Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
Our bodies serve as elaborate scaffolds for a vast ecosystem of microorganisms whose far-reaching impacts we are only beginning to understand.
What if the key to unlocking some of the most perplexing neurological conditions lies not in the brain itself but in the complex world of our gut bacteria?
My guest today is Dr. Sarkis Mazmanian, a prominent researcher on the connections between the gut microbiome and the brain. As the Luis B. and Nelly Soux Professor of Microbiology at Caltech, Dr. Mazmanian has dedicated his career to untangling the complex interplay of microbes, the immune system, and the nervous system. Dr. Mazmanian has received several awards, including the Searle Scholar, Young Investigator of the Year at Harvard Medical School, and the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” award. He has been recognized by Discover Magazine as one of the “Best Brains in Science under 40” and by Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News as a “Life Science Superstar.” He is also a founder of three biotech companies and advises on over a dozen Scientific Advisory Boards.
Through groundbreaking studies, his cutting-edge research has uncovered evidence that seemingly disparate conditions like Parkinson’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, and inflammatory bowel disease may have unexpected origins in the gut microbiome.
His work details the gut-brain axis—a bidirectional superhighway linking the trillions of bacteria in our digestive tract with the intricate neural circuitry that governs our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This connection suggests that the microbiome may have a powerful influence on conditions like anxiety and depression, influences that we are only beginning to comprehend fully.
“Microbiome health is tied to general health. Exercise, sleep, low stress, and a fiber-rich diet… do these things and you’ll have a healthy microbiome.”
– DR. SARKIS MAZMANIAN
Today, we cover his research on the gut microbiome’s role in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration. Dr. Mazmanian explains the relationship between gut microbes and early-life microbial exposure’s impact on the adaptable adult microbiome.
He addresses the challenges of translating microbiome-based therapeutic findings from animal models to humans and envisions personalized medicine’s future. Moreover, we explore the microbiome’s influence on drug efficacy, behavior, cravings, and maintaining gut health through diet.
We also cover the importance of fiber, a diverse plant-based diet, fecal transplants, lifestyle factors, and microbiome health.
For those who prefer a visual experience, the conversation is available on YouTube. As always, the audio version streams wild and free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Dr. Mazmanian’s paradigm-shifting work and unique perspective promise to reshape our understanding of brain health, human behavior, and what it truly means to be sentient beings—a beautiful application of his brilliance.
Peace + Plants,
Listen, Watch, & Subscribe
For 1000s of delicious, customized plant-based recipes & so much more, check out our Plantpower Meal Planner.
AG1: 75 whole food sourced ingredients designed to optimize 5 key areas of health, AG1 is the delicious daily habit that sets you up for a healthy future. I take the packets everywhere I go. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase exclusively at drinkAG1.com/richroll.
InsideTracker: InsideTracker takes a personalized approach to health and longevity from the most trusted and relevant source: your body. Stop playing guessing games when it comes to your health and longevity. Visit insidetracker.com/richroll and use code RICHROLL at checkout and enjoy 10% OFF the InsideTracker Subscription and any plan.
On: Swiss engineering at it’s finest, On crafts high-performance shoes and apparel crafted for comfort and style. Tested by world-class athletes, this gear is built to go the distance, so you can go all out, outdoors. Visit on.com/richroll and enter RichRoll10 at the checkout to get 10% OFF your first order.
ROKA: Cutting-edge eyewear & apparel built for top performance. Ultralight construction. Arms-Up Design. Official USAT Partner. If you’re active like me and wear prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, ROKA combines the no-slip performance you’ve been waiting for with fashionable frames. Unlock 20% OFF your order with code RICHROLL at ROKA.com/RICHROLL.
Go Brewing: Makers of award-winning, non-alcoholic small-batch craft beer. Go Brewing has an impressive lineup of delicious brews that are naturally low in alcohol and high in flavor. Try ’em out yourself at gobrewing.com and use the code Rich Roll for 15% OFF your first purchase.
Squarespace: The easiest way to create a beautiful website, blog, or online store for you and your ideas. Visit Squarespace.com/RichRoll for a FREE trial, and when you’re ready to launch, use the offer code RichRoll to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.
- Connect with Dr. Mazmanian: LinkedIn | Google Scholar
- Caltech: Mazmanian Lab
- Caltech: Gut Microbes Influence Binge-Eating of Sweet Treats in Mice
- Caltech: Identifying the Neural Link Between Gut Bacteria and Social Behavior in Mice
- TEDMED: Why science says to listen to your gut
- Drug Discovery News: The path to treating Parkinson’s disease begins in the gut
- Forbes: Drugs From Bugs: Why Gates, Zuck And Benioff Think The Next Blockbusters Will Come From Inside Your Gut
- Seed: Unlocking New Potential in the Gut-Brain Axis
There are a few simple ways you can support the show and the content we strive to craft and share every single week
Subscribe & Review: Please make sure to review, share comments and subscribe to the show on the various platforms (Apple Podcasts, YouTube & Spotify). This helps tremendously!
Patronize Our Sponsors: Supporting the companies that support the show! For a complete list of all RRP sponsors and their respective vanity URLs and discount codes, click the ‘Sponsors’ tab in the ‘Shop’ menu.
Spread The Word: Help grow our reach by sharing your enthusiasm for the podcast and/or your favorite episodes by posting about it on social media.
Thank The Team: I do not do this alone. Send your love to Jason Camiolo for audio engineering, production, show notes and interstitial music; with additional audio engineering by Cale Curtis and additional music by Moby; Blake Curtis & Dan Drake for video, & editing; graphics by Jessica Miranda & Daniel Solis; portraits by Davy Greenberg, Grayson Wilder & Gizelle Peters; copywriting by Ben Pryor; and theme music by Tyler Piatt, Trapper Piatt & Hari Mathis.
Amazon Disclosure: Third-party books and products denoted on this page and website may be hyperlinked to the Amazon affiliate program. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
