Why We Forget & The Amazing Story of Your Body’s Atoms - SYSK Choice

Summary

Something You Should Know: Why We Forget & The Amazing Story of Your Body’s Atoms - SYSK Choice

Episode Overview Released on February 22, 2025, this episode of "Something You Should Know" delves into the intricacies of human memory and the fascinating journey of the atoms that constitute our bodies. Host Mike Carruthers engages with two distinguished experts—Dr. Andrew Budson, a cognitive and behavioral neurologist, and Dan Levitt, a renowned science documentary producer—to explore these profound topics. The episode seamlessly interweaves scientific explanations with engaging anecdotes, providing listeners with actionable insights and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of human existence.

---

I. The Science of Memory with Dr. Andrew Budson

1. The Power of Touch and Memory Enhancement [00:02 - 05:00] Mike opens the episode by emphasizing the significance of physical touch in human interactions. He illustrates how gestures like hugs, high fives, and pats on the back release oxytocin, enhancing bonding and well-being. For instance, Mike mentions, “Supportive touch gestures... give a burst of oxytocin that boosts our bonding sensation and our sense of well-being” ([02:33]).

2. Understanding Memory: How It Works and Why We Forget [05:01 - 28:36] Mike introduces Dr. Andrew Budson, who brings his expertise from the VA Boston Healthcare System and his book, Why We Forget and How to Remember the Science Behind Memory. The conversation covers:

• Variables Affecting Memory [05:17 - 09:24] Dr. Budson explains that memory strengths vary among individuals based on what is important to them. He states, “We’re all good at remembering things that are important to us” ([05:48]). The discussion touches on normal age-related memory changes, emphasizing that while retrieval may slow, the ability to store memories remains intact.

• Memory Imperfections and Evolutionary Purpose [09:51 - 18:43] Exploring why memories aren’t perfect snapshots, Dr. Budson shares, “Memory evolved to allow us to use past information to plan for the future” ([09:24]). This adaptive mechanism explains why memories can be distorted over time through processes like reconstructive retrieval.

• Factors Affecting Memory Quality [19:00 - 26:21] The conversation highlights substances and habits that impair memory, such as alcohol and certain medications. Dr. Budson warns, “Even having a single drink can decrease your ability to remember things” ([12:06]). Conversely, he advises practices that enhance memory, including adequate sleep, focused attention, and organizing information effectively.

• Practical Memory Improvement Strategies [26:21 - 28:36] Dr. Budson introduces the "FOUR" technique—Focus, Organize, Understand, and Relate—to bolster long-term memory retention. He elaborates, “First is the F, which is you should focus your attention on whatever it is you want to remember” ([26:21]).

Notable Quotes:

• “Memory evolved to allow us to use past information to plan for the future.” – Dr. Andrew Budson ([09:24])
• “Even having a single drink can decrease your ability to remember things.” – Dr. Andrew Budson ([12:06])
• “If you’re intentional about your learning... you tend to remember it more.” – Dr. Andrew Budson ([08:46])

---

II. The Journey of Your Body’s Atoms with Dan Levitt

1. Origin of Atoms and the Big Bang [31:22 - 34:27] Mike transitions to the second major topic by inviting Dan Levitt to unravel the origins of the atoms that make up our bodies. Dan explains, “All of the atoms in your body started at the very beginning of time, 13.8 billion years ago” ([31:39]). He outlines the epic journey from the Big Bang to the formation of Earth and ultimately to the embodiment within living organisms.

2. The Role of Plants and Photosynthesis [32:26 - 33:38] Dan emphasizes the centrality of plants in providing the essential elements for life, stating, “80% of your mass came from the air, from carbon dioxide... transformed with sunlight and water into sugar” ([32:40]). This transformation is crucial for the synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and other vital molecules in our bodies.

3. Cellular Regeneration and Mortality [34:15 - 36:42] The discussion shifts to cellular regeneration, with Dan revealing, “98% of the cells in our body are reintroduced every 10 years” ([34:27]). This constant renewal process highlights the dynamic nature of our biology. However, Dan also addresses the inevitability of mortality due to factors like genetic mutations leading to cancer, despite our bodies' regenerative capabilities.

4. Oxygen's Critical Role [36:42 - 39:17] Oxygen is portrayed as the cornerstone of cellular energy production. Dan elaborates, “We consume about two-thirds of a pint of oxygen a day... that oxygen is what allows ourselves to create energy” ([36:49]). He connects the presence of oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere to the evolution of complex life forms, underscoring the interplay between biology and environmental conditions.

5. The Complexity and Interconnectedness of Life [40:55 - 48:52] Dan reflects on the improbable yet intricate pathways that led to human existence. He highlights Lynn Margulis's endosymbiotic theory, which explains the origin of mitochondria in our cells. Dan marvels, “We are incredibly complex creatures” ([47:57]), expressing awe at the shared biological heritage and the profound interconnectedness of all living things.

