#355 – Skincare strategies, the science of facial aging, and cosmetic-intervention guidance | Tanuj Nakra, M.D. & Suzan Obagi, M.D.
Release Date: 06/30/2025
#380 ‒ The seed oil debate: are they uniquely harmful relative to other dietary fats? | Layne Norton, Ph.D.
The Peter Attia Drive
Layne Norton is a nutrition scientist and accomplished power athlete,who returns to The Drive for a conversation that departs from the show’s usual format. In this episode, Layne presents the evidence-based case that seed oils are not uniquely harmful under isocaloric conditions, while Peter steelmans the strongest versions of the opposing argument that seed oils are inherently harmful. They examine how scientific bias and evidence are evaluated, revisit the historical randomized controlled trials that shaped the seed oil controversy, and explore the mechanistic biology underlying LDL...
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#379 - AMA #79: A guide to cardiorespiratory training at any fitness level to improve healthspan, lifespan, and long-term independence
The Peter Attia Drive
In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter brings together his most up-to-date thinking on cardiorespiratory fitness into a single, practical guide designed to help listeners structure training for maximal impact on healthspan, lifespan, and long-term independence. He explains why cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the strongest modifiable predictors of longevity, clarifies what zone 2 training actually represents and how it differs from higher-intensity work, and addresses persistent confusion around exercise volume, intensity, and time constraints. The discussion covers how to...
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#378 ‒ Women’s health and performance: how training, nutrition, and hormones interact across life stages | Abbie Smith-Ryan, Ph.D.
The Peter Attia Drive
Abbie Smith-Ryan is a leading researcher in exercise physiology whose work focuses on how training and nutrition influence body composition, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and women’s health across the lifespan, with particular attention on perimenopause and post-menopause. In this episode, Abbie explains how early exercise and play help build the foundation for bone health, muscle development, and cardiorespiratory fitness in girls, as well as how puberty and menstruation shape athletic performance, motivation, and recovery. She also explores how women can tailor training and...
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Building & Changing Habits | James Clear (#183 rebroadcast)
The Peter Attia Drive
James Clear is the author of the New York Times bestseller Atomic Habits. His extensive research into human behavior has helped him identify key components of habit formation and develop the “Four Laws of Behavioral Change.” In this episode, James provides insights into how both good and bad habits are formed, including the influence of genetics, environment, social circles, and more. He points to changes one can make to cultivate more perseverance and discipline and describes the profound impact habits can have when tying them into one’s self-identity. Finally, James breaks down his...
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#377 ‒ Special episode: Understanding true happiness and the tools to cultivate a meaningful life—insights from past interviews with Arthur Brooks
The Peter Attia Drive
In this special episode of The Drive, Peter presents a curated “best of” conversation with bestselling author and previous guest Arthur Brooks, organized around four core themes: happiness itself, the forces that undermine it, the tools and practices that help cultivate it, and the courage required to live and love well. The episode brings together the most meaningful moments from two past interviews into a single, focused discussion that distills Brooks’ most insightful ideas and offers practical takeaways for building a life that's both successful and deeply happy. We discuss: ...
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#376 - AMA #78: Longevity interventions, exercise, diagnostic screening, and managing high apoB, hypertension, metabolic health, and more
The Peter Attia Drive
In this “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) episode, Peter tackles a wide-ranging set of listener questions spanning lifespan interventions, exercise, cardiovascular risk reduction, time-restricted eating, blood pressure management, hormone therapy, diagnostics, and more. Peter reveals the single most important lever for extending healthspan and lifespan, and explains how he motivates midlife patients using the Centenarian Decathlon framework. He discusses the importance of addressing high apoB and cholesterol even in metabolically healthy individuals with calcium scores of zero, how to manage high...
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#375 - Ketogenic diet, ketosis & hyperbaric oxygen: metabolic therapies for weight loss, cognition, Alzheimer’s & more | Dom D’Agostino, Ph.D.
The Peter Attia Drive
Dom D'Agostino is a neuroscientist and professor at the forefront of metabolic therapies, including ketogenic diets, exogenous ketones, and hyperbaric oxygen. In this episode, Dom breaks down nutritional versus supplemental ketosis, defines meaningful ketone thresholds, and outlines practical ways to achieve ketosis. He explains how a ketogenic diet can support metabolic health and weight loss, and advises on how to maintain adequate protein and avoid common mistakes. Dom surveys the growing landscape of exogenous ketones—from salts and esters to 1,3-butanediol—and effective pairings...
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#374 - The evolutionary biology of testosterone: how it shapes male development and sex-based behavioral differences, | Carole Hooven, Ph.D.
