Shows
Mind & MatterNeurobiology of Stress: Resilience, HPA Axis, Stress Hormones, Sex Differences, Early Life Stress | Rosemary Bagot | #191About the guest: Rosemary Bagot, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at McGill University and the Canada Research Chair in Behavioural Neurogenomics. Her lab studies the neurobiology of stress at the molecular, circuit, and behavioral levels.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Bagot discuss the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) Axis, cortisol and hormonal responses to stress; neural circuits related to the perception of threats & stressors; resilience & early life stress; sex differences & individual variability in stress response; epigenetics & transgenerational effects of stress; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #183: Calorie Restriction & Fasting: Aging, Immunity...
2024-11-271h 11
Mind & MatterSkin Biology: Hormones, Light, Vitamin D, Melatonin & Stress | Andrzej Slominski | #189About the guest: Andrzej Slominski, MD, PhD is a dermapathologist and skin biologist who has spent decades studying skin biology, especially regarding endocrinology (hormones), stress response, photobiology, and more.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Slominski discuss: hormone production in the skin; vitamin D photobiology; risks and benefits of UVB light; skin cancer & sunscreen; protective effects of melatonin production in the skin; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #104: Benefits & Risks of UV Radiation & Sunlight, Skin Health, Vitamin D, Nitric Oxide, Evolution of Skin Color | Richard Weller* M&M #146: Photobiology, Sunlight, Firelight, Incandescent...
2024-11-151h 20
Mind & MatterPsychedelics, Functional Neuroimaging & the Human Brain | Joshua Siegel | #188About the guest: Joshua Siegel, MD, PhD is a psychiatrist & systems neuroscience at New York University. He uses functional imaging to study the effects of psychedelics and other drugs on the human brain.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Siegel discuss: fMRI and how it works; relationship between neural activity and blood flow; functional connectivity & the default mode network of the human brain; the functional effects of psilocybin on the brain; the role that subjective & expectancy effects in psychedelics medicine; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #173: Psychedelics, Consciousness, Psychiatry, Psychology, Mental Health & the Entropic...
2024-11-091h 31
Mind & MatterSynesthesia & Effects of Digital Technology on Brain & Mental Health | Richard Cytowic | #187About the guest: Richard Cytowic is a neurologist, poplar science writer and professor at the George Washington University.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Cytowic discuss: the effects of smart phones and social media on the developing and adult brain; artificial blue light vs. broad spectrum natural light; attention & addiction to technology; sensory overstimulation & “virtual autism”; synesthesia and multimodal sensory perception; and more.Related episodes:* M&M 78: Nature vs. Nurture, Neurogenetics, Personality, Autism, Schizophrenia, Synesthesia, Perception, Agency & Free Will | Kevin Mitchell*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice...
2024-11-051h 08
Mind & MatterKidney Biology: Simple Diet & Lifestyle Practices for Kidney Health | Thomas Weimbs | #186About the guest: Thomas Weimbs, PhD is a molecular & cell biologist at UC-Santa Barbara. His lab studies kidney function in health and disease.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Weimbs discuss: basic kidney biology; kidney stones and their causes, including dietary oxalates and fructose; the kidney damaging effects of common pharmaceuticals like Ibuprofen; the beneficial effects of BHB and ketosis for kidney health; the myth that high protein intake is bad for the kidney; kidney diseases and their causes; and more.Related episodes:* M&M 158: Ketosis & Ketogenic Diet: Brain & Mental Health, Metabolism, Diet & Exercise...
2024-11-021h 27
Mind & MatterEndocrine Disruptors & Metabolism: Microplastics, BPA, Estrogen, Insulin, Pancreas Biology & Metabolic Dysfunction | Angel Nadal | #184About the guest: Angel Nadal, PhD is a biologist in Spain whose lab studies endocrine disruptors (e.g. microplastics), hormones (estrogen, insulin), and the endocrine functions of the pancreas in health & disease.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Nadal discuss: endocrine biology of the pancreas; insulin and estrogen signaling in the pancreas; BPA, microplastics, and other xenoestrogens; pregnancy & fetal development; effects of hormone disruptors in males vs. females; and more.Related episodes:* M&M 145: Epigenetics, Hormones, Endocrine Disruptors, Microplastics, Xenoestrogens, Obesogens & Obesity, Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics | Bruce Blumberg* M&M #124: Hormonal Contraception...
2024-10-241h 34
Mind & MatterNeural Basis of Language in the Human Brain | Ev Fedorenko | #182About the guest: Ev Fedorenko is a neuroscientist. Her lab at MIT studies the neural basis of language, speech, and thought in the human brain.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Fedorenko discuss: the relationship between language and thought; the extent to which language is for thinking vs. communication; Noam Chomsky’s Universal Grammar theory; Sapir-Whorf hypothesis; language acquisition & language learning; language networks in the brain; neuroanatomy & brain lateralization; large language models (LLMs) & machine intelligence; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #141: Evolution, Language, Domestication, Symbolic Cognition, AI & Large Language Models* M&M #20: La...
2024-10-181h 29
Mind & MatterNeurosurgery, Blood-Brain Barrier, Ultrasound Technology for Brain Diseases & Disorders | Nir Lipsman | #181About the guest: Nir Lipsman, MD, PhD is a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist at the University of Toronto.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Lipsman discuss: neurosurgery; the blood-brain barrier and how it works; using focused ultrasound technology to non-invasively treat patients; regulatory impediments to clinical research; costs, constraints, and future applications of ultrasound tech for treating psychiatric conditions; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #168: Sleep: Neural Circuits, Orexin/Hypocretin, Hypothalamus, Neuromodulators, Stress & Cortisol, Sleep Drugs & Ultrasound Technology | Luis de Lecea* M&M #147: Ketamine: Opioid System, Sex Differences, S- vs. R- Isomers, Depression...
2024-10-151h 04
Mind & MatterMother-Infant Bonding, Maternal Care & Breastfeeding, Neural Basis of Hunger & Social Behavior | Marcelo Dietrich | #180About the guest: Marcelo Dietrich, MD, PhD is an associate professor in Comparative Medicine & Neuroscience at Yale University, where his lab studies the neural basis of behavior in mammals.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Dietrich discuss: maternal care behavior, mother-infant bonding, and feeding in infant mammals; neural circuits regulating hunger & satiety; brain development & early social learning; behavioral variability among individuals; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #159: Neuroscience of Social Behavior, Pain, Empathy, Emotion, Brain Mechanisms of MDMA | Monique Smith* M&M #108: Monogamy, Sexual & Parental Behavior, Social Attachment, Oxytocin, Sex Hormones, Childhood...
2024-10-091h 37
Mind & MatterCave Art, Archaeology & the Emergence of Modern Humans | Maxime Aubert | #179About the guest: Maxime Aubert, PhD is a geochemist & archeologist at Griffiths University in Australia. He specializes in the application of advanced analytical techniques to date the age of ancient rock art and hominin fossils.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Aubert discuss: the oldest known cave art and what it depicts; human evolution & interbreeding with different human sub-species; the origins of anatomically modern humans & advanced cognition; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #126: Evolution of Human Behavior, Anatomy & Diet, Homo naledi & the Cave of Bones | John Hawks* M&M #38: Human Evolution, Homo...
2024-10-081h 27
Mind & MatterAsk Me Anything 1 | Nick JikomesSend a textAbout the guest: Nick Jikomes, PhD is the creator and host of the podcast. You can read more about him here.Episode summary: Nick answers questions from listeners on topics such as: his scientific background & interests; staying up-to-date on research & selecting guests; thoughts on psychedelic science & drug use; questions related to diet, metabolic health & fat loss; controversial ideas worth considering; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.Support the showHealth Products by M...
