Michael Levin & Pamela Lyon | Rethinking Cognition for Longevity

Can we detect cancer so early such that we find the very first cell of cancer? Not just stage 1 cancer, but the first cell of cancer.In this episode, Dr. Michael Levin and I speak with Dr. Azra Raza. She is an oncologist pioneering early detection of cancer using electric signals. So far, our best solution to curing cancer has been to detect it early, and she wants to take this further, by nipping cancer at the very first cell.Her story with cancer is also deeply personal as she lost her husband to the disease. You can see in the episode how much she cares about solving cancer through early detection, and how aggrieved she is about the fact that not only have we made zero progress on cancer in the last 100 years, but doctors are also not focused on cancer prevention.Dr. Raza is also the author of the book The First Cell: And the Human Costs of Pursuing Cancer to the Last.Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/arazaFind me: https://x.com/aasthajs My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024TIMESTAMPS:0:00 New theory of cancer1:45 What causes cancer? 5:39 Hybrid cells in cancer 11:16 Why do cancer cells become immortal?14:14 Detecting the first cell of cancer17:09 Stress causes cancer cells to fuse21:40 Cancer drugs don’t work universally25:54 Personalization of early cancer detection29:29 Detect cancer early using electrics35:46 Anguish of cancer patients39:06 Cancer progress hasn’t moved in 100 years44:04 Doctors don’t think of cancer prevention46:54 First Cell Therapeutics - Azra’s company50:55 What is the first cell stage of cancer?54:55 Advice for cancer patientsAASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/LINKS:Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevinAzra Raza: https://azraraza.com/Azra Raza book The First Cell: https://amzn.to/4jGJzoJEpisode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/arazaRELATED EPISODES:Keto & Metabolic Therapy for Cancer | Dr. Thomas Seyfried: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYdjcJ3G4tqbAx9Z6Bix2?si=gboyPAiLQrqg-y5YEKQiQQWhy Viruses Could Be the Cause of Chronic Disease | Dr. Paul Ewald: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2OdYInlzTy2zG3Mi6TgADY?si=Gnbg7efNSy21bS3q0c23jg

What if chronic diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s are caused by infections we’ve overlooked? We assume chronic disease is caused by genetics and / or lifestyle. However, evolutionary biologist Dr. Paul Ewald says latent viruses and pathogens play a critical hidden role in many diseases. For example, we already know that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer. And research indicates how the EBV virus shows up in Multiple sclerosis, and chlamydia pneumonia shows in Alzheimer’s. Deeper investigation into viruses and disease is warranted and will help with better diagnosis and treatment.Dr. Paul Ewald is also the author of Plague Time: The New Germ Theory of Disease, and Evolution of Infectious diseases. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/pewaldFind me: https://x.com/aasthajs My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Role of infection in chronic disease is neglected2:40 Role of viruses in Alzheimer’s10:50 Connections between Alzheimer’s, diabetes, cardiovascular disease15:57 Genes cannot explain the full reason for disease20:47 Strong association between Alzheimer’s, chlamydia pneumonia, and APOE428:16 Multiple sclerosis and EBV virus35:08 Latent viruses may in fact be active & cause cancer41:41 Sexually- transmitted pathogens correlated with cancer46:50 Viruses that cause cancer (EBV & breast cancer)53:09 Hodgkin’s lymphoma and virus57:15 Stanford study showing EBV as leading cause of MS1:00:19 Do viruses attack the mitochondria and cause cancer1:01:38 Glioblastoma and virus / antiviral treatment1:07:07 Virus vs. oncogenes causing cancer1:14:17 Breast cancer BRAC1 mutations & virus association1:15:59 Vaccines against viruses1:17:56 Practical steps if you test positive for infectious viruses1:24:57 Could cancer relapse be due to persistent virus1:27:48 Protect the immune system1:29:38 Areas Dr. Ewald is excited aboutAASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/PAUL EWALD LINKS:Plague Time: The New Germ Theory of Disease: https://amzn.to/3FXjOSuEvolution of Infectious diseases: https://amzn.to/3FYaqOvEpisode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/pewaldALSO WATCH:Keto & Metabolic Therapy for Cancer | Dr. Thomas Seyfried: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYdjcJ3G4tqbAx9Z6Bix2?si=biOOH1e5RpeZduLJv2fPHw

