Evolving Psychiatry The History of The Field (and Prof. Nesse) | Randolph Nesse | Evolving Psychiatry Podcast #46
May 9, 2025
Randolph Nesse, a pioneer in evolutionary medicine and co-author of 'Why We Get Sick', shares insights on the origins of evolutionary psychiatry. He highlights the paradox of human vulnerability to diseases despite natural selection. Nesse discusses his formative experiences and the evolution of psychiatric practices, emphasizing collaboration in research. He contrasts US and UK psychiatric practices, noting the challenges of quick prescriptions in America. The conversation dives into integrating evolutionary perspectives in mental health, urging a more comprehensive understanding of emotions.
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Early Inspiration in Biology
- Randolph Nesse was encouraged by his sophomore invertebrate biology teacher in 1968 to write a term paper on why aging exists.
- This early support sparked his lifelong curiosity about evolutionary explanations for vulnerability to disease.
Evolution Explains Disease Vulnerabilities
- Evolution explains why traits causing disease persist through mechanisms like trade-offs and mismatches.
- This framework shifts focus from disease utility to vulnerabilities shaped by evolutionary constraints.
Michigan's Evolutionary Hub
- Michigan in the 1980s was a hub for evolutionary thinking with notable scientists like Dick Alexander and Richard Wrangham.
- Randolph Nesse helped found the Human Behavior and Evolution Society there, fostering collaboration in evolutionary biology.
