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

In this episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, Dr. Andrew Huberman interviews Dr. Melissa Ilardo, an expert in human genetics and epigenetics, about how behavior and environment modify gene expression. They discuss the inheritance of traits like eye color, the mammalian dive reflex and its effects on the spleen, mate selection based on immune system compatibility, and how external traits signal variations in organ function and hormone levels. The conversation also explores the ethical considerations of gene editing in humans and examples of rapid genetic adaptation in populations like the Bajau sea nomads and the Korean Haenyo divers, highlighting the interplay between genes, behavior, and environmental pressures.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction to Genetics and Behavior

Part 2: Mate Selection and Human Evolution

Part 3: Diving Adaptations - Bajo and Haenyo

Part 4: Genetics, Performance, and Ethics

Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.

Open full episode in Podwise

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

Huberman Lab

Part 1: Introduction to Genetics and Behavior

Introduction to Human Genetics, Epigenetics, and Behavior

Nature vs. Nurture and the Modifiability of DNA

Eye Color, Epigenetics, and Generational Changes in Gene Expression

Part 2: Mate Selection and Human Evolution

Mate Selection and Immune System Compatibility

Globalization, Hybrid Vigor, and Human Evolution

The Tibetan High-Altitude Adaptation and the X-Men Analogy

Part 3: Diving Adaptations - Bajo and Haenyo

The Bajo Sea Nomads and Their Diving Abilities

Diving Prowess, Mate Selection, and the Mammalian Dive Reflex

The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis and Spleen Size in the Bajo

Thyroid Hormone, Spleen Function, and Coastal Populations

The Haenyo Sea Women of Korea and Diving Through Pregnancy

Cultural Aspects of the Haenyo and Their Diving Practices

Cardiovascular Adaptations in the Haenyo and Genetic Selection

Part 4: Genetics, Performance, and Ethics

Human Super Performance and Genetic Predisposition

Genetic Determinism, Training Effects, and the Narrowing of Abilities

The Heritability of Intelligence and the Ethics of Genetic Engineering

Enhancement vs. Correction and the Cost of Genetic Sequencing

Admixing, Human Variation, and the Definition of Species

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

Huberman Lab

Part 1: Introduction to Genetics and Behavior

00:00Introduction to Human Genetics, Epigenetics, and Behavior

Introduction to Human Genetics, Epigenetics, and Behavior

02:16Nature vs. Nurture and the Modifiability of DNA

Nature vs. Nurture and the Modifiability of DNA

05:52Eye Color, Epigenetics, and Generational Changes in Gene Expression

Eye Color, Epigenetics, and Generational Changes in Gene Expression

Part 2: Mate Selection and Human Evolution

12:34Mate Selection and Immune System Compatibility

Mate Selection and Immune System Compatibility

15:29Globalization, Hybrid Vigor, and Human Evolution

Globalization, Hybrid Vigor, and Human Evolution

19:56The Tibetan High-Altitude Adaptation and the X-Men Analogy

The Tibetan High-Altitude Adaptation and the X-Men Analogy

Part 3: Diving Adaptations - Bajo and Haenyo

26:28The Bajo Sea Nomads and Their Diving Abilities

The Bajo Sea Nomads and Their Diving Abilities

33:32Diving Prowess, Mate Selection, and the Mammalian Dive Reflex

Diving Prowess, Mate Selection, and the Mammalian Dive Reflex

41:23The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis and Spleen Size in the Bajo

The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis and Spleen Size in the Bajo

48:45Thyroid Hormone, Spleen Function, and Coastal Populations

Thyroid Hormone, Spleen Function, and Coastal Populations

55:00The Haenyo Sea Women of Korea and Diving Through Pregnancy

The Haenyo Sea Women of Korea and Diving Through Pregnancy

1:01:09Cultural Aspects of the Haenyo and Their Diving Practices

Cultural Aspects of the Haenyo and Their Diving Practices

1:07:32Cardiovascular Adaptations in the Haenyo and Genetic Selection

Cardiovascular Adaptations in the Haenyo and Genetic Selection

Part 4: Genetics, Performance, and Ethics

1:15:05Human Super Performance and Genetic Predisposition

Human Super Performance and Genetic Predisposition

1:23:52Genetic Determinism, Training Effects, and the Narrowing of Abilities

Genetic Determinism, Training Effects, and the Narrowing of Abilities

1:31:36The Heritability of Intelligence and the Ethics of Genetic Engineering

The Heritability of Intelligence and the Ethics of Genetic Engineering

1:39:29Enhancement vs. Correction and the Cost of Genetic Sequencing

Enhancement vs. Correction and the Cost of Genetic Sequencing

1:47:03Admixing, Human Variation, and the Definition of Species

Admixing, Human Variation, and the Definition of Species