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From Pharmacist to Wellness Creator: Hormones, Peptides, Hair, Skin & the Root Cause Approach to Health | with Ariana Medizade

  • Jun 17
  • 14 min read



Ariana Medizade — pharmacist, functional nutritionist, and wellness content creator behind @wellness.pharm — joins Jenny in Miami for one of the most wide-ranging, honest conversations the show has had. They cover everything: how Ariana healed her own anxiety without medication, a scary hormone crisis that led to two MRIs and a missing period for a year, the peptide she swears changed her skin and hair, and the tea brand she’s launching designed around the female menstrual cycle. If you’re a woman trying to understand your body, this episode is essential listening.



In This Episode


  • How Ariana went from pharmacy school student to functional wellness educator

  • Why she chose not to take Lexapro despite a doctor’s recommendation — and what she did instead

  • The systematic problem with how conventional medicine treats anxiety, hormones, and women’s health

  • Saffron: the 30mg daily protocol that works as well as a low-dose antidepressant in clinical trials

  • Blood sugar, protein intake, and magnesium — the overlooked drivers of anxiety

  • The year Ariana lost her period entirely, two MRI scans, and how she healed naturally

  • Prolactin, pituitary health, and the stress-hormone connection

  • Cycle syncing: how to eat, work out, and supplement based on your menstrual phase

  • Seed oils, restaurants, pesticides, and why cooking at home is one of the best health decisions you can make

  • Functional lab testing: what to order, where, and why your regular physical isn’t enough

  • Lasers, Botox, and skin treatments: what works, what’s overhyped, and what Ariana’s dermatologist cousin actually recommends

  • GHK-Cu peptide: Ariana’s full protocol, results, and how she manages injection site reactions

  • Minoxidil 5% foam for hair: the shedding phase, how long it takes, and why rosemary oil made both Jenny and Ariana’s hair fall out

  • Red onions, garlic, and why your kitchen is one of the most powerful biohacking tools you have

  • Cortisol — the biggest myth in wellness right now

  • Ariana’s new brand Cinis Botanicals: cycle-phase teas launching in August 2026


Ariana’s Background


Ariana Medizade is a licensed pharmacist (trained in California in an accelerated 3-year program), certified functional nutritionist, and wellness content creator. Her platform @wellness.pharm covers hormones, brain health, skin, supplements, and women’s health. She is also the founder of the upcoming tea brand Cinis Botanicals (meaning “Phoenix rising from the ashes”), designed specifically around women’s menstrual health.


Key Topics Covered


Anxiety, Medication & Root Cause Medicine


Ariana’s health journey began during pharmacy school when she was experiencing severe anxiety, heart palpitations, and burnout from an accelerated 3-year program. Her doctor immediately offered Lexapro with no discussion of supplements, nutrition, or lifestyle — and no explanation of why she was experiencing these symptoms. Rather than accepting the prescription, Ariana did her own research and healed herself through targeted supplementation and lifestyle changes.


Her key insight: conventional medicine is exceptional at emergency care and treating existing disease, but rarely addresses prevention, root cause, or health optimization. She points to kids as young as nine being placed on high-dose ADHD medications, women being prescribed birth control instead of investigating why their periods are problematic, and anxiety patients never being asked about blood sugar stability, magnesium levels, or protein intake.


She notes that pharmaceutical companies profit from ongoing medication refills — not from cures — which creates a systematic financial disincentive to educate patients about root cause solutions.


What Ariana Did for Her Anxiety (No Medication)


  • Magnesium — taken at night

  • Saffron — 30mg daily (supplement form for consistent dosing). Clinical trials have observed saffron performing comparably to low-dose fluoxetine (Prozac) for mood. Additional benefits: libido, dopamine and serotonin support, skin health

  • 20 grams of protein per meal — she realized she was under-eating, which was destabilizing her blood sugar and amplifying her anxiety

  • Fiber supplementation — added to daily routine

  • Exercise — running, gym workouts; physical movement significantly improved her focus, mood, and sleep

  • Reducing caffeine — she was drinking excessive caffeine while studying, which was fueling the anxiety


She also makes saffron lattes at home — a tradition from her Persian heritage, where saffron is used regularly in cooking and tea.


Hormones: The Year Ariana Lost Her Period

After discontinuing birth control (which she had been on for 10 years, originally prescribed for acne), and simultaneously going through a breakup and an intense period of over-training, Ariana went a full year without a period. She was running three miles a day, under-eating, and under chronic physical and emotional stress.


