
SAD
Irreverent Health
11/16/23
•57m
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Do you get the blues in the winter? Not the cool BB King type. The “Is this even worth it” kind. Well, a recent study just said Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may not be a thing. That doesn’t make us fell any better.
Summary
The conversation explores the topic of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and questions its legitimacy. The hosts discuss the history of SAD and how it became popularized and studied. They highlight the reliance on self-reporting in diagnosing mental illnesses and the potential for confirmation bias. The conversation also touches on the broader issue of how mental health conditions are defined and diagnosed. Overall, the hosts conclude that there is no clear answer and that further research is needed. In this conversation, Tom and Matt discuss the tendency for medical professionals to continue giving advice even when research contradicts it. They also explore the concept of labeling ourselves and the allure of belonging to niche communities. The conversation touches on the psychology behind flat earthers and the importance of understanding the provenance of ideas. They also discuss the practical applications of AI and the evolution of technology in creative fields.
Takeaways
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a controversial topic, with conflicting studies and opinions on its legitimacy.
- Mental health conditions, including SAD, are often diagnosed based on self-reporting, which introduces potential biases.
- The history and popularization of SAD raise questions about the reliability of its diagnosis and the influence of confirmation bias.
- The conversation highlights the need for further research and a critical examination of how mental health conditions are defined and diagnosed. Medical professionals often continue giving advice even when research contradicts it.
- Labels can be limiting and prevent us from fully understanding ourselves.
- The internet has made it easy for people to belong to niche communities, which can lead to polarization and division.
- Understanding the provenance of ideas can help us evaluate their validity.
- AI and technology are constantly evolving and have the potential to revolutionize various industries.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Experiences
12:03 The History and Popularization of SAD
25:32 Questioning the Definition and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions
29:29 Misleading Medical Advice
37:46 Belonging to Niche Communities
39:24 Questioning Our Beliefs
50:32 The Practical Applications of AI
The post SAD first appeared on Irreverent Health.
Previous Episode

Tech Bro Cult Psychology
November 9, 2023
•62m
Matt & Tom are doing a bit of a free-flow episode here. The reoccurring theme is that we all like to identify with a group and tend to fall in line with their practices without critically evaluating them. That’s kinda what a cult does, doesn’t it?
Summary
The conversation starts with casual banter between Matt and Tom. They discuss their current activities and a scrapped project. They then transition to the topic of AI and its practical applications, particularly in the health industry. They mention the potential for creating health agents and data aggregation. The conversation shifts to the tendency to believe in health trends and the influence of confirmation bias. They discuss the allure of being part of a fringe group and the example of Dave Asprey. They also touch on the benefits of meditation and share personal experiences. The conversation concludes with a discussion on books and the limited usefulness of keeping them after reading. The conversation explores the fascination with trends and health hacks among the tech community, as well as the influence of clickbait journalism. It delves into the concept of dopamine fasting and the tendency for people to adopt trends without fully understanding them. The discussion also touches on the challenges of navigating food choices and the impact of inflammatory ingredients. The conversation highlights the need for critical thinking and research when it comes to health trends. In this final part of the conversation, Matt and Tom discuss various topics, including the potential causes of Candida overgrowth, the pitfalls of starting a lifting routine in middle age, and the importance of following sound exercise principles. They also touch on the idea of living in an insulated technology world and the potential dangers of following trends without critical thinking. The conversation concludes with updates on Tom’s upcoming book and Matt’s new book idea.
Keywords
conversation, banter, AI, health industry, health agents, data aggregation, health trends, confirmation bias, fringe groups, Dave Asprey, meditation, books, tech community, trends, health hacks, dopamine fasting, clickbait journalism, food choices, inflammatory ingredients, critical thinking, research, Candida overgrowth, lifting routine, exercise principles, technology world, trends, book updates
Takeaways
- AI has practical applications in the health industry, such as creating health agents and data aggregation.
- Confirmation bias can lead people to believe in health trends without critically evaluating the evidence.
- Being part of a fringe group can provide a sense of identity and exclusivity.
- Meditation can have significant benefits for mental and physical well-being.
- Books may lose their usefulness after reading and integrating the knowledge. The tech community is often fascinated by trends and health hacks, leading to the adoption of various practices without fully understanding them.
- Clickbait journalism thrives on writing about buzzwords and trends, targeting the tech community and influencing their choices.
- Navigating food choices can be challenging, with many ingredients containing potentially inflammatory substances.
- Critical thinking and research are essential when evaluating health trends and making informed decisions about personal well-being. Candida overgrowth can have multiple causes, and it is often misdiagnosed or overdiagnosed.
- Starting a lifting routine in middle age can lead to injuries if not approached with caution and proper planning.
- Following sound exercise principles, such as time under tension and cross-training, can lead to better results and reduce the risk of injury.
- Living in an insulated technology world can lead to echo chambers and the uncritical following of trends.
