Mind & Matter

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comWide release date: December 26, 2025.Topics Discussed:* Maternal care behavior in rodents: Nursing, pup retrieval, grooming, and nest-building, essential for altricial pups’ survival; conserved across mammals but varies by species.* Hormonal changes in pregnancy: Estradiol and progesterone surge then drop at birth, crossing the blood-brain barrier to enable infant attraction and care via gene expression and neuroplasticity.* Brain circuitry for parenting: Medial preoptic area acts as a central hub, coordinating motivation and sensory inputs; present in both sexes but activated differently by hormones and experience.* Stress impacts on mothers: Social stressors like male intruders dysregulate care, leading to frantic behaviors and avoidance; models human psychosocial stress linked to postpartum mood disorders.* Sex differences in pup care: Mothers groom male pups more, influencing sexual behaviors, which effects future behavior.* Psilocybin in postpartum mice: Single dose increased anxiety in mothers, showed no antidepressant effects, and transferred via milk, causing long-term anhedonia and impairments in offspring as adults.* Serotonin system development: Early exposure to serotonergic drugs like psilocybin or SSRIs alters lifelong behavior, highlighting sensitive periods in brain reorganization.Practical Takeaways:* Reduce postpartum stress through social support to enhance maternal bonding and minimize mood disorder risks.* Approach psychedelics cautiously during postpartum due to potential anxiety increases and offspring effects via milk.* Recognize hormonal shifts heighten sensitivity to infant cues, aiding natural caregiving instincts.* Monitor environmental factors like food availability or threats that could disrupt parental behaviors in high-stress scenarios.About the guest: Danielle Stolzenberg, PhD is an associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, where her lab studies the neurobiology of maternal care.Reference Paper:* Study: Psilocybin during the postpartum period induces long-lasting adverse effects in both mothers and offspringRelated Episode:* M&M 180: Mother-Infant Bonding, Maternal Care & Breastfeeding, Neural Basis of Hunger & Social Behavior | Marcelo Dietrich*Not medical advice.* Full audio version: [Apple] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube]* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Episode transcript below.Full AI-generated transcript below. Beware of typos & mistranslations!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comWide release date: December 17, 2025.Topics Discussed:* Evolutionary context of circadian rhythms: All organisms have adapted to Earth’s 24-hour day for survival, with internal clocks slightly offset and adjusted by environmental cues.* Molecular clock mechanism: Involves a feedback loop where proteins turn on/off genes, lasting ~24 hours, regulated by phosphorylation and degradation for timing precision.* Genetic variations in sleep: Families with mutations in clock genes like PER2 cause extreme morning lark behavior, altering protein stability and period length by hours.* Light entrainment: Morning light shortens human clocks (average 24.2 hours) to match 24-hour days; seasonal day length changes require gradual adjustments.* Food & metabolic links: Seasonal food scarcity/abundance affects clock via glucose and fatty acids competing for protein modifications, as shown in diabetic mouse models.* Role of unsaturated fats: Paper finds MUFA/PUFA ratios in diet alter phosphorylation of clock proteins, speeding or slowing adaptation to winter/summer light cycles in mice.* Modern environmental impacts: Artificial light extends “daytime” signals, while constant food access erases seasonal patterns, contributing to obesity and diabetes risks.* Jet lag & adaptations: Sudden time shifts mimic seasonal experiments; high-sugar/fat intake may phenocopy genetic effects to aid adjustment, though not recommended for health.Practical Takeaways:* Expose yourself to morning natural light to help synchronize your internal clock and improve daily energy.* Consume main meals during daylight hours and avoid late-night eating to align with natural metabolic rhythms.* Limit evening screen time to reduce artificial blue light disrupting sleep onset.* Consider varying diet seasonally, favoring diverse, whole foods to mimic natural availability patterns for better health.About the guest: Louis Ptacek, MD is a neurologist and professor at the University of California, San Francisco. He researches inherited neurological diseases and sleep traits, including genetic variations causing extreme early rising.Reference Paper:* Study: Unsaturated fat alters clock phosphorylation to align rhythms to the season in miceRelated Episode:* M&M 237: Circadian Biology: Genetics, Behavior, Metabolism, Light, Oxygen & Melatonin | Joseph Takahashi*Not medical advice.