The Peter Attia Drive

In this episode, Kyle Kingsbury, retired UFC fighter and director of human optimization at Onnit, discusses the purpose and meaning that football and MMA gave him but which also acted as a distraction from his inner demons. Kyle opens up about his use of PEDs (steroids, testosterone, HGH) in college and talks about some of the misconceptions around them. Next, Kyle talks about his battle with depression and a close call with suicide that lead to life-changing experiences with psilocybin and ayahuasca—which really became the turning point in his own journey towards being more emotionally healthy, finding inner peace, and being a better husband and father. *DISCLAIMER: The substances spoken about in this episode are illegal and by no means are we advocating for anyone to use them or experiment with them. There are physical, physiological, psychological, and legal risks around the use of these plants. This conversation is purely informational only.

We discuss:

• Growing up in a volatile home [6:30];
• Playing college football at ASU, and letting go of NFL aspirations [15:45];
• Kyle's experience taking anabolics (steroids/testosterone), misunderstood science, and fear mongering [23:15];
• Kyle's experience with taking HGH [35:30];
• The Whizzinator [36:45];
• Struggles with depression and drugs, and a lack of meaning after football [41:00];
• Kyle's close call with suicide, and a spiritual experience [47:15];
• Finding refuge with mixed martial arts, and Kyle's early success in cage fighting [52:30];
• Lessons from Kyle's first loss in fighting, and training for the UFC [59:45];
• First experiences with psilocybin and ayahuasca, quieting the monkey mind, and finding inner peace [1:07:15];
• Overt vs. covert depression, depression in men vs. women, and the transition from adaptive to maladaptive behaviors [1:16:00];
• Peeling back the layers with ayahuasca: Kyle tells stories about the most transformative experiences with psychedelics [1:19:00];
• Does Kyle feel like he has lost his "edge" as a result of his journey? [1:26:15];
• Where would Kyle be had he not discovered the power of psychedelic medicines? [1:29:45];
• Parenting: Stopping the cycle of trauma, reconnecting to our ancestral roots, and Kyle's opinion on ayahuasca as a potential tool for kids [1:31:40];
• Relationship with parents, blind spots, compassion, and forgiveness [1:37:15]; and
• More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode:peterattiamd.com/kylekingsbury/ Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #26 – AMA #3: supplements, women's health, patient care, and more.

The Qualys is a subscriber-exclusive podcast, released Tuesday through Friday, and published exclusively on our private, subscriber-only podcast feed. Qualys is short-hand for "qualifying round," which are typically the fastest laps driven in a race car—done before the race to determine starting position on the grid for race day. The Qualys are short (i.e., "fast"), typically less than ten minutes, and highlight the best questions, topics, and tactics discussed on The Drive.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

In this episode, David Light, CEO of Valisure (the company which alerted the FDA to the Zantac cancer concerns), explains the story behind the recent recalls by manufacturers of ranitidine, a common heartburn medication, sold under the trade name Zantac, due to a potential link to increased cancer risk. David breaks down all the evidence, the role of his unique pharmacy company which tests all its drugs before being dispensed to consumers, and the reason behind the FDA's tempered reaction to the alarming study results. David makes the argument that Zantac/ranitidine is an inherently unstable molecule which explains the grossly excessive amounts of NDMA (a probable human carcinogen) as opposed to just a contamination for which there could be numerous causes. Finally, David and Peter both provide recommendations for what to do if you or someone you know is currently taking Zantac/ranitidine.

We discuss:

• The impetus for starting Valisure, a unique online pharmacy that tests all its medications [6:45];
• The story behind the recall of valsartan, and the role which Valisure played [24:30];
• Testing Zantac: The shocking results from Valisure's initial testing with major potential cancer implications [36:00];
• NDMA - the probable human carcinogen found in Zantac/ranitidine [48:45];
• The epidemiology question: Are we inferring too much from epidemiology? What can we take away from the existing studies? [53:30];
• The staggering results from the 2016 Stanford study, why it didn't alarm more people, and how Valisure found the missing biological link [1:01:30];
• Alerting the FDA, the FDA's tempered response, and question of contamination vs. inherent instability [1:07:30];
• How confident is David that the elevated levels of NDMA being found in ranitidine are not due to instrumentation, human error, or temperature contamination? [1:24:15];
• The massive risk being taken by the FDA by not doing more to keep ranitidine away from consumers [1:25:15];
• If someone is taking Zantac/ranitidine, what should they do? What else do they need to know? [1:27:45]; and
• More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/davidlight/ Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #15 – Paul Conti, M.D.: trauma, suicide, community, and self-compassion.

