
Improve Energy & Longevity by Optimizing Mitochondria | Dr. Martin Picard
Andrew Huberman
Dec 15, 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Focus on non-genetic factors to enhance longevity
The best studies suggest that only about 7% of how long you live is genetically inherited, while around 90% is determined by non-genetic factors.
Avoid blocking stress signals to prevent increased mortality in cancer patients
In a clinical trial, blocking the energetic stress signal GDF15 in cancer patients to improve their appetite and mood resulted in double the mortality rate.
Boost mitochondria by finding purpose in life
A study on human brains found that people who reported more purpose in life had mitochondria with a greater capacity for energy transformation in their prefrontal cortex.
Understand energy as potential for change
A powerful way to understand energy is not as a substance, but as the potential for change within any system.
View mitochondria as social organisms with division of labor
It is useful to think of mitochondria as social organisms that exhibit division of labor and have a life cycle, much like a colony of ants.
Reduce psychological stress to reverse gray hair
The graying of hair is not always a linear aging process and can be temporarily reversed by reducing psychological stress.
Utilize meditation to maximize energy restoration
While sleep reduces energy expenditure by 10-15%, expert meditators can achieve a reduction of up to 40%, suggesting meditation is a powerful restorative state.
Redirect energy to fight infection through sickness behavior
The lethargy, apathy, and lack of appetite you feel when sick is an adaptive energy-conservation strategy to redirect your body's resources toward fighting the infection.
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