In Today’s Episode: Are Smelling Salts Dangerous? Join us as we break from our usual founder interviews and put a viral fitness product under the microscope. In this solo lab-style episode, Cody and CJ investigate the science, safety, and claims behind smelling salts—specifically the widely available brand Ward—and whether they actually improve athletic performance or pose serious risks. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: Smelling salts don’t “wake you up” — they trigger a fight-or-flight alarm in your nervous system by aggressively activating the sympathetic response. There is little to no credible evidence showing smelling salts improve strength, reaction time, or athletic performance, and they may even impair motor control. Smelling salts can be dangerous, especially after concussions, and raise serious concerns around safety, regulation, and misleading marketing claims. Questions We Answer in This Episode: Are smelling salts actually improving performance, or just making you feel more alert? What does the science say about how smelling salts affect the brain and nervous system? Is Ward a trustworthy brand, and are smelling salts safe for athletes to use? Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: A Different Kind of Episode 01:05 What Are Smelling Salts and Why Should You Care? 04:16 The Ward Origin Story and Founder Background 07:40 The Gap in the Market: Stronger Salts? 08:30 The Science Problem: Do Smelling Salts Actually Work? 12:20 Competitive Analysis and Marketing Claims 16:59 FDA Warning Letter and Red Flags 23:58 The Website Deep Dive: Terms of Service Chaos 11:00 Health Risks and Concussion Dangers 27:29 Lab Results: Buy or Not Buy? Apollo Link: https://apolloneuro.com/mbblab Where to Learn More About TDL & Our Hosts: The Decision Lab Socials: https://stan.store/thedecisionlab Cody’s Socials: https://stan.store/mindbrainbodylab Chloe’s Socials: https://stan.store/chloegoesinward #TheDecisionLabPodcast #Wellness #MentalHealthMatters #HealthAndWellness #SelfCare #WellnessPodcast #HealthPodcast #WellnessTechnology #HolisticHealth

In Today’s Episode: Is 7-OH Safe? Join us as we talk with Cody Isabel, neuroscientist and co-host of The Decision Lab, and CJ Evans, brand director and producer, as they break down the growing controversy around 7-OH (7-hydroxymitragynine)—a highly concentrated compound tied to kratom that’s been marketed as a “natural” wellness product. Using a Decision Lab lens, we examine what the research actually says, how marketing hype accelerated real harm, and what this story reveals about deeper problems in the health and wellness industry. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: 7-OH behaves like a powerful opioid, with evidence of dependence and withdrawal—but lacks meaningful human safety data The “evidence gap” is often exploited as a business model in wellness marketing Scientific language and expert credentials are frequently used to mask weak or missing research Questions We Answer in This Episode: Is 7-OH actually safe to take, or is it an opioid in disguise? How did marketing turn a regulatory gray area into a public health issue? How can consumers spot dangerous wellness products before it’s too late? Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: The CBD American Shaman Controversy 03:16 What is 7-OH? Understanding the Compound 05:34 The Research Reality: What Science Actually Shows 08:31 FDA Warning Letters and Company Response 11:30 Marketing Tactics: How 7-OH Became a Crisis 19:07 The Evidence Gap as a Business Model 25:16 Science Washing: The New Snake Oil 31:42 Incentives Shape Outcomes More Than Intentions 35:18 How to Think Like Decision Lab: Critical Questions 42:51 Final Thoughts: Protecting Yourself in the Wellness Space Sources: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2307410825000252? https://www.issup.net/node/32674? https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/fda-7-oh-scheduling-recommendation.html https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/shaman-botanicals-llc-709622-06252025? https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2025/07/31/kratom-7oh-fda-warning-kansas-missouri? https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article313090700.html Apollo Link: https://apolloneuro.com/mbblab Where to Learn More About TDL & Our Hosts: The Decision Lab Socials: https://stan.store/thedecisionlab Cody’s Socials: https://stan.store/mindbrainbodylab Chloe’s Socials: https://stan.store/chloegoesinward #TheDecisionLabPodcast #Wellness #MentalHealthMatters #HealthAndWellness #SelfCare #WellnessPodcast #HealthPodcast #WellnessTechnology #HolisticHealth

In Today’s Episode: What Improves Brain Health? Join us as we talk with Dr. Tommy Wood, MD, PhD — neuroscientist, medical doctor, and performance scientist, who shares his insights on how brain health is shaped by environment, expectations, and long-term habits rather than hacks or optimization shortcuts. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: Brain health is built through consistent skill use, supportive environments, and resilience, not perfect routines. Expectations directly influence physiology, cognitive performance, and long-term disease risk. Flow states and elite performance emerge from deep expertise and process, not motivation or shortcuts. Questions We Answer in This Episode: What actually improves brain health across the lifespan? Can over-optimizing sleep, fitness, and biometrics make you more fragile? How do environment, mindset, and expectations shape cognitive performance and longevity? Apollo link: https://apolloneuro.com/mbblab Learn More About the Guest: Website: https://www.drtommywood.com/ Socials: https://www.instagram.com/drtommywood/?hl=en https://substack.com/@betterbrainfitness Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Welcome to Dr. Tommy Wood 00:38 Flow States: When Dr. Tommy Feels Most Dialed In 03:36 Dr. Tommy's Background: From Medical School to Neuroscience 06:30 Elite Performance: Nature vs Nurture in Athletes 25:12 Concussions and Brain Injury: The Physical and Psychological Impact 28:52 Social Connection and Immune Function: The Body's Response to Isolation 32:52 Expectations and Performance: How Beliefs Shape Reality 34:04 Wearables and Data: The Double-Edged Sword of Health Tracking 43:27 Blood Tests and Biomarkers: What to Measure and Why 48:40 The Enoughness Problem: Optimization vs Psychological Resilience 1:12:12 The 3S Model for Brain Health: Stimulus, Supply, and Support 1:15:50 Small Changes, Big Impact: The Power of Starting With One Thing 14:26 Baby Brains and Early Development: The Critical Role of Environment 57:36 Dementia Prevention: Challenging Conventional Wisdom 1:22:19 Neuroplasticity Throughout Life: Breaking the Age 25 Myth 1:27:21 White Matter and Resistance Training: Unexpected Brain Benefits 1:30:52 Closing Thoughts and Resources Where to Learn More About TDL & Our Hosts: The Decision Lab Socials: https://stan.store/thedecisionlab Cody’s Socials: https://stan.store/mindbrainbodylab Chloe’s Socials: https://stan.store/chloegoesinward #TheDecisionLabPodcast #Wellness #MentalHealthMatters #HealthAndWellness #SelfCare #WellnessPodcast #HealthPodcast #WellnessTechnology #HolisticHealth

In Today’s Episode: Is AI Replacing Humans? Join us as we talk with Dr. Christophe Morin, pioneering neuromarketing scientist, AI researcher, and professor at Johns Hopkins, who shares his insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping persuasion, work, education, mental health, and what it truly means to remain human in an AI-driven world. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: Why AI will transform every job—from marketing and HR to healthcare and education—and why this is creating deep anxiety, especially for Gen Z How neuromarketing AI can either manipulate human behavior or reduce cognitive overload by cutting through noise and distraction Why human consciousness, emotion, and connection may be the most future-proof skills we have as AI accelerates Questions We Answer in This Episode: Is AI actually replacing humans—or forcing us to redefine what makes us human? How is AI shaping our decisions, beliefs, and mental health without us realizing it? What do individuals, educators, and society need to prioritize to build a human-first future alongside AI

In Today’s Episode: Is Your Gut Healthy? Join us as we talk with Jasmine, founder of FixBiome and a leader in gut-health innovation, who shares her insights on the surprising complexity of the gut microbiome, why IBS is so misunderstood, and how supplement standards differ drastically between Australia and the U.S. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: Why gut issues often stem from structural damage, not just “bad bacteria.” How Australian supplement regulations create a higher standard for safety and quality. What truly impacts gut health — from diet and stress to the hidden dangers of artificial sweeteners. Questions We Answer in This Episode: What actually causes IBS and chronic gut symptoms? Are probiotics and gut supplements helping… or making things worse? How can you tell if your gut is damaged — and what can you do about it?