The Qualys is a subscriber-exclusive podcast, released Tuesday through Friday, and published exclusively on our private, subscriber-only podcast feed. Qualys is short-hand for "qualifying round," which are typically the fastest laps driven in a race car—done before the race to determine starting position on the grid for race day. The Qualys are short (i.e., "fast"), typically less than ten minutes, and highlight the best questions, topics, and tactics discussed on The Drive.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

In this episode, Jason Fried, co-founder of Basecamp, shares his beliefs around achieving business success in a modern world which tends to disproportionately focus on the massive success stories (the outliers). Jason gives his honest take on companies like WeWork, Uber, and Lyft that may give off the appearance of wild success but may instead provide an example of the dangers of perverse incentives. We get into Jason's backstory, and how his affinity for optimizing efficiency and production in the workplace culminated with the creation of Basecamp, his very successful web-based project management software business. Perhaps most importantly, we get really deep into all aspects of work-life balance and what it really means to "work hard" (Stay tuned for an AMA-style deep dive into the topic of work-life balance with Jason in the near future). In addition, Jason provides many more valuable nuggets including thoughts on some common mistakes made by businesses today, the value of giving employees autonomy, how to take the right types of risks, why he doesn't set any goals, and much, much more.

We discuss:

• Jason's background and his early entrepreneurial spirit [9:45];
• Views on completing higher education and the notion of hard work [24:00];
• Beliefs around success in business [35:00];
• WeWork, Uber, and Lyft: Poor business practices and the dangers of perverse incentives [41:30];
• Jason's early career: his redesign approach and personal motivation [56:00];
• The genesis of Basecamp [1:10:00];
• Why Jason does not set goals but instead focuses on a vision [1:12:15];
• Workplace motivation and hiring practice [1:20:30];
• The importance of luck and not overworking [1:32:00];
• A framework to work less and optimize for workplace autonomy [1:38:00];
• The importance of saying 'no' more often (and tips for doing so) [1:55:00];
• A shared passion for watches [2:03:30];
• Guarding against the perils of phone addiction [2:08:45];
• Jason's views on email and chat for communication [2:15:00] and;
• More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode:peterattiamd.com/jasonfried Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #15 – Paul Conti, M.D.: trauma, suicide, community, and self-compassion.

The Qualys is a subscriber-exclusive podcast, released Tuesday through Friday, and published exclusively on our private, subscriber-only podcast feed. Qualys is short-hand for "qualifying round," which are typically the fastest laps driven in a race car—done before the race to determine starting position on the grid for race day. The Qualys are short (i.e., "fast"), typically less than ten minutes, and highlight the best questions, topics, and tactics discussed on The Drive.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

In this "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) episode, Peter answers a wide range of questions from subscribers. Bob Kaplan, Peter's head of research, asks the questions. If you're not a subscriber and listening on a podcast player, you'll only be able to hear a preview of the AMA. If you're a subscriber, you can now listen to this full episode on your private RSS feed. You can also watch (or listen) to this full episode on our website at the AMA #9 show notes page. Questions continue to be pulled from the AMA section on the website, and any subscriber is welcome to submit questions for future AMAs. We discuss:

• The story of how Peter almost worked for Theranos [2:00];
• The trend of lower testosterone and higher estrogen in men: Why is it happening and what to do about it? [10:00];
• Takeaways from Peter's recent hunting trip in Hawaii [14:45];
• What books are you currently reading/listening to? [21:30];
• What advice would you give to the 25 year-old Peter? [24:00];
• What is your emergency protocol if you start getting sick? [27:45];
• How have your thoughts changed on NAD precursors, and also on metformin, in the past year or so? [30:30];
• What are your thoughts on "fat burning" zones for cardio workouts? — A lesson in relative vs. absolute fat combustion [34:15];
• What mental models do you use and how do you go about solving problems and approaching difficult questions? [49:00];
• Creatine supplementation—Yay or nay? Why? [49:30]; and
• More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/ama09/ Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

In this episode, Dan Harris, correspondent for ABC News and co-founder of the Ten Percent Happier meditation app, speaks openly about his struggles with self-centeredness, addiction, depression, emotional volatility, and the deep-rooted insecurities that drove him to career success. He tells the story of how a panic attack on live TV lead him down a path of self-discovery culminating in a meditation practice which has since transformed his life—in terms of his own personal suffering, his relationships with those closest to him, and his ability to be kind and compassionate (which has its own selfish advantages). Dan also shares some very practical advice and tips for new meditators, dispels some of the myths around meditation, and gives people some things to look forward to as they progress with their practice. Last but not least, we talk about the importance of not passing shame and trauma to our kids and the role that mindfulness and meditation plays in that.

