Nick Jikomes talks to genetic engineer Dr. Alina Chan about the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss Alina's new book, "Viral: The Search For the Origin of COVID-19," which she co-wrote with Matt Ridley. The book thoroughly documents the events & people relevant to COVID's origins. They discuss everything from the original SARS-1 epidemic in China, wildlife spillover vs. accidental lab leak hypotheses; pangolins, bats, and other animals; SARS-CoV-2 genome; institutions and people like Francis Collins, the NIH, WHO, and EcoHealth Alliance.

* Click here to download audio, watch video, or read show notes & transcripts.

* If you enjoy my content and want to further support M&M, please read this.

Nick talks to writer and science journalist Nicholas Wade about the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicholas describes how this story has evolved since the start of the pandemic, and contrasts the the two main hypotheses for the origins of COVID: wildlife spillover vs. lab leak. He describes how viruses in the past (e.g. SARS1) emerged, peculiarities of the SARS2 genome, Peter Daszak & EcoHealth Alliance, Wuhan Institute of Virology, and various conflicts of interest that people have had. He describes how we don't have proof whether a wildlife spillover or a lab leak explains the origins of COVID-19, what definitive evidence would look like, and whether we are likely to resolve this mystery.

USEFUL LINKS:
Nicholas Wade's writing on this topic:
[https://nicholaswade.medium.com/]

Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website
[www.nickjikomes.com]

Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes
[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]

Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]

Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply of Vitamin D w/ purchase)
[https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindandmatter]

Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative
[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]
Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTER

Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
[https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1507198]

Buy Mind & Matter T-Shirts
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/OURMIND?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1036758072§ion_id=34648633]

Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/trikomes]
​​​
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist
[https://dosist.com/]

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)

Nick talks to paleoanthropologist Dr. Lee Berger about human evolution. Dr. Berger is a professor of anthropology in South Africa, explorer-in-residence for National Geographic, and author of, "Becoming Human." Lee's team has mapped and explored caves all over South Africa, discovering a treasure trove of ancient human fossils. This includes the discovery of Homo naledi, an ancient human ancestor that had a much smaller brain than humans, but may have nonetheless harbored advanced cognitive abilities. Lee described the discovery of Homo naledi, human brain evolution, and why we are in a gold age of paleoanthropology.

USEFUL LINKS:
Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website
[www.nickjikomes.com]

Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes
[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]

Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]

Athletic Greens, comprehensive daily nutrition (Free 1-year supply of Vitamin D w/ purchase)
[https://www.athleticgreens.com/mindandmatter]

Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative
[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]
Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTER

Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
[https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1507198]

Buy Mind & Matter T-Shirts
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/OURMIND?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1036758072§ion_id=34648633]

Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/trikomes]
​​​
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist
[https://dosist.com/]

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)

Nick talks to physicist and neuroscientist Dr. Michael Crair. Michael runs a lab at Yale University studying mechanisms of brain development. He discussed research related to neural plasticity, learning & memory, sensory maps, and critical periods of plasticity. Dr. Crair also described recent findings from his lab show that parts of the developing brain can simulate future sensory experiences, before animals ever open their eyes and see the external world.

USEFUL LINKS:
Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website
[www.nickjikomes.com]

Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes
[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]

Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]

Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative
[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]
Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTER

Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
[https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1507198]

Buy Mind & Matter T-Shirts
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/OURMIND?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1036758072§ion_id=34648633]

Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/trikomes]
​​​
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist
[https://dosist.com/]

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)

Nick talks to evolutionary biologists Bret Weinstein & Heather Heying about using evolutionary thinking to understand humanity's predicaments in the 21st century. They discuss a variety of topics related to their new book, "A Hunter Gatherers Guide to the 21st Century," including modern medicine, dieting & health, sleep & light, dating & mating systems, and questions related to consciousness and the state of civilization at large. The book is meant to provide an evolutionary toolkit for understanding the modern human condition by understanding our past. 

