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In this episode of MOHIvate, Dr. Mohi Sarawgee breaks down Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) -> the winter drop in mood, energy, and motivation that affects millions each year.

With a blend of science, psychology, and everyday language, she explains why shorter days and longer nights change our brain chemistry, why cravings and fatigue increase, why motivation disappears, and why none of this means you’re “weak,” “lazy,” or “unmotivated.”

You’ll learn:

•how light affects serotonin, melatonin, mood, and sleep

•why Vitamin D matters in winter

•why winter cravings are biochemical, not lack of discipline

•simple, realistic steps that actually help - from light exposure to nutrition and routine

•when SAD is mild vs. when it needs medical support

This episode is a gentle, science-backed reminder that winter isn’t a failure season - it’s a recalibration season.

If you’ve been feeling slower, heavier, more emotional, or “not yourself,” this conversation will help you feel understood, supported, and a little more hopeful.

References : 

1. Rosenthal N.E. et al. Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Description of the Syndrome and Preliminary Findings with Light Therapy. Journal of Affective Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0327(84)90026-7

2. Lewy A.J. et al. The Circadian Basis of Winter Depression: The Phase-Shift Hypothesis. European Neuropsychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2006.03.007

3. Lam R.W. et al. Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1315668/

4. NHS UK – Vitamin D Guidance. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

5. Holick M.F. Vitamin D Deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra070553

6. Hallahan B. et al. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Depression. BJPsych Open. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjpo.bp.116.002469

7. Book- Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker

Just a gentle reminder: this episode is for information, education, and inspiration only. It’s not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For any personal health concerns, always seek guidance from your doctor.

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In this week’s episode of MOHIVATE, Dr Mohi Sarawgee explores Oxytocin - the hormone that turns touch into trust and moments into meaning. 

From a hand on the shoulder to a shared laugh, discover how this remarkable molecule builds bridges between brains, calms our stress circuits, and reminds the body that safety is found not in isolation but in connection. 

Because sometimes the most healing chemistry isn’t prescribed - it’s felt between us.

References: 

1. Kosfeld M., Heinrichs M., Zak P. J., Fischbacher U., & Fehr E. (2005). Oxytocin increases trust in humans. Nature, 435(7042), 673–676.
Nature+2
PubMed+2

2. Chen Y., et al. (2023). Oxytocin administration enhances pleasantness and neural responses to gentle social touch mediated by C-touch fibers. eLife, 12:e85847.
eLife+1

3. Handlin L., et al. (2023). Human endogenous oxytocin and its neural correlates show adaptive responses to social touch based on recent social context. eLife, 12:e81197.
eLife+1

4. De Dreu C.K.W., Greer L.L., Handgraaf M.J.J., et al. (2018). Oxytocin facilitates social learning by promoting conformity to in-group norms. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 89, 60-70.
PubMed Central

5. Schneider E., et al. (2023). Affectionate touch and diurnal oxytocin levels: an ecological momentary assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic. eLife, 12:e8124

6. We’ll hold hands till conversations come back.” — Natasha Badhwar, A Bridge to My Former Self, Mint Lounge (2013) [ Found this after hard scrolling through my Facebook !! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did] 

Just a gentle reminder: this episode is for information, education, and inspiration only. It’s not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For any personal health concerns, always seek guidance from your doctor.

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In this week’s episode of MOHIvate, Dr. Mohi Sarawgee explores magnesium - the mineral of balance and the molecule wellness culture has turned into a miracle.
Not the promise of creams and sprays, but the chemistry that powers energy, sleep, mood, and muscle.
She unpacks what magnesium truly does inside the body, how it fuels over 300 essential reactions, and why it matters across every stage of life — from hormones and heart rhythm to recovery and rest.
From myths and mechanisms to meaning, this episode bridges science and self-awareness - revealing how this humble mineral keeps the body’s rhythm steady in a world that never stops.
Because understanding balance isn’t about trends.
It’s about biology.

References for reading: 

1. “Myth or Reality—Transdermal Magnesium?” — A Skeptic Review of Skin Absorption of Magnesium. PMC article.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5579607/
2. “Effect of transdermal magnesium cream on serum and urinary magnesium concentrations and blood pressure in humans: a pilot study.” PLoS One, 2017.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0174817 
3. “Magnesium Matters: A Comprehensive Review of Its Vital Role in …” PMC article.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11557730/ 
4. “Magnesium-L-threonate improves sleep quality and daytime functioning in adults with self-reported sleep problems: A randomized controlled trial.” Sleep Med X, 2024.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39252819/ 
5. “Magnesium glycinate: Is this supplement helpful for you?” Mayo Clinic Proceedings.https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/nutrition-fitness/magnesium-glycinate-is-this-supplement-helpful-for-you/ 
6. “Magnesium: A Review of Clinical Use and Efficacy.” Nutritional Intervention Review.https://www.nmi.health/magnesium-a-review-of-clinical-use-and-efficacy/

Just a gentle reminder: this episode is for information, education, and inspiration only. It’s not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For any personal health concerns, always seek guidance from your doctor.

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In this week’s episode of MOHIVATE, Dr. Mohi Sarawgee explores serotonin — the neurotransmitter and hormone of calm.
Not the molecule of fireworks and euphoria, but the quiet rhythm that keeps your mood steady beneath the noise.

She unpacks what serotonin really is, where it’s made, and how it shapes everything from mood and sleep to gut health and resilience. From the vagus nerve and the raphe nuclei to the role of light, tryptophan, and the microbiome, this episode dives deep into the real science behind what we often call the “happy hormone” — and what neuroscientists know as one of the brain’s most vital messengers.

