Matias and Greg interview Ying-Hui Fu, PhD, is a Professor of Neurology at UCSF and a world leader in the genetics of sleep. Her lab has discovered the first-known genes behind “natural short sleepers”. Her work bridges human genetics and neuroscience to uncover how to modulate sleep for brain health, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this episode, we discuss: How some people thrive on 4–6 hours of sleep with rare genetic mutations Why sleep efficiency is more important than total hours ...
Jun 26, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Matias and Greg interview Justin Mares, co-founder of TrueMed and Kettle & Fire on current US healthcare and how startups have the opportunity to change the system. In this episode, we discuss: How the US system profits from chronic illness Fixing the food system, environmental toxins, pharma incentives & more Opportunities for founders building in brain and body health. Contrarian ideas Justin is investing in today Credits : Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky Host: Matias Sere...
Apr 17, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Matias and Greg sit down with Brooks Leitner, the newest venture partner at PsyMed Ventures, to explore the future of brain and mental health investing. Brooks, an MD/PhD with deep experience from Yale and the NIH, shares his insights on how a human-first approach is reshaping neuroscience innovation and venture investing. In this episode, we discuss: Broadening the Thesis: Evolving from a psychedelics-only focus to a comprehensive neuro investment strategy. Human-First Research: Shifting from a...
Feb 25, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Matias and Greg interview Dr. Nir Grossman, one of the world’s leading researchers in neurotechnology. Nir is a lecturer in the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and a founding fellow of the UK Dementia Research Institute. In this episode, we discuss: What is temporal interference (TI), a non-invasive stimulation method A comparison of TI with deep brain stimulation (DBS) How physics plays a crucial role in neuroscience innovation Translating TI academic research to clinica...
Jan 30, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Greg and Matias interview Dr. James Adams, professor and autism researcher at Arizona State University and President of Gut-Brain-Axis Therapeutics, on groundbreaking research in autism. In this episode, we discuss: The latest advancements in microbiome therapy for autism How the gut-brain axis is shaping new therapeutic approaches The role of nutritional interventions in supporting individuals with autism Environmental factors and toxins influencing autism development Credits : Created by Greg ...
Dec 26, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Matias interviews Elizabeth Horn, founder of the 2m Foundation, on the current state of autism and what can we do about it. In this episode, we discuss: The rising prevalence of autism and its impact on society How 2m Foundation is funding research and solutions Environmental and biological factors contributing to autism Philanthropy and venture capital through the Autism Impact Fund Credits : Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin Produced by Jona...
Dec 12, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Matias and Greg interview Dana Watt, a Partner at Breakout Ventures, about genetic medicine for brain and mental health. In this episode, we discuss: How genetic therapies work: addressing underlying causes, not just symptoms The opportunities and challenges for genetic therapies for brain health Exploring effective delivery of genetic payloads Commercial viability and insurance considerations Credits : Created by Greg Kubin and Matias Serebrinsky Host: Matias Serebrinsky & Greg Kubin Produc...
Nov 14, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Greg and Matias interview Jay Sanguinetti, founder of Sanmai Technologies, a startup using transcranial focused ultrasound for the treatment of mental health conditions. Jay has a background in academia, having worked at the University of Arizona and started the SEMA Lab (Science Enhanced Mindful Awareness). In this episode, we discuss: The science behind transcranial focused ultrasound and its therapeutic potential for mental health The risks and considerations involved in using focused ultraso...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 58
Greg and Matias interview Tim Marjenin, a regulatory consultant at MCRA with 16 years of experience at the FDA, to discuss the regulatory landscape for neurotechnology devices. Tim provides insights into the FDA approval process for neurotech devices, drawing from his extensive experience on the FDA's Neurostimulation-Neurology Devices Team. The episode explores the evolving field of neurotechnology and its regulatory challenges. In this episode, we discuss: Different regulatory pathways for neu...
Aug 23, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Greg and Matias interview Gurdane Bhutani, an investor at MBX Ventures, to discuss the impact of environmental toxins on health and the field of exposomics. Gurdane is an expert in environmental health, with a background in Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences. He provided insights into the pervasive nature of environmental toxins and their implications for public health. This episode also has a guest appearance from Bruce Blumberg, a Professor of Developmental and Cell Biology at UC D...
