Psilocybin, Body Replacement, and Life in the Universe: Highlights from the Latest Podcast Episodes
Round up on last week's podcast episodes
Welcome to another edition of Pawd Picks. Podcasts have become a ubiquitous part of modern life, offering a never-ending stream of information and entertainment at our fingertips. But with so many options out there, it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time. But fear not, we are there to help you with our insights and recommendations in our newsletter. Let’s get started!
Pop-Science
Stuff You Should Know
Dunbar’s Number
In the latest episode of Stuff You Should Know, hosts Josh and Chuck embark on a fascinating exploration of Dunbar's number. This intriguing concept suggests that the neocortex imposes a cognitive limit on the number of friends we can effectively maintain. The episode commences with a witty reference to Seinfeld, highlighting the challenges of cultivating new friendships in adulthood.
Josh and Chuck navigate the multiple layers of social connections beyond 150 friends and how the frequency of interaction with each individual can impact our social circles. They also delve into how some institutions have implemented this principle in practice, with the Swedish Tax Authority limiting office sizes to 150 individuals.
The episode illuminates the contested nature of Dunbar's number and how social media may be influencing our perceptions of friendships and their potential impact on these numerical limits. Furthermore, the potential applications of this theory for demographers and economists to predict group sizes based on individual friendships are explored.
In summary, this episode offers a captivating analysis of the intricacies and limitations of human social connections. We invite you to indulge in this fascinating discussion as much as we did.
Does the body replace itself?
In this episode of Stuff You Should Know, Josh and Chuck tackle the intriguing idea that the human body replaces itself every seven years. But this concept goes beyond biology; it touches on the very essence of our identity and the nature of change.
The hosts navigate the complex science of cellular renewal, taking listeners on a journey through groundbreaking research and shedding light on the lifespan of different types of cells. And while they delve into the nitty-gritty of the topic, Josh and Chuck never lose their playful, engaging style.
The episode also explores the philosophical implications of this idea, provoking deep questions about who we are and how we change over time. From die-hard fans to newcomers, "Selects: Does the Body Replace Itself?" is a must-listen episode that will leave you pondering the mysteries of the human body and the world around us.
Space Science, Universe
StarTalk
Cosmic Queries: Volcanoes & Life in the Universe
On this week's episode of StarTalk, the illustrious Neil deGrasse Tyson welcomed the brilliant Natalie Starkey, PhD to tackle one of the biggest questions in astrophysics: Is there life out there in the universe, and if so, where do we find it?
Starting with a discussion on the Stardust mission, which brought back amino acids from comets, the duo delved into the science of analyzing extraterrestrial materials while ensuring no contamination of samples. They then explored the fascinating world of cryovolcanism, which occurs when a celestial body has a rocky core and a salty liquid ocean beneath the crust.
Moving on to the search for extraterrestrial life, Tyson and Starkey highlighted the importance of finding habitable environments and the right ingredients for life, such as liquid water and heat. They also addressed the ethical considerations of sending radio signals and messages on spacecraft, potentially attracting extraterrestrial attention.
In addition to discussing the JUICE mission and NASA's Europa Clipper mission, the hosts examined geothermal energy and the potential to harness it as a renewable source of electricity, as well as volcanic eruptions on Earth and the moon, and the search for life in extreme environments.
As always, StarTalk delivers an insightful and thought-provoking discussion on the mysteries of the universe. Tune in and expand your mind!
Science, Health
The Huberman Lab Podcast
How Psilocybin Can Rewire Our Brain, Its Therapeutic Benefits & Its Risks
In this episode of The Huberman Lab Podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman immerses us in the captivating world of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms. Dr. Huberman's engaging exploration of psilocybin spans the gamut, from its use by indigenous cultures for spiritual and therapeutic purposes to its recent clinical studies as a potential treatment for various mental health conditions.
The science behind psilocybin's effects is discussed in detail, as Dr. Huberman explains how psilocybin mimics the effects of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, pleasure, and motivation. The podcast delves into psilocybin's ability to induce neuroplasticity, which allows the brain to reorganize and change itself. Specifically, the episode covers the importance of set and setting, the dosing of psilocybin, the neurological effects of psilocybin, and the subjective synesthetic experiences of those on psilocybin.
One of the most interesting topics discussed in the episode is the importance of "letting go" and "ego dissolution" during psychedelic journeys for positive therapeutic outcomes. Dr. Huberman explains that anxiety during the journey can actually be beneficial, as long as it is balanced with ego dissolution. The study cited highlights the importance of well-trained guides who can help individuals manage their anxiety during the session, allowing them to achieve the best results with psilocybin.
Finally, the episode covers the clinical studies that have explored the use of psilocybin for treating various mental health conditions, with the strongest evidence supporting treatment-resistant depression and cancer-related anxiety. It is important to understand that the proper dosing, safe environment, and well-trained guides are essential to achieve the best results with psilocybin.
In summary, this episode of The Huberman Lab Podcast is a captivating journey into the world of psilocybin, covering its potential therapeutic benefits and risks, as well as the science behind its effects. Dr. Huberman's engaging style makes this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the fascinating world of psychedelics.
We published detailed notes on this episode in our previous post, you can find it here:
Science, Health
The Drive by Peter Attia, MD
Hormone Replacement Therapy and The Women's Health Initiative: re-examining the results
In the latest episode of The Drive, Dr. Peter Attia examines the results of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for postmenopausal women. The study was designed to test the effectiveness of HRT for the prevention of chronic diseases like heart disease and cognitive decline.
Dr. Attia and Dr. JoAnn Manson explore the surprising findings of the study, which showed no increase in breast cancer risk with estrogen alone, but a 25-30% increase in risk with estrogen plus progestin. They also discuss how the study's results were over-extrapolated to discourage younger women from seeking help for severe menopausal symptoms.
The speakers emphasize the importance of personalized decision-making when it comes to HRT, as the benefits and risks are not clearly known for all women. They suggest that younger women in early menopause with severe symptoms should seek help and consider HRT, as the benefits are likely to outweigh the risks.
The episode also touches on the "lost generation" of women who suffered unnecessarily due to Physicians' ignorance and the media's irresponsibility regarding the WHI study and HRT.
To learn more about the nuances of HRT and the WHI study, tune in to the latest episode of The Drive.
Wrap Up
And that brings us to the end of this edition of Pawd Picks. We hope that our recommendations have piqued your interest and inspired you to give some new podcasts a try. Remember, with the wealth of content available, it can be overwhelming to navigate the world of podcasts. But by taking the time to seek out high-quality, engaging content, you can turn your commute, workout, or downtime into a valuable learning or entertainment opportunity. Stay tuned for more insightful recommendations from Pawd Picks, and until next time, happy listening!