

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

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 & 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.

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 | M&M 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: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $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

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: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $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

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: Lumen device to optimize your metabolism for weight loss or athletic performance. MINDMATTER gets you 15% off. AquaTru: Water filtration devices that remove microplastics, metals, bacteria, and more from your drinking water. Through link, $100 off AquaTru Carafe, Classic & Under Sink Units; $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


