Mind & Matter Podcast

Nick talks to climatologist Dr. Judith Curry, the former chair of the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Her research interests have included hurricanes, atmospheric modeling, air-sea interactions, and a variety of other areas in climate science. She runs Climate, Etc., an online blog focused on climate science. She is also writing a new book called, “Climate Uncertainty & Risk,” which she described towards the end of the podcast. They discuss: how Earth’s climate has changed over time and how climate scientists measure this; what computer models are used for in climate science and what their strengths & weaknesses are; tropical storms and severe weather events; CO2, methane, and other greenhouse gasses; different forms of energy, such as oil, natural gas, solar, wind, and nuclear; how she thinks about the tradeoffs between different energy sources in terms of their abundance, environmental impact, costs, and other factors; the politicization of climate science and why certain branches of science are especially prone to it. SUPPORT M&M: Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] The Amino Co., shop science-back amino acids supplements. Use code ‘MIND’ to save 30%. [https://aminoco.com/MIND] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:36 Judith Curry Conversation

Nick talks to Dr. David Cohen, a professor at the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs. His research looks at psychoactive drugs (prescribed, licit, and illicit) and their desirable and undesirable effects as socio-cultural phenomena “constructed” through language, policy, attitudes, and social interactions. They discuss: prescription psychiatric drugs, including SSRIs, benzodiazepines and stimulants (e.g. Adderall); the history of how some of the most widely prescribed psychiatric drugs came to be so popular; how pharmaceutical companies go about marketing these drugs and the conditions they aim to treat to both physicians and the public; the quality of the evidence supporting their use; what we are learning about the potential for dependency, long-term health effects, and actual level of benefit that comes from chronic psychiatric drug use; why many psychiatric drugs are increasingly prescribed in combination; and more. SUPPORT M&M: Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] The Amino Co., shop science-back amino acids supplements. Use code ‘MIND’ to save 30%. [https://aminoco.com/MIND] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:03:16 David Cohen Conversation

Nick talks to Dr. Shruti Naik, assistant professor of pathology & medicine at the NYU Langone. Her lab studies the interactions between immune cells, epithelial cells, and microbes in barrier tissues that interface with the environment (e.g. skin, lungs & gut). They discuss: inflammatory memory; how cells store memories of inflammation epigenetically; how skin cell regenerate and repair tissue damage; stem cell biology; cancer, and more. SUPPORT M&M: Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:54 Shruti Naik Conversation

Nick talks to neuroscientist Dr. Margaret McCarthy, whose lab at the University of Maryland studies the origins and mechanisms of sex differences in the brain, the endocannabinoid system, and neural basis of animal behavior. They discuss: the nature of sex differences observed in the mammalian brain, including differences in the susceptibility to various diseases and disorders of the brain; differences in juvenile play behavior in males vs. females, and how these can be altered by sex hormones and cannabinoids; sex differences in brain development that lead to sex differences in behavior; how the endocannabinoid system influences brain development and behavior; how cannabis use during pregnancy may influence brain development. SUPPORT M&M: Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:03:38 Margaret McCathy Conversation

Nick talks to science writer Matt Ridley, who most recently published the book, "Viral: The Search for the Origin of COVID-19" together with molecular biologist Dr. Alina Chan. They discussed what is known and still unknown about the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the latest developments in that mystery which have come to light in the past few months; the relationship between institutional science and politics; whether we are ever likely to know definitively the origins of this virus, and more. SUPPORT M&M: Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:42 Matt Ridley Conversation

Neuroscientist Dr. Margaret McCarthy discusses her research on juvenile play behavior in mammals, sex differences in the brain and behavior, sex hormones, and cannabinoids.

Nick talks to medicinal chemist Sam Banister, who is co-founder and Chief Science Officer at Psylo, a biotech startup focused on developing next-generation psychedelic medicines. They discuss: the past, present, and future of psychedelic science; Sam's journey from academia to biotech startup co-founder; Alexander Shulgin; psychedelics like psilocybin, DMT, and others; and psychedelics & society. SUPPORT M&M: Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindma...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:15 Sam Banister 0:10:03 Serotonin 2B Receptor & Heart Problems 0:15:58 Novel Psychedelic Drug Variants 0:24:03 Stagnation in Psychiatric Drug Development 0:30:41 DMT & DMT Analogues 0:38:20 Starting & Raising Money for Psychedelic Startups 0:47:52 Psychedelic Therapy & Neuroplasticity 0:56:58 Legalization vs. Decriminalization of Psychedelics 1:03:38 Unanswered Questions in Psychedelic Science 1:09:00 Psychedelics & Human Culture

Nick talks to neuroscientist & geneticist Dr. Kevin Mitchell about: 'Nature vs. Nurture,' the genetics of brain development, autism & schizophrenia, human brain and psychological variation, synesthesia, agency & free will, and more. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindma...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:25 Kevin Mitchell, Nature vs. Nurture 0:30:28 Genetics, Twins & Developmental Noise 0:54:51 Neurodevelopmental Genes 1:19:34 Sensory Perception & Synesthesia 1:38:03 Human Agency & Free Will

