Aging is best explained by declining mitochondrial function over time. This answers its own “why.” Mitochondria produce the energy needed for repair so if any of it gets lost it sets up a vicious cycle. And some *always* gets lost. But how much is under your control.

It makes me happy to hear about mitochondria on Joe Rogan. Next guest should be @MitoPsychoBio

The word he was looking for was entropy — the inefficiency that builds up in our energy systems over time. Entropy is the cost of being alive: every heartbeat, breath, and thought requires us to spend energy not just on living, but on resisting decay. As entropy accumulates, more and more of our energy is diverted toward managing that decay instead of thriving and that’s aging: read here:

What's your take on Morley Robbins and copper iron imbalance for this

Ah, but what accounts for declining mitochondrial function over time? Aging?

It’s a vicious cycle initiated by the second law of thermodynamics which requires a constant input of energy to prevent the collapse of order. Hence, there will always be slippage, but how much slippage depends on genetics, environment, and behavior, and all slippage leads to loss of mitochondrial repair, which itself directly causes the loss of repair capacity as it weakens the defense against the imperative of the second law of thermodynamics.

At what point in our development is mitochondrial function generally optimal? Is it all downhill from birth or do we follow some specie of bell-shaped curve where optimal functionality occurs at, say, age 25?

Damage starts before birth but the process of development generally overwhelms it so most functions generally are in net decline after mature adulthood is set in.

So much context and nuance is missing. In what tissue/cell type????? What "function"? Functional changes may be well explained by changes in *content*. Since blood cells are critical here, there's not a decline with age @Madam_Mito

Aging is a multifactorial process.

Who knew? Knowing the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell would be so important! (We did)

Methlyline blue and everything that heals mitohondiria is the way to go, although blue doea not actualy heals it but it does make them work again...

Hi Chris, excellent episode. Thoughts on Yoga? Vigorous, inversions, proprioception, vestibular challenge, strength, power, does it all IMHO

Isolated artificial light Especially short wavelength

“Every stress leaves an indelible scar, and the organism pays for its survival after a stressful situation by becoming a little older” - Hans Selye

Can you test your mitochondrial function?

This is another reason to look into red and near infrared light therapy. It helps remove nitrous oxide (caused by inflammation and infection) from the CCO enzyme so that oxygen can bond and help power your mitochondria.

So I did an extra set of squats and my mitochondria were forever damaged a little ? I don’t t think that’s how it works

Then ppl with lots of mitochondrial biogenesis eg from exercise should live forever. But they don’t

you’re currently making my mitochondria dysfunction

yeah. but turtle live longer. low atp productin rules

Didn't articulate the idea clearly

When your only tool is a hammer...

"By the time you are 70...you have half the energy..." No. Come on, why should I believe you and believe this is true?

How do you optimize mitochondrial health?

Do you have sentiments towards the free radical theory of aging?

Great convo!!

Dr. Michael Levin might say that if you rely solely on fixing mitochondria, you're using "low agency tools" (like a wrench on a clock). Instead, we should communicate with the cellular collective to "remind" it of its morphogenetic goals. If you successfully "persuade" the cells that they are young (as seen in Anthrobots), they may naturally engage their own mechanisms to repair the mitochondria and break the vicious cycle themselves.

An Oldie-But-Goodie:

super open secret: what power does the power plant need? Ergothioneine :)

100%

Only partly ..we are information ..ur answer was correct about 2nd law of Thermo ..but Information entropy (Shannon) is a different lower level of abstraction that explains aging and disease.

I found it a great podcast you did. Bit sad that it was only around 2 hours.

So-called persistent organic pollutants (POPs) accumulate in our bodies over time, and they damage mitochondria. This is one of the most important mechanisms of ageing.

The vicious cycle framing is accurate but incomplete: aging isn't just mitochondrial quantity decline—it's quality control failure. Mitophagy (selective mitochondrial autophagy) becomes less efficient, allowing dysfunctional mitochondria to persist and outcompete healthy ones. The intervention point isn't just 'produce more energy' but 'maintain clearance systems that remove defective units.' Fasting, exercise, and NAD+ precursors work through mitophagy upregulation, not just ATP boost.

Just read @ yungkingmito work he’s the GOAT