The Mind-Gut Conversation

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!

If you’re curious about the future of women’s health, mental well-being and the role of psychedelics, this episode of The Mind-Gut Conversation is a must-listen!My guest is Stephanie Karzon, a clinical neuropharmacologist, who is at the forefront of psychedelic-assisted therapy and its potential impact on women’s health. In the episode, we dive into:• The science behind psychedelic-assisted therapy and why its revolutionizing mental health treatments.• How psychedelics are being used for depression, anxiety, PTSD & more.• The unique ways psychedelics affect women’s health—are there biological differences in their effectiveness?• The fascinating connection between sexual health, hormonal balance and psychedelic therapies.• What the future holds for plant medicine and integrative approaches to healing.Stephanie Karzon is the founder of Beyond Consulting, a company specializing in research, strategy, and operations in natural products, plant medicine and psychedelic sectors. Her expertise spans neurology, women’s health and the power of music to enhance healing. Beyond her work in healthcare, she’s also a musician and writer, building communities around music, philanthropy and the intriguing world of fungi.This conversation will challenge what you thought you knew about women’s health and the mind-body connection. Tune in and let us know your thoughts!If you have any topics or guests you'd like featured, please let our team know!You can listen to The Mind-Gut Conversation on your favorite podcast platforms including Spotify & Apple Podcasts.To learn more, visit my website www.emeranmayer.com.

In this must-listen episode of The Mind Gut Conversation, I sit down with regenerative organic farming icon, Joel Salatin, to expose the hidden flaws of industrial agriculture and its impact on our health and the environment. We dive into how soil and gut microbes are deeply connected, why today’s food system is failing us and how his innovative, regenerative farming approach offers a simple solution. We discuss many topics & questions related to health, but the ones which stand out are: ·     How industrial farming is making us sick – and what we can do about it ·     The shocking nutritional differences between different farming methods ·     How gut health and soil health are more connected than you think ·     What does “organic” really mean?   Salatin runs Polyface Farm, a pioneering regenerative organic farm in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, and is the author of 16 books on sustainable food systems. He’s been a vocal advocate for food freedom, chemical-free farming, and self-sufficient homesteading, deeply challenging the status quo of modern agriculture. If you care about what’s on your plate, your microbiome and the future of food, this episode is for you. Tune in & let us know what you think! To learn more, visit www.emeranmayer.com

In this special episode of the Mind-Gut Conversation podcast, I discuss my personal opinions on topics related to Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) & Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Some key questions and topics I discuss are:  ·    The issue with diagnosing SIBO ·     How to treat SIBO, without antibiotics ·     Why the low FODMAP diet is not a practical solution ·     IBS is not a gut-disorder ·     How to manage IBS symptoms My name is Emeran Mayer, and I have been a gastroenterologist and neuroscientist for the last 40+ years. I have written over 450 publications in peer-reviewed journals, and have published two best-selling books, The Mind-Gut Connection & The Mind-Gut Immune Connection. Some of the unpopular opinions I explain in detail during this episode are the following: 1) SIBO is not a valid diagnosis and is not an important cause of some of the most common digestive symptoms. Treating it with antibiotics is not only bad for your gut microbes, but also for your overall health. This treatment’s main benefit is for the pharmaceutical industry.  2) Even though the low FODMAP diet improves gut symptoms in the short-term, it is bad for your gut microbiome and your overall health in the long-term. 3) IBS is not a gut disorder, but a disorder of altered interactions between the brain, gut and its microbiome. This is the reason that therapies solely targeted at the gut are generally not effective IBS therapies. I hope you enjoy the episode! Learn more at www.emeranmayer.com

Dr. Annie Fenn is the founder of the Brain Health Kitchen, the only cooking school of its kind focused exclusively on brain health and helping people prevent cognitive decline and chronic brain disorders through food and lifestyle. She is a board-certified OB-GYN, who after 20 years of treating patients, traded in her stethoscope for an apron to pursue her passion for the culinary arts. Dr. Fenn published The Brain Health Kitchen cookbook in 2023, with the subtitle Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease Through Food. This book is the most detailed and informative diet book, containing 100 brain healthy recipes, for anybody trying to prevent early cognitive decline and optimize brain health. In this episode of the Mind Gut Conversation podcast, I sit down with Dr. Fenn, to discuss the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. We talk about a wide range of topics, including the following questions and topics: 1) There is scientific evidence that the variety of food is at least as important as the type of food consumed. How is this reflected in the Mediterranean diet? 2) I have had some patients with intolerance for gluten-containing foods in the US, but who could eat any amount of pizza, pasta and bread when living in Italy. What is the reason for this? 3) There is a much higher genetic variety of grains in Italy. Are products made from these different species of grains different in terms of their health benefits? 4) Are fermented foods an essential part of the Mediterranean diet? Which ones are the best? We hope you enjoy the episode!

Welcome back to another episode of the Mind Gut Conversation. Today’s guest is Andrew H. Miller, MD. Dr. Miller is an internationally recognized expert in interactions between the brain and immune system as they relate to depression and has conducted the first clinical trial examining the efficacy of an immunotherapy for the treatment of depression. He is the William P. Timmie Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to publishing over 300 scientific papers, Dr. Miller has won numerous research, teaching and mentoring awards, and has been nominated as a "Top Doctor" in Psychiatry for the past 3 years. In this episode of the Mind Gut Conversation, I sit down with Dr. Miller, to discuss the role of inflammation in mental disorders, and the therapeutic consequences that come from this novel understanding of depression. During the episode, we talk about a wide range of topics, addressing the following questions and topics: • Is depression an inflammatory disorder of the brain? • Role of the gut-associated immune system • Effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of depression • Psychedelics in psychiatry We hope you enjoy the episode! Learn more at www.emeranmayer.com

In this episode of the Mind Gut Conversation, I sit down in person with Norbert Niederkofler, an internationally renowned leader in local sustainable gourmet cuisine, as he explains his unconventional career decisions and his philosophy of letting nature and his local ecosystem determine his selection of dishes. Despite the fact that Norbert has already earned 3 Michelin stars with his previous gourmet restaurant at St. Hubertus Hotel in the Dolomite Mountains, he made the radical decision in 2008 to ban imported luxuries, not to mention Italian staples such as olive oil, tomatoes and lemons from his cuisine. It was the start of his dedication to extreme locavore cuisine, which he calls Cook the Mountain, that he’s followed ever since.  In July 2024, this legend of high-mountain cooking brought his destination dining down from the slopes, launching a new flagship restaurant, Atelier Moessmer Norbert Niederkofler, in the town of Brunico. Being one of the most renowned Italian chefs, and having been awarded 3 Michelin stars, including a Green Star Recognition, guests are coming from all over the world to his restaurant, often several times a year.  During this episode, we talk about a wide range of topics, including modern trends in dietary preferences and keys to nutrition that are healthy for the consumer and the environment. Some key questions and topics we discuss are: 1) How does Norbert create the best dishes in his restaurant? Exploration of his previous statement: “…it depends on the nature because we are not deciding the dishes. Nature decides then for us because nature gives us the products when they are ready.” 2) What is the secret to Norbert’s success in the culinary field?  3) What are the core components of his philosophy about food and gourmet cuisine?  We hope you enjoy the episode!