Foodie Pharmacology Podcast

Psilocybin and the Fountain of Youth with Dr. Louise Hecker Could magic mushrooms hold the key to longer life? In this episode, Dr. Quave chats with Dr. Louise Hecker, Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and Founder of Fibronox, about her groundbreaking research on psilocybin and aging. You may have seen the headlines—her team found that psilocybin slowed cellular aging, reduced oxid...

Menus aren’t just lists of food—they’re time machines. This week on Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave returns to Season 7 with literary food historian Dr. Nathalie Cooke of McGill University. Together, they explore how menus offer rich clues into the cultural, economic, and even medical mindsets of past centuries. From elephant soup on menus to how Coca-Cola and cigarettes once appeared as...

This week on the show, we speak with Dr. César Ojeda, an ethnobiologist specializing in fermentation, biocultural diversity, and microbial ecology. Dr. Ojeda shares his insights on traditional Mexican fermented beverages, particularly focusing on the science and cultural importance of these foods. We discuss the concept of ethnomicrobiology, the role of microbes in traditional agriculture, and how...

This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Rosette Chakkalakal, an Associate Professor at Emory School of Medicine and Director of Preventive Medicine, and Kathy Taylor, Director of Medical Nutrition Therapy at Grady Health System. Dr. Chakkalakal and Taylor share insights into Grady’s innovative Food as Medicine program, which addresses food insecurity and chronic disease management through nutri...

If you feel like you never have time to cook a healthy meal, this episode is for you! This week on the show, we’re joined by Sharon Palmer, known as the ‘Plant-powered Dietician.’ Sharon shares helpful tips on easy and healthy meal preparation and explores the intersection of nutrition and sustainability. Plants really are the best when it comes to supporting a healthy planet and a healthy you! Sh...

Have you ever wondered what’s really in your food—beyond just vitamins, minerals, carbs, proteins, and fats—but also the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that impact health? This week on the show, our guest is Dr. Selena Ahmed, Global Director of the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) and Dean of Food EDU at the American Heart Association. With her expertise in food systems resear...

We’ve all seen it—whether it’s a cat rolling in catnip with pure delight or a dog eating grass, only to vomit it up later. Are these just quirky animal behaviors, or could they be something more—perhaps even a form of self-medication using nature’s pharmacy?  This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Jaap de Roode, a biology professor at Emory University, to discuss his fascinating new book,  ' D...

This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Lars Bode, a leading expert in human milk research and director of the Human Milk Institute at UC San Diego. Dr. Bode takes us on a fascinating journey into the science of breast milk, breaking down its unique composition, health benefits, and role in shaping infant development. We discuss how maternal diet, environmental exposures, and even medications i...

This week on the show, we’re joined by Dr. Matt Bernstein, a psychiatrist specializing in metabolic medicine, to discuss the use of ketogenic diets in improving mental and brain health. Dr. Bernstein shares his personal journey and the transformative results he has seen in his patients, and delves into the science behind ketosis, mitochondrial function, and the role of diet in managing serious men...

Our guest this week is Hamilton Pevec, ethnomycologist, entrepreneur, and filmmaker who has dedicated his career to advancing medicinal mushroom efficacy and mycological science. Hamilton discusses his work in advancing medicinal mushroom science and shares insights into the Telluride Mushroom Festival, fungal forays, and the incredible health benefits of various mushrooms. Discover how functional...

Access to clean water is a luxury that many of us take for granted. Without it, the most vulnerable among us—especially children—are at risk of life-threatening diarrheal disease and stunted development due to the cycle of malnutrition and infection. Our guest this week is medical anthropologist, Dr. Rachel Hall Clifford, author of the new book, “ Underbelly: Childhood Diarrhea and the Hidden Loca...

What can the building blocks of our food ingredients tell us about our health and the health of our planet? This week on the show, we discuss the fields of metabolomics and lipidomics with experts Dr. Andres Jaramillo-Botero and Dr. Natalia Vázquez Manjarrez. Andres is the founding Director of the iOMICAS Research Institute, a Rockefeller Foundation PTFI Center of Excellence focused on elucidating...

