Does The Microbiome Hold The Key To Treating Parkinson’s, Autism & Other Diseases? CalTech Microbiologist Dr. Sarkis Mazmazian on The Gut-Brain Axis
About this episode
This week, I am joined by microbiologist Dr. Sarkis Mazmanian, the Luis B. and Nelly Soux Professor at Caltech, to discuss the microbiome's connection to human health—especially the gut-brain axis. Dr. Mazmanian discusses his research evolution from infectious diseases to the microbiome’s role in neurodevelopment and neurodegeneration, as well as how gut microbes influence neurological health, behavior, and conditions like Parkinson's, autism, and depression. He highlights the human gut microbe symbiosis, early-life microbial exposure's influence, and the adult microbiome's malleability. We explore microbiome-based therapeutics' potential, challenges in translating animal models to humans, personalized medicine's future, the microbiome's impact on drug efficacy, gut bacteria's influence on behaviors and cravings, and the importance of a healthy gut diet. Please enjoy! Show notes + MORE Watch on YouTube Newsletter Sign-Up Today’s Sponsors: AG1: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs 👉drinkAG1.com/richroll InsideTracker: Use code RICHROLL at checkout and enjoy 10% OFF the InsideTracker Subscription and any plan 👉insidetracker.com/richroll On: 10% OFF your first order of high-performance shoes and apparel w/ code RICHROLL10👉on.com/richroll Roka: Unlock 20% OFF sunglasses & eyewear with code RICHROLL 👉roka.com/richroll Go Brewing: Use the code Rich Roll for 15% OFF my favorite non-alcoholic brews 👉gobrewing.com Squarespace: Use the offer code RichRoll to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain 👉Squarespace.com/RichRoll Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Does The Microbiome Hold The Key To Treating Parkinson’s, Autism & Other Diseases? CalTech Microbiologist Dr. Sarkis Mazmazian on The Gut-Brain Axis from The Rich Roll Podcast gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Hinto app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Unpacking The NYC Marathon With Cedric King: A Story of Service & Sacrifice Nov 5, 2026
- Jim Morrison Skied Everest’s North Face In The Wake Of Two Tragedies: On Grief, Risk & Moving Forward After Unimaginable Loss Nov 2, 2026
- First Light: Cole Brauer's Life Lessons From Racing Her Sailboat Around The World Oct 29, 2026
- Terry Bradshaw On Lessons From Super Bowl & Broadcasting Stardom, Battling Depression & Surviving Cancer Oct 26, 2026
- Tom Hopper On Getting Sober, Training For The Screen & Finding The Man Behind The Muscle Oct 19, 2026
- The Social Reckoning: Frances Haugen On What Facebook Knew & Why She Came Forward Oct 15, 2026
- Joe Manganiello On Getting Sober, The Mystery Illness That Almost Killed Him & The Trauma We Inherit Oct 12, 2026
- Journalist Anand Giridharadas On The Lost Art Of Empathy, Compassion, & Understanding Each Other Oct 5, 2026
- Black-ish Creator Kenya Barris On Turning Down A $100 Million Netflix Deal, The Cost of Success & Curiosity As A Superpower With Malcolm Gladwell Oct 1, 2026
- The Perilous Fight: Colin Kaepernick On The True Costs Of Conviction Sep 28, 2026
- Bryan Johnson & Kate Tolo On Curing Their Incurable Diseases, Addressing The Disparity In Women's Health & The Don't Die Mission Sep 21, 2026
- If I Can, I Will: William Goodge On Running 50 Marathons In 50 States In 24 Days Sep 17, 2026
- Life's A Fight. Don’t Let It Break You: Dolph Lundgren On Trauma, Stardom & Cancer Sep 14, 2026
- Olympic Medalist Jenny Simpson On Her Sudden Cardiac Arrest After A Race & The Journey Back To Health Sep 7, 2026
- From Drinking Every Morning to Running 340 Miles: Tommie Runz on Recovery, Running & Redemption Sep 3, 2026
- Hunter Biden Is Out Of Secrets: A Story of Recovery, Exposure & Amends Aug 31, 2026
- How Hellah Sidibe’s 3,350-Day Run Streak Rebuilt His Mind Aug 24, 2026
- Mindfulness, Meditation & Performance: Manoj Dias Live At The Rivian Performance House Aug 20, 2026
- Lee Sung Jin On The Spirituality Of Netflix’s ‘Beef’ Aug 17, 2026
- The Most Decorated Winter Olympian Ever: Johannes Klæbo On Training, Mindset & Reinventing His Sport Aug 10, 2026
- Zac Clark on Addiction, Recovery and a Life of Service Aug 6, 2026
- Stoic Lessons From The Odyssey w/ Ryan Holiday Aug 3, 2026
- Michelle Khare Is The Tom Cruise Of YouTube: How Anxiety Became Her Superpower Jul 27, 2026
- Malcolm Gladwell & Chris Chavez Think We're Selling Running All Wrong Jul 23, 2026
- What Are You Actually Capable Of? Mark Dowdle On Winning A 306 Mile Backyard Ultra Jul 20, 2026
- Episode 1,000: Rich & Julie Piatt Celebrate By Going Back To Where It All Began Jul 13, 2026
- Thrilling Tales Of Modern Men: Danny McBride On Ego, Grievance & The Stories Men Tell Themselves Jul 6, 2026
- Play Is The Miracle Drug: Dr. Kelly Starrett On Movement, Recovery, & The Wellness Trap Jul 2, 2026
- What Happened To The Vegan Movement? Rich & Simon Hill On The Rise & Fall Of Plant-Based Eating Jun 29, 2026
- Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien on Depression, Trauma & Finding Light Again Jun 22, 2026