32:54] many things that one can do to really protect [00:32:57] your brain, um, their brains over time [00:33:00] and for a lifetime of use that I think [00:33:03] are best started.

[00:33:04] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: In midlife, [00:33:06] because honestly, your health in midlife is the [00:33:09] best predictor of your health in old age [00:33:12] and for the rest of your life. And it’s never too late to [00:33:15] start. However, the sooner you start, the [00:33:18] better, because you give yourself a head start. Yeah. In [00:33:21] midlife,

[00:33:21] JJ: by the way, I’ve reframed completely. So [00:33:24] midlife, you know, I, it’s, it’s amazing how, [00:33:27] as you get older, older, gets older.

[00:33:29] JJ: And I always thought, [00:33:30] you know, midlife, I think, what was it? 30 to 50. Now for me, I [00:33:33] think it’s 40 to 80, just that’s my new [00:33:36] midlife.

[00:33:37] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: I love that. Yeah. Why not? Why [00:33:39] not? For sure. I would say the sooner you’re [00:33:42] able to start and really commit to taking care of [00:33:45] yourself, the better.

[00:33:46] JJ: And what are the key, the big [00:33:48] drivers you see that, that we should be doing?

[00:33:50] JJ: What are the [00:33:51] ones most important that a neuroscientist believes we [00:33:54] should be doing and maybe you’re doing yourself?

[00:33:56] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: For [00:33:57] lifestyle?

[00:33:57] JJ: Mm hmm.

[00:33:58] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Oh, for sure, [00:34:00] diet and exercise are the cornerstones of [00:34:03] a healthy brain.

[00:34:04] JJ: Okay. And what specifically, [00:34:06] because those are broad categories.

[00:34:08] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: [00:34:09] So for exercise, when it comes to menopause, [00:34:12] research has identified three different types [00:34:15] that are specifically helpful with some symptoms.[00:34:18]

[00:34:18] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: All three are great for you, obviously, [00:34:21] but you can use one or the other depending on the [00:34:24] symptoms that you have. So cardiovascular [00:34:27] activity seems to be [00:34:30] best. For hot flashes and [00:34:33] night sweats, because it helps you regulate body [00:34:36] temperature and stabilize body temperature. [00:34:39] And it’s also really helpful for brain fog, [00:34:42] which, you know, or memory [00:34:45] issues and reduce [00:34:48] focus, because it brings blood flow to the brain, it brings [00:34:51] endorphins, it supports the synthesis of neurotransmitters, [00:34:54] it reduces inflammation, so it gives you a [00:34:57] boost really quickly.

[00:34:58] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And [00:35:00] hopefully it can help with those specific symptoms of menopause. [00:35:03] But then strength training.

[00:35:05] JJ: I [00:35:06] started lifting weights when I was 16 in the high school gym [00:35:09] with the football players. So it’s been, [00:35:12] it’s, it’s been a long time of lifting weights. [00:35:15] I’ve always loved to lift weights. So it’s.

[00:35:16] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And you’re such, you [00:35:18] know, and you’re always such in a positive mood, at least when [00:35:21] I see you or socially or publicly.

[00:35:23] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: [00:35:24] And there is also evidence the strength training [00:35:27] specifically supports mood [00:35:30] besides muscle mass and bone [00:35:33] density. But also has a mood uplifting [00:35:36] component that’s being studied in [00:35:39] women of menopausal age, showing [00:35:42] benefits. So I think it’s really important to know that because I [00:35:45] wouldn’t associate necessarily lifting weights [00:35:48] with reducing depression or [00:35:51] reducing anxiety.

[00:35:52] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So it’s important to know that [00:35:54] that is a viable strategy that is also good for you [00:35:57] overall, specifically for those symptoms. [00:36:00] And then flexibility [00:36:03] exercises, so more like mind body techniques [00:36:06] like yoga, pilates, tai chi, [00:36:09] Stretching even seems [00:36:12] to help with obviously balance and [00:36:15] flexibility, but also with sleep [00:36:18] and stress reduction.

[00:36:19] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So if one has [00:36:21] ideally the time to do everything, that’s wonderful. [00:36:24] Otherwise, of course, whatever you can do [00:36:27] more consistently, I think it’s really important. So [00:36:30] consistency is key rather than, [00:36:33] um, temporary [00:36:36] intensity. You have to work out [00:36:39] consistently over time to really. [00:36:42] Overdoing it one day and then you can’t move for a week.

[00:36:44] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So I [00:36:45] think frequency is important and consistency. [00:36:48] And for diets, [00:36:51] everybody’s on different diets. So [00:36:54] I try to stick with the nutrients, right? So the [00:36:57] nutrients that have been more consistently [00:37:00] linked with better women’s health, [00:37:03] And the gentler menopause are [00:37:06] antioxidants, fiber, [00:37:09] anti inflammatory [00:37:12] nutrients like omega 3s, but also the [00:37:15] phytonutrients that you find in spices and [00:37:18] herbs, which are very soothing, and lean [00:37:21] protein.

