1257: Kratom | Skeptical Sunday

Kratom: Legal high or dangerous addiction? Nick Pell breaks down this gas station opioid alternative here on Skeptical Sunday!Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by writer and researcher Nick Pell!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1257On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:Kratom is coffee's rebel cousin with a split personality. This plant from the coffee family produces contradictory effects based on dose: low amounts deliver stimulant energy, while high doses act as a mild opioid mimicking weak Vicodin.Daily high-dose kratom use (10+ grams) creates opioid-like addiction. Withdrawal symptoms mirror opioid withdrawal but milder: anxiety, muscle aches, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms lasting a week or more with minimal medical support.Kratom exists in regulatory limbo due to supplement laws. DSHEA (1994) treats it as food, not a drug, requiring no FDA approval. This creates quality control nightmares with zero potency or purity standards across products.Scientific research on kratom is scandalously sparse. Most knowledge comes from Reddit posts and YouTube videos rather than rigorous studies, leaving a potential opioid-replacement tool completely unstudied despite addiction crisis.Informed decision-making beats fear or hype. Research dosage, sources, and risks before trying any substance. Understanding how kratom works empowers you to make smarter choices about whether it fits your needs or should be avoided entirely.Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at [email protected] and let him know!And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Superpower Health Inc: $49 gift box with gifted membership: superpower.com/gift and tell 'em we sent youApretude: Learn more: Apretude.com or call 1-888-240-0340Jaspr: Visit jaspr.co and use code JORDAN for $400 offHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You left your husband after an affair. Now your boyfriend wants to marry you, but you're still in love with your ex. Welcome to Feedback Friday!And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected]. Now let's dive in!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1256On This Week's Feedback Friday:Want to bypss the travel banter? Skip ahead to 14 minutes and 20 seconds!You had an affair that ended your 13-year marriage, and now you're living with that man — but you've realized you're still in love with your ex, and your boyfriend wants to get married. Do you tell him the truth and risk losing him, or try to let go of the past?You inherited a house with your siblings, but your brother — who lives there rent-free — has let the insurance lapse, refuses to let you renovate, and won't allow anyone inside. You love him, but he's a diagnosed narcissist who's taking advantage of everyone. What are your options?You've been stringing along pig butchering scammers to waste their time and protect potential victims, but then you learned that many of them are actually human trafficking victims. Is messing with them still justified — or are you just tormenting slaves?Recommendation of the Week: The Bradley Meat Smoker (Go to bradleysmoker.com/jordan and use coupon code Jordan to get 15% off)You were laid off as a federal civilian and you're wondering how to make the most of this unexpected downtime beyond networking and exercise. How do you spend it wisely without spiraling into existential dread?Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at [email protected]!Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger.Connect with Gabriel on Twitter at @GabeMizrahi and Instagram @gabrielmizrahi.And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Aura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanSimpliSafe: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanDeleteMe: 20% off: joindeleteme.com/jordan, code JORDANJaspr: Exclusive discount: jaspr.co, code JORDANSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The same tactics that con artists use to manipulate you can be used to build trust. Dr. Abbie Maroño explains the psychology of ethical social engineering. Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1255What We Discuss with Dr. Abbie Maroño:Manipulation vs. Influence: It's all about intention. The same psychological tactics can be used for good or evil. The difference? Manipulation disregards harm to others and exploits fear, while influence builds mutual benefit and makes people want to collaborate with you. Con artists use manipulation because it's faster — but ethical influence wins every time over the long term.Scammers weaponize your emotions to bypass critical thinking. When emotions are activated, your prefrontal cortex — the brain's logic center — gets overridden. That's why con artists use artificial urgency ("only 24 hours left!") and exclusivity ("just for you"). They only need to appear trustworthy, not actually be it, because you'll act before you can verify.Shame is the silent weapon that keeps victims quiet. The reason so many scam victims never report what happened isn't denial, it's embarrassment. Shame becomes its own prison, preventing people from seeking help or warning others. This silence protects predators and perpetuates cycles of exploitation.Short-term thinking is the con artist's best friend. Manipulators prey on our psychological bias toward immediate rewards. Getting $100 now feels more valuable than $150 later — even when it isn't. This "survival mode" mentality keeps people chasing quick wins rather than building something sustainable.To protect yourself, remember that other people's emotions usually have nothing to do with you. When someone pushes your buttons or creates pressure, pause and recognize it for what it is: a tactic, not a personal attack. Shelving your emotional reaction keeps your critical thinking intact — and that's your best defense against manipulation and your greatest asset in any negotiation.