• Dan's meditation book, and the panic attack on live TV that started it all [8:00];
• Addiction: the spectrum of addiction, the socially acceptable forms, and Dan's own battle with addiction and depression [13:30];
• Dan's drive for self-protection, a defining moment of childhood, and how his upbringing shaped him [20:30];
• A selfish reason to be kind and compassionate [28:30];
• Using mindfulness to avoid being controlled by your emotions such as anger and grandiosity [36:15];
• How Dan found meditation, and how he went from skeptic to someone willing to try it [40:45];
• Advice for new meditators, misconceptions about meditation, and the difference between changes in state vs. changes in trait [48:00];
• Difference between being "mindful" versus being "present" [55:00];
• The overlap between psychology and Buddhism, who is the real Buddha, and a Buddhism 101 lesson [57:45];
• What convinced Dan to finally try meditation, and how did his first session go? [1:05:30];
• Lessons from Dan's 10-day silent retreat: "You're trying too hard" [1:12:30];
• How Dan's meditation has evolved over 10 years of practice [1:27:30];
• Dan's 360 Review: A painful process illuminating his selfishness, and putting him on a path to more kindness and compassion [1:30:45];
• How to quiet mental suffering in tough times, and how meditation has helped (and not helped) Dan get through some of the hardest moments of his life [1:41:30];
• How Dan's practice has made him a better husband [1:47:45];
• How to prevent the transference of trauma and shame to your kids [1:50:45];
• Does past trauma drive successful people? Can a person be successful professionally if they give up that negative insecurity that is driving them? [1:56:00];
• The pillars of emotional health, and how to help yourself when you feel insecure [2:08:30];
• Why it's important to let your kids see that you are a flawed human [2:11:30];
• Learning from the incredible (but flawed) Peter Jennings [2:15:15];
• When is Dan's next book coming out? [2:21:15]; and
• More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode: https://peterattiamd.com/danharris/ Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Today's episode of The Qualys is from podcast #26 – AMA #3: supplements, women's health, patient care, and more.

The Qualys is a subscriber-exclusive podcast, released Tuesday through Friday, and published exclusively on our private, subscriber-only podcast feed. Qualys is short-hand for "qualifying round," which are typically the fastest laps driven in a race car—done before the race to determine starting position on the grid for race day. The Qualys are short (i.e., "fast"), typically less than ten minutes, and highlight the best questions, topics, and tactics discussed on The Drive.

Occasionally, we will also release an episode on the main podcast feed for non-subscribers, which is what you are listening to now.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/podcast/qualys/

Subscribe to receive access to all episodes of The Qualys (and other exclusive subscriber-only content): https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/

Connect with Peter on Facebook.com/PeterAttiaMD | Twitter.com/PeterAttiaMD | Instagram.com/PeterAttiaMD

In this episode, Katherine Eban, investigative journalist and author of Bottle of Lies, illuminates the prevalence of fraud in generic drug manufacturing which brings into question the idea that generics are identical to brand-name drug as we are lead to believe. Katherine walks us through how this widespread corruption came to be, including the shocking story of one particularly egregious (and unfortunately not uncommon) example of an Indian drug company, Ranbaxy, whose business model was completely dependent on falsifying data in their drug applications to the FDA. We then discuss the subsequent investigation into Indian and Chinese drug manufacturing plants which revealed that nearly 80% of them are tainted with fraud. We conclude this discussion on a positive note with i) how individuals can investigate their own drugs to protect themselves ii) an innovative pharmacy attempting to disrupt the market and iii) some ideas on how to reform to the regulations around generic drugs, the FDA, and more.

We discuss:

• How Peter found Katherine's book, and what convinced her to investigate the generic drug industry [5:45];
• Branded vs. generic drugs: Why they aren't the same thing [11:15];
• The Food and Drug Administration: Why it was originally created and what it does today [20:45];
• How the generic drug industry really got its start in the U.S., and the flaw of the Hatch-Waxman Act [28:20];
• PEPFAR: How a well-intentioned plan to help Africa with the AIDS epidemic laid the groundwork for corruption [36:30];
• The story of Ranbaxy: An Indian drug company whose business model was fraud and deceit [40:45];
• How the FDA approves drugs, the impact of "first to file", and Peter's tangent on moral corruption [47:30];
• A booming generic drug market and the FDA struggling to keep up [57:15];
• Dinesh's internal investigation finds widespread fraud and falsified data inside Ranbaxy [1:00:15];
• Presenting the famous SAR document to Ranbaxy's board of directors which spells out the company-wide fraud [1:09:15];
• Dinesh blows the whistle on Ranbaxy which leads to a raid on their US plant [1:19:45];
• Formal investigation of Ranbaxy is launched, but the FDA keeps approving Ranbaxy drug applications [1:33:30];
• What role does the culture in India play in the high prevalence of fraud in the drug industry? [1:41:00];
• The extreme prevalence of data fraud/manipulation in foreign generic drug factories [1:52:30];
• Concluding the Ranbaxy story [2:06:15];
• How concerned should you be when buying a generic drug from your local pharmacy? [2:11:15];
• How to investigate your own drugs for quality to ensure you are getting what you need [2:18:30];
• An innovative pharmacy that tests all its drugs for quality [2:24:45];
• Reforming the FDA and generic drug industry: Why we need reform and ideas on how to do it [2:27:45];
• The importance of taking individual ownership and not waiting for Congress to bail us out [2:34:00];
• Closing thoughts from Katherine [2:36:50]; and
• More.

Learn more: https://peterattiamd.com/ Show notes page for this episode:

https://peterattiamd.com/katherineeban/

Subscribe to receive exclusive subscriber-only content: https://peterattiamd.com/subscribe/ Sign up to receive Peter's email newsletter: https://peterattiamd.com/newsletter/ Connect with Peter on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.