The Mind-Gut Conversation Podcast

Emeran Mayer, MD

The Mind-Gut Conversation brings in experts within various fields of health & science to have a discussion with world-renowned gastroenterologist, neuroscientist and bestselling author of The Mind Gut Connection, Emeran Mayer, MD.

  1. HACE 5 DÍAS

    Career Shifts, Authenticity, and Intentional Living with Taylor Bell | MGC Ep. 104

    Dr. Emeran Mayer sits down with Taylor Bell, an Ivy League–educated former management consultant turned full-time YouTuber, for a candid conversation on authenticity, ambition, and the health consequences of living out of alignment with your true values. Through her story of leaving a high-pressure corporate career to pursue creative entrepreneurship, Taylor shares what it means to redefine success, listen to your inner voice, and create a life rooted in purpose and well-being. Together, they explore the psychological effects of cognitive dissonance, how chronic stress shows up in the body, especially through the brain-gut-microbiome system, and why self-trust and intentional living are essential for both mental and physical health. Dr. Mayer also discusses the physiological impact of chronic stress, the concept of allostatic load, and practical tools such as diaphragmatic breathing that can help restore balance and resilience in a world of constant pressure and comparison. Key Topics Covered: • The link between cognitive dissonance, stress, and physical health • How authenticity and purpose shape mental well-being • The hidden costs of over-optimization and burnout • Simple ways to live and work with greater intention • Why listening to your body is more powerful than tracking every metric • Breathing techniques to reset the nervous system and calm the mind This episode is both inspiring and deeply practical — a reminder that true success isn’t about constant achievement, but about alignment, fulfillment, and trusting the wisdom of your own body. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more episodes exploring the science of brain–body health. This episode is brought to you by Mayer Nutrition. If you are interested in trying Synaptic Bloom, our high-potency Quercetin + supporting polyphenols blend, you can visit mayernutrition.com, and use our exclusive podcast discount code: MINDGUT for 10% off your first order! Connect with Dr. Mayer: Website: https://www.emeranmayer.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emeranmayer/ X (Twitter): https://www.twitter.com/emeranmayermd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmeranMayerMD/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emeranmayer/ Chapters: 0:00 - 2:30 Introduction 2:30 - 4:59 Career Shift from Consulting to YouTuber 4:59 - 7:25 Synchronicity & Self-Trust 7:25 - 17:38 Cognitive Dissonance, Gut Feelings & Finding Your True Passion 17:38 - 19:16 Passion & Happiness 19:16 - 23:53 Career Stress & Stress Response System 23:53 - 25:33 Sponsor: Mayer Nutrition 25:33 - 31:05 We've Taken Health Optimization Too Far 31:05 - 32:30 Keys to Health & Longevity 32:30 - 36:38 Chronic Stress, Brain-Gut-Microbiome System, Allostatic Load 36:38 - 41:47 Practical Tips to Better Adapt to Stress 41:47 - 46:27 Breathing Techniques Dr. Mayer Teaches His Patients 46:27 - 49:01 Closing Remarks, Advice to People Dealing with Career Changes

    49 min
  2. 13 OCT

    Building Mental Fitness & Healing The Modern Brain with Drew Ramsey, MD | MGC Ep. 103

    Dr. Emeran Mayer sits down with Dr. Drew Ramsey, psychiatrist, author, and pioneer in nutritional psychiatry, for a thought-provoking conversation on how we can proactively strengthen and protect our mental health. Drawing from his new book, Healing the Modern Brain: Nine Tenets to Build Mental Fitness and Revitalize Your Mind, Dr. Ramsey explains what it means to develop “mental fitness” and why small, intentional habits around food, sleep, movement, purpose, and connection can transform how we feel and function in the modern world. Together, they explore the roots of today’s mental health crisis, how modern food and technology are reshaping the brain, and what science reveals about our innate capacity for resilience, growth, and joy. Key Topics Covered: • What “mental fitness” really means and how to build it • The Nine Tenets for strengthening the brain and emotional resilience • How diet and the microbiome influence mood and mental health • Why connection, engagement, and purpose are essential for well-being • How modern stressors from processed food to digital overload impact the brain • Practical steps to rewire your brain and revitalize your mind This episode is both empowering and deeply practical, reminding us that our brains are not just meant to survive the modern world but to grow, connect, and thrive within it. As always, we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more episodes exploring the science of mind–body health. Connect with Dr. Mayer: Website: https://www.emeranmayer.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emeranmayer/ X: https://www.twitter.com/emeranmayermd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmeranMayerMD/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emeranmayer/