2024-09-2732 min
Mind & MatterAsk Me Anything #1This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comAbout the guest: Nick Jikomes, PhD is the creator and host of the podcast. You can read more about him here.Episode summary: Nick answers questions from listeners on topics such as: his scientific background & interests; staying up-to-date on research & selecting guests; thoughts on psychedelic science & drug use; questions related to diet, metabolic health & fat loss; controversial ideas worth considering; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M...
2024-09-2532 min
Mind & MatterMicrobiome & Gut-Immune Interactions in Obesity & Metabolic Health | June Round | #178About the guest: June Round, PhD is a microbiologist whose lab at the University of Utah studies microbiome-host interactions, gut microbiota, immunity, metabolism, obesity, and other disorders.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Round discuss: how the immune system and gut microbiome interact; dietary fiber & short-chain fatty acid production by gut microbes; nutrient absorption; obesity & metabolic syndrome; type I diabetes; cleanliness, development & the “hygiene hypothesis”; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #133: Infant Microbiome & Breast Milk, Oral Microbiome & Cavities, Gut Health, Fiber, Probiotics, Diet, Sex Hormones, Soy Foods & Estrogens | Carolina Tropini* M&M #103: Conn...
2024-09-201h 21
Mind & MatterNeural Basis of Pain, Placebo Effects, Opioid Pain Relief & Addiction | Gregory Scherrer | #177About the guest: Gregory Scherrer, PharmD, PhD is a neuroscientist whose lab at the University of North Carolina studies the neural basis of pain, including its sensory, emotional, and cognitive components. Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Scherrer discuss: the neural basis of pain sensation & pain perception; opioids & the opioid system; cognitive modulation of painful experiences; neural basis of placebo effects; endogenous opioid system; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #52: Pain Drugs, NSAIDs, Opioids, Oxycodone, Heroin, Fentanyl & the Neuroscience of Pain | David Roberson* M&M #159: Neuroscience of Social Behavior, Pain, Empathy, Emotion...
2024-09-131h 18
Mind & MatterBad Science, Nutrition Epidemiology, History of Obesity Research, Diet & Metabolic Health | Gary Taubes | #176About the guest: Gary Taubes is a researcher, science historian, and science journalist. He has written several books, including “Rethinking Diabetes.”Episode summary: Nick and Gary Taubes discuss: the field of nutrition epidemiology and why it’s filled with so much junk science; social factors influencing scientific research; the history of obesity & diabetes research; the energy balance vs. carbohydrate-insulin models of obesity; fats, carbs & insulin resistance; and more.Related episodes:* M&M #140: Obesogens, Oxidative Stress, Dietary Sugars & Fats, Statins, Diabetes & the True Causes of Metabolic Dysfunction & Chronic Disease | Robert Lustig* M&M #132...
2024-09-071h 42
Mind & MatterAging, Biological Clocks, Proteomics, Longevity & Healthspan | Austin Argentieri | #175About the guest: Austin Argentieri, PhD is a researcher in the Analytic & Translational Genetics Unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital with academic appointments at Harvard & the Broad Institute. His research focuses on large-scale analyses to to understand human aging.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Argentieri discuss: chronological vs. biological age; DNA methylation and aging clocks; proteomics and protein measurements in aging research; health, longevity, and human healthspan; and more.Related episodes:* Aging, mTOR, Sirtuins, Rapamycin, Metformin, the Truth of Resveratrol & Longevity Supplements, David Sinclair & Anti-Aging Myths | Matt Kaeberlein | #151* Cellular Aging, Taurine...
2024-08-291h 33
Mind & MatterAdipose Tissue & Body Fat: Obesity, Insulin, Leptin, Fertility, Weight Loss & GLP-1 Drugs | Sean Hartig | #174About the guest: Sean Hartig, PhD is an associate professor at the Baylor College of Medicine, where is lab studies adipose (fat) tissue, metabolic regulation, and obesity & energy balance disorders.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Hartig discuss: visceral vs. subcutaneous fat; white, brown, and beige adipose tissue; physiology of fat cells; obesity, insulin resistance, and leptin resistance; hormones & fertility; GLP-1 drugs for weight loss; and more.Related episodes:* Obesogens, Oxidative Stress, Dietary Sugars & Fats, Statins, Diabetes & the True Causes of Metabolic Dysfunction & Chronic Disease | Robert Lustig | #140* GLP-1, Weight Loss Drugs, Ozempic...
2024-08-271h 43
Mind & MatterPsychedelics, Consciousness, Psychiatry, Psychology, Mental Health & the Entropic Brain Hypothesis | Robin Carhart-Harris | #173About the guest: Robin Carhart-Harris, PhD is a neuroscientist & psychopharmacologist. His lab at the University of California-San Francisco studies the effects of psychedelics and other drugs on the human brain, using neuroimaging and other approaches.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Carhart-Harris discuss: psychedelics & the human brain; functional connectivity & entropy in brain patterns; the “entropic brain” hypothesis of psychedelic drug action; psychiatry & depression; psychology, Carl Jung & Sigmund Freud; the FDA’s rejection of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD; latest research on psychedelics; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.Related episod...
2024-08-211h 57
Mind & MatterImmune System, Gut Microbiome, Vitamin D, Cancer, Innate Immunity, Inflammation & Gut-Immune Interactions | Caetano Reis e Sousa | #172About the guest: Caetano Reis e Sousa, DPhil is an immunologist and Principal Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute in London. His lab studies immune system function, including its ability to fight infection and cancer.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Reis e Sousa discuss: dendritic cells & innate immunity; how the immune system recognizes pathogens, damaged cells, and cancer cells; gut microbiome & non-pathogenic bacteria; inflammation; vitamin D & gut-immune interactions; cancer; and more.Related episodes:* Ketogenic Diet, Cancer, Microbiome, Nutrition & the Immune System | Maayan Levy | #72* Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Health & Disease | John Cryan | #63
2024-08-131h 12
Mind & MatterComparative Brain Evolution: Mammals, Primates & Humans | Robert Barton | #171About the guest: Robert Barton, PhD is an evolutionary anthropologist and Professor at Durham University. He studies the evolution of the brain and behavior across species, including humans.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Barton discuss: mammalian brain evolution; how brain and body size scale across mammals; how metabolism relates to brain size and function; the evolution of the neocortex & cerebellum in primates & humans; the concept of “intelligence” and whether it relates to brain size; and more.Related episodes:* Evolution of Complex Behavior, Perception, Cognition, Consciousness & the Brain | Paul Cisek | #107* Organisms, Cities, Comp...
2024-08-121h 38
Mind & MatterSex Differences, Drugs & the Brain: Psychedelics, Psilocybin, Alcohol & Nicotine | Melissa Herman | #170About the guest: Melissa Herman, PhD is a neuroscientist and associate professor at the University of North Carolina. Her lab studies the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior in rodents.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Herman discuss: sex differences in the brain between males and females; behavioral variability among individuals; the effects of psychedelics like psilocybin on the amygdala and hypothalamus; effects of alcohol and vaporized nicotine; and more.Related episodes:* Drug Addiction, Cocaine, Nicotine, Caffeine, Amphetamines, Opioids, THC & Neuroscience | Christian Lüscher | #40* Sex Differences in the Brain, Endocannabinoid B...
2024-08-091h 15
Mind & MatterEpigenetics, Chromatin Plasticity & the Neural Basis of Memory | Giulia Santoni | #169About the guest: Giulia Santoni, PhD is a neuroscientist who obtained her PhD at the EPFL in Switzerland, where she studied epigenetic influences on memory formation.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Santoni discuss: transcription & gene regulation; synaptic plasticity; learning & associative memory; epigenetics, histones, DNA methylation, and mechanisms of gene regulation; chromatin plasticity & the neural basis of memory formation; and more.Related episodes:* Emotion, Cognition, Consciousness, Behavior & Brain Evolution | Joseph LeDoux | #73* Cognitive Neuroscience, Cognitive Flexibility & Control, Attention, Working Memory, Multitasking & Behavior | Tobias Egner | #130*This content is never meant to serve as medical...
