Pleasure IS Physiology:The Healing Power of Pleasure (with Dr. Alicia Newsome) 😇

Pleasure, or the lack thereof, can be a vital sign of our overall physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Desire, arousal, and orgasm are not luxuries—they’re biomarkers of health, reflecting blood flow, nitric oxide, oxytocin, vagal tone, and nervous system balance.In this episode of Sex Is Medicine Reboot, Dr. Alicia Newsome weaves science, practical steps, and holistic wisdom to address common questions and misconceptions about hormonal health, helping us anchor pleasure as a vital pathway for hormonal health and sexual wellness.Find out:✅ How desire, arousal, and orgasm are directly tied to hormone balance—and why pleasure is a legitimate, science-backed pathway to healing. ✅ The top hormone imbalances draining women’s energy (cortisol, thyroid, insulin, estrogen/progesterone) and how they hijack libido, mood, and vitality. ✅ Practical, non-pharma strategies to restore hormonal harmony—advanced lab insights, nervous system regulation, mineral repletion, and cycle-aware living-so you can implement these methods in your daily routine for better health. ✅ The difference between stress chemistry and turn-on chemistry—and how to shift from survival mode to embodied pleasure. ✅ A spiritually grounded, body-honoring approach for high-achieving women to reclaim energy, confidence, and connection—without drugs or surgery. Share your questions or experiences in the comments below!Connect with Dr. Newsome:http://www.dralicianewsome.com https://www.instagram.com/dr.alicianewsome/ https://www.youtube.com/@dr.alicianewsome https://www.facebook.com/drali cianewsome Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

Exploring Embodied Intimacy: Why Pleasure, Safety, and Consent are Medicine with Andre LazarusSexual pleasure can be medicine, but only when woven with safety & consent. Unlike mainstream, porn-inspired sex, Embodied Intimacy is a somatic, relational, and healing practice, not a performance or technique. Present, connected, and embodied intimacy restores safety in the nervous system, dismantles shame around desire, and supports deeper connection in relationships. The conversation reframes sex as a form of medicine rooted in presence, consent, and self-awareness, rather than typical, goal-oriented sex. Join Devi and Andre Lazurus to explore:What “embodied intimacy” actually means and why most people have never experienced it Why intimacy struggles are often nervous system issues, not libido or attraction problems How shame and performance culture disconnect us from authentic desire The role of consent as an ongoing, embodied conversation rather than a one-time agreement How touch and presence can be healing without needing to be sexual Common myths about masculinity, performance, and desire that keep people stuck How somatic intimacy supports trauma recovery without forcing disclosure or retraumatization Simple embodied practices listeners can use to feel safer, more present, and more connected Learn More About Andre Lazarus:Andre Lazarus is a Somatic Intimacy Guide and media-recognised voice on relationships, sexuality, and embodied connection. His career has followed an unconventional path: from serving in the U.S. Marines to guiding people through the complexities of intimacy and desire. That breadth of experience gives him a distinctive perspective on courage, vulnerability, and human connection. He is best known for his role on the UK television series Virgin Island, where he appeared as a professional surrogate partner helping participants confront intimacy challenges alongside licensed therapists. The program drew national Attention, and Andre’s presence on screen highlighted how intimacy work is not about performance but about safety, consent, and the courage to connect. Through his practice, Coming Closer, Andre supports individuals and couples across a wide range of needs: men facing midlife performance concerns, survivors of trauma seeking safety, long-term partners wanting to revive passion, and those exploring alternatives such as ethical non-monogamy. Equally, he works with couples committed to monogamy who want to strengthen trust and rediscover each other. His approach, rooted in the Somatica® Method of sex and intimacy coaching, emphasises learning through the body and replacing shame with curiosity. While Andre has also taught workshops introducing kink and alternative practices, he situates them within a broader conversation: how people of all backgrounds can embrace intimacy as part of their wellbeing. His message consistently comes back to honesty, communication, and self-awareness as the foundations for connection. Connect with Andre:Website: https://www.coming-closer.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/coming-closer/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comingcloserwithandre/?hl=enYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@comingcloserwithandreFacebook: https://web.facebook.com/comingcloserwithandre?_rdc=1&_rdr#Media profile: https://www.guestsonair.com/profile/andre-lazarus Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

