Editors’ Note: We got our first ad request, but you won’t see it because we declined! We’ll protect your eyes…for now.
Don’t keep us all to yourself! 10 shares and merch is on the way!
Words in blue will be defined in Today’s Dictionary below!
Before the downfall, there was the dream: one drop of blood to unlock your health.
🩸 From Theranos to the new blood-testing boom
In 2015, Elizabeth Holmes assured investors that a single fingertip of blood could replace the full annual panel. In 2023, she began her 11-year prison term after jurors learned the Theranos machines never really worked.
Her downfall still shadows every startup that mails a lancet and a FedEx sleeve, yet the idea she sold, continuous insight from a tiny sample, has only grown stronger. This time companies are propped up by certified labs and open data policies. Among many others, today we highlight 3 young companies that illustrate just how wide the field has spread, differing in approach based on frequency vs. depth.
Rythm Health leans into convenience and frequency. For $79/month, you collect a micro sample, schedule a free pick-up by text, and view hormone, iron, vitamin D and high-sensitivity CRP (inflammation marker) trends a few days later. The company argues that a dozen snapshots a year reveal patterns that a once-a-year draw cannot, and it markets a proprietary needle-free device for users who hate venipuncture.
Keyspan values personalization. A nurse comes to your home twice per year and draws full vials. These are used to generate 50+ biomarkers (e.g., testosterone, cortisol, vitamin D, albumin, magnesium and inflammatory markers) which power a personalized exercise, diet and supplement plan that updates inside the app. Membership runs $199/month and includes coaching plus a supplement pack that changes with each lab cycle. In June, the company added a $139 microplastics blood test, the first retail assay to count plastic fragments in human serum.
Superpower positions itself as the health “super app.” For $499/year, members give two venous samples 6 months apart, uncover 60 biomarkers, receive a personalized plan and gain access to an AI chat to dive deeper into their numbers. The startup raised $30M this spring and acquired Base, a saliva-testing company, to fold deeper nutrition data into its dashboard.
Why you should care
Muscle health erodes quietly. You might not feel it until a PR stalls or carrying groceries takes more effort. Regular at-home lab tests turn those slow, silent shifts into tangible trends, helping you know when to add resistance training, boost protein, get outside, or slow down. Theranos reminds us that numbers only matter if safeguards are real. Before you mail your blood, confirm the lab is CLIA-certified, read how the company handles de-identified data, and ask whether the results will change tomorrow’s workout.
Chamomile flowers are a natural source of apigenin.
💤 Apigenin: The Sleep Molecule
Tonight you could count sheep in your head or you could invite a cup of chamomile to tuck you in. The ingredient responsible for that floaty feeling from your tea is apigenin, a plant based compound.
What is apigenin?
Found in chamomile, parsley, and celery, it is a flavonoid, a fancy term for a colorful plant molecule. One cup of chamomile tea is typically only 1-5mg. Most research suggests that you would need 50-200mg to experience significant brain-calming effects.
Why are people suddenly interested in this compound?
Apigenen crosses the blood-brain barrier and interacts with GABA-A receptors, helping to calm the nervous system. GABA is your brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, essentially the chemical that tells your neurons to slow down. When apigenin binds to the GABA-A receptor, it increases this calming signal, helping to reduce mental chatter and ease the transition into sleep.
In animals, apigenin has improved memory and learning. In early human studies, it has shown promise for improving sleep efficiency and lowering anxiety. Unlike melatonin, it doesn’t disrupt hormonal cycles. Biohackers are stacking apigenin with magnesium, glycine, and L-theanine to create nighttime protocols that aim to dim the lights on the nervous system rather than sedate.
Why you should care
Sleep is an odd thing. We sleep for a third of our life, and it’s intuitive that sleep is essential for recovery. Yet because we have so much time for it throughout our life, it paradoxically feels like something easy to sacrifice here and there. As people continue optimizing sleep as an active input for muscle growth, brain performance, and metabolic health, there will continue to be a shift toward more natural tools.
Apigenin is merely a signpost. It’s part of a growing interest in compounds that don’t knock you out. Expect to see more of these calming, brain-friendly, non-hormonal molecules in the spotlight. Muscles do not grow while you are working out. They grow while you are sleeping. As much as sleep feels like something you passively fall into, it should be viewed as something you actively prepare for.
📚 Today’s Dictionary (Blue Words)
CRP (C Reactive Protein): Protein that rises with whole-body inflammation and often spikes after very hard training.
Biomarker: Any substance in blood, such as vitamin D or testosterone, that signals a piece of your health puzzle.
CLIA Certified: Certification under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, the regulations ensuring quality standards, accuracy, and reliability of laboratory medical testing in the U.S.
Flavonoid: Group of colorful compounds found in plants. They often have health benefits like reducing stress or inflammation.
Blood-Brain Barrier: Shield that protects your brain from harmful stuff in your blood. Apigenin can cross this barrier to work directly in your brain.
GABA-A Receptor: Part of the brain that receives calming signals. When apigenin attaches here, it helps you feel more relaxed and ready for sleep.
Biohacking: Trying out different habits, foods, or supplements to improve your body and brain.
Stacking: Mixing different supplements together to get better results. People often stack apigenin with things like magnesium and L-theanine at night.
🔄 Read More
Stay Stacked,
The Stack
Follow us on X/Twitter: @StackedHealth_
Join our Discord
Current Referral Count: {{rp_num_referrals}}
What did you think of today's newsletter?
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We aim to provide useful, evidence-informed insights. Your health is personal, and decisions should be made based on what works best for you.