Jul 18, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Greg and Matias interview Josh Hardman, founder and editor of Psychedelic Alpha, to discuss the recent FDA advisory committee meeting on Lykos Therapeutics’ MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Josh is a leading writer covering the intersection of psychedelics and business. He provided live reporting and analysis of the AdComm meeting. In this episode, we discuss: The FDA advisory committee process and its implications for drug approvals Functional unblinding and expectancy effects in psychedelic cli...
Jun 21, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Software, hardware, and biotechnology are playing an increasingly transformative role in our mental health and wellness. Join us as we discuss what investors look for in these new companies and how they separate what’s real — and what’s near-term — from what’s hype. We’ll explore AI-powered tools for mental health, the new area of “enerceuticals” (energy replacing the “pharma”), psychedelics, and why what’s in your gut is so important to your mental state. Hear from investors who have a wide vie...
May 07, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Matias hosted a panel at The Battery SF with renowned psychedelics experts, Nolan Williams, Allison Feduccia, Matt Baggott. Nolan is a Stanford professor currently researching ibogaine among other areas in psychiatry and radiology, and he's a founder of TMS company Magnus Medical. Allison is the founder of Psychedelic Support, a platform providing psychedelic education, community and a provider directory. And Matt is founder and CEO of Tactogen, a biotech company developing compounds similar to ...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Matias interviews Lili Brillstein about how to work collaboratively with healthcare payers (the ones that reimburse for medical expenses). Lili is a pioneer in the field, having previously led one of the largest bundled payment initiatives at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. She currently is the founder of her own advisory firm, BCollaborative, where she helps startups and providers develop value propositions that resonate with payers and create models that can be successfully administered. In th...
Mar 14, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Greg and Matias interview Ed Boyden about neuroscience frontiers and its applications to mental health. Ed is a pioneer in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the brain. He runs a lab at MIT for Synthetic Neurobiology and is a professor across the departments of neurotechnology, biological engineering, and cognitive science at MIT’s McGovern Institute for Brain Research. His inventions include optogenetic tools and expansion microscopy. He is co-founder of Cognito Therapeutics, Elemind, ...
Feb 22, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Greg and Matias interview Steve Rio about 5-MeO-DMT and its potential role in mental healthcare. Steve is a social impact cofounder, transformational coach, and practitioner at the Enfold Institute, one of the most reputable aboveground retreat centers working with 5-MeO-DMT. He shared many insights from his hands-on experience guiding hundreds of people through the medicine. In this episode, we discuss… 5-MeO-DMT’s distinct psychedelic experience Enfold’s protocol of screening, preparation and ...
Jan 25, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Tom Insel is an entrepreneur and former director of the US National Institute of Mental Health, the lead US agency supporting mental health research with a $2 billion budget. Since his time at the NIMH, Tom has built mental health technology, first at Verily and Mindstrong Health, and more recently founded Vanna Health, an online healthcare provider for serious mental illness. In his book "Healing", he talks about the importance of the 3 P's for solving the US mental health crisis: People, Place...
Dec 15, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 44
What if your next antidepressant was a clam or spinach? Greg & Matias invite Dr. Drew Ramsey to explore nutritional psychiatry - a field exploring how the food we eat can be as powerful as medication in treating mental illnesses like depression and anxiety. Dr. Drew Ramsey is a psychiatrist, entrepreneur and author focusing on nutritional interventions for mental wellbeing. Drew shares scientific research to make a business case for nutritional psychiatry - how customized food interventions ...
Nov 30, 2023•46 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Can diet treat mental illness? Greg and Matias interview Jan Baszucki of the Baszucki Group whose son Matt overcame bipolar through the ketogenic diet. Jan has supported studies on ketogenic diets and fasting protocols for conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. In this episode we discuss: The powerful personal story behind Jan's passion for this field The science and mechanistic details behind metabolic psychiatry Misconceptions about mental health and diets Challenges ...
Nov 16, 2023•44 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Advancements in neuroscience, AI, and bioengineering are unlocking new possibilities for neurotechnologies. Investors are paying attention. Alex Morgan of Khosla Ventures is an MD, PhD, physicist, and one of the most active investors in neurotech startups. He's backed companies harnessing neuromodulation for varied applications - from sleep (Somnee) to depression (Flow) to motor recovery (Syncron). In this episode, Alex shares an insider's overview of the neurotech landscape. We discuss when neu...