In Episode 1 of Season 2 Sex Is Medicine Reboot, The Adoptedsexologist, Anna Linde, and Devi Ward Erickson discuss tending and mending the Motherwound within each of us, how it shows up in intimate relationships, and how to use embodied pleasure to nurture our hearts and awaken the wisdom of the body.The Mother wound is a relational wound. Nurturing is the medicine to heal relational wounding. There are times when we must seek the nurturing that we require within our own hearts. We must become our own internal “Mother”, protecting and tending to the tender places within ourselves with maturity, patience, and grace.Learn More About Anna Linde:Anna is a Swedish-Brazilian Sexologist (MSc) and Dance & Movement Therapist whose work centres on sexual liberation, pleasure, and the sacred. As a Certified Sex Coach, she brings playfulness and spiritual depth into conversations around intimacy, embodiment, and desire. Her published research explores the sexual health of international adoptees, from their own perspectives—one of the first articles on the topic in the world. In 2026, she is diving deeper into how The Motherwound and our internalized voices shape our sensuality, pleasure, and capacity for self-love, and how this relates to wealth, success, and money. She also has a strong interest for Somatic Sexology and how our embodied wisdom can lead us in the right direction. Connect with Anna Linde:Website: theadoptedsexologist.com Instagram:@theadoptedsexologist LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-linde-msc-08264692/ Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

Sex Is Medicine Reboot will be back Thursday, March 5th, 2026. Make sure you sign up for your weekly dose of Sex Is Medicine and send us your questions at Holistic Sexology Institute 💫Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

In this 2025 Tantra Talks Throwback, Devi and Tugce dive into the truth about vibrators, desensitization, and the not-so-subtle gaslighting happening in the pleasure product industry.This episode is not to shame you (or anyone) about vibrator use.The purpose is to educate you about the long-term impacts on your body and validate your lived experiences.In this episode, Devi and Tugce explore how Tibetan 5 Element Tantra and Holistic Sexology methods can help reawaken your nervous system, restore your sensation, and support your healing, without shame, and without outsourcing your pleasure to plastic.In this episode, we discuss:The stone-cold reality that vibrators can desensitize the clitoral nerve endings over timeWhy “needing stronger settings” is a red flag, not a flexThe link between vibrator use and emotional dissociationHow vibrators can mimic the impact of p🌐rn on the nervous systemWhy the sex toy industry is gaslighting women (and who's profiting)What your downward voiding winds are—and why electronics can disturb themHow vibrators were invented (hint: lazy doctors + hysterical housewives 😬)What to do if you feel dependent on vibrators and how to reclaim your sensitivity!Long story short, we’re not saying NOT to use your vibrator.We’re saying: use it with intention, not to override your body, but to deepen your connection to it.As with everything sexual and somatic, your body isn’t broken—we just need to understand the language that it speaks!*Post Note- There has been some Western research regarding the numbing impact of clitoral vibrators over time. More information and links to research sources can be found here - https://holisticsexologyinstitute.com/blog/Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

What is the relationship between Tantra and modern pornography? Can there even be a relationship between these two seemingly disparate approaches to sexuality?In this 2025 Tantra Talks Throwback episode, Dr. Erickson and Devi Ward Erickson take on the very nuanced topic of Tantra vs Porn and discuss:The difference between p✨rn and erotica—and why that distinction mattersHow habitual p✨rn use can dull your imagination (which is essential for Tantra)Why fantasy and visualization are powerful tools in solo practiceWhat happens when your sexual nervous system is trained to climax fastWhen and how p✨rn can actually be used skillfully (yes, really)Why Tantra is about refinement, not restrictionThey also share personal stories, cultural context, and practical tips for anyone navigating solo sexual cultivation, especially those working with semen retention, orgasmic awareness, or deepening their connection to pleasure.Tune in for more!Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

