Huberman LabEssentials: Genes & the Inheritance of Memories Across Generations | Dr. Oded Rechavi
Episode Details
EPISODE INFO
- Released
- September 10, 2026
- Duration
- 31m
- Channel
- Huberman Lab
- Watch on YouTube
- ▶ Open ↗
EPISODE DESCRIPTION
In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Oded Rechavi, a professor at Tel Aviv University who studies genetics, epigenetics and the inheritance of acquired traits. We discuss how DNA, RNA and epigenetic mechanisms determine what information can pass between generations, and why acquired traits are generally not thought to be inherited. We also explain research in C. elegans showing how small RNAs can transmit antiviral resistance and influence behavior across generations, what these findings might mean for mammals and humans, and potential future applications for reproductive health and diagnostics. Show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/HbTfdok Full episode with Dr. Oded Rechavi: https://youtu.be/CDUetQMKM6g Watch more Huberman Lab Essentials: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPNW_gerXa4OGNy1yE-W9IX-tPu-tJa7S&si=a1_sA7rUT-fE0OM5 Huberman Lab Website: https://www.hubermanlab.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Threads: https://www.threads.net/@hubermanlab X: https://x.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Oded Rechavi 00:00:24 DNA, Genome, RNA & Proteins 00:03:43 Somatic vs. Germ Cells; Inheritance 00:06:04 Lamarck vs. Darwin, Inheritance of Acquired Traits 00:08:27 Weismann Barrier, Epigenetic Reprogramming 00:11:46 RNA & Transgenerational Inheritance 00:12:35 Model Organisms, C. elegans 00:15:40 Inheritance of Acquired Traits in C. elegans 00:16:03 RNA Interference, Small RNAs & Gene Silencing 00:20:08 Viral Resistance Across Generations 00:22:15 Small RNAs, Mammals & Inherited Effects 00:23:23 Brain Activity, Memory & Heritable Information 00:26:09 Neuronal Small RNAs & Behavior Across Generations 00:27:22 Germ Cells, Development & Heritable RNA 00:29:01 Future Applications, Exercise, IVF & RNA Diagnostics 00:31:06 Acknowledgements #hubermanlab #hubermanlabpodcast #science Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer
SPEAKERS
Andrew Huberman
hostProfessor of neurobiology and ophthalmology at Stanford School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Lab podcast.
Dr. Oded Rechavi
guestGeneticist and researcher known for work on transgenerational inheritance and small-RNA mechanisms, including studies in C. elegans.
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Dr. Oded Rechavi, Essentials: Genes & the Inheritance of Memories Across Generations | Dr. Oded Rechavi explores how small RNAs may transmit acquired traits across generations The episode explains foundational genetics using a DNA→RNA→protein framework and emphasizes that much cellular RNA is regulatory rather than protein-coding.
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