Huberman Lab

This episode my guest is Dr. Jack Feldman, Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology at the University of California, Los Angeles and a pioneering world expert in the science of respiration (breathing). We discuss how and why humans breathe the way we do, the function of the diaphragm and how it serves to increase oxygenation of the brain and body. We discuss how breathing influences mental state, fear, memory, reaction time, and more. And we discuss specific breathing protocols such as box-breathing, cyclic hyperventilation (similar to Wim Hof breathing), nasal versus mouth breathing, unilateral breathing, and how these each affect the brain and body. We discuss physiological sighs, peptides expressed by specific neurons controlling breathing, and magnesium compounds that can improve cognitive ability and how they work. This conversation serves as a sort of "Master Class" on the science of breathing and breathing-related tools for health and performance. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Introducing Dr. Jack Feldman (00:03:20) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:10:35) Why We Breathe (00:14:35) Neural Control of Breathing: “Pre-Botzinger Complex” (00:16:20) Nose vs Mouth Breathing (00:18:18) Skeletal vs. Smooth Muscles: Diaphragm, Intracostals & Airway Muscles (00:20:11) Two Breathing Oscillators: Pre-Botzinger Complex & Parafacial Nucleus (00:26:20) How We Breathe Is Special (Compared to Non-Mammals) (00:33:40) Stomach & Chest Movements During Breathing (00:36:23) Physiological Sighs, Alveoli Re-Filling, Bombesin (00:49:39) If We Don’t Sigh, Our Lung (& General) Health Suffers (01:00:42) Breathing, Brain States & Emotions (01:05:34) Meditating Mice, Eliminating Fear (01:11:00) Brain States, Amygdala, Locked-In Syndrome, Laughing (01:16:25) Facial Expressions (01:19:00) Locus Coeruleus & Alertness (01:29:40) Breath Holds, Apnea, Episodic Hypoxia, Hypercapnia (01:35:22) Stroke, Muscle Strength, TBI (01:38:08) Cyclic Hyperventilation (01:39:50) Hyperbaric Chambers (01:40:41) Nasal Breathing, Memory, Right vs. Left Nostril (01:44:50) Breathing Coordinates Everything: Reaction Time, Fear, etc. (01:57:13) Dr. Feldman’s Breathwork Protocols, Post-Lunch (02:02:05) Deliberately Variable Breathwork: The Feldman Protocol (02:06:29) Magnesium Threonate & Cognition & Memory (02:18:27) Gratitude for Dr. Feldman’s Highly Impactful Work (02:20:53) Zero-Cost Support, Sponsors, Instagram, Twitter, Supplements Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I review the science of habit formation and habit elimination and how the process of neuroplasticity (brain rewiring) underlies these processes. I describe two new systems for habit formation. The first system is grounded in the neuroscience of brain states and our ability to perform (and to avoid) certain tasks at different phases of the 24-hour day. The second system focuses on 21-day habit formation and consolidation. I also discuss "task bracketing" as an approach to enhancing habit formation and eliminating unwanted habits and the neural circuits that underlie task bracketing in the basal ganglia (a brain region for generating and stopping behaviors). I also review the science of dopamine rewards and how to apply that knowledge to shaping habits. The science and tools in this episode ought to be helpful for anyone looking to build better habits and eliminate unwanted habits for school, work, fitness, relationships, creative endeavors, and more—indeed for any person or situation where behavioral changes are needed. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Introducing Habits; New Programs (00:02:46) Sponsors: LMNT & Waking Up (00:06:52) Habits versus Reflexes, Learning, Neuroplasticity (00:08:51) Goal-Based Habits vs. Identity-Based Habits (00:11:40) How Long It (Really) Takes to Form a Habit; Limbic-Friction (00:16:07) Linchpin Habits (00:18:55) Mapping Your Habits; Habit Strength, Context-Dependence (00:22:55) Automaticity (00:24:03) Tool 1: Applying Procedural Memory Visualizations (00:27:48) Hebbian Learning, NMDA receptors (00:31:00) Tool 2: Task Bracketing; Dorsolateral Striatum (00:37:08) States of Mind, Not Scheduling Time Predicts Habit Strength (00:38:16) Tool 3: Phase-Based Habit Plan: Phase 1 (00:46:29) Tool 3: Phase-Based Habit Plan: Phase 2 (00:55:24) Tool 3: Phase-Based Habit Plan: Phase 3 (01:01:34) Habit Flexibility (01:04:57) Should We Reward Ourselves? How? When? When NOT to. (01:10:30) Tool 4: “Dopamine Spotlighting” & Task Bracketing (01:18:22) Tool 5: The 21-Day Habit Installation & Testing System (01:28:26) Breaking Habits: Long-Term (Synaptic) Depression (01:35:49) Notifications Don’t Work (01:37:50) Tool 6: Break Bad Habits with Post-Bad-Habit “Positive Cargo” (01:44:26) Addictions as Habits: https://hubermanlab.com/dr-anna-lembke-understanding-and-treating-addiction (01:45:28) Conclusion & Synthesis (01:48:27) Zero-Cost Support, Sponsors, Supplements, Instagram, Twitter Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. David Sinclair, tenured Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and an expert researcher in the field of longevity. Dr. Sinclair is also the author of the book Lifespan: Why We Age & Why We Don't Have To, and the host of the Lifespan Podcast, which launches January 5, 2022. In this interview, we discuss the cellular and molecular mechanisms of aging and what we all can do to slow or reverse the aging process. We discuss fasting and supplementation with resveratrol, NAD, metformin, and NMN. We also discuss the use of caffeine, exercise, cold exposure, and why excessive iron load is bad for us. We discuss food choices for offsetting aging and promoting autophagy (clearance of dead cells). And we discuss the key blood markers everyone should monitor to determine your biological versus chronological age. We also discuss the future of longevity research and technology. This episode includes lots of basic science and specific, actionable protocols, right down to the details of what to do and when. By the end, you will have in-depth knowledge of the biology of aging and how to offset it. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. David Sinclair, Harvard Medical School 00:03:45 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:07:45 “Aging as a Disease” vs. Longevity & Anti-Aging 00:10:23 What Causes Aging? The Epigenome 00:15:53 Cosmetic Aging 00:17:15 Development Never Stops, Horvath Clock 00:20:12 Puberty Rate as a Determinant of Aging Rate 00:23:00 Fasting, Hunger & Food Choices 00:32:44 Fasting Schedules, Long Fasts, (Macro)Autophagy 00:34:50 Caffeine, Electrolytes 00:35:56 Blood Glucose & the Sirtuins; mTOR 00:37:55 Amino Acids: Leucine, “Pulsing” 00:44:35 Metformin, Berberine 00:50:29 Resveratrol, Wine 00:53:20 What Breaks a Fast? 00:56:45 Resveratrol, NAD, NMN, NR; Dosage, Timing 01:09:10 Are Artificial Sweeteners Bad for Us? 01:12:04 Iron Load & Aging 01:15:05 Blood Work Analysis 01:19:37 C-Reactive Protein, Cholesterol: Serum & Dietary 01:26:02 Amino Acids, Plants, Antioxidants 01:33:45 Behaviors That Extend Lifespan, Testosterone, Estrogen 01:40:35 Neuroplasticity & Neural Repair 01:46:19 Ice Baths, Cold Showers, “Metabolic Winter” 01:48:07 Obesity & How It Accelerates Aging, GnRH 01:52:10 Methylation, Methylene Blue, Cigarettes 01:56:17 X-Rays 01:59:00 Public Science Education, Personal Health 02:05:40 The Sinclair Test You Can Take: www.doctorsinclair.com 02:08:13 Zero-Cost Support & Resources, Sponsors, Supplements, Instagram Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I discuss the science of social bonding- the process by which we form attachments. I explain the neural and hormonal basis for "social homeostasis" (our drive for a given amount of socializing) which reveals why we get lonely, why we seek out connection with others and how power dynamics (hierarchies) shape those connections. I also discuss the neurochemical basis of introversion and extroversion, of trust and how shared experiences that promote similar physiological states in two or more individuals, leads to more rapid bonding. I also discuss how food and oxytocin play key roles in social bonding. This episode covers quality peer-reviewed science and practical tools for anyone seeking to find, build or end relationships. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Social Bonding: Child-Parent, Romantic, Friendship, Breakups 00:03:10 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:07:08 Social Bonding as a Biological Process 00:10:03 Social Isolation 00:13:32 Social Homeostasis & Neural Circuits for Social Drive 00:18:55 Brain Areas & (Neuro)Chemistry of Social Drive 00:22:48 What Is Social Homeostasis & Dopamine 00:27:00 When We Lack Social Interactions: Short- Versus Long-Term 00:28:10 Introverts & Extroverts 00:31:00 “Good” Versus “Bad” Social Interactions & Hierarchies 00:33:54 Loneliness & Dorsal Raphe Nucleus & Social Hunger 00:37:33 Tools 00:38:05 Socializing & Food Appetite: Crossover Craving 00:42:45 Falling in Love 00:45:05 Tools for Social Bonds: Merging Physiologies; Story 00:53:54 Childhood Attachment Patterns in Adulthood 01:03:45 Attachment Styles: Autonomic Versus Intellectual Attachment 01:06:10 Emotional Empathy & Cognitive Empathy, Arguing 01:09:45 Allan N. Schore & “Right Brain Psychotherapy” 01:10:40 Oxytocin & Trust, In Males Versus Females, Hormonal Glue 01:16:10 Repairing Broken Bonds to Self & Others 01:18:56 Social (Media) Butterflies: Biological Basis 01:24:08 Key Points for Bonding & Understanding Social Bonds 01:27:07 Breaking Up 01:28:36 Synthesis 01:31:17 Zero-Cost Support, Sponsors, Supplements, Instagram, Twitter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, my guest is Dr. David Berson, Ph.D., Professor & Chairman of Neuroscience at Brown University. Dr. Berson discovered the neurons in your eye that set your biological rhythms for sleep, wakefulness, mood and appetite. He is also a world-renowned teacher of basic and advanced neuroscience, having taught thousands of university lectures on this topic. Many of his students have become world-leading neuroscientists and teachers themselves. Here Dr. Berson takes us on a structured journey into and around the nervous system, explaining: how we perceive the world and our internal landscape, how we balance, see, and remember. Also, how we learn and perform reflexive and deliberate actions, how we visualize and imagine in our mind, and how the various circuits of the brain coordinate all these incredible feats. We discuss practical and real-life examples of neural circuit function across the lifespan. Dr. Berson gives us a masterclass in the nervous system—one that, in just less than two hours, will teach you an entire course's worth about the brain and how yours works. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. David Berson 00:03:11 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:08:02 How We See 00:10:02 Color Vision 00:13:47 “Strange” Vision 00:16:56 How You Orient In Time 00:25:45 Body Rhythms, Pineal Function, Light & Melatonin, Blueblockers 00:34:45 Spending Time Outdoors Improves Eyesight 00:36:20 Sensation, Mood, & Self-Image 00:41:03 Sense of Balance 00:50:43 Why Pigeons Bob Their Heads, Motion Sickness 01:00:03 Popping Ears 01:02:35 Midbrain & Blindsight 01:10:44 Why Tilted Motion Feels Good 01:13:24 Reflexes vs. Deliberate Actions 01:16:35 Basal Ganglia & the “2 Marshmallow Test” 01:24:40 Suppressing Reflexes: Cortex 01:33:33 Neuroplasticity 01:36:27 What is a Connectome? 01:45:20 How to Learn (More About the Brain) 01:49:04 Book Suggestion, My Berson Appreciation 01:50:20 Zero-Cost Ways to Support the HLP, Guest Suggestions, Sponsors, Supplements Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss fear and trauma, including the neural circuits involved in the "threat reflex" and how specific experiences and memories come to activate that system. I also discuss how our body is involved in trauma and fear. First, I describe the logic of fear mechanisms and how "top-down" processing-- meaning connections from the parts of the brain that assign meaning to our feelings, are involved in fear and erasing fears and traumas. Then I discuss what successful fear and trauma treatment must include and consider various treatments for whether they meet that standard, such as EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Ketamine, other drug-assisted therapies, and more. I also review new data on how 5 minutes per day of deliberate, self-imposed stress can erase fear and depression. And I review the role that social connection plays in erasing or maintaining fears by activating specific molecular pathways in the brain and body. Finally, I review supplementation with over-the-counter compounds for their effects on anxiety and fear and when to take them, if at all. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introducing Fear, Trauma & Trauma 00:02:31 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:49 What is Fear? 00:11:45 Autonomic Arousal: “Alertness” vs. “Calmness” 00:13:44 Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis (HPA axis) 00:17:36 “The Threat Reflex”: Neural Circuits for Fear 00:28:24 Controlling Fear: Top-Down Processing 00:32:27 Narratives: “Protective or Dangerous” 00:35:58 Attaching Fear to Events: Classical Conditioning & Memory 00:41:45 How Fear Learning Occurs: Long Term Potentiation, NMDA 00:46:10 Extinguishing (Reducing) Fears 00:50:25 Cognitive (Narrative) Therapies for Fear 00:57:56 Repetition of Narrative, Overwriting Bad Experiences with Good 01:05:28 EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing 01:14:00 Social Connection & Isolation Are Chemically Powerful 01:18:23 Trans-Generational Trauma 01:25:00 PTSD Treatments: Ketamine, MDMA, Oxytocin 01:39:25 How Do You Know If You Are Traumatized? 01:46:16 Deliberate Brief Stress Can Erase Fears & Trauma 01:49:50 Erasing Fears & Traumas in 5 Minutes Per Day 01:59:42 Nutrition, Sleep, & Other General Support Erasing Fear & Trauma 02:02:30 Supplements for Anxiety, Fear: Saffron, Inositol, Kava 02:10:00 Synthesis 02:11:46 Zero-Cost Support, Sponsors, Supplements, Instagram, Twitter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, my guest is Dr. David Buss, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at the University of Texas, Austin, and one of the founding members of the field of evolutionary psychology. Dr. Buss describes his work on how people select mates for short and long-term relationships, the dynamics of human courtship, and mate value assessment — meaning how people measure up as potential partners. We also discuss the causes of infidelity and differences for infidelity in men and women. He explains how people evaluate and try to alter other people’s mate value as a means to secure and even poach mates. We discuss monogamous and non-monogamous relationships in humans. And we discuss what Dr. Buss calls “the dark triad” — features common in stalkers and narcissists that relate to sexual and psychological violence in relationships. This episode is sure to be of interest to anyone single or in a relationship who seeks to know how people select mates and anyone who is interested in forming and maintaining healthy romantic partnerships. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introducing Dr. David Buss 00:04:27 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:08:33 Choosing a Mate 00:13:40 Long Term Mates: Universal Desires 00:18:31 What Women & Men Seek in Long-Term Mates 00:25:10 Age Differences & Mating History 00:32:20 Deception in Courtship 00:37:30 Emotional Stability 00:38:40 Lying About Long-Term Interest 00:41:56 Short-Term Mating Criteria, Sliding Standards & Context Effects 00:46:25 Sexual Infidelity: Variety Seeking & (Un)happiness & Mate Switching 00:54:25 Genetic Cuckolds, How Ovulation Impacts Mate Preference 00:57:00 Long-Term vs. Short-Term Cheating, Concealment 00:59:15 Emotional & Financial Infidelity 01:04:35 Contraception 01:06:22 Status & Mating Success 01:10:10 Jealousy, Mate Value Discrepancies, Vigilance, Violence 01:24:13 Specificity of Intimate Partner Violence 01:25:12 Mate Retention Tactics: Denigration, Guilt, Etc. 01:27:33 Narcissism, Machiavellianism, Psychopathy 01:33:25 Stalking 01:39:15 Influence of Children on Mate Value Assessments 01:43:24 Attachment Styles, Mate Choice & Infidelity 01:46:40 Non-Monogamy, Unconventional Relationships 01:54:00 Mate Value Self Evaluation, Anxiety About the Truth 02:02:12 Self Deception 02:05:35 The Future of Evolutionary Psychology & Neuroscience 02:06:56 Books: When Men Behave Badly, The Evolution of Desire, Textbooks 02:10:42 Concluding Statements, Zero-Cost Support: Subscribe, Sponsors, Supplements Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss the science of gratitude, which has been shown in peer-reviewed studies to have tremendous positive effects on mental and physical health. I explain, however, that most commonly used gratitude practices are ineffective (such as gratitude lists). The key elements of highly effective gratitude practices are described, including the essential need for story (narrative), receiving or perceiving gratitude rather than giving it, and the role that theory of mind plays in this context. I also discuss why we can't simply make up feelings of gratitude and how reluctance undermines the process. I also explain the neural circuit mechanisms that underlie the reductions in fear and increases in motivation and lowering of inflammatory chemicals that effective narrative-based gratitude can trigger. Throughout the episode, I use the science of gratitude to design a brief but highly effective protocol. