The Peter Attia Drive

In this episode, Sam Harris, neuroscientist, author, and host of the Waking Up Podcast, walks us through the profound, yet practical, ways that meditation can transform our lives. Additionally, he helps to define the types of meditation and clarifies potential misconceptions with terms like happiness, pain, and suffering. We discuss: The transformative moment that led to Peter reaching out to Sam [3:45]; Comparing the two broad types of meditation, and Peter's favorite meditation apps [7:45]; The pleasure of a concentrated mind, meditating with pain, and the difference between pain and suffering [13:15]; What it means to be happy, and how to break out of our default state [23:15]; The disease of distraction, why humans suffer, the limitation of happiness, and letting go of anger with mindfulness [31:00]; The challenge of learning mindfulness, the benefit of silent retreats, and Sam's first experience in solitude as a teenager [54:15]; Sam's life-altering experience with MDMA [1:03:00]; Mettā meditation a.k.a. loving-kindness, and the concept of 'moral luck' [1:14:00]; Overcoming grief and dread with meditation [1:34:45]; The wrong way to practice mindfulness, and the difference between Vipassana and Dzogchen [1:44:45]; Sam's commitment to never lie, honesty in politics, and Sam's viewpoint on the Trump phenomenon [2:06:00]; Teaching kids to be more mindful [2:18:30]; Sam's current book projects, the consequences of a politically correct environment, and the potential of neuroscience to cure psychopathy [2:25:30]; How you can follow Sam's work [2:39:00]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

In this episode, Dr. Rudy Leibel, an expert in Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics at Columbia University, discusses his role in the remarkable scientific story of discovering leptin. He also gets into the genetics of obesity, as well as a broader discussion of the causes and effects of obesity, energy expenditure, and metabolism. We discuss: Rudy's background, interest in obesity, and trying to understand the role and impact of adipose tissue [4:15]; Finding the first evidence of leptin by studying obese mice [23:30]; Zucker rats, and the push/pull theories of obesity [34:45]; A breakthrough in obesity research, and closing in on leptin [45:45]; Understanding leptin in humans [1:03:30]; What Prader–Willi syndrome teaches us about body weight regulation [1:09:45]; Leptin and the broad condition of obesity, metabolic consequences of weight reduction, and Peter's self-experiments [1:18:00]; How is appetite being regulated? [1:29:45]; Are there epigenetic consequences of being obese? [1:37:00]; What makes low-carb diets so effective at obesity reduction? [1:46:15]; What did Rudy believe 10 years ago that he no longer believes to be true? [1:55:15]; Rudy's dream study of the FTO gene [1:57:15]; What the hell does insulin resistance actually mean? [2:08:30]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Sid Mukherjee, author of 'The Emperor of All Maladies', discusses his writing process, thoughts about medicine, cancer, immunotherapy, and a study combining a ketogenic diet with a drug in mice that had encouraging results. They also explore the three laws of medicine, the excitement around immunotherapy, and how the body's metabolic state affects cancer.

In this episode, Nav Chandel, a professor of medicine and cell and molecular biology at Northwestern University, discusses the role of mitochondria and metabolism in health and disease. Nav also provides insights into the mitochondria as signaling organelles, antioxidants, and metformin's multifaceted effects on human health, among many topics related to well-being. We discuss: What got Nav interested in mitochondria [5:00]; Reactive oxygen species (ROS) [16:00]; Antioxidants: helpful or harmful? [20:00]; Mitochondria as signaling organelles [22:00]; Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) [25:00]; Mitochondrial DNA [28:00]; Mitochondria and aging [45:00]; Metformin [52:45]; Metformin and the gut microbiome [54:00]; Metformin as complex I inhibitor and the importance of the NADH/NAD ratio [1:01:00]; Anticancer benefits of metformin [1:07:45]; Mitochondrial function is necessary for tumorigenesis [1:15:00]; Are somatic mutations the result of mitochondrial dysfunction? [1:31:30]; Vitamins and antioxidants [1:37:00]; Targeting inflammation in disease [1:43:00]; NAD precursors [1:45:45]; MitoQ [1:52:00]; Metabolite toxicity [1:56:30]; Cortisol and healthy aging [2:02:00]; Nav turns the tables and asks Peter how he deals with the "So what should I eat?" question during social encounters [2:09:00]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

In this episode, Thomas Seyfried, a cancer researcher and professor of biology at Boston College, discusses a controversial view of cancer as a mitochondrial metabolic disease. Many topics related to the causes, treatments, and prevention of cancer are covered in this in-depth conversation. We discuss: How Tom got interested in cancer research [9:00]; Calorie-restricted ketogenic diets, fasting, and epileptic seizures [18:30]; Otto Warburg and the Warburg effect [30:45]; Germline mutations, somatic mutations, and no mutations [42:00]; Mitochondrial substrate level phosphorylation: Warburg's missing link [51:30]; What is the structural defect in the mitochondria in cancer? [1:02:00]; Peter's near-death experience with the insulin suppression test while in ketosis [1:06:30]; Insulin potentiation therapy and glutamine inhibition [1:13:15]; The macrophage fusion-hybrid theory of metastasis [1:39:30]; How are cancer cells growth dysregulated without a mutation? [1:47:00]; What is the dream clinical trial to test the hypothesis that we can reduce the death rates of cancer by 50%? [2:03:15]; How can the hypothesis be tested rigorously that structural abnormalities in the mitochondria impair respiration and lead to compensatory fermentation? [2:26:30]; Case studies of GBM survivors [2:32:45]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

In this episode, 8-time Olympic medalist, Apolo Ohno, discusses the lessons he's learned from his remarkable career in speed skating and the extreme physical and mental training — and determination — required to reach greatness. We discuss: Apolo's childhood with his single dad, early success in sports, and falling in love with skating [7:30]; The differences between inline and ice skating, and short- & long-track speed-skating, and the evolution of the clap skate [21:00]; The mental game and the physical game: intense training and mindset [29:30]; Apolo's early success in short-track that led to an amazing opportunity and his reluctance to go for it [40:15]; Early days at Lake Placid, first experience on the world stage, and a little self-sabotage [56:45]; Tough love parenting, making a commitment, training like Rocky, and developing the mindset of a fighter [1:17:30]; 2002 Olympics, winning his first medal, and rising above the sport [1:32:45]; Apolo's evolving training and body composition throughout his Olympic career [2:05:15]; Going into the Lion's Den to learn from Korean skaters and making a radical and risky change that led to his most successful Olympic games [2:12:45]; Apolo's tumultuous relationship with South Korea, from hatred to respect to admiration [2:29:00]; Applying lessons learned through training, adjusting to life after skating, and the struggles many athletes face transitioning to retirement [2:46:30]; The final years of Apolo's career: intense focus, crazy training, mental fortitude, and resiliency [2:57:30]; Officially retiring and contemplating a comeback [3:16:15]; Where does Apolo want to be in 10 years? [3:22:45]; The pursuit of perfection and flow states [3:29:30]; Where you can follow Apolo [3:35:00]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

In this episode, Mark and Chris Bell discuss their love of powerlifting, their unbelievable personal records, and what prompted the making of their now iconic film, Bigger, Stronger, Faster. They also very openly discuss steroid use, their tragic family history with addiction, the many inspirations that lead to their multifaceted success, and their dedication to having a positive impact on others in fitness and life. We discuss: The impact of Bigger, Stronger, Faster, how it got made, and how it challenged Peter's set of beliefs regarding steroids [4:45]; Chris's personal story of addiction and how he's using his experience to help others [17:30]; Importance of sharing your struggle, and the danger of comparing yourself to others [28:00]; Early life, their love of pro wrestling and what motivated Brothers Bell to be great? [33:45]; How they got started lifting weights, powerlifting vs Olympic lifting, and personal records [43:30]; Lifting weights: the importance of challenging yourself, how to avoid injury, monitoring progress, and staying motivated [1:02:30]; Chris on how changing his diet changed his performance and life [1:09:15]; Best resources for those wanting to get started lifting weights effectively and safely [1:14:00]; Teaching kids strength training early in life, the negative impact of sitting and how we can minimize it [1:18:30]; Benefits of bodybuilding, Mark's prep for his first competition, and the role of the ketogenic diet [1:27:15]; The steroid controversy: Mark's use of them and Peter's perspective [1:42:15]; Testosterone: Peter's approach to improving it in patients, and the impact of sleep, cortisol, and statins on production [1:51:00]; Upcoming nutrition documentary [2:03:00]; Parting advice from Mark [2:05:00]; Kratom, a powerful plant with the potential to help opioid addiction and more [2:06:15]; The many resources and ways to follow Mark and Chris [2:07:45]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

