Mindset Neuroscience Podcast Our Body Keeps the Score, Our Cells ‘Remember’ with Dr. Nikolay Kukushkin
Jun 24, 2025
Dr. Nikolay Kukushkin, a molecular and cell biologist, dives deep into the fascinating intersection of memory and cellular biology. He discusses how memories are encoded not only in the brain but throughout our body's cells, challenging traditional notions of memory. Kukushkin shares insights on how pancreatic cells adapt similar to neurons, the complex communication systems in our bodies, and how non-neural cells can exhibit memory-like behaviors. He also touches on the implications for cancer treatment and the philosophical dimensions of existence and memory.
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Memory Exists Beyond The Brain
- Memory is not only in the brain; cells across the body can store past experience-like information.
- Timing and spacing of signals shape which cellular patterns are retained as memory.
Learn By Spacing Not Cramming
- Use curiosity and inspiration to guide what to learn and drop low-salience material like cramming a textbook at once.
- Space learning into repeated sessions with increasing intervals to improve durable memory.
From Cell Biology To Neuroscience
- Nikolay Kukushkin recounts growing up across Europe and Japan and studying at Oxford before moving to the U.S.
- He joined Tom Carew's lab at NYU and transitioned from cell biology into neuroscience.
