EPISODE · Jan 7, 2026 · 9 MIN
The lab accident that rewrote heart health
from The mindbodygreen Podcast · host mindbodygreen
Here’s the story of some scientists in the 1980s who tried to cause heart disease in rabbits. Instead, they stumbled upon a discovery so surprising it challenged everything we thought we knew about cardiovascular health—and may hold a powerful lesson for human longevity. This story isn’t just about rabbits. It’s about us. - How we eat. - Who we eat with. - And how guilt, stress, love, and presence shape the way our bodies respond to food. Emerging science shows that eating in a relaxed, connected state activates the parasympathetic nervous system—supporting digestion, blood sugar balance, and heart health. In other words: how you eat may matter as much as what you eat. Link to the actual study Chapters 00:00 – The mysterious rabbit experiment 01:35 – A result that made no sense 02:30 – The detail researchers almost missed 04:00 – What this teaches us about eating & stress 05:00 – Why love may protect the heart 🎙️ This new format episode, hosted by founder and co-CEO Jason Wachob, is from the mindbodygreen podcast, where science meets meaning—and small shifts lead to big health changes. If this story resonated with you: 👍 Like this video 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe for more science-backed stories on longevity, nutrition, and whole-body health Read more here: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/ Shop our supplements: https://shop.mindbodygreen.com/ Join 1M+ subscribers on their journey towards strong and healthy: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/newsletters Follow us: Instagram: @mindbodygreen TikTok: @mindbodygreen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
Here’s the story of some scientists in the 1980s who tried to cause heart disease in rabbits. Instead, they stumbled upon a discovery so surprising it challenged everything we thought we knew about cardiovascular health—and may hold a powerful lesson for human longevity. This story isn’t just about rabbits. It’s about us. - How we eat. - Who we eat with. - And how guilt, stress, love, and presence shape the way our bodies respond to food. Emerging science shows that eating in a relaxed, connected state activates the parasympathetic nervous system—supporting digestion, blood sugar balance, and heart health. In other words: how you eat may matter as much as what you eat. Link to the actual study Chapters 00:00 – The mysterious rabbit experiment 01:35 – A result that made no sense 02:30 – The detail researchers almost missed 04:00 – What this teaches us about eating & stress 05:00 – Why love may protect the heart 🎙️ This new format episode, hosted by founder and co-CEO Jason Wachob, is from the mindbodygreen podcast, where science meets meaning—and small shifts lead to big health changes. If this story resonated with you: 👍 Like this video 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments 🔔 Subscribe for more science-backed stories on longevity, nutrition, and whole-body health Read more here: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/ Shop our supplements: https://shop.mindbodygreen.com/ Join 1M+ subscribers on their journey towards strong and healthy: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/newsletters Follow us: Instagram: @mindbodygreen TikTok: @mindbodygreen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The lab accident that rewrote heart health
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