- It’s important to critically evaluate information and not blindly follow popular opinions or fads.
- Tom has an upcoming book on cupping, while Matt is considering writing a practical guide on a different topic.
Chapters
00:00 Casual Banter and Project Update
01:35 Exploring the Practical Applications of AI in the Health Industry
06:58 The Allure of Fringe Groups and Identity
12:09 The Benefits of Meditation for Well-being
19:57 The Fascination with Trends and Health Hacks
28:18 The Influence of Clickbait Journalism
32:07 Navigating Food Choices and Inflammatory Ingredients
35:04 The Importance of Critical Thinking and Research
41:28 The Complexities of Candida Overgrowth
42:57 The Pitfalls of Starting a Lifting Routine in Middle Age
45:07 Following Sound Exercise Principles
51:23 Living in an Insulated Technology World
53:21 Book Updates: Cupping and a Practical Guide
The post Tech Bro Cult Psychology first a...
Next Episode

Watch Party: Bryan Johnson
December 7, 2023
•77m
Buckle up for a chaotic journey through the strange and bewildering world of talking animals, where the laws of nature are mere suggestions and confusion reigns supreme. A motley crew of misfit critters navigate the absurdities of life, proving that sometimes the most enlightening lessons come from the most unexpected (and utterly nonsensical) sources. Welcome to the gloriously bizarre menagerie that is our website – where laughter is the only currency that matters.
Summary
In this conversation, Matt and Tom discuss the fascination with self-optimization and the excitement about the present. They explore the importance of personalized nutrition and the use of substances like methylene blue and nootropics. They also delve into Brian Johnson’s anti-aging protocol and his unique approach to tracking aging on different vectors. The conversation highlights Brian Johnson’s lifestyle and regimen, as well as his AI-like persona. The conversation focuses on the transformation and progress of the subject, who embarked on a health and fitness journey. The discussion covers various topics, including the subject’s appearance, the impact of supplements, the importance of consistency and planning, the role of community support, and the subject’s impressive physical abilities. The main takeaway is that making positive changes to one’s lifestyle and being committed to a health and fitness routine can lead to significant improvements in overall well-being. In this conversation, Matt and Tom discuss various topics related to diet, exercise, and weight loss. They touch on the idea that humans should eat like lions, the extreme workouts of a fitness influencer, the relationship between weightlifting and abs, finding the proper weight, exploring different diets, incorporating new techniques, trying the Blueprint program, setting realistic expectations, and appreciating the information shared by experts.
Takeaways
- The present offers exciting opportunities for self-optimization and exploration.
- Personalized nutrition can play a crucial role in optimizing health and well-being.
- Substances like methylene blue and nootropics can be used to enhance cognitive function.
- Tracking aging on different vectors can provide valuable insights into overall health and well-being.
- Brian Johnson’s lifestyle and regimen showcase the possibilities of self-optimization.
- The AI-like persona of Brian Johnson raises interesting questions about the intersection of technology and human enhancement. Consider adopting a diet similar to that of a lion, focusing on natural and unprocessed foods.
- Extreme workouts can yield impressive results, but they require a significant time commitment and dedication.
- Weightlifting can contribute to strength and muscle gain, but it may not necessarily result in visible abs.
- Finding the proper weight for your body is a personal journey that may involve experimentation and self-reflection.
- Experimenting with different diets and techniques can help you find what works best for your body and lifestyle.
- Incorporating new techniques, such as HRV training and red light therapy, can enhance your fitness journey.
- Consider trying the Blueprint program as a structured approach to diet and exercise.
- Set realistic expectations for weight loss and focus on overall health and well-being.
- Appreciate the knowledge and information shared by experts in the field of health and fitness.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Excitement about the Present
03:03 The Fascination with Self-Optimization
08:07 The Importance of Personalized Nutrition
12:04 Exploring Methylene Blue and Nootropics
18:07 Brian Johnson’s Anti-Aging Protocol
24:14 Tracking Aging on Different Vectors
28:09 Brian Johnson’s Lifestyle and Regimen
31:23 The AI-Like Persona of Brian Johnson
31:52 Discussion about the appearance of the subject
34:03 The importance of slow weight loss
35:31 Analyzing the subject’s supplement regimen
39:13 Exploring the benefits and limitations of supplements
41:25 The impact of diet and exercise on appearance
43:47 The role of consistency and planning in achieving health goals
46:07 The importance of community and social support in health
50:05 The transformation and progress of the subject
53:29 The subject’s impressive physical abilities
55:54 The key takeaway of the conversation
01:05:01 The Lion’s Diet
01:06:03 Extreme Workouts
01:07:02 Weightlifting and Abs
01:08:15 Finding the Proper Weight
01:09:13 Exploring Different Diets
01:11:26 Incorporating New Techniques
01:13:43 Trying the Blueprint
01:14:17 Realistic Expectations
01:15:28 Appreciating the Information
01:16:39 Wrap-up
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