
55: Perimenopause: The Neuroendocrine Shift Behind Brain Fog, Sleep, and Weight Changes with Dr. Mariza Snyder
What if the symptoms you’ve been told are “just aging” are actually signs of a major hormonal transition? Perimenopause can affect sleep, mood, metabolism, brain function, and resilience long before anyone explains what is happening. In this episode, Dr. Amy Myers sits down with Dr. Mariza Snyder, a functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert, author, and host of Energized with Dr. Mariza. They discuss why perimenopause can feel like a second puberty, how hormone shifts affect the brain and metabolism, and practical tools for tracking symptoms, supporting blood sugar, building muscle, and advocating for better care. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why perimenopause includes brain fog, sleep changes, mood shifts, cycle changes, joint pain, body-composition changes, low libido, and reduced recovery—not only hot flashes. How symptoms, thyroid function, blood sugar, inflammation, cortisol, and age fit into the clinical picture. Why perimenopause is a neuroendocrine transition and how it can affect mental energy, word recall, mood, and resilience. How tracking symptoms, sleep, HRV, resting heart rate, and blood-sugar patterns can help you advocate for yourself. Why movement after meals, exercise snacks, and strength training support metabolic and musculoskeletal health. How HRT fits into a broader toolbox of individualized care. About Dr. Mariza Snyder Dr. Mariza Snyder is a functional practitioner, women’s hormone expert, author, and host of Energized with Dr. Mariza. She focuses on perimenopause, hormones, metabolism, and midlife changes and wrote The Perimenopause Revolution. Resources: The Perimenopause Revolution bonuses: https://peri-revolution.com/ Dr. Mariza’s website: https://drmariza.com/ Connect with Dr. Amy Myers: Website: https://www.dramymyers.com/ Inner Circle: https://www.drmyersinnercircle.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dramymyers Connect with Dr. Mariza Snyder: Website: https://drmariza.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmariza/?hl=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/drmarizasnyder LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmariza/ 🚨 Special Offer 🚨 Sunlighten is a sponsor of Take Back Your Health®. Visit Sunlighten to learn more about Sunlighten infrared saunas and access Dr. Amy’s $200 savings offer. 🚨 Exclusive Sunlighten Savings 🚨 Dr. Amy Myers has used a Sunlighten sauna for 16 years to support circulation, the body’s natural detox pathways, and relaxation. Discover Sunlighten’s mPulse Intelligent Sauna with PulseIQ™ technology, along with Amplify and the portable Solo System. Visit the Dr. Amy Myers Sunlighten offer page to save up to $2,100 plus free shipping. Use code Dr. Amy Myers. Episode Timestamps 00:01 — Welcome and Dr. Mariza’s introduction 01:23 — Dr. Mariza’s background and her mother’s story 06:48 — Why perimenopause can blindside women 10:38 — Thyroid, mold, autoimmunity, and stress overlap 14:49 — Hormones, rage, boundaries, and changing tolerance 18:40 — Diagnosis and common early symptoms 22:24 — Sleep, joint pain, recovery, body composition, and libido 24:33 — Why sleep is a force multiplier 25:38 — The neuroendocrine transition and second puberty 29:03 — Brain fog, word recall, and executive function 35:25 — Tracking biomarkers and movement after meals 39:11 — HRT as one tool in the care toolbox 44:26 — Earlier perimenopause and strength training 48:03 — Movement, exercise snacks, and book workouts 49:21 — Three ways to take back your health 51:02 — The book, bonuses, and where to find Dr. Mariza 52:20 — Closing









