Science of Perception Box

How Food Affects Your Mind with Michael Pollan

Jan 23, 2025
Join journalist Michael Pollan, who's spent decades exploring our connection with food and nature. He discusses how ultra-processed foods skew our perceptions of nutrition and the emotional impact of what we eat. Pollan advocates for reconnecting with whole foods, educated eating, and understanding modern agriculture. He unpacks the co-evolution of humans and plants, focusing on consciousness-altering substances like caffeine and psychedelics, exploring their effects on creativity and identity.
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INSIGHT

Food Shapes Mood And Cognition

  • Food powerfully shifts mood and cognition, but research is still limited.
  • Sugar and hunger state dramatically change behavior and perception.
INSIGHT

Ultra-Processed Foods Drive Overeating

  • Ultra-processed foods drive overeating even when macronutrients are matched.
  • People ate about 500 extra calories daily on ultra-processed diets in studies.
INSIGHT

Fiber, Microbiome, And Satiety Matter

  • Processed foods often lack fiber and feed the body differently, altering satiety.
  • They also bypass the microbiome, denying the trillions of organisms we should feed.
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