Foodie Pharmacology Podcast

Could centuries of traditional plant knowledge help scientists discover the next generation of medicines for the brain? In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave speaks with chemist and neuroscientist Dr. Jacob Hooker, co-founder and CEO of Sensorium Therapeutics, about a new approach to finding treatments for anxiety and other neurological and psychiatric conditions.

Dr. Hooker explains how Sensorium combines ethnobotanical records, chemical data, medicinal chemistry, and artificial intelligence in a vast computational knowledge graph. By mapping relationships among plants, molecules, human experiences, and biological activity, researchers can uncover patterns and prioritize promising natural products for investigation. The conversation also explores why so many medicines affecting the brain have roots in nature and why psychoactive compounds need not be psychedelic or hallucinogenic.

They examine Cobenfy, a recently approved schizophrenia treatment with roots in the chemistry of the betel nut palm, as an example of how plants can reveal unexpected therapeutic mechanisms. Drs. Hooker and Quave also discuss why natural molecules often require modification to improve their safety, dosing, and selectivity before becoming medicines. Sensorium is applying this “motifs to medicines” strategy to investigational programs for anxiety, drug-resistant epilepsy, and cognition, with its lead anxiety candidate now in early-stage clinical testing.

Learn more about Sensorium Therapeutics at https://www.sensorium.bio/.

Read Dr. Hooker’s essays and interviews on neuroscience, psychiatry, and the care of the mind at https://aetherinmind.substack.com/.

Follow Dr. Hooker on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-hooker-91341112/ and on X at @jmhooker.

#FoodiePharmacology #Ethnobotany #NaturalProducts #DrugDiscovery #Neuroscience #MentalHealth #AnxietyResearch #MedicinalPlants #AI #ChemicalBiology #Neuropharmacology

What if some of the most important foundations for lifelong health are established before a child’s second birthday? In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, Dr. Cassandra Quave speaks with Yale-trained gastroenterologist and microbiome specialist Dr. Savita Srivastava about how the gut microbiome develops during the first 1,000 days of life.

They explore how birth, skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, antibiotics, environmental exposures, and the introduction of solid foods help shape a baby’s developing microbial community. Dr. Srivastava explains the differences among probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics; why metabolites such as butyrate matter for the gut barrier and immune system; and what scientists are learning about connections between early microbial development and allergies, eczema, autoimmune conditions, metabolism, and brain health.

The conversation also examines vaginal seeding, the limits of probiotic supplements, and practical ways families can support microbial diversity through fiber-rich foods, fermented foods, and a varied diet. Most importantly, Dr. Srivastava offers reassurance: there is no single perfect formula for building a healthy microbiome, and parents have many opportunities to support their children’s health as they grow.

Learn more about Dr. Srivastava and her book and work at https://www.doctorsavita.com/.

Follow Dr. Srivastava on Instagram and Facebook: @gutdoctorsavita

#FoodiePharmacology #GutMicrobiome #GutHealth #Breastfeeding #FermentedFoods #ChildNutrition

We’d once again like to thank Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated for their sponsorship of this episode.

What if a single tick bite could change the way you eat forever? In this episode, I sit down with allergy expert Gary Falcetano to explore alpha-gal syndrome, a strange and increasingly recognized condition triggered by tick bites that can lead to delayed allergic reactions to red meat and other mammalian products. We unpack the science behind this unusual immune response, why symptoms can emerge hours after eating, and why many cases go undiagnosed for years. From hidden sources of alpha-gal in foods and medications to the growing spread of tick species linked to the condition, this conversation reveals how a tiny bite can have surprisingly large consequences. We also share practical tips for prevention, diagnosis, and staying safe outdoors, whether you’re hiking in your backyard or heading out on your next adventure.

This Foodie Pharmacology podcast episode is part of a special two-part series sponsored by Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporated. The views and opinions in this podcast are those of the presenters and represent the synthesis of the science.

Did you know that one of the most important organs shaping lifelong health is only temporary? In this episode of Foodie Pharmacology, I sit down with developmental biologist Dr. Cheryl Rosenfeld to explore the fascinating science of the placenta and its role as the communication hub between mother and developing baby. We discuss the emerging concept of the placenta-brain axis and discuss how maternal diet, the gut microbiome, environmental exposures, and even tiny molecular signals can influence fetal development long before birth. From serotonin and the microbiome to probiotics, inflammation, and the hidden impacts of modern life, this conversation reveals how the earliest environment we experience may shape health outcomes for years to come.

Journey to Brazil to uncover the hidden roots of Candomblé, an Afro-Brazilian spiritual tradition shaped by African plant knowledge, resilience, and cultural memory. In this episode, I speak with ethnobotanist Dr. Bob Voeks to explore how enslaved Africans preserved sacred healing traditions and foodways across the Atlantic, transforming plants into powerful symbols of identity and survival. From spiritual cleansing rituals with sacred leaves to the fascinating story of caruru, a revered okra dish tied to twin deities, we trace the remarkable journey of African plants through the diaspora. Along the way, we uncover surprising connections linking Candomblé, callaloo, and even Southern gumbo, revealing how food can carry history, spirituality, and culture across continents and generations.  #Okra #Gumbo #Acarajé #DiasporaFood #AfricanCuisine #BlackEyedPeas