She sought out two endocrinologists who suspected a benign pituitary tumor (microadenoma) secreting excess prolactin — a hormone normally elevated during breastfeeding. Two MRIs came back completely normal, yet doctors maintained their hypothesis. Ariana — who had advocated for her own prolactin testing — refused to accept a diagnosis with no imaging support and changed her approach entirely.


What she changed:


  • Stopped running daily; shifted to low-impact exercise

  • Stopped under-eating; prioritized protein and consistent calories

  • Dialed in on sleep

  • Reduced subconscious and emotional stress


After about a year, her prolactin levels normalized and her cycle returned. She now has healthy, regular cycles.


Key message: stress — even subconscious stress from a relationship, a move, or excessive exercise — can profoundly disrupt hormones. For women, the body will sacrifice the reproductive system before it will sacrifice survival.


Cycle Syncing: Eating & Exercise by Phase


Ariana follows her cycle throughout the month and adjusts her approach based on hormonal fluctuations.


Luteal & Menstrual Phase

  • Eats slightly more; increases protein and fiber

  • Psyllium husk powder daily

  • More vegetables, warm soups, warming foods

  • No iced coffee or cold drinks — supports the body with warmth

  • Warm herbal teas

  • No running during menstruation — she finds it too taxing

  • Does not intermittent fast during this phase

Follicular & Ovulatory Phase

  • Appetite naturally decreases — she listens to that

  • More tolerant of intermittent fasting; this is the ideal window for women who want to fast without cortisol spikes

  • Still prioritizes protein and fiber

  • More energetic workouts; this is the optimal phase for higher intensity training

  • Warm herbal teas continued

General nutrition non-negotiables (all phases):

  • 20 grams of protein per meal, every meal

  • Consistent fiber intake

  • Does not obsessively track calories — focuses on hitting protein targets

  • Minimal snacking (especially outside of luteal/menstrual)

  • Eats cottage cheese, ground beef, whole foods

Exercise Routine

  • Total: 1 hour per day at the gym, plus walking

  • 30 minutes cardio: StairMaster or incline treadmill walking (primary); runs 1–2x per week max

  • 30 minutes strength training: Uses the Peloton app (not the bike — the full workout library including free weights, yoga, Pilates, HIIT). Has used it for 6 years

  • Also takes studio classes via ClassPass with her friend Caitlin on “Friday Fun Days” to explore different studios in New York

  • Does hot mat Pilates classes

  • Prefers gym workouts over outdoor running in New York for environment control and consistency

  • No running during menstrual phase

  • Avoids over-training — previously ran 3 miles daily and it disrupted her hormones


Cooking at Home, Seed Oils & Food Quality


Both Jenny and Ariana have cut back significantly on restaurants. Ariana noticed increased bloating since moving to New York and eating out more. Her cousin (a gastroenterologist) attributed it directly to restaurants using seed oils. Ariana has since cut back on dining out.


Ariana’s grocery approach:


  • Shops primarily at Whole Foods in New York

  • Scans all groceries to verify ingredient quality

  • Buys organic produce, organic salt and spices

  • Avoids seed oils at home

  • Loves the concept of Happier Grocery in Miami (calls it a mini Erewhon)

  • Mentions Erewhon (LA) and Laurel Supply (a new grocery store described as nicer than Erewhon)

  • Excited about Nude restaurant opening in Miami


She references a Covid-era turning point: being forced to cook at home with only organic ingredients made her feel the best she ever had. She has returned to that approach.


Biomarker Testing & Functional Labs


Ariana is a strong advocate for functional health testing. She uses Function Health as her primary platform and calls their initial panel comprehensive.


What she prioritizes for women:

  • Thyroid panel (full, not just TSH)

  • Ferritin and iron (especially important for women who bleed monthly)

  • Vitamin D — she considers this critical for nearly everyone

  • Micronutrients — magnesium, zinc, and others that standard doctors never test

  • Sex hormones — estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA

  • Prolactin — included in Function Health’s panel; she had to advocate to get this tested at a conventional doctor

  • AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) — fertility biomarker included in Function Health

  • Iodine and selenium — she considers these critical for thyroid health and notes they are underappreciated; Function Health does not include them in the base panel. She got hers tested through One Medical with insurance as an add-on (approximately $380 for additional nutrient testing). Many women she knows have come back deficient in both

  • hs-CRP — biomarker for systemic inflammation; she tracks this with clients


Note: Functional health labs (self-ordered) are not available in New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island — something both Jenny and Ariana find frustrating.


