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Andrew Huberman Cast

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The 'lean startup' approach helps startups validate ideas quickly.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Genetic predispositions can influence performance in various fields, but environmental factors also play a crucial role in shaping abilities.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The concept of admixture highlights the genetic diversity within human populations, complicating the classification of humans as a single species.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Mindset can significantly affect health outcomes; believing stress is beneficial can improve health, while believing it is harmful can worsen it.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The relationship between genes and behaviors illustrates the complex interplay of nature and nurture in human development.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Genetic editing technologies like CRISPR raise ethical questions about the potential to prevent diseases in unborn children.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Cognitive performance, including mathematical abilities, may be influenced by genetic factors combined with training.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The Bajau people have adapted genetically to free diving, showcasing remarkable physiological traits that enhance their diving capabilities.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Breath-hold training activates the dive reflex, significantly improving oxygen availability by altering spleen size and function.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Certain behaviors can improve resilience by changing gene and organ function.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

I conduct pioneering studies on how our behavior and the environment can modify our gene expression.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The mammalian dive reflex can dramatically alter the physiology of your spleen, allowing significant increases in red blood cell count and oxygen availability to your brain and body.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

When selecting a mate, humans are drawn to those with immune system compositions that are most different from their own, which is often perceived through their smell.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Epigenetic changes can be passed down through generations, affecting traits like resilience in populations that have experienced trauma, such as refugees.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Humans continue to evolve as globalization allows for the mixing of genetic material from diverse populations, potentially leading to increased resilience and new phenotypes.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The Bajau people, known for their exceptional breath-hold diving abilities, have adapted physiologically to their lifestyle at sea, showcasing how behavior can shape human biology.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The record for breath-holding among the Bajau is reportedly around 13 minutes, demonstrating their extraordinary adaptation to underwater diving, as they are known as sea nomads who have adapted to free diving, allowing them to hold their breath for extended periods while hunting underwater.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Children in the Bajau community often learn to swim before they learn to walk, spending most of their lives on houseboats and in the water.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The ability to dive effectively is crucial for survival in the Bajau community, as those who do not master this skill may not survive long enough to reproduce.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Cultural knowledge and practices related to diving are passed down through generations in the Bajau community, emphasizing the importance of traditional skills for survival and reproduction.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The Bajau's diving skills may influence mate selection, as prowess in diving is associated with resource acquisition and reproductive success.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The dive reflex, which slows heart rate and constricts blood vessels, is triggered by facial immersion in cold water, mimicking the physiological responses seen in diving.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The spleen acts as a reservoir for red blood cells, and its contraction during breath-holding provides a significant boost in oxygen availability, estimated at about 10% for most individuals.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Research indicates that the dive reflex is an evolutionary adaptation present in many mammals, suggesting a shared ancestral trait that enhances survival in aquatic environments.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The Bajau have larger spleens compared to nearby populations that do not dive, which likely enhances their ability to hold their breath and increases oxygen availability during dives.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Higher than average thyroid hormone levels in the Bajau population correlate with larger spleens and increased red blood cell production, which may enhance their diving capabilities.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The 'Henyo' are female divers from Jeju Island, Korea, averaging around 70 years old, who have been diving in extremely cold water without thermal protection for generations, shaping their population in unique ways.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

These women dive throughout their pregnancies, sometimes until the day they give birth, and return to diving just days after childbirth, which has significant implications for their health and resilience.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Natural selection can act on pregnant women, influencing two generations if genetic variation is not protective, which highlights the rapid evolution occurring in populations like the Henyo.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Cultural factors may explain why women are the primary divers in certain populations, possibly due to unique physiological traits that make them more tolerant of cold water.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The Henyo are now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflecting the respect and recognition they have gained for their unique cultural practices and contributions to marine conservation.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Diet is a strong driver of natural selection, as seen in populations like the Greenlandic Inuit, who evolved to metabolize high lipid content from marine mammals, impacting their health and survival.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The heart rate of divers slows significantly during dives, with some individuals experiencing drops of over 40 beats per minute in under 15 seconds, indicating a remarkable training adaptation.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

Pregnant women divers may have a genetic adaptation that lowers their diastolic blood pressure while diving, potentially protecting them from hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The study of the Henyo divers may reveal protective mechanisms against sleep apnea and hypertensive disorders, potentially leading to new therapeutic approaches for pregnant women.

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Dr. Melissa Ilardo

05/26/25

@ Andrew Huberman

The ability to dive and hold breath has led to physiological adaptations in divers, such as larger spleens and improved oxygen utilization, which may also influence their cardiovascular health.

Behaviors That Alter Your Genes to Improve Your Health & Performance | Dr. Melissa Ilardo

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