Did you know your p3nis is medicine???In this powerful episode from the 2025 Tantra Talks archives, we’re flipping the entire script on what it means to be a man, to own a penis, and to awaken your vajra as a sacred, conscious tool of healing, transformation, and power 💪🏽 In This Episode You Will:Discover why your penis isn’t just for pleasure—it's a literal diamond scepter of wisdom (aka Vajra)Uncover how circumcision trauma numbs your sensitivity and blocks healing. Explore the cultural cost of disconnection from our genitals(and how to undo it)Reclaim your sexual sovereignty as a man. Learn how conscious lingam massage can awaken sensitivity and dissolve trauma. Understand the difference between penetration and presence(and why the latter is way hotter)Rewire your nervous system to feel more—not just"get off" fasterIntegrate solo practice, emotional healing, and spiritual depth in becoming a mature loverThis episode is about Pleasure, Healing, & Power—For RealAwaken your Vajra for healing with our Ejaculation Mastery for Men Tantra Healing Program. https://holisticsexologyinstitute.com/ejaculation-mastery/Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

2025 Tantra Talks Throwback! If you followed spiritual communities online in 2025, you likely noticed this topic: Polyamory, Aubrey Marcus,  and “Radical Nonmonogamy”, etc., etc.But are all these radical liberating concepts simply code words for “Poly f*ckery” i.e. f*ck around without consequence?In this throwback episode of Tantra Talks from May 2025, we address one of the most common myths in Western Tantra:Do you have to be polyamorous to practice Tantra?Short answer: No.But we go way deeper than that. You'll discover how the unexpected choice of intentional monogamy could lead to more profound spiritual growth than you ever imagined, and learn about simple, powerful practices to transform any relationship context.Here’s what we unpack:Why Tantra is not inherently polyamorous or monogamousThe real danger of “poly-f*ckery” masquerading as spiritual awakeningHow non-monogamy can become another form of trauma reenactmentHow choosing “intentional monogamy” can serve as a powerful exploration in spiritual practice. How to make relationship choices from presence—not pressure or performanceOur personal experiences navigating polyamory, swinging, and monogamy within a Tantric context.The monogamy vs non-monogamy debate isn’t just a spicy trend—it’s a deeper call to examine your intention, nervous system, and patterns when it comes to how you love and connect. Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

​In this LAST Sex Is Medicine episode of 2025, we revisit a Tantra Talks episode from Spring 2025...And, this time, strive to set the record straight by offering authentic, lineage-based guidance on the most proper, respectful, and effective ways to engage with this medicine from the plant world.Tune in to learn about how to properly and respectfully engage with Grandmother Ayahuasca.Whether you’re curious, cautious, or committed, this episode equips you with lineage-tested principles. Discover:What we got wrong in the previous episode and WHYThe very real dangers of using Aya without proper lineage and guidanceHow to be in the right relationship with AyaThe dynamic dance of Tibetan Tantra and AyaWhy lineage matters in both Ayahuasca and TantraThe different lineages of Ayahuasca ceremoniesWhat to look for in an Aya facilitatorWhat to be aware of when looking to explore Aya useWhy Ayahuasca is not for everyone and how to know if it is right for youThank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina

How should we react when a partner is unable to maintain an erection?This episode of Sex Is Medicine answers listeners' questions about:Navigating psychosomatic ED as a coupleThe impact of aging on sex and the best remedies for addressing vaginal dryness, thinning tissues, and low libidoAre Throatgasms a thing?How to find your pelvic floor musclesThe use of fantasy to recover from porn addictionSit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of Sex Is Medicine Reboot!Thank you for listening to Sex Is Medicine! We appreciate YOU! :-)Please make sure you LIKE + SUBSCRIBE to Sex Is Medicine REBOOT! And please leave us a comment... we love to hear your thoughts!Do you have a question you want answered on air? We are delighted to answer!Send your questions to [email protected] more about our work at HolisticSexologyInstitute.comFind out more about our government-accredited Holistic Sexology Certification Program. See you next week!With Love,Devi and Alaina