[00:37:21] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: I think this has been shown time and [00:37:24] time again to be really beneficial for [00:37:27] women’s health. Also some complex [00:37:30] carbohydrates, but I think they come hand in hand with the [00:37:33] fiber to tell them apart. [00:37:36] And minimizing things like [00:37:39] processed foods and refined sugar and [00:37:42] soda and refined [00:37:45] carbohydrates has been shown to delay the [00:37:48] onset of menopause or menopause.

[00:37:49] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: to be linked with a [00:37:51] delayed onset of menopause in [00:37:54] women and also, uh, [00:37:57] fewer symptoms of menopause. In [00:38:00] some clinical trials and observational studies, [00:38:03] women who were on a [00:38:06] Mediterranean style Diet, and [00:38:09] we’re compared to women on a Western [00:38:12] American diet, show 30%, show [00:38:15] the 30 percent reduction in hot [00:38:18] flashes and night sweats in as little as three [00:38:21] months.

[00:38:21] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So I think it’s, it’s helpful to [00:38:24] remind all of us the diet has an impact [00:38:27] and the healthy diet can [00:38:30] support an easier transition.

[00:38:32] JJ: You realize [00:38:33] if that was a drug. [00:38:36] Yeah, huge drug, 30%. I [00:38:39] always look at that and look at the benefits of exercise. [00:38:42] And I go, if this, if you had a drug that did this, it would be, [00:38:45] everyone would prescribe it.

[00:38:46] JJ: Like, so [00:38:48] I think this is important because those two levers can make such a difference. [00:38:51] A massive difference. And nothing you said was [00:38:54] outrageous, right? So.

[00:38:56] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: No, I [00:38:57] think it’s very doable. It’s really a matter of [00:39:00] making the right choices and be consistent, [00:39:03] uh, with having a healthy diet and a [00:39:06] regular exercise routine.

[00:39:08] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And of [00:39:09] course, other things are just as important, like sleep, [00:39:12] good sleep hygiene and avoiding toxins [00:39:15] and reducing stress. These are all things that [00:39:18] have an impact on hormonal health and hormonal [00:39:21] concentration. So it is, it is important [00:39:24] to look at all the different factors and in the book I have long

[00:39:26] JJ: [00:39:27] lists.

[00:39:27] JJ: I was just going to ask, I’m assuming that’s a [00:39:30] perfect segue. So, you know, because you wrote the [00:39:33] XX Brain and we had a, I’ll link to that podcast [00:39:36] episode because we talked in depth about food. Um, Um, [00:39:39] and then you wrote the menopause brain. That’s the new one. I’m [00:39:42] going to put it at jjvirgin. com forward slash menopause [00:39:45] brain.

[00:39:45] JJ: I’m also going to put your Instagram [00:39:48] handle, Dr. Moscone, cause you’re doing a lot of cool stuff there as [00:39:51] well. Um, but there’s, you’ve got the [00:39:54] information that we need out there. And again, [00:39:57] wherever you are, I know this is well beyond 40. If you’re 40, if you’re 50, [00:40:00] if you’re 60, if you’re 70, cause I get a lot of women [00:40:03] writing in, Lisa, going.

[00:40:04] JJ: You know, I was in [00:40:06] that terrible zone when all the bad information [00:40:09] was coming out from the um you know, [00:40:12] Women’s Health Initiative study, what can I do now, and so, [00:40:15] this seems like a great place for them to start is to [00:40:18] have this book as a resource. And, I mean, I just [00:40:21] applaud you for taking the time and this [00:40:24] is, this is a group that I think a lot of people want to [00:40:27] avoid researching because it’s, [00:40:30] Yeah, you just made the big face for people not watching.[00:40:33]

[00:40:33] JJ: Her eyes got really wide, you [00:40:36] know, but it is, it’s a way more challenging group [00:40:39] to, to look at, but what your, [00:40:42] the findings that you’ve gotten so far are [00:40:45] amazing.

[00:40:45] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Yes, and they keep coming. Just [00:40:48] before, um, our call, I was looking at brain [00:40:51] fog and the correlates of brain fog on [00:40:54] the brain scans and it’s, it’s clear there has, [00:40:57] it’s never been done.

[00:40:58] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: You know, it’s shocking to me [00:41:00] that every idea I have, I’ll go [00:41:03] to PubMed and I’ll be like, okay, what’s been done? And [00:41:06] nothing has been done with brain imaging. So it’s really [00:41:09] uncharted territory, which is [00:41:12] a bit stressful as a scientist, because it’s [00:41:15] always better to start with something that [00:41:18] has been done and then you build up on it.

[00:41:19] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: But it’s also really [00:41:21] rewarding and the thinking needs to get done. And [00:41:24] the reason I made the face, there’s no [00:41:27] funding for this age range. [00:41:30] Wow. Yes. Wow. So [00:41:33] look at the federal budget and as a [00:41:36] scientist, you know, I, I depend on [00:41:39] federal funding to be able to do the research. If you look at [00:41:42] women’s health, right, let’s say there’s, I don’t [00:41:45] remember how many billion dollars allocated [00:41:48] towards women’s health.

[00:41:49] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: And then within women’s [00:41:51] health, you need to find menopause, which is a subcategory [00:41:54] of a subcategory of aging. [00:41:57] And yeah. Manopause [00:42:00] Research received 8 million in 2020. [00:42:03] Eight million, three grants. [00:42:06] Which, if you do the math, is [00:42:09] 0. 02 percent of the [00:42:12] federal budget for women’s health, which [00:42:15] in turn is 0. 5 percent of [00:42:18] the entire NIH budget.

[00:42:20] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: So it [00:42:21] really comes down to no research. So we [00:42:24] really need to kind of revamp this. And I [00:42:27] keep saying the more women demand this information, the [00:42:30] more newspaper articles that have [00:42:33] been written around menopause, the more [00:42:36] Influencers go out there and [00:42:39] talk about menopause. And the sooner funding [00:42:42] agencies will realize that this is something that women [00:42:45] need.

[00:42:45] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: We need this information. We need the [00:42:48] research.

[00:42:49] JJ: Maybe we need like a fund women’s [00:42:51] health day. Yes. [00:42:54] I had no idea. I mean, I knew we were [00:42:57] underrepresented, but that’s crazy.

[00:42:59] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: Yes. A lot of [00:43:00] research is funded by NIH, which we’re very [00:43:03] grateful for. But I supplement. [00:43:06] I almost, you know, I have to basically double it with private [00:43:09] donations and thank goodness.

[00:43:11] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: That we have [00:43:12] wonderful donors at Weill Cornell Medicine, New York [00:43:15] Presbyterian, who really believe in [00:43:18] our research and they’re willing to fund [00:43:21] things that the government wouldn’t fund because they’re new, they [00:43:24] haven’t been done, they’re risky, even.

[00:43:26] JJ: You [00:43:27] are a true innovator. An innovator, a [00:43:30] disruptor. I am

[00:43:32] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: persistent.

[00:43:32] Dr. Lisa Mosconi: I am just [00:43:33] persistent. [00:43:36]

[00:43:36] JJ: Well, thank you so much. Thank you so much for your [00:43:39] work. Thank you for this book and past book [00:43:42] and all everything on Instagram. Everyone listening, make sure you [00:43:45] follow Dr. Lisa Mosconi on Instagram. She’s putting [00:43:48] out great, great, great content. Share this episode and [00:43:51] share the Books with your girlfriends [00:43:54] because this will really help you step into this [00:43:57] place where this is the best time [00:44:00] of life.

[00:44:00] JJ: And with this knowledge now you can make it [00:44:03] so. So I appreciate everything you do and thank you [00:44:06] again for being the guest on the show as well. Thank you. Thank you [00:44:09] for having me.[00:44:12]

[00:44:13] JJ: Be sure to join me next [00:44:15] time for more tools, tips, and techniques you can [00:44:18] incorporate into everyday life to ensure you look [00:44:21] and feel great and are built to [00:44:24] last. Check me out on Instagram, Facebook, and [00:44:27] my website, jjvirgin. com, and make sure to [00:44:30] follow my podcast at subscribetojj. [00:44:33] com so you don’t miss a single [00:44:36] episode.

[00:44:36] JJ: And hey, if you’re loving what you hear, don’t [00:44:39] forget to leave a review. Your reviews make a big [00:44:42] difference. In helping me reach more incredible women just [00:44:45] like you, to spread the word about aging [00:44:48] powerfully after 40. Thanks for tuning in and [00:44:51] I’ll catch you on the next episode.[00:44:54] [00:44:57] [00:45:00]

[00:45:02] JJ: Hey, JJ [00:45:03] here, and just a reminder that the Well Beyond 40 Podcast offers [00:45:06] health, wellness, fitness, and nutritional information. That’s [00:45:09] designed for educational and entertainment purposes only. [00:45:12] You should not rely on this information as a substitute for, [00:45:15] nor does it replace, professional medical advice, [00:45:18] diagnosis, or treatment.

[00:45:19] JJ: If you have any concerns or questions [00:45:21] about your health, you should always consult with a physician or [00:45:24] other health care professional. Make sure that you do [00:45:27] not disregard, avoid, or delay obtaining medical or health related [00:45:30] advice from your healthcare professional because of something you may have [00:45:33] heard on the show or read in our show notes.

[00:45:35] JJ: The use [00:45:36] of any information provided on this show is solely [00:45:39] at your own risk.
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