* Full audio version: [Apple] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube]* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Episode transcript below.Full AI-generated transcript below. Beware of typos & mistranslations!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comWide release date: December 7, 2025.Topics Discussed:* Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): Omega-6 from seed oils like safflower and corn can convert to pro-inflammatory molecules, while omega-3s produce resolving ones; imbalance biases toward chronic inflammation.* Inflammation regulation: Acute inflammation aids healing but requires active “on” and “off” signals from lipid mediators; chronic inflammation arises from excess omega-6, delaying resolution.* Heart health & diet: High omega-6 diets worsen post-heart attack outcomes in mice by elevating pro-inflammatory lipids.* Evolution & historical context: PUFAs are essential but naturally balanced in pre-industrial diets; modern processing skews ratios, contributing to diseases, as shown in early rat experiments needing minimal fats for survival.* Aging & lifestyle factors: Excess omega-6 exacerbates inflammation in older mice; sleep, exercise, and balanced fats are crucial for metabolic health and enzyme function in processing lipids.* Cannabis & omega-6 interaction: In mice on high omega-6 diets, CBD-rich cannabis smoke reaches the heart quickly, suppresses immune response, and weakens cardiac strain, unlike in balanced-diet controls.* Genetic models: FAT-1 mice converting omega-6 to omega-3 show better healing and neuroprotection; FAT-2 mice doing the opposite exhibit liver fibrosis and metabolic issues, highlighting omega-6 excess harms.Practical Takeaways:* Balance omega-6 and omega-3 intake by reducing seed oils in processed foods and increasing sources like fish or algae to support inflammation resolution and heart health.* Monitor and adjust fat intake with age, as older individuals are more sensitive to omega-6 excess leading to immune dysregulation.* Avoid combining high omega-6 diets with smoking, as it may impair immune and cardiac responses based on animal data.About the guest: Ganesh Halade, PhD is a cardiovascular scientist and associate professor at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine.Reference Paper: * Paper: Cannabis cigarette smoking disrupts mice multi-organ bioactive lipid metabolism and inflammation-resolution signaling in an obesogenic settingRelated Episode:* M&M 200: Seed Oils, Inflammation, Colon Cancer & Chronic Disease | Tim Yeatman & Ganesh Halade *Not medical advice.* Full audio version: [Apple] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube]* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Episode transcript below.Episode Chapters:00:03:38 Guest Introduction & Background 00:04:42 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Overview 00:08:31 Acute vs Chronic Inflammation 00:12:01 Inflammation Turn-On & Turn-Off Signals 00:17:59 Omega-6 & Omega-3 Imbalance in Modern Diet 00:23:39 Essential Fatty Acids & Natural Balance 00:28:09 Seed Oils & Heart Health Controversy 00:37:27 High Omega-6 Effects on Heart Health 00:45:32 Aging & Omega-6 Sensitivity 00:53:55 Healing Faster with Balanced Ratio 00:59:36 Cannabis Smoking & High Omega-6 Diet 01:11:19 Immune Dysregulation from Cannabis & Omega-6 01:15:00 Ongoing Heart Failure Research 01:21:26 FAT-1 & FAT-2 Mice Insights 01:28:10 Lifestyle Medicine & Final ThoughtsFull AI-generated transcript below. Beware of typos & mistranslations!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comWide release date: November 26, 2025.Topics Discussed:* Brain energy efficiency: Brains are much more energy-efficient than computers for similar processing, relying on adaptive metabolic strategies evolved under energy scarcity.* Metabolism vs. information processing: Core metabolites like glutamate bridge basic cellular energy production and neural signaling.* Lactate as a signal: Produced during exercise, lactate diffuses from muscles to brain, modulating neuronal excitability and providing neuroprotection.* BHB in ketosis: During fasting or ketogenic diets, beta-hydroxybutyrate displaces glucose as fuel, enhances antioxidant defenses, and activates protective potassium channels in neurons.* Adenosine and sleep: Accumulates from ATP breakdown during wakefulness, triggering sleep and locally inhibiting overactive neural networks for energy conservation.