Notable Quotes:

• “All of the atoms in your body started at the very beginning of time, 13.8 billion years ago.” – Dan Levitt ([31:39])
• “80% of your mass came from the air, from carbon dioxide... transformed with sunlight and water into sugar.” – Dan Levitt ([32:40])
• “98% of the cells in our body are reintroduced every 10 years.” – Dan Levitt ([34:27])
• “We are incredibly complex creatures.” – Dan Levitt ([47:57])

---

III. Practical Insights and Takeaways

Making a Good First Impression [49:30 - 51:10] Towards the episode’s conclusion, Mike shares expert advice from Yale University psychology professor Marianne LaFrance on making effective first impressions within seven seconds. Key points include the importance of appearance, posture, and non-verbal cues such as eye contact and handshake firmness. This segment underscores the episode’s overarching theme of harnessing scientific understanding to enhance personal and interpersonal experiences.

Memorable Closing Thoughts [47:57 - 48:52] Dan Levitt encapsulates the episode's essence by expressing gratitude and awe for human complexity and interconnectedness. His reflection, “How much we share together,” serves as a humbling reminder of our place within the vast tapestry of life.

---

Conclusion

This episode of "Something You Should Know" masterfully intertwines the science of memory with the profound origins of our physical being. Through insightful discussions with Dr. Andrew Budson and Dan Levitt, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of how memory functions, why it falters, and the remarkable journey of the atoms that compose our bodies. The episode not only educates but also inspires a deeper appreciation for the intricate systems that sustain human life.

---

Key Resources:

• Why We Forget and How to Remember the Science Behind Memory by Dr. Andrew Budson
• What's Gotten into You? The Story of Your Body’s Atoms from the Big Bang Through Last Night's Dinner by Dan Levitt

Transcript

[Mike Carruthers]

Today on something you should know why touching other people, whether a big hug or a simple touch, can be so powerful. Then understanding just how your memory works and what makes it work better and what makes it worse.

[Andrew Budson]

Alcohol. Even having a single drink can decrease your ability to remember things. Is it even true if you're having that drink a few days after you've remembered something?

[Mike Carruthers]

Also a simple way to make a good first impression. And all the atoms and cells in your body, where do they come from, where do they go and how long do they stay?

[Dan Levitt]

98% of the cells in our body are reintroduced every 10 years, which is kind of wild because we're less like a person and more like a flame, right? Where the molecules are constantly cycling in and out.

[Mike Carruthers]

All this today on something you should know.

[Indeed Advertiser]

Every time I've had to hire someone, it had to be done fast. But as I've discovered anyway, hiring can be very time consuming. And even still, there are no guarantees. Which is why when it comes to hiring, Indeed is all you need, right? The trick to finding the right person is to make sure a lot of qualified people know about your job opening. And you see, Indeed has this thing called sponsor jobs. So your post jumps to the top of the page for relevant candidates so you can reach the people you want to reach faster. And it works. Now here's what I think is the magic of Indeed. They take this process of hiring, which is something you probably don't do a lot or feel really skilled at, and they guide you through it so you end up with the right person for the job quickly. Plus, with Indeed sponsored jobs, there are no monthly subscriptions, no no long term contracts. You only pay for results. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed. And listeners of this show, get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility@ Indeed.com something just go to Indeed.com something right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com something terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.

[Mike Carruthers]

Something you should know, fascinating intel, the world's top experts, and practical advice you can use in your life today. Something youg Should Know with Mike Carruthers. Hey. Hi. Welcome to another episode of Something youg Should Know. As you no doubt recall, during the whole Covid thing, we were isolated. WE didn't come in contact with other people. We stayed as far away as we were told to stay away from, and we didn't touch other people. And for the most part, that seems to have gone away, that we do now shake hands and fist bump and high five and touch other people. And that's a good thing because these kind of supportive touch gestures, like a pat on the back or an arm around the shoulder, these kind of touches give a burst of oxytocin that that boosts our bonding sensation and our sense of well being. The supportive touch theory works in all kinds of environments. Sports teams who share high fives or fist bumps tend to outperform teams who don't. Students who get a supportive touch from a teacher are twice as likely to volunteer in class. And a kind touch from a doctor gives patients the sensation that their visit lasted twice as long as those whose doctors did didn't touch their patients. And that is something you should know. I know people ask the question or have pondered the question, how good is my memory? And I've always thought, well, that's kind of a hard question to answer because it really depends on what it is you want me to remember. How long ago it happened. Some people are good at remembering numbers. Other people remember names. Some of us don't remember things like that very well at all. There are a lot of variables and yet we have a memory. So you think it would have evolved to be really accurate and there wouldn't be all these variables, but there are. So let's get a better understanding of our memory, how it works and why it works that way. And here to do that is Andrew Budson, M.D. andrew is the Chief of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology and Associate Chief of Staff for Education at the VA Boston Healthcare System. He's a professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine and author of the book why We Forget and How to Remember the Science Behind Memory. Hey, Andrew, thanks for coming on. Something you should know.

[Andrew Budson]

Thanks so much for having me.