    45 min
  3. 30 SEP

    Healing Trauma and Unlocking Human Potential with Peter Crone | MGC Ep. 102

    Dr. Emeran Mayer welcomes Peter Crone, widely known as The Mind Architect, for a profound conversation on healing trauma, dissolving limiting subconscious beliefs, and unlocking human potential. Peter shares how early life experiences shape the subconscious mind, often creating patterns of fear, anxiety, and self-judgment that hold us back. He explains how shifting awareness and reframing our narratives can open the door to greater freedom, love, and authentic living. Their dialogue bridges Eastern philosophy with modern psychology, offering practical steps to move beyond suffering into resilience and possibility. You’ll also hear how the science of the subconscious intersects with personal transformation, and why cultivating presence can help us break free from being controlled by the past or the future. Key Topics Covered: • Letting go of past and future narratives that shape behavior • The roots of feeling “not good enough” and how to transcend it • Redefining peace as success through radical acceptance • Insights from Eastern philosophy and modern psychology • How trauma imprints the subconscious and shapes behavior • Living with more presence, authenticity, and ease This episode is both a roadmap and an invitation. By releasing limiting beliefs and healing hidden wounds, we can expand into our fullest human potential. As always, please leave any questions or comments below. We hope you enjoy the episode! This episode is brought to you by Mayer Nutrition. If you are interested in trying Synaptic Bloom, our high-potency Quercetin + supporting polyphenols blend, you can visit mayernutrition.com & use our exclusive podcast discount code MINDGUT for 10% off your first order. Connect with Dr. Mayer:Website: https://www.emeranmayer.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emeranmayer X: https://www.x.com/emeranmayermd Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmeranMayerMD/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emeranmayer/ Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction 01:32 – Peter Crone’s journey and life lessons 04:56 – Spirituality, Buddhism, and Eastern influences 11:36 – Living in the present and letting go of the past 19:13 – Trauma, healing, and the power of choice 25:55 – Reprogramming the subconscious mind 29:14 – Advertisement: Mayer Nutrition 30:51 – Why we feel “not good enough” 33:32 – Success, suffering, and hidden drivers of achievement 36:41 – Personal reflections and growth 37:38 – Psychedelics and altered states of awareness 44:27 – The brain as a prediction machine 51:26 – Aging, vitality, and redefining time 56:14 – Closing thoughts

    58 min
  4. 16 SEP

    Menopause, Hormones, and Women’s Health with Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz | MGC Ep. 101

    Dr. Emeran Mayer welcomes Dr. Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, physician, author, and women’s health advocate, for an in-depth discussion on menopause, hormone therapy, and the integration of holistic practices into modern medicine. Dr. Gilberg shares her path into women’s health, including the creation of the Menopause Bootcamp to address the lack of education and awareness around menopause. She explains why estrogen plays a vital role in women’s health beyond reproduction and how the Women’s Health Initiative reshaped, and sometimes restricted, perceptions of hormone therapy. The conversation also examines gender bias in medical research, the need for updated guidelines, and the emerging potential of psychedelics in women’s health care. You’ll also hear why community, education, and holistic practices matter so much for empowering women, and how simple lifestyle shifts can improve resilience, wellbeing, and long-term health. Key Topics Covered: • How menopause awareness and conversations are evolving • The significance of estrogen for women’s overall health • The Women’s Health Initiative and its impact on hormone therapy use • How gender bias continues to shape medical research and care • The therapeutic potential of psychedelics in women’s health • Practical holistic practices women can integrate into daily life This conversation highlights the future of women’s health: by blending science, holistic care, and community education, we can better support women through every stage of life. We hope you enjoy! Chapters: 00:26 Introduction to Dr. Suzanne Gilberg's Journey 06:25 The Shift in Menopause Conversations 10:37 Understanding Estrogen and Its Impact 15:20 The Women's Health Initiative and Hormone Therapy 20:25 Future Directions in Women's Health Research 27:00 The Central Role of the Gut 29:42 Gender Bias in Medicine 34:26 Exploring Psychedelics in Women's Health 46:10 Integrating Holistic Practices into Daily Life

    50 min
  5. 1 SEP

    How Food Influences Our Mood and Mental Health with Felice Jacka, OAM | MGC Ep. 100

    Dr. Emeran Mayer welcomes Professor Felice Jacka, founder of the Food & Mood Centre and a global leader in nutritional psychiatry, for an in-depth discussion on how diet influences mental health and brain function. Felice shares the groundbreaking research that launched an entire field, from the first studies linking diet quality to depression, to clinical trials demonstrating how dietary changes can improve major depressive disorder. She also takes us beyond the plate, showing how agriculture, soil health, and food systems play a critical role in shaping both human and planetary health. You’ll also hear about her efforts to bring nutritional psychiatry into medical guidelines and education worldwide, and why simple, evidence-based changes, like cutting back on ultra-processed foods and adding more whole grains and legumes, can profoundly affect mood and resilience. Key Topics Covered: • What is nutritional psychiatry and why it matters • How dietary patterns influence depression, anxiety, and cognition • The SMILES and CALM trials: diet as a therapeutic tool • The impact of ultra-processed foods on the microbiome and brain • How soil biodiversity affects nutrient density and mental health • Practical, evidence-based dietary shifts for everyday life This conversation offers both hope and clarity: by improving diet quality, we can not only enhance individual mental health but also address the broader challenges of food systems and planetary well-being. As always, please leave any questions or comments below. We hope you enjoy the episode! Connect with Dr. Mayer: Website: ⁠emeranmayer.com ⁠Instagram: ⁠@emeranmayer⁠ X: ⁠@EmeranMayerMD⁠ YouTube: ⁠Emeran Mayer, MD⁠ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Nutritional Psychiatry 05:50 The Complexity of Food and Mental Health 11:59 The Impact of Industrial Food Systems 18:06 Lifestyle Interventions in Mental Health Treatment 30:18 Nutritional Psychiatry Training and Resources 38:13 Evidence of Dietary Interventions in Mental Health 45:49 Challenges in Changing Dietary Habits 57:24 Whole Grains: The Key to Better Health