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction: Gratitude Science & Surprises 00:01:50 Controlling Heart Rate with Story 00:04:48 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:09:11 Major, Long-Lasting Benefits of Gratitude Practice 00:12:20 Prosocial vs. Defensive Thinking, Behaviors, & Neural Circuits 00:17:50 Why We All Need an Effective Gratitude Practice 00:21:22 Neurochemistry & Neural Circuits of Gratitude 00:25:10 Prefrontal Cortex Set Context 00:30:10 Ineffective Gratitude Practices; Autonomic Variables 00:34:55 Key Features of Effective Gratitude Practices: Receiving Thanks & Story 00:42:30 Theory of Mind Is Key 00:45:50 Building Effective Gratitude Practices: Adopting Narratives, Duration 00:52:28 Narratives That Shift Brain-Body Circuits 00:56:15 You Can’t Lie About Liking Something; Reluctance in Giving 00:59:55 How Gratitude Changes Your Brain: Reduces Anxiety, Increases Motivation 01:03:00 5 Minutes (Is More Than Enough), 3X Weekly, Timing Each Day 01:05:44 Empathy & Anterior Cingulate Cortex 01:07:35 Reducing Inflammation & Fear with Gratitude 01:10:56 Serotonin, Kanna/Zembrin 01:16:00 Neuroplasticity, Pharmacology, Brain Machine Interfaces 01:18:50 The Best Gratitude Practices: & How To, My Protocol 01:24:25 Subscribe & Feedback, Supporting Sponsors, Supplements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss how our brain and body track time and the role that neurochemicals, in particular dopamine and serotonin, but also hormones such as melatonin, allow us to orient ourselves in time. I review the three types of time perception: of the past, of the present, and the future, and how dopamine and serotonin adjust both our perception of the speed of the passage of time and our memory of how long previous experiences lasted. I also discuss circannual entrainment, which is the process by which our brain and body are matched to the seasons, and circadian (24 hours) entrainment, both of which subconsciously adjust our perceived measurement of time. I explain the mechanisms of that subconscious control. And I cover the ultradian (90 minutes) rhythms that govern our ability to focus, including how to track when these 90-minute rhythms begin and end for the sake of work and productivity. I include ten tools based on the science of time perception that you can apply to enhance productivity, creativity, and relationships in various contexts. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introducing Time Perception, Note on Fasting & Supplements 00:05:28 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:09:25 Entrainment, Circannual Entrainment, Melatonin 00:13:20 Seasonal Oscillations in Testosterone & Estrogen, Tool 1 00:16:06 Circadian Timing, Tools 1, 2, 3 (for Circadian Entrainment) 00:21:13 Tool 4: Timing Physical Activity; Tool 5: Timing Eating Window 00:23:00 When Circadian Entrainment Is Disrupted, Time Perception Suffers 00:25:00 Tool 6: Ultradian (90min) Cycles & Focus 00:31:42 Our Sense of the Passage of Time: Present, Prospective, Retrospective 00:34:40 Dopamine (& Nor/epinephrine) Lead to Time Overestimation; Frame Rate 00:37:18 Serotonin & Time Underestimation; Decreased Frame Rate 00:39:10 Dopamine vs. Serotonin Across the Day; Tool 7: When to Do Rigid vs. Creative Work 00:42:38 Example of Tool 7 00:43:38 How Sleep Deprivation Degrades Performance 00:44:38 Trauma, “Over-clocking” & Memories; Adjusting Rates of Experience 00:50:04 Why Trauma Involves Dopamine & Epinephrine, Arousal 00:51:03 Dopamine, Spontaneous Blinking & Time Perception; Tool 8 00:53:38 Deliberate Cold Exposure, Dopamine, Tool 9: Adjusting Frame Rate in Discomfort 00:56:30 Fun “Feels Fast” BUT Is Remembered as Slow; Boring Stuff “Feels Slow,” Recall as Fast 01:00:54 Retrospective Time, Context Variation & Enhanced Bonding with Places & People 01:03:00 Dopamine Release Resets the Start of Each Time Bin on Our Experience 01:07:40 Habits & Time Perception; Tool 10 (Setting Functional Units of Each Day) 01:11:58 Synthesis & Book Suggestion (Your Brain Is a Time Machine by D. Buonomano) 01:12:27 Supporting the HLP: Subscribe, Instagram, Supplements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Duncan French, Ph.D., the Vice President of Performance at the UFC Performance Institute and a world-class performance specialist. We discuss specific resistance (weight) training regimens for increasing testosterone in men and women and how to vary mechanical loads and rest between sets and workouts to optimize hormone output and training results. We also discuss how stress-induced "catecholamines" can increase testosterone or decrease it, depending on duration and mindset. And we discuss specific cold- and heat- therapies for increasing resilience, reducing inflammation, heat shock proteins and more. We discuss nutrition for training and how to match nutrition to training goals and metabolic flexibility. We discuss mental focus and how long to train for skill development. Finally, we discuss how mixed martial arts and the UFC Performance Institute are a template for exploring human performance more generally. This episode is intended for anyone interested in athletic and mental performance: athletes, students, and recreational exercisers and includes both science and many practical tools people can apply in their own training. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Duncan French 00:02:44 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:05:44 Duncan’s Background in Exercise Science 00:11:45 How Certain Exercises Increase Testosterone 00:16:22 What Kind of Training Increases Testosterone & Growth Hormone? 00:20:19 Intensity: Mechanical Load; Volume: Metabolic Load; Inter-set Rest Periods 00:25:25 Training Frequency & Combining Workout Goals 00:29:35 How Stress Can Increase or Decrease Testosterone 00:36:55 Using Cold Exposure for Mindset, Anti-Inflammation, Muscle-Growth 00:46:55 Skill Development 00:50:05 Why Hard Exercise Creates Brain Fog: Role of Nutrition 00:53:55 Low-Carbohydrate Versus All-Macronutrient Diets on Performance 00:56:15 Ketones & Brain Energy, Offsetting Brain Injury; Spiking Glucose During Ketosis 00:59:13 Metabolic Efficiency, Matching Nutrition to Training, “Needs Based Eating” 01:05:00 Duncan’s Work with Olympic Athletes, NCAA, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) 01:08:00 Why UFC & MMA (Mixed-Martial Arts) Are So Valuable for Advancing Performance 01:12:40 Voluntarily Switching Between Different States of Arousal 01:14:30 Heat, Getting Better at Sweating, Heat Shock Proteins, Sauna 01:20:12 Using Rotating 12-Week Training Programs; Logging Objective & Subjective Data 01:24:07 Surprising & Unknown Aspects of The UFC and UFC Performance Institute 01:27:45 Conclusions, Zero-Cost Support, Sponsors, Supplements, Instagram Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode teaches you a lot about the immune system, immune-brain interactions and offers 12 potential tools for enhancing immune system function. I discuss how our immune system works and science-supported tools we can use to enhance our immune system. I discuss the innate and adaptive immune systems and our various microbiomes-- not just in our gut but also in our nose, eyes and mouth and how to keep them healthy. And I review how specific patterns of breathing and foods maintain a healthy mucosal barrier that is crucial for fighting infections. I discuss how certain neurochemicals called catecholamines enhance our immune system function and how to use specific breathing protocols, types and timing of heat and cold exposure, and, if appropriate, supplementation to activate catecholamines. I also discuss the role and use of serotonin for the sake of accessing the specific types of sleep for recovering from illness, and I discuss how to increase glymphatic "washout" of brain debris during sleep. I also review fever, the vagus nerve and the use of atypical yet highly effective compounds for rhinitis (nasal inflammation). Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 The Mind & Immune System, New Findings: Acupuncture & Fascia 00:03:16 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:07:41 Foundational Tools & Practices for a Healthy Immune System 00:11:20 Immune System Basics: Skin/Mucous, Innate & Adaptive Immune System 00:17:08 Killer Cells, Complement Proteins (“Eat Me!” Signals), Cytokines (“Help Me!” Signals) 00:21:06 The Adaptive Immune System: Antibodies 00:28:00 Tool 1: Nasal Microbiome and “Scrubbing” Bacteria & Viruses; Nasal Breathing 00:30:33 Tools 2 & 3: (Not) Touching Your Eyes; Gut Microbiome & Fermented Foods 00:34:20 Some Interleukins Are Anti-Inflammatory 00:34:56 Sickness Behavior 00:39:08 Some People Seek Care When Sick, Others Want to be Alone 00:42:00 Sickness Behavior & Depression: Cytokines 00:43:40 Reduced Appetites When Sick: Protein, Iron, Libido 00:46:45 Vagus-Nerve Stimulation: Fever, Photophobia, Sleepiness 00:53:03 Humoral (Blood-Borne) Factors, & Choroid Change Your Brain State 00:55:04 Tools 4, 5: Reducing Sickness: Glymphatic Clearance, Pre-Sleep Serotonin, 5HTP 01:07:03 Tool 6: Hot Showers, Saunas, Baths & Cortisol, Heat-Cold Contrast 01:10:53 Feed a Fever & Starve a Cold (?), Adrenaline 01:12:36 Tool 7: Activating Your Immune System w/Cyclic-Hyperventilation, Alkalinity 01:29:10 Brain Chemicals & Cyclic-Hyperventilation; Catecholamines, Dopamine 01:32:10 Mindsets & Immune Function; Yes, You Can Worry Yourself Sick 01:37:00 Tool 8: Healthy Mindsets, Hope, Dopamine; Tool 9: Tyrosine; Tool 10: Cold Exposure 01:42:05 Once You’re Already Sick: Accelerating Recovery; Tool 11: Spirulina, Rhinitis 01:46:09 Histamines, Mast Cells 01:49:22 Tool 12: Acupuncture: Mechanism for How It Reduces Inflammation; Fascia, Rolfing 01:53:40 Mechanistic Science & Ancient Practices 01:58:00 Synthesis, Ways to Support Us (Zero-Cost), Sponsors, Supplements, Social Media Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I host Dr. Samer Hattar, Ph.D., Chief of the Section on Light and Circadian Rhythms at the National Institute of Mental Health. Dr. Hattar is a world-renowned expert on how viewing light at particular times adjusts our mood, ability to learn, stress and hormone levels, appetite, and mental health. We discuss how to determine and use your individual light sensitivity to determine the optimal sleep-wake cycle for you. We also discuss how to combine your light viewing and waking time with the timing of your food intake and exercise in order to maximize mental and physical functioning. Dr. Hattar is credited with co-discovering the neurons in the eye that set our circadian clocks and regulate mood and appetite. He explains why even a small shift in daylight savings leads to outsized effects on our biking because of the way that our cells and circadian clocks integrate across many days. And he offers precise tools to rapidly adjust to jet lag, shift work, and reset your clock after a late night of work or socializing. This episode is filled with cutting-edge data on the biological mechanisms of human physiology and practical tools for people of all ages. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introducing Dr. Samer Hattar, Ph.D. 00:02:33 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:15 Light, Circadian (24-hour) & Circannual (365-day) “Photoentrainment” 00:14:30 Neurons in Our Eyes That Set Our Body Clocks: Similar to Frog Skin 00:18:55 What Blind People See 00:20:15 When, How & How Long to View Light for Optimal Sleep & Wakefulness 00:30:20 Sunlight Simulators, Afternoon Light Viewing, Naps 00:33:48 Are You Jet Lagged at Home? Chronotypes & Why Early Risers Succeed 00:38:33 How to Decide Your Best Sleep-Wake Schedule; Minimal Light Test 00:42:16 Viewing Light in Middle of Day: Mood & “Light Hunger” 00:44:55 Evening Sunlight; Blueblocker Warning 00:48:57 Blue Light Is Not the Issue; Samer’s Cave; Complete Darkness 00:53:58 Screens at Night 00:56:03 Dangers of Bright Light Between 10 pm and 4 am: Mood & Learning 01:01:05 The Tripartite Model: Circadian, Sleep Drive, Feeding Schedules 01:05:05 Using Light to Enhance Your Mood; & The Hattar-Hernandez Nucleus 01:07:19 Why Do We Sleep? 01:08:17 Effects of Light on Appetite; Regular Light & Meal Times 01:18:08 Samer’s Experience with Adjusting Meal Timing 01:22:51 Using Light to Align Sleep, Mood, Feeding, Exercise & Cognition 01:30:15 Age-Related Changes in Timing of Mental & Physical Vigor 01:31:44 “Chrono-Attraction” in Relationships; Social-Rhythms 01:33:40 Re-setting Our Clock Schedule; Screen Devices Revisited 01:37:50 How Samer Got into the Study of Light 01:39:33 Clock Gene mRNAs & More Accurate Biomarkers 01:41:08 Light as Medicine 01:42:48 ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) 01:43:35 How to Beat Jet Lag: Light, Temperature, Eating 01:50:44 Vigor: The Consequence of Proper Timing 01:52:15 Waking in the Middle of the Night: When Your Nightly Sleep Becomes a Nap 01:54:10 Melatonin, Pineal Calcification 01:55:25 Our Seasonal Rhythms: Mood, Depression, Lethargy & Reproduction 01:59:08 Daylight Savings: Much Worse Than It Might Seem 02:05:27 Eye Color & Sensitivity to Light, Bipolar Disorder 02:09:28 Spicy Food, Genetic Variations in Sensory Sensitivity 02:10:52 Synthesizing This Information, Samer on Twitter, Instagram 02:13:00 Conclusions, Ways To Support the Huberman Lab Podcast & Research Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I describe science-supported nutrients for brain and performance (cognition) and for nervous system health generally. I describe 10 tools for this purpose, including specific amounts and sources for Omega-3 fatty acids which make up the "structural fat" of neurons (nerve cells) and allow them to function across our lifespan. I also review data on creatine, phosphatidylserine, anthocyanins, choline, glutamine and how they each impact brain function in healthy people seeking to reinforce and improve their cognition and in those combatting cognitive decline. I describe both food-based and supplement-based sources for these compounds, and their effective dose ranges based on peer-reviewed literature. Then I review the 3 factors: gut-brain signaling, perceived taste, and learned associations that combine with the metabolic and blood-sugar-elevating effects of food to determine what foods we seek and prefer. Amazingly, it's not just about what tastes good to us. Next, I explore how we can leverage the neural circuits of learned food preference toward seeking and enjoying the right foods for brain health and performance. I also review new data on non-caloric sweeteners and why consuming them with glucose-elevating foods can be detrimental, in some cases rapidly leading to insulin dysregulation. This episode covers more than 10 actionable tools for those seeking to improve and/or maintain brain function, and it explains modern neuroscience underlying of our sense of taste, our food seeking preferences and brain metabolism. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Food & Brain Function Introduction 00:02:08 Summary: Critical Aspects of Time Restricted Feeding/Fasting 00:04:36 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:08:24 Neuroplasticity Super Protocol (Zero-Cost Tools) Online 00:09:22 Eating to Enhance Brain Function & Foundational Aspects of Brain Health 00:13:00 Eating Fats for Brain Health, EFAs Phospholipids (Tool 1: 1-3g EPA Omega-3/day) 00:20:35 Phosphatidylserine (Tool 2: 300mg/day) 00:22:15 Choline, Egg Yolks (Tool 3: 1-2g/day Threshold) 00:28:26 Hydration & Electrolytes (Tool 4) 00:29:50 Liquid Fish Oil/Capsules (2-3g EPA per day; 300mg Alpha GPC 2-4X/week) 00:32:22 Creatine for Cognition (Tool 5: 5g/day) 00:36:28 Anthocyanins, Dark Skin Berries (Tool 6: 10mg/day (Extract), 1-2 cups Berries) 00:41:19 L-Glutamine (Tool: 1-10g/day) & Offsetting Apnea & Inflammation 00:49:23 Neural Basis of Food Preference, Yum, Yuck, Meh; Taste, Guts, & Beliefs 00:55:25 Taste is 100% In Your Head 00:59:50 Gut Neurons Controlling Food Preference: Neuropod Cells; (Tool 7: Fermented Foods) 01:06:14 Capsule Probiotics, Brain Fog 01:07:16 Learning to Like Specific Tastes: Sweetness & Brain Metabolism 01:12:11 Hard-Wiring & Soft-Wiring 01:13:25 Artificial & Non-Caloric Sweeteners: Safe or Harmful Depends on (Glucose) Context 01:18:15 Non-Caloric Sweetener & Insulin; (Tool 8: Don’t Have w/Glucose Elevating Foods) 01:22:17 Beliefs & Thoughts; The Insula; (Tool 9: Pairing-Based Reshaping Food Preferences) 01:30:42 Liking Neuro-Healthy Foods & Bettering Brain Metabolism (Tool 10); Food Wars 01:36:05 Food Reward & Diabetes, Obesity; Important Review Article (See Caption) 01:38:28 Synthesis, Zero-Cost Support, Future Topic Suggestions, Sponsors, Supplements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I discuss the science and practice of fasting also called time-restricted feeding. I review the data on how limiting food intake to specific portions of every 24-hour cycle (or fasting longer) impacts weight loss, fat loss specifically, liver health, mental focus, muscle, longevity and more. I explain how "fasted" is contextual, and relates to blood glucose levels and their downstream effects, and how the depth of fasting can be adjusted with behaviors such as different types of exercise, or with glucose disposal agents. I also discuss the optimal fasting protocol: and both the absolute (non-negotiable) and variable (contextual) features of a fasting/time-restricted-feeding protocol that will allow you to get the most benefits. I also discuss what does and does not break a fast, the effects of fasting on hormones like testosterone and cortisol and on fertility. I also review how different feeding windows of 8 or 10 or 4 hours differentially impact the effects of fasting, and why the classic 8 hour feeding window came to be but also might be ideal. I discuss mechanisms and offer tools to discern the optimal fasting duration and timing for you. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction, Blood Glucose & Mortality, Mice Vs. Humans 00:06:18 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:09:42 Neuroplasticity Protocols & Online Lecture 00:11:20 Feeding, Fasting, Performance 00:13:50 Calories-In, Calories-Out (CICO); Perfect Diets 00:19:48 Feeding-Induced Health Conditions 00:25:33 Time Restricted Eating: When We Eat Is Vital 00:29:45 The Eight Hour Feeding Window 00:31:26 Feeding Deep Into the Night Is Bad (In Humans) 00:36:33 Liver Health 00:39:45 Time Restricted Feeding Protocol: Rules 00:41:35 When to Start & Stop Eating 00:45:38 Gastric Clearance, Linking Fasting to Sleep 00:52:35 Effects of Specific Categories of Food 00:55:40 Precision In Fasting: Protocol Build 00:59:30 4-6 Hour Feeding Windows 01:03:08 Protein Consumption & Timing for Muscle 01:08:13 How to Shift Your Eating Window 01:13:20 Glucose Clearing, Exercise & Compounds 01:22:37 Blood Glucose: Monitoring, mTOR & Related Pathways 01:27:40 Gut Health: Fasting, Clock Genes and Microbiota 01:29:15 Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver 01:32:00 Effects of Fasting on Hormones: Testosterone, Cortisol 01:38:40 Fertility 01:41:50 8-Hour Feeding Window: Weight Loss Without Calorie Counting 01:43:20 Eating Every-Other-Day 01:45:29 Adherence 01:47:15 Mental Focus & Clarity 01:49:12 Enhancing Weight Loss from Body Fat: Hepatic Lipase 01:53:15 What Breaks a Fast? Rules & Context 01:58:50 Artificial Sweeteners, Plant-Based Sweeteners 02:01:42 Glucose Clearing II, Cinnamon, Acidity, Salt 02:06:42 My Circadian Clock, Zero-App 02:08:20 Odd (But Common) Questions 02:09:23 Effects of Sauna & Dehydration on Blood Glucose 02:11:12 The Ideal Fasting Protocol 02:24:00 More Resources, Ways to Support Us, Supplements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I am joined by Dr. Craig Heller, Ph.D., Professor of Biology at Stanford University and world expert on the science of temperature regulation. We discuss how the body and brain maintain temperature under different conditions and how most everyone uses the wrong approach to cool off or heat up. Dr. Heller teaches us the best ways and in doing so, explains how to offset hyperthermia and hypothermia. He also explains how we can use the precise timing and location of cooling on our body to greatly enhance endurance and weight training performance. He describes how cooling technology discovered and engineered in his laboratory has led to a tripling of anaerobic (weight training) performance and allowed endurance athletes to run further and faster, as well as to eliminate delayed onset muscle soreness. Dr. Heller explains how heat impairs muscular and mental performance, and how to cool the brain to reduce inflammation and to enhance sleep and cognition. We discuss how anyone can apply these principles for themselves, even their dogs! Our conversation includes both many practical tools and mechanistic science. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introducing Dr. Craig Heller, Physiology & Performance 00:02:20 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:45 Cold Showers, Ice Baths, Cryotherapy 00:10:45 Boundary Layers 00:11:55 Cooling Before Aerobic Activity to Enhance Performance 00:14:45 Anaerobic Activity Locally Increases Muscle Heat 00:16:45 Temperature Gates Our Energy Use 00:19:00 Local Versus Systemic Fatigue: Heat Is Why We Fail 00:22:10 Cooling Off: Most Methods are Counterproductive 00:26:43 Exercise-Induced Brain Fog 00:27:45 Hyperthermia 00:31:50 Best Body Sites for Cooling: Palms, Foot Pads, Upper Face 00:38:00 Cooling Your Brain via The Upper Face; Concussion 00:41:25 Extraordinary (Tripling!) Performance by Cooling the Palms 00:45:35 Enhancing Recovery, Eliminating Soreness w/Intra-workout Cooling 00:50:00 Multiple Sclerosis: Heat Sensitivity & Amelioration with Cooling 00:51:00 Enhancing Endurance with Proper Cooling 00:53:00 Cool Mitt, Ice-Cold Is Too Cold, 3 Minutes Cooling 00:58:20 How You Can Use Palmer Cooling to Enhance Performance 01:01:15 Radiation, Convection, Heat-Transfer, Role of Surface Area 01:04:40 Hypothermia Story, Ideal Re-Heating Strategy 01:11:40 Paw-lmer Cooling for Dog Health & Performance 01:12:45 Warming Up, & Varying Temperature Around the Body 01:17:35 Cooling-Enhanced Performance Is Permanent 01:19:55 Anabolic Steroids versus Palmer Cooling 01:24:00 Female Athletic Performance 01:25:18 Shivering & Cold, Metabolism 01:26:55 Studies of Bears & Hibernation, Brown Fat 01:31:10 Brown Fat Distribution & Activation In Humans 01:34:18 Brain Freeze, Ice Headache: Blood Pressure, Headache 01:37:50 Fidgeters, Non-Exercise Induced Thermogenesis 01:39:44 How Pre-Workout Drinks, & Caffeine May Inhibit Performance 01:43:42 Sleep, Cold, Warm Baths, Screens, & Socks 01:48:44 Synthesis 01:49:30 Supporting the Podcast & Scientific Research Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode serves as a sort of “Dopamine Masterclass”. I discuss the immensely powerful chemical that we all make in our brain and body: dopamine. I describe what it does and the neural circuits involved. I explain dopamine peaks and baselines, and the cell biology of dopamine depletion. I include 14 tools for how to control your dopamine release for sake of motivation, focus, avoiding and combating addiction and depression, and I explain why dopamine stacking with chemicals and behaviors inevitably leads to states of underwhelm and poor performance. I explain how to achieve sustained increases in baseline dopamine, compounds that injure and protect dopamine neurons including caffeine from specific sources. I describe non-prescription supplements for increasing dopamine—both their benefits and risks—and synergy of pro-dopamine supplements with those that increase acetylcholine. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction & Tool 1 to Induce Lasting Dopamine 00:05:04 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:09:10 Upcoming (Zero-Cost) Neuroplasticity Seminar for Educators 00:09:58 What Dopamine (Really) Does 00:15:30 Two Main Neural Circuits for Dopamine 00:18:14 How Dopamine Is Released: Locally and Broadly 00:22:03 Fast and Slow Effects of Dopamine 00:25:03 Dopamine Neurons Co-Release Glutamate 00:28:00 Your Dopamine History Really Matters 00:30:30 Parkinson’s & Drugs That Kill Dopamine Neurons. My Dopamine Experience 00:36:58 Tool 3 Controlling Dopamine Peaks & Baselines 00:40:06 Chocolate, Sex (Pursuit & Behavior), Nicotine, Cocaine, Amphetamine, Exercise 00:46:46 Tool 4 Caffeine Increases Dopamine Receptors 00:49:54 Pursuit, Excitement & Your “Dopamine Setpoint” 00:56:46 Your Pleasure-Pain Balance & Defining “Pain” 01:00:00 Addiction, Dopamine Depletion, & Replenishing Dopamine 01:07:50 Tool 5 Ensure Your Best (Healthy) Dopamine Release 01:15:28 Smart Phones: How They Alter Our Dopamine Circuits 01:19:45 Stimulants & Spiking Dopamine: Counterproductive for Work, Exercise & Attention 01:22:20 Caffeine Sources Matter: Yerba Mate & Dopamine Neuron Protection 01:24:20 Caffeine & Neurotoxicity of MDMA 01:26:15 Amphetamine, Cocaine & Detrimental Rewiring of Dopamine Circuits 01:27:57 Ritalin, Adderall, (Ar)Modafinil: ADHD versus non-Prescription Uses 01:28:45 Tool 6 Stimulating Long-Lasting Increases in Baseline Dopamine 01:37:55 Tool 7 Tuning Your Dopamine for Ongoing Motivation 01:47:40 Tool 8 Intermittent Fasting: Effects on Dopamine 01:53:09 Validation of Your Pre-Existing Beliefs Increases Dopamine 01:53:50 Tool 9 Quitting Sugar & Highly Palatable Foods: 48 Hours 01:55:36 Pornography 01:56:50 Wellbutrin & Depression & Anxiety 01:58:30 Tool 10 Mucuna Pruriens, Prolactin, Sperm, Crash Warning 02:01:45 Tool 11 L-Tyrosine: Dosages, Duration of Effects & Specificity 02:05:20 Tool 12 Avoiding Melatonin Supplementation, & Avoiding Light 10pm-4am 02:07:00 Tool 13 Phenylethylamine (with Alpha-GPC) For Dopamine Focus/Energy 02:08:20 Tool 14 Huperzine A 02:10:02 Social Connections, Oxytocin & Dopamine Release 02:12:20 Direct & Indirect Effects: e.g., Maca; Synthesis & Application 02:14:22 Zero-Cost & Other Ways To Support Podcast & Research Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I discuss medical research on psychedelic compounds with Dr. Matthew Johnson, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. We discuss the biology and medical clinical-trial uses of psilocybin, MDMA, ayahuasca, DMT, and LSD. Dr. Johnson teaches us what the clinical trials in his lab are revealing about the potential these compounds hold for the treatment of depression, addiction, trauma, eating disorders, ADHD, and other disorders of the mind. Dr. Johnson describes a typical psychedelic experiment in his laboratory, start to finish, including the conditions for optimal clinical outcomes. And he explains some of the potential hazards and common misconceptions and pitfalls related to psychedelic medicine. Dr. Johnson explains flashbacks, the heightened risks of certain people and age groups using psychedelics and the ever evolving legal and pharmaceutical industry landscape surrounding psychedelics. Dr. Johnson also explains how the scientific study of psychedelics is likely to set the trajectory of psychiatric medicine in the years to come. Dr. Johnson is among a small handful of researchers who have pioneered the clinical study of these powerful compounds. He has unprecedented insight into how they can be woven into other psychiatric treatments, changing ones sense of self and of reality. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introducing Dr. Matthew Johnson 00:02:27 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:40 ‘Psychedelics’ Defined 00:14:09 Hallucinations, Synesthesia, Altered Space-Time Perception 00:19:56 Serotonin & Dopamine 00:23:50 Ketamine & Glutamate 00:28:00 An Example Psychedelic Experiment 00:37:30 ‘Letting Go’ with Psychedelics 00:44:10 Our Mind’s Eye 00:48:00 Redefining Your Sense of Self 00:58:56 Exporting Psychedelic Learnings to Daily Life 01:04:36 Flashbacks 01:12:10 Ayahuasca, ASMR, Kundalini Breathing 01:15:54 MDMA, DMT 01:26:00 Dangers of Psychedelics, Bad Trips, Long-Lasting Psychosis 01:38:15 Micro-Dosing 01:56:45 Risks for Kids, Adolescents & Teenagers; Future Clinical Trials 02:03:40 Legal Status: Decriminalization vs. Legalization vs. Regulation 02:18:35 Psychedelics for Treating Concussion & Traumatic Brain Injury 02:27:45 Shifting Trends in Psychedelic Research, Academic Culture 02:44:23 Participating in a Clinical Trial, Online Survey Studies, Breathwork 02:50:38 Conclusions, Subscribing & Supporting the HLP, Supplements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder): what it is, the common myths, and the biology and psychology of ADHD. I discuss both behavioral and pharmacologic treatments for ADHD, and brain-machine interface tools. I also discuss behavioral training protocols that can improve focus in people with ADHD and those without ADHD, and for people of different ages. I discuss the role of dopamine in coordinating 'default-mode' and 'task-related' neural networks, attentional "blinks" (lapses of attention) and how to overcome them, and the role of actual blinks in time perception and attention. Finally, I review some of the prescription and over-the-counter compounds for increasing focus such as Adderall, Ritalin, Modafinil and Armodafinil, the racetams, Alpha-GPC and phosphatidylserine and the role of diet for managing ADHD (and the controversies of diet for ADHD). The role of cell phones/technology in ADHD and ADHD-like challenges with focus are also discussed. Throughout, both basic science and clinical scenarios, as well as applicable tools and resources are covered. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction & Note About Diagnosis 00:03:44 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:07:56 ADHD vs. ADD: Genetics, IQ, Rates in Kids & Adults 00:13:00 Attention & Focus, Impulse Control 00:14:57 Hyper-focus 00:16:45 Time Perception 00:18:25 The Pile System 00:20:00 Working Memory 00:24:10 Hyper-Focus & Dopamine 00:26:40 Neural Circuits In ADHD: Default Mode Network & Task-Related Networks 00:32:57 Low Dopamine in ADHD & Stimulant Use & Abuse 00:37:10 Sugar, Ritalin, Adderall, Modafinil & Armodafinil 00:47:00 Non-Prescribed Adderall, Caffeine, Nicotine 00:49:18 How Stimulants “Teach” the Brains of ADHD Children to Focus 00:52:00 When To Medicate: A Highly Informed (Anecdotal) Case Study 00:56:35 Elimination Diets & Allergies In ADHD 01:04:46 Omega-3 Fatty Acids: EPAs & DHAs 01:07:00 Modulation vs Mediation of Biological Processes 01:10:50 Attentional Blinks 01:16:56 Open Monitoring & 17-Minute Focus Enhancement 01:22:50 Blinking, Dopamine & Time Perception; & Focus Training 01:30:10 Reverberatory Neural & Physical Activity 01:33:40 Adderall, Ritalin & Blink Frequency 01:35:00 Cannabis 01:37:30 Interoceptive Awareness 01:41:15 Ritalin, Adderall, Modafinil, Armodafinil; Smart Drugs & Caffeine: Dangers 01:48:05 DHA Fatty Acids, Phosphatidylserine 01:50:54 Ginko Biloba 01:51:45 Modafinil & Armodafinil: Dopamine Action & Orexin 01:56:19 Acetylcholine: Circuits Underlying Focus; Alpha-GPC 01:59:04 L-Tyrosine, (PEA) Phenylethylamine 02:01:23 Racetams, Noopept 02:05:15 Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Combining Technology & Pharmacology 02:09:14 Smart Phones & ADHD & Sub-Clinical Focus Issues In Adults & Kids 02:14:30 Synthesis/Summary 02:16:10 Support for Podcast & Research, Supplement Resources Disclaimer & Dislcosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss what drives hunger and satiety, and the role our brain, stomach, fat and hormones play in regulating hunger and turning off the desire to eat more. I also address how protein is assimilated better early in the day than it is later in the day, and why those using intermittent fasting might want to shift their feeding window to earlier in the day. Then I delve into the topic of disorders of eating: Anorexia Nervosa, where people starve themselves and Bulimia Nervosa where people binge and purge their food. I discuss some common myths about Anorexia such as the role of media images increasing the rates of anorexia and the myth of the "perfectionist" anorexic. I also review the symptoms, and the brain and chemical systems disrupted in this condition. I explain how anorexics become hyperaware of the fat content of foods and develop reflexive habits of fat-hyperawareness. Then I discuss the most effective treatments ranging from family-based models to those that target the habitual nature of low-fat/calorie food choices. I also discuss new more experimental clinical trials on MDMA, Psilocybin and Ibogaine for Anorexia, and both their promise and risks I review the latest work on binge eating disorder and brain stimulation, drug treatments and thyroid disruption in Bulimia and why the treatments for Bulimia are so similar to those for ADHD. Finally, I discuss "cheat days," body dysmorphia and the growing list of novel forms of eating disorders start to finish. As always, science and science-based tools are discussed. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction: Fasting, & Defining Healthy Eating 00:08:55 Morning Protein Is Important 00:22:21 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:26:29 Defining & Diagnosing Eating Disorders 00:29:00 Anorexia Nervosa (Overview & Myths) 00:33:44 Bulimia (Overview & Myths) 00:37:35 Binge Eating Disorders, EDNOS, OSFEDS, Pica 00:39:44 What is Hunger? What is Satiety? 