Mind & Matter

Send us a textIntegration of brain metabolism with neural signaling, highlighting how core metabolites regulate energy use and protect neurons.Topics Discussed:Brain energy efficiency: Brains are much more energy-efficient than computers for similar processing, relying on adaptive metabolic strategies evolved under energy scarcity.Metabolism vs. information processing: Core metabolites like glutamate bridge basic cellular energy production and neural signaling.Lactate as a signal: Produced during exercise, lactate diffuses from muscles to brain, modulating neuronal excitability and providing neuroprotection.BHB in ketosis: During fasting or ketogenic diets, beta-hydroxybutyrate displaces glucose as fuel, enhances antioxidant defenses, and activates protective potassium channels in neurons.Adenosine and sleep: Accumulates from ATP breakdown during wakefulness, triggering sleep and locally inhibiting overactive neural networks for energy conservation.Glial cells’ role: Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes handle sophisticated metabolism, release signaling molecules like lactate, and modulate synapses, and influence diseases like Alzheimer’s.Practical Takeaways:Regular exercise elevates lactate, which signals the brain to adapt metabolism and may enhance neuroprotection against stress.Intermittent fasting or ketogenic diets can induce ketosis with BHB, potentially boosting brain antioxidant defenses and preconditioning against metabolic stress.Prioritizing sleep helps clear adenosine buildup, restoring energy balance and supporting long-term neural health.About the guest: Dr. Luis Felipe Barros, MD, PhD is a Chilean neurobiologist and professor at the Universidad de Valparaíso, where he leads a lab studying brain metabolism from glucose transport to mitochondrial function.Related Episode:M&M 255 | Unlocking Energy: How Nutrition & Drugs Impact Your Mitochondria | Chris Masterjohn*Not medical advice.Support the showAffiliates: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. Special sale Nov 10 - Dec 1: Lumen is half off ($599 → $299), and MINDMATTER gets another 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, get $100 off for AquaTru Carafe, Classic and Under the Sink Units, and $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they’re hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts

Sara Nowinski, an Assistant Professor focused on mitochondrial biology, dives into the fascinating world of mitochondria and their ability to synthesize their own fatty acids. She explains the evolutionary significance of this process and how disrupting it can lead to severe health issues. The conversation also highlights the crucial role of lipoic acid in mitochondrial function and its implications in metabolic diseases. Furthermore, Sara emphasizes the importance of studying rare mitochondrial disorders, shedding light on their impact and the need for effective treatments.

Dr. Johannes Kohl, a Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute, delves into how hormones and hunger shape animal behaviors like parenting and aggression. He reveals how hunger neurons in the hypothalamus can influence parenting circuits, toggling behaviors based on internal states. The intricate balance of hormonal fluctuations during the estrous cycle alters aggression probability in mice. Kohl also discusses how pregnancy rewires the brain for maternal instincts, and highlights the implications of disrupting human hormonal cycles through modern interventions.

Dr. Jon Brestoff, an associate professor at Washington University School of Medicine, delves into the fascinating world of mitochondrial transfer. He explains how mitochondria move between unrelated cells, playing crucial roles in metabolism and immunity. Brestoff discusses the impact of high-fat diets on mitochondrial dynamics and their potential to disrupt fat tissue communication. He also explores the promise of therapeutic mitochondrial transplantation for metabolic diseases, highlighting their ability to influence immune responses and potentially reverse obesity.

Martin Picard, a mitochondrial psychobiologist from Columbia, and Nirosha Murugan, a biophysicist, dive deep into the intriguing Energy Resistance Principle (ERP). They discuss how mitochondria transform electron flow and the delicate balance needed for health. Too much resistance leads to aging and disease, highlighting the role of insulin resistance as a protective adaptation. They also connect energy dynamics to psychiatric illnesses, suggesting that interventions can optimize health by redistributing energy flow. Their insights into biology based on energy flow offer a fresh perspective on health and healing.

Charlotte Förster, a senior professor and chronobiologist, shares her fascinating research on how biological clocks, including lunar rhythms, impact human menstrual cycles. She discusses historical data indicating menstrual synchrony with lunar phases before 2010 and how this has changed due to blue light from modern devices. The conversation explores the effects of light pollution on biological rhythms and potential implications for fertility. Additionally, Förster reveals her extensive studies on fruit fly circadian mechanisms and their relevance to human health.

