The Science of Lookmaxxing with Dr. Noc

About This Episode

Are we doing more harm than good in the pursuit of perfection? Neil deGrasse Tyson, comic co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore looksmaxxing, peptides, body composition, and the scientization of health & beauty trends with pharmaceutical scientist & medfluencer Morgan McSweeney, aka Dr. Noc.

Are we still searching for a fountain of youth? We discuss our timeless hunt for a quick fix, from Ponce de León’s search for the fountain of youth to today. We explore GLP-1s and how they’re shifting culture around thinness, injections, and body positivity. Is semaglutide made in the body? What are the downstream effects of GLP-1 use?

What is a peptide? We take it back to biology class and talk about what peptides really are. Plus, learn why visceral fat and body composition matter for chronic disease and dementia. We discuss the effects of creatine and claims made about brain health? We also discuss the gap between mice and humans in drug testing, and the risks of injecting “grey market” peptides, from sterility to unintended health effects.

We explore the anti-aging movement, VO2 max, predatory testosterone marketing aimed at young men, and the truth about “low T.” How many men are really low in testosterone? Are peptides the future of medications? Finally, they tackle brain health, NAD+ hype, body dysmorphia in the age of Snapchat filters, and whether looking old can be beautiful.

Thanks to our Patrons Techpack, Angela DavisGriffith, Renn, Joel Thompson, Steven Berry, Bonham Griggs, Konrad Talik, Dominik Franczyk, Jake Douglas, Ken Weiss, Gary Jordan, and CW Bushman for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.