Welcome to this episode of The Tonic, terrestrially broadcast on January 11 and 12, 2025 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 how small nutritional lifestyle changes can lead to big health gains with naturopath Dr. Dasha Leneva, the history and culture of diets with researcher and author Dr. Adrienne Bitar PhD, the difference between vanilla and kinky sex with sex expert Amandine Ranson and what consciousness really is with professor and author Dr. Francisco Aboitiz PhD

We specifically discuss:

Small Nutritional Changes – Big Health Gains

  • Why is good nutrition important for your health?
  • Small changes…that are achievable
  • Emphasize whole foods
  • Avoid ultra processed foods
  • Emotional eating and mindful eating
  • Hydration
  • Gut health
  • Foods that trigger inflammation
  • Personalized nutrition
  • Supplementation to fill nutritional gaps

 

The History and Culture of Diets

  • The history of weight loss diets
  • Why are diets so popular and influential?
  • Why haven’t diet books been researched rigorously?
  • The universal format of diet books
  • William Banting
  • The Paleo Diet
  • The politics of diets
  • The feminist perspective on the Paleo diet

 

Vanilla vs. Kinky Sex

  • What is vanilla sex in 2025?
  • Sex is culturally defined
  • The economic emancipation of sex
  • Cultural normalization of “deviant” sexuality
  • The religious impact
  • Is vanilla sex less satisfying?
  • Why do people feel shame about vanilla sex?
  • Trust with your partner
  • Are sex toys vanilla or kinky?

 

What is Consciousness?

  • What is the definition of consciousness?
  • How is consciousness measured in humans?
  • Sentience: the capacity for feeling
  • Do other animals have consciousness?
  • Consciousness can’t be measured
  • Can machines have consciousness?
  • Why do we have consciousness?
  • Panpsychism

 

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For more information about show sponsor New Roots Herbal go here

To learn more about Dr. Dasha Leneva ND go here

To learn more about Dr. Adrienne Bitar PhD go here

To learn more about Amandine Ranson go here

To learn more about Dr. Francisco Aboitiz PhD go here