[Mike Carruthers]

So since I set it up the way I did, let's start with the variables. Why are people's memories different? Why do some people remember things better than others? Why?

[Andrew Budson]

Well, everyone is a little bit different in what they are good at remembering, but almost everybody is good at remembering some things. I think it seems as if some people's memories are sort of good in general because they're good at remembering things like people's names or dates or things that are often tested. But in fact, we're all good at remembering things that are important to us.

[Mike Carruthers]

And what about the idea that as you age, particularly as you get later in life, that your memory declines? Is that normal?

[Andrew Budson]

You know, there are some changes that are normal as People get older. And three of the most common changes in normal aging Are that people often need to hear something more than once in order for it to get into the memory store. The second change that often occurs Is that it may take them a little bit longer. To retrieve the information that they're looking for. And the third change is that sometimes people need a little hint or a cue in order to retrieve that memory. But importantly, in normal aging, as long as the information got into the memory store, it should be able to be retrieved, Even if it takes a little bit of time or a hint or a cue.

[Mike Carruthers]

Why do we sometimes have memories of things? Vivid memories, like you could remember something from your childhood, A place that you used to go, Or a house you used to live in, and you have a very vivid memory of it. But if you go there, you realize your memory is wrong. So you have a memory. It isn't like you forgot it. You have a memory, but it's not accurate.

[Andrew Budson]

It turns out that our memories Are not built to remember, Like a snapshot or a photograph of what we're seeing. Our memories were actually evolved to remember Sort of the parts that are important to us. And often they remember the gestalt or the gist of that information. So that's one reason that we may not remember the same thing verbatim. The other reason that sometimes our memories Are not a perfect picture of reality is anytime that we retrieve a memory and we may think about it in a certain way, it actually can change the memory in a subtle way, and we can incorporate false information into our memories.

[Mike Carruthers]

It does seem that one of the best ways to remember something is. Is to try to remember something that if I'm intentional about, I want to remember this. I tend to remember it more than not doing that.

[Andrew Budson]

Absolutely. That is one of the keys, which is that being intentional about your learning. Whatever it is, Whether you're at a cocktail party and you're meeting new people and you're trying to remember everyone names. Having the intention is absolutely key because it makes you focus your attention on the information. And focusing attention is probably the first thing that we need to do in order to remember something.

[Mike Carruthers]

So one of the, I think fundamental questions people have, maybe they wouldn't ask it this way, but so we talk a lot about memory's imperfections, that we don't remember things as well as we think we do. So maybe that's not what memory was meant to do evolutionarily. What is the purpose of memory if it isn't to take snapshots? So we can remember exact details. What is it good at?

[Andrew Budson]

What memory is really good at is being able to take this information that happened in the past and allow us to flexibly and creatively put it together in new ways to envision different possible futures. And we think that that is why memory is so easily mixed up and distorted, because it wasn't. It did not evolve in order to remember things perfectly from the past. Memory evolved in order to have us use that past information to plan for the future.

[Mike Carruthers]

I remember someone saying that when you recall a memory that you've recalled before and before and before that, what you're really remembering is the memory of remembering it, and that over time, that can distort the memory because you're not remembering the thing you're remembering when you remembered it last time.

[Andrew Budson]

I think that's totally correct. And one of my favorite examples of this is if you, let's say, are watching a movie, and let's say you started off watching this movie yourself, but now your spouse comes home and you enthusiastically describe the movie to your spouse. And then there's this memory of your spouse that is getting mixed up with your memory of watching the movie. And so then when you talk about this movie with your friend, you know, say a month later or a year later, you may now have incorporated your wife into this memory as well. And when you think about watching the movie and remember it, you say, oh, right, and I watched it with my.

[Mike Carruthers]

Wife, and yet you didn't. And so what are the things that affect memory in terms of how we live our life, our lifestyle, things, you know, drugs, alcohol, lack of sleep, what are the things that make memory worse? And perhaps what are some of the things that can make memory better?

[Andrew Budson]

So alcohol. Although I want to preface my comments by saying there is not evidence that one alcoholic beverage a day is harmful in any sort of permanent way to your brain or another part of your body. But even having a single drink can decrease your ability to remember things. And one of the somewhat perhaps depressing aspects of that statement I just meant is it's even true if you're having that drink a few days after you've remembered something. So if you do what I used to do in college, which is I would, you know, study during the week, and then I would enjoy having, you know, fun on the weekends with my friends and, you know, drinking some alcohol, it turns out that that weekend drinking can actually interfere with my ability to consolidate and really store in a deep, permanent way the things I was learning during the week. So the, you know, the things you now know as an adult that you you wish you knew or maybe are glad you didn't know when you were a kid. It's also known that cannabis, marijuana, the THC in it, the sort of ingredient that makes you high, that also does interfere with memory. So there's a lot of different substances out there that can interfere with memory. Almost all sleeping pills except for melatonin, whether they're over the counter sleeping pills or prescription sleeping pills, they can also interfere with memory. So there's a lot of things out there that can interfere. But let me just mention a couple of the things that can actually make things better. Getting enough sleep is beneficial for your memory, paying attention more. And if that means that you're stimulated either endogenously because you're excited about the learning that's taking place, or you're excited about whatever you're doing that's going to help you remember things better. And there's nothing wrong with using a little bit of a stimulant like a cup of coffee or tea or another caffeinated beverage that can help you to be more alert and pay attention a little bit better. And things that you pay attention to better, you'll remember better.

