The LIVING Room Podcast | Inside The WNDR Lab

Chris Wharton
  • 4.8 (13)
  • Health & Fitness

What if longevity wasn’t owned by a single voice—but shaped by many? Our host, Chris Wharton, brings together the world’s leading scientists, doctors, performers, and cultural icons—each offering a distinct perspective on the art of living better, longer.  From cutting-edge, data-backed research to lived experience, we explore the habits, mindsets, and breakthroughs that truly move the needle when it comes to elevating both the quality and length of your life. Built on collective expertise, not individual opinion, The Living Room is where science, experience, and insight come together—bringing the most trusted thinking in longevity to your living room, whether that’s your couch or your commute… This is not about shortcuts. It’s not about hype. It’s about understanding the full picture—and giving you the clarity to act on it. Because a long life, well lived, is never one-dimensional—and neither is the path to getting there. Step into The LIVING Room, where the future of LIVING comes alive.

  1. 19h ago

    This Peptide Burns Fat and Builds Muscle — But the Man Who Discovered It Won't Take It - Yet

    What's actually in the syringe when you buy a peptide off the black market? Now that the FDA regulation around 6 of these black market peptides is changing, should you be taking them? Should you be concerned about the link between GLP-1 use and lean tissue loss? Dr. Pinchas Cohen, PhD, is the scientist who co-discovered humanin and MOTS-c — two of the mitochondrial-derived peptides now driving the biggest wave of interest in longevity science — and he currently serves as Dean of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology. Peptides have become a catch-all buzzword for a category that actually spans thousands of distinct molecules, most of them still unstudied. Dr. Cohen's lab discovered several of the ones people are now injecting themselves with, and he's spent the last year watching an unregulated market grow around his own research — to the point where he tested his friends' black-market MOTS-c and found some vials contained none of the peptide at all. Up to 30% of the weight lost on GLP-1 drugs is muscle. A genetic variant found in Ashkenazi Jews makes carriers roughly 20 times more likely to live to 100 and appears to blunt the effects of the biggest known Alzheimer's risk gene. In mice, MOTS-c extended lifespan by 10% and prevented the muscle and bone loss associated with GLP-1 use. And in July, 2026, Dr. Cohen testified in front of the FDA panel now reviewing MOTS-c's regulatory path. In this episode you'll learn: Why "peptides" make out three fundamentally different categories of molecules, not one trendHow MOTS-c and humanin were discovered inside DNA once dismissed as "junk"Why up to 30% of GLP-1 weight loss is muscle, and what that means over a decade of useWhat happened when Dr. Cohen tested the actual purity of black-market MOTS-cThe genetic variant linked to a 20x greater chance of living to 100Why he — the scientist who discovered MOTS-c — won't take it himself yetWhat the FDA's 503A compounding pathway means for legal access to peptidesWhere Alzheimer's and Parkinson's peptide research stands todayWant to learn more? Each month, we send a newsletter curated by our scientific council on what's actually advancing the science of human longevity — and what isn't. Subscribe at https://www.thewndrlab.com/mailing-list Check out The WNDR Lab Connect with Dr. Pinchas Cohen Connect with our host Chris Wharton on Instagram: instagram.com/chriswharton1  Follow The LIVING Room Podcast on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.living.room.pod/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wndrlab/ The WNDR Lab: https://www.thewndrlab.com/ Show Notes Studies & Institutions referenced Health and Retirement Study Kumagai's Japanese cohort GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Study)USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology503AFDA PCAC panel Peptides & molecules  HumaninMOTS-cSHLP SHMOOSE IGF-1, IGFBP-3ApoE4 / APOE (Alzheimer's risk gene)

  2. Aug 26

    Stop Restricting Food: A Performance Sports Dietitian's 30-Year Case Against Diet Culture