* Glial cells’ role: Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes handle sophisticated metabolism, release signaling molecules like lactate, and modulate synapses, and influence diseases like Alzheimer’s.Practical Takeaways:* Regular exercise elevates lactate, which signals the brain to adapt metabolism and may enhance neuroprotection against stress.* Intermittent fasting or ketogenic diets can induce ketosis with BHB, potentially boosting brain antioxidant defenses and preconditioning against metabolic stress.* Prioritizing sleep helps clear adenosine buildup, restoring energy balance and supporting long-term neural health.About the guest: Dr. Luis Felipe Barros, MD, PhD is a Chilean neurobiologist and professor at the Universidad de Valparaíso, where he leads a lab studying brain metabolism from glucose transport to mitochondrial function.Reference Paper: * Paper: Scale-spanning crosstalk between metabolism and information processingRelated Episode:* M&M 255 | Unlocking Energy: How Nutrition & Drugs Impact Your Mitochondria | Chris Masterjohn*Not medical advice.* Full audio version: [Apple] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube]* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Episode transcript below.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Intro 00:06:00 Brain Efficiency & Computers 00:12:00 Metaphors for Brain Function 00:18:00 Core Metabolites & Signaling 00:24:00 Lactate in Exercise & Protection 00:30:00 Body-Brain Integration & Sensors 00:36:00 BHB, Ketosis & Fasting 00:42:00 Adenosine & Sleep Cycles 00:48:00 Neuroprotective Core Metabolites 00:54:00 Scale-Spanning Coordination 01:00:00 Neural Energy Demands 01:05:00 Expensive Tissue Hypothesis 01:08:00 Glial Cells & Astrocytes 01:13:00 Mitochondria in Cells 01:18:00 Future of Metabolism ResearchFull AI-generated transcript below. Beware of typos & mistranslations!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comWide release date: September 7, 2025Episode Summary: Dr. Michael Levin talks about cognition manifesting at scales beyond brains, including in cells and tissues via bioelectric networks; analog vs. digital coding in biology; how bioelectric patterns guide development and regeneration (e.g., in planarians); creation of novel life forms like xenobots and anthrobots; philosophical ideas on a "platonic space" of mathematical patterns influencing biology; evolutionary trade-offs in regeneration and implications for regenerative medicine.About the guest: Michael Levin, PhD is a biologist and computer scientist who directs the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University, focusing on bioelectricity, regeneration, and cognition in non-neural systems.Discussion Points:* Cognition isn't limited to brains; tools from neuroscience reveal learning, memory, and goal-directed behavior in cells and tissues.* Bioelectricity acts as "cognitive glue," enabling collective intelligence in non-neural systems, predating multicellular life.* Analog coding in development uses slow voltage patterns across cells, contrasting fast digital spikes in neurons.* Planarians regenerate perfectly due to bioelectric "memories"; altering patterns creates stable two-headed worms without genetic changes.* Regeneration trade-offs: Mammals prioritize quick healing over full regrowth due to infection risks and load-bearing needs.* Xenobots (from frog cells) and anthropots (from human cells) self-assemble, replicate, and heal tissues, revealing untapped cellular potentials.* Patterns in biology may stem from a "platonic space" of mathematical truths, not just evolution or physics.* Neuroscience studies mind scaling, not just neurons; diverse intelligences could exist in non-cellular systems.Related content:* M&M 95: Purpose, Value, Evolution, Consciousness, Sentience, Life & Emergence of Mind From Matter | Terrence Deacon*Not medical advice.* Full audio version: [Apple] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube]* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Episode transcript below.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:04:52 Cognition Definition 00:09:20 Development Timescales 00:12:01 Analog Signaling 00:15:12 Network Properties 00:18:03 Goals in Morphogenesis 00:21:40 Regeneration Mechanisms 00:25:41 Planarian Patterns 00:31:43 Regenerative Trade-offs 00:38:20 Pattern Sources 00:44:21 Xenobots 00:49:26 Anthropots 00:56:28 Platonic Space 01:02:47 Mind ScalingFull AI-generated transcript below. Beware of typos & mistranslations!