What if our cells have memory and cognition, which changes how medicine is done?In this conversation with Dr. Pamela Lyon and Dr. Michael Levin, we discuss:- Cognition and creativity is not merely associated with the brain and nervous system- Implications of this view of cognition for regenerative medicine and longevity- Is stress response the source of our creativity?Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/plyonFind me: https://x.com/aasthajs My longevity products: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/2024TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Intro, Basal cognition1:00 Our view of cognition is incorrect8:50 What does biology have to say about cognition?12:12 Cognition in xenobots14:20 Cognition and cooperation in microbes30:03 Bioelectricity and cognition33:58 Is stress response the source of our creativity?43:27 Mike’s paper: Stress-sharing as a cognitive glue47:31 Implications of cognition not only being associated with brain56:55 Cognition in AI1:02:33 View of cognition in the EastAASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD:Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/LINKS:Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevinPamela Lyon: https://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/pamela.lyon#Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/plyonALSO WATCH:Michael Levin & Denis Noble on What Biology Needs to Advance Longevity: https://open.spotify.com/episode/49WaTa4Vl67FU4zjjX1H6F?si=x1rjzVocS2OjSVdxpzNt5g

We’re only just waking up to the benefits of sunlight and red light for mitochondrial health, lowering blood glucose, and potentially treating Parkinson’s disease and cancer.Dr. Glen Jeffery is at the leading edge of this research. We discuss:- Health benefits of sunlight and red light- Harmful effects of blue light & LEDs- In the 2nd half of the podcast, I ask him rapid fire practical questions that everyone wants to know about light, ranging from how much sunlight should one get to what time of day is best for infrared light exposure. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/gjefferyFind me: https://x.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro0:59 Light impact on public health3:08 Light research is understudied, mitochondria is impacted by light6:05 Red and blue light impacts on mitochondria8:25 Benefits of red light - wound healing, lower glucose15:09 Are there downsides to red light?16:59 Does time of day impact red light benefits?22:05 Red light and cancer26:00 Blue light is making you pre-diabetic37:46 n=1 light experiments39:22 Mitochondria & Longevity46:21 “Sunlight offers a unique package”Rapid fire questions:53:40 Is sunlight good enough for red light?55:10 How much sunlight do we need?56:07 When should you get sunlight?56:55 Should you worry about afternoon sunlight?58:57 Can you get sunlight on cloudy days?59:38 Does sunscreen mitigate benefits of sunlight?1:00:12 Should you not wear caps and sunglasses in sunlight1:01:43 Clothing and sunlight1:05:52 Sunlight through window?1:06:16 Are blue light blocking glasses helpful? (see 1:19:31 for more context)1:08:17 Do Artificial sunlight lamps work?1:08:51 What wavelength red light is the best?1:10:56 Time in front of red light device1:12:41 Body exposure to red light1:15:37 Lighting at home at night1:19:31 Differences in blue light for mitochondria vs. circadian biology1:24:18 Stop using LEDs1:25:24 Does light impact the bioelectrics of the mitochondria?1:26:55 Mitochondria in melatonin mop up ROS1:31:29 Benefits of fire light?1:35:33 Open questions on light and health1:37:28 Support Live Longer WorldAASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ DR. GLEN JEFFERY: Bio page: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/7465-glen-jeffery/publicationsALSO WATCH:- Keto & Metabolic Therapy for Cancer | Dr. Thomas Seyfried: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tYdjcJ3G4tqbAx9Z6Bix2?si=rHlCwLVqQHqiOB7yTVBtgQ

