Mind & Matter

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, discussing how molecules like acetaminophen and SSRIs affect the body beyond their intended purposes, particularly impacting inflammation and energy metabolism. The discussion gets into the broader implications of serotonin outside the brain, the side effects of commonly used medications, and 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: 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) Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. Code MIND for 10% off SiPhox Health—Affordable at-home blood testing. Key health markers, visualized & explained. Code TRIKOMES for a 20% discount. For all the ways you can support my efforts

Jacob Raber, a neuroscientist from Oregon Health & Science University, explores the intricate relationship between genetics and environmental influences on brain health. He delves into ApoE's role in Alzheimer's risk and how different isoforms can affect cognitive decline. The conversation also covers fascinating findings on how space radiation impacts aging and brain function, alongside discussions about diet's effect on vascular health. Raber emphasizes practical tips for maintaining brain health through lifestyle choices.

Send us a textHow maternal obesity epigenetically reprograms liver metabolism in offspring, predisposing them to metabolic disease.Episode Summary: Dr. Elvira Mass talks about macrophages, specialized immune cells that vary by tissue and play crucial roles beyond fighting infections, such as supporting organ function; Kupffer cells (liver macrophages) and how maternal obesity during pregnancy reprograms these cells in offspring, leading to fatty liver disease, fibrosis, and even cancer later in life, based on mouse studies showing epigenetic and metabolic shifts like increased glycolysis, with insights into developmental windows, nutritional mismatches, and broader implications for human health.About the guest: Elvira Mass, PhD, is a Professor of Developmental Immunology at the University of Bonn in Germany, where her lab focuses on the development and function of macrophages in various tissues.Discussion Points:Macrophages are diverse, tissue-specific cells that develop from embryonic precursors, performing unique tasks like providing growth factors in organs.Kupffer cells in the liver monitor blood from the gut and are exposed to maternal nutrients during fetal development.Maternal obesity (induced in mice via high-fat diets) programs offspring Kupffer cells epigenetically, leading to fatty liver in newborns and progression to diseases like cancer, even on normal diets.A "nutritional mismatch" between in utero high-fat exposure and postnatal normal diets worsens liver issues, as cells are "prepared" for excess high-fat intake but face scarcity.Key mechanism: Reprogrammed Kupffer cells overproduce apolipoproteins, driving excess lipid uptake in liver cells (hepatocytes), linked to transcription factor HIF-1α and a shift to inefficient glycolysis.Offspring from obese mothers show sex differences (males affected earlier) and persistent changes.Human parallels: Rising childhood fatty liver (once rare and tied to alcoholism) correlates with maternal obesity; studies like Dutch Hunger Winter show early gestational disruptions cause lifelong issues.Broader factors: Microbiome changes, specific fatty acids, and environmental toxins like microplastics may also reprogram macrophages; diets in studies vary beyond fat content, affecting results.Advice: Maintain consistent healthy habits pre- and during pregnancy; avoid sudden diet shifts, as developmental windows are critical for long-lived cells like Kupffer cells.Reference Paper:Study: Kupffer cell programming bySupport the showAffiliates: 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) Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. Code MIND for 10% off SiPhox Health—Affordable at-home blood testing. Key health markers, visualized & explained. Code TRIKOMES for a 20% discount. For all the ways you can support my efforts