Nov 02, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Neuromodulation flies in the face of modern psychiatry. It can significantly improve mental health without drugs. It allows us to stimulate or inhibit activity in precise regions of the brain using electricity, magnetism or ultrasound. Motif Neurotech is pioneering minimally invasive implants to precisely deliver neuromodulation for mental health. In this special episode, Matias joins Empath Ventures’ Brom Rector to interview Jacob Robinson, an entrepreneurial scientist who leveraged his academi...
Oct 20, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In part 2 of a 2-part series, Greg and Matias explore microbial therapeutics for mental health with Dr. Christopher Reyes, biophysist, serial enterepreneur, and founder of Bloom Science. Dr. Reyes' research on leveraging microbes to treat neurological conditions began at UC San Francisco. He is now translating his microbiome research into startups targeting epilepsy, ALS, and even anxiety and depression. We discuss the science behind how gut microbes may influence neurotransmitters and mood. Dr....
Sep 28, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Business Trip launched in 2020 as a podcast focused on psychedelics. As Matias and Greg started to dive deeper into the complexities of mental health, they met more and more entrepreneurs and scientists creating novel treatments across many areas of mental health, including the gut microbiome. Dr. Phil Strandwitz pulls back the curtain on the gut-brain connection and the future of mental health. As founder of Holobiome, Phil is pioneering microbial therapies for conditions like depression and ep...
Sep 14, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Stanford University is one of the leading universities in psychedelic science, focusing on understanding how psychedelics work in the body. This is part 3 of a 3-part series, where we will explore groundbreaking discoveries via leading Stanford researchers who are revealing the significance of psychedelic science in modern research. We conclude the series with Carolyn Rodriguez. Carolyn Rodriguez is Associate Dean at Stanford University School of Medicine and a psychiatrist at the Palo Alto VA. ...
Aug 24, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Stanford University is one of the leading universities in psychedelic science, focusing on understanding how psychedelics work in the body. This is part 2 of a 3-part series, where we will explore groundbreaking discoveries via leading Stanford researchers who are revealing the significance of psychedelic science in modern research. We continue with Boris Heifets. Boris Heifets, an assistant professor at Stanford's School of Medicine. Boris leads the Heifets Lab, which is dedicated to understand...
Aug 17, 2023•37 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Psychedelics have long been known to induce altered states of consciousness. But there are many other techniques that can also expand our awareness - from meditation and breathwork to exploring dreams, prayer, light and sound. In this episode, Greg speaks with Scott Britton about the emerging startup landscape around tools for expanding consciousness. Scott is an entrepreneur who now writes a newsletter called Consciousness ∞ The Doorway to Human Evolution He also hosts a podcast called Evolutio...
Aug 09, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Stanford University is one of the leading universities in psychedelic science, focusing on understanding how psychedelics work in the body. In this 3-part series, we will explore groundbreaking discoveries via leading Stanford researchers who are revealing the significance of psychedelic science in modern research. We start the series with Robert Malenka. Robert Malenka is a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University with over three decades of experience in preclinical neuroscience research....
Jul 20, 2023•51 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Psychedelic Science 2023, Learning Man, MAPS Burn...whatever you want to call it...was a magical conference organized by MAPS . 12k people made the pilgrimage to Denver to discuss psychedelic science, culture, business, art, spirituality, and more. Rick Doblin called this the "Psychedelic 20's" and this event felt like a watershed moment. Luckily, Greg brought his microphone and recorded his experience for a special episode of Business Trip. Guests include Zach Haigney, Myriam Barthes, Lauren Ta...
Jul 07, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 33
What does it take for a traditional VC to fund a psychedelic company? In our latest episode, Matias takes us behind the scenes of a panel discussion at the Psychedelic Therapeutics & Drug Development Conference in San Francisco, CA. Matias talks with VCs at firms with $100M+ fund sizes: Anne Dwane, a partner at Village Global, Amanda Way, principal at Jazz Venture Partners and Dana Watt PhD, principal at Breakout Ventures. In this episode, we discuss: (1) How VCs identify and evaluate a stro...
Jun 09, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In our latest episode, Greg and Matias engage in an insightful discussion with Dr. Bryan Roth, the Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine, and the founder of the Roth Lab. Dr. Roth’s lab is on the cutting edge of researching the interaction between brain cell receptors and compounds like LSD and psilocybin. Their findings have the potential to revolutionize the treatment of psychiatric disorders, potentially creat...
May 15, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 31