[Mike Carruthers]

We're talking about how your memory works and my guest is Andrew Budson. He is a doctor and author of the book why We Forget and How to Remember the Science Behind Memory. Dell Technologies is celebrating with anniversary savings on their most popular tech. For a limited time only, save on select next gen PCs like the XPS 16, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors and more. Unleash more possibilities with cutting edge systems, our most advanced features and great prices. Plus curate your dream setup with deals on select monitors, mice and more. Must have electronics and accessories. When you shop [e-mail] deals you'll have access to state of the art technology to match your forward thinking spirit and free shipping on everything. Anniversary savings await you for a limited time [e-mail] deals that's dell.com deals. You know, we have had several experts on this podcast talk about the risks of being overweight and the heavier you are and the longer you remain that way, the more substantial the risks. But losing weight on your own, well that is so difficult and often unsuccessful. Hers is changing the weight loss game and making weight loss actually achievable. Hers offers a weight loss program with personalized solutions including compounded GLP1 weekly injections featuring the same active ingredient as Ozempic and Wegovy or oral medication kits all at one low cost with compounded GLP1 injections starting at $165 a month with a 12 month plan paid up front for new subscribers. Your initial online visit is free, so start right [e-mail] sysk that's F O R H E R S.com sysk for your personalized weight loss treatment options. Forhers.com sysk hers weight loss is not available everywhere. Compounded products are not FDA approved or verified for safety, effectiveness or quality. Prescription required restrictions apply. Wegovy and Ozempic are not compounded. Actual price depends on product and plan purchased. So Andrew, what about the supplements that you sometimes see advertised that are supposed to improve your memory or help a declining memory? What about those?

[Andrew Budson]

Most of those supplements do not work, particularly the ones that are advertised for memory loss. I can say fairly confidently that there's no supplement or herbal remedy that is advertised on TV or other media that has any proven efficacy for people who have memory loss. There are some supplements that have some type of stimulant in it. And as I just mentioned, you know, if, if you take a stimulant, whether it's in a supplement or in a cup of coffee, you know, that can be beneficial as long as it's not too high. Because just like if you drink too many cups of coffee and you, you are sort of hyperactive and you can't pay attention to anything. The same thing can happen if you took too much of any stimulant, including those sold in supplements.

[Mike Carruthers]

You mentioned at the beginning of our discussion that everybody's different, that some people remember some things better than other people. But there are also people who just say, oh, my memory's not very good, I just can't remember things. Is that a thing? And what is that thing?

[Andrew Budson]

I really think the more that I talk with people, you know, I speak with a lot of people about memory and sometimes people say, oh, my memory's terrible, I can't remember anything. And then I'll say, well, you know, what do you do for a living? Oh, well, I'm a mechanic. You know, I fix cars. And I'm like, well, do you remember like all the different parts of the cars? And you know, what goes in a 57 Chevy versus, you know, a 2002 Toyota? I was like, oh, well that stuff's easy, that's not hard. And it's like, ah, I see. So you're able to remember the things that are important to you. And that's a pattern that we really do see. You know, for me, for example, it's Very easy for me to listen to a patient tell an entire, say, 30 minute story of all the different problems that they have related to their thinking and memory. And I can remember it, you know, with very high fidelity and write that in my note with no problem. And the medical students, you know, that I work with, you know, their jaws drop on the floor. They don't see how I could remember all that information. But it's because it's information that's important that I'm used to acquiring, that I put in a framework. So it's not difficult for me. One example that was studied in the scientific literature are chess masters. And chess masters can generally glance at a chessboard and be able to remember, you know, exactly where all the pieces were on the board. But if you took those chess pieces and put them in a random assignment that could not have occurred throughout the playing of a game, then those chess masters are not as good as anybody else at remembering where they are. So it all has to do with sort of fitting into context. But I did want to comment on your remembering those numbers from long ago. We all are particularly good at retaining pieces of information that we learned as young adults. And this is something that's a little bit mysterious. People don't really know why there's this sort of privileged period of young adulthood that we tend to remember all the songs and our friends and the phone numbers and what we were doing during that period of our life more than any other. But that is an interesting little fact.

[Mike Carruthers]

What about when people. Because when I think of memory, I think of pictures. I remember seeing this, I remember the words to this song. But there's also memories of smell and sounds. And are those really memories in the same way or not?

