Understanding Energy in Life
Martin Picard opens our conversation with an unconventional perspective: “When you compare a dead body with a living one, the only difference is the presence of energy.” His analogy might evoke an unexpected reaction, yet it poignantly emphasizes his thesis. While cadavers retain all the biological elements—DNA, proteins, organs—what they lack is the dynamic flow of energy, which he posits as the “potential for change” that imbues us with vitality and enriches our existence.
“We are not merely molecular machines, but energetic beings,” he asserts, highlighting a compelling notion that could potentially revolutionize our understanding of human experiences and lead to innovative treatments for various ailments.
Every process in the body exists downstream of energy flow.
This intriguing perspective drew me into his research. As someone who identifies as inherently “high-energy,” I grappled with reconciling this fluid concept with the more rigid frameworks we often use to define ourselves. Picard was the first researcher to articulate this intuition scientifically, compelling me to delve deeper.
From Philosophy to Measurable Science
Expressions like “we are energy” may sound like Eastern philosophy, yet Picard speaks as a seasoned researcher, publishing in top journals and grounding his ideas in empirical evidence. He acknowledges the philosophical parallels, remarking, “I don’t know what chi or prana are, but the concept that we’re deeply interconnected with the flow of energy aligns with various philosophical traditions, which researchers must remain open to.”
To transition from abstract notions to quantifiable measures, Picard focuses on mitochondria—the organelles responsible for producing and managing cellular energy. At Columbia, he leads a lab dedicated to mitochondrial psychobiology, a term he created to explore how psychological states influence mitochondrial processes. This approach enables him to empirically investigate how our lived experiences manifest physiologically, shedding light on complex issues such as aging, stress-related health impacts, and the connections between thoughts, emotions, and physiological responses.
If you see yourself energetically, it changes your behavior. You begin to see yourself as interdependent with the natural world and to view relationships as energetic exchanges.
Martin Picard
As he explains his work, Picard’s enthusiasm shines through. He excitedly retrieves a small wooden mitochondrion model, displaying it like a cherished trophy. Through all his energetic discussions, he embodies the very vitality he studies—publishing papers, sharing ideas, and propelling discussions forward.
He emphasizes, “If you see yourself energetically, it alters your behavior. You start viewing your role in nature and relationships as dynamic exchanges of energy. This shift can resonate widely—from individuals to larger social structures.”
Beyond the “Powerhouse of the Cell”
While students are taught that mitochondria are the cell’s “powerhouses,” Picard critiques this oversimplified depiction. He argues that it implies mitochondria merely sustain life, overlooking their significant and complex roles.
Though they convert food into usable energy and heat, mitochondria are also adaptive. They communicate among themselves, modify their numbers and structures, and alter energy production and distribution based on the body’s needs. Unique in having their genetic material, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited exclusively from mothers.
Instead of labeling mitochondria as mere “powerhouses,” Picard prefers the term “information processors”: “They’re not passive; they don’t just generate energy for life to unfold. They actively integrate our life experiences into the body’s energy flow.”
Returning to First Principles
Various scientific theories offer “master explanations” for health, citing factors like diet, genetics, and the microbiome as paramount. But why does Picard hone in on energy? He notes that while these elements are essential, every bodily function occurs downstream of energy flow. For cortisol to rise, neurons to activate, or the microbiome to thrive, energy must circulate through the system. Interventions promoting health—such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, and meditation—ultimately boost and redistribute energy within the body.
Our modern health framework, viewing humans as collections of biochemical parts, struggles to address fundamental questions like why stress impacts us or how mental states affect physical health.
Martin Picard
Picard dissects every inquiry back to foundational principles. He reasons that energy serves as a logical entry point; while genes, hormones, and microbiomes vary among individuals, energy adheres to physical laws that govern its behavior uniformly across living systems.
According to Picard, “We often treat humans as mere biochemical assemblages, focusing on structural issues. However, this outlook fails to answer fundamental questions, such as why stress affects us and how our mental states transform physical health.”
The Cost of Being Alive
Picard argues that we must explore the dynamics underpinning biology, asking a critical question: “Nothing in biology is free—what is the energy cost of any activity?”
Energy behaves consistently in biological systems as it does elsewhere: it cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. Ecologists use this principle to comprehend energy flow in ecosystems and understand why larger animals tend to have longer life spans. Nevertheless, medical studies frequently overlook energy budgets, focusing instead on genes and molecules.
Our bodies unequivocally require energy for every function, revealing an intuitive truth: we must consume resources to flourish. This limited energy supply must be allocated across competing demands. For instance, after a strenuous morning run, I often struggle with concentration later, as both physical exertion and mental processing require energy.
Picard’s team examined energy costs by investigating stress—one of the most poorly defined yet universally felt burdens on the body.
Chronic stress doesn’t just “wear us down” metaphorically; it reallocates energy from repair to survival.
They simulated chronic stress in human cells by exposing them to cortisol-like signals. “Think of the stress response as an activation; mobilizing it demands energy,” Picard explains. Their findings revealed that stressed cells increased energy expenditure to about 60% above baseline, representing a substantial metabolic drain.
This heightened energy expenditure diverts resources from maintenance processes, suggesting that chronic stress reallocates energy needed for repair to immediate survival and health detriment.
Viewing life through an energy budget lens illuminates various physical experiences. For example, when we’re unwell, many lose their appetite, raising questions about the physiological rationale: wouldn’t your body require more fuel to combat infection? However, digestion is energy-intensive, consuming about 10% of our daily budget. By suppressing appetite, the body can allocate more energy toward immune responses, elucidating why fasting sometimes invigorates individuals.
