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

My guest is Dr. Melissa Ilardo, Ph.D., professor of biomedical informatics at the University of Utah. We discuss the interplay between genes and behaviors, including how certain behaviors can improve resilience by changing gene and organ function, as well as natural selection events happening in humans today.

We also discuss the immune system–related reasons people find the smells of potential mates attractive—or not.

We explore how physical and psychological traits are passed from one generation to the next, and the specific behaviors that can influence gene expression to improve health and performance.

Melissa explains her lab’s pioneering research on breath-hold training and how activation of the dive reflex through breath holding can significantly improve oxygen availability by changing spleen size and function.

We also delve into the medical uses and ethics of gene editing to cure disease in both babies and adults.

For those interested in genes and inheritance, human performance, immune system function, and natural selection, this episode illustrates the remarkable interplay between human nature and nurture.

Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Melissa Ilardo

00:02:35 Nature vs Nurture, Gene Expression, Eye Color

00:07:06 Sponsors: Joovv & Eight Sleep

00:10:24 Epigenetics, Trauma, Mutations; Hybrid Vigor, Mate Attraction

00:15:47 Globalization; Homo Sapiens, Mating & Evolution; Mutations

00:25:28 Sea Nomads, Bajau & Moken Groups; Free Diving, Dangers & Gasp Reflex

00:32:52 Cultural Traditions, Free Diving & Families; Fishing

00:35:36 Mammalian Dive Reflex, Oxygen, Spleen, Cold Water & Face; Exercise

00:42:43 Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT

00:46:00 Free Diving, Spleen, Thyroid Hormone, Performance Enhancement

00:52:00 Dive Reflex, Immune System; Swimming & Health; Coastal Regions & Genetics

00:55:17 Female Free Divers, Haenyeo, Cold Water, Age, Protein

01:03:20 Human Evolution & Diet, Lactase, Fat

01:05:07 Korean Female Free Divers & Adaptations, Cardiovascular, Pregnancy

01:10:13 Miscarriages & Genetic Selection; Bajau, External Appearance, Mate Selection

01:17:15 Sponsor: Function

01:19:03 Free Diving, Underwater Vision; Super-Performers & Genetics

01:25:01 Cognitive Performance, Autism, Creativity; Genetic Determinism & Mindset

01:36:30 Genetics & Ethics, CRISPR, Embryo Genetic Screening

01:44:36 Admixture, Genetics; Are Humans a Single Species?

01:49:39 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

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