What makes ibogaine such a remarkable plant-derived compound? I sit down with Jonathan Dickinson, CEO and co-founder of Ambio Life Sciences, to explore the fascinating neuropharmacology of this alkaloid and its profound impact on the brain. Jonathan is an expert on ibogaine, with more than 15 years of experience spanning clinical care, traditional practice, and psychedelic research.

We discuss iboga’s deep cultural roots in Central and West Africa, its role in Bwiti spiritual traditions, and how modern science is uncovering its potential in treating addiction, trauma, and neurological disease. Jonathan also shares insights from his pioneering work in ethical sourcing, including the first Nagoya-compliant export of iboga from Gabon, and highlights promising studies on neuroregeneration, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury. To learn more about his work, visit https://ambio.life/ 

#iboga #pscyhedelic #addiction #ibogaine #naturalproduct #addiction #podcast

What if the future of egg farming could eliminate one of the industry’s most difficult animal welfare issues—male chick culling? Thanks to in-ovo sexing technology, that future is here.

This week on Foodie Pharmacology, I talk with Jasen Urena, Vice President of NestFresh, about the launch of their Humanely Hatched™ eggs—the first in the U.S. to ensure only female chicks are incubated. It’s a groundbreaking step that transforms both animal welfare and consumer choice.

Jasen shares his journey at NestFresh and how the company has been at the forefront of ethical innovation, from pioneering Non-GMO Project Verified and Regenerative Organic Certified™ eggs to introducing reusable distribution systems that cut emissions and boost traceability. We discuss the promise of regenerative agriculture, how consumer demand is reshaping food systems, and why bold moves are often the catalyst for lasting change in legacy industries.

Whether you care about sustainability, farm animal welfare, or just want to understand where your food comes from, this episode offers a hopeful look at how science and ethics can come together to change what’s on our plates.

🔗 Learn more: nestfresh.com

#animalwelfare #eggs #chickens #podcast #nestfresh 

Plants are master chemists. From caffeine and nicotine to powerful drugs like colchicine, they manufacture an incredible array of molecules that defend against pests, attract pollinators, and sometimes even become lifesaving medicines for humans. But how exactly do plants build these complex compounds, and why do they make them in the first place?

This week, I sit down with Dr. Ryan Nett, Assistant Professor of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University, to explore the fascinating world of plant biosynthesis. We talk about how plants orchestrate molecular “assembly lines” using specialized enzymes, why some of the most promising medicines are so difficult to source from nature, and how advances in genetics and synthetic biology are opening new doors to sustainable drug production.

Dr. Nett shares insights from his research on alkaloids such as huperzine A, investigated for Alzheimer’s disease, and colchicine, a historic treatment for gout and inflammation. We also discuss the grand challenges of plant chemistry, from deciphering massive genomes to engineering microbes like yeast to produce rare medicinal compounds.

If you’ve ever wondered how plants turn simple building blocks into some of the most valuable medicines on Earth, you won’t want to miss this conversation! Learn more at https://www.nett-lab.com/

#botany #medicinalplants #chemistry #science #biosynthesis

Food allergies affect millions of children and adults worldwide—and the numbers are rising. This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Sarita Patil, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Co-Director of the MGH Food Allergy Center, to explore the science behind allergic reactions. They discuss the differences between food allergies and intolerances, the rise in childhood allergies, and how early exposure to allergenic foods can help prevent these conditions.

Dr. Patil shares insights from her latest research on peanut immunotherapy and the role of protective antibodies in reducing severe reactions. She also explains eosinophilic esophagitis, a chronic condition linked to food allergens that affects the esophagus. The conversation covers key topics such as the hygiene hypothesis, the influence of breastfeeding and the microbiome on food allergies, and the challenges of managing food allergies in the context of food insecurity.

Whether you are caring for someone with food allergies or interested in how the immune system interacts with our diet, this episode offers practical information and new perspectives on managing food-related health challenges.

#foodallergy #allergy #podcast #FoodiePharmacology #Peanuts

What if our future food security depended not on fields of grain, but on forests of trees? In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, I sit down with Elspeth Hay, author of Feed Us with Trees: Nuts and the Future of Food and host of the Local Food Report on CAI NPR. Elspeth takes us on a journey through oak groves and chestnut stands to explore how nut-bearing trees once fed the world—and could again.

We unpack the ecological power of keystone species like oaks and the role of fire in maintaining these ancient foodscapes. Elspeth shares how acorns, hazelnuts, and chestnuts offer a compelling alternative to industrial crops—and how Indigenous foodways and land management practices hold the key to unlocking their full potential. From forgotten ancestral practices to the modern movement to rewild our diets and ecosystems, this episode is a hopeful call to reconnect with the trees that once sustained us. Learn more about Elspeth’s work at elspethhay.com and follow her on Instagram @elspethhay.

