

Mind & Matter
Nick Jikomes
Whether food, drugs or ideas, what you consume influences who you become. Learn directly from the best scientists & thinkers alive today about how your mind-body reacts to what you feed it.The weekly M&M podcast features conversations with the most interesting scientists, thinkers, and technology entrepreneurs alive today.Not medical advice.At M&M, we are interested in trying to figure out how things work, not affirming our existing beliefs. We prefer consulting primary rather than secondary sources and independent rather than institutional voices. If we encounter uncomfortable truths or the evidence suggests unfashionable ideas may be valid, so be it.As the host, my aim is to help you better understand how the body & mind work by curating & synthesizing information in a way that yields science-based insights that you can choose to use or disregard in your own life. Taking ownership of your health starts with taking ownership of your information diet.I am motivated to connect the dots and distill general principles from what I learn, preferring to ask questions and play devil’s advocate to debating or incessantly pushing my own viewpoint.My beliefs:Taking ownership of your health starts with taking ownership of your information diet.All knowledge is provisional and we must work hard to prevent ourselves from becoming attached to our favorite ideas & preferred conclusions.Wisdom comes from an iterative, trial-and-error process of learning and unlearning. Letting go of pre-conceived notions can be painful, but pain is information.Sometimes modern discoveries teach us we must unlearn received wisdom. Other times, modern information overload & historical chauvinism cause us to forget ancient wisdom which stills applies. The framework for learning that I embody is inspired by three Ancient Greek maxims inscribed in the Temple of Apollo at Delphi:“Γνῶθι σεαυτόν” (Know thyself)“Μηδὲν ἄγαν” (Nothing in excess)“Ἐγγύα πάρα δ Ἄτα” (Certainty brings insanity)
Episodes
Mentioned books

15 snips
Oct 19, 2024 • 1h 12min
Neural Basis of Language in the Human Brain | Ev Fedorenko | 182
Ev Fedorenko, a neuroscientist at MIT, delves into the intricate relationship between language, thought, and the brain. She explores the fascinating dynamics of language processing and its neural networks. The discussion touches on Noam Chomsky's Universal Grammar theory, the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, and the differences in language acquisition between children and adults. Fedorenko also challenges the distinctions between human and animal communication, revealing how language reflects complex cognitive processes while examining ambiguities that aid in learning and communication.

Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 4min
Neurosurgery, Blood-Brain Barrier, Ultrasound Technology for Brain Diseases & Disorders | Nir Lipsman | 181
Send us a textAbout the guest: Nir Lipsman, MD, PhD is a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist at the University of Toronto.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Lipsman discuss: neurosurgery; the blood-brain barrier and how it works; using focused ultrasound technology to non-invasively treat patients; regulatory impediments to clinical research; costs, constraints, and future applications of ultrasound tech for treating psychiatric conditions; and more.Related episodes:M&M #168: Sleep: Neural Circuits, Orexin/Hypocretin, Hypothalamus, Neuromodulators, Stress & Cortisol, Sleep Drugs & Ultrasound Technology | Luis de Lecea*This content is never meant to serve as 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. AquaTru: Reverse osmosis water filters. Remove metals, microbes, endocrine disruptors and toxins from drinking water. $100 off AquaTru filters through link. 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. MASA Chips—delicious tortilla chips made from organic corn & grass-fed beef tallow. No seed oils or artificial ingredients. Code MIND for 20% off For all the ways you can support my efforts

Oct 11, 2024 • 1h 20min
Mother-Infant Bonding, Maternal Care & Breastfeeding, Neural Basis of Hunger & Social Behavior | Marcelo Dietrich | 180
Send us a textAbout the guest: Marcelo Dietrich, MD, PhD is an associate professor in Comparative Medicine & Neuroscience at Yale University, where his lab studies the neural basis of behavior in mammals.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Dietrich discuss: maternal care behavior, mother-infant bonding, and feeding in infant mammals; neural circuits regulating hunger & satiety; brain development & early social learning; behavioral variability among individuals; and more.Related episode:M&M #108: Monogamy, Sexual & Parental Behavior, Social Attachment, Oxytocin, Sex Hormones, Childhood Psychosis, Menopause & Brain Development | Devanand Manoli*This content is never meant to serve as 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. AquaTru: Reverse osmosis water filters. Remove metals, microbes, endocrine disruptors and toxins from drinking water. $100 off AquaTru filters through link. 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. MASA Chips—delicious tortilla chips made from organic corn & grass-fed beef tallow. No seed oils or artificial ingredients. Code MIND for 20% off For all the ways you can support my efforts

Oct 8, 2024 • 1h 19min
Cave Art, Archaeology & the Emergence of Modern Humans | Maxime Aubert | 179
In this episode, guest Maxime Aubert, a geochemist and archaeologist from Griffith University, dives into the world of ancient cave art and human evolution. He reveals insights about the oldest known cave art and its implications for modern human cognition. The discussion highlights the significance of artistic expressions in understanding human migration and creativity, particularly in France's Chauvet Cave and Sulawesi's ancient sites. Aubert shares innovative dating techniques that are reshaping our understanding of prehistoric societies and the role of art in early human life.

