Intro
In this episode of the “Science vs” podcast, host Wendy Zukerman interviews Professor Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist and host of the Huberman Lab podcast. They discuss Huberman’s journey to becoming a professor at Stanford, his fascination with the brain and neurons, his promotion of certain supplements, and his thoughts on the COVID lab leak theory. Huberman also shares insights into his childhood, his love for animals and learning, and how he overcame challenges in his life.
Main Takeaways
Unlikely Path to Professorship
- Professor Andrew Huberman shares his unlikely path to becoming a professor at Stanford.
- Despite a high-conflict divorce in his teenage years, Huberman developed a thick skin and grew up in a culture that taught him to handle criticism.
- Huberman turned to skateboarding and his friends to cope with the disruption in his home life and stopped going to school.
- He started spending time at the infamous EMB plaza in San Francisco where he met other kids who were not going to school.
- Huberman was sent to a youth detention center where he had to participate in a military-style program and group therapy.
- As a condition for being let back in high school, he started seeing a weekly therapist who helped him take control of his life and physicality.
Fascination with Neurons and the Brain
- Huberman discusses the coolness of neurons and the brain and how it continues to amaze him.
- His favorite study is exploring how to encourage neurons in the central nervous system to regenerate after injury.
- Lizards can regenerate their optic nerve after it’s been fully severed.
- Peripheral nerves in humans can grow back at a rate of about a millimeter per day.
- Stem cells can regenerate entire limbs in salamanders.
- Neural activity is critical for the wiring of the nervous system during development.
- M-TOR, a molecule associated with growth, can trick adult neurons into regenerating and rewiring to the correct place.
- Most of the precise wiring in the nervous system is by virtue of signals for neurons to not grow a certain place, repellent signals.
Supplements and the COVID Lab Leak Theory
- Huberman’s conversation delves into his promotion of certain supplements and the COVID lab leak theory.
- Supplements should not be the first recommendation for improving health behaviors.
- Preclinical data on Mag 3 and 8 suggest they may lower anxiety and serve as cognitive boosters.
- Human studies show magnesium deficiency may impact mood and sleep.
- Synergy between Apogenin-thienin and Mag 3 and 8 is based on logical argument from different mechanisms of action.
- Mechanistic explanation is offered for supplement recommendations.
- Human clinical data is minimal, but anecdotal data is strong.
- Caution should be taken when relying on animal studies for human health recommendations.
- The supplement industry is aggressive in its leaps from literature to practical application, and caution should be taken in relying solely on supplements for health optimization.
- The COVID pandemic has widened the gap between pro and anti-vaccine beliefs.
- Gain of function experiments have become a red flag for the idea that COVID-19 was cooked up in a lab.
- There are three theories around the origins of COVID-19: it came from an animal market in Wuhan, it was designed in a lab, or it escaped the lab inadvertently.
- Human error is a high probability for the virus escaping the lab.
- It is unlikely that we will ever know the true origin of COVID-19.
Summary
Unlikely Path to Professorship
Professor Andrew Huberman shares his unconventional journey to becoming a professor at Stanford. Despite facing challenges such as a high-conflict divorce and disruptions in his education, Huberman found solace in skateboarding and developed resilience. He credits therapy and taking control of his life for his eventual success.
Fascination with Neurons and the Brain
Huberman’s fascination with neurons and the brain led him to study how to encourage neuronal regeneration after injury. He highlights the remarkable regenerative abilities of lizards and salamanders, as well as the role of neural activity in the wiring of the nervous system. M-TOR, a growth-associated molecule, offers potential for adult neurons to regenerate and rewire to the correct locations.
Supplements and the COVID Lab Leak Theory
Huberman discusses his promotion of certain supplements, emphasizing that they should not be the first recommendation for improving health behaviors. He explains the potential benefits of Mag 3 and 8 in reducing anxiety and enhancing cognition based on preclinical and limited human studies. However, caution is advised when relying solely on animal studies for human health recommendations. Huberman also touches on the COVID lab leak theory, highlighting the three main theories surrounding the virus’s origin and the challenges in determining the truth.
Conclusion
Professor Andrew Huberman’s journey to becoming a professor at Stanford, his fascination with neurons and the brain, and his insights on supplements and the COVID lab leak theory provide listeners with a unique perspective on neuroscience and health. Huberman’s personal experiences and expertise offer valuable insights into resilience, neuronal regeneration, and the complexities surrounding health recommendations and the origins of COVID-19.
