Jonathan Long is a biochemist who studies the chemicals produced during exercise. In Long’s world, “you always start with molecules,” which offer “clean handles” to understanding complex processes. His lab has identified a chemical produced in the digestive tract during exercise that can make a person stop eating. Long now studies this “gut-brain axis” for ways to treat obesity, diabetes, and, perhaps, even age-related conditions like dementia, as he tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.Episode Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Jonathan Z. LongJonathan’s Lab: LongLab@StanfordStudy on Endocannabinoids and Exercise Motivation: The Endocannabinoid System and Physical ExerciseConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionHost Russ Altman introduces guest Jonathan Long, a professor of pathology at Stanford University(00:02:30) Effective Weight Loss DrugsThe increase of effective weight loss drugs, and the history and development of these GLP-1 receptor agonists.(00:04:03) Understanding Metabolism and ExerciseOutline of metabolic chemicals released during physical activity and their potential to combat obesity and diabetes.(00:05:38) Animal Models in Exercise StudiesThe use of animal models in exercise studies and the discovery of Lac-Phe.(00:07:15) Psychological Preparation for ExerciseThe psychological aspects of exercise and the involvement of endocannabinoids in exercise motivation.(00:09:28) Lac-Phe's Role and MechanismThe role of Lac-Phe and its production in the gut.(00:12:21) Differences in Exercise ResponseDifferences in exercise response between trained athletes and untrained individuals.(00:13:25) Diabetes and Metabolic DiseasesThe relationship between diabetes, exercise, and metabolic diseases.(00:15:29) Lac-Phe as a Potential TherapeuticThe potential of Lac-Phe as a weight loss drug, and parallels to GLP-1 drug development.(00:16:48) Importance of How Weight is LostWhether the method of weight-loss matters, and the importance of preserving lean muscle mass.(00:19:40) Exercise as MedicineThe concept of exercise as medicine, and defining physical activity at the same resolution as modern medicines.(00:22:39) Metformin and Exercise PathwaysThe unexpected connection between metformin and the Lac-Phe pathway.(00:24:08) Prospects of an Exercise PillThe future of an exercise pill, and the scientific challenges associated with its development.(00:27:33) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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