Happy Wednesday my friend,

Today we’re exploring a little known term called the “exposome”, and how it relates to “total load theory”. I find it to be incredibly important as a focus for the future of medicine. And don’t miss the fuzzy moth story or the new red light toothbrush!

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🐿️ CREATURE FEATURE 🐿️

VENEZUELAN POODLE MOTH

The “Venezuelan poodle moth” went viral after a 2009 photo from the Gran Sabana. It looks like a tiny, fuzzy gremlin with wings, so it was understandable to cause a stir. Beyond the hype, it turns out that it is most likely a flannel moth in the family Megalopygidae, not a brand-new sci-fi species (as much as people wanted it to be). For a simple overview with images, see Fact Animal.

Many of the dramatic images online claiming to be the moth are not the real insect. Some are art pieces or different moths. Some photos seem legit, but the exact species is unconfirmed and there is no formal scientific description yet. For some myth-busting details, read Snopes. It looks very special, but there is still thin evidence. Until researchers collect and describe it, the “poodle moth” stays internet-famous and taxonomically TBD.

Light Up Your Gum Health

I’ve used red light for recovery, skin, and circadian support for years, and I’m convinced it belongs in oral care too.

Red and near-infrared light support circulation and calm inflammation in the gums, which is why I’m testing the BON CHARGE Red Light Toothbrush.

As I wrote earlier this month, I recently had oral surgery and am focusing on simple adaptations to enhance oral and gum health. 🦷

Early research is promising: a meta-analysis found low-level light therapy shortened canker sore healing by about 2.5 days compared with standard care, a meaningful quality-of-life benefit.

In periodontics, adding photobiomodulation to cleanings shows short-term improvements in key gum-health measures compared with cleaning alone.

There is even a small randomized study where an electric brush with built-in LEDs reduced gingival bleeding and inflammation over 6 weeks.

My take: red light is not a magic wand, but as part of a solid routine – gentle brushing, floss or interdental brushes, mineral-rich diet, and nasal breathing – it is a smart upgrade.

If you’re curious, THIS IS THE BRUSH I’M EXCITED ABOUT. 

PLUS, as I’m sure you’ve heard, it’s that time of year where everything is majorly reduced in cost. So go CHECK IT OUT for yourself of holiday item for someone you love.

🍎 NUTRITION 101 🍎

PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE (PEA): A fatty acid compound naturally produced by the body and found in foods like egg yolks, soybeans, and THESE OTHER FOODS. It’s known for its ability to reduce pain and inflammation by supporting the endocannabinoid system without causing a high.

🌏 DEEP DIVE 🌏

Your Environment, Your Body: Why the Exposome Matters

Most people think their health is mostly about genetics. What you inherit, you live with, right?

But what if the bigger factor was actually the environment around you? The air you breathe, the food you eat, the packaging your water comes in, the noise you’re exposed to, and the stress you carry.

That’s the idea behind the exposome. You may not have heard of this term, but it’s used to describe the total accumulation of environmental exposures over the course of your life. And while it might sound dry and scientific, it has massive implications for how we collectively perceive “public health”… and especially prevention.

So, What Is the Exposome?

The term exposome was first introduced by researcher Christopher Wild in 2005. It’s meant to be a companion to the genome. Your genome is your genetic code, your exposome is the sum total of everything your body is exposed to after conception.

That includes things like:

• Your diet

• Air and water quality

• Pollutants and pesticides

• Mold and microbes

• Plastics and packaging

• Stress, trauma, and noise

• Medications and personal care products

It’s typically broken into three categories: general external (climate, stress, urban vs rural life), specific external (chemicals, lifestyle, infections), and internal (like your gut microbiome or inflammation markers). You can LEARN the overview HERE.

What’s wild is that new research suggests your environment could be ten times more predictive of early death than your genes alone.

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