In this episode, David A. Sinclair, Ph.D., a Professor in the Department of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and co-Director of the Paul F. Glenn Center for the Biological Mechanisms of Aging, provides insight into why we age and how to slow its effects based on his remarkable work on the role of sirtuins and NAD in health and diseases. He also presents the case that stabilizing the epigenetic landscape may be the linchpin in counteracting aging and disease. We discuss: How and why David moved from Australia to Leonard Guarente's lab at MIT [7:30]; Sirtuins and aging [15:00]; A series of experiments elucidating the mechanisms of sirtuins [20:45]; How are sirtuins activated? [25:30]; NAD and sirtuin activation [31:00]; Nicotinamide, sirtuin inhibition, andPNC1 [39:00]; Resveratrol [43:00]; The NIH/ITP studies on resveratrol [55:45]; Does David take any compounds for longevity? [1:00:15]; NAD precursors (NR, NMN) and pterostilbene [1:02:45]; Female fertility and NAD precursors [1:14:45]; A unifying theory of aging [1:20:30]; Waddington's epigenetic landscape [1:23:00]; If David had unlimited resources, what is the experiment he would do? [1:28:25]; Testing combinations to extend lifespan [1:31:30]; What made David aware of his mortality at such a young age? [01:33:45]; What is David's book going to cover? [01:37:15]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

In this "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) episode, Peter answers a wide range of questions from readers and podcast listeners. Bob Kaplan, Peter's head analyst, asks the questions. This also marks the first video release of the podcast. You can find it on YouTube (https://youtu.be/kzs7GgxR_FQ) and the website (peterattiamd.com/ama03). If you have any questions for the next AMA, please submit them to the AMA section on the website (peterattiamd.com). We discuss: What references ranges does Peter consider too broad on lab tests? [5:30]; What aspect of women's health is the least studied/understood? [21:15]; What are your thoughts on fasting and ketosis for females? [31:30]; Advice for medical students and residents, how to get through it, and optimize their time while in med school [38:00]; What is Peter's opinion on the best way to monetize a podcast to make it sustainable? [47:45]; What are you looking to achieve and monitor with your blood glucose monitor? [57:15]; Thoughts on lithium supplementation? [1:08:15]; Insights about berberine? [1:16:00]; Why does Peter take a baby aspirin? What does the science say? [1:19:20]; How do you use HR variability as a metric in your practice and/or in your own personal use? Sleep, pre/post exercise, pre/post eating, every morning readiness? [1:23:25]; With the emergence of "the coconut oil is pure poison" article, can you shed some light on saturated fat in the literature and the types of studies done specifically on coconut oil? [1:38:45]; Would you discuss the recent meta studies that claim that moderate carbohydrate intake may be best for health? [1:40:45]; What is the number one recommendation/habit you would suggest every person add to their daily regimen (besides physical activity) for wholesome health? [1:42:45]; What does it mean if your body has a harder time getting into ketosis via fasting than it used to (testing using a Precision Xtra)? [1:44:15]; Why are you taking Zetia and Lipitor? Are you mitigating risk based on your APOE4? Or is there something else going on? [1:46:10]; What will your book be about and what is the expected release date? [1:47:45]; What are your thoughts on nicotinamide riboside supplementation for longevity? [1:49:30]; Which brand of supplements have you found to be effective? [1:54:30]; Are you currently accepting new patients? And how do I find a 'Peter Attia clone' in my area? [1:56:20]; Bob's personal experience with Peter as a doctor [1:58:45]; Can you tell us more about the latest and best of APOE4? [2:06:15]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook| Twitter| Instagram.

We discuss: How Scott and Peter met [3:45]; Scott's tragic family story that shaped his life and altered his trajectory [8:00]; High school years, rebellion, and music [30:30]; Life as a club promoter, drug use, soul-searching, and a change of heart [41:30]; Mercy Ships [1:15:00]; The amazing transformations of Mercy Ships and the parallels to his own transformation [1:28:00]; Leveraging the art of storytelling to raise money and awareness while fighting temptations to fall into his previous life [1:33:30]; Discovering the water crisis that lead to charity: water [1:46:45]; How the lack of trust in nonprofits can cripple charities [1:54:00]; The four pillars of charity: water that helped it overcome the stigma of nonprofits and become successful [2:01:00]; Where to learn more about Scott's work and charity: water [2:12:30]; Scott's book recommendations [2:14:30]; and More. Learn more at www.PeterAttiaMD.com Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.