Samphire Neuroscience

UDPATE: Nettle pre-orders go live today in the UK! Nettle is the culmination of over three years of clinical research, hardware engineering, and our unwavering dedication to exploring the connection between the brain and the menstrual cycle. The mission was to put women in charge — in charge of their bodies, in charge of their health choices, and in charge of how they choose to live with their cycles. We can't wait to see users start benefiting from Nettle's clinically validated technology, and for a future where drug and hormonal solutions are not the only options available for the management of some of the most common and severe symptoms women face every single month. To be an early adopter of Nettle, and get your hands on one the first Nettles to ever be used (yes, we think this is a moment in history 😋 ), head over to this link at 11AM BST: https://lnkd.in/eqCNF3pE

Pain is not just a symptom. It's a complex experience deeply influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. Pain is also notoriously difficult to measure - and the most widely adopted tools rely on the subjective reports of sufferers. This approach is inherently flawed, as it rests on the perceived credibility of the person reporting the pain—leading to a historical oversight of women's pain experiences. The most common treatment for pain - a chemical painkiller in the form of a pill - also hasn’t evolved much since the 1980s. Yet chronic pain continues to be the most significant and silent epidemic, affecting more than 28 million adults in the UK alone. Our latest blog delves into how pain, particularly menstrual pain, is processed in the brain, revealing connections that extend beyond traditional sensory pathways to include emotional and cognitive dimensions. The findings are reshaping how we approach pain management, moving away from conventional treatments to innovative methods that address the central nervous system's role. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eehrrEmh

Super excited to share that our co-founders Emilė R. and Alex Cook were named in Forbes 30 under 30 class of 2024 in the category of Science and Healthcare. See the full list here: https://lnkd.in/eKXrezhg

For centuries, the prevailing belief was that the adult brain was immutable to change. The concept of neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to change functionally or structurally—was thought to stop by the age of 25. However, clinical research has overturned this idea today, showing that, when certain activities and experiences stimulate the brain, the adult brain can continue to develop well into old age. Furthermore, recent studies have revealed that the mature brain undergoes functional and structural changes on a monthly basis as well, influenced by menstrual cycles. These discoveries underscore the importance of developing more brain-based solutions to optimise wellbeing. In our latest article, our Clinical Neuroscientist Laura Stankeviciute, PhD explores neuroplasticity and the cycle-brain connection to make a case for adopting neuroplasticity-enhancing activities as a strategy to optimise menstrual and overall wellbeing. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/euPNEAhj #Neuroplasticity #Neuroscience #ClinicalResearch #BrainHealth

Join our CEO Emilė R. for an online webinar exploring the potential for neurotechnology in menstrual and mental health. The webinar is hosted by International Association For Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) and takes place tomorrow, 28 February, at 1PM EST. Register now: https://lnkd.in/ef_QPFJS

We just got featured on TechCrunch! 🚨 "What if there was a drug-free and effective way to manage both menstrual pain and mood disorders? One that doesn’t involve popping any pills, let alone resorting to the irreversible treatments sometimes offered for extremely severe pain, such as the surgical removal of a woman’s womb. UK medtech startup Samphire Neuroscience is taking an alternative and, it claims “science-backed” approach, to tackling these age-old women’s health issues." We want to thank our amazing team and of course, journalist Natasha Lomas from TechCrunch for giving our work this recognition. Read the full article below. #SamphireNeuroscience #Nettle #TechCrunch #TechNews #StartupNews #WomensHealth

Starting the new year on a high 🚀 Our co-founder and CEO Emilė R. received the Lithuanian national award for the "International Achievements of Young Lithuanian Scientific Talents" for our research and work at Samphire Neuroscience. #Neurotechnology #Startup #Tech4Good #Awards

As the holiday season approaches, it's crucial to give our brains a well-deserved break. 🧠 Here are some cognitive tips to help you relax and rejuvenate: 🤸♀️ Disconnect to Reconnect: Step away from digital devices. Unplugging reduces information overload, allowing your mind to reset. 🧘♀️ Mindful Meditation: Practice mindfulness or meditation. These techniques reduce stress and enhance mental clarity. 🌲 Nature Therapy: Spend time in nature. Natural environments have a calming effect on the brain. 🎨 Creative Pursuits: Engage in creative activities like drawing or writing. Creativity stimulates the brain in novel ways. 😴 Quality Sleep: Prioritise sleep. Restful sleep is fundamental for cognitive health. 👯♂️ Social Connections: Nurture relationships. Social interaction is vital for emotional and mental well-being. Remember, resting your brain is not about doing nothing; it's about engaging in different, more rejuvenating activities. Happy Holidays! 🎄✨ #MentalHealth #CognitiveHealth #BrainHealth

This year, we witnessed significant breakthroughs in the health industry, ranging from biofabrication facilities and AI-driven diagnostics to gene editing and non-invasive reporting and monitoring. Despite these advancements, a striking paradox remains: Over 90% of women still rely on outdated, 1980s-era over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers to manage menstrual cramps. Given that menstrual cramps are a leading cause of absences in schools and workplaces, the need for change is pressing. Here's why 👇 🚫 No Sir, One-Size-Doesn't-Fit-All - Men and women differ physiologically, neurologically, and hormonally. This disparity necessitates targeted, gender-specific treatments, rather than a universal solution. 👨⚕️ Made for Men, By Men - Traditional OTC painkillers, not originally designed with women in mind, were not tested on women until after 1993 in the US. - This lack of female-focused research impedes the development of effective treatments for women-specific pain conditions like endometriosis and menstrual cramps. 🔬 OTC Painkillers: Not Always Effective or Safe - A significant portion of women (at least 18%) find no relief from NSAIDs. Women are more likely to experience adverse effects from these medications. - The effectiveness of NSAIDs compared to paracetamol is variable and inconsistent. 🤔 Addressing the Pain-Mood Connection - There's substantial clinical evidence supporting the intricate link between pain and mood. - The connection between dysmenorrhea and depression is clear: women suffering from menstrual pain are more likely to experience depression, which can significantly impact their quality of life. 🧠 The Way Forward As a dedicated science and research company, we focus on the mind-body relationship in menstrual pain management. Our four years of research indicate: - The brain plays a crucial role in pain perception. - The necessity of holistic solutions that address both pain and mood. - The potential of neurotechnology, like transcranial direct current stimulation, for effective home-based treatment with minimal side effects. - The need for more research to further menstrual care. In 2024, let's advocate for more personalized and effective treatments in women's health. It's time for a transformative shift! 💡 #WomensHealth #PainManagement #Neuroscience #MenstrualHealth #Innovation

We are celebrating BIG WINS at Samphire headquarters today! 🏆 It's been a huge year of milestones and achievements and we are grateful for the recognition we've received for the work we are doing. This year we won: 🏆 Innovation of the year at the Women's Health Innovation Summit Europe 🏆 The Lithuanian Award for best EU Investment in Modern Medicine 🏆 Nominated as "Discovery of the Year" by the Lithuanian National Broadcaster (LRT) #Startup #FemTech #innovationinbusiness #WomensHealth #HealthTech