Scott reviews 'The Hungry Brain' by Stephan Guyenet, exploring the neuroscience of eating behavior and obesity, presenting a model focused on brain regulation of body weight. Longer summary

Scott reviews 'The Hungry Brain' by Stephan Guyenet, which explores the neuroscience of eating behavior and obesity. The book presents a 'third model' of obesity, focusing on how the brain regulates body weight through a complex system involving hormones like leptin. It discusses how modern hyperpalatable foods can overwhelm our natural satiety mechanisms and potentially damage the brain's weight regulation system. The review delves into various studies on obesity, including experiments with rats and humans, and explores the genetic factors influencing weight gain. Scott finds the book insightful but notes some ambiguity in reconciling different aspects of eating behavior and weight regulation. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reviews Stephan Guyenet's critique of Gary Taubes' anti-sugar book, agreeing with Guyenet's multi-factorial view of obesity and disease causes, and retracting his previous support for Taubes. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews Stephan Guyenet's critique of Gary Taubes' new book 'The Case Against Sugar'. Guyenet argues against Taubes' claim that sugar is the principal cause of obesity and various noncommunicable diseases, instead supporting the view that these issues are multi-factorial. The review highlights several key points, including Taubes' selective use of evidence, his dismissal of calorie intake as a factor in obesity, and his one-sided portrayal of historical debates in nutrition science. Scott acknowledges Taubes' past contributions in debunking misconceptions about dietary fat, but now strongly criticizes Taubes' focus on sugar as the primary culprit in health issues. He apologizes for his previous praise of Taubes and no longer recommends him as a source of nutritional advice. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines various anti-wheat claims and pro-wheat evidence, concluding that while some concerns exist, current evidence generally supports wheat consumption for most people. Longer summary

Scott Alexander investigates the claims against wheat consumption, examining various arguments such as gluten sensitivity, intestinal permeability, wheat-derived opiates, connections to autism and schizophrenia, genetic modifications, and leptin resistance. He analyzes scientific studies and expert opinions, finding some claims to be partially true but often exaggerated or of uncertain significance. He also explores pro-wheat arguments, noting strong evidence for whole grain benefits but acknowledging potential confounders. The post concludes that while there are some concerns about wheat, the best evidence currently supports its inclusion in most people's diets. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reviews 'The Perfect Health Diet', praising its science-based approach but criticizing its tendency to ignore contrary evidence and present controversial claims as settled science. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews 'The Perfect Health Diet' book, finding it a mix of good and bad. He praises its science-based approach, evolutionarily informed perspective, and its allowance for 'safe starches' unlike strict paleo diets. However, he criticizes the book's tendency to make strong claims based on limited evidence, often ignoring contrary studies. The review discusses the book's recommendations on various nutrients, its stance on saturated fats, and its overall dietary advice. Scott tried the diet briefly and lost weight, but remains skeptical of some claims. He concludes that while the book offers interesting insights and reasonable dietary advice, it often presents controversial positions as settled science. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents a diverse collection of interesting links on topics ranging from meditation to global poverty, offering brief summaries and personal commentary. Longer summary

This post is a collection of links to interesting articles and studies on various topics. It covers a wide range of subjects including meditation, Olympic medal psychology, religious beliefs, education systems, diet trends, scientific reproducibility, historical events, and global poverty solutions. Scott Alexander briefly summarizes each link, often adding his own commentary or skepticism. The tone is informative and slightly humorous, with Scott occasionally expressing personal opinions or anecdotes related to the topics. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander presents a roundup of recent scientific and medical studies, covering topics from hallucinations to obesity genetics to schizophrenia treatment. Longer summary

This post is a collection of various scientific and medical studies and news. It covers a range of topics including hallucinations, diet and longevity, gene-environment interactions in psychiatry, life-extending drugs, fibromyalgia, chemical education, drug company tactics, sleep theories, psychotherapy effectiveness, obesity genetics, and schizophrenia treatment. Scott provides brief summaries and commentary on each item, often with a mix of scientific insight and humor. Shorter summary