A biophysical rethink of life, health, and disease through the lens of the Energy Resistance Principle (ERP).
Episode Summary: A reframe of biology as energy flow through resistance rather than mere molecular machinery, introducing the Energy Resistance Principle (ERP): life requires a Goldilocks balance of electron flow from food to oxygen via mitochondria; too much or too little resistance drives aging, disease, and death. Explain mitochondria as energy transformers, link ERP to insulin resistance, psychiatric disorders, and healing, and explore health as a dynamic field-like state optimized by flux modulation.
About the guest: Nirosha Murugan, PhD is a biophysicist studying how physical signals pattern biology to decode and reprogram health; Martin Picard, PhD is a mitochondrial psychobiologist at Columbia University, exploring how mitochondrial energy dynamics connect to human experiences, health, and healing. They collaborate on biophotons, light emission, and multi-scale energy signaling.
Discussion Points:
- Mitochondria transform electrons from food into versatile electricity via proton gradients.
- Energy Resistance Principle: transformation needs resistance; chronic high resistance causes dissipative heat, damage, aging.
- GDF15 cytokine signals mitochondrial stress to brain, triggering energy conservation/mobilization.
- Insulin resistance: adaptive defense against electron overload, reversible by fasting/exercise.
- Psychiatric illness: excess brain energy resistance; exercise, keto, psychedelics redistribute flux.
- Health: dynamic optimization of energy resistance, not absence of disease.
- Healing: daily recovery from micro-damage via balanced resistance.
- Future: energy-based diagnostics/therapies (light, TMS) over molecule-only drugs.
*Not medical advice.
Reference Paper: The energy resistance principle
Related Episode:
- M&M 70: Mitochondria, Aging, Cellular Energy, Metabolism, Gray Hair Reversal & Brain-Body Communication | Martin Picard
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