[Andrew Budson]

I love the examples that you used because it has been studied what is the strongest form of memory? And for the vast majority of people, even people who might say, oh, I'm an auditory learner, people remember pictures better than they remember any other material. And I think this is biological. We as human beings are visual animals, and this is our strongest sense. And this strong visual memory goes beyond individual preferences. But having said that, these other sensations like hearing and smelling are also very powerful. Memory cues and smells and tastes can also be highly linked to memory. And there's sort of an interesting little story there, which is that our memory system for events of our life, for episodes of our life, we feel actually evolved with our sense of smell. And this is one reason that senses of smell can trigger particularly powerful memories.

[Mike Carruthers]

Well, that's so true that I Think everybody's had that experience of smelling something that instantly transports you back somewhere. It isn't the smell itself so much, but what it triggers. And so it's just that the smell is linked to the memory, and it's just kind of the doorway into it.

[Andrew Budson]

And I love the way you. You use that metaphor of a doorway. That's the way I think about all these different memory cues. Whether it's, you know, going back to the same house that you perhaps grew up in or had other strong association with, or you're looking at a picture, perhaps of a face of someone you know, or you're hearing a song that you haven't heard for a long time. Those do act as doors. And all of a sudden you find yourself transported back and you can step into that prior world.

[Mike Carruthers]

Something I have found interesting that happened to me is when you go back to a place that you haven't been in a while. Like you go back to your high school and you walk through the door, all of a sudden you start to remember things that you haven't thought of since you were in high school. You remember people, you remember where the cafeteria is. You remember all these things. What is that? Where were those memories? Do we ever forget anything?

[Andrew Budson]

That's a great question. And the answer is that your example shows that we have so many more memories than we're able to access at a particular instant of time. And the only way that we may be able to access some of those are to have the right key to fit in the lock and open the door to continue this metaphor of the right cues opening doors. So on the one hand, there are a lot of memories that we have that we just have to find the right cue to retrieve. But having said that, even though there absolutely are memories that you did not know were there, it's not anywhere close to remembering everything. Most of the time, we really are just remembering a few things, A few of the things that are important.

[Mike Carruthers]

If you want to purposefully remember something, is there a best practice? Is there a best way to remember? Whether you're studying for a test or whether you just. You want to remember something, is there a good way to do it, or is everybody different?

[Andrew Budson]

There are good ways to do it. There are four F O U R things that you should do to remember things for a long time. First is the F, which is you should focus your attention on whatever it is you want to remember. The O is organize. You want to organize whatever it is that you're trying to remember in a logical, coherent way. The U is understand what it is that you want to remember. So especially for all those students out there, you want to make sure that you really understand it. But even if it's an event that you're experiencing, make sure you understand the implications and what's going on. And the R in the four is to relate this new information that you're learning to things that you already know or care about.

[Mike Carruthers]

And you do that, for example, by doing what?

[Andrew Budson]

For example, if you're studying for a test, you want to try to, you know, focus your effort on it. You want to, for example, don't just read the textbook, but copy down key points and organize it in a way that that makes sense. You want to make sure that all the material that you're studying that you really understand what it means. And then you want to relate it to things that you may have learned in other courses or other parts of your life. You know, that would be well, this is great.

[Mike Carruthers]

This it's kind of like a user's manual for using your memory, and I appreciate you sharing it. Andrew Budson has been my guest. He is a medical doctor. He is chief of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology and associate Chief of Staff for Education at the VA Boston Healthcare System. He's a professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine, and the name of his book is why We Forget and How to Remember the Science Behind Memory. And there's a link to that book in the show notes. Thanks, Andrew. This was great.

[Andrew Budson]

Thanks, Mike.

[Realm Advertiser]

As a podcast network, our first priority has always been audio and the stories we're able to share with you. But at Realm, we also sell some pretty cool merch and organizing that was made both possible and easy with Shopify. When you think about successful businesses like Aloe or Allbirds or Skims, an often overlooked secret is the business behind the business that makes selling and for shoppers buying simple. For millions of businesses, that business is Shopify. That's because nobody does selling better than Shopify. It's the home of the number one checkout on the planet. And the not so secret secret that's definitely worth talking about is that shop pay boosts conversions up to 50%. That's more happy customers and way more sales going. If you're hoping to grow your business, your commerce platform better be ready to sell. Sell wherever your customers are scrolling or strolling on the web, in your store, in their feed, and everywhere in between. Businesses that sell more sell on Shopify, upgrade your business and get the same checkout we use with Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com realm all lowercase go to shopify.com realm to upgrade your selling today. Shopify.com/realm I can say to my new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra hey, find a keto friendly restaurant nearby and text it to Beth and Steve.

[Mike Carruthers]

And it does without me lifting a.

[Dan Levitt]

Finger so I can get in more.

[Realm Advertiser]

Squats anywhere I can. 1, 2, 3.

[Mike Carruthers]

Will that be cash or credit?

[Kristen Russo]

Credit.

[Dan Levitt]

4 Galaxy S20 the AI companion that does the heavy lifting so you can do you get [e-mail] compatible with select apps. Requires Google Gemini account. Results may vary based on input. Check responses for accuracy.