2024-08-071h 23
Mind & MatterSleep: Neural Circuits, Orexin/Hypocretin, Hypothalamus, Neuromodulators, Stress & Cortisol, Sleep Drugs & Ultrasound Technology | Luis de Lecea | #168About the guest: Luis de Lecea, PhD is a neurobiologist whose lab at Stanford University studies the neural basis of sleep & wakefulness in animals.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. de Lecea discuss: the neural basis of sleep; sleep architecture & sleep phases (NREM vs. REM sleep); orexin/hypocretin neurons & the lateral hypothalamus; cortisol & stress; circadian rhythms; neuromodulators (norepinephrine, dopamine, etc); sleep across animal species; sleep drugs; ultrasound technology; and more.Related episodes:* Sleep, Dreaming, Deep Neural Networks, Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence, Overfitted Brain Hypothesis, Evolution of Fiction & Art | Erik Hoel | #43* Consciousness, Anesthesia, Coma, Vegetative...
2024-08-061h 39
Mind & MatterPlant Chemistry & the Chemical Basis of Marijuana Aroma | Iain Oswald | #167About the guest: Iain Oswald, PhD is an organic chemist and Director of Research & Development at Abstrax Tech.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Oswald discuss: plant chemistry; marijuana strains and their aroma; the chemical basis of cannabis aroma; terpenes vs. non-terpene volatile organic compounds; and more.Related episodes:* Marijuana, Plant Chemistry, Terpenes, Volatile Sulfur Compounds, Cannabis Industry, What Pungent Weed Smells Like & Why | Iain Oswald | #114* Endocannabinoids, Stress, Exercise, Cortisol, Anxiety, Cannabis & Effects of Marijuana on Brain Development | Matthew Hill | #123*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice....
2024-07-2651 min
Mind & MatterPUFAs in Brain Health & Disease, Dietary Fats, Brain Lipids, Nutrition | Richard Bazinet | #165About the guest: Richard Bazinet, PhD is neurochemist and nutritional scientist at the University of Toronto. His lab studies brain lipid metabolism in health and disease.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Bazinet discuss: lipid metabolism in the liver and brain; dietary fatty acids (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated); fatty acids in brain health & disease; endocannabinoids; omega-3 PUFAs, seed oils & diet; and more.Related episodes:* Seed Oils, Omega-6 PUFAs, Inflammation, Obesity, Diabetes, Chronic Disease & Metabolic Dysfunction | Chris Knobbe | #136* Omega-6-9 Fats, Vegetable & Seed Oils, Sugar, Processed Food, Metabolic Health & Dietary Origins of Chronic Inflammatory Disease | Artemis...
2024-07-111h 41
Mind & MatterDopamine, Reward, Motivation, Lateral Hypothalamus, Feeding Behavior & Eating Disorders | Melissa Sharpe | #164About the guest: Melissa Sharpe, PhD is a neuroscientist. Her lab at the University of Sydney studies reinforcement and reward learning in rodents.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Sharpe discuss: dopamine and its association with reward learning and motivation; reinforcement learning & the brain; the lateral hypothalamus and feeding behavior; and more.Related episodes:* Drugs, Addiction & Neuroplasticity: Psychedelics, MDMA, Opioids, Cocaine, Amphetamine (Adderall), Nicotine, Marijuana & Alcohol | Robert Malenka | #162* Neuroscience of Pleasure, Reward, Liking vs. Wanting, Motivation, Food vs. Drug Addiction & Emotion | Kent Berridge | #94*This content is never meant to serve as medical...
2024-06-241h 08
Mind & MatterAnesthesia, Placebo Effects, Consciousness, Subjectivity, MDMA, Ketamine, Opioids, Psychedelics | Boris Heifets | #163About the guest: Boris Heifets, MD, PhD is an anesthesiologist and researcher at Stanford University. His lab studies non-ordinary states of consciousness and psychoactive drugs like MDMA, ketamine, and psychedelics.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Heifets discuss: anesthesia and how anesthetics work; placebo effects & expectations in clinical research; ketamine as an antidepressant, anesthetic, and recreational drug; the subjective effects of psychedelics and other drugs; MDMA and Lykos Therapeutics’ attempts to gain FDA approval for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy; opioids & placebo effects; and more.Related episodes:* How Does Ketamine Work & Is It Addictive? | Christian Lüscher | #90* Con...
2024-06-221h 44
Mind & MatterGLP-1, Weight Loss Drugs, Ozempic, Obesity, NMDA Receptors, Metabolism & Brain Health | Christoffer Clemmensen | #161About the guest: Christoffer Clemmensen, PhD is scientist running the Metabolism & Molecular Pharmacology group at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. His lab studies the biological basis of obesity & other metabolic disorders.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Clemmensen discuss: GLP-1 & gut hormones; obesity & metabolic disease; GLP-1 agonists and weight loss drugs (e.g. Ozempic); novel, dual-action weight loss drugs his lab has created; and more.Previous discussion: Metabolism, Obesity & Psychedelics for Metabolic Disease | Christoffer Clemmensen | #105*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.
2024-06-121h 32
Mind & MatterDiet, Hunting, Culture and Evolution of Paleolithic Humans & Hunter Gatherers | Eugene Morin | #160About the guest: Eugene Morin, PhD is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Trent who studies Paleolithic humans and animals.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Morin discuss: evolution of Paleolithic humans; Neanderthal diet & cultural capacity; key human adaptations related to endurance and stamina; hunter gatherer hunting strategies; evolution of human digestion; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube] [Odysee]* Episode...
2024-05-231h 24
Mind & MatterNeuroscience of Social Behavior, Pain, Empathy, Emotion, Brain Mechanisms of MDMA | Monique Smith | #159About the guest: Monique Smith, PhD is an assistant professor of neurobiology at the University of California-San Diego, where her lab studies the neuroscience of social behavior, pain, and emotion.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Smith discuss: the neurobiology of pain perception; social & empathy-like behavior in animals; emotion; brain mechanisms of MDMA; serotonin; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube] [Odysee]* Episode...
2024-05-211h 26
Mind & MatterKetosis & Ketogenic Diet: Brain & Mental Health, Metabolism, Diet & Exercise, Cancer, Diabetes | Dominic D'Agostino | #158About the guest: Dominic D'Agostino, PhD is a researcher and professor at the University of South Florida, where his lab studies metabolism, human biology, and related subjects.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. D'Agostino discuss: ketosis and the ketogenic diet; effects of ketosis on diabetes, insulin resistance & metabolic health; effects on brain & mental health; relationship with exercise performance; cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides & other biomarkers; cancer; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]
2024-05-161h 40
Mind & MatterPreventative Medicine, Diet & Lifestyle vs. Pharmaceuticals in Health & Disease, Lies Taught in Medical Schools | Robert Lufkin | #157About the guest: Robert Lufkin, MD is a radiologist and professor at UCLA. His new book is called, "Lies I Taught in Medical School."Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Lufkin talk about: the history of medicine in the United States; diet & lifestyle vs. pharmaceuticals in acute vs. chronic disease; diabetes, metabolic syndrome & insulin resistance; health institutions like the American Diabetes Association & American Heart Association, including their financial influences; carbohydrates, fats, dietary cholesterol, ketosis, and related topics in metabolism; bloodwork & choosing the right doctor; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice....
2024-05-091h 45
Mind & MatterPsychology of Stress, Resilience, Emotion & Child Development | Stephen Sideroff | #156About the guest: Stephen Sideroff, PhD is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UCLA. His new book is, "The 9 Pillars of Resilience."Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Sideroff discuss: childhood & developmental psychology; clinical & Gestalt psychology; stress & resilience; pharmaceuticals, talk therapy, and plant medicines; emotions & psychopathology; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube] [Odysee]* Episode transcript below.