In Today’s Episode: Are You Ready to Date? Join us as we talk with Cody Isabel — cognitive neuroscientist, IFS practitioner, TDL host, and founder of Becoming Her — who shares his insights on healing heartbreak, navigating “the gap,” and rebuilding your identity using neuroscience rather than cliché dating advice. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: Why social media programs your expectations and shapes your dating reality What “the gap” is and why most people get stuck there after a breakup How neuroscience + IFS can help you rebuild your patterns, identity, and confidence before you date again Questions We Answer in This Episode: How do you know if you’re genuinely ready to date again? Why do high-achievers struggle the most in heartbreak and healing? What makes Becoming Her different from traditional therapy or self-help content? Becoming Her Sources: IFS Research: https://ifs-institute.com/resources/research Neuroscience: Leaf, C., & Wasserman, C. (2024). Habit Formation and Automaticity: Psychoneurobiological Correlates of Sustained Behavior Change. NeuroRegulation, 11(1). https://www.neuroregulation.org/article/view/23416​ Leaf, C. (2021). Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking. Baker Books. Lally, P., van Jaarsveld, C. H. M., Potts, H. W. W., & Wardle, J. (2010). How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world. European Journal of Social Psychology, 40(6), 998–1009. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.674 Gardner, B., Lally, P., & Wardle, J. (2012). Making health habitual: The psychology of ‘habit-formation’ and general practice. British Journal of General Practice, 62(605), 664–666. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3505409/​ Kaushal, N., & Rhodes, R. E. (2015). Exercise habit formation in new gym members: A longitudinal study. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38, 652–663. Kilb, K., et al. (2024). Time to form a habit: A systematic review and meta-analysis of health behavior automaticity. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11641623/​

In Today’s Episode: Do We Have Free Will? Join us as we talk with Dr. Laura Beavin-Yates, cognitive psychologist and behavioral neuroscientist, who breaks down how brain states, history, emotions, and unconscious processes shape the decisions we think we're making on purpose. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: How behavioral neuroscience explains the “default settings” your brain uses to make decisions. Why emotions happen before feelings — and why most people misunderstand the difference. How psychological safety, trauma, family history, and stress shape behavior without your awareness. Questions We Answer in This Episode: Do humans actually have free will, or does the brain decide before we do? How do our past experiences affect the choices we make today? What should consumers know about wellness products, marketing claims, and scientific data?

In Today’s Episode: Why Does Intimacy Feel Hard? Join us as we talk with Freya Graf — intimacy educator, sex coach, and host of The Labia Lounge — who shares her insights on healing shame, understanding arousal, and creating safer, more connected intimate relationships. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: Why so many people feel shame or confusion around intimacy — and how to break that pattern The difference between physical arousal cues and emotional readiness (and why they rarely match) How the Seven Gates Framework helps partners slow down, build trust, and attune to each other Questions We Answer in This Episode: Why do so many couples struggle to feel “in sync” during intimacy? What makes emotional safety essential for desire and connection? How can partners navigate intimacy without pressure, performance, or misunderstanding? Free Mini Course: https://freya-graf.xperiencify.io/expiring-mini-course/order/ Stud in the Sack Training: https://www.freyagraf.com/productsonline-trainings/p/stud-in-the-sack-training

In Today’s Episode: What Products Actually Work? Join us as host Cody Isabel, cognitive neuroscientist and co-host of The Decision Lab Podcast, takes you inside his personal wellness routine to reveal which science-backed products have actually made it into his daily life. After interviewing nearly a hundred brands, Cody breaks down the tools, supplements, and habits that passed “the lab test” — and the even tougher “real life test.” Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -Discover the science-backed products that actually work — from nervous system regulators like Komuso Shift and Apollo Neuro to focus-boosting nootropics like Magnetic Mind and Prepare Your Mind. -Learn how data-driven apps like SIX can help you track oxytocin and dopamine spikes to identify key moments of social connection and joy. -Hear Cody’s honest, first-hand experiences using these products — what impressed him, what surprised him, and what he actually buys again. Questions We Answer in This Episode: -Which wellness products have truly integrated into Cody’s daily habits after interviewing dozens of brands? -How do tools like Komuso Shift and Apollo Neuro activate the vagus nerve and calm the body? -Are popular supplements and red-light therapies like Lumaflex and Prepare Your Mind really backed by neuroscience — or just hype? Product Links: https://www.komusodesign.com/MINDBRAINBODY https://apolloneuro.com/pages/vip-deal-lp?sca_ref=8155555.ZEQ5kEnX66N3u4pq&utm_source=uppromote&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=cody-isabel-id8155555 https://youcanpym.superfiliate.com/CODYISABEL https://getmindright.com/products/magnetic-mind https://your6.com/ https://mojo.shop/ https://www.drdougs.com/