[Mike Carruthers]

You are made up of atoms and molecules. So where did they come from? Think about it. Every one of us contains a billion times more atoms than all the grains of sand in the Earth's desert. If you weigh, say, 150 pounds, you've got enough carbon in you to make 25 pounds of charcoal. Enough salt to fill a salt shaker, enough chlorine to disinfect several backyard swimming pools. So how did all those atoms come together to make you you? That's what Dan Levitt set out to discover. Dan has been writing and producing award winning science and history documentaries for National Geographic, Discover Science, and the History Channel. And he's author of a book called what's Gotten into you? The Story of youf Body's Atoms from.

[Indeed Advertiser]

The Big Bang Through Last Night's Dinner.

[Mike Carruthers]

Hey dad, welcome to Something youg Should Know.

[Dan Levitt]

Thanks so much, Mike. I'm so honored to be here.

[Mike Carruthers]

So I'm sure we'll get into the.

[Indeed Advertiser]

Interesting details, but in a nutshell, where do my atoms originate? Where did I come from?

[Dan Levitt]

All of the atoms in your body started at the very beginning of time, 13.8 billion years ago. We had the Big Bang. Protons, electrons, and ultimately neutrons came out of that. They formed all of the atoms within your body. But there was a long epic journey from there to here. Obviously they went through the sun where new elements were created. They were in a huge molecular cloud and unbelievable collisions that created our solar system and Earth. They were in the Earth when the or when, when life formed. And ultimately through plants colonizing the continents and evolution, they found our way to us. So it's a very, it's an unbelievably epic story.

[Mike Carruthers]

But so how do those atoms get to be part of me? I mean, so they were created 13.8 billion years ago and they must have been laying around somewhere or floating. Floating around somewhere how do they become me?

[Dan Levitt]

What we're made of is almost exclusively stuff that's made from plants. All of the molecules that we're made of came from plants through actually, 80% of your mass came from the air, from carbon dioxide in the air that plants transformed with sunlight and water into sugar. Another 10% of your mass came from hydrogen, which also photosynthesis turned into sugar. Plants then created not only the sugars, but they extracted minerals from the earth, and together they created the carbohydrates, the proteins, the vitamins that are in us. So we really. If plants were not here and photosynthesizing organisms would not be here, we would not be here.

[Mike Carruthers]

And so how long have we pretty much known this? How long have we had this story nailed? Is this new? We've known this for years. Where are we?

[Dan Levitt]

Different pieces of it have been discovered at various times. Some were discovered in the 1700s, when we first discovered that there was such a thing as photosynthesis. How the molecules in our body that came from the Big bang create life within our cells. That's something that we've been discovering from the 1950s through the 1970s. So different parts of the story have come to the fore at different times.

[Mike Carruthers]

And we hear that we regenerate ourselves frequently, that we're. That we're not physically the same person we were, you know, 10 years ago. How does that work?

[Dan Levitt]

98% of the cells in our body are. Are reintroduced every 10 years, which is kind of wild because it's more. We're less like a person and more like a flame, right? Where the molecules are constantly cycling in and out. When you break it down, though, it makes a certain amount of sense. Over 50% of us is water, right? Of course, we're drinking water and excreting water all the time. We're constantly replacing the cells in our body. In fact, like intestinal cells, we replace them in the stomach, living every couple days and red blood cells every couple months. And then we're constantly. Also within ourselves, we're constantly not just repairing mechanisms, but we're also breaking down organelles and other structures within the cells and creating new ones. Just because there's we there, there's going to be damage to them. And so we're constantly regenerating the systems within our body. And so, in a sense, right, we are. We are not the same person that we were 10 years ago or however long ago. And yet, in another sense, of course, we still are.

[Mike Carruthers]

Which makes you wonder if we regenerate all these cells on a regular Basis. Why do we die? Because you would think we'd be a new person.

[Dan Levitt]

We die because ultimately you can repair a car for a certain amount of time, but ultimately things are going to go wrong that really can't be repaired. In our case, one of the reasons is cancer is genetic mutations that build up. And although our cells have incredible, incredible mechanisms for fixing mutations, there are some that they can't fix. And sometimes cells become cancerous and they replicate nonstop. That's what cancer is. So that's not, of course, the only reason that we die. Other things in our body break down, but ultimately we're not able to regenerate all of the cells in our body that could be damaged forever. There are limits.

[Mike Carruthers]

You say that we take about 20,000 breaths a day, talk about that and what goes on there.

[Dan Levitt]

We are completely, of course, dependent on oxygen because our energy comes from taking the energy that's stored in sugars and combining it with the oxygen to liberate energy. That's what the mitochondria in our cells too, we have. Your average cell contains about 2,000 mitochondria. And their job, among others, is to produce energy. But they can't do it without oxygen. So that's why we have, we consume about two thirds of a pint of oxygen a day. That oxygen goes into our body. The hemoglobin distributes it throughout the body to all the cells within our body. And that oxygen is what allows ourselves to create energy. Without it, we wouldn't be here.

[Mike Carruthers]

Isn't that amazing? That's how it works. And yet it all kind of goes on under the radar. We don't think about that, but, but there it is. And without that, we wouldn't be here.

