Topic: Oxytocin

Greg Carlwood and Gordon White discuss the physiological differences between hospital births and natural birth centers, focusing on the roles of oxytocin and adrenaline. Carlwood explains how hospital environments can trigger a fight-or-flight response that hinders the labor process. They weigh the risks of home births against the benefits of a relaxed, spa-like setting for the mother's chemical balance.

The use of Pitocin, a synthetic oxytocin, is criticized for undermining the natural production of bonding hormones between mother and child. This hormonal disruption, combined with epidurals and immediate postpartum interventions like eye ointments and hats, is said to prevent the activation of the "neurobiology of love." The segment argues these practices lead to postpartum depression and a lifelong inability for the child to bond.

The segment explores "Upgraded Sex," focusing on the tantric theory that infrequent ejaculation can increase a man's energy and longevity. Asprey describes his personal experiment with a "tantric equation" that suggests an eight-day cycle for a 41-year-old male. He discusses the "orgasm hangover" that can decrease productivity and mood the following day, while noting that women benefit from frequent orgasms due to oxytocin release.

Dave Asprey explains how the "reptile brain" or biological operating system drives the urge for procreation, often overriding conscious intent. He argues that training the brain and maintaining proper nutrition allows for better control over these impulses. The discussion concludes with the benefits of this sexual protocol for relationship dynamics, balancing the man's energy levels with the woman's happiness.