Peter Attia

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

The following email is what I sent my team last night. I sent a similar version to my patients, also.

***

You’ve put your trust, your credibility, and your hard work into what we have built together, and I take that responsibility seriously. You deserve a complete and honest account of what did and did not happen. I apologize that I did not get this out sooner, but I want to be thorough.

The purpose of the DOJ releasing these documents is clear: to identify individuals who participated in criminal activity, enabled it, or witnessed it. I am not in any of those categories, and there is no evidence to the contrary.

To be clear:

1. I was not involved in any criminal activity.

2. My interactions with Epstein had nothing to do with his sexual abuse or exploitation of anyone.

3. I was never on his plane, never on his island, and never present at any sex parties.

That said, I apologize and regret putting myself in a position where emails, some of them embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible, are now public, and that is on me. I accept that reality and the humiliation that comes with it.

***

I want to start by directly addressing the email thread that I’ve been asked about the most.

In June 2015, I sent Epstein an email with the subject line “Got a fresh shipment.” The email contained a photograph of bottles of metformin, a medication I had just received from the pharmacy for my own use. The subject line referred to the picture of the bottles of medication.

He replied with the words “me too” and attached a photograph of an adult woman. I responded with crude, tasteless banter. Reading that exchange now is very embarrassing, and I will not defend it. I’m ashamed of myself for everything about this. At the time, I understood this exchange as juvenile, not a reference to anything dark or harmful.

At that point in my career, I had little exposure to prominent people, and that level of access was novel to me. Everything about him seemed excessive and exclusive, including the fact that he lived in the largest home in all of Manhattan, owned a Boeing 727, and hosted parties with the most powerful and prominent leaders in business and politics. I treated that access as something to be quiet about rather than discussed freely with others. One line in that exchange, about his life being outrageous and me not being able to tell anyone, is being interpreted as awareness of wrongdoing. That is not how I meant it at all. What I was referring to, poorly and flippantly, was the discretion commanded by those social and professional circles–the idea that you don’t talk about who you meet, the dinners you attend and the power and influence of the people in those settings. What I wrote in that email reads terribly, and I own that.

***

I met Epstein in 2014 through a prominent female healthcare leader while I was raising funds for scientific research. At that time, he was widely known in academic and philanthropic circles as a funder of science and moved openly among credible institutions and public figures.

Between summer 2014 and spring 2019, I met with him on approximately seven or eight occasions at his New York City home, regarding research studies and to meet others he introduced me to. I never visited his island or ranch, and I never flew on any of his planes. When I was at his home, it was either meeting with him directly, meeting with small groups of scientists, doctors, or business leaders, and once at a dinner in 2015 with a number of guests including prominent heads of state. In retrospect, the presence and credibility of such venerable people in different orbits led me to make assumptions about him that clouded my judgment in ways it shouldn’t have.

I was not his doctor, though several times I answered general medical questions and recommended other providers to him.

Shortly after we met, I asked him directly about his 2008 conviction. He characterized it as prostitution-related charges. In 2018, I came to learn this was grossly minimized (more on this below). I was incredibly naïve to believe him. I mistook his social acceptance in the eyes of the credible people I saw him with for acceptability, and that was a serious error in my judgment. To be clear, I never witnessed illegal behavior and never saw anyone who appeared underage in his presence.

***

In November 2018 I read the Miami Herald investigative article. I was repulsed by what I learned. Nauseated. It marked a clear and irreversible line between what I knew before and what I understood afterward.

At that point, I told him directly he needed to accept responsibility for what he did.

Hoping to provide the victims from the Herald piece with support, I contacted a residential trauma facility to understand what funding comprehensive care for many victims would require. (Those communications were between me and the facility and were therefore not part of the document release.) I spoke with him and shared that information and insisted that he fund their care, beginning with residential treatment and followed by lifelong therapy.

In hindsight, even attempting to facilitate accountability was a mistake and once again reflected just how naïve I was at the time. Once the full scope of his actions was clear, disengagement should have been the only appropriate response. My intent does not change that, and I regret not drawing that boundary immediately.

***

Nothing in this letter is meant to minimize the harm suffered by the young women Epstein abused. Their trauma is permanent.

I am not asking for a pass from you. I am not asking anyone to ignore the emails or pretend they aren’t ugly. They simply are.

The man I am today, roughly ten years later, would not write them and would not associate with Epstein at all. Whatever growth I’ve had over the past decade does not erase the emails I wrote then.

I recognize that my actions and words have consequences for the people I care deeply about, including all of you. I regret the cost this has placed on you, and I take responsibility for it.

I won’t ask anyone to defend me or explain this on my behalf. If you have questions or concerns, I’ll address them directly with you, my team.