[Dan Levitt]

The thing that I think is especially incredible is that we are here because of oxygen that was created by life. When the Earth first formed billions of years ago, there was no oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere. The only reason we have oxygen is because single celled organisms, bacteria, came along. They learned how to photosynthesize, and as a result of photosynthesis, they began putting oxygen into the atmosphere. So at the beginning of Earth, of Earth's history, there was nothing. Now we have 21% oxygen. And it was only after life put oxygen into the atmosphere that other kinds of cells could evolve and structures within cells could evolve that could take that oxygen and create energy more efficiently. So the interesting thing is, without that oxygen in the atmosphere, Earth still would have had lots of bacteria. But the, the more complex cells that animals and plants are made of that we're made of, those would not have evolved. And that all depends on the presence of oxygen from the, some of the first organisms on the planet.

[Mike Carruthers]

It makes you wonder if elsewhere in the universe that this same set of circumstances exists, or does life exist in a different way? And are there things that in outer space that we don't even know about that. Well, like when they went to the moon, there was concern about like, what are they going to bring back from the moon that might contaminate the world kind of thing. Thing.

[Dan Levitt]

There's a lot of speculation that there could be all kinds of other kinds of life in distant worlds that we can't even conceive of. But there are also scientists who think that oxygen is uniquely the molecule that can release enough energy to create more complex cells. So there are quite a number of scientists who think that if we find a distant planet somewhere out in the universe that has life, it may have single celled organisms, but it probably won't have active intelligent organisms unless there's some form of photosynthesis there that also put oxygen in the atmosphere and allowed those organisms to create energy much more efficiently. And that's why the, the astrobiologist David Catling said to me, he said if the old science fiction movies were right, that if aliens ever came to Earth, they'd feel right at home because they'd step out and they could breathe in the oxygen.

[Mike Carruthers]

Yeah, well, but there have been, there have been science fiction movies about, you know, aliens that can't breathe oxygen and that oxygen is poisonous to them, which seems odd, but.

[Dan Levitt]

Right, but his belief and others is that we are made of eukaryotic cells, which are more complex than single celled organisms, and they depend for their energy on, on mitochondria, which take oxygen from the air and liberate energy from sugars. And, and he and others believe that uniquely, oxygen is probably the only molecule in the universe that can do that, and therefore that if we have large active creatures that are intelligent like us, his belief is that they will depend on oxygen, not on something else for their energy.

[Mike Carruthers]

When you look back at the 13 billion years of our scientific history, what are some of the highlights of that journey from the origins of it to now?

[Dan Levitt]

Well, one of them, of course, was just the discovery that there was an origin. In the 1920s, we thought that the universe was static. It took a Catholic priest of all people to convince Albert Einstein of the implications of his own theory was that there was a, that there was a theory that we now know of as the big Bang. That there was an origin to the universe. Einstein didn't want to believe it because it smacked too much of, of religion, right, that, you know, of, of the Bible, which says that God created the world from light. And so that was the start of a huge, huge, obviously change in our understanding of who we are and how we got here. When you look at images from the James Webb telescope and we look for distant worlds and look back into the ancient, look for ancient stars that all came from Lemaitre and Einstein's theory of.

[Mike Carruthers]

The Big Bang and what other, I don't know, events or moments in time or people change the way that we looked at the world and who we are and all of that.

[Dan Levitt]

One of the most interesting stories is of a wonderful scientist by the name of Lynn Margulis, who was an unbelievable rebel who was long derided as being a bit of a kook, but really changed the way we think about how complex life on Earth evolved. She came up with a theory that the only reason why we have mitochondria in our cells is because one time, way far back, there was one cell that ate a bacteria. And the union was the kind of complex cells that we are made of. And for years she was ridiculed for that. Her, her theory essentially was that there were bacteria that became very good at using oxygen to create energy from sugar. One day, one single cell, a larger, a different type of cell, ate that bacteria. But instead of digesting it, right, they came to an accommodation and that that bacteria, ultimately, its descendants evolved into the mitochondria in our body. In fact, you know, we have like an average of 2000 mitochondria in our cells. And if you were to lay out flat all the mitochondria in your body, they would cover two basketball courts. So this was considered a kooky, completely kooky theory because it just seemed weird. Absolutely strange. And why would evolution do such a weird thing? So Margulis was really out in the wilderness for years and years, but she was lucky because in the 1970s, the technology came along to analyze DNA. And when scientists analyzed the DNA of some particular bacteria and some DNA that was discovered in our mitochondria in our cells, they found they actually were related. And she was right. It's really an amazing, inspirational story. In fact, one of the interesting things about Mark Gulas is that she really changed the way we look at ourselves, in a sense, because she liked to say that we're really just overgrown colonies of single celled organisms. You have in your body 30 trillion cells. Much of the basic biochemistry in those cells was invented by bacteria and single cell organisms. Margulis liked to say that we're just overgrown colonies. Other people might say we're actually just germs.

