Genes & the Inheritance of Memories Across Generations | Dr. Oded Rechavi

In this episode my guest is Oded Rechavi, Ph.D., professor of neurobiology at Tel Aviv University and expert in how genes are inherited, how experiences shape genes and, remarkably, how some memories of experiences can be passed via genes to offspring. We discuss his research challenging long-held tenets of genetic inheritance and the relevance of those findings to understanding key biological and psychological processes including metabolism, stress and trauma. He describes the history of the scientific exploration of the “heritability of acquired traits” and how epigenetics and RNA biology can account for the passage of certain experience-based memories. He discusses the importance of model organisms in scientific research and describes his work on how stressors and memories can be passed through small RNA molecules to multiple generations of offspring in ways that meaningfully affect their behavior. Nature vs. nurture is a commonly debated theme; Dr. Rechavi’s work represents a fundamental shift in our understanding of that debate as well as genetic inheritance, brain function and evolution. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman HVMN: https://hvmn.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://www.insidetracker.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Huberman Lab Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Dr. Rechavi Academic Profile: https://en-lifesci.tau.ac.il/profile/odedrech_66 Lab Website: https://www.odedrechavilab.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/OdedRechavi TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/oded_rechavi_transgenerational_biology?language=en Articles Neuronal Small RNAs Control Behavior Transgenerationally: https://bit.ly/2HZxrzO Transgenerational Inheritance of an Acquired Small RNA-Based Antiviral Response in C. elegans: https://bit.ly/41xRf47 Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Oded Rechavi 00:02:08 Sponsors: ROKA, HVMN, Eight Sleep 00:06:04 DNA, RNA, Protein; Somatic vs. Germ Cells 00:14:36 Lamarckian Evolution, Inheritance of Acquired Traits 00:22:54 Paul Kammerer & Toad Morphology 00:28:52 AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:30:06 James McConnell & Memory Transfer 00:37:31 Weismann Barrier; Epigenetics 00:45:13 Epigenetic Reprogramming; Imprinted Genes 00:50:43 Nature vs. Nurture; Epigenetics & Offspring 00:59:06 Generational Epigenetic Inheritance 01:09:03 Sponsor: InsideTracker 01:10:20 Model Organisms, C. elegans 01:21:50 C. elegans & Inheritance of Acquired Traits, Small RNAs 01:26:02 RNA Interference, C. elegans & Virus Immunity 01:34:13 RNA Amplification, Multi-Generational Effects 01:38:41 Response Duration & Environment 01:47:50 Generational Memory Transmission, RNA 01:59:36 Germ Cells & Behavior; Body Cues 02:04:48 Transmission of Sexual Choice 02:11:22 Fertility & Human Disease; 3-Parent In Vitro Fertilization (IVF); RNA Testing 02:17:56 Deliberate Cold Exposure, Learning & Memory 02:29:26 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

Andrew HubermanhostOded Rechaviguest

Feb 27, 20232h 32mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: February 27, 2023
Duration: 2h 32m
Channel: Huberman Lab
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

In this episode my guest is Oded Rechavi, Ph.D., professor of neurobiology at Tel Aviv University and expert in how genes are inherited, how experiences shape genes and, remarkably, how some memories of experiences can be passed via genes to offspring. We discuss his research challenging long-held tenets of genetic inheritance and the relevance of those findings to understanding key biological and psychological processes including metabolism, stress and trauma. He describes the history of the scientific exploration of the “heritability of acquired traits” and how epigenetics and RNA biology can account for the passage of certain experience-based memories. He discusses the importance of model organisms in scientific research and describes his work on how stressors and memories can be passed through small RNA molecules to multiple generations of offspring in ways that meaningfully affect their behavior. Nature vs. nurture is a commonly debated theme; Dr. Rechavi’s work represents a fundamental shift in our understanding of that debate as well as genetic inheritance, brain function and evolution. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman HVMN: https://hvmn.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman InsideTracker: https://www.insidetracker.com/huberman Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Huberman Lab Social & Website Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hubermanlab Twitter: https://twitter.com/hubermanlab Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hubermanlab TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hubermanlab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-huberman Website: https://hubermanlab.com Newsletter: https://hubermanlab.com/neural-network Dr. Rechavi Academic Profile: https://en-lifesci.tau.ac.il/profile/odedrech_66 Lab Website: https://www.odedrechavilab.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/OdedRechavi TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/oded_rechavi_transgenerational_biology?language=en Articles Neuronal Small RNAs Control Behavior Transgenerationally: https://bit.ly/2HZxrzO Transgenerational Inheritance of an Acquired Small RNA-Based Antiviral Response in C. elegans: https://bit.ly/41xRf47 Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Oded Rechavi 00:02:08 Sponsors: ROKA, HVMN, Eight Sleep 00:06:04 DNA, RNA, Protein; Somatic vs. Germ Cells 00:14:36 Lamarckian Evolution, Inheritance of Acquired Traits 00:22:54 Paul Kammerer & Toad Morphology 00:28:52 AG1 (Athletic Greens) 00:30:06 James McConnell & Memory Transfer 00:37:31 Weismann Barrier; Epigenetics 00:45:13 Epigenetic Reprogramming; Imprinted Genes 00:50:43 Nature vs. Nurture; Epigenetics & Offspring 00:59:06 Generational Epigenetic Inheritance 01:09:03 Sponsor: InsideTracker 01:10:20 Model Organisms, C. elegans 01:21:50 C. elegans & Inheritance of Acquired Traits, Small RNAs 01:26:02 RNA Interference, C. elegans & Virus Immunity 01:34:13 RNA Amplification, Multi-Generational Effects 01:38:41 Response Duration & Environment 01:47:50 Generational Memory Transmission, RNA 01:59:36 Germ Cells & Behavior; Body Cues 02:04:48 Transmission of Sexual Choice 02:11:22 Fertility & Human Disease; 3-Parent In Vitro Fertilization (IVF); RNA Testing 02:17:56 Deliberate Cold Exposure, Learning & Memory 02:29:26 Zero-Cost Support, Spotify & Apple Reviews, YouTube Feedback, Sponsors, Momentous, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter The Huberman Lab podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

SPEAKERS

Andrew Huberman
host
Oded Rechavi
guest
Narrator
other

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Huberman Lab, featuring Andrew Huberman and Oded Rechavi, Genes & the Inheritance of Memories Across Generations | Dr. Oded Rechavi explores can Experiences Rewrite Inheritance? Worm Studies Challenge Genetic Dogma Andrew Huberman interviews neurobiologist Dr. Oded Rechavi about how experiences can alter biological inheritance, challenging the classic separation between genes and environment. Using the tiny worm C. elegans, Rechavi’s lab shows that RNA molecules can carry information about viral exposure, starvation, temperature stress, and even brain activity across multiple generations. They contrast rock‑solid worm and plant data with far more ambiguous and controversial evidence in mammals and humans, including trauma and nutrition effects across generations. The conversation also traces the history, scandals, and politics around “Lamarckian” ideas, and explores how these findings might eventually inform diagnostics, fertility, and even memory research in humans.

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