The Right Amount of Resistance
According to Picard, our well-being relies not only on the quantity of energy available but also on the flow quality within our systems. To explore this further, he returns to foundational concepts: “At its core, an organism functions like an electric circuit—electrons traverse from food to oxygen to sustain life.”
In biological terms, this flow happens through mitochondria. When you eat, electrons from carbon-based molecules enter your cells. Within the mitochondria, these electrons journey through reactions toward oxygen, the final electron acceptor. As they move, they release energy that mitochondria intercept to convert into adenosine triphosphate (ATP)—the usable form of energy essential for cellular functions.
This flow inevitably faces resistance; factors such as oxygen availability, cellular demands, and mitochondrial health influence this resistance. Picard argues that maintaining optimal resistance is crucial. “Health hinges on sustaining energy resistance at a ‘Goldilocks’ level—not too high, not too low, but just right.”
How we feel and function isn’t just about “how much” energy we have, but also how efficiently energy flows through our system.
Picard and his associate, Nirosha Murangan, formalized this idea as the energy resistance principle. If resistance is too low, energy moves through mitochondria without significant transformation, akin to pedaling a stationary bike. Conversely, excessive resistance can obstruct the flow, leading to oxidative stress and diseases such as inflammation and cellular damage. Picard and Murangan argue that many aging and disease features stem from disruptions in mitochondrial energy flow.
The concept of the “Goldilocks” resistance level parallels various biological principles. For instance, lifting weights at the appropriate resistance strengthens muscles, while excessive weight causes injury and insufficient weight yields no adaptation. Likewise, in psychological pursuits, engaging deeply with a problem introduces resistance that hones focus, but excessive resistance can discourage problem-solving efforts.
In each scenario, resistance does not impede growth. When interspersed with periods of lower resistance—through meditation, sleep, or rest—it can foster development.
Picard’s lab is identifying molecular signals indicating disruptions in energy flow. One signal, growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), increases under energetic strain. “High levels of GDF15 signal that the system is under energetic stress,” Picard delineates, suggesting it could eventually serve as a measurable proxy for individual energy flow quality.
The Mind and Body Connection
It’s already established that thoughts and emotions influence physiology. Consider the placebo effect: simply believing in a remedy can yield beneficial results. Many also recognize the heart-racing response from dwelling on negative events. Picard’s work suggests that such phenomena may reflect shifts in the energy flow within one’s body.
In various studies, Picard identified a continuous feedback loop between the brain and mitochondria: mental states could impact mitochondrial biology, while mitochondrial performance might, in turn, influence psychological processes. Based on this evidence, he posits that individual distinctions in mitochondrial biology may affect health and disease susceptibility across a range of topics, including mental health issues.
Looking Through an Energy Lens
Picard envisions a future where energy becomes a fundamental health metric assessed alongside genetics, lifestyle, and other biomarkers. However, realizing this vision entails overcoming a significant challenge: measuring something as dynamic as energy.
One method involves estimating the energy requirements of various processes to ascertain the body’s overall energy budget. Picard imagines technology that tracks energy flow markers and resistance. “I can foresee wearables detecting GDF15 levels, which rise under high energy resistance, providing an ‘energy score’ for users.” He humorously notes its implications: “You could determine whether a new relationship energizes or drains you.”
However, Picard emphasizes that understanding energy—rather than just measuring it—requires a shift in mindset. He advocates for cross-disciplinary researchers to perceive humans as energy flow systems rather than mere biochemical assemblies. In a recent Nature article, he and co-author Christopher P. Kempes urge biomedical researchers to approach central questions energetically, linking energy dynamics to conditions such as Alzheimer’s and cancer. Furthermore, he’s penning a book, Energy: The New Science of Vitality, Healing, and Transformation, set for release in 2027, examining how individuals can attune to their energy.
Picard proposes that personal variations in mitochondrial biology may influence health and disease risk across a spectrum of conditions, including mental health disorders.
When I ask Picard how his insights can be practically applied, he points to established interventions: a balanced diet, adequate sleep, regular exercise, and relaxation. The key is to view these actions through an energetic lens, considering how they shape energy intake and distribution. “Viewing these behaviors through an energy prism makes them more compelling,” he asserts. “It elucidates their benefits.”
He suggests alternating high-resistance states—like exercise or sustained cognitive work—between periods of lower resistance, such as rest, meditation, or fasting. He further advises mindfulness around energy sources: “The ketogenic diet may transform some individuals’ lives, but not others—it’s about tuning into your energy, considering not only diet but your entire life.”
Stepping back from specifics, Picard returns to foundational principles. “Our decisions should be driven by their energy implications,” he states. “You, as an energetic entity, have the sensitivity to discern whether your life—how you obtain energy, what drives you, who you engage with—is aligned with your true self.”
I found Picard’s insights resonating deeply, reflecting my encounters with my own energy. I’ve always intuitively pursued actions that invigorate me, even when I couldn’t fully articulate this instinct. His research offers a convincing rationale for embracing that intuition as a tangible, crucial reality.
If Picard’s perspective holds merit, health transcends mere dietary improvements or behavioral adjustments. It involves experiencing the quality of energy that flows through us. Ultimately, the line between feeling vibrantly alive and merely existing may hinge on how adeptly we learn to recognize and harmonize with that energy flow.
