The Mind-Gut Conversation

SIBO—Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth—has become a buzzword in the gut health space, often blamed for symptoms like bloating, gas, and fatigue. But how much of the hype is supported by solid science?In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, Dr. Mayer critically examines the growing SIBO narrative. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and the latest peer-reviewed evidence, he breaks down what SIBO actually is, who it truly affects, and why breath tests and antibiotic treatments like rifaximin are far less reliable—and more commercially driven—than many believe.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why true SIBO is rare and typically linked to structural or motility disordersWhy current diagnostic tests are flawed and often misusedHow intestinal gas production is a normal part of digestion—not necessarily a problemWhy rifaximin may relieve symptoms without ever addressing SIBOThe role of microbial diversity, short-chain fatty acids, and the broader brain-gut microbiome systemWhether you’ve been diagnosed with SIBO or are simply curious about one of the most misunderstood topics in gut health, this episode separates myth from medicine.Thank you for your interest!--------------Connect with Dr. Mayer:Instagram: @emeranmayerTwitter/X: @EmeranMayerMDYouTube: Emeran Mayer, MDWebsite: emeranmayer.com

In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, I’m thrilled to sit down with Dr. Stephen Sideroff, an internationally recognized psychologist, professor at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, and expert in resilience and peak performance. Stephen’s groundbreaking new book, The 9 Pillars of Resilience: The Proven Path to Master Stress, Slow Aging & Increase Vitality, couldn’t come at a more important time.We live in a world where chronic stress has become the norm—and it’s taking a major toll on our mental and physical well-being. In our conversation, Stephen offers a powerful framework for dealing with chronic stress by building true resilience—not just bouncing back, but adapting, evolving, and thriving in the face of life’s challenges.Together, we explore:• Why the stress response, once an evolutionary advantage, now contributes to many chronic diseases• The role of early life experiences in shaping our internal models for how we react to stress and the world• How cultivating resilience is the key to mastering stress and protecting long-term brain and body health• The importance of contemplative practices like mindfulness, equanimity, and non-reactivity• Scientific evidence showing that building resilience can actually slow aging and promote neuroplasticity• What resilient centenarians can teach us about healthy longevity—even in the face of traumaStephen’s 9 Pillars offer a roadmap for developing emotional flexibility, building stronger connections with ourselves and others, and accessing a deeper sense of vitality. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, or simply curious about how to support your well-being as you age—this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Thank you for being a part of our growing community. If you find this episode valuable, I encourage you to share it with anyone navigating stress or looking to live a longer, more vibrant life.Learn more at emeranmayer.comFollow Dr. Mayer:YouTube: @EmeranMayerMDInstagram: @emeranmayerX (Formerly Twitter): @EmeranMayerMDFacebook: @emeranamayerLinkedIn: @emeranmayerTikTok: @emeranmayer

How do we reverse the chronic disease epidemic affecting millions of children in the United States? According to Nora LaTorre, it starts with fixing what’s on their lunch tray.As CEO of Eat Real, Nora leads a nonprofit tackling the root causes of poor nutrition through a science-backed, K–12 school certification program aimed at upgrading food in cafeterias nationwide. In this episode, Dr. Mayer and Nora dive into the origins of Eat Real, its success engaging parents and schools, and why mothers are at the center of lasting dietary change. They also discuss the broader landscape of public health, including the federal MAHA initiative (Make America Healthy Again), the role of the food industry, and why nutrition alone isn’t enough to address chronic disease without considering stress, inequality, and food systems reform.In this conversation, you’ll learn:• Why children’s nutrition is the key to long-term public health• How Eat Real’s 360° model of access, awareness, and advocacy works• What measurable health outcomes have been linked to school food changes• The challenges of working within U.S. agriculture and food policy• Whether federal efforts like MAHA are likely to succeedIf you care about the future of our kids’ health, this episode offers both hope and a roadmap.If you enjoyed this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, please leave a review - it really helps spread the word & get our show recommended to new viewers. Thank you!