    She oversees nutrition for Olympic swimmers, pro footballers, and some of the all-time greats in both Cycling and Tennis. Her biggest lesson? Rigid diet rules cause more harm than good. Dr. Louise Burke spent three decades as Head of Nutrition at the Australian Institute of Sport, overseeing the diets of Olympic gold medalists across swimming, track and field, and professional football. Her work has shaped how elite athletes fuel for performance — yet her most urgent message has nothing to do with macros. On this episode of The LIVING Room Podcast, host Chris Wharton sits down with Dr. Burke to dismantle the diet myths dominating social media, explore why rigid nutrition rules backfire for both athletes and everyday people, and uncover why the Australian Institute of Sport reversed its strict no-supplements policy. She also breaks down the placebo effect's real power in performance, the danger of prioritizing physique over function, and why your relationship with food matters more than your meal plan. Louise Burke, PhD, is a sports dietitian with 40 years of experience counseling Australia's elite athletes, including support for the Australian Olympic Team across six Summer Games. Chair in Sports Nutrition at the Mary MacKillop Institute of Health Research at Australian Catholic University, she has published over 400 papers and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. If nutrition tips have left you more confused than when you started, Louise offers something rare: clarity from someone who spent a career separating food science from food fads. Want more? Each month, we send a newsletter curated by our scientific council on what's actually advancing the science of human longevity — and what isn't. Subscribe at https://www.thewndrlab.com/mailing-list The WNDR Lab: https://www.thewndrlab.com Connect with Dr. Burke:  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/louiseburke4/ Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/louise.m.burke1 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-burke-61923411/ Louise Burke ACU - https://www.acu.edu.au/research-and-enterprise/our-research-institutes/mary-mackillop-institute-for-health-research/our-people/louise-burke See Dr Burke’s six books  https://www.thewndrlab.com/scientist/louise-burke Connect with our host Chris Wharton on Instagram: instagram.com/chriswharton1

  3. Aug 19

    Retinoids, Peptides and Injectables: A Dermatologist on What Works and What’s Overhyped

