← All stories
Health, Longevity & Biohacking

Aspartame exposure in mice causes anxiety that persists two generations without further exposure

On Purpose with Jay Shetty · Harvard Psychiatrist REVEALS We Have Been Treating Mental Illness All WRONG · July 3, 2026
Aspartame exposure in mice causes anxiety that persists two generations without further exposure
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
Harvard Psychiatrist REVEALS We Have Been Treating Mental Illness All WRONG
"The mice who were given aspartame went on to have babies and those babies went on to have babies. None of the babies were exposed to aspartame, but for two generations, the increased risk for anxiety-like behaviors persisted. Which means that aspartame is inducing epigenetic changes that can be transmitted to your children and your grandchildren."
Dr. Palmer cited new animal research showing that mice given normal doses of aspartame developed anxiety-like behaviors that persisted for two generations even when offspring were never exposed to the substance. He noted this suggests aspartame, found in over 500 diet foods including Diet Coke, may cause epigenetic changes affecting children and grandchildren of consumers.
From this episode
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
On Purpose with Jay Shetty

Harvard Psychiatrist REVEALS We Have Been Treating Mental Illness All WRONG

August 3, 2026 · 1h 21m · 5 Egleze moments
Read episode summary and key points →

More moments from this episode

Health, Longevity & BiohackingFDA allows food manufacturers to self-certify new chemicals as safe without rigorous testingHealth, Longevity & BiohackingPsychiatrist says most in field deny diet plays role in mental illnessHealth, Longevity & BiohackingKetogenic diet achieves remission in severe mental illness including schizophrenia and bipolar disorderHealth, Longevity & BiohackingOnly 7 percent of American adults are metabolically healthy by standard biomarkers
More stories More from On Purpose with Jay Shetty