Episode

#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
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1:09:14
Published: Wed Aug 17 2022
Description

Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More | Brought to you by Levels real-time feedback on how diet impacts your health, Athletic Greens all-in-one nutritional supplement, and LMNT electrolyte supplement. More on all three below. Andrew Weil, MD (@DrWeil) is a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine. He has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.Dr. Weil received a degree in biology (botany) from Harvard College in 1964 and an MD from Harvard Medical School in 1968. From 1971 to 1975, as a fellow of the Institute of Current World Affairs, Dr. Weil traveled widely in North and South America and Africa collecting information on drug use in other cultures, medicinal plants, and alternative methods of treating disease. From 1971 to 1984 he was on the research staff of the Harvard Botanical Museum and conducted investigations of medicinal and psychoactive plants.Dr. Weil is the founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, where he also holds the Lovell-Jones Endowed Chair in Integrative Medicine and is Clinical Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health. Through its fellowship and Integrative Medicine in Residency curricula, the Center is now training doctors and nurse practitioners around the world.A New York Times best-selling author, Dr. Weil has written 15 books on health and well-being, including Mind Over Meds; Fast Food, Good Food; True Food; Spontaneous Happiness; Healthy Aging; and Eight Weeks to Optimum Health. He is also co-founder of the restaurant chain True Food Kitchen and co-founder of Matcha.com, which offers extremely high-quality matcha that is difficult to find outside of Japan.Please enjoy!This episode is brought to you by Levels! I wrote about the health benefits of using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) more than ten years ago in The 4-Hour Body. At the time, CGMs were primitive and hard to use. Levels has now made this technology, and the unique insights that come from it, easy and available to everyone. Levels is making glucose monitoring simple, helping you see how food affects your health through real-time feedback. I started tracking my glucose years ago to learn more about what I should and shouldn’t be eating (including quantities, time of day, etc.), based on objective data from my own, unique physiology. Keeping my blood sugar stable is critical to my daily and long-term health and performance goals. Furthermore, poor glucose control is associated with a number of chronic conditions like diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, and obesity. It’s important.If you’re interested in learning more about Levels and trying a CGM yourself, go to Levels.link/Tim.*This episode is also brought to you by LMNT! What is LMNT? It’s a delicious, sugar-free electrolyte drink mix. I’ve stocked up on boxes and boxes of this and usually use it 1–2 times per day. LMNT is formulated to help anyone with their electrolyte needs and perfectly suited to folks following a keto, low-carb, or Paleo diet. If you are on a low-carb diet or fasting, electrolytes play a key role in relieving hunger, cramps, headaches, tiredness, and dizziness.LMNT came up with a very special offer for you, my dear listeners. For a limited time, you can get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase. This special offer is available here: DrinkLMNT.com/Tim.*This episode is also brought to you by Athletic Greens. I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1 by Athletic Greens, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and did not get paid to do so. I do my best with nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG further covers my bases with vitamins, minerals, and whole-food-sourced micronutrients that support gut health and the immune system. Right now, Athletic Greens is offering you their Vitamin D Liquid Formula free with your first subscription purchase—a vital nutrient for a strong immune system and strong bones. Visit AthleticGreens.com/Tim to claim this special offer today and receive the free Vitamin D Liquid Formula (and five free travel packs) with your first subscription purchase! That’s up to a one-year supply of Vitamin D as added value when you try their delicious and comprehensive all-in-one daily greens product.*[07:56] What is the 4-7-8 breath?[10:15] As an early advocate, what is Dr. Weil’s current relationship with cannabis?[11:28] Overcoming the stigma of coca leaves to realize their medical benefits.[14:17] What is The Beneficial Plants Research Association?[16:30] Thoughts on kava and its effect on sleep quality.[19:49] Where to learn more about kratom and mitragynine.[20:51] Andrew’s experience with Bufo alvarius.[22:05] Why Andrew and Wade Davis are reviving The Beneficial Plants Research Association.[25:27] Andrew recounts a Richard Evans Schultes story.[27:13] Andrew’s brief career as a letter-writing prankster.[29:06] Covering the first wave of psychedelic research at Harvard.[34:15] The positives and negatives of psychedelics going mainstream.[36:11] Taxonomy and the origin of Psilocybe weilii.[37:58] How did Andrew emerge from dysthymia in his early fifties?[39:54] Lessons learned on visits to Japan and Okinawa.[45:19] Health benefits of fermented turmeric and matcha tea.[49:50] How L-theanine modifies the effects of caffeine.[52:19] How Andrew’s parents encouraged him to always be curious (but careful).[55:36] Getting older and future plans.[58:11] Why you should check out The Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.[58:54] What Andrew believes gets missed most by current psychedelic exploration.[1:02:00] Parting thoughts.*For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsorsSign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.Follow Tim:Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss Instagram: instagram.com/timferrissYouTube: youtube.com/timferrissFacebook: facebook.com/timferriss LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferrissPast guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, and many more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chapters
The Levels continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a powerful tool for tracking your body's response to the food you eat.
00:00 - 05:36 (05:36)
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Nutrition
Summary