Can a simple stool test help uncover the root causes of gut issues — and guide you toward better long-term health? That’s the bold promise behind Tiny Health, the microbiome testing company founded by Cheryl Sew Hoy. In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, Dr. Emeran Mayer sits down with Cheryl to unpack the science behind gut and vaginal microbiome testing, and why she believes personalized microbiome care is the future of health — from infancy to menopause.They explore the origins of Tiny Health, how it compares to other microbiome tests, and the growing scientific evidence linking stool microbiome profiles to immune health, chronic conditions, and even recovery after antibiotic use.In this conversation, you’ll learn:• How Tiny Health’s test differs from other commercial gut tests• Whether stool testing can detect signs of “leaky gut” and chronic gut inflammation• What role the microbiome plays during menopause and how women can take proactive steps• Why Cheryl believes testing can be useful even for those without symptoms• The evidence behind Tiny Health’s recommendations — and what makes them actionableWhether you’re struggling with gut-related symptoms or simply curious about optimizing your health (or your family’s), this episode delivers practical, science-backed insights.Note: Dr. Mayer is a medical advisor to Tiny Health. Want to learn more, visit our website www.emeranmayer.com

What do alcohol, sleep, diet and “purpose in life” have in common?According to a powerful new study, they’re all modifiable risk factors that may determine your future risk of stroke, dementia and late-life depression — three of the most pressing health challenges of our time.In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, Dr. Mayer breaks down this comprehensive review, which analyzed data from over 180 meta-analyses and ranked risk factors based on their impact on healthy aging and brain health. The findings go far beyond just cholesterol or glucose — and include often overlooked lifestyle and psychological factors like social engagement and chronic stress.In this episode, you’ll learn:1) Which modifiable factors have the greatest impact on dementia, stroke and depression2) Why physical and psychological health are deeply intertwined3) How “purpose in life” scored higher than some traditional clinical markers4) What these findings mean for real-world prevention — and your everyday choicesWhether you’re supporting a loved one or simply planning for your own long-term health, this episode offers evidence-backed clarity on what actually matters most.Want to read the study yourself? Here's the link & PMID reference:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40180437/ PMID: 40180437If you'd like to go deeper into these topics, you can learn more on emeranmayer.com!

Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis remain among the most difficult chronic conditions to manage — but new science at the intersection of microbiome research and biotechnology may offer hope.In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, I sit down with Dr. Deanna Gibson, microbiome researcher and cofounder of Melius Microbiomics, to explore how genetically engineered microbial medicines could transform the future of IBD treatment — and what it will take for patients and the medical community to embrace them.In this conversation, we explore:· How Dr. Gibson’s research led to the development of BioPersist™ and BioColonize™ for IBD.· Why new microbiome-targeted therapies are urgently needed — especially for younger patients in whom ulcerative colitis is on the rise.· What makes BioPersist™ different from traditional probiotics and current IBD treatments.· How genetically engineered microbial medicines (GEMMs) represent a new generation of gut therapies.· Early research findings that support BioPersist™ as a promising treatment for ulcerative colitis.· Challenges in gaining public trust for novel biotech therapies amid growing skepticism.· Exciting new discoveries in microbiome science — and the future potential for live biotherapeutics beyond IBD.If you’re curious about the exciting direction where gut health research is headed — and how the microbiome may change the way we treat chronic disease — this episode is for you.Tune in and join the conversation!Disclaimer: Dr. Mayer is the Chief Medical Officer of Melius Microbiomics and has been involved in the commercial development of Genetically Engineered Microbial Medicines (GEMMs).

