In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Sierra Simpson, the founder of BrilliantBiome, about the fascinating connection between the gut microbiome and neuroscience. Sierra shares her personal journey, starting with her battle with malaria during her undergraduate years, which fueled her interest in the microbiome and its profound impact on both physical and mental health. As a neuroscientist, Sierra has focused on the gut-brain axis and how it influences behavior, particularly in relation to addiction. We discuss the cutting-edge work she’s doing at BrilliantBiome, where her team is utilizing advanced sequencing technologies to uncover actionable insights into microbiome health. Sierra explains how these innovations can help not only researchers but also everyday individuals better understand their microbiomes, ultimately improving health outcomes in areas such as addiction, Crohn's disease, and colitis.   You can find links to Dr. Simpson’s work with BrilliantBiome, her social media, and more in the show notes!   If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Your feedback helps us bring more insightful content to you!   For the full show notes please visit my website: www.drchristineschaffner.com/Episode261