The Peter Attia Drive
Carole Hooven is a human evolutionary biologist whose research centers on testosterone, sex differences, and behavior. In this episode, she explores how prenatal testosterone orchestrates male development in the body and brain, how early hormonal surges shape lifelong behavioral tendencies, and what rare natural experiments—such as 5-alpha-reductase deficiency—reveal about the biology of sex differentiation. She discusses distinct male and female aggression styles through an evolutionary lens, how modern environments interact with ancient competitive drives, and the implications of...
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The impact of gratitude, serving others, embracing mortality, and living intentionally | Walter Green (#288 rebroadcast)
The Peter Attia Drive
Walter Green is a remarkable philanthropist, mentor, author of This Is the Moment!, and founder of the impactful “Say It Now” movement. In this episode, Walter delves into the unique insights gained from his challenging upbringing, discusses embracing mortality, and highlights the mindset of “finishing strong.” He shares insights on intentionality, thinking in reverse, saying “no,” prioritizing relationships, and the essence of focusing on others. The conversation focuses on the “Say It Now” movement, which stresses the importance of expressing sentiments to loved ones well...
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#373 – Thyroid function and hypothyroidism: why current diagnosis and treatment fall short for many, and how new approaches are transforming care | Antonio Bianco, M.D., Ph.D.
The Peter Attia Drive
Antonio Bianco is a world-renowned physician-scientist and expert in thyroid physiology and metabolism. In this episode, Antonio explores the complex biology of thyroid hormone production, conversion, and regulation—highlighting how deiodinase enzymes modulate hormone activity at the tissue level and why that matters for interpreting lab results. He discusses the shortcomings of relying solely on TSH as a marker of thyroid function, the ongoing debate around combination therapy with T3 and T4 versus standard T4 treatment, and how genetics, tissue sensitivity, and individual variability...
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Tanuj Nakra and Suzan Obagi, two leading experts in aesthetic medicine, join Peter to explore the science of facial aging and skin health as well as the responsibilities physicians face in the world of cosmetic procedures. In this episode, they examine the biological and hormonal drivers of facial aging, the evolutionary and psychological foundations of attractiveness, and the impact of modern media on beauty standards. They discuss the rise in cosmetic procedures among adolescents and the ethical responsibilities of physicians in these cases. The conversation then shifts to a practical, evidence-based guide to skin health—covering the use of mineral sunscreens, retinoids, vitamin C, and tailored skincare routines, as well as the management of acne and the psychology behind aesthetic consultations. The episode culminates in a candid, personal assessment of Peter’s own face, offering a revealing look at what aesthetic medicine can achieve and how to think critically about pursuing it.
We discuss:
- Tanuj’s and Suzan’s training and expertise, and the evolving field of aesthetic medicine [4:00];
- The biology of the aging face [10:45];
- Why facial fat atrophies with age while body fat tends to accumulate [17:00];
- How chronic stress accelerates facial aging [20:30];
- The evolutionary biology of beauty, and how modern lifestyle, culture, and medicine interact with these ancient aesthetic instincts [25:30];
- How social media and influencers have rapidly shifted aesthetic trends toward exaggerated features and unrealistic beauty standards [36:45];
- The ethical challenges, financial incentives, and social pressures shaping modern aesthetic medicine [42:00];
- The concerning trend of teenagers seeking cosmetic enhancements: the ethical and cultural impact of early beauty pressure [51:45];
- Protecting the skin: UV damage and sunscreen recommendations [58:15];
- Strategies for minimizing skin aging: retinoids, vitamin C, and evidence-based application methods [1:09:00];
- Effective daily skincare routine: cleansing, antioxidants, retinoids, moisturization, and more [1:18:45];
- The playbook for managing acne [1:31:00];
- The 4 changes of aging and the complexities of aesthetic consultations including the anatomical, psychological, and ethical factors physicians must navigate [1:39:00];
- The 5 R’s of rejuvenation [1:50:15];
- A facial aging analysis and cosmetic strategy using Peter’s face as a real-time case study [1:53:00];
- The decision-making process between fat grafting and dermal fillers for facial rejuvenation [1:56:30];
- How self-image, eye aesthetics, and fleeting photos drive the desire for cosmetic enhancement [2:01:45];
- Advice for wrinkles, causes of dark circles under the eyes, and the importance of facial symmetry [2:05:45];
- Considerations that shape clinical decision making around fat grafting and other procedures to address the eye area [2:11:00];
- The evolution of facial cosmetic surgery techniques, the serious risks involved, and how physician skill and procedure selection greatly impact outcomes [2:21:30];
- How patients can make informed and safe choices when selecting a cosmetic surgeon [2:27:15];
- A comparison of ablative versus non-ablative skin resurfacing treatments, laser vs. peels, and more [2:38:45];
- How treatments are chosen and customized based on patient-specific factors [2:48:00];
- The lifelong human desire to align physical appearance with self-identity [2:52:45]; and
- More.
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