    1 h
  6. 19 AGO

    The Mitochondrial Key to Longevity, Stress, & Holistic Health with Martin Picard, PhD | MGC Ep. 99

    Dr. Emeran Mayer welcomes Martin Picard, PhD, mitochondrial biologist and systems thinker, for a fascinating conversation on the hidden role of mitochondria in health, stress, and consciousness. Martin explains how mitochondria, far beyond being simple “powerhouses of the cell”, are dynamic regulators of energy, emotion, and resilience. He explores their symbiotic relationship with the gut microbiome and how this ancient partnership influences inflammation, mental health, and overall well-being. You’ll also hear about Martin’s concept of “intrinsic health,” a field-like state that integrates biology, energy flow, and human experience. Together, he and Dr. Mayer discuss why understanding energy as the potential for change may reshape how we think about health, stress, and even consciousness itself. Key Topics Covered: • The evolutionary story of mitochondria and their link to the gut microbiome • Why energy is best understood as flow rather than a fixed resource • The impact of stress on mitochondrial health and resilience • How intrinsic health connects science with lived experience • A new paradigm for understanding mental and physical well-being Discover how mitochondria and the microbiome together form the foundation of vitality, and why a holistic, systems-based view of health is essential for true well-being. Enjoy! Connect with Dr. Mayer: Website: ⁠emeranmayer.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@emeranmayer⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠@EmeranMayerMD ⁠YouTube: ⁠Emeran Mayer, MD⁠ Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Mitochondria and Microbiome 05:26 The Evolutionary Significance of Mitochondria 10:35 Energy Dynamics in Biological Systems 15:30 Consciousness and Energy: A Philosophical Exploration 20:51 The Human Experience and Health 22:37 Bridging Biology and Human Experience 23:31 Mitochondria and Human Emotions 25:28 The Complexity of Mental Health 28:58 Intrinsic Health: A New Paradigm 36:21 Measuring Intrinsic Health 46:10 Stress, Energy, and Health

    53 min
  7. 2 AGO

    The Secrets Behind the World's Longest Living People with Dan Buettner | MGC Ep. 98

    Dr. Emeran Mayer welcomes Dan Buettner, National Geographic explorer, Emmy award-winning filmmaker, and founder of the Blue Zones, for an illuminating conversation on the secrets of longevity. Dan explains why people in Blue Zone communities, like Ikaria, Greece, and Nicoya, Costa Rica, live significantly longer, healthier lives, and why it has little to do with genetics. Instead, he shares how their environments naturally support better choices: more movement, plant-based eating, strong social ties, and a deep sense of purpose. You’ll also hear about the proven success of Blue Zone initiatives in U.S. cities like Fort Worth and Los Angeles, where simple changes in policy and urban design have reduced obesity and improved community health. Dan also tackles popular longevity “hacks,” the importance of happiness, and why beans may be the most powerful superfood on your plate. Key Topics Covered: • The origins and science behind the Blue Zones • Diet and lifestyle patterns that extend life by up to a decade • Why changing your environment beats trying to change your willpower • How happiness and community are linked to health • What U.S. cities can learn from the world’s healthiest populations Discover the evidence-based practices that can help you live longer, healthier, and happier starting today. Connect with Dr. Mayer: Instagram: ⁠@emeranmayer⁠ Twitter/X: ⁠@EmeranMayerMD⁠ YouTube: ⁠Emeran Mayer, MD⁠ Website: ⁠emeranmayer.com⁠ TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - 0:51 Introduction0:51 - 2:13 Who is Dan Buettner?2:13 - 4:47 What explains longevity in the Blue Zones?4:47 - 7:02 This is a fake Blue Zone7:02 - 10:00 Blue Zone diet/lifestyle10:00 - 13:15 Our bodies aren't optimized for our modern lifestyle13:15 - 15:20 Modern medicine & epidemic of chronic disease15:20 - 17:57 Why is Singapore so healthy?17:57 - 19:20 Thoughts on MAHA movement19:20 - 21:11 Transforming US cities into Blue Zones21:11 - 22:52 Are certain longevity factors more important than others?22:52 - 24:35 What kind of diet does Dan follow24:35 - 27:36 Thoughts on biohacking, rapamycin, metformin27:36 - 29:02 Dan's new book - Blue Zone Kitchen29:02 - 32:08 Issues with an older & older population32:08 - 33:40 Relationship between longevity & happiness33:40 - 34:37 Thanks for listening

    35 min

Acerca de

The Mind-Gut Conversation brings in experts within various fields of health & science to have a discussion with world-renowned gastroenterologist, neuroscientist and bestselling author of The Mind Gut Connection, Emeran Mayer, MD.

También te podría interesar