

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

Aug 29, 2024 • 1h 44min
Adipose Tissue & Body Fat: Obesity, Insulin, Leptin, Fertility, Weight Loss & GLP-1 Drugs | Sean Hartig | 174
Sean Hartig, an associate professor at Baylor College of Medicine, specializes in adipose tissue and obesity research. He delves into the differences between visceral and subcutaneous fat and the roles of white, brown, and beige adipose tissue. The conversation covers leptin resistance's link to obesity and the impact of GLP-1 drugs on weight loss. Hartig also discusses how insulin resistance and fat dynamics influence reproductive health and the intricate relationship between obesity and inflammation.

10 snips
Aug 24, 2024 • 1h 58min
Psychedelics, Consciousness, Mental Health & the Entropic Brain | Robin Carhart-Harris | 173
Robin Carhart-Harris, a neuroscientist and psychopharmacologist at UCSF, dives into the fascinating world of psychedelics and their impact on the brain. He unpacks the 'entropic brain' hypothesis, revealing how psychedelics increase brain entropy, leading to heightened consciousness. The discussion covers the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin for conditions such as PTSD and depression, and critiques current regulatory hurdles. Insights into brain connectivity and the complexities of consciousness make this a thought-provoking exploration.

Aug 21, 2024 • 1h 12min
Immune System, Gut Microbiome, Vitamin D, Cancer, Innate Immunity, Inflammation & Gut-Immune Interactions | Caetano Reis e Sousa | 172
Send us a textAbout the guest: Caetano Reis e Sousa, DPhil is an immunologist and Principal Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute in London. His lab studies immune system function, including its ability to fight infection and cancer.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Reis e Sousa discuss: dendritic cells & innate immunity; how the immune system recognizes pathogens, damaged cells, and cancer cells; gut microbiome & non-pathogenic bacteria; inflammation; vitamin D & gut-immune interactions; cancer; and more.Related episode:Ketogenic Diet, Cancer, Microbiome, Nutrition & the Immune System | Maayan Levy | #72*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

Aug 18, 2024 • 1h 39min
Comparative Brain Evolution: Mammals, Primates & Humans | Robert Barton | 171
Send us a textAbout the guest: Robert Barton, PhD is an evolutionary anthropologist and Professor at Durham University. He studies the evolution of the brain and behavior across species, including humans.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Barton discuss: mammalian brain evolution; how brain and body size scale across mammals; how metabolism relates to brain size and function; the evolution of the neocortex & cerebellum in primates & humans; the concept of “intelligence” and whether it relates to brain size; and more.Related episodes:Evolution of Complex Behavior, Perception, Cognition, Consciousness & the Brain | Paul Cisek | #107Organisms, Cities, Companies & the Science of Scale | Geoffrey West | #12*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

Aug 14, 2024 • 1h 15min
Sex Differences, Drugs & the Brain: Psychedelics, Psilocybin, Alcohol & Nicotine | Melissa Herman | 170
Send us a textAbout the guest: Melissa Herman, PhD is a neuroscientist and associate professor at the University of North Carolina. Her lab studies the effects of drugs on the brain and behavior in rodents.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Herman discuss: sex differences in the brain between males and females; behavioral variability among individuals; the effects of psychedelics like psilocybin on the amygdala and hypothalamus; effects of alcohol and vaporized nicotine; and more. Related episode:Sex Differences in the Brain, Endocannabinoid Biology, Purpose of Juvenile Play Behavior, Cannabis & Pregnancy | Margaret McCarthy | #81*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

Aug 9, 2024 • 1h 24min
Epigenetics, Chromatin Plasticity & the Neural Basis of Memory | Giulia Santoni | 169
Giulia Santoni, a neuroscientist with a PhD from EPFL, dives into the captivating world of epigenetics and memory. She discusses how gene regulation and chromatin plasticity influence memory formation. The conversation explores the intricate processes of synapse formation, highlighting how calcium influx and transcription factors strengthen memories. Santoni also reveals the significance of energy supply in memory encoding and the shift toward using human brain organoids in research, emphasizing ethical considerations and the future of neuroscience.

20 snips
Aug 5, 2024 • 1h 40min
Sleep: Neural Circuits, Orexin/Hypocretin, Hypothalamus, Neuromodulators, Stress & Cortisol, Sleep Drugs & Ultrasound Technology | Luis de Lecea | 168
Luis de Lecea, a neurobiologist at Stanford, dives into the intriguing science of sleep. He explores how sleep architecture operates across species, detailing the vital roles of REM and non-REM phases. Stress and cortisol’s impact on sleep patterns are discussed, revealing the physiological consequences of disruptions. De Lecea also shares insights on innovative ultrasound technology for enhancing sleep quality and the significance of orexin neurons in sleep disorders like narcolepsy. A fascinating discussion on sleep's role in DNA repair wraps up this deep dive into slumber science.

Jul 26, 2024 • 51min
Plant Chemistry & the Chemical Basis of Marijuana Aroma | Iain Oswald | 167
Send us a textAbout the guest: Iain Oswald, PhD is an organic chemist and Director of Research & Development at Abstrax Tech.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Oswald discuss: plant chemistry; marijuana strains and their aroma; the chemical basis of cannabis aroma; terpenes vs. non-terpene volatile organic compounds; and more.Related episodes:Marijuana, Plant Chemistry, Terpenes, Volatile Sulfur Compounds, Cannabis Industry, What Pungent Weed Smells Like & Why | Iain Oswald | #114Endocannabinoids, Stress, Exercise, Cortisol, Anxiety, Cannabis & Effects of Marijuana on Brain Development | Matthew Hill | #123*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

Jul 19, 2024 • 2h 10min
History of Diet & Food, Population Size & Social Stability, Psychological Pandemics, Physical & Mental Health in Civilization Cycles | Rudyard Lynch | 193
Rudyard Lynch, a history and anthropology scholar and YouTube host, dives deep into the evolution of agriculture and its impact on human society. He discusses how dietary practices shape social behavior, linking meat consumption to individualism and rice to collectivism. The conversation also explores the rise and fall of civilizations, emphasizing the connection between population density and social stability. Lynch touches on the cognitive revolution and its monumental effects on culture, creativity, and even future genetic enhancements.

Jul 14, 2024 • 1h 29min
Evolution: Natural Selection, Genetic Drift, Origin of Life, Cellular Complexity, Epigenetics | Michael Lynch | 166
Send us a textAbout the guest: Michael Lynch, PhD is an evolutionary biologist at Arizona State University who studies the origins of genomic and cellular complexity.Episode summary: Nick and Dr. Lynch discuss: natural selection vs. genetic drift; genetic mutations & the speed of evolution; origin of life; the evolution of cellular complexity; epigenetics & the inheritance of acquired characteristics; and more.Related episodes:Evolution & Animal Development: How Nature Builds & Changes Bodies | Sean B. Carroll | #138Evolution, Language, Domestication, Symbolic Cognition, AI & Large Language Models | Terrence Deacon | #141*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