Using Existing Drugs in New Ways to Treat & Cure Diseases of Brain & Body | Dr. David Fajgenbaum
Andrew Huberman interviews physician-scientist Dr. David Fagenbaum about how many existing FDA-approved drugs can be repurposed to effectively treat diseases beyond their original indications. Drawing on his near-fatal battle with Castleman disease and the work of his nonprofit Every Cure, Fagenbaum explains systemic blind spots in medicine, gives concrete examples of successful drug repurposing, and outlines how patients can better advocate for themselves and navigate disease-specific networks. They also discuss the role of AI in mapping drug-disease relationships at scale, the neuroscience of hope and tenacity, and how Fagenbaum's personal story shapes his mission to ensure that no one misses out on a helpful drug that already exists.
Essentials: Using Your Nervous System to Enhance Your Immune System
Andrew Huberman explains how the immune system works, outlining the three main defense layers: physical barriers like skin and mucus, the innate immune response, and the adaptive immune system that generates antibodies. He describes how sickness behavior arises via neural and blood-borne signals, then details specific nervous-system-based tools-sleep posture, a cyclic hyperventilation breathing protocol, mindset effects on dopamine, fascia-targeted electroacupuncture, and spirulina-that can reduce inflammation, support immune function, and potentially shorten illness duration.