Collective Insights

Are we on the cusp of making illness optional by predicting and preventing chronic diseases through a deeper understanding of an individual’s biology? Naveen Jain, Founder of Viome, joins us once again as our guest host, along with fellow colleague, Dr. Momo Vuyisich, Ph.D. to shed light on that topic, with the latest research in biological states of interest.

Nicole Prause Ph.D., neuroscientist researching human sexual behavior, addiction, and the physiology of sexual response, is here today to debunk popular misconceptions about the science of sex. We deep dive into how the brain the grows, adapts, and rewires during sexual stimulation and even discuss how difficult it is to measure whether or not a test subject has *really* had an orgasm. Buckle up, Neurohackers. This is your brain on sex.

We have a Collective Insights first for you! Today Naveen Jain, Founder of Viome, debuts as our guest host, along with fellow colleague Dr. Hanon, taking us on a thrilling discussion of how gut microbiome research is leading the future of disease prevention and longevity.

In today’s episode we welcome author, psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist, Julie Holland, MD to discuss why we need connection, how we’ve lost it, how we might find it again, and how psychedelics can help. Holland takes us on a deep dive into the science behind psychedelic compounds that modulate neuroplasticity and how plant medicines are being used to effectively heal trauma and nurture connection. We discuss: How psychedelics rewire the brain The role of mindfulness and psychedelics in accessing parasympathetic states Hormones and love drugs for bonding, connection, and sexuality The power of MDMA to promote healing through connection with others.

Modern life as we know it is a blessing, but it comes at a cost. Today, Kyle Kingsbury, former football player and retired MMA fighter, is here to help us integrate ancient living into modern life for an optimized brain and body.

Nick Farr, author of The Long Disaster, a manifesto of preparedness, joins us to share a message of hope amongst our present meta-crisis and an unexpected link between the skills needed to survive and the Burning Man culture. With each hurricane, earthquake or armed conflict, the fragility of our systems becomes evident while the consequences of their failure bleeds across borders. The solution? Nick proposes closing the gap in six crucial areas.

What’s the difference between those who quit and those who commit? At the core it’s one’s ability to tolerate discomfort. Discomfort is the price we pay for resilience. Today, Joe De Sena, CEO and founder of Spartan, a series of high endurance obstacle courses and NY Times bestseller, is here to share techniques to help us build a resilient brain.

Christopher Bache shares his courageous and outrageous thought experiments and lived experience with therapeutic psychedelics and his inquiry into the mystical. He brings his interdisciplinary set of frameworks ranging from comparative religion to transpersonal psychology, to his own lived experience of what were the types and classifications and categories of experiences he had. Full episode transcript can be viewed here: https://neurohacker.com/exploring-psychedelics-and-the-mystical-an-interview-with-christopher-bache

Collective Insights has covered many aspects of health and today we cover a whole new one, financial health. Garrett Gunderson is the perfect person to introduce us to this topic as he is commonly referred to as a financial genius within the entrepreneurial communities. And what better person to host this conversation than our very own CEO and co-founder James Schmachtenberger! For the full show notes visit: https://neurohacker.com/what-is-money-and-how-to-change-your-relationship-with-it

JJ Virgin, triple-board certified nutrition expert, author of four NY Times bestsellers, and prominent TV and media personality, is here with us today to discuss just how powerful the gut-brain connection is.JJ opens up about why an n-of-1 approach to nutrition was vital in her 15-year-old son healing from a traumatic brain injury. In an eye-opening discussion we tackle the false dogmatic nutrition beliefs that are impacting both our microbiome and cognitive function.For the full show notes visit: https://neurohacker.com/why-the-gut-brain-connection-matters-traumatic-brain-injuries-and-nutrition

In this episode Matt Maruca, CEO of Ra Optics, and citizen scientist joins us to unpack the science behind how light drives mitochondrial function and circadian rhythms. Matt’s passion and knowledge of photobiology shines bright in this discussion as he shares his personal story of how chronic illness led him to conclude that the most important factor for living our best life lies in our relationship with light. For the full show notes visit: https://neurohacker.com/how-to-manipulate-light-to-help-improve-mitochondrial-function-an-interview-with-matt-maruca

In this episode best-selling author and clinical researcher Dr. Michael Ruscio dives deep into the gut-brain connection and how to strengthen their synergy with easy practical tips. If you want clearer cognition and smooth digestion you are not going to want to miss this episode. You will walk away with tools and practices you can get started on today. - Listen in now!

Tyson Yunkaporta, academic, author, and a researcher who belongs to the Apalech Clan in far north Queensland, joins us today to discuss how Indigenous wisdom can help change the world for the better.Full episode transcript can be viewed here: https://neurohacker.com/exploring-global-systems-through-the-lens-of-indigenous-thinking

In this episode Dennis McKenna shares his professional and personal stories and discoveries on the interdisciplinary study of ethnopharmacology and natural psychedelics. Dennis dives deep into indigenous wisdom, plant knowledge, and the eschaton, or the end of time. Non-Ordinary Experiences & Psychedelics going over fungi, neurotransmitters, amino acids. And the relationship between logos, kairos, chronos, and the eschaton. Listen in now!For the full show notes visit: https://neurohacker.com/understanding-non-ordinary-experiences-psychedelics-and-our-reality-an-interview-with-dennis-mckenna

We are excited to welcome Ariel Garten, neuroscientist, innovator, entrepreneur, and co-founder of InteraXon, the makers of Muse: the brain sensing headband, to the podcast.Ariel guides us on a mindfulness meets science journey as we unpack the research that supports how meditation makes significant, actual changes inside the brain. She shares insider tips for using meditation as a tool for increased focus, managing anxiety, and greater self-awareness.For the full show notes visit: https://neurohacker.com/the-science-of-meditation-an-interview-with-ariel-garten

BJ Miller, hospice and palliative care doctor at the University of California, San Francisco Cancer Center and the co-author of the book "A Beginner's Guide To The End: Practical Advice For Living Life And Facing Death, joins us today to discuss a topic that is often avoided at all costs: death.But BJ is here to reframe the stigma associated with end of life experiences. By sharing his near death encounter, learnings as a hospice and palliative care, and the very raw feelings associated with a personal loss, BJ leads us on a journey where death can be embraced as a pursuit of life.For the full show notes visit: https://neurohacker.com/reframing-the-stigma-surrounding-death-and-end-of-life-experiences-an-interview-with-bj-miller-md

Bill McKibben is a noted environmentalist, author, educator, and activist. He famously wrote the book The End of Nature 3 decades ago, and most recently in his book Falter he explores what it might mean for us to come to the end of our civilization rope and what do we do next. He is the founder of 350.org global Grassroots movement for environmental advocacy, justice, and divestment from petrol capitalism.For the full show notes visit: https://neurohacker.com/individuals-must-join-together-for-climate-change-an-interview-with-bill-mckibben