    Which anti-aging skincare products actually work according to science, and which are just hype? Board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at George Washington University, Dr. Noëlle Sherber cuts through the noise with an evidence-based breakdown of sunscreen, retinoids, peptides, injectables, and more. Anti-aging skincare has become so crowded with products, procedures, and conflicting advice that building an effective routine feels nearly impossible. Dr. Noëlle S. Sherber, a dermatologist specializing in collagen and connective tissue disorders, brings a clinical lens to skin longevity and explains why just six essentials — cleansing, antioxidants, hydration, moisturizer, sunscreen, and nighttime repair — form the only foundation you need. Dr. Sherber examines what tretinoin, over-the-counter retinoids, peptides, topical estrogen, red light therapy, and injectables can and cannot do, while unpacking skin barrier health, "digital dermatosis" (the algorithm-driven cycle that pushes you to buy more products), and "perception drift" (why you stop seeing your own results over time). This conversation with Chris Wharton on The LIVING Room Podcast is for anyone who wants healthier, younger-looking skin without a complicated 10-step routine or unsupported claims. You'll walk away knowing which fundamentals deserve your consistency, where advanced treatments actually fit, and how to make smarter decisions about your skin. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.thewndrlab.com/mailing-list The WNDR Lab: https://www.thewndrlab.com/ Connect with Dr. Noëlle Sherber: https://www.instagram.com/drnoellesherber Connect with our host Chris Wharton on Instagram: instagram.com/chriswharton1  Episode References: "Jam Study" and the paradox of choice: Iyengar SS, Lepper MR. When choice is demotivating: can one desire too much of a good thing? J Pers Soc Psychol. 2000 Dec; 79(6): 995-1006.full textPhotoaging benefits from a year of daily sunscreen: Randhawa M, Wang S, Leyden JJ, Cula GO, Pagnoni A, Southall MD. Daily use of a facial broad spectrum sunscreen over one-year significantly improves clinical evaluation of photoaging. Dermatol Surg. 2016 Dec; 42(12): 1354-1361.New sunscreen ingredient, BEMT / Tinosorb S, en route to FDA approval: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-expanding-sunscreen-active-ingredient-listEffects of sunscreen use on vitamin D levels: Neale RE, Khan SR, Lucas RM, Waterhouse M, Whiteman DC, Olsen CM. The effect of sunscreen on vitamin D: a review. Br J Dermatol. 2019 Nov; 181(5): 907-915.A very recent peer-reviewed editorial regarding sunscreen safety and misinformation: Pissavini M, Kriekoukis O, Matts PJ, Nash JF, Sinclair C, Young AR, Diffey BL. A manifesto for informed sun protection advice in relation to sunscreens. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2026 Apr 3.full textSkin science on tretinoin: Baldwin HE, Nighland M, Kendall C, Mays DA, Grossman R, Newburger J. 40 years of topical tretinoin use in review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013 Jun; 12(6): 638-42.full textTopical estrogens: Troxel J, Ferrer L, Iwamoto A, Van Voorhis B, Powers J. Topical estrogen therapy for aging skin: Current evidence and clinical considerations. JAAD Reviews, 2026 Mar; 7: 73-80.full textFarkas E, Goldblatt A, Nehorayan I, Lefkowitz RB, Fleshner L, Tepper K, Marmon S. Topical estrogen for skin aging: A systematic review of safety and efficacy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2026 Jan; 94(1): 212-215. full textAirborne pollution's impact on skin health: Han HS, Seok J, Park KY. Air pollution and skin diseases. Ann Dermatol. 2025 Apr; 37(2): 53-67.full textSkin quality and age perception: Fink B, Matts PJ, Klingenberg H, Kuntze S, Weege B, Grammer K. Visual attention to variation in female facial skin color distribution. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008 Jun; 7(2): 155-61.Fink B, Matts PJ. The effects of skin colour distribution and topography cues on the perception of female facial age and health. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2008 Apr; 22(4): 493-8.Carbon CC, Leder H. The Mona Lisa effect: is 'our' Lisa fame or fake? Perception. 2006; 35(3): 411-4.Nicotinamide for skin cancer chemoprevention: Breglio KF, Knox KM, Hwang J, Weiss R, Maas K, Zhang S, Yao L, Madden C, Xu Y, Hartman RI, Wheless L. Nicotinamide for Skin Cancer Chemoprevention. JAMA Dermatol. 2025 Nov; 161(11): 1140-1147. Erratum in: JAMA Dermatol. 2025 Nov 1; 161(11): 1195. full text Nonablative fractionated laser treatment and keratinocyte cancer prevention: Benson TA, Hibler BP, Kotliar D, Avram M. Nonablative fractional laser treatment is associated with a decreased risk of subsequent facial keratinocyte carcinoma development. Dermatol Surg. 2023 Feb; 49(2): 149-154. Skinvive (called Volite overseas) and AQP-3 expression: Safa M, Natalizio A, Hee CK. A Prospective, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Impact of VYC-12L Injection on Skin Quality Attributes in Healthy Volunteers. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022 Mar; 15: 411-426.full text

  4. Aug 12

    Neuroscientist Matthew Walker Destroys the Biggest Sleep Myths — From 5-Hour Nights to Melatonin Use