Despite how common IBS is, it remains one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions affecting the gut. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with IBS, suspect you might have it or are just curious about the brain-gut connection, this episode is for you.In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, I sit down with my son, Dylan, to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about IBS — from why gut health is trending to why IBS remains so difficult to treat. It’s an open, honest and evidence-based conversation that brings clarity to a topic that affects millions.In this conversation, we explore:- Why gut health has become such a hot topic — and what that has to do with IBS.- Why the prevalence of IBS hasn’t changed, despite skyrocketing interest in digestive health.- The limits of current diagnostic criteria and what symptoms are being missed.- How IBS fits into a larger picture of brain-gut dysregulation, including anxiety, fatigue and poor sleep.- Whether IBS causes anxiety, or anxiety causes IBS — and what the science says about this “chicken and egg” dilemma.- Why we still don’t have an effective drug treatment for IBS, and what to consider instead.In honor of April being IBS Awareness Month, my in-depth IBS course is 70% off through the end of the month. If you want to go beyond the basics and learn actionable strategies backed by the latest science, you’ll find everything you need at emeranmayer.com.Whether you’re managing symptoms or supporting someone who is, we hope this episode gives you a new perspective on IBS — and a sense of empowerment.Tune in now and join the conversation! We hope you enjoy.Chapters:Introduction 0:00 - 1:18What is behind the gut health craze? 1:18 - 3:35Prevalence of IBS 3:35 - 6:28Limitations of current diagnosis criteria 6:28 - 9:16Anxiety & The Brain-Gut System 9:16 - 15:52Why are there no effective drug treatments for IBS? 15:52 - 18:55Leaving it on a positive note 18:55 - 21:03IBS Resources & Thank You 21:03 - 21:36

Are probiotics really the key to unlocking better gut health? Or are they just another overhyped wellness trend? These are some of the most common questions I get after giving a talk or meeting with a patient.In this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, I sit downwith Dr. Zain Kassam, Chief Medical Officer at Seed Health and a pioneer in the field of microbiome therapeutics. If you’ve ever been curious about how probiotics work, how to choose a high-quality supplement, or whether they actually do more than your diet already provides—this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.In this conversation, we explore:• Why the probiotic market is booming—and how Seed Health is setting a new scientific standard.• The critical differences between synbiotics, probiotics and naturally fermented foods.• Are most probiotics backed by real science, or is the supplement industry skipping clinical rigor?• Can probiotics actually go beyond a healthy diet to offer additional health benefits?• How to navigate the sea of probiotic options: what to look for, what to avoid and what actually matters.Dr. Kassam brings a rare blend of scientific depth and real-world experience. He received his MPH from Harvard, completed post-doctoral training at MIT, and has co-founded two foundational microbiome companies—OpenBiome and Finch Therapeutics—before joining Seed. His work has redefined the role of the microbiome in medicine, from establishing the first public stool bank to exploring bioengineered probiotics for chronic disease.If you’re interested in gut health, skeptical about supplement marketing, or just want to understand what’s real and what’s hype when it comes to probiotics, don’t miss this one. Tune in now and join the conversation!-------This episode is brought to you by Seed. Supporting your gut health is a journey—one that includes diet, exercise and lifestyle.But sometimes, life gets in the way, and we could use a little extra support. That’s why I recommend Seed’s DS-01®—a probiotic with clinically studied strains and a prebiotic that support gut health, immunity, and heart health.Use my code MAYER25 for 25% off your first month of Seed, or visit the link here.Disclaimer: Dr. Mayer is a member of Seed's scientific board.-------Learn more at emeranmayer.com-------Chapters:0:00 - 1:18 Introduction1:18 - 7:43 What makes Seed different?7:43 - 12:25 The current state of microbiome science12:25 - 17:30 The multi-billion dollar probiotic market17:30 - 28:00 The future of probiotics & what research is showing28:00 - 29:38 Advertisement29:38 - 35:14 Why has 'gut health' become so popular?35:14 - 40:03 Do healthy people need to take a probiotic?40:03 - 41:47 When you should take a probiotic41:47 - 43:22 Does DS-01 replace a healthy diet & lifestyle?43:22 - 47:08 Why should someone choose Seed's DS-01 over another company's probiotic47:08 - 49:30 Are more microbes in a probiotic really beneficial?49:30 - 52:04 More context on why Seed is a leader in the space52:04 - 52:33 Ending