Dr. Thomas Seyfried challenges the existing paradigm that says cancer is a genetic disease. He says that instead cancer is caused by damage to the mitochondria. Understanding this completely overturns the management and prevention of cancer. He is a Professor of biology, genetics, and biochemistry at Boston College. He has over 150 peer-reviewed publications and is also the author of books such as, ‘Cancer as a Metabolic Disease: On the Origin, Management, and Prevention of Cancer’. WE DISCUSS: - Why cancer is not a genetic disease - Why cancer is a metabolic disease originating from damage to the mitochondria - How metabolic therapy, management of glucose and glutamine, can be used to manage cancer - His December 2024 paper outlining a proposal for ketogenic metabolic therapy in glioblastoma Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/tseyfried Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Cancer is not a genetic disease 5:04 Origins of somatic mutation theory of cancer 8:04 Mitochondrial damage causes cancer 13:42 Is mitochondrial dysfunction involved in every cancer 16:14 Mitochondria in cancer cells ferment 21:52 Target glucose and glutamine to manage cancer 28:51 Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy for cancer 31:04 December 2024 study: Role of glutamine in cancer 33:35 Can metabolic therapy be done at any stage of cancer 36:44 Combine chemotherapy with metabolic therapy 38:05 Drugs to target glutamine 40:30 People will say “I want metabolic therapy” 44:04 “Failure to understand biology” 47:48 National Cancer Institute’s take on Dr. Seyfried’s theory 49:34 Why does Peter Attia think cancer is a genetic disease 53:09 “I think about this 24/7; we’re right!” 55:56 Glioblastoma treatment protocol study 59:22 Resistance to breakthrough ideas in science 1:01:40 Radiation fuels cancer! 1:04:52 Current standard of care is responsible for poor survival rate in glioblastoma 1:07:14 Metabolic therapy for epilepsy, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s 1:12:22 How to prevent cancer 1:13:49 Young, healthy individuals in their 20s, 30s with cancer 1:15:05 Resources on following metabolic therapy 1:17:43 How to support Dr. Seyfried’s research 1:18:51 New cancer questions Dr. Seyfried is researching 1:21:32 Closing thoughts AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ DR. THOMAS SEYFRIED: X: https://x.com/tnseyfried Bio page: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/biology/people/faculty-directory/thomas-seyfried.htmlCancer as a Metabolic disease book: https://amzn.to/3WBF31D RELATED EPISODES: The Cancer-Diet Connection & Otto Warburg - Nobel Prize Scientist under Hitler | Sam Apple, Author of Ravenous Modified Ketogenic Diet for Optimal Health & Exercise | Dr. Dominic D'Agostino Ketogenic Diet for Brain Health & Longevity | Dr. Dominic D'Agostino The Evolutionary Theory of Cancer | Charley Lineweaever Bioelectricity and Cancer w/ Michael Levin

Denis Noble and Michael Levin - two great minds in biology come together on Live Longer World. Denis Noble is a renowned biologist and pioneer in systems biology, known for his groundbreaking work on the electrical activity of the heart and his influential contributions to the understanding of biological systems. Denis is an advocate for taking a systems integrative approach to biology, as opposed to the reductionist gene-centric view that has dominated the field due to Neo-Darwinism. The gene-centric view has failed us in advancing progress on many diseases, and we need to now take a systems based approach focused on functional networks within biological systems. Michael Levin is an American developmental and synthetic biologist at Tufts University, where he is the Vannevar Bush Distinguished Professor. His research is focused on bioelectricity and he is my co-host for this podcast. We discuss: - DNA is not the blueprint of life - Why biology’s reductionist approach is flawed - The errors in Neo-Darwinism - Epigenetic inheritance - How to advance the cure of diseases Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/dnoble Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Denis as Mike Levin’s hero 0:10 Denis’s journey to systems biology; cell voltage is a global property of the cell 3:45 Advice to young researchers pursuing systems biology 7:00 “Absolutely everything is wrong with Neo-Darwinism” 14:10 Epigenetic inheritance 19:12 Genetic vs. other information used by organisms 23:48 Biology textbooks have to expand beyond DNA in 50 years 25:03 Epigenetic processes are ubiquitous 28:58 If not DNA, what is the blueprint of life 36:15 Rewriting biology textbooks is fundamental 39:57 “A lot of time has been wasted” (in biology) 46:52 Darwin on the “Origin of Species” 55:38 “Unfortunate that Philosophy and science have diverged” 1:00:31 Importance of Functional networks; DNA does not predict disease AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ LINKS: Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin Denis's book Dance to the Tune of Life: https://a.co/d/3hvh5JW Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/dnoble Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8?si=WrQ_iI8ABbG6eibm

