Ray Peat and Energy as the Key to Life
“What could be more important to understand than biological energy? Thought, growth, movement, every philosophical and practical issue involves the nature of biological energy.” — Ray Peat, PhD
What if aging, illness, and even rigid thinking weren’t inevitable, but simply a lack of energy? The biologist and philosopher Ray Peat believed that energy—not genetics or stress—was the key to health, longevity, and even freedom. His ideas challenge mainstream science, but once you see them in action, they make a surprising amount of sense. Here’s a breakdown of some of his core insights.
1. Could We Live Forever with More Energy?
We’re told aging is inevitable—cells wear out, hearts have a set number of beats, and entropy slowly takes over. Peat challenged this idea: energy fights entropy. Instead of an unavoidable decline, he argued that with enough energy, we could maintain order indefinitely. Metabolism isn’t just fuel burning—it’s a local decrease in entropy. The faster your metabolism, the more negentropy you generate, keeping systems structured and alive.
Unfortunately, as the below image shows, many common facets of modern life actively hinder energy metabolism.
Common Paths to a Low Metabolism, by Functional Performance Systems
2. Life’s Goal? More Energy, More Order
Peat saw evolution and life as purposeful, not random. Life takes energy and uses it to build more organised systems. Each burst of energy reshapes those systems, enabling them to handle even more energy in the future. It’s a continuous cycle of growth, always striving for greater order.
3. Fast Metabolism Doesn’t Kill You—It Keeps You Alive
There’s an old idea called The Rate-of-living theory, which suggests that the faster an organism’s metabolism, the shorter its lifespan. Peat rejected this notion. He argued that a higher metabolism actually creates more order, not less. Life thrives on energy—more of it leads to better health, resilience, and vitality, rather than wearing you out.
4. You’re Not Your Genes—You’re Your Energy
We’re often told that our genes control everything about us. Peat saw it differently. He viewed life as a system driven by energy, with genes playing a supporting role. It’s the flow of energy that shapes how an organism functions, not a rigid genetic blueprint.
Ray Peat on Biological Energy
5. Authoritarianism Thrives on Low Energy
Peat linked rigid, controlling mindsets to a lack of energy. Curiosity and openness need energy to flourish—they combat chaos by seeking new information. Authoritarianism, on the other hand, drowns out nuance and suppresses novelty, reflecting a low-energy, disorganised state.
6. Does Time Really Break Everything Down? Peat Thought the Opposite
The “heat death” theory suggests the universe is on a path toward maximum disorder, where entropy inevitably increases over time, and it will eventually fizzle out into maximum chaos. This idea shapes much of the present scientific narrative. Peat saw time differently—not as a force of decay, but as one that builds complexity and order. Rather than a slow breakdown, he believed life and energy drive continuous improvement, adaptation, and growth.
7. Stress Doesn’t Always Make You Stronger
Hormesis is the idea that stress—like exercise or cold—makes you tougher. Peat wasn’t sold. He thought stress often wastes energy and forces inefficient fixes, lowering your body’s ability to thrive. Energy, not struggle, is what keeps us going.
8. True Intelligence Needs Energy, Not Just Code
Peat believed real intelligence—like human thinking—relies on energy to connect experiences and learn (what he tied to Pavlov’s “first and second signals”). Artificial intelligence, he said, lacks this. It’s just programmed responses, not a living, growing mind.
9. Evolution Isn’t Random—It’s Energy-Driven
Similar to point 2, mainstream science views evolution as blind, driven by random mutations and natural selection (Neo-Darwinism). Peat saw it differently—more like Lamarckism—where life actively adapts toward structures that maximise energy use. Instead of evolution being a game of chance, he believed it was a process guided by efficiency and purpose, with organisms evolving in ways that enhance their ability to generate and sustain energy.
10. Stubborn Beliefs Signal Low Energy
Closed-mindedness and rigid thinking aren’t just psychological—they’re metabolic. Openness, curiosity, and deep thinking require energy. When energy is low, the brain defaults to rigid, repetitive patterns, clinging to familiar beliefs instead of exploring new possibilities. Peat saw this as a metabolic issue: a well-fueled mind remains adaptable, while an energy-starved one resists change.
11. Consciousness Fights Chaos
Your brain and awareness thrive on seeking new things—Peat saw this as proof that they’re wired to create order, not just react to chaos. Kids, with their high energy and boundless curiosity, embody this best. Their drive to explore and learn isn’t just a trait of youth—it’s a sign of a well-fueled, anti-chaotic system. When energy is abundant, the mind remains open, adaptable, and engaged with the world.
12. Mood and Morality Depend on Energy
Peat noticed that kids—with their fast metabolisms—are often naturally joyful, curious, and kind. Adults with higher energy levels tend to experience the same: a greater sense of calm, generosity, and emotional resilience. He believed that mood and even moral behavior weren’t just psychological but deeply metabolic—when energy is abundant, people are more open, adaptable, and compassionate.
13. Energy Lets You Relax
It might sound counterintuitive, but Peat argued that the high energy state is a relaxed state of readiness. When cells have plenty of energy, they stay stable, responsive, and ready to adapt. Low energy, on the other hand, creates a state of stress, making it hard to fully unwind. That’s why exhaustion doesn’t feel like deep rest—it feels tense, wired, and on the edge of burnout. The language of your cells is energy.
14. Receptors Aren’t the Whole Story
Mainstream science often explains chemical interactions through receptors—like locks and keys. Peat thought this was too simplistic. He believed energy shapes how chemicals behave, influencing their effects beyond just binding to receptors. This makes the system far more dynamic—more like a living, adaptable network than a rigid series of switches.
The Big Picture: Energy Creates Order
At its core, Peat’s philosophy is simple: energy drives everything—life, evolution, intelligence, and even society. More energy means more order, better health, and greater adaptability.
His ideas weren’t just theoretical; he had practical suggestions for increasing energy and vitality. Eating well, reducing stress, and even living at higher altitudes were among his tips. He also believed love, curiosity, and new experiences boost energy in a way that transforms both individuals and societies.
Signs of a strong metabolism include high T3 hormone levels, low stress hormones (cortisol, adrenaline, prolactin, serotonin, acetylcholine, etc.), high dopamine, a warm resting body temperature, a steady heart rate, fast Achilles tendon reflex relaxation, and quick reaction times. These reflect efficient energy production and a well-functioning system.
Peat’s vision was radical yet intuitive: a high-energy life is a good life. More energy fosters creativity, resilience, and freedom—not just for individuals, but for the world at large. If we truly understood his insights, we might rethink everything from medicine to politics. Maybe the future isn’t about scarcity and survival—but abundance and creativity.
Common Paths to a High Metabolism, by Functional Performance Systems
Promoters of Efficient v. Inefficient Metabolism, by Functional Performance Systems