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors: Function Health: $100 credit: functionhealth.com/jordan, code JORDAN100LinkedIn: Post your job for free: linkedin.com/jordanProgressive Insurance: Free online quote: progressive.comLand Rover Defender: landroverusa.comHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your fertility might be the canary in your body's coal mine. Urologist Dr. Justin Houman explains why this matters way beyond making babies.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1254What We Discuss with Dr. Justin Houman:Male fertility is a diagnostic window into overall health. Low sperm counts correlate with cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and even earlier mortality. Your reproductive system is essentially sending you a biological memo about the state of your entire body.Varicoceles (varicose veins of the testicles) are one of the most underdiagnosed yet treatable causes of male infertility, low testosterone, and testicular pain. They cause blood to pool and overheat the testicles, and most men never know they have them because general practitioners rarely check for them during routine physicals.TRT (testosterone replacement therapy) shuts down natural testosterone and sperm production — and once you start, you essentially can't stop. Before jumping on the TRT train, explore alternatives like addressing vitamin deficiencies, improving sleep, and using medications that stimulate natural production instead.Erectile dysfunction isn't just a bedroom problem — it's often the first warning sign of cardiovascular disease. The same arterial issues that cause heart attacks show up in penile blood flow first, making your erection quality a surprisingly accurate early warning system for your heart health.The foundations of long-term hormonal and sexual health are remarkably simple: consistent strength training, quality sleep, stress management, and whole foods. Starting in your twenties and thirties, these habits build the infrastructure that keeps your systems running smoothly for decades to come.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Northwest Registered Agent: Get more at northwestregisteredagent.com/paidjordanBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanArticle: Visit article.com/jordan for $50 off your first purchase of $100 or moreAirbnb: Turn your house into a host: airbnb.com/hostHomeServe: HomeServe.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bureaucracy kills more transplant patients than shortage does. Jessica Wynn harvests the truth about organ donation's dark side here on Skeptical Sunday! Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by writer and researcher Jessica Wynn!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1253On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:Over 100,000 Americans wait for organs while 13 die daily — not from organ shortage, but from systemic inefficiency, poor matching protocols, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that waste thousands of usable organs annually.Living donation is safer than most realize. Donors can give kidneys, liver portions, even lungs while alive and generally recover well, but workplace protections vary wildly by state, creating real financial and career risks for altruistic donors.The organ matching system is a bureaucratic labyrinth. HRSA, OPTN, UNOS, CMS, and CDC all overlap in managing transplants, creating inefficiencies that prevent organs from reaching recipients in time despite available technology.Ethical nightmares haunt the system. Scandals include surgeons nearly harvesting from living patients, global black markets exploiting the poor, and allegations of forced organ harvesting from prisoners in countries like China without consent.Register as a donor and advocate for reform. One donor saves up to eight lives and helps 75+ through tissue donation. Push for automated referrals, airline transport mandates, and better tracking tech to transform a broken but lifesaving system.Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at [email protected] and let him know!Connect with Jessica Wynn at Instagram and Threads, and subscribe to her newsletters: Between the Lines and Where the Shadows Linger!And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Shopify: 3 months @ $1/month (select plans): shopify.com/jordanTonal: $200 off: tonal.com, code JORDANApretude: Learn more: Apretude.com or call 1-888-240-0340Land Rover: landroverusa.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your narcissistic wife refuses to work or leave the house. After you sought divorce, she attempted suicide and called 53 times. It's Feedback Friday!And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected]. Now let's dive in!