#TreeNuts #WildFoods #FoodiePharmacology #KeystoneSpecies #Rewilding #EdibleForests

This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Giulia Menichetti, a computational physicist at Harvard Medical School, about one of the most elusive frontiers in nutrition science: the “dark matter” of food. While most nutrition data is focused on a handful of known nutrients, Dr. Menichetti’s “Foodome” Project is charting the vast landscape of overlooked bioactive compounds hidden in everyday ingredients—and using artificial intelligence to unlock their therapeutic potential.

From network science and protein targets to AI-powered metabolomics and precision diets, this conversation uncovers how foods interact with our biology in ways we’re only beginning to understand. You’ll learn how ultra-processed foods disrupt this balance, why many food databases are incomplete, and how the future of personalized nutrition might be written not just in our genes—but in the chemical language of our meals.

🎧 Tune in to discover how food, evolution, and ecology converge in the search for a more intelligent approach to eating.

#Foodome #FoodiePharmacology #AI #PrecisionNutrition #NetworkMedicine #UltraProcessedFoods #NutritionScience

This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with conservation biologist Dr. Daniel Villar about the deep connections between culture, ecology, and traditional knowledge in the Central Andes. Their conversation centers on Lake Titicaca, one of the world’s highest navigable lakes, where Dr. Villar has studied how traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) shapes and responds to environmental change. 

They discuss the many uses of the totora sedge—a plant once used to build floating islands, craft artisanal goods, and provide food for people and livestock—and how its management reflects centuries of indigenous governance and adaptation. Dr. Villar also shares his insights on the role of ethnobiology in conservation, the value of cultural diversity in protecting biodiversity, and how his research sheds light on climate resilience.

Don’t miss this fascinating look at the science of survival through the lens of cultural and ecological evolution.

#Ethnobiology #LakeTiticaca #TEK #BioculturalDiversity  #FoodiePharmacology #Conservation #Andes #IndigenousKnowledge

What if your doctor prescribed kale instead of pills? This week on Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Quave sits down with Dr. Steven Chen and Nat Irwin to discuss Recipe4Health, a pioneering “Food as Medicine” program transforming how we treat chronic disease. Based in Alameda County, CA, this initiative pairs regenerative and organic produce with health coaching—all covered by Medi-Cal (Medicaid).

Learn how fresh, regenerative produce is being prescribed to thousands of patients as part of a broader effort to improve outcomes for chronic conditions like diabetes and depression. This innovative model also delivers ripple effects beyond the clinic—supporting BIPOC farmers, restoring soil health, and advancing equity through the H3E (Health Cubed Equity) framework, which links human, ecological, and economic well-being. Together, we unpack how food, coaching, and community can improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and nourish both people and the planet.

This podcast episode is sponsored by The Periodic Table of Food Initiative in association with the American Heart Association. The views and opinions in this podcast are those of the presenters and represent the synthesis of science. For more information on the Periodic Table of Food Initiative, please visit https://foodperiodictable.org/

Case study form the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation at Harvard Law School: https://chlpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Alameda-County-Case-Study-May-2025-V4.pdf

#FoodAsMedicine #Recipe4Health #HealthEquity #RegenerativeAgriculture #ChronicDisease #FoodiePharmacology #Organic

Psilocybin and the Fountain of Youth with Dr. Louise Hecker

Could magic mushrooms hold the key to longer life? In this episode, Dr. Quave chats with Dr. Louise Hecker, Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Founder of Fibronox, about her groundbreaking research on psilocybin and aging. You may have seen the headlines—her team found that psilocybin slowed cellular aging, reduced oxidative stress, and even extended lifespan in mice. Dr. Hecker shares the origin story behind the study, which started with rooftop workouts and curiosity, and walks us through the science behind her findings. From challenges in getting regulatory approval to designing realistic dosing regimens for her laboratory studies, we discuss what it takes to study psychedelics in the lab. We also explore future directions in longevity research and how this ancient fungal compound might one day support healthier aging. Tune in to learn how psilocybin could reshape the way we think about aging and health.

#psilocybin #psychedelic #aging #longevity #healthyaging

Menus aren’t just lists of food—they’re time machines. This week on Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave returns to Season 7 with literary food historian Dr. Nathalie Cooke of McGill University. Together, they explore how menus offer rich clues into the cultural, economic, and even medical mindsets of past centuries.

From elephant soup on menus to how Coca-Cola and cigarettes once appeared as health tonics, you’ll hear surprising stories of how dining habits—and health claims—have evolved. Discover how art, identity, and even politics show up on the plate, and how modern “no-choice” tasting menus harken back to royal traditions.

Don’t miss this fascinating dive into culinary history through the lens of Nathalie’s latest book, Taste and Traditions: A Journey Through Menu History.

🎧 Subscribe now and take a seat at the historical table.

#MenuHistory #FoodCulture #CulinaryTraditions #WildFoods #HealthOnTheMenu #FoodiePharmacology