2024-05-041h 38
Mind & MatterCell Biology of Aging, Mitochondria, Metabolism, Autophagy & Stress | Andrew Dillin | #155About the guest: Andrew Dillin, PhD is Professor of Molecular & Cell Biology at UC-Berkeley and Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. His lab studies mechanisms of aging, mitochondrial biology, and related subjects.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Dillin discuss: cell biology; mitochondria & the endoplasmic reticulum; aging & autophagy; mitochondrial biology in neurons; diet, exercise, and oxygen effects on mitochondrial health; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube] [Odysee]
2024-04-251h 39
Mind & MatterEvolution & Genetics of Human Diet, Metabolism, Disease Risk, Skin Color and Origins of Modern Europeans | Eske Willerslev | #154About the guest: Eske Willerslev, PhD is an evolutionary biologist and Professor of evolution at both the University of Copenhagen and University of Cambridge.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Willerslev discuss: human evolution out of Africa; the origins of modern Europeans; hunter gatherers, early farmers, and pastoralists; genetics of human disease risk; evolution of diet & metabolism; evolution of light skin color; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video...
2024-04-241h 51
Mind & MatterDiet, Nutrition, Metabolic Psychiatry, Brain & Mental Health | Georgia Ede | #153About the guest: Georgia Ede, MD is a psychiatrist and author of, "Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind: A Powerful Plan to Improve Mood, Overcome Anxiety, And Protect Memory for a Lifetime of Optimal Mental Health."Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Ede discuss: glucose vs. ketones for brain energy; metabolic health & insulin resistance; animal vs. plant-based foods; nutrients, anti-nutrients & plant toxins; ketogenic, carnivore & plant-based diets; carbohydrates & processed foods; treating bipolar disorder, schizophrenia & psychiatric illness with diet; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this...
2024-04-201h 51
Mind & MatterPlant Chemistry, Cannabinoids, Cannabis Terpenes & the Entourage Effect | Ryan Vandrey | #152About the guest: Ryan Vandrey, PhD is a Professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, where his lab studies the behavioral pharmacology of cannabis (marijuana), nicotine/tobacco, and other substances.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Vandrey discuss: marijuana; cannabinoids like THC; terpenes like limonene, myrcene, and pinene; the entourage effect; anxiety and other side effects of cannabis consumption; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version...
2024-04-081h 30
Mind & MatterAging, mTOR, Sirtuins, Rapamycin, Metformin, the Truth of Resveratrol & Longevity Supplements, David Sinclair & Anti-Aging Myths | Matt Kaeberlein | #151About the guest: Matt Kaeberlein, PhD is a Professor of at the University of Washington and CEO of OptiSpan. His research focuses on the biology of aging and longevity.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Kaeberlein discuss: the biology of aging; mTOR, FGF1, growth & metabolism; sirtuins, NAD & NMN; longevity drugs like metformin & rapamycin; facts & myths about longevity molecules like resveratrol & taurine; controversies in aging research related to prominent Harvard researcher David Sinclair; epigenetic clocks; healthspan & lifespan; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in...
2024-04-042h 29
Mind & MatterVisual System, Visual Impairments & Cures, Amblyopia, Neuroplasticity, Critical Periods & Metaplasticity, Ketamine & Psychedelics | Mark Bear | #150About the guest: Mark Bear, PhD is a Professor of Neuroscience at MIT, where his lab studies the visual system, neuroplasticity, and the pathophysiology of amblyopia and visual impairments.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Bear discuss: the visual system in the brain, from the retina to visual cortex; critical periods of brain development; mechanisms of neuroplasticity; metaplasticity; amblyopia and visual impairments; ketamine & psychedelics; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]
2024-03-311h 16
Mind & MatterDNA & RNA Biology, mRNA Vaccines, Vax Contamination & Side Effects, Spike Protein, Ivermectin, Hop Latent Viroid | Kevin McKernan | #149About the guest: Kevin McKernan is the Chief Science Officer at Medicinal genomics and has been working the the biotechnology sector and conducting genomics research going back to his involvement in the Human Genome Project.Episode summary: Nick and Kevin discuss: basics of DNA and RNA biology; mRNA vaccines and how they work compared to traditional vaccines; the mRNA vaccine manufacturing process; DNA contamination in the Pfizer and Modern mRNA vaccines for COVID; the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein; vaccine side effects; ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice....
2024-03-261h 50
Mind & MatterDietary Protein, Muscle Growth, Resistance Training, Amino Acids, Plant vs. Animal Protein Sources, Anabolic Growth | Luc van Loon | #148About the guest: Luc van Loon, PhD is a Professor of Physiology of Exercise and Nutrition and Head of the M3-research group at the Department of Human Biology at Maastricht University. His lab focuses on the skeletal muscle adaptive response to physical (in)activity, the impact of nutrition on metabolism, and related topics.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. van Loon discuss: amino acid biology; branched chain amino acids like leucine; atypical amino acids like taurine; muscle growth & muscle biology; dietary protein and plant vs. animal protein sources; resistance training and anabolic growth; the limits of dietary protein on...
2024-03-241h 22
Mind & MatterKetamine: Opioid System, Sex Differences, S- vs. R- Isomers, Depression & Ultrasound Imaging Technology | Tommaso Di Ianni | #147About the guest: Tommaso Di Ianni, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences and Radiology & Biomedical Imaging at the University of California, San Francisco. His lab uses ultrasound technology and deep learning to study the brain.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Di Ianni discuss: the current state of scientific understanding of ketamine; S-ketamine vs. R-ketamine isomers; the antidepressant effects of ketamine; ketamine's known mechanisms of action; sex-dependent effects of ketamine action in the brain; involvement of the opioid system in ketamine's effects; addiction; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical...
2024-03-161h 21
Mind & MatterPhotobiology, Sunlight, Firelight, Incandescent Bulbs vs. LEDs, Mitochondria, Melatonin, Sunscreen & the Optics of the Body | Scott Zimmerman | #146About the guest: Scott Zimmerman is an optical engineer and photobiology expertEpisode summary: Nick and Scott talk about: how light interacts with the body and affects our cells; melatonin as an antioxidant; how red & near-infrared light affect mitochondria; sunlight, fire light, and artificial light; incandescent light bulbs vs. LEDs; negative health effects of artificial light; sunscreen & makeup; red & near-infrared light therapy; the optical properties of the human body; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio o...
2024-03-141h 17
Mind & MatterEpigenetics, Hormones, Endocrine Disruptors, Microplastics, Xenoestrogens, Obesogens & Obesity, Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics | Bruce Blumberg | #145About the Guest: Bruce Blumberg, PhD is a Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology at UC-Irvine. HIs lab studies epigenetics, gene x environment interactions, hormones & endocrine disruptors, obesogens & environmental toxins, and more.Episode Summary: Nick and Dr. Blumberg discuss: Embryonic development; hormones and hormone receptors; estrogen & xenoestrogens; environmental toxins, obesogens, pesticides & contaminants; environmental causes of obesity; microplastics; how to avoid toxins in food & drinking water; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple P...
