Welcome to this episode of The Tonic, terrestrially broadcast on February 28 and March 1, 2026 on AM740 and FM 96.7 in Toronto. Topics covered on the show track the lifestyle articles and themes published in The Tonic Newsletter and on the Tonic Website. This week we’ll discuss whether drinking coffee and brain training can prevent dementia with researcher Dr. Henry Mahncke PhD, the health benefits of fasting with naturopath Dr. Kate Hunter ND, Auto-Brewery Syndrome with researcher David Nelson and how to treat “Good Girl” burnout with therapist and author, Dr. Julie Merriman PhD.
We specifically discuss:
Can Coffee and Brain Training Prevent Dementia?
- What is dementia?
- How to think about dementia
- Risk factors of dementia
- Can we take control of our brain health?
- Drinking more coffee – an observational study
- A new study about the efficacy of brain training
- Speed Training resulted in a 25% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease
- Why is computerized speed training particularly effective?
- Procedural or implicit learning
- Does speed training physiologically change your brain?
The Health Benefits of Fasting
- The definition of fasting from a naturopathic perspective
- Time Restricted Eating (“TRE”) and actual fasting
- Autophagy
- Who should not be fasting?
- TRE and fasting and brain fog
- Determining whether TRE or fasting is right for you
- Risks for those with eating disorders
- Can you drink water when fasting?
- Electrolytes, coffee etc.
Auto-Brewery Syndrome
- What is Auto-Brewery Syndrome (“ABS”)?
- What happens in your body?
- What are the symptoms
- How is a diagnosis made?
- The history of the syndrome
- Less than 100 cases world wide
- What are the root causes and risks of developing ABS?
- The treatment
How to Treat “Good Girl” Burnout
- What is a “Good Girl”?
- Why do Good Girls burn out?
- The “fawn” trauma response
- What is the cause of the burnout?
- Identity burnout
- Who is susceptible to identity burnout?
- Learning to live with negative emotions
- Treatment
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To learn more about Dr. Henry Mahncke PhD go here
To learn more about Dr. Kate Hunter PhD go here
To learn more about David Nelson go here
To learn more about Dr. Julie Merriman PhD go here