00:42:00 Neuronal & Hormonal “Accelerators & Brakes” on Eating 00:46:17 Fat, Leptin & Fertility & Metabolic Dysfunctions in Obesity 00:50:30 Why We Overeat 00:55:30 Homeostasis & Reward Systems/Decisions 00:59:58 Anorexia 01:04:28 The Cholesterol Paradox 01:06:13 Psychological vs. Biological/Genetic Factors in Anorexia 01:09:44 Chemical Imbalances, Serotonergic Treatments 01:12:56 Altered Habits & Rewards in Anorexia: Hyperacuity for Fat Content 01:18:28 Brain Areas for Reward Based Decision Making vs. Habits 01:24:06 Habit-Reward Circuits Are Flipped in Anorexics: Reward for Deprivation 01:28:30 How Do You Break a Habit? 01:33:23 Family Based Models, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 01:35:39 MDMA, Psilocybin, Clinical Trials, Ibogaine 01:40:35 Anabolic vs. Catabolic Exercise, Spontaneous Movements, NEAT 01:43:23 Distorted Self Image in Anorexia 01:47:54 Bulimia & Binge-Eating, “Cheat Days”, Thyroid Hormone 01:53:05 Inhibitory Control, Impulsivity, Adderall, Wellbutrin 01:58:00 Direct Brain Stimulation: Nucleus Accumbens 02:04:28 Anorexia/Reward vs. Bulimia/Binging 02:05:45 Healthy Eating Revisited 02:10:55 Synthesis, Body Dysmorphias 02:14:15 Support: Podcast, & Research Studies Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I interview Dr. Robert Sapolsky, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Neurology & Neurosurgery at Stanford University. We discuss stress, what defines short-term versus long-term stress, and how stress can be beneficial or detrimental, depending on the context. We also discuss stress mitigation and how our sense of control over stress mitigation techniques, including exercise, determine health outcomes. Dr. Sapolsky explains some of the key effects of the hormone testosterone — how it can amplify pre-existing tendencies for aggression or sexual behavior, but that it does not produce those behaviors per se. He also explains how testosterone impacts our social hierarchies, sense of confidence, and willingness to embrace challenges of different kinds. He also explains how our behaviors and perceptions shape testosterone levels. And we discuss estrogen and the powerful role it plays in brain development, health and longevity. Finally, we discuss free will, what it means to have free will, and if we have any free will, including how knowledge alone might allow us to make better decisions for ourselves and society. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction: Dr. Robert Sapolsky 00:02:25 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:30 Stress: Short & Long-Term, Good & Bad 00:09:11 Valence & Amygdala 00:11:00 Testosterone: Common Myths vs. Actual Truths 00:15:15 Behaviors that Affect Testosterone 00:17:20 Mindsets & Contexts that Affect Testosterone 00:20:28 How Finger Length Ratios Reflect Prenatal Hormone Levels 00:22:30 Aggression: Male-Female, Female-Male, & Female-Female 00:24:05 Testosterone: The Challenge Hypothesis 00:29:20 How Dopamine Impacts Testosterone & Motivation 00:32:32 Estrogen: Improves Brain & Longevity BUT TIMING IS KEY 00:39:40 Are Testosterone & Sperm Counts in Males Really Dropping? 00:42:15 Stress Mitigation & Our Sense of Control 00:51:35 How Best to Buffer Stress 00:57:04 Power of Perception, Choice & Individual Differences 01:00:32 Context-Setting, Prefrontal Cortex & Hierarchy 01:11:20 How Dr. Sapolsky Accomplishes Deep Thinking 01:13:17 Do We Have Free Will? 01:20:50 How to Apply Knowledge & Learning 01:23:44 Robert’s New Book: “Determined: The Science of Life Without Free Will” 01:28:27 Reflections, Support of Podcast, & Supporting Stress Research Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode, I explain what major depression is at the biological and psychological level and the various treatments that peer-reviewed studies have revealed can help prevent and treat depression. I explain the three major chemical systems that are altered in depression: norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. I discuss genetic predispositions to depression and how stress, thyroid hormone and cortisol play a role in many forms of depression. I also discuss inflammation as a common feature of many depression symptoms. I review 8 specific science-supported protocols for treating and avoiding depression, including EPA fatty acids (which have been shown to rival certain prescription treatments), how exercise protects against depression, studies of creatine, adjusting dopamine balance and more. I also discuss the results of ongoing clinical trials for ketamine and psilocybin for depression, how these compounds work and finally, I review how ketogenic diets can help in certain cases of depression, especially treatment-resistant major depression. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Mood Disorders & Maintaining Mental Health (Protocol 1) 00:07:25 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:11:15 Major Depression 00:18:40 “Anti-Self” Confabulation 00:21:42 Autonomic (Vegetative) Symptoms of Depression 00:26:58 Norepinephrine, Dopamine & Serotonin 00:31:50 SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.): Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors 00:37:00 Epinephrine/Motor Functions, Dopamine/Motivation & Craving, Serotonin/Emotions 00:39:33 Physical & Emotional Pain are Linked: Substance P 00:41:50 Hormones & Depression: Thyroid & Cortisol 00:46:50 Genetic Susceptibility to Depression: Impact of Stress 00:50:50 Understanding Biological Mechanism Is Key: Recipes versus Skills 00:52:50 Tools for Dealing with Depression: Logic & Implementation (Protocol 2) 00:56:25 Brain Inflammation & Mental State: Cytokines, Prostaglandins, etc. 00:59:20 Protocol 3: Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3, EPAs: Eicosapentaenoic Acid)* 01:02:50 How EPAs Help Offset Depression: Serotonin Synthesis, Kynurenine, Quinolinic Acid 01:05:25 Protocol 4: How Exercise Offsets Depression 01:11:44 Protocol 5: Creatine Monohydrate, Forebrain Function & NMDA Receptors* 01:20:30 Protocol 6*: Ketamine, PCP (*Prescription-Only), & NMDA-Receptor Function 01:33:08 Protocol 7*: Psychedelics (*In Clinical Trials) for Major Depression: Psilocybin* 01:47:00 Protocol 8: Ketogenic Diet, GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid) 01:54:50 Summary of Protocols Covered 02:00:10 Support & Additional Resources Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I interview Dr. Anna Lembke, M.D., Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Lembke is a psychiatrist expert in treating addictions of all kinds: drugs, alcohol, food, sex, video games, gambling, food, medication, etc. Dr. Lembke is also an expert in the opioid crisis, and the author of Dopamine Nation. We discuss the biology and psychology of why people become addicted to certain substances and behaviors and the key role that our "dopamine balance" plays in creating addiction. We also discuss the science and practice of how to conquer addictions, why people relapse and how to avoid relapsing. Dr. Lembke also shares her expertise on topics closely related to addiction such as community, shame and lying and she explains why telling the truth—even about the most basic things in daily life, adjusts dopamine levels in our brain. This episode is an important one for anyone struggling with addictions of any kind, for their friends and families and for health care professionals. It is also for anyone who has defeated addiction and is determined to stay clean. Last but not least, it helps explain why all humans do what we do, and how we can all maintain a healthy sense of pleasure seeking in life. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Dr. Anna Lembke, Addiction Expert 00:02:42 Disclaimer & Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:07:00 Dopamine, Happiness & Impulsivity 00:15:56 What Is Pleasure? 00:18:20 Addiction, Boredom & Passion for Life 00:24:00 Pain-Pleasure Balance Controls Addiction 00:29:10 Dopamine Deficits, Anhedonia 00:30:47 Are All Addictions the Same? 00:35:38 Boredom & Anxiety Lead to Creativity 00:40:35 Finding Your Passion Starts with Boredom & Action Steps 00:50:05 How to Break an Addiction 00:55:25 Relapse, Craving & Triggers 01:07:40 Can People Get Addicted To “Sobriety”? 01:11:45 Are We All Wired for Addiction? 01:15:57 Bizarre Addiction 01:18:14 Recovered Addicts Are Heroes 01:20:10 Lying, Truth Telling, Guilt & Shame 01:30:40 Clinical Applications of: Ibogaine, Ayahuasca, Psilocybin & MDMA 01:40:20 Social Media Addiction 01:51:25 Narcissism 01:53:30 Goal Seeking, Success & Surprise 01:58:10 Reciprocity 02:01:15 Closing Comments, Resources Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I discuss our sense of pain and pleasure: where and how they each arise in our mind and body and various ways to control their intensity. I discuss the science of behavioral tools like acupuncture and hypnosis and directed pressure, including the neural circuits they each activate to modulate our experience of pain or pleasure. I also discuss whole body pain, pain "syndromes" and novel pain relief compounds such as Acetyl-L-Carnitine, SAMe and Agmatine. I discuss neuroplasticity of the pain system and the key role that visual perception plays in pain modulation. Finally, I address the link between dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, with arousal, pleasure and pain. As always, both basic science and various protocols are described. Note: The description of the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) was intentionally simplified and does not include mention of dorsal horn spinal relay neurons, etc. For an excellent full text review of this anatomy and circuits for touch sensing, please see: https://bit.ly/3jH9CPf Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Skin, Pain, Pleasure 00:01:50 Protocol 1: Maximizing Motivation (with Dopamine & Pleasure) 00:07:29 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:12:04 Pleasure & Pain, & Skin Sensors 00:18:13 Sensing Touch with Your Brain: Magnification of Feet, Hands, Lips, Face, Genitals 00:22:16 Two-Point Discrimination, Dermatomes 00:28:11 Thoughts & Genes That Make Physical Pain Worse 00:33:45 Expectations, Anxiety, & Pain Threshold 00:40:27 Protocol 2: Cold Sensing Is Relative; Getting Into Cold Water 00:45:22 Protocol 3: Heat Is Absolute 00:48:10 Injury & Pain 00:52:04 Protocol 4: Plasticity of Pain: Key Role of Vision 00:58:08 Sensing Disparate Body Parts As Merged 01:01:00 Pain “Syndromes”, Psychogenic Fever, “Psychosomatics” 01:04:40 Fibromyalgia, Naltrexone, Protocol 5: Acetyl-L-Carnitine 01:12:24 Protocol 6: Agmatine, S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe), L-5-Methyltetrahydrofolate 01:17:27 Acupuncture: Mechanism, Non-Responders, Itch & Inflammation 01:28:20 Laser Photobiomodulation, Protocol 7: Hypnosis (reveri.com) 01:30:00 Protocol 8: Pressure-Based Pain Relief, “Gate Theory of Pain (Relief)” 01:37:53 Redheads & Pain Thresholds, Endogenous Opioids 01:44:02 Protocol 8: Love & Pain, Dopamine 01:49:23 Pleasure & Reproduction, Dopamine & Serotonin, Oxytocin 01:51:40 Protocol 9: PEA, L-Phenylalanine (Precursor to Tyrosine) 01:55:40 Contextual Control of Pleasure by Autonomic Arousal, Dopamine Baselines 01:59:40 Pleasure-Pain Balance 02:01:24 Protocol 10: Controlling Pleasure, Dopamine & Motivation Over Time 02:06:40 Protocol 11: Immediate, Non-Goal-Directed Pleasure, PAG 02:08:40 Direction of Touch: Pleasure Versus Pain, Arousal & Touch “Sensitivity” 02:13:00 Synthesis & How to Conceptualize Pain and Pleasure, Support Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Matt Walker, Ph.D., Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology and the Founder & Director of the Center for Human Sleep Science at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also the author of the international best-selling book Why We Sleep and the host of "The Matt Walker Podcast." We discuss the biology of sleep, including its various stages and what specifically happens to those stages when we don't get enough sleep. We also discuss the effects of sunlight, caffeine, alcohol, naps, hormones, exercise, marijuana, sexual activity, and various supplements on sleep. The episode consists of both basic science information and many science-supported actionable tools. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introducing Dr. Matt Walker 00:02:16 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:00 What Is Sleep? 00:10:20 REM (Rapid Eye Movement) aka 'Paradoxical Sleep' 00:16:15 Slow Wave Sleep aka 'Deep Sleep' 00:24:00 Compensating For Lost Sleep 00:32:20 Waking in the Middle Of The Night 00:39:48 Uberman (Not Huberman!) Sleep Schedule 00:42:48 Viewing Morning Sunlight 00:49:20 Caffeine 01:07:54 Alcohol 01:14:30 Growth Hormone & Testosterone 01:16:14 Emotions, Mental Health & Longevity 01:20:40 Books vs. Podcasts 01:21:20 Lunchtime Alcohol 01:25:00 Marijuana/CBD 01:36:00 Melatonin 01:54:14 Magnesium 01:58:10 Valerian, Kiwi, Tart Cherry, Apigenin 02:15:00 Tryptophan & Serotonin 02:19:24 Naps & Non-Sleep-Deep-Rest (NSDR) 02:28:23 Is It Possible To Get Too Much Sleep? 02:34:35 Sex, Orgasm, Masturbation, Oxytocin, Relationships 02:47:30 Unconventional Yet Powerful Sleep Tips 02:59:10 Connecting to & Learning More from Dr. Walker 03:04:42 The New Dr. Matt Walker Podcast, Reviews & Support Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I describe how the organs of the body influence the function and health of our brain and how our brain controls our bodily organs. The conscious awareness of this brain-body dialogue is called interoception. I describe how two factors- mechanical forces (e.g., pressure, pain, volume, etc.) and chemical factors (e.g., gut acidity, microbiome diversity, etc.) combine to influence our moods, control inflammation, immune system, recovery from injury and more. I explain how specific actions of our lungs, heart, spleen, and diaphragm, control our brain via the vagus nerve and other neural pathways. I describe 11 science-supported protocols for enhancing brain-body health and the logic behind them. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Your Sense of Self: Interoception 00:01:25 Protocol 1: Fermented Foods, Not Fiber, to Reduce Inflammation 00:03:45 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:08:22 Main Drivers of Feelings & Performance 00:11:45 Brain-Body: A Mechanical & Chemical Dialogue 00:17:50 LDB (Lung-Diaphragm-Brain) Dialogue 00:21:00 Protocols 2, 3, 4: Control Heart Rate With Breathing 00:29:08 Sensing Lung Pressure: Piezo Receptors 00:30:54 Carbon Dioxide, From Air to Blood 00:34:02 Protocol 5: Alert While Calm 00:40:50 Baroreceptors: Hering-Breuer Reflex 00:42:47 Gut Volume & The Desire to Open Your Mouth 00:48:18 Protocol 6: Enhancing Gut-To-Brain Communication, Fasting 00:51:50 Intestines, Fatty Acids, Amino Acids & Sugar 00:57:00 Protocol 7: Reducing Sugar Cravings with Specific Amino Acid Nutrients 00:58:58 Gut Acidity (Is Good) 01:02:20 Improving Nasal Microbiome 01:04:13 Inflammation & Microbiome: Fiber vs. Fermented 01:11:15 Protocol 8: Reducing Inflammation & Enhancing Brain Function w/Fermented Foods 01:13:10 Leaking Guts, Auto-Immune Function & Glutamine 01:15:50 Gut Acidity: HCl (hydrochloric acid), Pepsin 01:18:30 Probiotics & Brain Fog 01:21:45 Nausea: Happens in Your Brain; Area Postrema 01:28:25 Protocol 9: Reducing Nausea: Ginger, Peppermint, CBD, etc. 01:30:40 Fever: Triggers and Control Knobs: OVLT 01:37:00 Protocol 10: Cooling the Blood Properly 01:38:53 Sensing Feelings, Vagus Nerve, Stress 01:41:50 Mental Emotions Reflect Bodily Conditions 01:45:00 Sensing Other People’s Emotions via the Body 01:46:00 Protocol 11: Increasing Interoception, Sensing Heartbeat 01:50:40 Conclusions & Resources Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Lex Fridman Ph.D., is a scientist at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), working on robotics, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and human-robot interactions. He is also the host of the Lex Fridman Podcast where he holds conversations with academics, entrepreneurs, athletes and creatives. Here we discuss humans, robots, and the capacity they hold for friendship and love. Dr. Fridman also shares with us his unique dream for a world where robots guide humans to be the best versions of themselves, and his efforts to make that dream a reality. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction: Lex Fridman 00:02:29 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:07:35 What is Artificial Intelligence? 00:26:46 Machine & Human Learning 00:32:21 Curiosity 00:36:55 Story Telling Robots 00:40:48 What Defines a Robot? 00:44:30 Magic & Surprise 00:47:37 How Robots Change Us 00:49:35 Relationships Defined 01:02:29 Lex’s Dream for Humanity 01:11:33 Improving Social Media 01:16:57 Challenges of Creativity 01:21:49 Suits & Dresses 01:22:22 Loneliness 01:30:09 Empathy 01:35:12 Power Dynamics In Relationships 01:39:11 Robot Rights 01:40:20 Dogs: Homer & Costello 01:52:41 Friendship 01:59:47 Russians & Suffering 02:05:38 Public vs. Private Life 02:14:04 How To Treat a Robot 02:17:12 The Value of Friendship 02:20:33 Martial Arts 02:31:34 Body-Mind Interactions 02:33:22 Romantic Love 02:42:51 The Lex Fridman Podcast 02:55:54 The Hedgehog 03:01:17 Concluding Statements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss science-supported tools for enhancing focus, learning, creativity, sleep, physical strength and endurance and brain and body health. I explain each protocol in detail, the rationale behind it, and how the protocol can be adjusted depending on individual needs. I set these tools in the context of a 24-hour day as a way of framing how one might incorporate these tools and protocols into their own daily routine. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction: Protocols for sleep, mood, focus, exercise creativity 00:04:23 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:08:50 Protocol 1: Record Your Daily Waking Time & Temperature Minimum 00:12:07 Protocol 2: Self-Generate Forward Motion (Outdoors) 00:17:00 Protocol 3: View Natural Light For 10-30min Every Morning 00:22:43 What To Do If You Can’t View The Sun: Blue Light 00:26:50 Protocol 4: Hydrate Correctly 00:28:00 Protocol 5: Delay Caffeine 90-120m After Waking 00:30:48 Protocol 6: Fast (or Fat-Fast) Until Noon 00:32:30 What Actually Breaks A Fast & What Doesn’t? 00:34:30 Fat Loss & Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 (GLP1), Yerba Mate, Guayusa Tea 00:37:30 Protocol 7: Optimize Deep Work: Visual Elevation, Ultradian Cycles, White Noise 00:48:30 Optimal Time of Day To Do Hard Mental Work 00:52:07 Protocol 8: Optimal Exercise; 3:2 Ratio 01:03:54 Tools for Training & Mental Focus: Fasting, Salt, Stimulants, Alpha-GPC 01:10:00 Protocol 9: Eat For Brain Function & Mood 01:17:39 Protocol 10: Get Your Testosterone & Estrogen In An Ideal Range 01:24:00 Protocol 11: Reset the Mind & Body, Enhance Neuroplasticity, Reveri.com 01:31:15 Protocol 12: Hydrate Correctly, Nap Rules 01:33:29 Protocol 13: View Late Afternoon/Evening Light To Support Sleep & Dopamine 01:39:00 Protocol 14: Eat Dinner That Promotes Serotonin, Calm Sleep 01:44:27 Protocol 15: Optimize Falling & Staying Asleep; Tools & Supplements That Work 01:55:00 Protocol 16: Preventing Middle of the Night Waking 01:59:10 Protocol 17: Weekends, Recovering From A Poor Nights Sleep 02:05:20 Neural Network, Supplement Sources, Sponsors Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I describe how our ears and nervous system decode sound waves and gravity to allow us to hear and make sense of sounds. I also describe protocols for rapid learning of sound and other types of information. I discuss sound localization, doppler effects (sound motion), pitch perception and how we isolate sounds in noisy environments. I also review the scientific findings on binaural beats and white noise and how they can improve learning. Other topics and protocols include tinnitus, sea sickness, ear movement, ear growth and the science-supported ways we can all accelerate learning using "gap effects". Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Overview of Topics 00:02:20 Protocol: New Data for Rapid Learning 00:09:10 Introduction: Hearing & Balance 00:09:30 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:13:53 How We Perceive Sounds 00:21:56 Your Hearing Brain (Areas) 00:23:48 Localizing Sounds 00:28:00 Ear Movement: What It Means 00:33:00 Your Ears (Likely) Make Sounds: Role of Hormones, Sexual Orientation 00:35:30 Binaural Beats: Do They Work? 00:43:54 White Noise Can Enhance Learning & Dopamine 00:51:00 Headphones 00:55:51 White Noise During Development: Possibly Harmful 01:03:25 Remembering Information, & The Cocktail Party Effect 01:12:55 How to Learn Information You Hear 01:18:10 Doppler 01:22:43 Tinnitus: What Has Been Found To Help? 01:30:40 Aging: How Big Are Your Ears? 01:35:00 Balance: Semi-Circular Canals 01:40:35 A Vestibular Experiment 01:43:15 Improve Your Sense of Balance 01:48:55 Accelerating Balance 01:51:55 Self-Generated Forward Motion 01:56:25 Dizzy versus Light-Headed 01:58:38 Motion Sickness Solution 02:01:23 Synthesis Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Karl Deisseroth, MD, PhD, is a clinical psychiatrist and scientist who directs a bioengineering research laboratory at Stanford University School of Medicine. His work aims to understand and develop treatments for disorders of the mind such as depression, attention deficit disorders (ADHD & ADD), autism, schizophrenia, anxiety, eating disorders, borderline personality and obsessive-compulsive disorder. We discuss his experience treating his patients and his laboratory’s mission to find and develop cures for mental disease and tools for probing how the brain works. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:03:47 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:07:41 Using Language to Understand the Mind 00:12:19 Blood Tests For Mental Disease 00:13:38 The Largest Challenges Facing Treatment of Mental Health 00:20:21 Predicting Depression & Suicide 00:22:47 Drugs That Work for Brain Illness 00:27:01 What Would A Cure For the Broken Mind Look Like? 00:32:23 Channelopsins: Tools For Understanding & Treating the Mind 00:39:10 Curing Blindness with Channelopsins 00:41:58 Why Karl Became a Scientist 00:47:10 Vagus Nerve In Depression 00:54:12 Challenges To Overcome for Treating Mental Illness with Channelopsins 00:58:34 Using the Dialogue with Patients to Guide Treatment 01:00:52 How Our Eyes Reveal Our Mental Health 01:06:04 Controlling Structures Deep In the Brain 01:08:23 The Most Effective Drugs Often Have the Most Side Effects 01:09:50 Do Psychiatrists Take the Drugs They Prescribe 01:14:15 Moving From Experimental Tools To Novel Treatments 01:16:00 Brain-Machine Interfaces & Neuralink 01:19:30 ADHD & Dr. Deisseroth’s Approach To Focusing His Mind 01:26:36 How Dr. Deisseroth Balances A Career In Medicine, Science & Family 01:35:41 New Ways of Exploring Brains: CLARITY 01:38:49 What Is Special About the Human Brain? 01:46:03 Psychedelics 01:54:12 MDMA 01:57:15 Dr. Deisseroth’s New Book “Projections: A Story of Emotions” 01:59:42 Connecting with Dr. Deisseroth on Twitter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode explains how we sense chemicals through smell, taste, and pheromones. How things smell and taste and chemicals in the tears, breath, and on the skin of others have a profound effect on how we feel, what we do, and our hormones. I explain the 3 types of responses to smell, the 5 types of tastes, the possible existence of sixth taste sense, and how the act of sniffing can make us learn and focus better. I explain how smell and taste reflect brain health and can assess and even promote brain regeneration. I discuss how eating specific categories of foods makes us crave more of those foods, including how to make sour things taste sweet and develop a heightened sense of smell and taste. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:06:02 Sensing Chemicals: Smell, Taste & Chemicals That People Make To Control Each Other 00:09:10 Vision Protocols Recap (Brief) & Correction 00:12:20 Color Vision: Excellent Resource: What is Color? (The Book) 00:13:54 How We Sense Chemicals: Enter Our Nose, Mouth, Eyes, Skin 00:17:28 The Chemicals From Other People’s Tears Lower Testosterone & Libido 00:21:16 SMELL: Sniffing, A Piece of Your Brain In Your Nose, 3 Responses To Smells 00:24:40 Smells & Memory: Why They Are So Powerfully Associated 00:26:40 Pheromone Effects: Spontaneous Miscarriage, Males & Timing Female Puberty 00:28:56 Sniffing Creates Alertness & If Done Properly Can Help You Focus & Learn Better 00:34:00 Protocol 1: Sniffing (Nothing) 10-15X Enhances Your Ability to Smell & Taste 00:35:50 Smelling Salts, Ammonia & Adrenaline 00:38:25 How You Can Become A Human Scent Hound, Detecting Cancer, & Tasting Better 00:43:45 Smell As A Readout Of Brain Health & Longevity; Regaining Lost Sense Of Smell 00:48:30 Dopamine, Sense Of Smell, New Neurons & New Relationships 00:50:20 Why Brain Injury Causes Loss Of Smell; Using Smell To Gauge & Speed Recovery 00:53:33 Using Smell To Immediately Becoming Physically Stronger 00:54:40 Smelling In Our Dreams, Active Sniffing In Sleep, Sniffing As a Sign Of Consciousness 00:57:35 Mint Scents Create Alertness By Activating Broad Wake-Up Pathways 00:59:48 Protocol 2 Pleasant Or Putrid: The Microwave Popcorn Test, Cilantro, Asparagus, Musk 01:03:00 Skunks, Costello, All Quiet On The Western Front 01:04:32 TASTE: Sweet, Salty, Bitter, Umami, Sour; Your Tongue, Gustatory Nerve, NST, Cortex 01:08:45 Energy, Electrolytes, Poisons, Gagging, Amino Acid & Fatty Acid Sensing, Fermentation 01:13:48 Our 6th Sense of Taste: FAT Sensing 01:15:05 Gut-Brain: Your Mouth As An Extension Of Your Gut; Burned Mouth & Regeneration 01:19:30 Protocol 3: Learn To Be A Super-Taster By Top-Down Behavioral Plasticity 01:22:20 The Umami-Sweet Distinction: Tigers Versus Pandas 01:25:05 Eating More Plants Versus Eating More Meat, Cravings & Desire 01:27:15 Food That Makes You Feel Good Or Bad: Taste Receptors On Our Testes Or Ovaries 01:30:05 Biological Basis For The Sensuality of Umami and Sweet Foods 01:32:28 Appetitive & Aversive Sensing: Touching Certain Surfaces, Tasting Certain Foods 01:33:35 Amino Acids Are Key To Life, The Maillard Reaction, Smell-Taste Merge, Food Texture 01:39:00 How Processed Food Make You Crave More Processed Foods 01:39:44 Protocol 4: Invert Your Sense of Sweet & Sour: Miracle Fruit; Swapping Bitter & Sweet 01:43:03 Pheromones, Desire To Continue Mating: Coolidge Effect Occurs In Males & Females 01:46:40 Do Women Influence Each Others Menstrual Cycles? 01:49:19 Recognizing the Smell Of Your Romantic Partner 01:50:30 Differences In Odor Detection Ability, Effects Of Hormones 01:53:00 We Rub The Chemicals Of Others On Our Eyes and Skin, Bunting Behavior 01:56:40 Summary Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I describe how we see, meaning how our eyes focus, convert light information into electricity the rest of the brain can understand and how our brain creates the incredible thing we experience as “sight”. I also describe how we can train and support our visual system to improve at any age. I describe more than a dozen protocols to support depth perception, offset near-sightedness, improve mood, sleep, and our ability to focus (both visual focus and our mental focus generally). I also explain how to use eyesight to improve our levels of alertness and why visual hallucinations, lazy eyes and colorblindness occur. I also describe various compounds that may assist in supporting visual health and possibly improve our vision. Many simple, zero-cost protocols and a lot of scientific mechanisms are covered in this episode in clear language anyone can understand-- it is for anyone that values their brain and whether eyesight, young, adult-age or advanced age. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors: AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:31 Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT 00:04:51 Protocol: Concurrent Training For Endurance, Strength, Hypertrophy 00:07:24 The Senses, Vision, Seeing & What We Should All Do To See Better 00:10:35 Our Eyes: What They Really Do, & How They Work 00:14:30 Converting Light Into Electricity Language: Photoreceptors, Retinal Ganglion Cells 00:17:00 We Don’t See Anything Directly: It Is All A Comparison Of Reflected Light 00:19:35 Dogs, Cats, Snakes, Squirrels, Shrimps, Diving Birds, & You(r View Of The World) 00:24:05 Everything You See Is A Best Guess, Blind Spots 00:25:50 Depth Perception 00:28:00 Subconscious Vision: Light, Mood, Metabolism, Dopamine; Frog’s Skin In Your Eyes 00:32:00 Blue-Yellow Light, Sunlight; & Protocol 1 For Better Biology & Psychology 00:35:00 Protocol 2: Prevent & Offset Near-Sightedness (Myopia): Outdoors 2 Hours Per Day 00:42:00 Improving Focus: Visual & Mental; Accommodation, Your Pupils & Your Bendy Lens 00:48:50 Protocol 3: Distance Viewing For 20min For Every 90 Minutes of “Close Viewing” 00:52:20 Protocol 4: Self-Generated Optic Flow; Move Yourself Through Space Daily 00:54:26 Protocol 5: Be More Alert; Eyelids, Eye Size, Chin Position, Looking Up Versus Down 00:59:21 Protocol 6: Sleep In A Very Dark Room To Prevent Myopia (Nearsightedness) 01:02:55 Color Vision, Colorblindness, Use Magentas Not Reds 01:04:32 Protocol 7: Keeping Your Vision Sharp With Distance Viewing Every Day 01:06:05 Protocol 8: Smooth Pursuit 01:08:48 Protocol 9: Near-Far Visual Training 2-3 Minutes 3-4 Times a Week 01:13:33 Protocol 10: Red Light, Emerging Protocol To Improve Photoreceptors & Vision 01:16:20 Dry Eyes; Blinking, Protocol 11 01:18:40 Lazy Eye, Binocular Vision, Amblyopia; Triggering Rapid Brain Plasticity; Protocol 12 01:24:48 Protocol 12: Determine Your Dominant Eye; Near-Far Training 01:27:57 Visual Hallucinations: The Consequence of An Under-Active Visual Brain 01:29:47 Protocol 13: Snellen Chart: A Simple, Cost-Free Way To Test & Maintain Vision 01:33:00 Vitamin A, Lutein, Idebenone, Zeaxanthine, Astaxanthin, Blood Flow 01:44:20 Summary of Protocols, Vital Point About Blood & Oxygen For Vision 01:46:00 Episode Length, Captions, Zero-Cost Support, Instagram, Searching Topics Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I discuss endurance: our ability to perform effort over extended amounts of time. I describe the four kinds of endurance: muscular endurance, long duration (single-set) efforts, and the two kinds of high intensity interval training (HIIT). I discuss efficiency of effort and maximizing quality of effort, and a hydration formula. I review how our heart literally gets stronger when we oxygenate muscles properly. I also discuss motivation for long bouts of work and the visual physiological basis of the "extra gear" we all can leverage for effort. Finally, I review how accelerating as we fatigue can allow us to access untapped energetic resources. Thank you to our sponsors: AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:05:45 Why Everyone Should Train Endurance 00:09:49 All Episodes Now Searchable at hubermanlab.com & The Neural Network 00:11:28 How To Maintain Muscle 00:12:56 Endurance: It’s Not What You Think, Crossover With Brain Function 00:14:38 Energy; Many Paths To ATP: Creatine, Glucose, Glycogen, Fat; Ketones 00:18:00 The Vital Need For Oxygen: But Why? 00:19:00 What Allows Us To Endure (Anything)? 00:20:46 The 5 Things That Allow Us To Persist/Endure & What Causes Quitting 00:22:50 Why You Quit: It IS All In Your Mind 00:27:19 The “90% Mental” Myth 00:28:10 The Critical Need For Carbohydrates & Electrolytes (& Sometimes Ketones) 00:30:10 Phospho-Creatine, Glycogen, pH, Temperature Is Key 00:31:36 Using Your Blood, Heart, & Lungs To Go Longer, Further, With More Intensity 00:35:40 An Excellent Review on the Science of Training Adaptations (See Caption On YouTube) 00:37:15 The 4 Kinds of Endurance 00:38:53 Muscular Endurance: Powerful for Everyone: Posture, Performance, Resilience 00:41:50 Protocol For Building Muscular Endurance. No Major Eccentric Component 00:48:40 How to Make Muscles More Resilient: Mitochondrial Respiration, Neuronal Firing 00:51:31 Long Duration Endurance: 12minutes or More, One “Set”, Efficiency of Movement 00:57:00 Why Everyone Should Train Long Duration Endurance: Capillaries In Muscle & Brain 01:01:00 Two Distinct Types of High-Intensity Interval Training: Anaerobic & Aerobic 01:02:20 Anaerobic HIIT: 3-12 Sets, Work:Rest Ratio of 3:1 or 1:3; Quality of Repetitions is Key 01:07:00 Maximizing Oxygen Utilization, Heart Rate & Nerve-Muscle Energy Utilization 01:10:59 Aerobic HIIT; 1:1 Work:Rest Ratio, Tapping Into All Energy Utilization Systems 01:15:20 Building A Stronger Heart & Better Brain: Eccentric Loading the Heart: Stroke Volume 01:20:10 Resistance & Weight Training: Useless for the Brain? What Is Good For the Brain? 01:23:25 The Strength-Endurance Tradeoff; How Long to Wait Between Workouts 01:25:45 Breathing During Endurance, Explosive and Weight Training: Nose, Mouth, Gears 01:29:50 Intercostals & Diaphragmatic Breathing: Warming Up Intercostals Is Useful 01:31:00 Increasing Motivation & Adrenaline 01:32:10 Eliminating the “Side Cramp” With Physiological Sighs 01:34:45 Accelerating Through “The Wall”: Accessing Alternative Fuel Sources; Ketone Use 01:37:50 Hydration: Why Hydrate, How To Hydrate, & How Much Fluid To Drink 01:41:35 “The Galpin Equation”; Gastric Emptying Time, Adapting Hydration Mid-Training 01:44:20 Boosting Mitochondrial Density With Cold; Wait 6 Hours Before Cold/Between Training 01:46:00 Accelerating Recovery with 5 Minute Parasympathetic Down-Shift After Training 01:48:00 Leveraging The Visual System During Effort, Milestones; Dilation & Contraction; Pacing 01:53:10 The Physiological Basis of Your “Extra Gear”, Accessing Your “Kick”, Steve Prefontaine 01:56:00 Programming Examples; Concurrent Training 01:57:57 Caffeine, Magnesium Malate to Reduce Soreness, Nitric Oxide, Beta-Alanine 02:00:00 Synthesis; Next Episodes, Zero-Cost Ways to Support, Sponsors, Sources Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I describe how our brain and nervous system control muscle tissue and how to leverage that for muscle maintenance, growth (hypertrophy) and recovery. I explain how neurons control muscle contractions and limb movements. I explain muscle metabolism and muscle fiber recruitment. I detail protocols for increasing muscular growth and for neuro-muscular recovery. I explain the effects of deliberate cold, anti-inflammatory agents, and anti-histamines on training progress. I describe science-supported protocols using certain weight load ranges, total sets per week, training intensity, frequency, and in-between set activities if one's goal is to increase muscle growth, strength or endurance. I review three foundational compounds and nutrients and three optimization compounds and nutrients that have been shown to improve neuro-muscular performance. Finally, I explain how to leverage exercise and weight training to enhance cognitive function. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I describe the science of fat loss, including how fat is mobilized and oxidized (burned) and how to increase fat burning by leveraging the nervous system. Most people don't realize it, but our neurons connect to our fat and release epinephrine/adrenaline to facilitate fat oxidation. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:31 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:00 Fat Loss: The Key Role of Neurons 00:08:44 The First Law of Fat Loss 00:11:00 Neurons Connect To Fat! (& That Really Matters) 00:13:38 5 Pillars of Metabolism: Sleep, Essential Fatty Acids, Glutamine, Microbiome, Thyroid 00:19:20 Mindset Truly Matters: Amazing Examples of Beliefs on Fat Loss 00:23:08 Our Brain Talks To Our Fat 00:25:00 The Most Incredible & Dangerous Fat Loss Agent 00:27:28 Losing Fat Is a Two-Part Process: Mobilization and Oxidation 00:32:25 The Critical Role of Adrenaline/Epinephrine, But NOT from Adrenal Glands 00:34:45 Fidgeting & Shivering: A Powerful Science-Supported Method For Fat Loss 00:41:24 How Fidgeting Works: Promotes Epinephrine Release into Fat. “N-E-A-T” 00:44:55 Two Ways of Using Shivering To Accelerate Fat Loss 00:47:30 White, Brown & Beige Fat; & Using Cold-Induced Shiver To Burn Fat 00:50:25 How To Use Cold Properly To Stimulate Fat Loss: Succinate Release Is Key/Shiver 00:52:26 Exact Protocols: (1-5X per week); Don’t Adapt! Submerge and Exit “Sets & Reps” 00:56:15 thecoldplunge.com see “protocols” tab Cold-Shiver-Fat-Loss Tool (cost free) 00:58:03 If Fat-Loss Is Your Goal, Avoid Cold Adaptation: Remember Polar Bear Swimmers 00:58:17 Irisin: Underwhelming; Succinate Is The Real Deal 01:00:00 Brown Fat, Why Babies Can’t Shiver and Becoming a Hotter Furnace, Adding Heat 01:01:55 Ice On Back of The Neck, Cold Underpants: Not A Great Idea For Fat Loss 01:04:00 A Key Paper For the Aficionados: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2826518/ 01:05:00 Spot Reduction: There May Be Hope After All. Targeting Specific Fat Pads. 01:09:20 Exercising For Fat Loss: What Is Best? High Intensity, Sprinting, Moderate Intensity? 01:13:30 Exercising Fasted: Does It Truly Accelerate Fat Loss/Oxidation. 01:16:30 The 90 Minute Rule: After 90 Minutes, The Fasted Exercisers Start To Burn More Fat 01:18:15 If High-Intensity Training Is Done First, The Benefits of Fasting Arrive Before 90min. 01:22:44 Post-Exercise Metabolic Increases: How To Bias This Toward Fat Oxidation 01:26:05 A Protocol For Exercise-Induced Fat Loss; Adrenalin Is The Effector 01:28:50 Supplements/Compounds For Fat Loss Part: Caffeine Fidgeting, & Caffeine Adaptation 01:34:30 Ephedrine, Fenfluramine: Removed From Market Due to Safety Concerns 01:35:22 GLP1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide 1), Yerba Mate, Guayusa Tea, Semaglutide 01:40:30 Berberine, Metformin: Glucose/Insulin Reduction, Increase Fat Oxidation: But Caution 01:41:28 Gardner Lab Results: What You Eat May Not Matter, But Adherence Is Key Tool 01:43:00 examine.com & Enter “Yerba Mate”: Lowers Heart Rate Even Though Is a Stimulant 01:44:35 Acetyl-L-Carnitine: Facilitates Fat Oxidation 01:48:00 Summary List of Tools & How Nervous System Controls Fat Loss 01:51:20 Cost Free & Other Ways To Support Our Podcast, Making Sure We See Feedback Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I discuss the science and practice of learning physical skills: what it involves at a biological level, and what to focus on during skill learning at each stage to maximize learning speed and depth. I also describe what to do immediately after a training session (note: this is different than the optimal protocol for cognitive skill training) and as you progress to more advanced levels of performance. I also cover the science of skill-based visualization which does have benefits, but only if done correctly and at the correct times. I discuss auto-replay of skill learning in the brain during sleep and the value of adding in post-training ‘deliberately idle’ sessions. I cover how to immediately improve limb-range-of-motion by leveraging cerebellum function, error generation, optimal repetition numbers for learning and more. As always, scientific mechanism, peer-reviewed studies and science-based protocols are discussed. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:31 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:28 Skill Acquisition: Mental & Physical 00:08:40 Clarification About Cold, Heat & Caffeine 00:12:45 Tool: How To Quickly Eliminate the Side-Stitch ‘Cramp’ & Boost HRV Entrainment 00:16:08 Physical Skills: Open-Loop Versus Closed-Loop 00:18:50 Three Key Components To Any Skill 00:21:00 Sources of Control for Movement: 1) CPGs Govern Rhythmic Learned Behavior 00:23:30 Upper Motor Neurons for Deliberate Movement & Learning 00:25:00 Lower Motor Neurons Control Action Execution 00:25:26 What To Focus On While Learning 00:27:10 The Reality of Skill Learning & the 10,000 Hours Myth 00:28:30 Repetitions & The Super Mario Effect: Error Signals vs. Error Signals + Punishment 00:34:00 Learning To Win, Every Time 00:39:26 Errors Solve the Problem of What To Focus On While Trying to Learn Skills 00:43:00 Why Increasing Baseline Levels of Dopamine Prior To Learning Is Bad 00:44:40 The Framing Effect (& Protocol Defined) 00:46:10 A Note & Warning To Coaches 00:48:30 What To Do Immediately After Your Physical Skill Learning Practice 00:53:48 Leveraging Uncertainty 00:56:59 What to Pay Attention To While Striving To Improve 01:04:45 Protocol Synthesis Part One 01:07:10 Super-Slow-Motion Learning Training: Only Useful After Some Proficiency Is Attained 01:11:06 How To Move From Intermediate To Advanced Skill Execution Faster: Metronomes 01:16:44 Increasing Speed Even If It Means More Errors: Training Central Pattern Generators 01:19:12 Integrated Learning: Leveraging Your Cerebellum (“Mini-Brain”) 01:22:02 Protocol For Increasing Limb Range of Motion, Immediately 01:28:30 Visualization/Mental Rehearsal: How To Do It Correctly 01:33:50 Results From 15 Minutes Per Day, 5 Days Per Week Visualization (vs. Actual Training) 01:35:34 Imagining Something Is Very Different Than Actually Experiencing It 01:37:58 Cadence Training & Learning “Carryover” 01:39:00 Ingestible Compounds That Support Skill Learning: Motivation, Repetitions, Alpha-GPC 01:43:39 Summary & Sequencing Tools: Reps, Fails, Idle Time, Sleep, Metronome, Visualization 01:46:20 Density Training: Comparing Ultradian- & Non-Ultradian Training Sessions 01:49:24 Cost-Free Ways to Support Us, Sponsors & Alternate Channels, Closing Remarks Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I explain the science of heating and cooling the body, a process called thermoregulation-- and how to apply that knowledge to significantly improve physical performance. I describe the three areas of our body that can remove heat (or bring heat into the body) faster than anywhere else, why that is so, and how proper cooling of these areas with specific protocols can allow people to perform 200-600% more volume and repetitions of resistance exercises at the same weight loads, or to run, cycle or swim significantly further. I also describe how to use directed cooling of so-called glabrous skin: the bottoms of feet, palms and face, to significantly enhance recovery times from exercise. Also, why the common practices of trying to heat up or cool the body via the torso or whole-body submersion in cold can be inefficient and/or dangerous-- and the better alternatives. Finally, I discuss the temperature-effects of caffeine, alcohol and anti-inflammatory compounds. The information in this episode is focused on mechanisms and tools for increasing athletic or exercise performance. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Supplements from Momentous https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:31) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT (00:05:08) Physical Performance & Skill Learning (00:06:40) Optimal Learning Protocol (Recap): 4 Steps (00:08:31) Variables Impacting Physical Performance (00:10:00) Temperature Is the Dominant Variable (00:12:08) Understanding Mechanism Is Key (00:13:42) Heat: The Enemy of All Performance (& Why) (00:16:30) Blood Flow & Sweating & Piloerection (00:22:35) Heat Is What Limits Effort: Even If You Feel Fine/Motivated (00:25:29) Proper Cooling Can Double, Triple, Quadruple (Or More) Your Ability (00:26:42) Heat Induced Confusion & Death (00:30:02) The Three Body Parts Best For Heating & Cooling Your Whole Body (00:31:38) Face, Palms, Bottoms of Feet; Glabrous Skin (00:33:00) Arterio-Venous Anastamoses (AVAs) Are Super Cool(ing)! (00:37:15) Palmar Cooling Can Supercharge Your Athletic Performance (00:38:35) ATP, Pyruvate Kinase & Heat (00:40:55) Palmer Cooling Outperforms Anabolic Steroids Several-Fold (00:43:45) Increasing Endurance, Willpower & Persistence (00:46:33) Cardiac Drift, & Moving the ”I Quit” Point (00:50:44) Deliberate Heating: Myths and Better Protocols (00:53:20) Protocols For Self-Directed Cooling To Vastly Improve Performance (00:59:23) How To Use Cold To Recover Faster & More Thoroughly (01:02:05) Ice Baths & Cold Showers Can Prevent Training Progress: mTOR, etc. (01:06:29) Alcohol, Caffeine, NSAIDs: Their Temperature Effects Matter (01:09:44) Are Stimulants Counter Productive For Performance? It Depends. (01:12:00) The Caffeine Rule & “Caffeine Adaptation” (01:14:20) NSAIDs for Training: Performance Enhancements & Risks (01:17:00) The Best Way to Explore Your Own “Parameter Space” (01:18:35) Tools: How To Try (01:21:35) Cost-Free Support, & Additional Support & Resources Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I describe the biology of two essential hormones we all make: cortisol and adrenaline (also called epinephrine). Cortisol and adrenaline powerfully regulate our levels of energy, focus and immune system function. I describe various science-supported tools and practices to increase or decrease cortisol and/or adrenaline, depending on one's specific needs and goals. I also describe the biology of nootropics, and how cortisol and adrenaline can improve or degrade learning. Finally, I review the scientific data and tools for timing the release of these hormones to improve memory, energy and immune system function. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:31 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:05:41 Energy & Your Immune System, & Learning Faster 00:08:34 Why & How Intermittent Fasting Increases Growth Hormone 00:11:56 Why Your Stomach Growls 00:13:09 Hot Baths & Hormones 00:14:35 Energy, Adrenaline (Epinephrine), & Cortisol 00:15:48 Cortisol & Cholesterol, Competition With Testosterone & Estrogen 00:17:54 Adrenaline (Epinephrine) Is Your (Immune System’s) Best Friend 00:18:48 Cortisol Basics In Two (Actually 1) Minute/s 00:19:48 Adrenaline Basics In Two Minutes 00:21:32 Tool: Time Your Cortisol Peak To Waking Using Specific Light Intensities 00:27:20 Brief Increases In Cortisol & Adrenaline Boost Energy, Focus & Immunity 00:30:04 Ways To Increase Adrenaline, Epinephrine & Cortisol & Why That Is Good 00:35:00 Does Mindset During Stress Matter? 00:36:15 Protocols: Adrenaline Breathing Described 00:39:00 Practices To Increase Energy Without Increasing Stress 00:45:00 Using Stressors to ENHANCE Our Immune System: Science & Tools 00:55:11 Timing Thyroid Release For Energy 00:57:02 Adrenaline/Stress Increase Performance & Memory. IF They Are After Learning 01:02:45 An Optimal Learning Protocol 01:03:20 Coffee Changes Your Brain & Increases Connectivity Of “Anxiety Circuits” 01:05:43 Nootropics: Two Kinds, & How & Why They Work, “Neural Energy” 01:09:00 Biology of Comfort Foods: From Negative to Positive Feedback Loops 01:14:00 Bombesin: Energy Without Eating 01:15:00 How Stress Makes Our Hair Gray, & How To Prevent Stress-Induced Graying 01:18:05 Blunting Chronic Cortisol, Including: Ashwagandha & Science Of 01:25:50 Licorice Increases Cortisol & Blood Pressure, & Reduces Testosterone (by Glycyrrhizin) 01:28:50 Apigenin: Anti-Cortisol 01:29:53 Protocols For Optimizing Energy & Immune System Function (& Learning) 01:37:00 When Fasting, Exercise, Cold & Intense Breathing Become Detrimental 01:39:00 Prescription Compounds 01:39:47 Tools For Accessing Alert & Calm States of “Energy”: Separating The Brain & Body 01:42:11 Ways To Apply Knowledge Presented Today 01:43:20 No-Cost Ways To Support Us, Feedback, Sponsors, Patreon, Partners, “Office Hours” Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode discusses metabolism and how our thyroid hormone and growth hormone control our metabolism. I also clarify that metabolism isn't just about burning energy, it’s about converting energy from different sources into fuels for building and repairing our tissues such as muscle, brain, and tendons and mobilizing energy from body fat storage. I discuss the role of iodine, selenium, and salt for thyroid health, and how specific exercise protocols, amino acids and temperature can dramatically shift levels of growth hormone release in waking and in sleep. I also describe the current landscape of prescription compounds, peptides and other factors for changing levels of thyroid and growth hormone, and some of their risks. Throughout the episode, mechanisms and tools grounded in specific mechanisms are discussed. Supplements from Thorne https://www.thorne.com/u/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Introduction (00:06:05) Thyroid & Growth Hormone (00:08:44) Food Shapes: Do They Matter? (00:11:43) Stevia: Naming & Impact (00:13:30) Metabolism 101: Your Brain the Furnace (00:17:33) Releasing Hormones From Your Brain, Stimulating Hormones from Your Pituitary (00:21:04) Thyroid Hormone’s Real Effects: Growth, Repair and Energy Consumption of Tissues (00:22:45) Iodine, L-Tyrosine & Selenium: The Trio Essential For Thyroid Function (00:26:05) How Much Iodine Do We Need? By Food, Supplement or Ocean Air (00:28:09) Selenium For Thyroid: Brazil Nuts & Other Valuable Sources (00:33:05) Selenium For Pregnancy, Prostate Cancer Risk, Acne (00:35:20) “Clean Eating” Downsides: Cruciferous Vegetables, Leeching Iodine (00:39:00) Other Benefits of Iodine: Reducing Inflammation (00:41:00) Why & How Increased Thyroid Increases Metabolism (00:42:12) What To Eat To Support Your Brain (00:43:00) Hyperthyroidism (Too Much) & Hypothyroidism (Too Little) (00:44:35) Menstruation: Thyroid Carbohydrate & Sugar Craving (00:45:33) Ketogenic Diet & Its Effects On Thyroid, Rebound Weight Gain (00:48:39) Growth Hormone: What, Why & How (00:51:18) Growth Hormone (GH) Changes Across The Lifespan & Risks of GH Therapy (00:53:40) How To Powerfully Increase Growth Hormone: Know The Natural Triggers (00:54:49) Not Eating Within 2hrs of Sleep: Keep Blood Glucose Low(ish) At Sleep (00:55:43) Delta Wave Brain Activity Is the Trigger For Growth Hormone Release (00:58:25) LOW Doses of Melatonin Supplementation For Increasing GH Release (01:01:00) Book: Altered Traits, Binaural Beats? Delta Waves Access (01:04:35) Specific Types & Duration of Exercise That Stimulate Growth Hormone & Warmups (01:08:40) Keeping Low Blood Glucose & Ensuring A Cool Down For Two Phase GH Release (01:10:36) Sex Differences For WHEN During Exercise Growth Hormone and IGF-1 Release Occurs: Males Have To Last Longer (01:14:10) Supplements That Increase Growth Hormone 100-400% (or more): Arginine, Ornithine (01:18:20) Arginine & Exercise Together Can Be Counter-Productive (01:19:50) L-Citrulline Better For Arginine Than Arginine Itself (?!); & Blood Pressure Caution (01:23:09) Growth Hormone Changes Across The Lifespan: No One Escapes (01:26:00) Heat (& Cold) for Triggering Extremely Large Increases In Growth Hormone (01:29:20) Specific Heat Protocols For Increasing Growth Hormone: Up To 16-Fold (?!) (01:34:30) 2021 (New) Study: Heat Increases GH, & Lowers Cortisol, No Effects On Testosterone, DHEA Or Prolactin (01:36:00) Prescription Growth Hormone, & Emerging Peptides Therapeutics, Secretagogues Etc. (01:42:25) Synthesis, Summary Of Actionable Steps For Increasing GH and Thyroid Hormone (01:44:00) Zero Cost & Other Ways to Support Our Podcast; & Thank You! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode I discuss how hormones from our gut, liver, pancreas and brain control our appetite--and the specific tools we can use to adjust those hormones in order to achieve specific goals. I explain the brain areas that control our desire to eat, and our desire to stop eating. I discuss a hormone we all can make that is regulated by UV-rays from sunlight that reduces our appetite. I also explain that when we eat controls our appetite and not the other way around (and how to leverage that fact). I describe how we are basically always eating until we reach a threshold level of fatty acids and amino acids in our gut and the factors that can alter that signaling and make us eat far more than we need. I also explain how insulin, glucose and glucagon work, why cholesterol is so key for ovary, adrenal, liver and testes function and how the ketogenic diet impacts glucose and thyroid levels. As always, I describe many tools: specific supplements, prescription compounds, specific types (and timing) of exercise to regulate hormones, specific timing and types of eating, ways to reduce sugar cravings by triggering release of the hormone CCK, and more. Note: A future episode will cover Thyroid hormone. Also, I mis-spoke when explaining POMC neurons. I said “P-M-O-C” but should have said “POMC”. Apologies. The name I gave for what POMC is, however, was correct: "proopiomelanocortin". Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman Supplements from Thorne https://www.thorne.com/u/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Introduction (00:06:59) Hunger: Neural & Hormonal Control (00:08:32) Chewing & Hunger (00:11:05) Siamese Rats Reveal the Importance of Hormones In Hunger (00:13:08) Neurons That Powerfully Control Hunger by Releasing Specific Hormones (00:16:28) Anorexia & Extreme Overeating (00:16:57) Why Sunlight Suppresses Hunger: a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (a -MSH) (00:20:03) Blue-blockers, Injecting a-MSH: Instant Tan & Priapism (00:22:30) Ghrelin: A Hormone That Determines When You Get Hungry, & That You Can Control (00:24:40) Meal Timing Determines Hunger, Not the Other Way Around (00:27:20) Satchin Panda, Circadian Eating & Intermittent(ish) Fasting (00:29:35) How To Rationally Adjust Meal Schedules: The 45min Per Day Rule (00:33:02) CCK (Cholecystokinin): A Hormone In Your Gut That Says “No Mas!” (00:34:55) Eating For Amino Acids, Fatty Acids & Sugar (00:39:05) L-Glutamine: Stimulates the Immune System & Reduces Sugar Cravings (00:43:42) Things To Avoid: Emulsifiers; Alter Gut Mucosa & Nutrient Sensing (00:49:32) “A Calorie Is NOT A Calorie” After All (00:52:36) Insulin & Glucose: Hyperglycemia, Euglycemia, & Hypogylcemia (00:56:12) The Order Your Eat Foods Matters: Managing Your Blood Glucose & Glucagon (01:02:40) Movement, Exercise & GLUT-4 (01:04:50) Why Sugar Stimulates Your Appetite (01:05:40) Keeping Blood Sugar Stable With Specific Exercises, The Power Of Insulin Sensitivity (01:07:55) High-Intensity Exercise, Glycogen & Metabolism (01:10:28) Cholesterol, HDL, LDL & Glucose Management: Ovaries, Testes, Liver, Adrenals (01:15:00) Prescription Compounds That Reduce Blood Glucose: Metformin (01:16:45) Berberine: A Potent Glucose Buffer That Also Adjusts Cholesterol Levels, Canker Sores (01:22:05) Chromium, L-Carnitine, Ginseng, Caffeine, Magnesium, Stevia, Vitamin B3, & Zinc (01:24:34) Acids: Vinegar, Lemons & Limes & False Alkalinity (01:26:40) Ketogenic Diets (In Brief): Effects On Blood Glucose, Thyroid Hormones (01:28:10) Diabetes, Filtering Blood, Sweet Urine (01:31:08) The Power of GLP-1 & Yerba Mate For Controlling Appetite, Electrolytes (01:35:19) Summary & Notes About Thyroid, Estrogen, Testosterone (01:37:20) Zero Cost & Sponsor-Based Ways To Support The Huberman Lab Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss testosterone and estrogen hormones and how they impact the brain, body, and behavior after puberty. I also discuss how various behaviors such as exercise (resistance and endurance training) and sex or observing sex impact these hormones and their levels. I ask: "what specifically is it about such activities that impact testosterone and estrogen?"; the resounding theme is that when our nervous system is activated in particular ways, it drives our endocrine system and vascular system to activate or repress certain hormone networks in predictable ways. I also discuss peer-reviewed studies and protocols addressing (at a mechanistic level) how light, cold and heat, and respiration (breathing) can positively or negatively impact testosterone and estrogen. We discuss specific supplements and compounds that peer-reviewed studies illustrate can adjust testosterone and estrogen levels by changing their binding to other proteins, raising them directly, or changing other hormones released from the brain and pituitary. I discuss optimization in the normal reference ranges for these hormones, and I discuss pheromones, apnea, menstrual cycles, menopause and andropause. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:26 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:05:50 Hormone Optimization 00:07:00 Salutogenesis: A Powerful Way to Conceptualize Health 00:10:03 Estrogen and Testosterone: Sources, Levels and Ratios 00:15:46 The Power of Competition, Plus: Anxiety, Persistence and Dopamine 00:20:58 Testosterone and Libido Pre-Ovulation 00:21:48 Estrogen and Sexual Receptivity; Libido In Males 00:23:10 How Sex Behavior Impacts Testosterone: Observing vs. Actual vs. Abstinence 00:26:46 Testosterone and Prolactin: Sex Seeking vs. Pair Bonding 00:27:30 DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): Effects on Levels/Ratios 00:28:45 Behaviors That Decrease Testosterone (and Cortisol): Parenting and Prolactin 00:31:24 How Illness Impacts Testosterone and Estrogen: Cytokines, e.g., IL-6 00:33:20 How Exactly Do Behaviors Change Hormones? 00:34:18 Pheromones: Miscarriage, Menstrual Cycles, Puberty Onset, and Mate Recognition 00:43:33 Apnea: A Powerful Bi-Directional Influence On Estrogen and Testosterone 00:47:44 Mouth vs. Nose Breathing and Hormone Levels: Effects Via Sleep and Direct Effects 00:51:11 How Sleep Adjusts Cortisol/Testosterone and Cortisol/Estrogen Ratios 00:53:49 O2:CO2 Ratios, Nasal Breathing During Exercise 00:56:30 Light Viewing Patterns and Hormones: Dopamine, GnRH 00:57:44 Spring Fever: Tyrosinase, Hair Color, Mating Frequency 01:04:39 Specificity of Hormone Effects 01:06:03 Temperature: Cold and Hot Gonads 01:14:10 How To Exercise: Types, Effort Level, Sequencing 01:21:42 Cardio/Endurance vs. Resistance Training (First or Last?) Yes, It Matters 01:24:41 Estrogen and Menopause: Compounds That May Ameliorate/Reverse Symptoms 01:33:18 Nutrients That Optimize The Foundation For Hormones 01:36:00 Opioids as Severe Hormone Disruptors 01:37:23 Testes, Antlers and Ovaries 01:38:50 Creatine and Increasing DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) 01:40:14 Free and Bound Testosterone: SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin), Tongat Ali 01:43:23 Nettles, Prostate, Boron, and Blood Brain Barrier 01:45:27 Hormone Related Cancers: Sometimes Reducing Estrogen and Testosterone Is Optimal 01:47:43 Ecdysteroids: Mimic Mammalian Hormones 01:51:50 Optimizing Brain Hormones: Chorionic Gonadotropin, Fadogia Agrestis 01:57:18 Additional Compounds, Liver Toxicity, Overall Milieu 01:59:17 Summary: And Note About Additional Related Topic Coverage Coming Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss how hormones such as testosterone and estrogen and their derivatives impact the early development of the brain and body and their maturation. I review published data on environmental factors shown to powerfully alter hormone pathways in animals and humans and the effects of cannabis, alcohol and cell phones on testes, sperm, ovaries and hormones. I describe the predictable relationship between genes, beard growth and balding patterns, and the importance of estrogen for brain development in people of all chromosomal sexes. Finally, I discuss how the hormones we are exposed to in the womb shape the relative length of our finger digits, the sounds our ears make (yes you read that correctly), and how those correlate with people's self-reports of their sexual preferences. As always, basic information and tools are discussed. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:30 AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:47 Announcement: Mood Meter App Works Again 00:08:00 Maximizing Learning from the Podcast 00:10:00 New Non-Sleep Deep Rest Protocol, Spanish Subtitles 00:11:35 Sexual Differentiation: Hormones, Neurons & Behavior 00:14:15 Hormones Basics 00:15:26 Sperm Meets Egg, Chromosomal Sex, Gonadal Sex 00:17:50 Y Chromosome Inhibition of Feminization 00:19:00 Placenta Is An Endocrine (Hormone-Producing) Organ, Adrenal Testosterone 00:19:45 Hormonal Sex, Morphological Sex 00:21:04 Hormones Fast & Slow, Sex Steroids Can Turn On Genes 00:23:06 Masculinization, Feminization, Demasculinization, Defeminization 00:23:42 Primary Sexual Characteristics: DHT Drives Penis Development 00:27:03 Secondary Sexual Characteristics 00:27:43 Penis Sprouting: Guevedoces 00:31:25 Estrogen, NOT Testosterone, Masculinizes The Brain 00:33:15 Breast Development In Males: Aromatase; Puberty, & Steroids in Athletes 00:34:50 Estrogen Powerfully Controls Brain Development In All Individuals 00:35:19 Avoiding Hormonal Disruption In Children & Adults: Specific Oils, Creams, Etc. 00:39:00 Environmental Endocrine Disruptors, Sperm Count Decline, Vincloziline 00:44:20 Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome: Hormones Need Receptors, SARMS 00:48:41 Estrogen Establishes “Masculine” Brain Circuits, Testosterone 00:49:42 Cannabis, Alcohol: In Babies, Puberty & Adults 00:56:25 Cell Phone Technology: Effects On Hormones, Ovaries, & Testicles 01:02:33 Beards & Baldness Patterns Around the World, DHT, 5-alpha-reductase 01:06:39 Creatine & DHT/Hair Loss 01:08:20 Predicting Aging Rates By Pubertal Rates 01:10:04 Hyenas, Baseball, & Jumbo Clitorises: Androstenedione 01:14:26 Intersex Moles 01:15:40 Marijuana Plants, Pollens: Plant-To-Animal “Warfare” 01:20:08 Finger Length Ratios, Prenatal Hormone Exposure & Sexual Orientation 01:29:13 Brain Dimorphisms with Sexual Orientation 01:32:00 “Older Brother Effects”: Male Fetuses Might Change Mothers & Subsequent Brothers 01:35:06 The Path Forward & A Warning 01:35:55 Support & Your Questions Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss the biology of emotions and moods in the context of relationships. I focus on the science of how early infant-caregiver attachment, combined with adolescence and puberty shape our adult patterns of attachment. I explain the three universal aspects of emotions, the reality of right-brain versus left-brain personalities, and how the roots of adult attachment are also grounded in specific aspects of puberty. I review what factors determine when puberty starts and ends, and the role of oxytocin and other chemicals in controlling how we perceive and remember others. As always, I refer to various practical tools including new tools for understanding and predicting our emotions before they occur, and neurochemicals that shape human connection. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:32 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:05:10 Announcing New Cost-Free Resources: Captions, NSDR Link 00:07:40 Emotions: Subjective Yet Tractable 00:10:53 To Understand Your Emotions: Look At Infancy & Puberty 00:15:21 Your First Feeling Was Anxiety 00:17:36 What Are “Healthy Emotions”? 00:19:03 Digital Tool For Predicting Your Emotions: Mood Meter App 00:21:08 The Architecture Of A Feeling: (At Least) 3 Key Questions To Ask Yourself 00:24:00 You Are An Infant: Bonds & Predictions 00:27:57 Attachment Style Hinges On How You Handle Disappointment 00:32:40 “Glue Points” Of Emotional Bonds: Gaze, Voice, Affect, Touch, (& Written) 00:36:34 “Emotional Health”: Awareness of the Interoceptive-Exteroceptive Dynamic 00:37:50 An Exercise: Controlling Interoceptive-Exteroceptive Bias 00:42:19 Getting Out Of Your Head: The Attentional Aperture 00:46:59 Puberty: Biology & Emotions On Deliberate Overdrive 00:47:58 Bodyfat & Puberty: The Leptin Connection 00:50:34 Pheromones: Mates, Timing Puberty, Spontaneous Miscarriage 00:54:37 Kisspeptin: Robust Trigger Of Puberty & Performance Enhancing Agent 00:58:26 Neuroplasticity Of Emotions: Becoming Specialists & Testing Emotional Bonds 01:00:25 Testing Driving Brain Circuits For Emotion: Dispersal 01:07:48 Science-Based Recommendations for Adolescents and Teens: The Autonomy Buffet 01:11:05 “Right-Brain Versus Left-Brain People”: Facts Versus Lies 01:14:18 Left Brain = Language, Right Brain = Spatial Awareness 01:16:15 How To Recognize “Right Brain Activity” In Speech: Prosody 01:18:32 Oxytocin: The Molecule of Synchronizing States 01:20:09 Mirror Neurons: Are Not For “Empathy”, Maybe For Predicting Behavior 01:23:00 Promoting Trust & Monogamy 01:27:00 Ways To Increase Oxytocin 01:28:34 Vasopressin: Aphrodisiac, Non-Monogamy and Anti-Bed-Wetting Qualities 01:30:43 Bonding Bodies, Not Just Minds: Vagus Nerve, Depression Relief Via the Body 01:35:18 A Powerful Tool For Enhancing Range & Depth of Emotional Experience 01:36:43 MDMA and Other Psychedelic Compounds: Building A Framework 01:38:54 Roundup, Various Forms of Support Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode explains the science of motivation and drive. I describe how dopamine — a chemical we all make in our brain, underlies our desire for and pursuit of our goals, as well as our capacity to move and experience pleasure. I describe how we can leverage specific behaviors, reward schedules and dopamine-prolactin balance to help ensure we can maintain motivation and capacity for pleasure over the long term. I also discuss dopamine in the context of ADHD, craving and addiction, and some absolutely amazing results about specificity of drug effects based purely on belief. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:30 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:04:22 Announcement: Spanish Subtitles 00:05:06 Emotions, Addiction & Mindset 00:06:22 Motivation & Movement: The Dopamine Connection 00:07:29 A Double-Edged Dopamine Blade 00:08:56 Dopamine Fundamentals: Precursor to Adrenalin 00:10:15 The Reward Pathway: An Accelerator & A Brake 00:12:10 Motivation = Pleasure Plus Pain 00:14:14 The Dopamine Staircase: Food, Sex, Nicotine, Cocaine, Amphetamine 00:16:15 Subjective Control of Dopamine Release 00:17:40 Social Media and Video Games 00:18:15 Addiction & Dopamine: Progressively Diminishing Returns 00:18:48 Novelty, Sensation-Seeking & Anticipation 00:20:15 Craving: Part Pain, Part Pleasure & Pain Always Prevails 00:23:11 Desire Scales With Pain: The Yearning Function 00:24:43 The Croissant Craving Circuit 00:25:45 “Here and Now” Molecules: Serotonin, Bliss & Raphe Nucleus 00:26:26 In Your Skin Or Out In the World 00:27:25 Cannabinoids Lethargy & Forgetfulness 00:28:15 The Almond Meditation 00:29:30 Drugs That Shift Exteroception Versus Interoception 00:30:36 Emotional Balance, Active & Passive Manipulation 00:32:36 Procrastination: Leveraging Stress, Breathing, Caffeine, L-Tyrosine, Prescription Drugs 00:37:04 When Enough Is Never Enough; How Dopamine Undermines Itself 00:38:58 Dopamine-Prolactin Dynamics: Sex, Reproduction & Refractory Periods 00:40:30 The Coolidge Effect: Novelty-Induced Suppression of Prolactin 00:42:22 Vitamin B6, Zinc As Mild Prolactin Inhibitors 00:43:25 Schizophrenia, Dopamine Hyperactivity and Side Effects of Anti-Dopaminergic Drugs 00:45:08 Prolactin, Post-Satisfaction “Lows” & Extending the Arc of Dopamine 00:48:00 The Chemistry of “I Won, But Now What?” 00:49:00 Healthy Emotional Development: Child and Parent 00:50:03 Never Say “Maybe” (Reward Prediction Error) 00:52:02 Surprise! 00:52:59 Are You Suppressing Your Drive and Motivation By Working Too Late? 00:54:50 Disambiguating Pleasure and Drive: Dopamine Makes Us Anti-Lazy 00:58:00 Beta-Phenylethylamine (PEA), & Acetyl L-Carnitine 01:00:00 Attention Deficit Disorders, Cal Newport Books, Impulsivity & Obesity 01:03:55 Leveraging Dopamine Schedules 01:05:22 Subjective Control of Dopamine and Drug Effects: The “Adderall” Experiment 01:09:03 Caffeine May Protect Dopamine Neurons, Methamphetamine Kills Them 01:10:57 Nicotine: Dopamine, Possible Neuroprotection, Prolactin Increase 01:11:53 Gambling, Intermittent Reinforcement, & Persistent Goal Seeking (Bad and Good) 01:14:14 Intermittent Halting of Celebration; Enjoy Your Wins, But Not All of Them 01:18:38 A Story Example of Intermittent Reward to Maintain Long-Term Drive and Motivation 01:21:25 Corrections & Notes About Spanish Captions & Other Languages Soon 01:24:00 Synthesis & Framework, Zero-Cost Support & A Note About Sponsors Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode explains the brain-body connections that allow the specific foods we eat to control our moods and motivation. I discuss the vagus nerve and its role in dopamine and serotonin release in the brain. I review Omega-3 fatty acids and the key role of the gut microbiome in supporting (or hindering) our mental and emotional states. Many actionable tools are reviewed and discussed related to fasting, ketogenic and plant-based diets, probiotics, fermented foods, fish oils, artificial sweeteners, specific supplements that promote dopamine and serotonin, and some remarkable behavioral (and belief) effects. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:31 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:05:00 Emotions: Aligning Mind & Body 00:06:41 Nutrients, Neurochemicals and Mood 00:08:39 Primitive Expressions and Actions 00:12:30 The Vagus Nerve: Truth, Fiction, Function 00:15:45 “Vagus Stimulation”: A Terrible Concept 00:16:35 Polyvagal Theory 00:18:27 Vagus Senses Many Things, & Moves Our Organs 00:19:35 Sugar Sensing Without Perception of Sweetness 00:23:00 Eating-Induced Anxiety 00:27:30 We Eat Until Our Brain Perceives “Amino Acid Threshold” 00:29:45 Reward Prediction Error: Buildup, Letdown and Wanting More 00:32:01 L-Tyrosine, Dopamine, Motivation, Mood, & Movement 00:34:04 Supplementing L-Tyrosine, Drugs of Abuse, Wellbutrin 00:38:29 Serotonin: Gut, Brain, Satiety and Prozac 00:43:38 Eating to Promote Dopamine (Daytime) & Serotonin (Night Time) 00:44:30 Supplementing Serotonin: Sleep, & Caution About Sleep Disruptions 00:46:40 Examine.com An Amazing Cost-Free Resource with Links to Science Papers 00:48:05 Mucuna Pruriens: The Dopamine Bean with a Serotonin Outer Shell 00:51:00 Emotional Context and Book Recommendation: “How Emotions Are Made” 00:54:55 Exercise: Powerful Mood Enhancer, But Lacks Specificity 00:56:45 Omega-3: Omega-6 Ratios, Fish Oil and Alleviating Depression 01:01:00 Fish Oil as Antidepressant 01:02:40 EPAs May Improve Mood via Heart Rate Variability: Gut-Heart-Brain 01:07:24 Alternatives to Fish Oil to Obtain Sufficient Omega-3/EPAs 01:09:05 L-Carnitine for Mood, Sperm and Ovary Quality, Autism, Fibromyalgia, Migraine 01:16:29 Gut-Microbiome: Myths, Truths & the Tubes Within Us 01:21:55 Probiotics, Brain Fog, Autism, Fermentation 01:25:20 Artificial Sweeteners & the Gut Microbiome: NOT All Bad; It Depends! 01:28:00 Ketogenic, Vegan, & Processed Food Effects, Individual Differences 01:33:20 Fasting-Based Depletion of Our Microbiome 01:35:20 How Mindset Effects Our Responses to Foods: Amazing (Ghrelin) Effects! 01:38:30 How Mindset Controls Our Metabolism 01:41:03 Closing Comments, Thanks, Support & Resources Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode explains what stress is, and how it recruits our brain and body to react in specific ways. I describe the three main types of stress, and how two of them actually enhance the function of our immune system making us less vulnerable to infections. I review tools that allow us to control our stress in real-time, as well as tools to prevent long-term stress, burnout and stress-induced illness and anxiety. As always, we cover behavioral tools and supplements that can assist or hinder stress control. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman More Huberman Lab Huberman Lab Premium: https://go.hubermanlab.com/premium Huberman Lab Shop: https://go.hubermanlab.com/merch Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:31 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:04:41 Emotions: A Logical Framework of Brain-Body Loops 00:10:29 Stress: The (Falsely Narrow) Animal Attack Narrative 00:14:31 The Stress RESPONSE: Generic, Channels blood, Biases Action 00:21:08 Tools to Actually Control Stress: Reduce Alertness or Increase Calm 00:24:15 The Fastest Way to Reduce Stress In Real Time: “Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia” 00:29:45 The Fastlane to Calm 00:34:53 Important Notes About Heart Rate Deceleration: Vaso-vagal Lag 00:36:50 Cyclic Sighing For Calm and Sleep Induction 00:37:57 Nasal Breathing For Cosmetic, Immune and Performance Enhancement 00:38:46 Two Breathing Centers In The Brain 00:39:45 Breathing For Speaking Clearly 00:40:39 The 3 Types of Stress: Short, Medium and Long-Term 00:42:10 Positive Effects of Short-Term Stress: Immunity and Focus 00:45:32 Adrenalin (Epinephrine) Deploys Killer Immune Cells 00:46:40 Cyclic Deep Breathing IS Stress: Wim Hof, Tummo & Super-Oxygenation 00:50:58 Inflammation Is Useful and Good, In the Short Term 00:52:02 Procrastination and Self-Manufactured Nootropics 00:53:00 Relaxation Can Cause Illness 00:54:30 Immune Activation Protocol 00:55:20 Medium Term Stress: A Clear Definition 00:56:07 Stress Threshold 00:57:10 Stress Inoculation Tools: Separating Mind & Body, On Purpose 00:59:50 Use Vision to Calm the Mind When the Body Is Agitated 01:02:36 Beyond NSDR 01:04:36 Long Term Stress: Definition, Measurement, Cardiovascular Risks 01:06:30 Tools for Dealing With Long Term Stress 01:08:20 The Oxytocin Myth 01:09:15 Serotonin: Satiety, Safety 01:12:00 Delight and Flexibility 01:13:30 Chemical Irritants We Make But Can Control: Tackykinin 01:15:40 Impactful Gratitude 01:16:25 Non-Prescription Chemical Compounds For Additional Anti-Stress Support 01:18:04 Melatonin: Cautionary Note About Adrenal Suppression 01:19:15 Adrenal Burnout Is A Myth… But Why You Need to Know About It Anyway 01:21:10 L-Theanine For Stress Reduction and Task Completion Anxiety 01:23:00 Beware Taurine and Energy Drinks With Taurine 01:23:30 Ashwagandha: Can Powerfully Lower Anxiety And Cortisol 01:25:50 Examine.com Is An Amazing Free Resource 01:26:20 How This All Relates to Emotions: State Versus Demand = Valence 01:32:00 Modulating Reactivity, Mindfulness, & Functionality With Objective Tools 01:34:00 Next Steps 01:35:40 Topic Suggestions, Subscriptions and Reviews Please 01:37:40 Additional Resources, Synthesis Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I describe the science of how and why pain arises in the body and brain, and how we can actively control our experience of pain. I discuss inflammation, stress, acupuncture, limb damage and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I review protocols that leverage the lymphatic and nervous system to accelerate pain relief and healing in a variety of situations. Other topics discussed include how heat versus cold impacts neurons and wounds, red-light, sunlight, stem cells and more. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction/Avenues for Support 00:00:31 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:04:58 Deliberate Unlearning 00:06:43 Pain, Injury and Regeneration 00:09:17 A System of Touch (Somatosensation) 00:11:42 Pain and Injury are Dissociable 00:15:19 Objective versus Subjective Control of Experience 00:16:15 Plasticity of Perception 00:16:41 Lack of Pain Is Self-Destructive; So Is Excessive Pain 00:18:42 Homoculous, Ratonculous, Dogunculus 00:19:05 “Sensitivity” explained 00:21:30 Inflammation 00:22:24 Phantom Limb Pain 00:24:00 Top-down Relief of Pain by Vision 00:26:41 From Deaf to Hearing Sounds 00:28:10 Pain Is In The Mind & Body 00:29:44 Recovering Movement Faster After Injury 00:35:00 Don’t Over Compensate 00:37:34 Concussion, TBI & Brain Ageing 00:40:49 The Brain’s Sewage Treatment System: Glymphatic Clearance 00:43:05 Body Position & Angle During Sleep 00:44:30 Types of Exercise For Restoring & Maintaining Brain Health 00:47:33 Ambulance Cells in The Brain 00:49:20 True Pain Control by Belief and Context 00:51:45 Romantic Love and Pain 00:55:05 Dopaminergic Control of Pain 00:57:15 Acupuncture: Rigorous Scientific Assessment 01:07:32 Vagus Activation and Autonomic Control of Pain 01:08:30 Inflammation, Turmeric, Lead and DHT 01:11:40 Adrenalin: Wim Hof, Tummo, “Super-Oxygenation” Breathing 01:14:53 Protocols For Accelerating Tissue Repair & Managing Pain 01:17:55 Ice Is Not Always Nice (For Pain and Injury): Sludging, Fascia, Etc. 01:22:02 Chronic and/or Whole Body Pain; Red-Light Therapy, Sunlight 01:26:10 Glymphatics and Sleep 01:26:29 Stem Cells, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP): Shams, Shoulds and Should Nots 01:31:38 Young Blood: Actual Science 01:35:44 Synthesis, Support & Resources Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I describe how to access focused learning bouts, creative states, and the underlying neural circuitry involved. I frame this in the context of our daily 24-hour cycle in order to make it practical, clear and precise about timing. I review the role of fasting, meal timing and specific types of nutrients for promoting certain states of mind. I also review various other tools and biological factors that directly or indirectly gate brain function and that we can control. I answer commonly asked questions about the science of psychedelics, binaural beats, and visualization. Thank you for your interest in science! Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:30 Sponsors: AG1 & LMNT 00:04:53 The Daily (Learning) Routine 00:07:13 Plasticity Is NOT the Goal 00:09:26 No Obligation To Change 00:09:59 Practical Plasticity Language 00:13:37 Pillars of Neuroplasticity 00:15:16 My Daily Routine: Chronotype Management 00:17:20 Plasticity of the Wake-Sleep Circuit: Morning Light 00:19:09 Delay Caffeine! 00:21:19 Light, Black Coffee, Hydrate 00:22:57 High Alertness, Linear Tasks/Learning 00:25:12 Background Music/Noise: Yay or Nay? 00:26:52 “GO” versus “NO-GO”: The Basal Ganglia & Dopamine 00:28:37 Leveraging GO, NO-GO 00:30:08 Non-Specific Action 00:32:06 Clear, Calm, Focused: The GO, NO-GO Sweet Spot 00:33:48 When Very Alert, Work In Silence; When Tired, Include Background Noise 00:35:28 Temperaments Vary: And So Should This 00:36:01 The 3 Hour-Long Post Waking Block 00:36:20 Early Morning Exercise and GO Networks 00:38:05 Fasting, Ketogenic Diets, & Food Volume 00:39:41 Sodium/Electrolytes 00:40:57 Avoiding Hot Lunch, Food Pre-Occupation 00:42:01 Post Lunch Low/No Cognitive Load 00:42:56 Hydration, NSDR, Nap 00:44:54 Creativity Work 00:46:26 Creativity Is A Two-Part Phenomenon 00:51:15 Psychedelics 00:58:20 Afternoon Light As Insurance 01:00:26 Evening Nutrition 01:01:21 Repacking Glycogen: Hormonal Factors 01:04:11 Pre-Sleep Anxiety: Normal and Easy To Solve 01:07:08 The Power of Objective Tools 01:08:14 Visualization 01:11:34 Mini-Synthesis 01:13:31 Resetting Your Clock 01:15:55 Don’t Trust the Mind Now 01:16:59 Two, (Maybe 3) Optimization Bouts Per Day 01:18:33 Organizational Logic 01:20:22 Wim Hof Breathing, Binaural Beats, Ice Baths, Etc. 01:24:42 Variation Among People, and Dogs 01:25:49 Accurate Versus Exhaustive 01:27:57 Familiar and New Ways To Support Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss how we can use specific types of behavior to change our brain, both for sake of learning the movements themselves and for allowing us to learn non-movement-based information as well. I describe the key role that errors play in triggering our brains to change and how the vestibular (balance) system can activate and amplify neuroplasticity. As always, I cover science and science-based practical tools. Thank you in advance for your questions and for your interest in science! For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:29 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:06:20 Nerves and Muscles 00:12:00 Exercise alone won’t change your brain 00:12:58 Behavior will change your brain 00:13:30 Remembering the wrong things 00:15:00 Behavior as the gate to plasticity 00:15:45 Types of Plasticity 00:17:32 Errors Not Flow Trigger Plasticity 00:21:30 Mechanisms of Plasticity 00:22:30 What to learn when you are young 00:23:50 Alignment of your brain maps: neuron sandwiches 00:26:00 Wearing Prisms On Your Face 00:29:10 The KEY Trigger Plasticity 00:32:20 Frustration Is the Feeling to Follow (Further into Learning) 00:33:10 Incremental Learning 00:35:30 Huberman Free Throws 00:38:50 Failure Specificity Triggers Specific Plastic Changes 00:40:20 Triggering Rapid, Massive Plasticity Made Possible 00:43:25 Addiction 00:45:25 An Example of Ultradian-Incremental Learning 00:49:42 Bad Events 00:51:55 Surprise! 00:52:00 Making Dopamine Work For You (Not The Other Way Around) 00:53:20 HOW to release dopamine 00:55:00 (Mental) Performance Enhancing Drugs 00:56:00 Timing Your Learning 00:57:36 (Chem)Trails of Neuroplasticity 00:58:57 The Three Key Levers To Accelerate Plasticity 00:59:15 Limbic Friction: Finding Clear, Calm and Focused 01:04:25 The First Question To Ask Yourself Before Learning 01:05:00 Balance 01:07:45 Cerebellum 01:10:00 Flow States Are Not The Path To Learning 01:11:18 Novelty and Instability Are Key 01:14:55 How to Arrive At Learning 01:15:45 The Other Reason Kids Learn Faster Than Adults 01:19:25 Learning French and Other Things Faster 01:22:00 Yoga versus Science 01:32:00 Closing Remarks Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode introduces neuroplasticity—which is how our brain and nervous system learn and acquire new capabilities. I describe the differences between childhood and adult neuroplasticity, the chemicals involved and how anyone can increase their rate and depth of learning by leveraging the science of focus. I describe specific tools for increasing focus and learning. The next two episodes will cover the ideal protocols for specific types of learning and how to make learning new information more reflexive. For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Momentous: https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) Introduction (00:00:32) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT, Waking Up (00:03:50) Plasticity: What Is it, & What Is It For? (00:06:30) Babies and Potato Bugs (00:08:00) Customizing Your Brain (00:08:50) Hard-Wired Versus Plastic Brains (00:10:25) Everything Changes At 25 (00:12:29) Costello and Your Hearing (00:13:10) The New Neuron Myth (00:14:10) Anosmia: Losing Smell (00:15:13) Neuronal Birthdays Near Our Death Day (00:16:45) Circumstances for Brain Change (00:17:21) Brain Space (00:18:30) No Nose, Eyes, Or Ears (00:19:30) Enhanced Hearing and Touch In The Blind (00:20:20) Brain Maps of The Body Plan (00:21:00) The Kennard Principle (Margaret Kennard) (00:21:36) Maps of Meaning (00:23:00) Awareness Cues Brain Change (00:25:20) The Chemistry of Change (00:26:15) A Giant Lie In The Universe 00:27:10) Fathers of Neuroplasticity/Critical Periods 00:29:30) Competition Is The Route to Plasticity 00:32:30) Correcting The Errors of History 00:33:29) Adult Brain Change: Bumps and Beeps (00:36:25) What It Takes to Learn (00:38:15) Adrenalin and Alertness (00:40:18) The Acetylcholine Spotlight (00:42:26) The Chemical Trio For Massive Brain Change (00:44:10) Ways To Change Your Brain (00:46:16) Love, Hate, & Shame: all the same chemical (00:47:30) The Dopamine Trap (00:49:40) Nicotine for Focus (00:52:30) Sprinting (00:53:30) How to Focus (00:55:22) Adderall: Use & Abuse (00:56:40) Seeing Your Way To Mental Focus (01:02:59) Blinking (01:05:30) And Ear Toward Learning (01:06:14) The Best Listeners In The World (01:07:20) Agitation is Key (01:07:40) ADHD & ADD: Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder (01:12:00) Ultra(dian) Focus (01:13:30) When Real Change Occurs (01:16:20) How Much Learning Is Enough? (01:16:50) Learning In (Optic) Flow/Mind Drift (01:18:16) Synthesis/Summary (01:25:15) Learning With Repetition, Forming Habits As always, thank you for your interest in science! Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac Disclaimer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is all about the two major kinds of dreams and the sorts of learning and unlearning they are used for. I discuss REM-associated dreams that control emotional learning and their similarity to various trauma treatments such as ketamine and EMDR. I also discuss Non-REM dreams and their role in motor learning and learning of detailed, non-emotionally-laden information. I relate this to science-backed tools for accessing more of the types of sleep and learning people may want. Other topics are listed in the time stamps below. Read the full show notes for this episode at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://athleticgreens.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/hubermanlab Waking Up: https://www.wakingup.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Introduction 00:00:30 Sponsors: AG1, LMNT & Waking Up 00:03:00 The Dream Mask 00:06:00 Cycling Sleep 00:08:10 Chemical Cocktails of Sleep 00:13:00 Motor Learning 00:16:30 High Performance with Less Sleep 00:17:45 Rapid Eye Movement Sleep 00:20:30 Paralysis & Hallucinations 00:23:35 Nightmares 00:24:45 When REM & Waking Collide 00:25:00 Sleeping While Awake 00:26:45 Alien Abductions 00:29:00 Irritability 00:30:00 Sleep to Delete 00:32:25 Creating Meaning 00:34:10 Adults Acting Like Children 00:36:20 Trauma & REM 00:37:15 EMDR 00:39:10 Demo 00:44:25 Ketamine / PCP 00:45:45 Soup, Explosions, & NMDA 00:48:55 Self Therapy 00:50:30 Note About Hormones 00:51:40 Measuring REM / SWS 00:53:15 Sleep Consistency 00:56:00 Bed Wetting 00:58:00 Serotonin 00:59:00 Increasing SWS 00:59:50 Lucidity 01:02:15 Booze / Weed 01:03:50 Scripting Dreams 01:04:35 Theory of Mind 01:07:55 Synthesis 01:10:00 Intermittent Sleep Deprivation 01:11:10 Snoring Disclaimer 01:11:40 New Topic 01:15:50 Corrections 01:17:25 Closing Remarks Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices