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 sponsorsAG1: https://drinkag1.com/hubermanJoovv: https://joovv.com/hubermanEight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanFunction: https://functionhealth.com/hubermanTimestamps00:00:00 Melissa Ilardo00:02:35 Nature vs Nurture, Gene Expression, Eye Color00:07:06 Sponsors: Joovv & Eight Sleep00:10:24 Epigenetics, Trauma, Mutations; Hybrid Vigor, Mate Attraction00:15:47 Globalization; Homo Sapiens, Mating & Evolution; Mutations00:25:28 Sea Nomads, Bajau & Moken Groups; Free Diving, Dangers & Gasp Reflex00:32:52 Cultural Traditions, Free Diving & Families; Fishing00:35:36 Mammalian Dive Reflex, Oxygen, Spleen, Cold Water & Face; Exercise00:42:43 Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT00:46:00 Free Diving, Spleen, Thyroid Hormone, Performance Enhancement00:52:00 Dive Reflex, Immune System; Swimming & Health; Coastal Regions & Genetics00:55:17 Female Free Divers, Haenyeo, Cold Water, Age, Protein01:03:20 Human Evolution & Diet, Lactase, Fat01:05:07 Korean Female Free Divers & Adaptations, Cardiovascular, Pregnancy01:10:13 Miscarriages & Genetic Selection; Bajau, External Appearance, Mate Selection01:17:15 Sponsor: Function01:19:03 Free Diving, Underwater Vision; Super-Performers & Genetics01:25:01 Cognitive Performance, Autism, Creativity; Genetic Determinism & Mindset01:36:30 Genetics & Ethics, CRISPR, Embryo Genetic Screening01:44:36 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 NewsletterDisclaimer & DisclosuresLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Huberman Lab podcast is hosted by Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. The podcast discusses neuroscience and science-based tools, including how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health, as well as existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.
Huberman has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function, and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills, and cognitive functioning. He is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision, in 2017.
Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell, and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover, and other top media outlets.
In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 10 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.

• Número de episodios: 306
• Último episodio: 2025-06-02
• Salud y forma física Ciencias Ciencias de la vida

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