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PMS & Heart Risk, Fibermaxxing, Cannabis Sleep
PMS might flag hidden heart issues, TikTok’s fiber craze isn’t the magic fix you think, and cannabis as a sleep aid may actually steal your dreams. Plus: why our team loves walking desks.
Tash Jamieson
July 18, 2025
🧠 Superpower Signals — July 17, 2025
Hey readers 👋 This week: PMS could be a warning signal for heart issues, and TikTok is fiber-obsessed (but should you be?). Plus, your favorite sleep aid (🍃) might actually be sabotaging your sleep…
😴 Cannabis might actually shorten your sleep
New research found cannabinoid products (often used as sleep aids) cut total sleep time and significantly reduced dream (REM) sleep in people with insomnia. Interestingly, participants didn't notice worse sleep or any next-day cognitive issues [the study].
Cannabis risks aren’t new, but the data is mounting. THC impairs memory, executive function, and REM sleep, reducing long-term sleep quality. Smoking it stresses lungs, increasing inflammation and oxidative damage. A recent Nature study found lasting epigenetic changes from long-term use, though quitting may reverse this [the study].
🫀PMS = cardiovascular disease?
A new, large-scale study from Karolinska Institutet found women experiencing premenstrual symptoms, including PMS and PMDD, have about a 10% higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The biggest risks were irregular heart rhythms (31% higher) and stroke from blood clots (27% higher). Why? Possibly inflammation, metabolic issues, or disrupted blood pressure [the study].
PMS is common, and natural hormonal fluctuations shouldn’t carry negative connotations. But when symptoms are severe they may signal deeper biological issues. This study links severe PMS and PMDD with underlying patterns like inflammation, hormonal dysregulation, and autonomic stress. If your symptoms are intense or disruptive, it’s worth investigating further.
🥗 Gut-check on “Fibermaxxing”
Fibermaxxing is TikTok’s newest gut-health craze; think protein maxxing, but swap the shakes for chia-packed smoothies and lentil-loaded lunches. The goal? Cramming your diet with way more fiber than the standard daily recommendation (25–38g), hoping for smoother digestion, balanced blood sugar, happier gut bacteria, and even better moods [Dr Karan Rajan TikTok].
In today's world, people are chronically fiber deficient. It used to be healthy to poop twice daily. Now some people are lucky to go twice every two days. When adding fiber, you need variety: soluble, insoluble, and resistant starch.
But, also note fiber isn't a holy grail. If your gut is already dysregulated, this is just a bandaid fix. It's going to take more than that to get things back on track.
“Our take” is a quick, off-the-cuff perspective on the health trends catching our eye this week. It might be a personal anecdote, a gut-check, or a philosophical lens. It’s not medical advice, just our two cents. Read with nuance.
One number:
Superpowered by you: Walking desks.
Sitting all day sucks. Standing desks don't always cut it. But something that sounds like overkill (but actually helps)? Treadmill desks.
Walking desks improve blood flow, metabolism and even in one study reported higher job satisfaction and productivity [the study].
Our engineering team swears it takes about 5 mins to get used to a walking desk, and after that there's zero focus loss. Using a split keyboard helps too, as arms can move naturally, creating zero distraction.
Check out our engineering teams sleek treadmill desk setup 😎
Enjoy your weekend 🫡
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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health or wellness routine.