Nick talks to neurologist & neuroscientist Michael Fox, MD, PhD about his recent work mapping out an "addiction remission network" in the brain. They discuss addiction, brain networks involved in addiction, neurotechnologies like Deep Brain Stimulation and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, Parkinson's Disease, and more. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindma...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:05 Michael Fox

Nick talks to physiologist and neuroscientist Dr. Dominic D'Agostino about human metabolism & nutrition; fats, carbohydrates, sugar, and protein; ketogenic diet, ketosis, BHB supplementation; inflammation and polyunsaturated fats; personal health and metabolism monitoring; and general questions related to the quality of the nutritional information we receive from our institutions. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the free weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindma...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:20 Dominic D'Agostino Intro 0:10:19 Metabolism of Fats, Proteins, Carbs 0:20:16 Diet Composition & Blood Sugar 0:31:15 Ketogenic Diet & Ketosis 0:55:15 Ketone Body Supplements 1:13:23 Saturated & Unsaturated Fats 1:27:04 Inflammation & Fats 1:38:43 Health Monitoring Technology

Nick talks to anthropologist Dr. Dimitris Xygalatas, who is an associate professor at the University of Connecticut. His research interests center around human ritual behavior and the interaction between cognition and culture. They discuss his new Book, "Ritual: How Seemingly Senseless Acts Make Life Worth Living." Topics covered: Rituals vs. habits; the psychological purpose of ritual; ritualism as an antidote to anxiety; religion and spiritual practices; culture & the birth of civilization; the physiological and psychoactive effects of ritual; Ayahuasca and psychoactive drugs; rituals in sports, gambling, and other human activities; the evolution of language & symbolic cognition; religion, community & Burning Man. USEFUL LINKS Buy "Ritual" by Dimitris Xygalatas [https://linktr.ee/mindandmatter_books] Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discoun...] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindma...] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Nick talks to cognitive psychopharmacologist Dr. Manoj Doss about the effects of psychoactive drugs on memory, including sedatives, stimulants, psychedelics, cannabinoids, and MDMA. They also talk about recent research on the effects of psilocybin on the human brain. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discoun...] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindma...] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?par...]

Nick talks to neuroscientist Dr. Joseph LeDoux, who runs a research lab at New York University. His research focuses on the neurobiology of emotion, memory and behavior and he has written several popular science books including, "The Deep History of Ourselves." They discuss: brain evolution; what is behavior?; what are emotion and cognition, and how are they intertwined; consciousness, language, and memory. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discoun...] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindma...] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?par...]

Dr. Maayan Levy is an assistant professor of microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania, where her lab studies the communication between the microbiome and its host, with a focus on the gut microbiome and its relationship to diet, immune system function, and disease. We discuss: her recent study linking the ketogenic diet to lower risk of colon cancer; what the ketogenic diet is and what the metabolic state of ‘ketosis’ does in the body; molecules called ketone bodies, such as BHB, and the extent to which BHB supplementation can recapitulate some of the physiological effects of the ketogenic diet; how the microbiome influences the function and development of the immune system; and the hygiene hypothesis, the idea that modern human cultures may be too clean, or rely too heavily on antibiotics and other technology, and interfere with our microbiome in ways that may be detrimental to metabolic and immunological health. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discoun...] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindma...] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?par...]

Nick talks to chemist & patent attorney Dr. Andrew Chadeayne, who is the CEO of the psychedelic startup CaaMTech. They discussed: the chemistry of magic mushrooms, including compounds beyond psilocybin, found in many species of psilocybin-containing mushrooms; the so-called entourage effect, the idea that multiple compounds found in plants and fungi might work together in a synergistic fashion to produce specific psychoactive or therapeutic effects; Cannabis and magic mushrooms; DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, and novel DMT analogues; how we went from academia, to patent law, to founding CaaMTech; the prospect of developing novel psychedelic drugs, non-hallucinogenic psychedelic drug analogues, and some of the details on how these various drugs differ in terms of their chemical structure. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?sort=top] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discount/MIND] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindmatter] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindandmatter] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?partner=MINDANDMATTER]

Nick talks to Dr. Martin Picard, a biologist at Columbia University whose lab studies mitochondrial psychobiology, linking together molecular processes within mitochondria with human experience. They discussed; what mitochondria are and where they came from; their role in energy & metabolism; the mitochondrial genome; the importance of mitochondria in stress & aging; how exercise, diet, and genetics influence mitochondria biology; hair graying and whether it's reversible; the mind-mitochondria connection. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?sort=top] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discount/MIND] DoubleBlind Magazine, a leading source of news, information, and education about psychedelics. Use code MINDMATTER for 20% site-wide. [https://www.doubleblindmag.com/mindmatter] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindandmatter] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?partner=MINDANDMATTER] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:35 Martin Picard Intro 0:20:24 How Mitochondria Evolved 0:31:30 What Mitochondria Do Beyond Energy Production 0:50:49 Reactive Oxygen Species & Antioxidants 0:59:10 Fasting, Diet & Mitochondria 1:10:13 Aging & Mitochondrial Health 1:22:10 Endurance Training, Cognition & Mitochondria 1:50:05 Gray Hair Reversal 2:03:06 Summary & Final Thoughts

