All Episodes

August 18, 2025 143 mins
My guest is Dr. Sergiu Pașca, MD, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University. We discuss the biology and genetics of autism, why autism diagnoses are increasing and recent progress in using stem cells to understand and treat profound autism and other brain disorders. Dr. Pașca explains “organoids and assembloids”—human stem cell–derived tools he pioneered to study, treat and cure complex brain diseases. We also discuss ethical and safety issues with using gene editing and stem cells in humans. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Helix: https://helixsleep.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00) Sergiu Pașca (02:08) Autism Spectrum Disorder, Incidence, Genetics (07:16) Is Autism More Common in Males? (09:35) Sponsors: David & Helix Sleep (11:56) Eye Contact in Babies, Fever; Proposed Causes of Autism; Genes (18:48) Genetic or Idiopathic Autism Diagnoses, Timothy Syndrome (21:37) Rise in Autism Diagnoses (26:46) Cause, Correlation & Neurological Disease; Schizophrenia, Do Vaccines Cause Autism? (31:34) Global Increase in Autism; Gene Therapy, CRISPR, Follistatin (41:05) Sponsors: AG1 & BetterHelp (43:41) Stem Cells, Ethics, Yamanaka Factors, Human Stem Cell Models (52:03) Umbilical Stem Cells; Stem Cell Injections & Dangers, Autistic Kids (59:30) Organoids, Modeling Brain Development, Intrinsic Development Timer (1:12:22) Assembloids, Brain Cell Migration & Circuit Formation, Self-Organization (1:21:22) Four-Part Assembloid, Sensory Assembloid, Pain Conditions (1:25:45) Sponsor: Function (1:27:33) Future Medical Therapies, Cell Banking, Immortalize Tissues, Rejuvenate Cells (1:34:56) Assembloids & Ethics, Importance of Nomenclature, Science Collaboration & Self-Correction (1:45:38) Cell Transplantation & Ethics, Timing (1:55:05) Genetic Testing for Parents, Genetic Penetrance (2:02:36) Assembloids, Timothy Syndrome, Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, Dystonia (2:14:30) Scientific Career, Walking, Art, Medical School (2:20:44) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Cardiac Cowboys

Cardiac Cowboys

The heart was always off-limits to surgeons. Cutting into it spelled instant death for the patient. That is, until a ragtag group of doctors scattered across the Midwest and Texas decided to throw out the rule book. Working in makeshift laboratories and home garages, using medical devices made from scavenged machine parts and beer tubes, these men and women invented the field of open heart surgery. Odds are, someone you know is alive because of them. So why has history left them behind? Presented by Chris Pine, CARDIAC COWBOYS tells the gripping true story behind the birth of heart surgery, and the young, Greatest Generation doctors who made it happen. For years, they competed and feuded, racing to be the first, the best, and the most prolific. Some appeared on the cover of Time Magazine, operated on kings and advised presidents. Others ended up disgraced, penniless, and convicted of felonies. Together, they ignited a revolution in medicine, and changed the world.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.