[Mike Carruthers]

Yeah, but doesn't it seem though, that an awful lot of these coincidences had to have happened for us to be here? That makes you wonder if there was some design here, because it just seems like so many little things had to have happened just so perfectly, otherwise we wouldn't be here.

[Dan Levitt]

Sometimes when I look at all the incredible things that could have happened to create the circumstances for us to be here, I think it's so unlikely. But at other times, I think because of the way the universe was structured from the beginning, for who knows and who knows why, it was almost inevitable. We had the Big Bang. We had electrons and protons and neutrons. They formed hydrogen. The hydrogen formed stars. The stars, because of the way the nuclear particles, energies worked out, they formed the elements that were made of those elements created clouds, that created solar systems and planets. And along the way, there are so many unlikely things that happened. But at the same time, there are organic molecules throughout the entire universe. The universe is like, littered with organic molecules. So it's really hard to say, given how huge the universe is, whether it's really completely unlucky and we are one of a kind, or whether there's life in many other places and even intelligent life in many other places.

[Mike Carruthers]

So as somebody who's researched this and looked pretty deep at who we are, what we're made of, where we came from, what's the big takeaway that you get from all of this?

[Dan Levitt]

One of the things that I've come to realize is how unbelievably complex single celled organisms are. And our bodies are made of 30 trillion cells. Each one of those cells is made of 100 trillion atoms. You know, if each atom was the thick, with the width of a dollar bill, that would extend to the moon and back 27 times. We are incredibly complex creatures. And so now there's a strange way in which when I look around at people, sometimes I think, wow, you are unbelievably complex and amazing. And that really fills me with a bit of gratitude and it fills me with awe to see not just that we're here and how lucky we are, but how much we share together.

[Mike Carruthers]

Well, this has been really enlightening and it gives new perspective to what your mother used to tell you about how wonderful and awesome and unique and special you are. Well, I guess we all are. I've been talking to Dan Levitt. Dan has been writing and producing award winning science and history documentaries for quite some time and he's got a book out called what's Gotten into youo? The Story of youf Body's Atoms from the Big Bang Through Last Night's Dinner. And if you'd like to buy it, there's a link to the book in the show notes. Thanks for coming on, Dan.

[Dan Levitt]

Thank you so much. I so appreciate it. This was fun.

[Mike Carruthers]

I'm sure you know how important it is to make a good first impression and you don't have much time to do it. People get a good sense of you in about seven seconds. According to Yale University psychology professor Marianne LaFrance, 90% of a first impression is based on appearance, posture, facial expressions and tone of voice. And there are a few things to consider to make the most of those seven seconds. Like it or not, when you meet someone new, your hairstyle will get noticed more than your facial features. Long hair says my looks are important to me, short hair says I'm confident and successful, and shoulder length hair says I'm intelligent and level headed. Your handshake certainly matters. People who make eye contact while offering a handshake that is firm, dry and vigorous makes people believe you possess the qualities associated with your grip. For women, your instinct about other women are more accurate than your instincts about men. That's because women are programmed to want to make a connection with a man and that chemistry throws off their radar, according to professor lafrance. And try not to be too self focused during those first seven seconds. How good you make the other person feel is another big factor in making a good first impression. And that is something you should know. As always, I'd like to remind you that your help in growing our audience is greatly appreciated. So if you would spread the word and share this podcast with someone you know, that'd be great. I'm Mike Carruthers. Thanks for listening today to something you should know.

[Kristen Russo]

Hello, I am Kristen Russo. And I am Jenny Owen Youngs. We are the hosts of Buffering the Vampire Slayer. Once more with spoilers. A rewatch podcast covering all 144 episodes of, you guessed it, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. We are here to humbly invite you to join us for our fifth Buffy Prom, which, if you can believe it, we are hosting at the actual Sunnydale High School. That's right. On April 4th and 5th, we will be descending upon the campus of Torrance High School, which was the filming location for Buffy's Sunnydale High to dance the night away to 90s music in the iconic courtyard, to sip on punch right next to the Sunnydale High fountain, and to nerd out together in our prom best inside of the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. All information and tickets can be [e-mail] prom come join us.

[Mike Carruthers]

A while back we had Ramit Sethi on as a guest and he's one of the smartest people you'll ever know when it comes to everyday money matters, and he was here talking about money and couples. As it turns out, he has his own podcast called Money for Couples, which if you're part of a couple, then I highly recommend you listen to this podcast because when you do, instead of fighting about money, you and your partner will discover how to start building a rich life together. Money for Couples is a podcast full of real life actionable advice like how to pay off your debt and still enjoy your life, how to build a shared financial vision, how to spend extravagantly on what you love and cut back on what you don't, and you'll learn from real world stories of couples facing the same money challenges as you. All of the episodes are helpful, but if I had to pick one or two, there's one called we make $300,000 a year but spend like we make a million. That's a situation I think a lot of people can relate to. And another is called We've Saved for Retirement but have no Money to Spend Now. Money for Couples is the name of the podcast hosted by Ramit Sethi, and all you have to do is search for Money for Couples wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.