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 us 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 showAll episodes, show notes...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 | #632024-08-131h 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 us 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...2022-02-231h 25