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comWide release date: August 25, 2025Episode Summary: Dr. Uffe Ravnskov talks about his decades-long career challenging the idea that high cholesterol causes heart disease, discussing LDL's protective role in the immune system by binding to bacteria, the harms and biases in statin research influenced by pharmaceutical companies, evidence that high cholesterol benefits the elderly and reduces infection/cancer risks, and how mental stress or infections elevate cholesterol as a response rather than a cause.About the guest: Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD is a physician and independent researcher who earned his MD from the University of Copenhagen in 1961 and a PhD in nephrology. He has worked in various clinics in Sweden since the 1960s, focusing his research on challenging the cholesterol hypothesis in heart disease. Now 91, he has published over 200 papers, authored books like "The Cholesterol Myths.”Discussion Points:* LDL cholesterol helps the immune system by sticking to bacteria, clumping them for removal; low LDL increases infection risk.* Animal studies show injecting LDL protects against lethal infections, while historical data links severe infections to worse atherosclerosis.* Elderly people with high cholesterol live longer; low cholesterol raises mortality risk more than high levels.* Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) doesn't cause early death via cholesterol alone—co-inherited coagulation factors are the issue, and FH patients often have lower infection rates.* Statins lower LDL but increase infection risk, cause muscle weakness/brain issues (often blamed on aging), and show no clear benefit in unbiased meta-analyses.* Research biases include cherry-picking studies, exaggerating benefits via relative (not absolute) risk, and pharma funding suppressing critical views.* Mental stress can raise cholesterol by 10-50% in 30 minutes, often misread as a heart disease cause rather than an effect.* Saturated fat and high cholesterol aren't proven harmful; Ancel Keys' claims ignored contradictory evidence.* Stopping statins often reverses side effects quickly, improving quality of life.Related episode:* M&M 244: Seed Oils & Heart Disease: Oxidized LDL, Cholesterol, Fat & Cardiology | Tucker GoodrichReference Paper:* LDL-C does not cause cardiovascular disease: a comprehensive review of the current literature*Not medical advice.* Full audio version: [Apple] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube]* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Episode transcript below.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:01:28 Guest Background & Career 00:05:15 Cholesterol & Immune Function 00:10:14 LDL Role in Infections 00:15:10 Statins & Industry Influence 00:20:26 Research Biases & Relative Risk 00:25:08 Pushback & Publication Challenges 00:30:13 FH & Coagulation Factors 00:35:02 Stress & Cholesterol Response 00:40:03 Mortality & Elderly Benefits 00:45:32 Statin Side Effects & Recommendations 00:50:30 Scandal in Medicine & OutroFull AI-generated transcript below. Beware of typos & mistranslations!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comWide release date: August 13, 2025Episode Summary: Dr. Giovanni Marsicano is a neuroscientist based in Bordeaux, France, where he leads a research group at INSERM focusing on the endocannabinoid system.About the guest: Giovanni Marsicano, PhD discusses the endocannabinoid system, starting with its core components like CB1 receptors and lipid-based molecules such as anandamide and 2-AG, derived from omega-6 fatty acids; he explains its cellular signaling, evolutionary role in energy storage for uncertain futures (exostasis vs. homeostasis), and effects across tissues like the liver, gut, and brain, including motivation, appetite, pain relief, and anxiety regulation, while touching on biphasic effects of cannabinoids.Discussion Points:* The endocannabinoid system acts as an "exostatic" regulator, promoting energy accumulation for future needs by enhancing food palatability, nutrient absorption, and fat storage, unlike "endostatic" systems that address immediate hunger.* CB1 receptors appear in vertebrates with adipose tissue, suggesting an evolutionary link to storing fat for survival in unstable environments.* Endocannabinoids are lipids from omega-6 fats; high intake boosts their levels, potentially fueling obesity by creating a self-perpetuating cycle of overeating.* Activation of CB1 can have biphasic effects (e.g., low doses reduce anxiety, high doses increase it), due to receptors on different cell types like excitatory vs. inhibitory neurons.* Pregnenolone, a steroid precursor, acts as a natural CB1 inhibitor to prevent excessive activation, blocking harmful effects like psychosis from high THC doses.* The system influences motivation beyond food, including sex and even human activities like sports or storytelling, by rewarding actions for potential future benefits.