Rage, Brain Fog & HRT: A Real Talk on HormonesRage, Brain Fog & HRT: A Real Talk on Hormones
The Now What Society
Tamar Medford and Lane Kennedy talk openly about perimenopause, rage, brain fog and HRT, linking hormone shifts with life in long-term sobriety. Their conversation focuses on symptoms, genetics, medical advocacy, cautious use of AI and the importance of listening to the body with more self-compassion.
40:46•12 Oct 2026
Hormones, Rage and Brain Fog: Sobriety Meets Perimenopause
Episode Overview
- Hormone changes in perimenopause can cause brain fog, rage, sleep issues, weight gain and many other symptoms, and these experiences are common rather than a sign of "going crazy".
- Understanding oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone and personal genetics helps women make more informed decisions about HRT instead of relying on generic prescriptions.
- Arriving at appointments with specific questions about oestrogen types, receptors and testing can improve doctor–patient conversations and care.
- Careful use of AI, such as anonymised lab screenshots or food-and-symptom logs, can support women in spotting health patterns and preparing for medical discussions.
- Listening closely to the body, journalling responses to food and stress, and practising daily self-compassion can ease the emotional load of hormonal changes in sobriety.
“When we start as women, when we start losing estrogen, we lose our mind. Like literally we are losing our mind.”
How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober while their bodies change in ways they don’t recognise? This episode of The Now What Society puts hormones, rage and brain fog centre stage, with Tamar Medford and Lane Kennedy talking frankly about perimenopause and menopause in long-term recovery. You’ll hear Tamar describe forgetting the word “coaster” and feeling like she was losing her mind, and Lane explain why that kind of brain fog can be tied to dropping oestrogen.
They run through the less glamorous side of midlife: hot flashes, weight gain, insomnia, joint pain, dry skin, sudden rage, racing heartbeats and those vivid dreams that leave you wondering what on earth your brain is doing. Lane breaks down why oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone matter, how they link to serotonin and mood, and why hormone replacement therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix.
She stresses genetics and proper testing, sharing practical questions women can take to their doctors instead of silently worrying. Tamar talks about being on HRT, wrestling with weight changes and learning that her DNA affects how her body responds. Sobriety threads through the whole chat.
They contrast going through perimenopause alcohol-free with trying to make sense of symptoms while drinking, and how being sober gives the awareness to say, "this is a hot flash," instead of "I must just be hungover." There’s also a cautious nod to using AI: snapping anonymous screenshots of lab work, asking for plain-language explanations, or using voice-to-text to log food and symptoms so patterns become clearer.
Underneath the science and the ranting about patch prescriptions is a softer message: self-compassion, grace, and the relief of saying "I don’t know" without shame. If you’re sober, exhausted, and wondering if you’re actually losing it, this candid conversation might be the nudge to listen to your body, question your care, and chat honestly with the women around you. So, what’s your body trying to tell you today?
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