Dr. Jaap De Roode

Jaap de Roode, a biology professor at Emory University and author of 'Doctors by Nature', dives into the remarkable world of animal medicine. He shares how monarch butterflies utilize toxic milkweeds for self-medication. The discussion reveals how wood ants and cats instinctively use natural substances for healing. De Roode also highlights fascinating co-evolution between caterpillars and parasites, as well as the self-healing practices of bears and domesticated animals. His insights illustrate the deep connections between animal behavior and human medicine.

Jaap de Roode, a biologist at Emory University and author of "Doctors by Nature," dives into the remarkable ways animals self-medicate. He shares astonishing stories of apes using leaves to dislodge worms and sparrows employing cigarette butts to ward off parasites. The conversation explores the intelligence behind these natural remedies and how they inspire advancements in agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Jaap also highlights the critical need for habitat conservation to protect these ingenious species and their healing practices.

Joining the discussion are Dr. Jaap De Roode, a biologist studying insect medication, and Dr. Michael Huffman, a primatologist known for his groundbreaking work on chimpanzees’ self-medication. They delve into how animals intuitively find medicinal plants, adapt behaviors to heal, and even utilize human waste in urban settings. From the historical observations of chimps using bitter plants to the surprising ways butterflies combat parasites, they reveal a complex world of instinctual healing that challenges our notions of animal intelligence and medicine.