2024-03-131h 31
Mind & MatterInflammation, Innate Immunity, Allergies & Allergens, Immune System Evolution, Fasting & Metabolism | Clare Bryant | #144About the Guest: Clare Bryant, DVM is a Professor of Innate Immunity at Cambridge University. Her lab studies the innate immune system, pathogen detection, inflammation, and chronic disease.Episode Summary: Nick and Dr. Bryant discuss: mechanisms of inflammation; inflammasomes & fatty acids; infection & disease; innate vs. adaptive immunity; chronic inflammation; allergies & allergens; the evolution of the immune system; anti-inflammatory effects of fasting; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]
2024-03-061h 32
Mind & MatterGut-Brain Communication, Vagus Nerve, Fats & Sugars, Food Addiction, Gut Hormones & Weight Loss Drugs | Will de Lartigue | #143About the Guest: Guillaume (Will) de Lartigue, PhD is a neuroscientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center. His lab studies the neurobiology of eating, including how the vagus nerve senses internal stimuli in the gut.Episode Summary: Nick and Dr. de Lartigue discuss: gut-brain communication; the vagus nerve; gut hormones like leptin & GLP-1; weight loss drugs like Ozempic; glucose vs. fructose vs. non-caloric sweeteners; how the vagus nerve connects the gut to the dopamine reward system in the brain; the sensation of fats and sugars in the gut; food addiction & obesity; and more.*This content i...
2024-03-011h 27
Mind & MatterEndogenous DMT in the Mammalian Brain | Nicolas Glynos | #142About the Guest: Nicolas Glynos, PhD received his doctorate in Molecular & Integrative Physiology from the University of Michigan, where he studied the psychedelic drug DMT in the mammalian brain.Episode Summary: Nick and Dr. Glynos discuss: the history of DMT research; the use of DMT in ayahuasca; whether DMT is found endogenously in animals; why plants produce DMT; pineal gland, DMT & melatonin; the latest research looking at the presence and effects of DMT in the brain; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as medical advice.* More M&M content about p...
2024-02-291h 36
Mind & MatterEvolution, Language, Domestication, Symbolic Cognition, AI & Large Language Models | Terrence DeaconAbout the Guest: Terrence Deacon, PhD is a Professor in the department of Anthropology at UC-Berkeley. He has written many papers and multiple books about the evolution of human language, origins of consciousness, and related topics. Episode Summary: Nick and Dr. Deacon discuss various aspects of biological evolution, from natural vs. sexual selection to gene duplication and the consequences of domestication; the domestication of dogs and songbirds; human vs. non-human forms of vocal communication; ritual behavior & the origins symbolic cognition; artificial intelligence & large language models (LLMs); and more.*This content is never meant to serve a...
2024-02-212h 14
Mind & MatterMetabolic Switching, Fasting, Ketosis, Neuroplasticity, Diet & Neurodegenerative Disease | Mark MattsonAbout the Guest: Mark Mattson, PhD is a semi-retired neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins who ran a research lab at the NIH for many years. He wrote the book, "The Intermittent Fasting Revolution."Episode Summary: Nick and Dr. Mattson discuss: intermittent fasting & diet; ketosis & metabolic switching; aging & neurodegenerative disease; exercise, stress, and neuroplasticity; and more.* More M&M content about diet & metabolism.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only version: [Apple Podcasts] [Spotify]* Full video version: [YouTube] [Rumble] [Odysee]* Episode transcript below.
2024-02-091h 41
Mind & MatterEvolution & Animal Development: How Nature Builds & Changes Bodies | Sean B. CarrollAbout the Guests: Sean B. Carroll, PhD is an evolutionary developmental biologist at the University of Maryland, who recently stepped down as VP of Education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He is the author of many popular science books, such as "Endless Forms Most Beautiful."Episode Summary: Nick and Dr. Carroll discuss developmental biology & genetics; evolutionary biology; genetics, genome size & genetic mutation; animal diversity; snake venom; human brain evolution; and more.* More M&M content about evolution.* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Full audio only v...
2024-02-081h 53
Mind & MatterHistory of Diet Trends & Medical Advice in the US, Fat & Cholesterol, Seed Oils, Processed Food, Ketogenic Diet, Can We Trust Public Health Institutions? | Orrin Devinsky | #135About the Guest: Dr. Orrin Devinsky is a neurologist and Professor at the New York University School of Medicine.Episode Summary: Nick and Orrin Devinsky, MD discuss: dietary consumption trends in the US; processed vs. whole foods; vegetable oils & polyunsaturated fats; relationship between saturated fat, dietary cholesterol & heart disease; history of medicine in the US; obesity & diabetes; sugars, fructose, and metabolic health; ketogenic diet & ketosis; whether or not we can trust our public health institutions; and more.* Read this written content to learn more about topics discussed on the podcast.* See this content t...
2024-01-101h 41
Mind & MatterExercise Science, Nutrition, Plant vs. Animal Protein, Muscle Physiology, Sleep, Endurance vs. Resistance Training, Fat, Carbs, Amino Acids | Luc van Loon | #115Nick talks to Dr. Luc van Loon, Professor of Exercise Physiology & Nutrition at Maastricht University, about topics in exercise science, health & nutrition. They discuss: macronutrients & energy; protein quality & digestibility; endurance & resistance training; plant vs. animal protein; muscle conditioning & muscle fibers; sleep & aging; muscle physiology & metabolism; and more.* Click here to download audio, watch video, or read show notes & transcripts. * If you enjoy my content and want to further support M&M, please read this.Full AI-generated transcript (beware of typos!):Luc van Loon 6:34 Yeah, so what I have a chair in physiology of ex...
2023-05-3142 min
Mind & MatterRitual Behavior, Habits, Human Culture, Religion, Civilization, Marriage, Death, Burning Man & Community | Dimitris Xygalatas | #75Nick talks to anthropologist Dr. Dimitris Xygalatas, who is an associate professor at the University of Connecticut. His research interests center around human ritual behavior and the interaction between cognition and culture. They discuss his new Book, "Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living." Topics covered: Rituals vs. habits; the psychological purpose of ritual; ritualism as an antidote to anxiety; religion and spiritual practices; culture & the birth of civilization; the physiological and psychoactive effects of ritual; Ayahuasca and psychoactive drugs; rituals in sports, gambling, and other human activities; the evolution of language & symbolic cognition; religion, community & Burning...
2022-06-162h 16
Mind & MatterCellular Aging, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidants, Life Extension & Health Supplements | Leonard Guarente | #69Nick talks to biologist Dr. Leonard Guarente about the biology of aging, life extension, health supplements, and related topics. Dr. Guarente is a Professor of Biology at MIT, where his lab has studied the molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging for many years. He is also the co-founder and Chief Scientist of Elysium Health, which uses the science of aging to develop health supplements to combat age-related decline and technologies to help consumers understand their rate of aging. Nick and Dr. Guarente discussed many topics related to aging, including: how and why aging occurs; whether humans can achieve immortality; N...
2022-05-051h 26
Mind & MatterRachel Yehuda: Stress, PTSD, Intergenerational Trauma, Epigenetics & Psychedelic Medicine | #67* Download .wav audio version* Watch video version* Show notes & episode transcriptsNick talks to neuroscientist & clinical researcher Dr. Rachel Yehuda, who is a professor of psychiatry & neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York. They discuss the biology and neuroscience of stress, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), why people can be sensitive or resilient to stress, epigenetics, intergenerational trauma, and how MDMA and psychedelics are being explored for their ability to treat stress-related mental health conditions.USEFUL LINKSSign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter.
2022-04-211h 37
Mind & MatterThe Psychology of Power & Social Status | Robert Greene | #66Nick speaks to writer Robert Greene, who is the author of several books exploring different, and sometimes dark, aspects of human psychology. The discussion focuses on the subject of his first book, "The 48 Laws of Power."They discuss what power is and how it's used. Different psychological traits that people who successfully acquire power tend to have. Strategies that have been useful throughout history for acquiring more power, as well as those that lead to a loss of power. Robert talks the political scientist Niccolo Machiavelli, and how he is often misunderstood. He also gave his perspective on some...