Her message on cost: functional testing ($300–$400) is cheaper than the downstream cost of specialist visits, prescription medications, and insurance headaches. Invest in your health now, not in treating disease later.


Skin: Lasers, Treatments & What Actually Works


Ariana’s dermatologist cousin (double board-certified, based in Pasadena) guides many of her decisions. She breaks down what she’s tried and what she thinks of each:

Hydrafacial Good for a pre-event glow. Deep cleans pores and removes buildup (especially important if you wear sunscreen in Miami). Results don’t last long — more of a maintenance or special occasion treatment.

Botox She gets baby Botox once a year and loves it. Strong advocate for conservative use. Key advice: find an honest injector — a dermatologist or trained nurse — who will tell you no when needed. Social media creates unrealistic pressure to over-inject.

Pico Laser Good for pigmentation and dark spots. Ariana personally didn’t see a huge difference on her skin but notes it works very well for people with Asian skin tones.

Moxi Laser Used it twice for redness and post-acne red spots (which would linger long after the acne itself resolved). Loved the results for that specific purpose. Done in targeted areas — not a full face treatment. Typically requires 3–4 sessions for best results.

Fraxel Laser (Non-Ablative) Her favorite laser of all. Had it done by her dermatologist cousin. The non-ablative version creates micro-damage to the skin surface, which produces dark spots over 6 days that shed off to reveal new, healthy skin underneath. Best for fine lines, pigmentation, acne scarring, and overall skin renewal. Patients typically only need it once a year. Full face treatment. She describes the results as radiant and lasting.

Softwave Was scared to try it based on Reddit horror stories about skin sagging. Went to her cousin (who does it on herself) and had it done on her lower face. Two months out, she has seen a real difference in tightening. Caution: results depend heavily on the practitioner. Wrong technique on a slender face can cause hollowness or sagging. Ariana has very little facial fat and is always cautious with any facial procedure for this reason.

Fillers — her take She does not advocate for fillers. She sees the over-filled look frequently — especially in Miami — and believes it takes away from natural beauty, glow, and individuality. New York tends to be more conservative. She notes the industry is shifting toward skin health, tightening, and a more natural look overall.


Internal skin support (her non-negotiables):

  • Microgreens

  • Carrots

  • Turmeric tea and ginger (anti-inflammatory compounds)

  • Protein (collagen is made from protein)

  • Collagen peptides at night (hydrolyzed collagen peptides — her favorite supplement). The body does most of its repair between 10pm–2am. Collagen at night supports: gut lining repair (reduces inflammation), sleep (glycine content), and beauty benefits. She is a fan of what she calls the “carnivore” community’s collagen-at-night protocol

  • Red onions — sulfur compounds that slow the conversion of cortisone to cortisol in tissues, reducing inflammation-driven abdominal fat and skin redness

  • Raw garlic — contains allicin, a powerful antimicrobial and antiviral compound. She eats it raw when she feels run down or sick

  • Sardines — omega-3s, skin-supportive fats

  • Black seed oil — takes it daily. Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, great for acne (especially acne that responds to benzoyl peroxide or topical antibiotics), eczema, psoriasis, redness, and skin moisture from within. Has a balanced omega-3 and omega-6 profile that does not tip inflammatory. Also anti-inflammatory for the brain.


Supplements Mentioned


  • Saffron — 30mg daily for mood, libido, dopamine/serotonin support, skin

  • Magnesium — at night; also magnesium L-threonate for brain fog and anxiety (mentioned in client case study)

  • L-tyrosine — Jenny takes it for dopamine precursor support (she has a gene variant that processes dopamine faster than average)

  • Psyllium husk powder — daily fiber support

  • Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed) — at night; sleep, gut lining, hair, nails, skin

  • Black seed oil — daily; anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, skin and brain health

  • Zinc — taken alongside GHK-Cu peptide to maintain copper-zinc balance

  • Fish oil / krill oil — mentioned as preferred omega-3 sources over black seed oil for high omega-3 needs

  • Fiber supplement (general) — part of Ariana’s daily routine since pharmacy school days


Peptides


Ariana’s position on the peptide space: She believes peptides are where supplements were in 2020 — a new frontier that is rapidly growing, unregulated but not unsafe, and soon to be mainstream. She expects peptides to be standard in med spas and doctors’ offices within a few years.