SUPPORT
Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website
[www.nickjikomes.com]

Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes
[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]

Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]

Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative
[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]
Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTER

Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
[https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1507198]

Buy Mind & Matter T-Shirts
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/OURMIND?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1036758072§ion_id=34648633]

Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/trikomes]
​​​
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist
[https://dosist.com/]

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)

Nick talks to Stanford psychiatrist and neuroscientist Dr. Karl Deisseroth. They discuss a range of topics about the brain, including autism, depression, bipolar disorder, dissociation, and more. They also talk about optogenetics, a technique Karl co-developed which uses light to control specific neurons in the brain, allowing neuroscientists to turn circuits in the brain on and off to reveal how the brain generates perception, emotion, and behavior. They also talk about Karl's new book, "Projections: A Story of Human Emotion."

SUPPORT
www.nickjikomes.com
Support the show on Patreon (early access to audio episodes)
Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter (check your spam folder on Friday)
Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
Buy Mind & Matter t-shirts
Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter​​​​​​
Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website

SPONSORS
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)

Nick to talks to psychologist Rob Henderson about social status, social signaling, luxury beliefs, and related topics in social psychology and human behavior.

Connect with Rob Henderson: https://twitter.com/robkhenderson

SUPPORT
Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website
[www.nickjikomes.com]

Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes
[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]

Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]

Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative
[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]
Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTER

Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
[https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1507198]

Buy Mind & Matter T-Shirts
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/OURMIND?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1036758072§ion_id=34648633]

Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/trikomes]
​​​
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist
[https://dosist.com/]

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)

Nick talks to medicinal chemist Dr. David Nichols, who has spent decades studying the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelics. Dr. Nichols shared his knowledge of psychedelic tryptamine, including LSD and DMT, as well as phenethylamines such as mescaline and MDMA. He also discussed his relationship with the late Dr. Alexander "Sasha" Shulgin, and how his thoughts companies trying to make non-hallucinogenic drugs derived from psychedelics.

SUPPORT
Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website
[www.nickjikomes.com]

Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes
[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]

Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]

Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative
[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]
Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTER

Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
[https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1507198]

Buy Mind & Matter T-Shirts
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/OURMIND?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1036758072§ion_id=34648633]

Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/trikomes]
​​​
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist
[https://dosist.com/]

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)

Nick talks with evolutionary biologist Dr. Sarah Otto about the evolutionary dynamics of SARS-CoV-2, the emergence of new variants, whether she thinks we will need shots every year (like with the flu), mRNA  vaccines, and more.

SUPPORT
Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website
[www.nickjikomes.com]

Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes
[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]

Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]

Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative
[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]
Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTER

Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
[https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1507198]

Buy Mind & Matter T-Shirts
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/OURMIND?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1036758072§ion_id=34648633]

Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/trikomes]
​​​
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist
[https://dosist.com/]

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)

Nick talks to neuroscientist Dr. Aaron Gruber about topics related to cognition and learning in the brain, including what we know about how the brain detects salience and assigns value, makes decisions, and constructs flexible models of the world, sometimes called ‘schemas.’ They also discuss how neuropsychiatric disorders like depression can influence the brain’s schemas, as well as how they can be impacted by psychoactive drugs, ranging from stimulants to psychedelics.

SUPPORT
Download the podcast & follow Nick at his website
[www.nickjikomes.com]

Support the show on Patreon & get early access to episodes
[https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes]

Sign up for the weekly Mind & Matter newsletter
[http://eepurl.com/hFlc7H]

Try MUD/WTR, a mushroom-based coffee alternative
[https://www.mudwtr.com/mindmatter]
Discount Code ($5 off) = MINDMATTER

Organize your digital highlights & notes w/ Readwise (2 months free w/ subscription)
[https://readwise.io/nickjikomes/]

Start your own podcast (get $20 Amazon gift card after signup)
[https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1507198]

Buy Mind & Matter T-Shirts
[https://www.etsy.com/shop/OURMIND?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1036758072§ion_id=34648633]

Connect with Nick Jikomes on Twitter
[https://twitter.com/trikomes]
​​​
Learn more about our podcast sponsor, Dosist
[https://dosist.com/]

ABOUT Nick Jikomes:
Nick is a neuroscientist and podcast host. He is currently Director of Science & Innovation at Leafly, a technology startup in the legal cannabis industry. He received a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Harvard University and a B.S. in Genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/nickjikomes)