Nick talks to biologist Dr. Leonard Guarente about the biology of aging, life extension, health supplements, and related topics. Dr. Guarente is a Professor of Biology at MIT, where his lab has studied the molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging for many years. He is also the co-founder and Chief Scientist of Elysium Health, which uses the science of aging to develop health supplements to combat age-related decline and technologies to help consumers understand their rate of aging. Nick and Dr. Guarente discussed many topics related to aging, including: how and why aging occurs; whether humans can achieve immortality; NAD and the core metabolic processes of cells; resveratrol, pterostilbene, and other anti-aging molecules; epigenetics and technology that can be used to calculate biological age vs. chronological age. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discoun...] Buy books from M&M guests [https://linktr.ee/mindandmatter_books] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?par...]

Nick talks to cell & developmental biologist Dr. Blanche Capel. They discussed the nature of sexual reproduction and sexual dimorphism, including when these these things evolved, the evolutionary reasons for sexual reproduction, and the amazing diversity of mechanisms that determine the development of sexual traits across the animal kingdom; the contribution of genetic vs. environmental factors in sex determination, and how these vary across species; sex chromosomes, such as the X and Y chromosomes of humans and other mammals; sex hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen; as well as how gametes and gonads develop - these are the sex cells, such as sperm or egg, and the reproductive organs that produce them and the major sex hormones that shape sexual development; what we know, and don’t know, about the biology of puberty and sexual development after birth, as well as whether environmental factors, such as components of the diet an environmental contaminants, could be influencing sexual development. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discoun...] Buy books from M&M guests [https://linktr.ee/mindandmatter_books] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?partner=MINDANDMATTER]

Nick talks to neuroscientist & clinical researcher Dr. Rachel Yehuda, who is a professor of psychiatry & neuroscience at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in New York. They discuss the biology and neuroscience of stress, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), why people can be sensitive or resilient to stress, epigenetics, intergenerational trauma, and how MDMA and psychedelics are being explored for their ability to treat stress-related mental health conditions. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Elysium Health, a life sciences company focused on aging research. Use code MIND for 10% off first purchase of any of their supplement products. Valid until 6/22/2022. [https://www.elysiumhealth.com/discount/MIND] Buy books from M&M guests [https://linktr.ee/mindandmatter_books] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?par...]

Nick speaks to writer Robert Greene, who is the author of several books exploring different, and sometimes dark, aspects of human psychology. The discussion focuses on the subject of his first book, "The 48 Laws of Power." They discuss what power is and how it's used. Different psychological traits that people who successfully acquire power tend to have. Strategies that have been useful throughout history for acquiring more power, as well as those that lead to a loss of power. Robert talks the political scientist Niccolo Machiavelli, and how he is often misunderstood. He also gave his perspective on some influential people with power today, including Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel, and Elon Musk. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?sort=top] Buy books from M&M guests [https://linktr.ee/mindandmatter_books] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindandmatter] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub)[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Try Levels Health to monitor your blood sugar & optimize your diet [https://www.levelshealth.com/join?partner=MINDANDMATTER] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:53 Robert Greene Intro 0:07:25 Niccolo Machiavelli 0:14:25 Structure of Greene's Books 0:25:03 Power & Relationships 0:30:08 Deceit, Self-Deception & Language 0:41:24 PT Barnum & Capturing Attention 0:50:36 Protecting Yourself From Predation 1:00:57 Robert's Historical Research Process 1:15:00 Powerful Modern World Leaders 1:24:45 Elon Musk & Final Thoughts

Nick talks to cognitive scientist Dr. Donald Hoffman, who is professor emeritus of cognitive sciences at UC-Irvine and the author of many scientific papers and books, including "The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes.” They discussed a variety of topics related to consciousness, the nature of perception, and evolution, including: how perception works; whether our conscious perceptions are accurate representations of underlying reality; the interface theory of perception, which likens our conscious perceptions to the digital icons displayed on your computer screen; language; psychedelic experiences; and the nature of reality itself, such as whether space and time are fundamental aspects of the universe, or artifacts of perception. USEFUL LINKS Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter [https://mindandmatter.substack.com/?s...] Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply Vitamin D w/ purchase) [https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindan...] Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website [https://www.nickjikomes.com] Follow Nick's work through Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/trikomes] Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ sub) [https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/] 0:00:00 Episode Intro 0:04:23 Donald Hoffman Intro 0:11:05 Our Mind Did Not Evolve for Truth 0:23:04 Vision, Attractiveness & Fitness Payoffs 0:44:38 Split-Brains & Consciousness 0:54:55 Neural Correlates of Consciousness 1:11:43 The Brain's Perception of Space & Time 1:35:50 Language & the Interface Theory of Perception 2:07:20 What Are Psychedelic Experiences? 2:16:07 Final Thoughts