XY Files Blog | Veedma's evidence-based men's health articles

Seasonal affective disorder hormones: How to tell SAD from low testosterone in men

Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Dec 29, 2025 · 13 min read

SAD usually follows a repeatable fall-to-winter pattern and improves in spring, while low testosterone is more likely when symptoms are persistent, come with libido or erection changes, and are confirmed on repeat morning blood tests. If your symptoms do not cleanly follow the calendar, or they come with sexual or sleep changes, it is time ...

Patrick sleep protocol: How Rhonda Patrick’s heat routine may deepen sleep for men

Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Dec 28, 2025 · 11 min read

Timed passive heat exposure 1 to 2 hours before bed can help some men fall asleep faster and may improve slow wave sleep when it is followed by a proper cooldown.[1] The “patrick sleep” approach is simple enough to try at home, but it works best when you match the temperature, timing, and recovery to ...

The Terry Crews workout routine: How men can borrow his habits without burning out

Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Dec 27, 2025 · 11 min read

The Terry Crews workout routine is built on daily training, five days per week of lifting for 1 to 2 hours, and a near daily run of almost 4 miles, supported by consistent sleep and a 16 hour daily fast with an 8 hour eating window. If you want a physique that looks “on” year ...

Somatic exercises for weight loss: What they can and cannot do for men

Jonathan Pierce, PhD: Clinical Psychologist & Neuroscience Specialist

Dec 27, 2025 · 10 min read

Somatic exercises for weight loss can support fat loss indirectly by lowering stress and pain, but they do not replace the basics of a calorie deficit and regular training. If you feel “wired and tired,” tight, or stuck in a stress eating loop, somatic work can make your weight loss plan easier to follow. “Most ...

How to make penis more sensitive: A urologist’s guide to restoring sensation

Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 26, 2025 · 13 min read

You can often make your penis more sensitive by changing overstimulating masturbation habits, reviewing medications that blunt sensation, and treating health issues that impair nerve function and blood flow. The key is figuring out whether the problem is “training,” chemistry, circulation, or an underlying condition, then using a simple plan to restore sensation safely. “When ...

Healthy Subway options and low fat fast food: A men’s guide to ordering for metabolism and testosterone

Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Dec 25, 2025 · 13 min read

Yes, you can find healthy Subway options and other low fat fast food choices if you prioritize lean protein, vegetables, and portion size, and treat sauces and fried sides as optional. Most guys do not need to “quit fast food,” but they do need a repeatable ordering system that protects blood pressure, body fat, and ...

Foods that kill zombie cells: The longevity plate for men who want to age better

Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert

Dec 25, 2025 · 10 min read

Foods that kill zombie cells are not a single magic ingredient, but a pattern of whole foods rich in senolytic and senomorphic compounds that may help your body manage senescent cells. The science is promising, yet most “zombie cell” research uses high dose isolates, so your best move is to build an evidence based longevity ...

What foods are high in estrogen? What high estrogen in men really means

Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 24, 2025 · 11 min read

Many foods contain estrogen-like plant compounds, but typical servings rarely raise estrogen levels in men in a clinically meaningful way. The bigger drivers of high estrogen in men are often body fat, metabolic health, and environmental exposures, so the most effective fixes are usually not about “banning soy” or “quitting fruit.” “Most men who worry ...

What is primarily responsible for strength gains in beginning clients? The male “newbie gains” effect explained

Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Dec 23, 2025 · 11 min read

Strength gains in beginning clients are primarily driven by how strongly an untrained male body adapts to a brand new resistance training stimulus, including a bigger spike in muscle building signals and fast improvements in how efficiently you produce force. If you are a guy new to lifting, that is why you can add weight ...

Does having sex increase testosterone? The truth about bedroom habits and hormone levels

Alexander Grant, MD, PhD: Urologist & Men's Health Advocate

Dec 23, 2025 · 11 min read

Sex can cause a brief, small testosterone rise, but it does not raise your long-term baseline testosterone. Any change is typically short-lived (often on the order of minutes) and varies by person and study design. The bigger picture is a bidirectional feedback loop. Testosterone supports libido and erectile function, while arousal can trigger a temporary ...

Sauna before or after your workout? A science-based timing guide for men

Bruno Rodriguez, DPT, CSCS: Strength, Recovery, and Physical Therapy Expert

Dec 22, 2025 · 13 min read

Sauna is generally best after your workout for performance and recovery. For most men, pre-workout heat stress increases core temperature and heart rate (via vasodilation), which can sap energy and reduce peak performance. Here’s how to time sauna for recovery and cardiovascular benefits. This includes when a short pre-session makes sense, and how long to ...

How much deep sleep should you get? A men’s guide to stage 3 sleep and recovery

Jonathan Pierce, PhD: Clinical Psychologist & Neuroscience Specialist

Dec 21, 2025 · 10 min read

Most adult men spend about 10 to 25 percent of their total sleep time in deep sleep, which is roughly 45 to 120 minutes in an eight hour night. If you feel tired, foggy, or low drive despite “enough” hours, the missing piece is often sleep quality, including how much deep sleep you need and ...