Nov 8, 2026 · 4 min listen · Last updated November 8, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Chloe here. November 8th. Health and longevity in ten — let's begin with what changed my mind this week. Let's get into it. First, from The Vajenda. Big Pharma Doesn’t Want Bioidentical Hormones?
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Daily Health & Wellness Brief · November 8th
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Daily Health & Wellness Brief · November 8th · Storyflo
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Big Pharma Doesn’t Want Bioidentical Hormones? Think Again
There's a persistent myth that Big Pharma ignores bioidentical hormones because they can’t patent them, but that’s more marketing than reality. This idea gained traction in the '90s, particularly around menopause treatments, and has stuck around despite evidence to the contrary. Bioidentical hormones are chemically identical to those produced by our bodies, like estradiol and progesterone, and many FDA-approved pharmaceutical products are indeed bioidentical.
Compounding, which refers to how a drug is prepared, doesn't guarantee safety or effectiveness. Both compounded and pharmaceutical estradiol contain the same active ingredient, but that doesn’t mean they perform the same way. Interestingly, pharmaceutical companies are actually quite invested in bioidenticals; they’ve created a range of products, from patches to gels, and continue to profit even after patents expire.
Moreover, the notion that a molecule must be off-patent to be profitable is misleading. For instance, Premarin, a widely used hormone therapy, has never been patented yet generated significant revenue. The bottom line is that the landscape of hormone therapy is complex, and it’s important to separate fact from fiction when discussing what's considered "natural" or "bioidentical."
Oral LSD Drug Hits Phase III Endpoints in Anxiety, Depression
DT120, a new oral formulation of LSD, has shown promising results in two phase III trials targeting generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. These trials met their primary endpoints, which means they achieved the main goals set out to measure the drug's effectiveness. This is a significant step, as phase III trials are typically the last stage before a drug can be considered for approval.
The studies involved a diverse group of participants, and the results indicate that DT120 could potentially offer a new treatment option for those struggling with these mental health conditions. While the findings are encouraging, it's important to remember that further analysis and long-term studies will be necessary to fully understand the drug's safety and efficacy.
Overall, this development highlights the growing interest in psychedelics for mental health treatment, a field that's gaining traction in recent years. However, as always, it's wise to approach these findings with cautious optimism until more data becomes available.
November is here, and it’s that tricky time between Halloween and Thanksgiving. In Vermont, the weather has been surprisingly warm, but the holiday vibes are already creeping in with Christmas drinks and decorations. The writer is clearly a Christmas enthusiast and is excited to start decorating early, especially with the anticipation of celebrating the first Christmas with her baby boy.
While the focus is on Thanksgiving recipes for now, including veggie sides and cozy desserts, she’s also planning some easy weeknight dinners. On the side, she’s preparing postpartum freezer meals to help with the transition into motherhood, which is weighing on her mind as her due date approaches. After some chats with fellow moms, she’s feeling more reassured about balancing work and motherhood.
This weekend, she’s busy with a labor and delivery tour, a newborn class, and nursery projects. She promises to return soon with Thanksgiving tips, tablescape ideas, and seasonal food reviews. She wishes everyone a great weekend, whether they’re diving into Christmas or savoring the fall season a bit longer.
She talks about how a short, food‑focused trip to Istanbul sparked her love for Turkish breads, especially the diverse, flavor‑rich loaves she found at Çiya, a restaurant she still ranks among the world’s best.
The conversation shifts to her own culinary path: she blends Turkish roots with approachable home cooking, and her calm, elegant video style has drawn millions of followers. She notes that while Turkish desserts are often syrup‑laden, American sweets can be surprisingly sweet—something she’s still adjusting to.
The scones themselves are a cozy bridge between those worlds, offering familiar pumpkin comfort with a subtle hint of Turkish spice, making them a perfect way to taste a bit of her journey in your kitchen.
Hey, so I just read the latest Kitchen Project newsletter and thought you’d like a quick rundown. The main focus is a new pecan pie recipe from Bronwen Wyatt, part of her American Pie series
The idea is simple: bake a batch of your favorite biscuits, bring them to the event, and swap them with others. Every swap ticket you hand over turns into a donation for Refettorio Felix, so the more cookies you bring, the bigger the impact. It’s a fun way to get into the festive spirit while supporting a cause that tackles food waste and hunger.
If you’re up for it, just swing by the venue on the 13th, drop off your treats, and grab a few new ones to take home. I’ll be there to help coordinate, and Bronwen will follow up with the full sticky‑toffee tart recipe after the swap. Hope you can join—nothing beats sharing sweets for a good cause.
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