Occam’s Sledgehammer: The 277th Evolutionary Lens with Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying

28 snips

May 21, 2025

Prostate health takes center stage as the hosts humorously celebrate 'Prostate Week,' discussing modern medical challenges and the importance of informed consent around gadolinium in MRIs. They tackle the politicization of natural spaces, examining the implications on gender identity and social discourse. The complexities of academic funding, scientific integrity, and ethical dilemmas in reproductive technologies are explored, alongside health insights related to mitochondrial health and the dangers of toxic cookware. The conversation is as enlightening as it is provocative.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Declining Gadolinium Contrast

Bret Weinstein shared his personal experience declining gadolinium contrast dye during a prostate scan.
He highlights the importance of patient awareness and informed consent around such agents.

INSIGHT

Gadolinium Risks and Blood-Brain Barrier

Gadolinium contrast agents can cross the blood-brain barrier if it's compromised and may accumulate in the brain.
This raises concerns about long-term safety and the need for caution when using such agents.

ADVICE

Demand True Informed Consent

Patients should demand full informed consent about contrast agents including risks and benefits before scans.
The default should be no injection unless clearly justified, applying the precautionary principle.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

It’s Prostate Week in Podcastistan: what happens when an MRI scan for prostatitis includes the injection of rare earth metals—should you, or shouldn’t you? Gadolinium crosses the blood-brain barrier if the barrier is not fully intact—does that affect your decision? Then: a letter from an MD-PhD student at Harvard prompts musings on the federal funding of science, what science is for, how complicit universities and many scientists have been for years, and what to do. Also: uterine transplants for “trans women.”

*****

Our sponsors:

Timeline: Accelerate the clearing of damaged mitochondria to improve strength and endurance: Go to http://www.timeline.com/darkhorse and use code darkhorse for 10% off your first order.

Caraway: Non-toxic & beautiful cookware. Save $150 on a cookware set over buying individual pieces, and get 10% off your order at http://Carawayhome.com/DarkHorse10.

ARMRA Colostrum is an ancient bioactive whole food that can strengthen your immune system. Go to http://www.tryarmra.com/DARKHORSE to get 15% off your first order.

*****

Join us on Locals! Get access to our Discord server, exclusive live streams, live chats for all streams, and early access to many podcasts: https://darkhorse.locals.com

Heather’s newsletter, Natural Selections (subscribe to get free weekly essays in your inbox): https://naturalselections.substack.com

Our book, A Hunter-Gatherer’s Guide to the 21st Century, is available everywhere books are sold, including from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AGANGg (commission earned)

Check out our store! Epic tabby, digital book burning, saddle up the dire wolves, and more: https://darkhorsestore.org

*****

Mentioned in this episode:

Gadolinium Contrast Dye: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-warns-gadolinium-based-contrast-agents-gbcas-are-retained-body

Letter from Harvard: https://naturalselections.substack.com/p/letter-from-harvard/comments

Higher Education Research & Development Survey: https://ncses.nsf.gov/surveys/higher-education-research-development/2023#data

Jones et al 2018. Uterine transplantation in transgender women. Bjog 126(2): 152-156: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6492192/pdf/BJO-126-152.pdf

Support the show