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

A closer look at the MET-PREVENT trial and what its null results reveal about aging interventions and trial design. Full article linked below.

https://t.co/2oD1n8DsbH

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

A study linking statins, the microbiome, and blood sugar control doesn’t change clinical practice. Full article linked below.

https://t.co/iOdk2LskoJ

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

Atherosclerosis is not the only possible cause of a heart attack (myocardial infarction), and women are more prone to alternative causes than men. A closer look at the data tells a different story. Full article linked below.

https://t.co/Lddm0RpqSX

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

Why ingredient changes don’t always mean healthier food | Layne Norton, Ph.D. (@BioLayne)

This clip is from episode # 380 of The Drive which was released on 1/19/26.

In the full episode, we cover:

-The core arguments against seed oils: the four main claims underlying the idea that seed oils are uniquely harmful, and how well they hold up once major confounders are addressed
-The historical trials that shaped the debate: the Minnesota Coronary Experiment, Sydney Diet Heart Study, Rose Corn Oil trial, and later studies replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat
-Mechanisms and causality: LDL cholesterol, oxidized LDL, linoleic acid (omega-6), inflammation, -Mendelian randomization, and why lifetime LDL exposure matters more than per-particle oxidation risk
-Practical takeaways: industrial processing concerns, cooking oils, real-world dietary fat choices, and how to prioritize nutrition relative to calories, activity, and overall lifestyle factors

Listen (Ep. # 380) to the full episode on my website (https://t.co/99n6MzNMeM) or your favorite podcast player.

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

The evolutionary argument against eating seed oils | Layne Norton, Ph.D. (@biolayne)

This clip is from episode # 380 of The Drive which was released on 1/19/26.

In the full episode, we cover:

-The core arguments against seed oils: the four main claims underlying the idea that seed oils are uniquely harmful, and how well they hold up once major confounders are addressed
-The historical trials that shaped the debate: the Minnesota Coronary Experiment, Sydney Diet Heart Study, Rose Corn Oil trial, and later studies replacing saturated fat with polyunsaturated fat
-Mechanisms and causality: LDL cholesterol, oxidized LDL, linoleic acid (omega-6), inflammation, -Mendelian randomization, and why lifetime LDL exposure matters more than per-particle oxidation risk
-Practical takeaways: industrial processing concerns, cooking oils, real-world dietary fat choices, and how to prioritize nutrition relative to calories, activity, and overall lifestyle factors

Listen (Ep. # 380) to the full episode on my website (https://t.co/99n6MzNMeM) or your favorite podcast player.

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

In #380 of The Drive, I sit down with Layne Norton, PhD, (@biolayne) to debate seed oils. Layne lays out the case that seed oils are not uniquely harmful under isocaloric conditions, while I steelman the strongest versions of the opposing argument.

https://t.co/wjwFbOutkv

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

A viral wearable-data study suggests that one minute of vigorous exercise can replace 156 minutes of low-intensity movement. A closer look at the data tells a different story. Full article linked below.

https://t.co/JTrgOvngCd

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

The VO₂ accuracy of wearables | Peter Attia

This clip is from episode # 379 of The Drive which was released on 1/12/26.

In the full episode, we cover:

-Use the base-and-peak model to structure your week, knowing what belongs in “base,” what belongs in “peak,” and how to combine them without breaking recovery
-Choose the right approach for your time budget, with clear guidance for ~150 minutes/week, moderate training volumes, and high-volume scenarios
-Execute aerobic work correctly without lab testing, including how hard it should feel, how long to hold it, and how to progress
-Implement VO₂ max training the way Peter prescribes it, with clear guidance on pacing, recovery, and dosing
-Measure progress knowing when lab tests matter, when field tests are enough, and why most wearable metrics mislead
-Apply the framework across starting points, including beginners, metabolically unhealthy trainees, older adults, women, and higher training ages
-Understand Peter’s updated thinking on zone 2 training and how recent debates do (and do not) change real-world prescriptions
-Avoid the traps that waste years of training, including misapplied intensity, under-dosed volume, poor recovery, and the wrong metrics

This AMA episode (Ep. # 379) is available exclusively for premium members. Become a member now to watch or listen on my website (https://t.co/GCIwQFxJza or your favorite podcast player.

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

Why higher VO₂ max is important | Peter Attia

This clip is from episode # 379 of The Drive which was released on 1/12/26.

