117. The Link Between Hormones and Mental Health
Release Date: 07/15/2025
A Little Bit Healthier | Hormone, Brain Fog, Weight Loss Resistance, Inflammation & Gut Health Solutions
Feeling stuck in weight loss resistance in midlife, even though you’re walking, eating “pretty healthy,” and doing all the things? In this episode, I sit down with Michele, a former physical therapist turned yoga teacher, trainer, and health coach, to talk about what your metabolism actually needs after 40—and why more cardio is rarely the answer. We get honest about busy schedules, back pain, fear of lifting heavier weights, and that nagging feeling that you “should” be doing more, all while your energy and motivation are slipping. We break down the real difference between steps,...
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Are you doing “everything right”—eating clean, working out, and still battling fatigue, weight loss resistance, and relentless cravings? You’re not alone. As women in perimenopause and menopause, shifting hormone balance can slow metabolism, alter hunger cues, and make it nearly impossible to lose weight the way we used to. In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Kennedy, CEO of Calocurb, to talk about a groundbreaking natural alternative to popular GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. We unpack how your body’s own gut-brain connection can be reactivated using a 100%...
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Are you tired, foggy, and just not feeling like yourself anymore? Maybe your workouts feel harder, your energy crashes mid-afternoon, or you can’t seem to lose weight no matter what you do. You might assume it’s stress, your thyroid, or just “getting older”—but these are often early signs of perimenopause and shifting hormone balance that quietly impact your energy, gut health, and mood years before your period ever stops. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mariza Snyder to break down what’s really happening in your body during perimenopause—and why so many women are dismissed,...
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Are you feeling bloated, tired, or stuck with stubborn digestive issues—even though you’re doing “everything right”? From probiotics to digestive enzymes, it seems like every influencer is promoting a new supplement that promises better gut health, more energy, and effortless weight loss. But here’s the truth: not every supplement is helping you—and some could actually be making your symptoms worse. In this episode, I sit down with Steven Wright, founder of Healthy Gut, to unpack what’s really going on with supplements like probiotics, enzymes, and paraprobiotics. We’ll explore...
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Why Your Labs Look “Normal”—But You Still Feel Off Functional Testing Secrets to Solve Fatigue, Hormone Imbalance, and Gut Issues Are you constantly told your labs look “fine,” yet you feel anything but fine? Fatigue, brain fog, stubborn weight, hormonal chaos, and digestive issues like bloating or IBS symptoms are all signs that your body is asking for help—but your standard lab work isn’t giving you the answers. In this episode, I’m walking you through the exact functional lab tests I use in practice to uncover the root causes of energy crashes, perimenopausal symptoms,...
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Why Your Workouts and Diet Aren’t Working: Unlocking the Hidden Hormonal Blocks Are you doing “everything right” for weight loss—eating clean, exercising daily, cutting carbs—and still not seeing results? If you’re stuck in weight loss resistance, battling fatigue, bloating, brain fog, and hormonal shifts, this episode is for you. I sat down with hormone fitness and nutrition expert Jenny Swisher to unpack why women in perimenopause and beyond often hit a wall with their metabolism, energy, and gut health despite their best efforts. We explore how chronic stress, adrenal fatigue,...
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Are you feeling frustrated by fatigue, weight loss resistance, hormone imbalance, or ongoing gut issues—despite taking all the right supplements and trying every program out there? You’re not alone. After working with close to 1,000 people in my functional practice, I’ve seen the same patterns show up over and over again: supplement overload, one-size-fits-all protocols, detoxing too soon, restrictive dieting that slows your metabolism, and a lack of individualized support when it comes to hormones, gut health, and energy. In this episode, I’m sharing the most common mistakes I see in...
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If your energy is constantly drained, the scale won’t budge no matter what you try, or your gut feels like it’s staging a daily rebellion—your hormones could be the hidden culprit. In this episode, I sit down with functional medicine expert Dr. Betty Murray to unpack how perimenopause, hormone metabolism, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) play a much bigger role in our health than most of us are told. We get into the real reasons behind chronic fatigue, weight loss resistance, bloating, brain fog, and IBS—and why typical lab tests are missing the mark. This conversation is...
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Candida Overgrowth: The Hidden Factor Sabotaging Your Gut, Hormones, and Energy Are you stuck in a cycle of fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and stubborn weight gain no matter what you do? If you’re in perimenopause or struggling with digestive issues like IBS, there’s a hidden culprit you might not have considered—Candida overgrowth. It’s a common issue I see in women experiencing hormone imbalances, low energy, and weight loss resistance, and it could be quietly disrupting your gut health and metabolism. In this episode, I share how Candida can create a ripple effect throughout your...
info_outlineA Little Bit Healthier | Hormone, Brain Fog, Weight Loss Resistance, Inflammation & Gut Health Solutions
Hormones and Mental Health: Why Perimenopause Can Rewire Your Brain Are you struggling with fatigue, brain fog, or mood swings and wondering if it’s “just stress” or something more? Hormone changes in perimenopause and menopause don’t just affect your body—they rewire your brain and can disrupt neurotransmitters that regulate mood, sleep, and energy. This episode dives deep into how hormone balance impacts mental health and what you can do to support your mind and body during this transition. In this episode, I unpack the surprising ways estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone...
info_outlineHormones and Mental Health: Why Perimenopause Can Rewire Your Brain
Are you struggling with fatigue, brain fog, or mood swings and wondering if it’s “just stress” or something more? Hormone changes in perimenopause and menopause don’t just affect your body—they rewire your brain and can disrupt neurotransmitters that regulate mood, sleep, and energy. This episode dives deep into how hormone balance impacts mental health and what you can do to support your mind and body during this transition.
In this episode, I unpack the surprising ways estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone influence your brain chemistry and how their decline during perimenopause can create a ripple effect on serotonin, dopamine, and GABA—the neurotransmitters responsible for happiness, focus, and calm.
Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:
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The startling link between dropping progesterone and rising anxiety—and how this hormone acts as nature’s calming agent.
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Why estrogen is critical for serotonin and dopamine production, and what happens when levels plummet in your 40s and 50s.
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How testosterone loss affects motivation, confidence, and libido (yes, it matters for women too!).
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Practical steps to stabilize mood, improve sleep, and regain mental clarity without overhauling your entire routine.
This episode is packed with actionable strategies—from tracking your symptoms to creating a hormone-friendly sleep and nutrition plan. I also share quick nervous system resets and explain how small shifts in diet, movement, and stress management can rebalance your mood and metabolism.
Listen now to get the clarity (and strategy) you’ve been missing.
Connect with Dr. Meg:
WellPower is a free health magazine by Dr. Meg Mill, packed with expert insights, in-depth articles, and practical tips on hormone balance, gut health, and metabolic wellness for women in perimenopause and beyond. Get your free copy at https://go.megmill.com/wellpower and start optimizing your health today!
Get clarity on your hormones with The Hormone Fixer—a free checklist to help you identify imbalances and take the first steps toward better health. Download now at https://go.megmill.com/hormonefixer.
Let’s connect on Instagram for daily health tips at @drmegmill.
Learn more about how Dr. Meg can help you uplevel your health at www.megmill.com
This content is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or exercise program.
This podcast is for women entering perimenopause and beyond who are struggling with fatigue, brain fog, bloating, weight loss resistance, and unpredictable hormones. If you’re dealing with exhaustion, low energy, brain fog, bloating, IBS, constipation, digestive discomfort, histamine issues, migraines, anxiety or hormone imbalances, this show is for you. You’ll learn how to support your metabolism, balance hormones naturally, beat IBS and bloating, and finally break through stubborn weight gain. Discover science-backed strategies to optimize digestion, improve gut health, and manage perimenopause symptoms and other hormonal imbalances—without restrictive diets or endless supplements. Whether it’s addressing estrogen dominance, blood sugar balance, or adrenal fatigue, this podcast gives you the tools to take control of your health and feel vibrant again.
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