* In the brain, CB1 on mitochondria and astrocytes modulates energy use, olfaction, and social stress transmission, with implications for disorders like Alzheimer's.Reference Paper:* The CB1 Receptor as the Cornerstone of ExostasisRelated episode:* M&M 123: Endocannabinoids, Stress, Exercise, Cortisol, Anxiety, Cannabis & Effects of Marijuana on Brain Development | Matthew Hill*Not medical advice.* Full audio version: [Apple] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube]* Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Episode transcript below.Episode Chapters:00:00:00 Intro00:05:01 CB1 Receptor Overview00:10:58 Endocannabinoids & Lipids 00:16:00 CB1 as GPCR 00:21:04 Mitochondrial Signaling 00:26:09 Biphasic Effects 00:31:13 Homeostasis & Energy 00:37:40 Unstable Environments 00:43:59 ECS as Exostatic 00:50:13 Cue-Induced Feeding 00:55:00 Gut & Glucose Effects 01:00:32 Omega-6 Link 01:07:02 Pregnenolone Inhibitor 01:12:05 Modulation Mechanisms 01:17:03 Clinical Applications 01:22:15 Exostatic Coordination 01:26:19 Rewards Beyond Food 01:31:39 Cultural Motivations 01:36:43 Current Lab Work 01:42:12 Final ThoughtsFull AI-generated transcript below. Beware of typos & mistranslations!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mindandmatter.substack.comWide release date: July 27, 2025Episode Summary: Astrophysicist Dr. Robert Fosbury discusses the sun's characteristics as a star, its analogies to living systems via entropy and complexity, and Erwin Schrödinger's insights on life as order-maintaining entities; he explores how near-infrared (NIR) light from the sun penetrates bodies to enhance mitochondrial function and metabolism, critiques modern artificial lighting's health impacts like mitochondrial dysfunction leading to diseases, and advocates returning to natural light environments for better wellness, drawing connections from cosmology to everyday architecture and lifestyle.About the guest: Robert Fosbury, PhD is a is a retired astrophysicist. He spent his career at the European Space Agency, working on Hubble and JWST projects, and now pursues interdisciplinary research linking stellar phenomena to biological processes like light's impact on vision and metabolism.Discussion Points:* Stars like the sun maintain low-entropy states by exporting entropy as light, mirroring how life ingests low-entropy food to sustain order and homeostasis.* The universe's complexity peaks midway in entropy increase, with stars producing elements that enable biological complexity, evolving toward cognition.* Near-infrared light, peaking in solar output at ~1.6 microns due to atmospheric physics, catalyzes mitochondrial ATP production by facilitating electron transport, not via photosynthesis but photo-metabolism.* Modern LEDs and windows block near-infrared, contributing to mitochondrial dysfunction, obesity, diabetes, and aging; historical thermal lights like incandescents provided beneficial infrared.* Outdoor environments, especially under trees, flood bodies with reflected near-infrared for health, while blue skies act as cold sinks boosting thermodynamic efficiency.* Eyes are mitochondria-rich, vulnerable to poor light; therapies using near-infrared slow macular degeneration by improving energy production.* Ultra-processed foods are "high-entropy" with no structural order, akin to waste, reducing nutritional value for maintaining bodily order.* Practical fixes: Use low-voltage incandescents indoors, prioritize outdoor time, design buildings with infrared-transmitting glass, and light people, not spaces, for energy savings and health.Related episode:* M&M 146: Photobiology, Sunlight, Firelight, Incandescent Bulbs vs. LEDs, Mitochondria, Melatonin, Sunscreen & the Optics of the Body | Scott Zimmerman*Not medical advice.* Full audio version: [Apple] [Spotify] [Elsewhere]* Full video version: [YouTube] * Support M&M if you find value in this content.* Episode transcript below.Episode Chapters:* 00:00:00 Intro* 00:02:50 Background & Collaboration* 00:04:57 Reindeer Vision* 00:09:19 Sun as Star* 00:15:01 Stars & Entropy* 00:17:30 Schrodinger's Book* 00:21:05 Sun's Lifespan* 00:26:39 Solar Output & Life* 00:33:43 Schrodinger's Insights* 00:39:40 Thermodynamics & Life* 00:44:31 Star-Life Analogy* 00:48:37 Complexity & Entropy* 00:53:01 Infrared in Nature* 00:59:19 Entropy in Food* 01:13:43 Peak Photon Flux* 01:19:00 Evolution & Light* 01:24:08 Light Penetration* 01:30:34 Effects on Mitochondria* 01:37:47 Modern Light Environment* 01:43:14 Space & Dysfunction* 01:49:05 Retina & Health* 01:56:27 Remedies & Outdoors* 02:03:16 Architecture & Design* 02:08:02 Thermodynamic EfficiencyFull AI-generated transcript below. Beware of typos & mistranslations!