In the full episode, we cover:

-Use the base-and-peak model to structure your week, knowing what belongs in “base,” what belongs in “peak,” and how to combine them without breaking recovery
-Choose the right approach for your time budget, with clear guidance for ~150 minutes/week, moderate training volumes, and high-volume scenarios
-Execute aerobic work correctly without lab testing, including how hard it should feel, how long to hold it, and how to progress
-Implement VO₂ max training the way Peter prescribes it, with clear guidance on pacing, recovery, and dosing
-Measure progress knowing when lab tests matter, when field tests are enough, and why most wearable metrics mislead
-Apply the framework across starting points, including beginners, metabolically unhealthy trainees, older adults, women, and higher training ages
-Understand Peter’s updated thinking on zone 2 training and how recent debates do (and do not) change real-world prescriptions
-Avoid the traps that waste years of training, including misapplied intensity, under-dosed volume, poor recovery, and the wrong metrics

This AMA episode (Ep. # 379) is available exclusively for premium members. Become a member now to watch or listen on my website (https://t.co/GCIwQFxJza) or your favorite podcast player.

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

In this “Ask Me Anything” episode, Peter brings together his most up-to-date thinking on ​cardiorespiratory fitness into a practical guide for structuring training to maximize healthspan, lifespan, and long-term independence.

https://t.co/E03HpPaCEu

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

Social media personalities have been challenging conventional wisdom on atherosclerosis, but their evidence doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Full article linked below.

https://t.co/aM60JEws0o

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

How Women Can Balance Strength and Cardio With Limited Time | Abbie Smith-Ryan, Ph.D. (@asmithryan)

This clip is from episode # 378 of The Drive which was released on 1/5/26.

In the full episode, we cover:

-The benefits of creatine supplementation and importance of protein intake across the menstrual cycle
-How pregnancy and the postpartum period affect body composition
-The biggest open questions about women’s health: combining menopause hormone therapy with exercise, GLP-1 drugs, minimizing injury risk, and more
-How the training response differs between men and women, and the importance of type IIa muscle fibers

Listen (Ep. # 378) to the full episode on my website (https://t.co/rwYqzjMA2f) or your favorite podcast player.

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

How Busy Moms Can Build Fitness Without Extra Time | Abbie Smith-Ryan, Ph.D. (@asmithryan)

This clip is from episode # 378 of The Drive which was released on 1/5/26.

In the full episode, we cover:

-The benefits of creatine supplementation and importance of protein intake across the menstrual cycle
-How pregnancy and the postpartum period affect body composition
-The biggest open questions about women’s health: combining menopause hormone therapy with exercise, GLP-1 drugs, minimizing injury risk, and more
-How the training response differs between men and women, and the importance of type IIa muscle fibers

Listen (Ep. # 378) to the full episode on my website (https://t.co/rwYqzjMA2f) or your favorite podcast player.

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

In episode #378 of The Drive, I sit down with Abbie Smith-Ryan, Ph.D., a leading researcher in exercise physiology whose work focuses on how training and nutrition influence body composition, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and women’s health across the lifespan, with particular attention on perimenopause and post-menopause. Abbie explains how early exercise and play help build the foundation for bone health, muscle development, and cardiorespiratory fitness in girls, as well as how puberty and menstruation shape athletic performance, motivation, and recovery. She also explores how women can tailor training and nutrition across the menstrual cycle through smart fueling, hydration, and inflammation management.

We also cover:

-The benefits of creatine supplementation and importance of protein intake across the menstrual cycle
-How pregnancy and the postpartum period affect body composition
-The biggest open questions about women’s health: combining menopause hormone therapy with exercise, GLP-1 drugs, minimizing injury risk, and more
-How the training response differs between men and women, and the importance of type IIa muscle fibers

Click to watch or listen to the full episode on my website.

https://t.co/cxlhClW9Sy

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

Highlighting past articles on two common target areas for new year’s resolutions: nutrition and exercise. Full article linked below.

https://t.co/fuxKKJmR4z

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

How to improve motivation | James Clear (@JamesClear)

This clip is from episode # 183 of The Drive which was rereleased on 12/29/25.

In the full episode, we cover:

-Viewing habits through an evolutionary lens
-The influence of one’s social environment on their habits
-Self-forgiveness and getting back on track immediately after slipping up
-Advice for helping others to make behavioral changes

Listen (Ep. # 183) to the full episode on my website (https://t.co/BQ08sIXwCB) or your favorite podcast player.

[Peter Attia @PeterAttiaMD]

How repetition turns a habit into who you are | James Clear (@JamesClear)

This clip is from episode # 183 of The Drive which was rereleased on 12/29/25.

In the full episode, we cover:

-Viewing habits through an evolutionary lens
-The influence of one’s social environment on their habits
-Self-forgiveness and getting back on track immediately after slipping up
-Advice for helping others to make behavioral changes

Listen (Ep. # 183) to the full episode on my website (https://t.co/BQ08sIXwCB) or your favorite podcast player.