Why Physics Matters for Life

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A biophysical rethink of life, health, and disease through the lens of the Energy Resistance Principle (ERP).

Episode Summary: A reframe of biology as energy flow through resistance rather than mere molecular machinery, introducing the Energy Resistance Principle (ERP): life requires a Goldilocks balance of electron flow from food to oxygen via mitochondria; too much or too little resistance drives aging, disease, and death. Explain mitochondria as energy transformers, link ERP to insulin resistance, psychiatric disorders, and healing, and explore health as a dynamic field-like state optimized by flux modulation.

About the guest: Nirosha Murugan, PhD is a biophysicist studying how physical signals pattern biology to decode and reprogram health; Martin Picard, PhD is a mitochondrial psychobiologist at Columbia University, exploring how mitochondrial energy dynamics connect to human experiences, health, and healing. They collaborate on biophotons, light emission, and multi-scale energy signaling.

Discussion Points:

• Mitochondria transform electrons from food into versatile electricity via proton gradients.
• Energy Resistance Principle: transformation needs resistance; chronic high resistance causes dissipative heat, damage, aging.
• GDF15 cytokine signals mitochondrial stress to brain, triggering energy conservation/mobilization.
• Insulin resistance: adaptive defense against electron overload, reversible by fasting/exercise.
• Psychiatric illness: excess brain energy resistance; exercise, keto, psychedelics redistribute flux.
• Health: dynamic optimization of energy resistance, not absence of disease.
• Healing: daily recovery from micro-damage via balanced resistance.
• Future: energy-based diagnostics/therapies (light, TMS) over molecule-only drugs.

*Not medical advice.

Reference Paper: The energy resistance principle

Related Episode:

• M&M 70: Mitochondria, Aging, Cellular Energy, Metabolism, Gray Hair Reversal & Brain-Body Communication | Martin Picard

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