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Lex Fridman Podcast
#297 – Jonathan Reisman: The Human Body – From Sex & Sperm to Hands & Heart
Jun 25, 2022
02:49:53
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Quick takeaways
- Organs like the throat showcase dual functions of swallowing and breathing.
- The thumb's efficiency in various activities is highlighted.
- The heart's primary mechanical job is emphasized over its emotional associations.
- Blood serves as a diagnostic tool reflecting the body's internal status.
- Exploration of genitals focuses on balancing protection and reproduction.
- Poop reveals insights into microbial intelligence and digestion mechanisms.
Deep dives
The Human Body's Design Complexity
The human body's design intricacy is highlighted, featuring organs like the throat that manage dual functions of swallowing and breathing. The speaker discusses the efficiency of the hand, particularly the thumb in various activities. The design imperfections in organs like the throat showcase adaptations to prevent dangers such as choking during eating and breathing incidents.
The Vital Function of the Heart
The heart's role in pumping blood through the body to supply nutrients to all cells is emphasized. While the heart is often associated with emotions like love, its primary job is mechanical, constantly circulating blood to sustain life. The heart's ability to efficiently distribute nutrients and oxygen makes it a pivotal organ for human survival.
The Significance of Blood in the Human Body
Blood's essential role in transporting nutrients, oxygen, medications, and removing waste from cells is underscored. The speaker explains how blood serves as a diagnostic tool to assess overall health and organ function. Blood is seen as a vital medium that mirrors the body's internal status and provides insight into various health conditions.
Unique Key Aspects of Genitals
The unique nature of genitals, including the penis, vagina, and testicles, is explored. The discussion covers the delicate balance of protection and exposure of the testicles outside the body, the cyclic rhythmic nature of menstruation, and potential improvements in organ design to enhance protections. The exploration of genitals delves into their purpose in reproduction and the significance of enhancing their protective mechanisms.
The Emergence of Artificial Wombs
An evolving technology that aims to develop artificial wombs to extend the gestation period and support premature babies is highlighted. The potential benefits of artificial wombs in helping premature infants continue development and reduce health complications are discussed. The ethical considerations surrounding artificial wombs and advancements in human biology are also touched upon.
The Fascination with Poop
Poop, often dismissed as a taboo topic, reveals remarkable insights into microbial intelligence. Gastrointestinal infections, transmitted ingeniously through fecal-oral routes, showcase the brilliance of how microbes spread. Diarrhea, often shunned for its inconvenience, actually serves as a clever mechanism for microbes to enhance their transmission.
The Humor and Intimacy of Discussing Poop
Despite societal taboos, discussing poop becomes a significant aspect, especially in healthcare settings. Doctors navigate the fine balance between clinical professionalism and engaging patients on intimate bodily details. This unique aspect highlights the blend of medical science with human connection.
Insights from Emergency Room and Human Condition
Working in the ER offers profound human insights, providing raw glimpses into people's lives, worries, and vulnerabilities. The ER serves as a microcosm of society's struggles, showcasing a diverse range of human experiences, from psychiatric emergencies to substance abuse issues.
The Resilience and Adaptability of the Human Body
Reflecting on the complexities of medicine and human biology reveals the remarkable resilience and adaptability of the human body. As advancements in medical science continue, the interconnected nature of biology and technology presents exciting challenges and possibilities for the future.
The Evolution of Medical Knowledge
Medical knowledge evolves rapidly, with historical practices such as bloodletting now recognized as harmful. Scientific studies play a critical role in validating medical treatments, with placebo-controlled studies revealing surprising results, like placebo surgeries demonstrating comparable effectiveness to actual procedures.
Global Health Impact and Life's Philosophical Questions
Paul Farmer's dedication to global health underscores the profound impact basic medications and treatments can have on underserved populations. The conversation delves into deep existential questions, pondering the meaning of life, death, and the universe's mysteries. It highlights the struggles patients face, emphasizing the importance of compassion and the burdens that transcends physical ailments.
Jonathan Reisman is a physician and author of The Unseen Body who has practiced medicine in some of the most remote places in the world. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
– Lambda: https://lambdalabs.com/lex
– InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex to get 20% off
– Fundrise: https://fundrise.com/lex
– Onnit: https://lexfridman.com/onnit to get up to 10% off
– NetSuite: http://netsuite.com/lex to get free product tour
EPISODE LINKS:
Jonathan’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jonreismanMD
Jonathan’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/jonreismanmd
Jonathan’s Website: http://jonathanreisman.com
The Unseen Body (book): https://amzn.to/3Fyycw0
PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips
SUPPORT & CONNECT:
– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast
– Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
– Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman
– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman
– Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman
OUTLINE:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) – Introduction
(07:01) – Hands
(16:15) – Sex
(25:56) – Future of medicine
(35:03) – Throat
(45:26) – Heart and blood
(53:28) – Genitals
(1:05:57) – Poop
(1:10:12) – Emergency room
(1:18:03) – Sperm
(1:23:09) – Liver
(1:28:38) – Living in the Far North
(1:47:21) – War and medicine
(1:52:07) – Antarctica
(2:05:03) – Artificial organs
(2:13:39) – History of medicine
(2:22:40) – Paul Farmer
(2:27:05) – Advice for young people
(2:34:03) – Struggle
(2:40:07) – Mortality
(2:45:44) – Meaning of life
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