Discover what shapes your inner chemistry and how to support serotonin naturally, featuring insights from neuroscience, psychology, and everyday life — plus a few smiles along the way.

Because understanding calm isn’t about clichés.
It’s about chemistry.

References for Reading:

1. Yano JM, Yu K, Donaldson GP, et al. (2015). Indigenous bacteria from the gut microbiota regulate host serotonin biosynthesis. Cell, 161(2): 264–276.
   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2015.02.047
2. Young SN. (2007). How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 32(6): 394–399.
3. The Lancet Psychiatry. (2015). Depression and the human gut microbiome. The Lancet Psychiatry, 2(4): 284.
4. Park BJ, Tsunetsugu Y, Kasetani T, et al. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1): 18–26.

Just a gentle reminder: this episode is for information, education, and inspiration only. It’s not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For any personal health concerns, always seek guidance from your doctor.

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In this episode of MOHIvate, Dr Mohi Sarawgee unpacks two of the most overused — and misunderstood — psychological buzzwords: narcissism and gaslighting — words we throw around far too easily.

From Greek myths to Freud’s theories, and from modern psychiatry to everyday relationships, she explores where these words came from, what they truly mean, and why using them lightly can blur our understanding of real human behaviour.

We also explore the crucial difference between narcissism as a human trait and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)as a clinical condition — because while one can bruise egos, the other can deeply wound relationships.

Through stories, warmth, and science, this episode is a gentle reminder that real self-love always leaves room for someone else — and that sometimes, coming home to yourself begins with seeing clearly again.

Because real health, like real love, always begins with awareness and compassion.

💬 If You Need Support

If anything in this episode resonates and you’d like to talk to someone, please reach out — you’re not alone.

🌍 International
Befrienders Worldwide – Global directory of emotional support helplines.
www.befrienders.org

🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free, 24/7). samaritans.org
Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463. mind.org.uk
NHS Urgent Mental Health Helplines – nhs.uk/mental-health

🇺🇸 United States
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 (24/7, free). 988lifeline.org
NAMI HelpLine – Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264). nami.org/help

🇮🇳 India
AASRA – Call 91-9820466726 (24/7). aasra.info
iCALL – Call +91 9152987821, Mon–Sat 10am–8pm. icallhelpline.org

🇦🇺 Australia
Lifeline – Call 13 11 14 (24/7). lifeline.org.au

🇨🇦 Canada
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline – Call or text 988 (24/7). 988lifeline.org

🇸🇬 Singapore
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) – Call 1-767 (24/7). sos.org.sg

References & Further Reading

• Merriam-Webster (2022). Word of the Year: Gaslighting. https://www.merriam-webster.com
  
  
• Sweet, P. L. (2019). The Sociology of Gaslighting. https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122419874843
  
  
• Abramson, K. (2014). Turning Up the Lights on Gaslighting. https://doi.org/10.1111/phpe.12074
  
  
• Freud, S. (1914). On Narcissism: An Introduction. https://doi.org/10.1037/11390-001
  
  
• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). DSM-5. https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm
  
  
• Neff, K. D. (2011). Self-Compassion. https://self-compassion.org/book/
  
  
• Brown, B. (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection. https://brenebrown.com/b

Just a gentle reminder: this episode is for information, education, and inspiration only. It’s not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For any personal health concerns, always seek guidance from your doctor.

Send us a text

Lab results in your inbox? Breathe. In this episode of MOHIvate, Dr Mohi Sarawgee makes sense of medical tests—why they aren’t crystal balls, what they’re good at, where they mislead, and why your story matters most. 

She shares real examples, the screenings that save lives, the simple rule that keeps care kind, and the one key question to ask before any test: Will this change what happens next?

Citations :

 South Korea thyroid overdiagnosis
• NEJM: Korea's Thyroid-Cancer “Epidemic” — Screening and Overdiagnosis

https://www.nejm.org/doi/10.1056/NEJMp1409841

• The Lancet: "Overdiagnosis and screening for thyroid cancer in Korea" 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(14)62242-X/fulltext

PCOS and insulin resistance
• PMC: "Markers of insulin resistance in Polycystic ovary syndrome"

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8984569/

• BMC Ovarian Research: "Insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome across various tissues"

https://ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13048-022-01091-0

Just a gentle reminder: this episode is for information, education, and inspiration only. It’s not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For any personal health concerns, always seek guidance from your doctor.

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From salt lamps to miracle drinks and even mouth taping, the wellness world has started to feel like a circus. In this debut episode of MOHIvate, Dr. Mohi Sarawgee swaps prescriptions for perspective, blending science, humour and warmth to explore why health feels more confusing than ever and why real wellness doesn’t need a trend or a price tag. 

It begins with something simpler: coming home to yourself.

Just a gentle reminder: this episode is for information, education, and inspiration only. It’s not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For any personal health concerns, always seek guidance from your doctor.

Send us a text

In this episode of MOHIVATE, Dr. Mohi Sarawgee looks at the side of medicine we rarely discuss - the emotional and physiological cost of caring.

What happens when the doctor feels worn thin, when empathy starts to ache, and the healer quietly needs healing too?

Drawing from studies in The Lancet Psychiatry and research on mirror neurons and burnout, she explores the emotional biology of empathy fatigue, the neuroscience of resilience, and the courage it takes to keep showing up for others while learning how to show up for yourself.

A reminder that even in exhaustion, there is still empathy, and in every act of self-compassion, the beginning of coming home to yourself again.

This one’s for the healers, the helpers, and the humans behind the white coat.

Just a gentle reminder: this episode is for information, education, and inspiration only. It’s not a substitute for your doctor’s advice. For any personal health concerns, always seek guidance from your doctor.