EverHuman Podcast
The EverHuman Podcast is where human biology meets the future of medicine, technology, and human potential.
Hosted by Dr. Christopher C. Thompson, Harvard Professor, Forbes Contributor, and Advanced Endoscopic Surgeon, the show unpacks how breakthroughs in biotechnology, digital health, and human physiology are redefining health, longevity, and performance.
From the science of metabolism, appetite, and weight regulation to advances in med-tech, genetic therapy, and human optimization, EverHuman brings a physician’s insight to the technologies transforming how we live, age, and thrive.
EverHuman Podcast
Beyond Calories: How Your Body Defends Its Weight Set Point
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Most people think of weight loss as simple math, calories in versus calories out. In reality, the body sees it as a survival challenge. When weight drops, powerful biological systems activate to defend your natural set point, slowing metabolism and increasing hunger to restore balance.
In this episode, Dr. Christopher Thompson explains how the brain, gut, and hormones coordinate to regulate weight over time. He describes how leptin and insulin act as key hormonal signals for the body’s internal thermostat, and how adaptive thermogenesis adjusts metabolism in response to these signals to maintain stability. These same defenses that once protected us from starvation now make lasting weight loss so difficult.
This episode is part of a five-part Forbes Health series exploring the science of appetite, satiety, and weight regulation.