    What if everything you're doing for your health — the diet, the exercise, the supplements — depends on something you may be overlooking every night? Matthew Walker, PhD, neuroscientist, sleep expert, and professor of neuroscience and biomedical engineering at UT Dallas, founder of the Center for Human Sleep Science, and author of the New York Times bestseller Why We Sleep joins The LIVING Room Podcast to reveal why sleep is not the third pillar of health — it's the foundation on which everything else rests. For decades, we've treated sleep as the thing we'll fix after we get our diet, exercise, and productivity in order. But what if that order is exactly backwards? In this conversation, Dr. Walker explains why one night of 4 hours of sleep causes a 70% drop in cancer-fighting natural killer cells, how losing a single hour to daylight saving time spikes heart attack risk by 24%, and why dieting without enough sleep means up to 60% of the weight you lose comes from lean tissue — not fat. He unpacks the evolutionary paradox of why sleep exists at all, how dreaming acts as overnight emotional therapy by stripping stress chemistry from the brain, and why the single most powerful predictor of all-cause mortality isn't how long you sleep — it's how regular your wake time is. In this episode you'll learn: • Why one night of bad sleep causes a 70% drop in your immune system's cancer-fighting cells — and how quickly the damage begins • The daylight saving effect: why losing just one hour of sleep raises heart attack risk by 24% and what that reveals about chronic sleep loss • How insufficient sleep hijacks your metabolism so that 60% of weight lost during a diet comes from muscle, not fat • Why sleep exists in every species despite being evolutionarily absurd and what that universality tells us about its non-negotiable importance • How dreaming functions as overnight therapy, processing difficult emotional experiences in a brain state completely stripped of stress chemistry • Why sleep regularity — consistent wake times — predicts mortality more strongly than total sleep duration, and how to make it your single most powerful sleep lever • The truth about genetic short-sleepers: why they're rarer than being struck by lightning, and why you almost certainly aren't one Dr. Walker's research has been published in over 100 scientific studies, and he has been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, National Geographic, BBC, and NPR. He is one of the most cited and recognized sleep scientists in the world. If you've ever wondered whether 5 or 6 hours is enough, or felt like you're doing everything right for your health but not seeing the results — this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about the one-third of your life you spend asleep. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.thewndrlab.com/mailing-list The WNDR Lab: https://www.thewndrlab.com/ Timestamps:  00:00 – How Matthew became a sleep scientist 06:18 – Why sleep is the foundation of health (the 60% muscle loss study) 12:59 – One bad night: 70% drop in cancer-fighting killer cells 15:45 – Daylight saving: losing one hour spikes heart attack risk 24% 19:24 – Is the perception of sleep finally changing? 29:30 – The gold standard day for sleep: Matthew's full protocol 30:07 – Why wake-time regularity predicts mortality more than duration 36:42 – Daylight within 60 minutes of waking 40:04 – Strategic caffeine use: the half-life rule 46:47 – Exercise timing and your chronotype 49:08 – How to find your chronotype (the MEQ test) 52:49 – The evolutionary reason night owls exist 59:08 – What to do when you can't sleep 01:04:32 – The wind-down: sleep is like landing a plane 01:07:24 – Melatonin: what it actually does 01:12:46 – White noise and brown noise 01:16:50 – Sleep, cognition, and the aging brain 01:19:07 – Sleep's three roles in learning and memory 01:22:52 – How dream sleep builds creativity 01:24:49 – Athletic performance and motor skill improvement 01:36:22 – Poor sleep and emotional regulation (amygdala vs. prefrontal cortex) 01:38:24 – Quick-fire: controversial beliefs, underrated tools, advice to younger self 01:43:24 – Genetic short-sleepers: rarer than being struck by lightning 01:45:43 – Advice for aging parents: it's never too late 01:47:19 – Final message: "Sleep is your life support system" Episode References Dr. Walker's book Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams TED Talk  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MuIMqhT8DM MEQ Chronotype Quiz  https://reference.medscape.com/calculator/829/morningness-eveningness-questionnaire-meq Decibel Meter https://decibelpro.io/ 5 Techniques to fall asleep:  Meditation, Box Breathing, Body Scan, Mental Walk & Sleep Stories Connect with Dr. Walker: https://www.instagram.com/drmattwalker Connect with our host Chris Wharton: https://www.instagram.com/chriswharton1

