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 some of 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.For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.Thank you to our sponsorsAG1: https://athleticgreens.com/hubermanLMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlabWaking Up: https://wakingup.com/hubermanMomentous: https://livemomentous.com/hubermanTimestamps

Dr. Oded Rechavi

Sponsor: LMNT

DNA, RNA, Protein; Somatic vs. Germ Cells

Lamarckian Evolution, Inheritance of Acquired Traits

Paul Kammerer & Toad Morphology

Sponsor: AG1

James McConnell & Memory Transfer

Weismann Barrier; Epigenetics

Epigenetic Reprogramming; Imprinted Genes

Nature vs. Nurture; Epigenetics & Offspring

Generational Epigenetic Inheritance

Model Organisms, C. elegans

C. elegans & Inheritance of Acquired Traits, Small RNAs

RNA Interference, C. elegans & Virus Immunity

RNA Amplification, Multi-Generational Effects

Response Duration & Environment

Generational Memory Transmission, RNA

Germ Cells & Behavior; Body Cues

Transmission of Sexual Choice

Fertility & Human Disease; 3-Parent In Vitro Fertilization (IVF); RNA Testing

Deliberate Cold Exposure, Learning & Memory