2022-04-141h 32
Mind & MatterCBD (Cannabidiol), Antiviral Drugs, SARS-CoV-2 & Cancer Biology | Marsha Rosner | 59Send a textNick Jikomes talks to cancer biologist Dr. Marsha Rosner, who is a Professor of Cancer Research at the University of Chicago. Her lab focuses largely on understanding the biochemical signaling mechanisms that lead to the generation of tumor cells, as well as how and why cancer cells metastasize, which is when they travel from one part of the body to another.Nick and Dr. Rosner and discuss mainly a recent study she led about the antiviral effects of cannabidiol (CBD) against SARS-CoV-2, including: why a cancer lab was working with CBD to...
2022-02-231h 25
Mind & MatterChris Weikart: Medical Glass, Materials Science & the COVID Vaccine Supply Chain | #50 | Supported by SiO2[Download audio-only .wav version][Watch video version]Nick Jikomes talks to materials scientist Dr. Chris Weikart, who is currently chief scientist at SiO2, an advanced materials science company that combines chemistry and engineering to create containers and surfaces for use by biotechnology, genomics, diagnostics, and consumer products companies. They discuss how SiO2 created a new kind of vaccine vial, which combines both glass and plastic that are superior for storing and transporting biologics, such as vaccines. SiO2 is currently producing an enormous number of these vials for Moderna’s mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. Chri...
2022-01-0557 min
Mind & MatterMetabolism, Blood Sugar, Microbiome, Diet, Aging, Digital Phenotyping & Personalized Medicine | Nathan Price | #47Nick Jikomes talks to Dr. Nathan Price, who has a PhD is in bioengineering and has been faculty at the University of Washington and the Institute of Systems Biology. He was also CEO of a health intelligence startup called Onegevity, which recently merged with Thorne HealthTech, which he is Chief Science Officer of. Nathan and Nick discussed various topics in the realm of personalized medicine, digital phenotyping and systems biology, including things like metabolism & blood sugar monitoring, the microbiome & diet, aging & longevity, and more. They talked about the basic biology of these things, as well as different emerging technologies r...
2022-01-051h 43
Mind & MatterMetabolism, Blood Sugar, Diabetes, Microbiome, Diet, Aging, Digital Phenotyping & Personalized Medicine | Nathan Price | 47Send a textNick Jikomes talks to Dr. Nathan Price, who has a Ph.D. in bioengineering and has been faculty at the University of Washington and the Institute of Systems Biology. He was also CEO of a health intelligence startup called Onegevity, which recently merged with Thorne HealthTech, where he is the Chief Science Officer. Nathan and Nick discussed various topics in personalized medicine, digital phenotyping, and systems biology, including metabolism and blood sugar monitoring, the microbiome and diet, aging and longevity, and more. They discussed the basic biology of these things as well a...
2021-12-021h 43
Mind & MatterOrigins of COVID-19 & SARS-CoV-2 - Wildlife Spillover or Lab Leak? | Nicholas Wade | #39Nick talks to writer and science journalist Nicholas Wade about the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicholas describes how this story has evolved since the start of the pandemic, and contrasts the the two main hypotheses for the origins of COVID: wildlife spillover vs. lab leak. He describes how viruses in the past (e.g. SARS1) emerged, peculiarities of the SARS2 genome, Peter Daszak & EcoHealth Alliance, Wuhan Institute of Virology, and various conflicts of interest that people have had. He describes how we don't have proof whether a wildlife spillover or a lab leak explains...
2021-09-301h 13
Mind & MatterHuman Evolution, Homo Naledi, Ancient Drug Use, Ritual Burials, Origins of the Human Mind | Lee Berger | #38Nick talks to paleoanthropologist Dr. Lee Berger about human evolution. Dr. Berger is a professor of anthropology in South Africa, explorer-in-residence for National Geographic, and author of, "Becoming Human." Lee's team has mapped and explored caves all over South Africa, discovering a treasure trove of ancient human fossils. This includes the discovery of Homo naledi, an ancient human ancestor that had a much smaller brain than humans, but may have nonetheless harbored advanced cognitive abilities. Lee described the discovery of Homo naledi, human brain evolution, and why we are in a gold age of paleoanthropology. USEFUL...
2021-09-241h 25
Mind & MatterMichael Crair: Brain Development, Neuroplasticity, Learning, Sensory Maps & Simulations | #37Nick talks to physicist and neuroscientist Dr. Michael Crair. Michael runs a lab at Yale University studying mechanisms of brain development. He discussed research related to neural plasticity, learning & memory, sensory maps, and critical periods of plasticity. Dr. Crair also described recent findings from his lab show that parts of the developing brain can simulate future sensory experiences, before animals ever open their eyes and see the external world. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to...
2021-09-171h 17
Mind & MatterCulture, Consciousness, Diet, Medicine, Sleep, Dating, Civilization & Evolution | Heather Heying & Bret Weinstein | #36Nick talks to evolutionary biologists Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying about using evolutionary thinking to understand humanity's predicaments in the 21st century. They discuss a variety of topics related to their new book, "A Hunter Gatherers Guide to the 21st Century," including modern medicine, dieting & health, sleep & light, dating & mating systems, and questions related to consciousness and the state of civilization at large. The book is meant to provide an evolutionary toolkit for understanding the modern human condition by understanding our past. SUPPORTDownload the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]
2021-09-092h 49
Mind & MatterPsychiatry, Autism, Depression, Anxiety, Optogenetics, Dissociation & "Projections: A Story of Human Emotions" | Karl Deisseroth | #35Nick talks to Stanford psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Karl Deisseroth. They discuss a range of topics about the brain, including autism, depression, bipolar disorder, dissociation, and more. They also talk about optogenetics, a technique Karl co-developed which uses light to control specific neurons in the brain, allowing neuroscientists to turn circuits in the brain on and off to reveal how the brain generates perception, emotion, and behavior. They also talk about Karl's new book, "Projections: A Story of Human Emotion."SUPPORTwww.nickjikomes.comSupport the show on Patreon (early access to audio...
2021-09-0300 min
Mind & MatterRob Henderson: Social Status, Luxury Beliefs, Moral Psychology & Human Social Behavior | #34Nick to talks to psychologist Rob Henderson about social status, social signaling, luxury beliefs, and related topics in social psychology and human behavior.Connect with Rob Henderson: https://twitter.com/robkhendersonSUPPORTDownload the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative[https://www.mudwtr.com...
2021-08-271h 20
Mind & MatterDavid Nichols: LSD, Mescaline, MDMA, DMT & Psychedelics as Medicine | #33Nick talks to medicinal chemist Dr. David Nichols, who has spent decades studying the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelics. Dr. Nichols shared his knowledge of psychedelic tryptamine, including LSD and DMT, as well as phenethylamines such as mescaline and MDMA. He also discussed his relationship with the late Dr. Alexander "Sasha" Shulgin, and how his thoughts companies trying to make non-hallucinogenic drugs derived from psychedelics.SUPPORTDownload the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon...
2021-08-1959 min
Mind & MatterSARS-CoV-2 Variants, mRNA Vaccines, Evolution & the Future of COVID-19 | Sarah Otto | #32Nick talks with evolutionary biologist Dr. Sarah Otto about the evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, the emergence of new variants, whether she thinks we will need shots every year (like with the flu), mRNA vaccines, and more. SUPPORTDownload the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative[https://w...
2021-08-111h 07
Mind & MatterAaron Gruber: Cognition, Decision Making, Learning & the Brain | #31Nick talks to neuroscientist Dr. Aaron Gruber about topics related to cognition and learning in the brain, including what we know about how the brain detects salience and assigns value, makes decisions, and constructs flexible models of the world, sometimes called ‘schemas.’ They also discuss how neuropsychiatric disorders like depression can influence the brain’s schemas, as well as how they can be impacted by psychoactive drugs, ranging from stimulants to psychedelics.SUPPORTDownload the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access...