  5. Aug 5

    The Biggest Myth About Female Sex Drive That Women Still Believe

    What if the real reason millions of women struggle with desire isn't hormones, and the solution isn't a pill? For decades, the conversation around women's sexual health has been shaped by the male model: desire first, then arousal. But what if that model is fundamentally wrong for most women? Dr. Lori Brotto, PhD, a UBC professor, Canada Research Chair in Women's Sexual Health, and registered psychologist joins The LIVING Room Podcast to share why female sexual desire remains one of the most misunderstood, underfunded, and undertreated areas in modern medicine. In this conversation, Dr. Brotto explains why 43% of women experience clinically significant sexual dysfunction, yet less than 10% seek help compared to 80% of men. She unpacks the mind-body disconnect that makes female physiological arousal rarely match subjective arousal, why the two FDA-approved drugs for women deliver mediocre results at best, and how mindfulness — present-moment, non-judgmental awareness — directly addresses both the inhibitory and excitatory sides of desire in ways medication cannot.  She challenges the myth that desire must be spontaneous, introduces the concept of responsive desire, and explains why separating sexual health from overall health is a mistake with real consequences for research funding, clinical care, and how women understand their own bodies. In this episode you'll learn: Why 43% of women experience sexual dysfunction, and why less than 10% seek help while 80% of men doThe mind-body disconnect: why women's physiological arousal rarely matches their subjective experience, and why "not feeling in the mood" is often a brain problem, not a body problemHow mindfulness — not meditation apps, but specific clinical techniques like the body scan and raisin exercise — directly improves sexual desire and responseWhy responsive desire, desire that emerges in response to arousal, is normal and expected, especially in long-term relationships, and why waiting to "feel horny first" is a losing gameThe two FDA-approved drugs for female sexual dysfunction, why their efficacy is modest at best, and why mindfulness outperforms them without side effectsWhy sexual health research receives less than 7% of national health funding, and what that underinvestment means for women's health and wellnessWhat men can be doing to foster more moments of intimacy in a relationshipDr. Lori Brotto, PhD, is a professor at the University of British Columbia, Canada Research Chair in Women's Sexual Health, and a registered psychologist. She is the author of Better Sex Through Mindfulness and has spent over two decades researching the intersection of mindfulness and female sexual health, running one of the world's leading psychophysiology labs studying sexual response and arousal. Book: Brotto, L. A. (2018). Better sex through mindfulness: How women can cultivate desire. Greystone Books: https://www.loribrotto.com/ eSense digital program  esensehealth.com  Melinda French Gates Is Donating $215 Million to Women’s Health Want more? Each month, we send a newsletter curated by our scientific council on what's  actually advancing the science of human longevity — and what isn't. Subscribe at https://www.thewndrlab.com/mailing-list  The WNDR Lab: https://www.thewndrlab.com/

  6. Jul 29

    The #1 Exercise to Stay Physically Independent as You Age | World's Top Strength Training Researcher

    On The LIVING Room, host Chris Wharton sits down with Brad Schoenfeld, PhD, Professor of Exercise Science at Lehman College and one of the world's most influential resistance training researchers, to unpack what decades of evidence actually say about building muscle, maintaining strength, and aging well. They explore the minimum effective dose of strength training, why effort matters more than volume, the truth about protein timing and daily protein intake, why cold plunges immediately after lifting may blunt muscle growth, how GLP-1 medications affect lean tissue, the supplements that actually work, and why it's never too late to start, even if you've never lifted a weight before. Whether you're trying to build muscle, improve performance, lose fat, or simply maximize your chances of remaining strong and independent into your 80s and 90s, this conversation is packed with practical, evidence-based advice you can apply immediately. HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why resistance training may be one of the most important interventions for healthy aging, and how it helps protect against frailty, falls, hip fractures, and the loss of physical independenceWhy as little as two challenging 30-minute strength sessions per week can deliver meaningful health and strength benefitsHow to build a "bone bank" before menopause and help preserve bone density as estrogen declinesThe truth about women and "bulking"—including training volume, rep ranges, and what the science actually says about muscle growthWhy soreness isn't proof of an effective workout—and why training to failure isn't always necessaryHow resistance training and higher protein intake can help preserve lean tissue during weight loss, including while using GLP-1 medicationsWhat the latest research says about creatine, protein timing, cold plunges, sauna use, and some of the biggest myths surrounding strength trainingWant more? Each month, we send a newsletter curated by our scientific council on what's actually advancing the science of human longevity — and what isn't. Subscribe at https://www.thewndrlab.com/mailing-list.  The WNDR Lab: https://www.thewndrlab.com/   RIR (Repetitions in Reserve) — perceived number of reps left before failureRPE (Rating of Perceived Exertion) — 1–10 scale of perceived training intensityDEXA scan — used to measure lean tissue/body compositionAnabolic window — the (now largely debunked) ~45-minute post-workout protein timing windowGLP-1 receptor agonists — referenced broadly (e.g., Ozempic-class drugs), not a specific named productCreatine — supplement discussed at length as the only muscle-building supplement with strong evidenceStudies:  High-Intensity Strength Training in Nonagenarians: Effects on Skeletal Muscle  Brad Schoenfeld, PhD, CSCS-D, CSPS-D, NSCA-CPT-D, FNSCA LinkedIn: @bradschoenfeld Website: lookgreatnaked.com Most Popular Books:  Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy Science and Development of Muscle Hypertrophy (New Edition) - preorder available Connect with our host Chris Wharton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswharton1

  7. Jul 22

    Personalized Nutrition, Blood Tests & Dementia Risk: A Harvard Scientist Explains the Science

    Gene Bowman, ND, MPH, explains why nutrition, blood-based biomarkers, and personalized testing could change how we think about protecting brain health, and that people with suboptimal levels of just three blood markers may have a four-to-five-fold higher risk of dementia.  Brain health is often treated as something to worry about only after memory, focus, or processing speed begins to decline. But Gene Bowman explains that the biological changes associated with cognitive decline begin decades earlier, and that emerging blood-based biomarkers and personalized nutrition could help identify risk and guide intervention much sooner. Gene Bowman, ND, MPH, is Clinical Trials Director at the McCance Center for Brain Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School, where his research focuses on nutritional neuroscience, cognitive aging, metabolic health, and blood-based biomarkers of brain health. On The LIVING Room Podcast, he joins Chris Wharton to explain why brain health is influenced by nutrient patterns rather than one "miracle" supplement, how APOE4 risk may interact with omega-3 status and lifestyle, and why ultra-processed foods, trans fats, refined sugars, and poor metabolic health may contribute to long-term brain aging What we cover in this conversation: • Why cognitive decline may begin decades before symptoms appear • How blood tests could reveal nutritional and metabolic risks to brain health • The combination of three nutritional markers linked to a four-to-five-fold higher risk of dementia • How personalized nutrition could support the future of Alzheimer's and dementia prevention • What APOE4 means for omega-3s, genetics, and long-term brain health • Why one supplement is rarely enough to protect cognitive function • How trans fats, refined sugars, and ultra-processed foods may affect the brain • What to eat for sharper focus today and greater cognitive resilience over time • Why "normal" nutrient levels may not be optimal for brain performance • How future brain-health testing could make prevention far more personalized and precise For anyone concerned about brain fog, family history, cognitive decline, or protecting their brain as they age, this episode offers a more proactive way to think about brain health: test earlier, understand your individual biology, and build the nutritional foundation that may help preserve cognitive function over time. Want more? Each month, we send a newsletter curated by our scientific council on what's actually advancing the science of human longevity — and what isn't. Subscribe at https://www.thewndrlab.com/mailing-list.  The WNDR Lab: https://www.thewndrlab.com/   Connect with our host Chris Wharton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswharton1 Gene L. Bowman, ND, MPH LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gene-bowman-64b10b8/ Harvard Profile:  https://researchers.mgh.harvard.edu/profile/31831698/Gene-Bowman https://connects.catalyst.harvard.edu/Profiles/display/Person/215473 Episode References Individuals: Rudy Tanzi — Harvard neurogeneticist who co-discovered the Huntington's and Alzheimer's genes and helped build the amyloid hypothesis. Martha Clare Morris — Developed the MIND diet and co-founded the AA-ISTAART Nutrition, --Metabolism, and Dementia group with Gene. Frank Sacks — Harvard researcher who developed the DASH diet. Diets / Frameworks: MIND diet — Dietary pattern (berries, leafy greens, seafood, nuts/seeds) linked to lower dementia risk observationally, but underperformed in its clinical trial. DASH diet — Diet designed for cardiovascular disease reduction; blended into the MIND diet. Neuroprotective diet (in development) — Gene's forthcoming review paper proposing a diet combining the best of MIND, DASH, and Mediterranean patterns. Studies: Multi-domain Alzheimer's Prevention Trial — Observational study where Gene's nutritional risk index predicted cognitive decline/enhancement. Framingham cohort study — Used by a Dutch research group to validate the same three biomarkers, finding a 4–5x dementia risk increase with suboptimal levels. Oregon Brain Aging Study — Gene's ~15–20-year-old study of exceptionally healthy elderly "superagers" showing optimal (not just non-deficient) nutrient thresholds matter. Omega-3 RCT (APOE4) — Gene's 3-year placebo-controlled trial showing omega-3s especially benefit APOE4 carriers' neuronal integrity.

