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. Long
Jonathan’s Lab: LongLab@Stanford
Study on Endocannabinoids and Exercise Motivation: The Endocannabinoid System and Physical Exercise

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Jonathan Long, a professor of pathology at Stanford University

(00:02:30) Effective Weight Loss Drugs

The increase of effective weight loss drugs, and the history and development of these GLP-1 receptor agonists.

(00:04:03) Understanding Metabolism and Exercise

Outline of metabolic chemicals released during physical activity and their potential to combat obesity and diabetes.

(00:05:38) Animal Models in Exercise Studies

The use of animal models in exercise studies and the discovery of Lac-Phe.

(00:07:15) Psychological Preparation for Exercise

The psychological aspects of exercise and the involvement of endocannabinoids in exercise motivation.

(00:09:28) Lac-Phe's Role and Mechanism

The role of Lac-Phe and its production in the gut.

(00:12:21) Differences in Exercise Response

Differences in exercise response between trained athletes and untrained individuals.

(00:13:25) Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases

The relationship between diabetes, exercise, and metabolic diseases.

(00:15:29) Lac-Phe as a Potential Therapeutic

The potential of Lac-Phe as a weight loss drug, and parallels to GLP-1 drug development.

(00:16:48) Importance of How Weight is Lost

Whether the method of weight-loss matters, and the importance of preserving lean muscle mass.

(00:19:40) Exercise as Medicine

The concept of exercise as medicine, and defining physical activity at the same resolution as modern medicines.

(00:22:39) Metformin and Exercise Pathways

The unexpected connection between metformin and the Lac-Phe pathway.

(00:24:08) Prospects of an Exercise Pill

The 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 Website

Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

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The Future of Everything

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The future of exercise