This interview is part of my series with Dr. Michael Levin where we interview significant people in the history of developmental bioelectricity. Dr. Mustafa Djamgoz was one of the first people to study the role of ion channels and bioelectricity in cancer, which he initially documented in a 1995 paper. His research showed that there was an uptake in voltage-gated sodium channels in all types of cancer metastasis, except prostate cancer, highlighting the significant role of studying ion channels in cancer. Simply put, the spread of cancer cells is linked to increased activity in sodium ion channels, which regulate electrical currents in our cells. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/mdjamgoz Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs Background on the bioelectricity series & 1st episode with Dr. Richard Nuccitelli: https://youtu.be/DtUqOwTRvz0?si=3OJryM0yJjzfQtfo TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Playing with radios at age 17 to bioelectricity cancer research 4:31 Advice for young people entering bioelectricity 9:02 Biophysics and Cancer neuroscience 17:55 Role of bioelectricity in cancer 27:02 Cancer metastasis and ion channels 28:49 Sodium channel uptake and cancer invasiveness 36:59 Ranolazine, potential anti-metastatic drug 43:45 Funding for bioelectricity cancer research 50:21 Advice for cancer patients AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin Mustafa's publications: https://profiles.imperial.ac.uk/m.djamgoz/publications Mustafa's book Beat Cancer: https://www.amazon.com/Beat-Cancer-Regain-Control-Health-ebook/dp/B00CU8QBAS Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/djamgoz Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8?si=WrQ_iI8ABbG6eibm

Dr. Alfonso Martinez Arias is a development biologist and the author of the book The Master Builder: How the New Science of the Cell Is Rewriting the Story of Life. He also co-authored the biology textbook Principles of Development, which was awarded the Royal Society of Biology book prize. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/aarias OVERVIEW: Each of our cells has the same DNA. Yet they somehow differentiate into different body parts - eyes, ears, skin, and so on. There is no information in the DNA that tells our cells what to be. How then do they do it? This is just one example of how contrary to what many might think, DNA does not explain every problem state in biology. Biology has placed too much emphasis on our genes, trying to explain every disease state using genes, when the answer might not reside with them. What if answers to these questions lies with cells? Even though Dr. Martinez started off as a geneticist, he decided to pivot to understand the properties of cells better. By understanding our cells better, we can make further progress in understanding disease, longevity, and development. Towards the end, we also talk about Alfonso's fascinating work on gastruloids which are a model to unravel the mysteries of embryonic development, and understand how humans are formed. This conversation is about the cell’s eye view of biology, and how the gene's eye view of biology might have mislead us. We also talk about why the popular selfish gene theory espoused by Richard Dawkins is incomplete. Looking beyond genes is instrumental to making progress in longevity. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/aarias Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 1:15 DNA does not make us unique 5:28 Cells use our genes 10:42 “We have overstretched what genes can explain” 15:41 Relation between genes and cells 20:28 What about the role of epigenetics? 22:42 Cells use mechanical and chemical signals 27:34 Thoughts on bioelectricity and Michael Levin 32:28 Emergence of cells 38:10 Importance of biophysics; What is life? 42:32 Is cancer when cells lose control? 47:58 Richard Dawkins’ Selfish Gene is Incomplete 54:11 But what if genes control development? 57:29 How to complete the selfish gene view? 1:02:05 Cell’s eye view of biology 1:04:48 Understanding embryonic development; gastruloids 1:18:15 Questions Dr. Alfonso is pursuing1:19:47 Thoughts from Feynman AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: X: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ DR. ALFONSO MARTINEZ ARIAS: Master Builder book: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Builder-Science-Rewriting-Story/dp/1541603273 X: https://x.com/AMartinezArias Bio page: https://www.icrea.cat/Web/ScientificStaff/alfonso-martinez-arias-352001