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1252On This Week's Feedback Friday:Banter alert! If you don't want to stick around for Jordan and Gabe's stories about hangry Japanese 7-Eleven faux pas, take the bullet train to about 16 minutes and 20 seconds into the episode for preferential dooze cruise boarding!Your wife has become increasingly narcissistic, manipulative, and homebound over the past five years, refusing to work or care for herself while treating you with passive-aggression and toxicity. After you filed for divorce, she attempted suicide and called you 53 times in 24 hours. How do you protect yourself now? [Thanks once again to attorney Corbin Payne for helping us answer this!]You've worked for the same company three different times and were fired once due to a background issue tied to a youthful mistake with an ex. Now they want you back with better pay, but you just accepted a six-month contract elsewhere. Do you bail on integrity or pass on long-term opportunity? [Thanks to HR professional Joanna Tate for helping us with this one!]You're a leftist structural engineer who believes we're facing a fascist takeover and wants to flee the country, but your wife thinks you're overreacting to podcasts and social media. Who should you trust — your fear or her skepticism — and where do you even find reliable guidance in these polarized times?Recommendation of the Week: Setting up an eSIM straight from your phone before you travel. Saily and Airalo are good options.You're an introverted loner starting a new job and want to network better with colleagues without becoming best friends. You're awkward in conversations, your mind goes blank, and someone once called you boring. How do you build professional relationships when socializing drains you and you struggle to connect?Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at [email protected]!Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger.Connect with Gabriel on Twitter at @GabeMizrahi and Instagram @gabrielmizrahi.And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Aura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANBetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanNutrafol: $10 off 1st month: nutrafol.com, code JORDANSimpliSafe: 50% off + 1st month free: simplisafe.com/jordanQuiltmind: Email [email protected] to get started or visit quiltmind.com for more infoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're living in parallel realities with different "facts." Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales breaks down how trust eroded — and how we might restore it.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1251What We Discuss with Jimmy Wales:Wikipedia succeeded where its predecessor failed because it prioritized making contribution enjoyable. Nobody truly works for free — people need intrinsic rewards like connecting with fellow enthusiasts, intellectual satisfaction, and the joy of building something meaningful together.The global crisis of trust stems from people living in parallel realities with different "facts." Productive discourse becomes impossible when opposing sides can't agree on basic data — like immigration numbers — before debating policy solutions."Assume good faith" isn't just a Wikipedia policy — it's a life-changing mindset. Most people making mistakes aren't malicious; they need guidance. Approaching others with initial trust creates positive cycles, whether parenting teenagers or managing remote teams.Trust isn't built through perfection — it's built through transparency, especially when you have something to hide. Organizations that acknowledge mistakes, explain their processes, and openly work to improve earn more lasting credibility than those claiming flawlessness.Want to make a meaningful impact? Just start. The next five years will pass regardless of what you do — so test your ideas early, embrace potential failure as learning, and remember that trying something that doesn't work still beats endlessly planning something you never attempt.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:HexClad: 10% off: hexclad.com/jordanKa'Chava: 15% off: kachava.com, code JORDANMasterClass: Get 15% off a yearly membershipProgressive Insurance: Free online quote: progressive.comQuiltmind: Email [email protected] to get started or visit quiltmind.com for more infoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Young men are in freefall — and society's paying the price. Scott Galloway is here to explain the data behind the collapse and offer potential solutions.Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1250What We Discuss with Scott Galloway:Young men are experiencing an unprecedented decline, with higher rates of suicide, addiction, homelessness, and incarceration than any other demographic. Yet discussing this crisis triggers reflexive pushback, even though addressing it doesn't diminish the legitimate struggles women and minorities continue to face.When boys lose male role models through death, divorce, or abandonment, the outcomes are devastating. They become more likely to be incarcerated than graduate college, unlike girls, who maintain consistent outcomes in single-parent homes. Boys are neurologically and emotionally more fragile than we've been willing to admit.Elite universities have abandoned their mission as public servants and repositioned themselves as luxury brands, creating artificial scarcity that's pulling up the ladders of opportunity. America's ethos should be watering as many acorns as possible, not sorting teenagers into winners and losers at 18.The three drivers of romantic attraction for men are signaling resources, intellect (best communicated through humor), and kindness — and kindness is the most underleveraged. Women instinctively seek mates who'll protect them during vulnerability — being kind to strangers signals good character far more than being nice to her.Put away the scorecard in your relationships. Stop tracking who gave more and instead ask: what kind of friend, partner, or son do I want to be? The happiest people aren't those who are loved most, but those who find others who let them give the most love.And much more...And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Chime: Open an account in two minutes: chime.com/jhsFunction Health: $100 credit: functionhealth.com/jordan, code JORDAN100BetterHelp: 10% off first month: betterhelp.com/jordanAirbnb: Turn your house into a host: airbnb.com/hostQuiltmind: Email [email protected] to get started or visit quiltmind.com for more infoSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rehab is a $42 billion industry hooked on bad science. Nick Pell helps us detox from its myths by prescribing the truth on Skeptical Sunday!Welcome to Skeptical Sunday, a special edition of The Jordan Harbinger Show where Jordan and a guest break down a topic that you may have never thought about, open things up, and debunk common misconceptions. This time around, we’re joined by writer and researcher Nick Pell!