Mind & Matter

Mind & Matter explores the intersection of science and personal well-being, discussing how various inputs, from dietary fats to psychedelic drugs, influence mental health, identity, and physiological responses. It critically examines modern health trends, psychiatric practices, and the evolving understanding of how substances affect the mind and body.

Mental Health Nutrition and Diet Psychedelic Research Science Communication Vaccines and Public Health Psychiatry and Neurology Addiction and Recovery Scientific Literacy

The hottest Substack posts of Mind & Matter

And their main takeaways

Why Are We Getting Fatter? | Part III: Eating Fat Like Never Before

196 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Diet Nutrition Obesity Metabolic health
  1. The type of fats we are consuming now is different from what our ancestors ate.
  2. Consuming high levels of omega-6 PUFAs while being deficient in omega-3s can promote inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
  3. Changes in dietary fat consumption trends, such as a shift towards more plant-based fats, have influenced the balance of fatty acids we consume.

COVID, mRNA Tech & the Origins of SARS-CoV-2: My experience and evolving views

157 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness COVID-19 mRNA technology
  1. Early in the pandemic, the mRNA technology in vaccines was considered a promising tool to stop the spread of COVID-19
  2. As new variants emerged, questions arose about the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines and the need for updates to combat evolving strains
  3. Debates continue around the origins of SARS-CoV-2, the efficacy of vaccines, and the potential side effects of mRNA shots

Why Are We Getting Fatter? | Part II: Decomposing Fats & Carbs

157 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Diet Obesity Metabolism Carbohydrates
  1. Calories are not interchangeable; different types of foods with the same caloric content can have distinct metabolic consequences.
  2. Total calories alone cannot account for the rise in obesity and diabetes rates; the macronutrient composition of diets has changed over time.
  3. Carbohydrate and fat intake have shifted over the years, with varying trends in protein, saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats consumption.

Why Are We Getting Fatter? | Part I: Diet Advice, Health Trends & Informational Obesity

157 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Diet Metabolism Nutrition Exercise
  1. The rise in obesity rates continues despite no increase in calorie consumption or decrease in physical activity.
  2. There is a lot of conflicting diet advice and information overload, leading to confusion and misinformation.
  3. Metabolic health can be affected by various factors like body fat, food intake, and specific macronutrient composition of the diet.

Pseudouridine, mRNA Vaccines & Spike Protein Persistence

628 implied HN points • 20 Feb 22
  1. The mRNA in Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is different from the SARS-CoV-2 virus's mRNA in subtle but significant ways.
  2. Pfizer and Moderna used pseudouridine in their vaccines to enhance mRNA stability and protein production.
  3. Research suggests that spike protein mRNA from the vaccines can persist for weeks and may produce variations of the spike protein, raising questions about its effects.
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How To Read Any Scientific Paper For Free

275 implied HN points • 05 Oct 21
  1. You can access scientific papers for free by searching for free versions online.
  2. Another way to read scientific papers for free is by using Sci-Hub.
  3. You can also politely email the senior author to ask for a copy of the paper.

Most Interesting Books I Read in 2021

216 implied HN points • 13 Dec 21
  1. Reading books in a non-linear way can facilitate lateral thinking and help connect ideas from different authors.
  2. Understanding the evolutionary basis of human behavior can shed light on modern societal issues and solutions.
  3. Analyzing the behavior of powerful individuals in the political sphere can provide insights into how they obtain and wield power.

The Madness of Pop Psychiatry

196 implied HN points • 06 Jan 22
  1. Pop psychiatry commercials often emphasize medication as the simple and easy solution, without addressing the underlying behavioral causes of emotional distress.
  2. Medicating to numb emotional pain may prevent the learning and growth necessary for true healing and well-being.
  3. There are emerging treatments like psychoplastogens that promote rapid brain circuit rewiring, offering potential for lasting change without the need for chronic drug consumption.

What is Psychological Identity? | Part II: Sensory Illusions, Phantom Limbs & Dream Avatars

117 implied HN points • 06 Apr 22
  1. Your perceptions are like a studio production, where you experience the final product, not the production steps.
  2. Dissociative experiences, like dreams, create a different version of 'you,' similar to phantom limbs experienced by amputees.
  3. Daily experiences involve shifts in consciousness states, like waking, dreaming, and lucid dreaming, each with distinct patterns of brain activity.

Imaging Study Compares Effects of Psilocybin vs. SSRI on Brains of Depressed Patients

78 implied HN points • 13 Apr 22
  1. Depression is a prevalent mental health condition, and traditional antidepressants like SSRIs may have limitations and side effects.
  2. Psilocybin therapy shows promising results in improving depressive symptoms, with brain imaging suggesting changes in functional connectivity that may contribute to its effects.
  3. Comparing psilocybin to SSRIs in brain imaging studies reveals distinct patterns in brain network changes, indicating different physiological mechanisms for the two treatments.

How To Support Mind & Matter

39 implied HN points • 30 Sep 22
  1. You can support Mind & Matter by becoming a paid subscriber to access exclusive content like early podcasts and newsletters.
  2. You can also support by purchasing products from the affiliate partners like Athletic Greens, SiPhox Health, and Lumen device.
  3. Reach out to Nick Jikomes if you have any questions or concerns regarding supporting his independent work.

Can Psilocybin Cure Alcohol Addiction?

58 implied HN points • 09 Dec 21
  1. Psilocybin may help normalize brain circuits and molecular abnormalities linked to alcohol addiction in rats
  2. Psilocybin administered in full to large doses can restore certain brain receptor levels and reduce alcohol-seeking behavior in rats
  3. Strong evidence points to the involvement of the serotonin 2A receptor in the effects of psilocybin on alcohol addiction in rats

Antiviral Drugs & COVID-19

39 implied HN points • 06 Oct 21
  1. Antiviral drugs directly interfere with virus biology while in your system, unlike vaccines which train your immune system against pathogens.
  2. Merck's new COVID drug, Molnupiravir, has the potential to reduce hospitalization or death by 50%, but research shows it may induce mutations in mammalian cells.
  3. Caution is needed with new antiviral drugs like Molnupiravir to balance potential benefits against risks like inducing mutations in our cells and facilitating the evolution of more SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Worth the Trip: Psychedelics as an emerging tool for psychotherapy

39 implied HN points • 05 Oct 21
  1. Psychedelics are being researched as a tool for treating psychological suffering.
  2. Psychedelics like psilocybin can induce profound experiences by affecting brain activity.
  3. Research shows that psychedelics, when used under controlled conditions, may offer therapeutic benefits for depression and anxiety.

How Does Ketamine Work in the Brain & is it Addictive?

2 HN points • 05 Oct 22
  1. Ketamine's mechanism of action is unique, with a low addiction potential compared to other drugs like cocaine
  2. Addiction is driven by changes in dopamine levels and neuroplasticity in the brain's reward circuitry
  3. Ketamine, while reinforcing, does not lead to the compulsive drug-seeking behavior characteristic of addiction