Episode 449: Dr. Sarah Hill: How Birth Control Changes Your Brain, Dating Choices, and Evolutionary Psychology

Is hormonal birth control affecting more than just pregnancy prevention? In this Habits and Hustle podcast episode, I am joined by Dr. Sarah Hill, an evolutionary psychologist and author who explains the surprising ways birth control pills influence women's brains, behavior, and mate selection. We discuss how synthetic hormones alter women's natural cycles, changing partner preferences and affecting emotional responses. We also explore the fascinating science behind mate selection through an evolutionary lens, why men are attracted to women at peak fertility, and how birth control can disrupt the pheromonal cues that influence attraction. Dr. Sarah Hill is an evolutionary psychologist, author, and researcher who earned her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin working with Dr. David Buss. Her research focuses on understanding behavior and motivation through the lens of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection, with particular emphasis on women's psychology, hormones, and sexual motivation. What We Discuss: (00:00) Birth Control & Women's Psychological States (04:14) Effects of Birth Control on Emotions (15:26) Relationship Changes After Birth Control (19:22) Hormonal Birth Control and Pheromones (27:05) Partner Preferences and Attraction Triggers (34:43) Modern Dating Challenges and Hormones (39:01) Modern Dating Delays Marriage (42:51) Women's Relationship Choices and Evolution (48:07) Competition, Jealousy, and Marriage Threats (55:27) Divorce, Dating, and Female Friendship (01:04:43) Hormonal Birth Control and Side Effects …and more! Thank you to our sponsors: Therasage: Head over to therasage.com and use code Be Bold for 15% off TruNiagen: Head over to truniagen.com and use code HUSTLE20 to get $20 off any purchase over $100. Magic Mind: Head over to www . magicmind.com /jen and use code Jen at checkout. Air Doctor: Go to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code HUSTLE for up to $300 off and a 3-year warranty on air purifiers. Bio.me: Link to daily prebiotic fiber here , code Jennifer20 for 20% off. Momentous: Shop this link and use code Jen for 20% off DavidProtein: Try David today—buy 4, get the 5th free at davidprotein.com/habitsandhustle . Find more from Jen: Website: https://www.jennifercohen.com/ Instagram: @therealjencohen Books: https://www.jennifercohen.com/books Speaking: https://www.jennifercohen.com/speaking-engagement Find more from Dr. Sarah Hill: Website: https://www.sarahehill.com/ Books: https://www.sarahehill.com/your-brain-on-birth-control/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahehillphd/