March 8, 2018
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Never before in the history of medicine has mankind faced such hope and peril as those of us poised to embrace the radical medical technologies of today.
Eve Herold's new book Beyond Human: How Cutting-Edge Science Is Extending Our Lives examines the medical technologies taking shape at the nexus of computing, microelectronics, engineering, nanotechnology, cellular and gene therapies, and robotics. These technologies will dramatically transform our lives and allow us to live for hundreds of years. Yet, with these blessings come complicated practical and ethical issues, some of which we can predict, but many we cannot.
Beyond Human taps the minds of doctors, scientists, and engineers engaged in developing a host of new technologies while telling the stories of some of the patients courageously testing the radical new treatments about to come into the market.
Beyond Human asks the difficult questions of the scientists and bioethicists who seek to ensure that as our bodies and brains become ever more artificial, we hold onto our humanity. In this new world, will everyone have access to technological miracles, or will we end up living in a world of radical disparities? How will society accommodate life spans that extend into hundreds of years? Will we and our descendants be able to bring about the dream of a future liberated by technology, or will we end up merely serving the machines and devices that keep us healthy, smart, young, and alive?
Eve Herold is a science writer specializing in issues at the intersection of science and society. She has written and spoken extensively about stem cell research and regenerative medicine and the social and bioethical aspects of leading-edge medicine. She is the past director of the Office of Communications and Public Affairs at the American Psychiatric Association and has served as Director of Public Policy Research and Education for the Genetics Policy Institute.
Other positions include Public Education Manager for the Stem Cell Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization promoting biomedical research and education. She is the former managing editor of The Gerontologist, a scholarly journal that explores the many facets of aging and its impact on society. Her 2007 book, Stem Cell Wars, was awarded a Commendation in Popular Medicine by the British Medical Association. Her 2016 book, Beyond Human, has been nominated for the Kirkus Prize in Nonfiction. A new book, Robots and the Women Who Love Them, will be released in 2018.
During my discussion with Eve in today's show, you'll discover:
-Whether Eve Herold is one of those folks who are striving to live to be 160 or 180 or 200…[6:12]
-How a brain pacemaker works and if you should get one installed someday…[6:50]
-How to inject your brain with stem cells…[14:10]
-Why Ben has banked both his fat marrow stem cells and bone marrow stem cells…[19:25]
-What Eve's typical day looks like in terms of anti-aging “techniques” she currently uses…[21:45]
-The fascinating current state of organ implantation or organ technology to replace failing organs…[25:10]
-The crazy military and DARPA research that is allowing soldiers to function at a high level for more than 168 hours without sleep…[33:25]
-How a brain-to-machine interface allows for computers to be controlled with sheer mental power…[40:00]
-How nanobots can be used to repair internal proteins and to extend lifespan…[42:30]
-What Eve thinks about so-called anti-aging pills like NAD+, resveratrol, metformin, etc…[49:05]
-Whether you live longer if you are slightly fat…[58:00]
-And much more!
Resources from this episode:
Beyond Human: How Cutting-Edge Science Is Extending Our Lives
Stem Cell Wars: Inside Stories from the Frontlines
–My interview with Aubrey De Grey
–Six crazy cocktails (including my Pau D' Arco bark tea recipe)
–Circadia – use code GREENFIELD for $100 discount
–US Stem Cell Clinic for fat marrow stem cells
–Foreverlabs for bone marrow stem cells – use code GREENFIELD for $250 discount
–Teloyears for measuring your telomere length
Show Sponsors:
-ZipRecruiter – Post jobs on ZipRecruiter for FREE by visiting ZipRecruiter.com/GREEN.
-Four Sigmatic – Try Four Sigmatic's new adaptogen coffee at FourSigmatic.com/BenGreenfield for 15% off your order.
-HealthIQ – The “Ben Greenfield Fitness” podcast is sponsored by Health IQ, an insurance company that helps health conscious people like runners, cyclist, weightlifters and vegetarians get lower rates on their life insurance. Go to healthiq.com/BEN to support the show and see if you qualify.
Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Eve or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!
Holy crap science is doing some insane things! Thanks for the podcast.
Ben, do you still use the Pau D’Arco milk recipe (letting it sit overnight, blend for 2-3min, strain), do you just dump everything into the blender, or do you make the tea in the traditional way? Don’t know why, my body is craving Pau D’Arco since a while lol.
Much love,
Thomas
Ben, have you done any podcasts or point to other resources on the use of these stem cell labs (FL and USSCC)?
Here are a couple: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/biohacki… https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/beyond-h… You can also do a search on BenGreenfieldFitness.com, or do a google search for Ben Greenfield [insert topic] for resources not on BenGreenfieldFitness.com
Dude! Great podcast! Re Forever Labs, which option (& why) did u select, Lifetime or Annual storage plan?
Lifetime! Saves money in the longrun.
NATURALLY – I have some thoughts regarding what Eve said on your podcast. I will refrain from and of my own ideas, and only comment on what I heard that was not completely factual. Stem cells absolutely work in the brain injected intrathecally (some will cross the blood brain barrier from IV administration, but not many). The brain is neuroplastic and cells do not need to be made pluripotent to work. You commented that Dave Asprey talks about being the 2nd person who did prophylactic intrathecal injection to help his brain deal with the aging, toxins and damage of living. I was the first! Our brains need as much help as our bodies to stay young and healthy. Once culture expanded, bone marrow and fat derived stem cells are identical and can be used for same uses (there are just up to 500 times more in ADSC). Regardless of your age, you have healthy stem cells in your fat. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be alive. Today you are as young as you ever will be, so today is the best day to have your cells banked. Don’t wait until you are sick or injured.We have treated people in their 90’s with benefit. Using your own cells is always better than using someone else’s, even if they are younger.
I could discuss this topic for days, but just wanted to say those few things. Keep up the good work, you ROCK Ben!
Great ep as usual, really gets the imagination running. Interesting about the artificial heart – kinda goes against Dr Cowans premise for “the heart is not a pump”!
Hey Ben, my dad is starting to suffer from early onset dementia. He is currently using the human charger, and we are starting him on nebulized l-glutathione. You referenced something in this podcast that is being used for dementia and alzheimers, a light that gets shined into the nose. I’m wondering what its called and if there is a discount code available. Thanks!
Vielight: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/biohacki…
Thanks!
Excellent interview, thanks Ben
Do you have a written transcript of your podcasts? Thank you.
Yes. Most episodes have a transcript. The one for this episode will be posted soon.