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1249On This Week's Skeptical Sunday:The Minnesota Model dominates addiction treatment despite lacking evidence. This abstinence-based approach from the 1950s, requiring lifelong total abstinence from all substances, became the default not because it works best but because 12-step programs are free and easily scalable.Most people naturally age out of addiction without treatment. Research shows the majority who struggle with substances simply stop on their own over time, contradicting the "chronic disease" narrative that claims addiction requires lifelong management and intervention.The addiction treatment industry has massive financial conflicts of interest. As rehab is a $42 billion industry, practices like the "Florida Shuffle" and patient brokering weaponize relapse for profit, billing insurance repeatedly for the same patients cycling through facilities.The disease model of addiction lacks empirical support. There's no scientifically recognized "addictive personality," and the idea that addiction is an incurable, progressive disease isn't backed by research, yet it remains the dominant framework shaping treatment and policy.Evidence-based alternatives like harm reduction and moderation exist. Options including SMART Recovery, medication-assisted treatment, and gradual reduction approaches can be effective. You don't need to hit rock bottom before seeking help, and recovery can mean different things for different people.Connect with Jordan on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. If you have something you'd like us to tackle here on Skeptical Sunday, drop Jordan a line at [email protected] and let him know!And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Quiltmind: Email [email protected] to get started or visit quiltmind.com for more infoDeleteMe: 20% off: joindeleteme.com/jordan, code JORDANBradley Smoker: 15% off: bradleysmoker.com/jordan, code JORDANWayfair: Start renovating: wayfair.comApretude: Learn more: Apretude.com or call 1-888-240-0340See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your ex-partner stole inventory, rebranded it, and spent three years cyberstalking and defaming you in your tiny town. Welcome to Feedback Friday!And in case you didn't already know it, Jordan Harbinger (@JordanHarbinger) and Gabriel Mizrahi (@GabeMizrahi) banter and take your comments and questions for Feedback Friday right here every week! If you want us to answer your question, register your feedback, or tell your story on one of our upcoming weekly Feedback Friday episodes, drop us a line at [email protected]. Now let's dive in!Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1248On This Week's Feedback Friday:Your co-founder turned hostile, stole your inventory, rebranded your products, and launched a years-long campaign of defamation, impersonation, and stalking in your tiny town. You've stayed silent, filed for a restraining order, and kept meticulous records. How do you survive when disengagement doesn't end it? [Thanks once again to attorney Corbin Payne for helping us answer this!]Your brother married a Ukrainian student who is in the country on a scholarship after knowing her for just few weeks, and now your family's playing detective on whether this whirlwind romance is the real deal — or a potential disaster waiting to happen. How do you balance your skepticism with support?You inherited an employee whose dementia is progressing, and now you're caught between compassion and company policy — trying to protect someone's dignity while managing real workplace challenges. What's the ethical playbook when someone's cognitive decline becomes impossible to ignore? [Thanks to HR professional Joanna Tate for helping us with this one!]Recommendation of the Week: Core Power Elite protein shake by FairlifeYou run an affordable hearing aid business helping seniors, but you're terrified of being "pushy" when reaching out to senior centers or asking customers for referrals. Meanwhile, a financial advisor keeps hounding you for money and contacts. How do you promote your mission without feeling like a transactional robot — or worse, a smarmy salesperson?Have any questions, comments, or stories you'd like to share with us? Drop us a line at [email protected]!Connect with Jordan on Twitter at @JordanHarbinger and Instagram at @jordanharbinger.Connect with Gabriel on Twitter at @GabeMizrahi and Instagram @gabrielmizrahi.And if you're still game to support us, please leave a review here — even one sentence helps! Sign up for Six-Minute Networking — our free networking and relationship development mini course — at jordanharbinger.com/course!Subscribe to our once-a-week Wee Bit Wiser newsletter today and start filling your Wednesdays with wisdom!Do you even Reddit, bro? Join us at r/JordanHarbinger!This Episode Is Brought To You By Our Fine Sponsors:Jaspr: Black Friday discounts: jaspr.co/jordan, code JORDANAura Frames: $35 off: auraframes.com, code JORDANChilipad: 20% off: sleep.me/jordan, code JORDANLand Rover Defender: landroverusa.comHomes.com: Find your home: homes.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.