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 AG1:
https://drinkag1.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman
Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman LMNT:
https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Function:
https://functionhealth.com/huberman 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
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