In Today’s Episode: Can You Trust Wellness Experts? Join us as CJ Evans, producer of The Decision Lab Podcast, sits down with host Cody Isabel to revisit our viral ENERGYbits interview and unpack the bigger conversation it sparked about credentials, credibility, and science on social media. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: The difference between correlation and causation — and why it matters in wellness claims How social media shapes who we trust more: credentials or familiarity Why The Decision Lab prioritizes transparency over titles in evaluating health products and research Questions We Answer in This Episode: Do credentials still matter in the age of social media? What’s the difference between legitimate research and anecdotal evidence? How can you tell which wellness experts are actually evidence-based?

In Today’s Episode: What Happens When You Don’t Sleep? Join us as we welcome Dr. Dan Pardi — neuroscientist, Chief Health Officer at Qualia Life, and creator of the HumanOS platform — back to The Decision Lab Podcast for an expert interview. This time, Dr. Dan dives even deeper into how sleep deprivation rewires your brain, impacts your decision-making, and why mastering your “human operating system” is the foundation of real wellness. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -How lack of sleep hijacks your brain’s risk-reward system (and why it leads to “the f-its”) -Why lasting behavior change starts with understanding how your brain actually works -How Dr. Dan’s “Loop Model” turns complex health science into sustainable daily action Questions We Answer in This Episode: -What really happens to your brain when you don’t sleep enough? -Why does fatigue make smart people take bad risks? -How can neuroscience help us redefine what it means to be healthy today?

In Today’s Episode: Is the Sun Secretly Harming You? Join us as we talk with Samuel Welten, engineer, founder, and CEO of Sun-a-Wear, a Swiss health-tech company transforming how we understand sunlight. Samuel shares how his solar-powered wearable turns invisible UV radiation into actionable data—helping people make smarter, safer choices about sun exposure, skin health, and overall well-being. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: Why UV light is invisible yet impacts everything from skin aging to vitamin D and circadian rhythm. How Sun-a-Wear uses solar power and sensor tech to help you see what your skin can’t feel. What the future of data-driven wellness looks like—where informed decisions replace fear and guesswork. Questions We Answer in This Episode: How much sunlight is too much—and how much is not enough? Can technology actually prevent skin cancer and premature aging? What if your wearable could track sunlight the way your smartwatch tracks sleep?

In Today’s Episode: Does Tylenol Cause Autism? Join us as we talk with Dr. Ben Rein, author of Why Brains Need Friends, who shares his insights on the neuroscience of empathy, autism research, and the social divides shaping our understanding of science today. Dr. Ben breaks down the truth behind the Tylenol and autism debate, the biology of connection, and how empathy can be trained and strengthened through real, research-backed methods. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -The real science behind autism — what genetics, environment, and neurobiology actually tell us. -Why claims like “Tylenol causes autism” spread online, and how misinformation takes root in our brains. -How to train empathy and literally build new neural hardware for connection. Questions We Answer in This Episode: -What does the research really say about Tylenol and autism? -How do genetics and brain signaling shape social behavior? -Can empathy and social connection be strengthened through neuroscience-based practices?

In Today’s Episode: Can You Wake Up Refreshed? Join us as we talk with Tadas Kunickas, founder and CEO of Tavo Sleep, who shares how his personal recovery from a traumatic brain injury inspired him to reinvent the alarm clock. We dive deep into the science of sleep, the future of sleep technology, and why traditional alarms might be keeping you exhausted. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -How waking up in your lightest sleep stage can change your energy, mood, and focus. -Why traditional alarm clocks disrupt your brain’s natural recovery process. -The future of smart, science-backed devices that work with your body—not against it. Questions We Answer in This Episode: -Why do alarm clocks make you feel groggy instead of rested? -How can technology help you wake up naturally and refreshed? -What does the future of sleep innovation look like in the next decade?