This week we explore valuable lessons on defining sustainability, avoiding corporate greenwashing, and creating meaningful change. Our guest is author, speaker, and corporate advisor Maisie Ganzler. She is the go-to expert on how companies can make positive change for our world. Driving strategy for Bon Appetit Management Company, the $1.7 billion foodservice leader, Maisie tackled local purchasin...

The global beef market is valued at over $400 billion USD, and US consumers eat more beef than any other country in the world. Yet, most consumers know relatively little about livestock handling and the practices bringing cattle from the field to the dinner plate. This week our guest is Dr. Temple Grandin, a leading expert on animal behavior in the livestock industry. Dr. Grandin shares her extens...

Vegan or meat protein? Does the type of protein we eat matter for muscle gain? This week we investigate how proteins and amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) are processed by our bodies. I speak with nutrition and protein experts Dr. Robert Hall and Dr. Justin Siegel about their research on this topic with the Periodic Table of Food Initiative. We also discuss what a global protein transi...

In this Halloween special, we dive into the fascinating world of paranormal cuisine with Amy Bruni , a professional paranormal investigator and author. You may know Amy from the hit TV shows Ghost Hunters and the Travel Channel’s Kindred Spirits! She’s the author of ‘ Food to Die For ’ and ‘Life with the Afterlife ’. From the haunted halls of the Mount Washington Hotel to the infamous Lizzie Borde...

Can small farms make a difference for our climate and our health? This week we take a deeper look at the principles of regenerative and sustainable farming, the challenges small farmers face, and the critical role of soil health. Our guest is an award-winning journalist, Jennifer Grayson. We discuss Jennifer’s new book, A CALL TO FARMS: Reconnecting to Nature, Food, and Community in a Modern World...

Earth is not just a planet with life on its surface but a living entity where life and environment continuously influence and transform each other. Our guest this week is Ferris Jabr, a renowned science writer, to discuss his new book "Becoming Earth." We explore the dynamic interplay between life and Earth's geology, climate, and atmosphere. From the Amazon rainforest's wet breath to microbes tha...

A diverse diet is important for both human health and sustainable ecosystems. Our guest this week is Dr. Gina Kennedy, Director of Research, Translation and Impact for the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) and Principal Scientist with the Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT. We discuss the importance of diet and food biodiversity, the goals of PTFI to advance scientific understanding and use of...

New on the show, we explore the connection between autoimmunity and the diet, examining how the gut microbiome impacts systemic immunity. Our guest this week is Morgan Schneller. She’s a Certified Nutritionist, writer, educator, and founder of Wellbiome, a nutrition consultation practice that prioritizes bio-individual, custom nutrition plans. Morgan provides insights into maintaining gut health,...

Join Dr. Quave in conversation with MacArthur Fellow and James Beard award-winning author of “Agave Spirits”, Dr. Gary Paul Nabhan as they discuss the incredible adaptations of desert plants, innovative water management techniques, and the sacred role of plants across various cultures. Dr. Nabhan is globally known for building cross-cultural teams for the collaborative conservation of biocultural...

Our bodies change as we age, and the condition of overactive bladder can interfere with sleep patterns and quality of life. This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Ted Johnson, who works in geriatric medicine, which is a medical specialty dedicated exclusively to providing high-quality, patient-centered care for older adults. Ted has over 25 years of clinical practice and is Chief of Emor...

Have you ever wondered what and how astronauts eat in outer space? A lot of thought and scientific planning is required to design a space menu! This week on the show, Dr. Quave speaks with Vickie Kloeris , author of “Space Bites” and retired NASA food scientist with over 34 years of experience. Vickie shares her journey from food microbiology to managing NASA’s food systems for space missions and...

In a world facing the looming crisis of climate change, it's essential to address not only the environmental impacts but also the mental health challenges that arise from eco-anxiety, grief, and despair. This week on Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Quave speaks with Dr. Britt Wray , Director of CIRCLE at Stanford Psychiatry, a research and action initiative focused on Community-minded Interventions for R...

Food EDU is an exciting new educational initiative under development from the American Heart Association. This platform aims to unite various disciplines, geographies, and professions to advance our understanding of food, agriculture, and nutrition. It was inspired by the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI) to enable scientists to utilize new food composition data more effectively. Food EDU s...