Her strong guidance:

  • Do NOT buy peptides shipped from overseas. You don’t know how they were compounded or whether they were made in a sterile environment. This is dangerous.

  • The correct route: get a prescription from a licensed physician → compounded at a US compounding pharmacy in a sterile environment → shipped to your home → monitored by your doctor.

  • Under physician care is the safest and most effective approach.

GHK-Cu (GHK-Copper) — the only peptide Ariana is currently using:

  • Started with her doctor in 2020 (she mentions Mark Hyman’s doctor)

  • Results she has personally experienced: elimination of hormonal cystic acne (which had previously left inflammatory marks requiring laser treatment), improved skin tightness and quality, and significant hair growth (length specifically)

  • Injection site: she injects into the hip/outer thigh area where she has more fat, rather than the stomach, to reduce stinging and inflammation at the injection site. She lets the syringe warm to room temperature for 5 minutes before injecting — this significantly reduces the welt/stinging reaction

  • Notes that injection site inflammation (a small welt) is common and normal; it has improved for her with the room temperature tip

  • Plans to potentially switch to a lower-dose “glow stack” formulation in the future but has no plans to stop

Other peptides discussed:

  • BPC-157 — she is working on getting a family member to try it for knee and joint pain

  • Tirzepatide (micro-dosed) — a friend uses it for PCOS. Has dramatically improved her blood sugar, weight, quality of life, and overall wellbeing. She was doing everything right but PCOS was preventing progress; tirzepatide was the missing piece


Hair


What caused Ariana’s hair loss: 10 years on birth control (prescribed for acne) disrupted her hair. When she came off it, she experienced significant thinning.

Rosemary oil — the counterintuitive truth: Both Jenny and Ariana experienced increased hair shedding when using rosemary oil, despite its well-documented benefits and the science supporting it as a natural minoxidil alternative. Ariana tried it in carrier oils, alone, every method — her hair follicles simply did not respond well. She recommends rosemary water (boiled rosemary strained into a spray bottle) for those who are sensitive, as it is gentler and reduces scalp inflammation without direct oil contact.


Minoxidil 5% foam (over-the-counter):

  • Applied once daily at night

  • Has been using it for approximately 1.5 years

  • Results: improved hair thickness, volume, and density

  • Important: expect a shedding phase approximately 1 month in, lasting about 2 weeks. Old weak hairs fall out and are replaced by stronger strands. This is normal and expected.

  • Does NOT add length — only volume and thickness

GHK-Cu peptide:

  • Used in combination with minoxidil

  • Adds hair length specifically

  • Her protocol: minoxidil for volume, GHK-Cu for length

Red light therapy:

  • Uses a red light mask on her face regularly

  • Was sent a red light cap for hair by the same brand; hasn’t fully incorporated it yet but acknowledges the science is strong

  • Notes that scalp inflammation is a major and underappreciated driver of hair loss

Other hair notes:

  • Tracks copper and zinc on her labs while using GHK-Cu (copper-zinc balance matters for hair health)

  • Takes a zinc supplement while on GHK-Cu

  • Does not advocate following other people’s hair routines on social media — your follicles are individual. Experiment and listen to your own body


Foods as Medicine: The Kitchen Biohack


Ariana makes a strong case that what you eat is one of the most overlooked biohacking tools available.

Red onions: Sulfur compounds that inhibit the conversion of cortisone to cortisol in tissues — directly reducing inflammation-driven cortisol, abdominal fat, and redness. Ariana used to have chronically elevated cortisol on labs, affecting her sleep and recovery. Red onions were part of how she addressed it.

Raw garlic: Allicin — antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial. She eats it raw when feeling run down or at the first sign of illness.

Sardines: High omega-3, anti-inflammatory, skin-supportive.

Turmeric and ginger: Cooked with daily; drinks as teas. Significant anti-inflammatory compounds.

Microgreens: Rich in nutrients; liver and skin support.

Carrots: Liver detoxification support; hormone metabolism.


The Cortisol Myth

One of Ariana’s favorite wellness myths to correct: not all cortisol is bad.

Cortisol is essential in the morning — it helps you wake up, feel alert, and function. The problem is when cortisol remains elevated throughout the day and into the night, when it should be tapering down. Calling cortisol universally “bad” misses the point. The goal is a healthy cortisol curve: elevated in the morning, progressively lower as the day goes on.


