What's going on, everybody?

It's episode 517 of The Genius Life.

Let's go.

What up here? What up, everybody. Welcome back to The Genius Life. I'm your host, Max Lugavir. And this is a show where we don't just feed our brains. We give them friends. Today's guest is neuroscientist, Dr. Ben Ryan, author of Why Brains Need Friends. We dig into the loneliness

epidemic through a rigorous neurolens, what isolation actually does to your HPA axis and

inflammation, why oxytocin is more than just a love hormone, and how the depth of our relationships

changes the brain, literally. Ben introduces

a powerful idea, the social diet, so that you can calibrate connection like you do protein,

sleep and training. We also get practical how micro interactions like interacting with your local

coffee barista or your check-in at your gym acts like a social snack in a way. Why massages and even

pets can meaningfully move mood and biology? How introverts can raise the floor of their social

connections without burning out. And what the science says about virtual ties, parisocial relationships,

and whether AI companionship is better than nothing, or a slippery slope that blunts empathy. By the end, you'll have a toolkit to know how to do simple reps to build a healthier, more resilient brain without faking extroversion or having to live at parties. Listen all the way through to the end, you're not going to want to miss a beat. And as always, don't forget to share this episode with friends and loved ones who might benefit. And if you really want to help me out, don't worry. I won't ask you to help me move or drive me to the airport.

Please tap, follow, or subscribe and drop a quick rating and review on your podcast app of choice. It

really does help a ton. And if you want my very best research breakdowns, expert interviews,

and weekly health upgrades in your inbox every Friday, join my free

weekly newsletter at max lugavir.com slash newsletter. No spam ever and is loved by over 120,000

badasses. All right, with all that out of the way, let's rock and roll. Here's episode 517 with

the great Dr. Ben Ryan. Here we go. Dr. Ben

Ryan, welcome to the show. How are you doing? Great. Thanks so much for having me. It's pleasure to be here. Oh, it's great to have you. Our mutual friend Joe Zundell, who's a cancer biologist, he's spoken very highly of you. Our other mutual friend, Dr. Gabriel Lyon, said that You are just the goat when it comes to all things in neuroscience.

I was just on Dr. Jolene Brighton's podcast yesterday and the remnants of the Gabriel Lyon said that you are just the goat when it comes to all things neuroscience.

I was just on Dr. Jolene Brighton's podcast yesterday and the remnants of your presence were still to be felt in the room.

...