2021-08-061h 40
Mind & MatterNo New Episode This Week / General AnnouncementsNo new episode this week. We will begin our normal weekly episode cadence next week medicinal chemist and pharmacologist, Dr. David Nichols (8/6) to discuss various topics related to the science of psychedelics. SUPPORTSupport the show on PatreonOrganize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)Buy Mind & Matter t-shirtsConnect with Nick Jikomes on TwitterDownload the podcast & follow Nick at his websiteSPONSORSLearn more about our podcast sponsor, DosistABOU...
2021-07-2806 min
Mind & MatterPsilocybin, Ketamine, Neuroplasticity & Imaging the Brain | Alex Kwan | #30Nick talks to applied physicist and neuroscientist, Dr. Alex Kwan. His lab studies how neuropsychiatric drugs, such as psilocybin and ketamine, affect neural circuits in the brain’s of mice. They discuss how his lab actually conducts this research, what they have discovered so far, and look at some real data, images and movies of neurons in the brain, which you can see for yourself in the video version on YouTube.SUPPORTDownload the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to...
2021-07-161h 18
Mind & MatterKetamine, SSRIs, Depression, Neuropsychiatric Disorders & the Brain | Lisa Monteggia | #29Nick talks to neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Monteggia about research on psychiatric disorders of the brain. Lisa described how psychiatric disorders like depression manifest in the brain, how traditional anti-depressant drugs like SSRIs work in the brain, and her research on how the drug ketamine can have rapid depressant effects in treatment-resistant patients.USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
2021-07-091h 32
Mind & MatterLife's Origins, Alien Biochemistry, Assembly Theory, Discovering Life Beyond Earth | Lee Cronin | #28Nick talks to chemist Dr. Lee Cronin about life: how it originated on Earth, how we might detect signs of alien life in the universe, whether it can be created in the lab, and related topics. Lee talked about his work on "assembly theory," which provides a framework for thinking about these questions and providing an unbiased way to detect signatures of life in the universe. They also discussed how some of these ideas might relate to evolution, selection, consciousness, and time. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www...
2021-06-251h 42
Mind & MatterGenomics, CRISPR, Synthetic Biology, Biotech Startups, & Succeeding With Disabilities | George Church | #27Harvard-MIT geneticist George Church, PhD talks about advances in genome sequencing and editing technologies, interesting biotech startups using CRISPR genome editing to tackle human disease, and interesting areas in synthetic biology. Dr. Church also discussed how we has cope with both narcolepsy and dyslexia throughout his life, and became a successful scientist despite have these brain disorders. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for...
2021-06-181h 00
Mind & MatterMDMA ("Ecstasy"), PTSD, Psychotherapy & MAPS | Berra Yazar-Klosinski | #26Nick talks to Dr. Berra Yazar-Klosinski, the Chief Science Officer for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). Berra talked about the results of MAPS' recent Phase III clinical trials for treating severe PTSD, how these studies are conducted, and what we know about the underlying biology of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the drug MDMA. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the we...
2021-06-111h 49
Mind & MatterDMT (Dimethyltryptamine), Brain Waves & the Psychedelic Experience | Chris Timmermann | #25Nick talks to neuroscientist & psychologist, Dr. Chris Timmermann, a scientist at the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London. Chris led the first neuroimaging studies on the effects of the potent tryptamine psychedelic DMT on the brain. They discussed DMT and related psychedelics, including how DMT is normally consumed in both recreational and laboratory contexts, how people describe its effects, how it compares to psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD, and whether it is an endogenous compound present in our own bodies. Chris also described his research on how DMT affects patterns of brain activity, and what...
2021-06-041h 31
Mind & MatterMicrobiome, Gut Health, Probiotics, Dieting & Fasting | Emeran Mayer | #24Nick talks to gastroenterologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Emeran Mayer. Emeran is a distinguished professor at UCLA and an expert in gut health and the microbiome. His last book was titled, “The Mind-Gut Connection: How the Hidden Conversation Within Our Bodies Impacts Our Mood, Our Choices, and Our Health.” His latest book builds on this, and is titled, “The Gut-Immune Connection.”USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up...
2021-05-281h 49
Mind & MatterPsilocybin, Alcohol Addiction & Being a Clinical Study Participant | Jon Kostakopoulos | #23Nick talks to Jon Kostakopoulos, an early participant in an NYU study looking at psilocybin for the treatment of alcoholism. Jon went through psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy over the course of many weeks for this study, which included three separate days of psilocybin administration. He talked about his battle with alcoholism leading up to the study, how he was recruited to the study, and what his psilocybin experiences were like. He also shared what he has been doing since his psilocybin experiences, including founding Apollo Pact, a non-profit working to advance research into the therapeutic potential of psilocybin. U...
2021-05-211h 20
Mind & MatterMachine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Animal Behavior & Giving Computers a Sense of Smell | Alex Wiltschko | #22Nick talks to neuroscientist and machine learning engineer, Alex Wiltschko, PhD. Alex is a senior scientist at Google Brain, where he leads the digital olfaction group, where are working to build machines with a sense of smell. Alex received a PhD in neurobiology from Harvard, where he developed sophisticated machine vision and machine learning techniques to study animal behavior. They discussed Alex's research, the neuroscience of olfactory perception and animal behavior, as well as Alex's thoughts on topics related to machine learning and artificial intelligence. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his...
2021-05-141h 41
Mind & MatterCarl Zimmer: "Life's Edge," Extreme Lifeforms & the Origins of Life | #21Nick talks to science writer and NYT columnist Carl Zimmer about his new book, "Life's Edge: The Search For What It Means To Be Alive." They discuss the scientific quest to understand life: what is it, how does it arise, and how might scientists identify it elsewhere in the universe? They also discuss Carl's approach to science writing, including where he draws inspiration and what his writing process looks like. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access...
2021-05-071h 27
Mind & MatterLanguage, Symbolic Cognition, Evolution, Origins of the Human Mind | Terrence Deacon | #20Nick talks to biological anthropologist and cognitive scientist, Terrence Deacon. The conversation focuses on ideas from Terrence's book, "The Symbolic Species: The Co-Evolution of Language and the Brain." They spend nearly three hours talking about the origins of language. Topics include: what is language and how does it differ from animal communication? How do children acquire language so easily at a young age? What is symbolic cognition, how is it different from other forms of cognition, and how did this unlock our ability to evolve language?USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at...
2021-04-292h 49
Mind & MatterCBD, Opioids & the Neurobiology of Addiction | Yasmin Hurd | #19Nick talks to Dr. Yasmin Hurd, a neuroscientist studying medical cannabis, CBD, and opioid addiction. Dr. Hurd is investigating the ability of CBD to help treat withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse in opioid-addicted individuals.USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative[https://www...
2021-04-231h 17
Mind & MatterAlina Chan: Virus Biology and the Origins of SARS-CoV-2 & COVID-19 | #18Nick talks to genetic engineer Alina Chan, PhD. She is working on engineering new forms of gene therapy using viral vectors to target diverse patient populations. In addition to her core scientific focus, Alina has recently investigated genomic data related to SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID19 pandemic.They discuss the basics of virus biology, including what kind of virus SARS-CoV-2 is and how it infects human cells. They also talked about the published research on this virus that has come out in the past year, Alina's recent investigations into the origins of this virus and w...
2021-04-161h 29
Mind & MatterScientific Publishing & the Business of Science | Michael Eisen | #17Nick talks to Dr. Michael Eisen, a biologist at UC-Berkeley and editor-in-chief for eLife, a non-profit open access science journal. Throughout his career, Dr. Eisen has been an advocate of open science, the free release of the results of scientific research, and has been critical of traditional forms of scientific publishing, which often place scientific results behind a paywall.They discuss a variety of topics related to how academic science is conducted, including how it gets funded and what is involved in running a research lab. Much of the discussion centers on the business of scientific publishing...
