The Journey of Science

Episode 11: Are we All Part of the GLP-1 Experiment?

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have transformed conversations around weight loss and metabolic health — but are we witnessing a medical breakthrough or participating in a massive social experiment? In this episode, we explore how these FDA-approved drugs moved from diabetes treatment to mainstream use for weight management, reshaping medicine, ethics, and culture along the way. We discuss how science identifies new uses for existing drugs, what we’ve learned from past off-label revolutions, and why GLP-1s may be testing not just our metabolism, but our trust in modern medicine itself. Topics include: * How GLP-1 receptor agonists work in the brain and body * Why appetite, reward, and dopamine matter * The balance between scientific discovery and real-world experimentation * What this moment reveals about how we use (and market) medicine today Available on all streaming platforms — just search “Gopu & Zane” or visit lybrandlab.org/jospod [http://lybrandlab.org/jospod]

Episode 10: The Future of Brain Technology: Neural Interfaces and Engineered Tissues

In this episode, Zane and Gopu unpack the fascinating overlap—and key differences—between neural engineering and neuroengineering. They explore how neural engineering focuses on decoding and interfacing with the nervous system through technologies like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which are helping restore movement and communication for people with paralysis. The discussion highlights recent progress in BCIs, how close we are to seamless brain-controlled devices, and what the next decade of innovation might look like. Then the conversation shifts toward neuroengineering, a subfield of tissue engineering aimed at creating engineered brain tissue in the lab. The hosts discuss how this research is advancing our understanding of brain repair, regeneration, and neurodegenerative diseases—and the ethical questions that come with growing functional brain-like tissues outside the body. Together, they ask: Where do biology and technology meet—and where should we draw the line? 🎧 Listen to “The Journey of Science with Gopu & Zane” on all streaming platforms or visit lybrandlab.org/jospod [http://lybrandlab.org/jospod] for show notes and references.

BONUS EPISODE: Cannabis Use Disorder — What the Science Says

In our episode on addiction, we admitted we weren’t sure if marijuana was truly addictive. That question stuck with me—so I went back to the research. In this bonus episode, Zane dives into what he found after reviewing two major studies: a 2024 Journal of Clinical Investigation review by Le Foll et al. and a 2025 JAMA Network Open paper by Gowin et al. The evidence? Cannabis can be addictive for some people, and heavy or frequent use is linked to measurable changes in brain circuits that regulate memory, motivation, and control. We break down how THC affects the endocannabinoid system, why today’s high-potency products raise the risk of dependence, and what brain imaging is revealing about long-term cannabis use. Zane also highlights current treatments for Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD)—from behavioral therapies to experimental brain stimulation approaches like TMS. This is the kind of journey we love—admitting what we don’t know, following the science, and bringing you along as we learn together. References: * Le Foll, B. et al. (2024). “Cannabis use disorder: from neurobiology to treatment.” Journal of Clinical Investigation, 134(20): e172887. DOI: 10.1172/JCI172887 * Gowin, J. L. et al. (2025). “Brain Function Outcomes of Recent and Lifetime Cannabis Use.” JAMA Network Open, 8(1): e2457069. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.57069 🎧 New episodes and bonus content available on all platforms—just search “Gopu & Zane” or visit lybrandlab.org/jospod [http://lybrandlab.org/jospod]

Episode 9: Substance Abuse and the Neurobiology of Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction affect everything from how we live to how we think about choice. But what is addiction, and how do scientists study it? In this episode, Gopu shares what he’s been learning as he steps into the field of addiction neuroscience. Together, we explore the prevalence of substance use, why research often focuses on drugs like MDMA, THC, amphetamines, and opioids, and why everyday behaviors like eating sugar or scrolling social media are harder to study. We also touch on the opioid crisis, naloxone as an antidote for fentanyl, and the role astrocytes and dopamine may play in addiction pathways. A casual between friends about the science of substance use, the questions researchers ask, and the early steps of a journey into addiction neurobiology. New episodes on all platforms—just search “Gopu & Zane” or visit lybrandlab.org/jospod [http://lybrandlab.org/jospod]

Episode 8: AI in Academia: Promise, Pitfalls, and Productivity

Artificial intelligence has entered the academic workflow. Can we trust it? In this episode, we share how we use large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT in our daily work: from drafting emails, organizing messy thoughts, and processing large datasets, to searching through the overwhelming flood of new research. But it’s not all smooth sailing. We also dive into the current struggles and limitations; inaccurate information, fabricated references, and the risk of leaning too heavily on a tool that doesn’t always get it right. We ask the big question: Is AI the next step in how we process and synthesize science, or just another imperfect tool we’ll have to learn to manage? New episodes streaming on all platforms. Just search Gopu & Zane or visit https://lybrandlab.org/jospod [https://lybrandlab.org/jospod]