The Levels continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a powerful tool for tracking your body's response to the food you eat. By providing real-time data, it can help you make behavioral changes to improve your energy and fitness levels.

Episode
#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
This transcript discusses the Wim Hof method and how to perform the breathing technique.
05:36 - 10:55 (05:18)
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Breathing Technique
Summary

This transcript discusses the Wim Hof method and how to perform the breathing technique. The conversation also touches on the personal relationship to cannabis of one of the earliest public advocates of cannabis and his influence on cannabis policy.

Episode
#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
Advocates around the world are pushing for the legalization of coca and educating people on the differences between coca and cocaine.
10:55 - 16:30 (05:35)
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Coca
Summary

Advocates around the world are pushing for the legalization of coca and educating people on the differences between coca and cocaine. The momentum to legalize the medicinal plant is growing, and many are hopeful that it will soon be available for medical and personal use.

Episode
#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
This podcast discusses the potential medicinal benefits of undiscovered plants, and the belief that natural products are often superior to synthetic chemical drugs.
16:30 - 27:37 (11:06)
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Natural Products
The Harvard Lampoon is a satire magazine that has produced a long list of famous comedians and writer-producers.
27:37 - 32:45 (05:08)
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Satire Writing
Summary

The Harvard Lampoon is a satire magazine that has produced a long list of famous comedians and writer-producers. The host shares how he used to write and send prank letters to self-important people using stationary from powerful people until he had to give it up.

Episode
#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker shares that people are showing an increased interest in psychedelics and believes that positive psychedelic experiences may lead to the change in consciousness necessary to turn things around for us.
32:45 - 38:32 (05:46)
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Psychedelics
Summary

The speaker shares that people are showing an increased interest in psychedelics and believes that positive psychedelic experiences may lead to the change in consciousness necessary to turn things around for us. There is a mention of an athletic greens supplement offer at the end of the text.

Episode
#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
A discussion on the impact that environment has on mental health and wellbeing as we age, including the benefits of social connections and gratitude practices.
38:32 - 45:19 (06:46)
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Mental Health
Matcha tea has the highest level of antioxidants and L-theanine.
45:19 - 53:24 (08:05)
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Matcha Tea
Michael Pollan discusses how his parents encouraged his curiosity, and his experiences with mescaline.
53:24 - 58:33 (05:08)
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Michael Pollan
Summary

Michael Pollan discusses how his parents encouraged his curiosity, and his experiences with mescaline. He also expresses his desire for integrative medicine to become mainstream and shares his longing for travel.

Episode
#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The speaker emphasizes the need to explore the potential of psychedelics in physical medicine for changing the course of chronic diseases and how people experience their bodies, rather than just focusing on mental and emotional health.
58:33 - 1:06:40 (08:06)
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Psychedelics
Summary

The speaker emphasizes the need to explore the potential of psychedelics in physical medicine for changing the course of chronic diseases and how people experience their bodies, rather than just focusing on mental and emotional health.

Episode
#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show
The Levels app interprets personal glucose data and provides a score after eating meals, allowing individuals to determine which foods may be causing sensitivity.
1:06:40 - 1:09:05 (02:25)
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Glucose Monitoring
Summary

The Levels app interprets personal glucose data and provides a score after eating meals, allowing individuals to determine which foods may be causing sensitivity. The app is backed by a team of advisors, including Dr. Dom D'Agostino.

Episode
#615: Dr. Andrew Weil — The 4-7-8 Breath Method, Cannabis, The Uses of Coca Leaf, Rehabilitating Demonized Plants, Kava for Anxiety, Lessons from Wade Davis, The Psychedelic Renaissance, How to Emerge from Depression, Tales from 50+ Visits to Japan, Matcha Benefits, and More
Podcast
The Tim Ferriss Show