2021-04-091h 56
Mind & MatterSleep, Dreams, Memory & the Brain | Bob Stickgold | 16Nick talks to Dr. Bob Stickgold, a cognitive neuroscientist and sleep expert. Dr. Stickgold is a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and has been studying sleep, dreams, and memory for over 25 years. They discuss a variety of sleep topics, included sleep architecture and why there are different stages of sleep; the relationship between sleep stages and memory; how different drugs and disease states relate to sleep; how sleep differs as we develop and between species. Dr. Stickgold also shares various sleep-related health tips, including why it's important to get adequate sleep when you get vaccinated.
2021-04-021h 44
Mind & MatterZiva Cooper: Medical Marijuana, Clinical Research & Cannabinoid Therapeutics | #15Dr. Ziva Cooper, Director of the UCLA Cannabis Research Initiative, discusses the latest medical cannabis research. She goes into everything from the potential interactive of effects of cannabinoids and terpenes, to the efficacy of cannabidiol (CBD), to sex- and age-dependent differences in how cannabinoids affect the body. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7...
2021-03-261h 29
Mind & MatterDemetrix & Bioengineering Rare Cannabinoids | Jeff Ubersax | #14 | Supported by DemetrixNick talks to Jeff Ubserax, PhD, CEO of the biotechnology company Demetrix (who supported this episode). Jeff discussed the science behind how Demetrix is engineering baker's yeast to produce cannabinoids at an industrial scale, with a focus on making rare cannabinoids other than THC and CBD.Jeff also discussed how he transitioned from academic science to running his own company, and offered advice for academic scientists in training who might be thinking about moving into biotechnology. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]...
2021-03-201h 19
Mind & MatterElizabeth Hobson: Social Networks, Dominance Hierarchies & Animal Behavior | #13Nick talks to Elizabeth Hobson, PhD, whose lab studies the evolution of decision-making, social cognition, social networks, and dominance hierarchies using a combination of naturalistic field observations of animal behavior combined with computational modeling and network analysis. They discuss social behavior in animals, including when and why members of a group display aggression, how animal dominance hierarchies form and change, and how changes in the environment can cause sudden “tipping points” where group behavior suddenly changes. We also discussed whether human societies may be near tipping points today, and how changes due to COVID have impacted remote lear...
2021-03-121h 32
Mind & MatterOrganisms, Cities, Companies & the Science of Scale | Geoffrey West | #12Nick talks to theoretical physicist Geoffrey West about the universal scaling laws that describe how organisms, companies, and cities grow. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTEROrganize your digital highlights...
2021-03-051h 56
Mind & MatterEndocannabinoid System, Stress & PTSD | Matthew Hill | #11Nick talks to Dr. Matthew Hill about the role of the endocannabinoid system in regulating stress and emotional behavior. They also discuss how plant cannabinoids from Cannabis, such as THC and CBD, impact the endocannabinoid system. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative...
2021-02-271h 45
Mind & MatterHuman Evolution, Neanderthals, Ancient DNA, Paleoanthropology & Human Diversity | John Hawks | #10Nick talks to paleoanthropologist John Hawks about the story of human evolution.USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTEROrganize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)...
2021-02-192h 25
Mind & MatterMedical Marijuana, Plant Medicine, Cannabis & the Entourage Effect | Ethan Russo | #9Nick talks to neurologist and plant medicine expert Dr. Ethan Russo about medical cannabis and related topics, such as cannabinoids (e.g. THC, CBD, CBG, THCV), terpenes (myrcene, limonene, beta-caryophyllene), endocannabinoid biology, and Ethan's thoughts on the legal cannabis industry, including whether the terms "Indica" and "Sativa" are meaningful.USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl...
2021-02-151h 33
Mind & MatterKatrin Preller: Empathy, Addiction, MDMA, Psychedelics & Social Cognition | #8Nick talks to neuropsychologist Katrin Preller, PhD about psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, empathogens like MDMA, and stimulants like cocaine. Katrin explains how each type of drug affects the brain differently and what that means for their impact on empathy, social cognition, and their addictive potential. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]
2021-02-061h 11
Mind & MatterPeter Addy: Salvia divinorum, Dissociation & Psychotherapy | #7Nick talks to Peter Addy, PhD about the atypical, dissociative psychedelic, salvia. Peter is a psychotherapist and spent several years at the Yale, studying human experiences with atypical psychedelics such as Salvia divinorum. Nick and Peter talked about salvia, including how it works and how it differs from other psychedelics, as well as dissociative and dysphoric effects, and how his research has informed his psychotherapy practice. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[https://www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to ep...
2021-01-301h 35
Mind & MatterPsychedelics, Ibogaine, DMT, Ayahuasca, 5-MeO-DMT, Xenon Gas, Amphetamines, Drugs, Society, Hamilton's Pharmacopeia | Hamilton Morris | #6Nick talks to Hamilton Morris, creator of the show, "Hamilton's Pharmacopeia," currently in its third and final season. They discuss the newest season of his show, including the content itself and what it took to actually make the show. They also talked about a variety of drugs and their effects, ranging from methamphetamine and ketamine, to various forms of DMT, to ibogaine and xenon gas. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.p...
2021-01-232h 09
Mind & MatterCannabis Science, Plant Chemistry & Marijuana Startups | Jon Page | #5Jonathan Page, PhD is a botanist and entrepreneur with deep expertise in Cannabis. Nick and Jon talked about all things Cannabis science including the botany and natural history of Cannabis, the chemistry and biology of Cannabis and its psychoactive effects, and whether or not different types of Cannabis can cause different effects. Jon also shared amazing stories about transitioning from scientific research to starting, building, and selling a cannabis company, and his thoughts on what’s next for the cannabis industry. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com...
2021-01-162h 42
Mind & MatterDrugs, Receptors, Zen Meditation & Psychedelics | Bryan Roth | #4Bryan Roth, MD, PhD discusses his career studying how psychedelics and other psychoactive drugs affect the brain, the massive $27 million research effort he is leading to understand psychedelics and develop novel drugs for psychiatric disease, and the practice of zen meditation.USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]Try MUD/WTR...
2021-01-091h 48
Mind & MatterChance, Evolution, and the Nature of Innovation | Sean B. Carroll | #3Sean B. Carroll, PhD is an award-winning biologist, author, and filmmaker. Nick and Sean discuss everything from Sean's unique career trajectory and writing process, to dinosaurs and snake venom, to COVID19, the evolution of viruses, and why comedians and scientists are kindred spirits. USEFUL LINKS:Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website[www.nickjikomes.com]Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]Try...
2021-01-011h 36
Mind & MatterPsilocybin, LSD, Ketamine, Inflammation & Novel Psychedelic Medicines | Charles Nichols | #2Dr. Nichols is a professor of pharmacology at Louisiana State University. He has been studying the molecular, genetic, and behavioral effects of psychedelics for nearly 25 years and is considered one of the world’s top experts on the biological effects of psychedelics in the brain and body.Nick spoke to Charles for almost two hours, covering a wide range of topics related to how psychedelics work. They discuss everything from how psychedelics impact the serotonin system in the brain, the similarities and differences between drugs like psilocybin and ketamine, how microdosing specific psychedelics can lead to potent an...
2020-12-251h 53
Mind & MatterPsychedelics, Civilization, Religion, Death & Plant Medicine | Brian Muraresku | #1Brian is the author of the New York Times-bestselling book, "The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion With No Name." Brian is fluent in Ancient Greek, Latin, and Sanskrit, and spent over a decade putting together an incredible story about the intentional use of psychoactive plants in the ancient world, including scientific evidence for the ritual use of spiked beers and wines. Nick and Brian cover topics related to his book, including the use of psilocybin mushrooms in the present to treat end of life anxiety, how “Mystery Schools” in the ancient Greco-Roman world, such as E...
2020-12-141h 30