Welcome to this episode of The Tonic, terrestrially broadcast on March 21 and 22, 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. We’ll discuss what ethnodermatology is with dermatologist Dr. Marissa Joseph, the “Pink Pill” a documentary about bringing Addyi to market with the subject of the film health entrepreneur Cindy Eckert, how gratitude reduces your risk of dying with longevity and healthspan researcher Dr. Charles Platkin PhD, and the comorbidities of shingles with Dr. Zain Chagla.

We specifically discuss:

What is Ethnodermatology?

  • What is ethnodermatology?
  • Intersectionality is important to diagnosis and outcomes
  • Why did it take so long to establish an ethnodermatology chair?
  • How does Psoriasis present in persons with different skin tones?
  • The mandate of the research chair
  • Goals for the research chair
  • The greatest need in dermatological care
  • Inflammatory skin diseases
  • 1 dermatologist for every 57,000 Ontarians
  • The Black Physicians Association of Ontario
  • Go here for more information about Abbvie’s Chair in Ethnodermatology

 

The “Pink Pill”

  • What is Addyi?
  • FDA roadblocks in obtaining approval for Addyi
  • Contrasting the approval process for Viagra
  • The benefit/risk equation
  • New discussions about perimenopause have changed perspectives
  • The Pink Pill
  • Cindy bought her company back after selling it for a billion dollars
  • Changes necessary for women’s health issues to be taken seriously

Gratitude Reduces Your Risk of Dying

  • Women over 65 who practice gratitude have a 9% lower risk of dying
  • What is healthspan?
  • The difference between correlation and causation
  • Charles’ article
  • How does gratitude change you biologically?
  • Inflammation and the autonomic nervous system
  • Can gratitude be ‘weaponized’?
  • The power of posotive thought

The Comorbidities of Shingles

  • 1in 3 adults will experience shingles
  • What is shingles?
  • Risk factors
  • Pain and other symptoms
  • Discussing shingles with your healthcare provider
  • How do comorbidities come into play?
  • Steroid use impacts risk
  • Complications of shingles
  • Shingles, inflammation and dementia
  • The shingles vaccine
  • Who should and shouldn’t take the vaccine?

 

TO SIGN UP FOR THE TONIC NEWSLETTER GO HERE

 

To learn more about Dr. Marissa Joseph MD go here

To learn more about Cindy Eckert go here

To learn more about Dr. Charles Platkin PhD go here

To learn more about Dr. Zain Chagla go here

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