In Today’s Episode: Do Stem Cells Stop Aging? Join us as we talk with Dr. Dan Pardi, neuroscientist and Chief Health Officer at Qualia, who shares his insights on stem cells, aging, and the future of supplementation. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -The difference between stem cell therapy and stem cell supplementation -How stem cells function in repair, regeneration, and aging -Why Qualia’s research approach stands out in the supplement industry Questions We Answer in This Episode: -What are stem cells and how do they really work? -How is stem cell supplementation different from stem cell therapy? -Can supplements actually support stem cell health and slow aging?

In Today’s Episode: Is Wellness Tech the Future? Join us as we talk with Kelly O’Brien, founder of Elysium Wellness and wellness entrepreneur, who shares her journey from surviving 14 rounds of IVF and a near-death experience to building a brand that makes wellness tech accessible at home and beyond. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -Why your business will rarely look like your original vision — and why that’s a good thing. -How Kelly’s IVF journey and emergency surgery shaped her purpose and mission. -Why accessibility is the biggest barrier in wellness, and how tech could be the answer. Questions We Answer in This Episode: -Can at-home wellness technology really deliver results? -How do you know which products are science-backed versus hype? -What does it take to pivot a business when life forces your hand?

In Today’s Episode: How Do You Build Confidence? Join us as we talk with Cody Isabel and Chloe, coaches and founders of Action Academy, who share their insights on confidence, the baggage that blocks it, and the tools you can use to overcome self-doubt. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -Baggage isn’t who you are — it’s the layered stories, patterns, and triggers blocking your natural confidence. -Confidence is a nervous system state, not something you “do.” Regulating your body helps unlock it. -Practical tools like EFT tapping, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and alter egos can help rewire old patterns and build lasting self-belief. Questions We Answer in This Episode: -What exactly is “baggage” and how does it block confidence? -How can nervous system regulation make you feel instantly more confident? -What tools can you use to overcome self-doubt and step into your most authentic self?

In Today’s Episode: How Do I Sleep Better? Join us as we talk with Glenn Paradise, founder of DepSlepwear, who shares how years of poor sleep, personal health struggles, and an entrepreneurial drive led him to create patented, function-first sleepwear designed to help people rest. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -Why “bed dread” is real — and how your brain can learn to fear your own bed if you’ve struggled with insomnia -How environment and routine (both morning and night) directly shape your sleep quality -What Glenn learned from entrepreneurs, inventors, and his father that helped him design DepSlepwear — sleepwear that blocks light, muffles sound, regulates temperature, and feels like a “cocoon” Questions We Answer in This Episode: -What causes “bed dread,” and how can you retrain your brain to actually look forward to sleep? -Can sleepwear really affect deep sleep, or is it just another wellness gimmick? - What steps can you take tonight to fall asleep faster and wake up feeling restored?

In Today’s Episode: Can Confidence Be Created? Join us as Chloe, co-host of The Decision Lab Podcast and founder of Action Academy, shares her step-by-step process for building an alter ego identity to embody confidence and pursue your biggest dreams. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a skill, a state, and a belief you can build. -Creating an alter ego or higher self helps you tap into unstoppable energy on demand. -Simple practices like EFT tapping, journaling, and anchoring rituals can rewire your nervous system for confidence. Questions We Answer in This Episode: -What does it actually mean to be confident? -How can you design and embody an alter ego to overcome fear? -What tools and rituals make confidence stick long-term?

In Today’s Episode: Does Brain Stimulation Really Work? Join us as we talk with Nathalie Gouailhardou, founder of Neurode and neurotechnology innovator, who shares her insights on how non-invasive brain stimulation and measurement may transform focus, ADHD management, and the future of mental performance. Key Takeaways from Today’s Episode: -How Nathalie turned her ADHD diagnosis and neuroscience background into building Neurode, a brain stimulation headband. -The science behind brain measurement, stimulation, and why the prefrontal cortex is central to focus and executive function. -What makes Neurode different from other neurotech devices, and why clinical research matters. Questions We Answer in This Episode: -Can brain stimulation devices actually improve focus and ADHD symptoms? -How is Neurode different from other neurotechnology tools like Mendi? -What does the future of neurotechnology mean for focus, mental health, and human potential?