Sep 27, 2024 • 33min
Ask Me Anything 1 | Nick Jikomes
Send us a textAbout the guest: Nick Jikomes, PhD is the creator and host of the podcast. You can read more about him here.Episode summary: Nick answers questions from listeners on topics such as: his scientific background & interests; staying up-to-date on research & selecting guests; thoughts on psychedelic science & drug use; questions related to diet, metabolic health & fat loss; controversial ideas worth considering; and more.*This content is never meant to serve as 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. AquaTru: Reverse osmosis water filters. Remove metals, microbes, endocrine disruptors and toxins from drinking water. $100 off AquaTru filters through link. 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. MASA Chips—delicious tortilla chips made from organic corn & grass-fed beef tallow. No seed oils or artificial ingredients. Code MIND for 20% off For all the ways you can support my efforts

Sep 20, 2024 • 1h 22min
Microbiome & Gut-Immune Interactions in Obesity & Metabolic Health | June Round | 178
June Round, PhD, is a microbiologist from the University of Utah, focusing on microbiome-host interactions related to gut health and obesity. In this discussion, she explores the immune system's relationship with the gut microbiome and how these interactions affect metabolic health. June reveals insights about dietary fiber and short-chain fatty acids, their role in obesity, and the importance of microbiome diversity. She also emphasizes the impact of early-life antibiotic use on health and the potential of microbiome assessments for predicting obesity risks.

Sep 15, 2024 • 1h 18min
Neural Basis of Pain, Placebo Effects, Opioid Pain Relief & Addiction | Gregory Scherrer | 177
Gregory Scherrer is a neuroscientist at the University of North Carolina, specializing in the neural basis of pain. In this discussion, he reveals how the brain interprets pain through emotional and cognitive lenses. Scherrer dives into the dual roles of opioids and the complexities of addiction risk versus pain relief. He also explores groundbreaking techniques using miniature microscopes to monitor neuronal activity in real time and highlights the powerful influence of placebo effects on pain management.

19 snips
Sep 11, 2024 • 1h 53min
Ancestral vs. Modern Human Diets, Seed Oils, Inflammation, Fat Oxidation, Influence of Industry on Food Science | Steven Rofrano | 194
Steven Rofrano, co-founder and CEO of Ancient Crunch, delves into the controversial world of ancestral versus modern diets. He discusses the health risks associated with seed oils, linking them to inflammation and oxidative stress. Rofrano highlights the corrupting influence of private industry on food science and stresses the importance of traditional fats over processed options. He also shares insights from his personal health journey and the mission behind his startup, aiming to provide healthier snack alternatives. A compelling look at food and health!

12 snips
Sep 6, 2024 • 1h 42min
Bad Science, Nutrition Epidemiology, History of Obesity Research, Diet & Metabolic Health | Gary Taubes | 176
Gary Taubes, a renowned researcher and science journalist, dives into the misconceptions surrounding nutrition epidemiology and its reliance on dubious science. He critiques the traditional energy balance approach to obesity, emphasizing the need for a fresh look at hormonal influences and individual differences. The discussion uncovers how social factors and funding biases twist research outcomes. Taubes also challenges the oversimplified views on caloric intake, urging a more personalized approach to diet and health.

Sep 3, 2024 • 1h 33min
Aging, Biological Clocks, Proteomics, Longevity & Healthspan | Austin Argentieri | 175
Austin Argentieri, PhD, a researcher at Massachusetts General Hospital, dives into the fascinating science of aging. He clarifies the difference between chronological and biological age and discusses the emerging role of DNA methylation in understanding our aging process. The conversation also explores proteomics, revealing how proteins impact our health as we age, and emphasizes the significance of the UK Biobank data in uncovering these connections. Argentieri highlights the need for focusing on improving healthspan—not just lifespan—by addressing age-related diseases and lifestyle factors.