
#104: Intelligence Beyond the Brain - Nikolay Kukushkin, PhD
From The FitMind Podcast: Mental Fitness, Neuroscience & Psychology by FitMind: Neuroscience, Meditation & Mental Fitness Training
July 15, 2025 · 1h 12m
About this episode
Dr. Nikolay Kukushkin discusses groundbreaking research on intelligence beyond the brain, exploring how non-neuronal cells can learn and remember.
Can cells outside the brain learn, remember, and make decisions? In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Nikolay Kukushkin shares groundbreaking research that shows even non-neuronal cells can recognize patterns, count, and store information in ways strikingly similar to brain cells. We explore: Why memory may not be limited to the brain What sea slugs can teach us about human cognition How prediction and perception shape our sense of self The parallels between AI and biological intelligence Whether trauma could be "stored" in cells outside the nervous system Dr. Kukushkin's work suggests we rethink intelligence, not as something exclusive to the brain, but as a fundamental property of life. FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind Website: www.fitmind.org SHOW NOTES 0:00 | Intro to Nikolay Kukushkin, PhD 5:10 | Memory in Seaslugs 10:25 | Cells Can Recognize Patterns 20:28 | Memory Defined 23:02 | Do Cells Store Trauma? 30:40 | Treatment for Neurological Conditions 38:40 | Brain & Memory Connection 42:25 | Optimal Interval for Superior Memory 44:52 | Layering of Predictions 50:35 | AI Inspired by Neuronal Behavior 52:27 | Cellular Cognition & Memory 54:47 | Intelligence…
People in this episode
Guest: Nikolay Kukushkin, PhD
Topics covered
- neuroscience
- memory
- intelligence
- cognition
- trauma
- AI
Keywords
- memory
- cells
- cognition
- intelligence
- trauma
- neuroscience
- AI
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: FitMind, Nikolay Kukushkin
Products: FitMind Neuroscience-Based App
Books & works: One Hand Clapping
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