Got questions about gut health, diet and the microbiome? In this special Ask Me Anything (AMA) episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation, I answer real questions from our members—covering everything from ADHD and the gut to colonic hydrotherapy, ultra-processed foods and how to fix your microbiome after a night of drinking.Joining me for this episode is my son, Dylan, who has been deeply involved in our work at emeranmayer.com. With his background in nutrition and passion for health, we tackle your biggest concerns, including:- The gut microbiome’s role in ADHD—what does the latest research say?- Can kids be taught to “listen” to their gut?- Histamine intolerance, yogurt fermentation, and probiotics—can too much of a good thing backfire?- Does colonic hydrotherapy harm the microbiome?- The truth about protein powders—do they count as ultraprocessed foods?- How does alcohol impact the gut, and can red wine be beneficial?- The carnivore diet, gluten and fiber—what’s best for gut health?- How to distinguish between gut-related, hormone-related or insulin-related symptoms.If you’re looking for science-backed insights on how to optimize your gut health, avoid common pitfalls and make informed choices about your diet and lifestyle, this AMA is for you!Want to submit your own questions for our next AMA? Join our community at www.emeranmayer.com/membership for exclusive Q&As, live events and in-depth courses.As always, we'd greatly appreciate any feedback in the comments below!We hope you enjoy the episode.-------This episode is brought to you by Seed. Supporting your gut health is a journey—one that includes diet, exercise and lifestyle.But sometimes, life gets in the way, and we could use a little extra support. That’s why I recommend Seed’s DS-01®—a probiotic with clinically studied strains and a prebiotic that support gut health, immunity, and heart health.Use my code MAYER25 for 25% off your first month of Seed, or visit the link here.https://seed.com/daily-synbiotic?utm_source=ambassador&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=emeranmayer&utm_term=25p&promo_code=MAYER25-------Chapters0:00 - 3:11 Introduction3:11 - 9:57 Gut Microbiome & ADHD9:57 - 13:27 How Kids Can Learn To "Listen" To Their Gut13:27 - 18:28 Histamine/Tyramine Reactions from Fermented Foods18:28 - 21:09 Colonic Hydrotherapy & Gut Health21:09 - 24:31 Alcohol & Gut Health24:31 - 26:51 Ultraprocessed Foods & Protein Powders26:51 - 30:47 Thoughts on Gluten30:47 - 32:44 Seed's DS-0132:44 - 36:57 Carnivore Diet & Gut Health36:57 - 39:43 Seasonality & Gut Issues39:43 - 41:24 Relationship Between Gut & Neurodegenerative Diseases41:24 - 43:55 Gut-Related vs. Hormone-Related vs. Insulin-Related Issues43:55 - 46:19 Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth (IMO)46:19 - 48:55 Estrogen Recycling in The Gut48:55 - 52:35 Top 3 Foods For Gut Health & Number 1 To Reduce52:35 - 53:45 Outro

Is sugar really the villain behind the chronic disease epidemic? If you care about your metabolic health, obesity and the hidden dangers of processed food, this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation is one you can’t miss. My guest is Dr. Robert Lustig, an internationally renowned expert on the role of sugar in disease and the bestselling author of Fat Chance. In this episode, we dig into:- The shocking impact of sugar on your metabolism—fructose vs. glucose, which is worse?- Is the sugar in fruit as harmful as the sugar in processed food?- The truth about ultra-processed foods—what’s really making us sick?- Can we reverse the obesity crisis through lifestyle changes, or are new anti-obesity drugs the answer?- How the food industry has manipulated our biology to crave pleasure instead of true wellbeing.Dr. Lustig is a professor emeritus of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology at UCSF, with decades of research on childhood obesity, diabetes and the role of the brain in regulating energy balance. His insights have shaped the global conversation on nutrition and metabolic health, cutting through industry myths and misinformation.If you want to take control of your diet, rethink the way you eat and understand the real science behind sugar’s impact, this episode is for you. Tune in now and let us know what you think!-------This episode is brought to you by Seed. Supporting your gut health is a journey—one that includes diet, exercise and lifestyle.But sometimes, life gets in the way, and we could use a little extra support. That’s why I recommend Seed’s DS-01®—a probiotic with clinically studied strains and a prebiotic that support gut health, immunity, and heart health.Use my code MAYER25 for 25% off your first month of Seed, or click here!