Terence Capellini, a Harvard evolutionary biology professor, dives deep into the astonishing evolution of bipedalism in humans. He discusses how environmental shifts, like shrinking forests, pushed early hominins to walk upright around 3.5 million years ago. Capellini reveals the vital anatomical changes to the pelvis and limbs that supported this, along with the complex genetic mechanisms, emphasizing the role of numerous small-effect changes rather than single genes. He also connects these evolutionary processes to the development of larger brains and endurance running capabilities.

In this engaging discussion, Gero Miesenböck, a renowned Professor of Physiology at Oxford and pioneer in optogenetics, explores the biological roots of sleep. He reveals how mitochondrial metabolism in neurons creates a need for sleep to manage harmful byproducts. From jellyfish to humans, Gero explains sleep's universal presence and links it to ancient metabolic adaptations. He discusses how sleep-inducing neurons in fruit flies sense lipid peroxidation and the impact of body size on sleep requirements. Dive into the intricate relationship between sleep and cellular health!

Dr. Pekka Karhunen, a medical doctor and forensic pathologist, shares fascinating insights from his extensive research on the connection between oral bacteria and heart disease. He discusses how oxidized LDL cholesterol triggers inflammation in arteries, while oral bacteria can infiltrate arterial plaques, creating biofilms that evade immune detection. Pekka highlights the importance of oral hygiene and cholesterol control in preventing cardiovascular diseases, emphasizing lifestyle changes that can reduce risks associated with plaque buildup.

Send us a textHow nutrition and medications impact mitochondrial health.Episode Summary: Dr. Chris Masterjohn talks about the intricate relationships between nutrition, prescription drugs, and mitochondrial health; how molecules like acetaminophen & SSRIs affect the body; broader implications of serotonin outside the brain; side effects of commonly used medications; the importance of personalized nutritional strategies to optimize mitochondrial function.About the guest: Chris Masterjohn, PhD holds a doctorate in nutritional sciences and is a co-founder of Mitome, a company focused on mitochondrial testing to optimize cellular energy production.Discussion Points:Acetaminophen & Inflammation: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) may contribute to chronic low-grade inflammation by blocking both the initiation and resolution of inflammation, potentially linked to health issues like autism when used during pregnancy.Serotonin’s Role Beyond the Brain: Approximately 95% of serotonin is found in the gut, regulating motility, with SSRIs causing side effects like nausea due to increased extracellular serotonin.SSRIs & Mitochondrial Function: SSRIs disrupt serotonin uptake into cells, reducing mitochondrial melatonin production, which impairs the body’s ability to handle hypoxic stress and produce ATP efficiently.Statins & Mitochondrial Impact: Statins, used to lower cholesterol, inhibit the mevalonate pathway, affecting not just cholesterol but also CoQ10 and vitamin K2, crucial for mitochondrial function, potentially leading to side effects like myopathy.Mitochondrial Testing with Mitome: Masterjohn’s company, Mitome, uses cheek swab tests to measure mitochondrial respiratory chain activity, providing personalized dietary and lifestyle recommendations to optimize cellular energy production.Nutrition & Mental Health: Masterjohn shares his personal experience of severe mental health issues on a vegan diet, which improved dramatically with a nutrient-dense diet rich in organ meats, highlighting individual nutritional needs.Energy Metabolism’s Universal Role: Mitochondrial ATP production governs everything from daily energy levels to long-term health, with personalized testing helping identify and address specific bottlenecks.*Not medical advice.Support the showAffiliates: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. Special sale Nov 10 - Dec 1: Lumen is half off ($599 → $299), and MINDMATTER gets another 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, get $100 off for AquaTru Carafe, Classic and Under the Sink Units, and $300 off Freestanding models. Seed Oil Scout: Find restaurants with seed oil-free options, scan food products to see what they’re hiding, with this easy-to-use mobile app. KetoCitra—Ketone body BHB + electrolytes formulated for kidney health. Use code MIND20 for 20% off any subscription (cancel anytime) For all the ways you can support my efforts