“What if the exhaustion, brain fog, low libido, and metabolic changes women experience in midlife are actually rooted in a deeper cellular energy crisis?” In this episode, Dr. Mariza sits down with Dr. Andrew Salzman — physician, inventor, biochemical engineer, and Chief Scientific Officer of Wonderfeel — to unpack the powerful connection between NAD, mitochondrial health, inflammation, ovarian aging, gut integrity, nitric oxide, and the dramatic energy shifts women experience during perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Salzman explains why menopause represents a major biological inflection point for women and how declining NAD levels may be contributing to fatigue, brain fog, poor recovery, metabolic dysfunction, sleep issues, reduced stress resilience, cardiovascular changes, and shifts in sexual health. Together, they explore the evolutionary role of menopause, why ovarian senescence accelerates aging pathways, how inflammation and the enzyme CD38 rapidly deplete NAD stores, and why the gut microbiome may be one of the biggest drivers of inflammation and energy decline in modern women. They also dive into nitric oxide production, cardiovascular health, the brain’s dependence on NAD for sleep and cognitive function, and why ingredients like NMN and creatine are gaining attention for supporting healthy aging and resilience in midlife. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “I don’t feel like myself anymore,” this conversation will help connect the dots between your symptoms, your mitochondria, and your long-term vitality. ANDREW SALZMAN Dr. Andrew Salzman is a physician, inventor, biochemical engineer, and the Chief Scientific Officer of Wonderfeel. With more than 30 years of experience in drug discovery and development, over 170 scientific publications, and more than 50 patents, Dr. Salzman has spent decades studying aging biology, inflammation, cellular resilience, nitric oxide signaling, and mitochondrial health IN THIS EPISODE Why menopause is a major biological inflection point for women How declining NAD levels impact energy, metabolism, sleep, and brain function Why CD38 accelerates inflammation and NAD depletion during aging The surprising connection between gut health, inflammation, and menopause symptoms How estrogen decline contributes to leaky gut and systemic inflammation Why nitric oxide is essential for circulation, libido, cardiovascular health, and cognition The role of NAD in circadian rhythm, sleep quality, and stress resilience Why NMN and creatine are gaining attention for healthy aging and vitality QUOTES“Menopause will happen, but the question is: how do we maintain vibrancy and resilience through it?” “NAD is the common currency that drives energy throughout the body.” “The gut is the foundational driver of inflammation as we age.” “Without NADPH, you don’t have nitric oxide production.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Subscribe and Save $15 on Wonderfeel Youngr™ NMN: https://tidd.ly/4rPnckS Use code ENERGIZED and get 30% off on your first BATCH order https://hellobatch.com/ENERGIZED Order my newest book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Wonderfeel Website Wonderfeel Instagram Wonderfeel YouTube RELATED EPISODES  741: Estrogen, Gut Health, Mitochondria, and Cardiovascular Health: What Changes In Perimenopause with Dr. Siobhan Mitchel 691: The Fertility Crisis No One Talks About: Why Your Health Today Impacts Future Generations with Dr. Ann Shippy 717: “I Don’t Feel Like Myself Anymore”: The Mental & Emotional Reality of Perimenopause 743: Why Your Heart Risk Changes in Menopause (And What You Can Do About It) with Dr. Jayne Morgan