Huberman Lab Behaviors That Alter Your Genes to Improve Your Health & Performance | Dr. Melissa Ilardo
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May 26, 2025 
Join Dr. Melissa Ilardo, a pioneering biomedical informatics professor at the University of Utah, as she dives into the fascinating interplay between genes and behaviors. She discusses how our choices can influence gene expression, impacting health and performance. Discover the science behind mate attraction linked to immune systems, and explore breath-hold training's ability to enhance oxygen availability. The conversation also covers ethical considerations surrounding gene editing and the implications of genetic diversity in adaptation and evolution.
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Immune System Shapes Mate Attraction
- Humans are subconsciously attracted to mates with immune systems genetically different from their own.
- This attraction is mediated by the distinct smells of potential partners, reflecting immune system diversity.
Epigenetics Modifies Genes Across Generations
- Gene expression can change rapidly through environmental stimuli, including epigenetic changes passed down generations.
- Trauma and famine have shown inherited epigenetic impacts, sometimes adaptive, sometimes not.
Hybrid Vigor in Mate Selection
- Both mice and humans tend to prefer mates whose immune system genes are most different from their own.
- This boosts offspring immune diversity, enhancing resistance to pathogens.