Cinis Botanicals — Ariana’s New Brand

Ariana is launching a tea brand called Cinis Botanicals (Cinis means “Phoenix rising from the ashes” — the idea of transformation from within).

Her first product: a tea box for women containing four different teas, each designed to support a specific phase of the menstrual cycle:

  • Menstrual phase tea — soothing, anti-inflammatory; includes red raspberry leaf (known to help with cramps)

  • Follicular phase tea — lighter, energizing

  • Ovulatory phase tea — formulated for the “sexy, social, high energy” phase

  • Luteal phase tea — calming, bloat-supportive, acne-supportive


Ariana created all of the blends herself based on her background in pharmacy, functional nutrition, and women’s health. Her vision is a women’s health tea brand that is science-backed, beautifully explained, and designed for the way women’s bodies actually work — not generic wellness tea.


She chose tea intentionally: unlike a pill you swallow and forget, tea requires you to sit down, be present, and consistently absorb these plant compounds in a ritualistic, mindful way.


Launch: First week of August 2026

Follow for updates: Instagram — @wellness.pharm


Rapid Fire

First thing every morning: Open windows for fresh air (also lowers CO2 that builds up overnight in closed bedrooms). Makes her bed.

Non-negotiable supplement: Hydrolyzed collagen peptides at night — sleep, gut lining, hair, skin, nails.

Favorite biohack most people haven’t tried: GHK-Cu peptide. And experimenting with your kitchen — red onions, garlic, whole foods as medicine.

Biggest wellness myth: That all cortisol is bad. Cortisol is essential — the problem is when it stays high all day and night instead of following its natural curve.

What longevity means to her: Feeling your absolute best in your body. Optimal labs. Showing up fully in your work and relationships. Everyone’s routine looks different — find what works for you and be consistent with it.


People & Brands Mentioned


  • Cinis Botanicals — Ariana’s upcoming tea brand (launch: August 2026)

  • Matt Cook — Doctor through whom Jenny started peptide therapy in 2020

  • Ariana’s dermatologist cousin — double board-certified, based in Pasadena; performs Fraxel, Softwave, Moxi

  • Ariana’s gastroenterologist cousin — Tina; helped identify seed oils as source of bloating from restaurants

  • Function Health — comprehensive functional lab testing platform (not available in NY, NJ, or Rhode Island)

  • One Medical — where Jenny tested iodine and selenium with insurance

  • Peloton App — Ariana’s strength and workout app (6 years); full workout library including free weights, Pilates, yoga, HIIT

  • ClassPass — used to book studio classes in New York

  • Whole Foods — her primary grocery store in New York

  • Happier Grocery — Miami supplement and grocery store; Jenny describes it as a mini Erewhon

  • Erewhon — LA clean grocery store

  • Laurel Supply — new LA clean grocery store described as nicer than Erewhon

  • Nude — upcoming Miami restaurant Jenny and Ariana are excited about


Treatments & Products Mentioned

  • Lexapro (fluoxetine) — discussed as what Ariana was offered and declined

  • Saffron 30mg supplement

  • Magnesium (general + magnesium L-threonate)

  • L-tyrosine

  • Psyllium husk powder

  • Collagen peptides (hydrolyzed, taken at night)

  • Black seed oil

  • Zinc supplement

  • Fish oil / krill oil

  • GHK-Cu (GHK-Copper) peptide — injected

  • BPC-157 — mentioned for joint/knee pain

  • Tirzepatide (micro-dosed) — friend using for PCOS

  • Minoxidil 5% foam (OTC) — for hair

  • Red light therapy mask and cap

  • Hydrafacial

  • Botox (baby Botox, once yearly)

  • Pico laser

  • Moxi laser

  • Fraxel laser (non-ablative)

  • Softwave


    About Jenny Jones | BiohackerBlondie


  • Jenny Jones is the founder of Happier Health Fitness and Happier Health Supplements, host of the BiohackerBlondie Podcast, health coach, and author of Biohack For Life. Based in Miami, Florida, Jenny is on a mission to help people optimize their health through biohacking, functional medicine, and real food.

    🌐 www.biohackerblondie.com 🌐 https://happierhealth.co 📧

    📸 @biohackerblondie


    Exclusive Offers for BiohackerBlondie Listeners

    This episode is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new health protocol, supplement, or therapy.



 
 
 

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