  8. Jul 17

    #1 Monthly. Peptides, FDA Approval & Longevity Trends: Dr. Myles Spar Separates Science From Hype

    The peptide space is exploding. Claims are everywhere. But for most peptides, the human evidence is still surprisingly limited. Dr. Myles Spar is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician, Integrative Medicine physician, and Clinical Translator at The WNDR Lab. He has spent his career helping translate longevity science into practical medicine, and in this conversation, he breaks down one of the most talked-about topics in health today: peptide therapy. From BPC-157 and TB-500 to MOTS-c and GHK Copper, Dr. Spar explains why the excitement has outpaced the evidence, what the FDA's proposed recategorization of certain peptides actually means (and what it doesn't), and how to evaluate health claims before putting anything in your body. The conversation also explores how to separate evidence from hype, why correlation isn't causation, and why the fundamentals of health still outperform any shortcut. This episode also marks the launch of a new recurring series: The Truth Behind the Trend”  on The LIVING Room Podcast. In this series, Chris Wharton sits down with leading experts in their fields to examine what's making the news, what the science says, and what it actually means for your health. These shorter conversations are designed to help you think more critically, ask better questions, and separate evidence from hype.  What we cover in this episode: Why most peptide research is still limited—and why that mattersBPC-157, TB-500, MOTS-c, and GHK Copper: what we know todayWhat the FDA's proposed peptide recategorization means—and why it does not mean FDA approvalThe difference between FDA-approved, FDA-cleared, and compounded productsWhy injectable peptides have more evidence behind them than patches, creams, and sublingual formulationsThe risks of buying peptides from unregulated sourcesWhy therapeutic plasma exchange may be overhyped in longevity medicineThe "proof commensurate with harm" principle for evaluating health interventionsWhy correlation does not equal causation in health researchHow to run your own N-of-1 experiment to determine what actually works for youWhy exercise, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and other fundamentals remain the foundation of longevityIf you're trying to make sense of the rapidly growing world of peptides, biohacking, and longevity medicine, this episode offers a practical, evidence-based framework for thinking critically about the latest health trends. Want more? Each month, we send a newsletter curated by our scientific council on what's actually advancing the science of human longevity — and what isn't.  Subscribe at https://www.thewndrlab.com/mailing-list.  Connect with Dr. Myles Spar: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drspar/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drspar/  Connect with our host Chris Wharton on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswharton1  Follow The LIVING Room Podcast on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.living.room.pod/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/wndrlab/ The WNDR Lab: https://www.thewndrlab.com/

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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

What if longevity wasn’t owned by a single voice—but shaped by many? Our host, Chris Wharton, brings together the world’s leading scientists, doctors, performers, and cultural icons—each offering a distinct perspective on the art of living better, longer.  From cutting-edge, data-backed research to lived experience, we explore the habits, mindsets, and breakthroughs that truly move the needle when it comes to elevating both the quality and length of your life. Built on collective expertise, not individual opinion, The Living Room is where science, experience, and insight come together—bringing the most trusted thinking in longevity to your living room, whether that’s your couch or your commute… This is not about shortcuts. It’s not about hype. It’s about understanding the full picture—and giving you the clarity to act on it. Because a long life, well lived, is never one-dimensional—and neither is the path to getting there. Step into The LIVING Room, where the future of LIVING comes alive.

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