The following is a fascinating interview with Dr. Charley Lineweaver, who worked with Paul Davies on his work on cancer which we discuss. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/clineweaver Topics include: - the evolutionary and atavistic theory of cancer - the incorrectness of the somatic mutation theory of cancer - a novel take on attacking the weakness of cancer - how embryogenesis could be viewed as cells reverting to old memory - the origins of multicellularity - “Cancer cannot do anything new” The atavistic theory of cancer states that cancer cells revert to an old memory they have from billions of years, but forget the new memory. The old memory pertains to constant cell proliferation, which happened as single-celled creatures, and in fact in embryogenesis as well. The new memory pertains to regulating cell proliferation and cells knowing when to stop cellular division. In cancer, it seems like cells forget this new memory and revert to the old memory. This theory has many interesting explanations and predictions which we dive into in the conversation. Enjoy! Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/clineweaver Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Background in astrobiology 1:53 Evolutionary theory of cancer 6:22 Atavistic model: Cancer cells go back to “original state” 9:50 Atavistic theory vs. Cancer 14:44 Somatic Mutation Theory of Cancer is Wrong 22:36 Disagreement with Mike Levin’s work 24:17 Attack the weakness of cancer 27:45 Vaccine for cancer 38:08 Wound healing and cancer 41:23 Why new genes are more susceptible to damage 45:26 Origins of multicellularity 48:49 Predictions of Atavistic model 53:45 Cancer cells spread 56:52 Cell proliferation, Cancer, Hayflick limit 58:54 Doctors are not trained in evolution AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aasthajs/ DR. CHARLEY LINEWEAVER: Website: https://researchers.anu.edu.au/researchers/lineweaver-ch Papers referenced: - Cancer progression as a series of atavistic reversions: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8860064/ - Targeting cancer's weaknesses, not its strengths: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4282648/

This is the third in my series with Dr. Michael Levin where we interview significant people in the history of developmental bioelectricity. Ken Robinson has a long list of accomplishments in the bioelectricity field, covering the role of electric fields in guiding cell migration and more generally the function of electrogenic epithelia in embryogenesis. This is about a ~1 hour conversation in which he talks about his background, the history of the field, and his time in Lionel Jaffe's lab. Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/krobinson Find me: https://x.com/aasthajs Background on the bioelectricity series & 1st episode with Dr. Richard Nuccitelli: https://www.livelongerworld.com/p/rnuccitelli TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 Intro 0:38 Ken’s background - From physics to bioelectricity 6:10 Bioelectricity in the era of the “genetic code” 10:27 Ken’s first experiments in ion movement using light 23:25 Proton pump and its significance 26:07 Neurons respond to electrical signals 36:26 Working in Lionel Jaffe’s lab 47:39 Mike Levin as an undergrad 48:49 Membrane potential left-right asymmetry in cells 52:59 Epithelia is powerfully electrogenic 57:49 Advances for bioelectricity 59:27 Underrated people in the field AASTHA, LIVE LONGER WORLD: Twitter: https://x.com/aasthajs Newsletter: https://livelongerworld.com/ Michael Levin: https://twitter.com/drmichaellevin Mike's bibliography of bioelectricity: https://thoughtforms.life/my-reference-lists-whole-endnote-library-and-bibliography-on-bioelectromagnetics/ Episode Show Notes: https://livelongerworld.com/p/krobinson Michael Levin on Bioelectric Signals for Longevity: https://youtu.be/XboYI_wxDr8?si=WrQ_iI8ABbG6eibm