Huberman Lab

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by Scicomm Media

<p>The Huberman Lab podcast is hosted by Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and tenured professor in the department of neurobiology, and by courtesy, psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford School of Medicine. The podcast discusses neuroscience and science-based tools, including how our brain and its connections with the organs of our body control our perceptions, our behaviors, and our health, as well as existing and emerging tools for measuring and changing how our nervous system works.</p><p>Huberman has made numerous significant contributions to the fields of brain development, brain function, and neural plasticity, which is the ability of our nervous system to rewire and learn new behaviors, skills, and cognitive functioning. He is a McKnight Foundation and Pew Foundation Fellow and was awarded the Cogan Award, given to the scientist making the most significant discoveries in the study of vision, in 2017. </p><p>Work from the Huberman Laboratory at Stanford School of Medicine has been published in top journals, including Nature, Science, and Cell, and has been featured in TIME, BBC, Scientific American, Discover, and other top media outlets.</p><p>In 2021, Dr. Huberman launched the Huberman Lab podcast. The podcast is frequently ranked in the top 10 of all podcasts globally and is often ranked #1 in the categories of Science, Education, and Health & Fitness.</p>

6 episodes summarized

Episodes

Essentials: The Science of Making & Breaking Habits

Essentials: The Science of Making & Breaking Habits

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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I explain how to create lasting habits and break unwanted ones. I explain two habit-building systems: one aligned with daily rhythms and another based on a 21-day cycle of forming and reinforcing habits. I also discuss why habit formation differs between individuals and how certain "linchpin" habits can make other behaviors easier to adopt. Finally, I share practical tools—including visualization, task bracketing, and methods for rewiring bad habits—to support lasting behavioral change. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00) Habits (00:43) What are Habits?, Neuroplasticity (01:15) Goal-Based vs Identity-Based Habits (02:33) How Long Does It Take to Form a Habit?; Limbic Friction (05:31) Sponsor: Eight Sleep (06:59) Tool: Linchpin Habits (08:51) Habit Strength, Context Dependence & Limbic Friction (10:41) How We Form Habits, Tool: Review Procedural Steps (12:49) Tool: Task Bracketing (16:30) Sponsor: LMNT (18:02) Should You Schedule Habits?; Phase-Based Habit Plan (20:00) Phase 1 (Morning) & Challenging Habits (21:23) Phase 2 (Afternoon), Relaxation; Mellow Habits (24:46) Phase 3 (Evening), Enhancing Sleep & Habit Consolidation (28:00) Habit Flexibility & Daily Timing (30:33) Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 (32:02) Tool: 21-Day Habit Program; Habit Missteps (37:16) Tool: How to Break Habits & Replacement Behaviors (39:59) Recap Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December 4, 202540:44
Essentials: Science of Building Strong Social Bonds with Family, Friends & Romantic Partners

Essentials: Science of Building Strong Social Bonds with Family, Friends & Romantic Partners

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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, I discuss the science of social connection and how we form meaningful bonds with others. I explore the neural basis for "social homeostasis"—our drive for a certain amount of social interaction—which explains why we feel lonely, seek connection and how we navigate social hierarchies. I also explain how the brain and neurochemicals, such as oxytocin and dopamine, shape our relationships from infancy through adulthood and underlie traits like introversion and extroversion. The episode also offers practical insights into forming deeper connections and how shared experiences with others enhance social bonding. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman David: https://davidprotein.com/huberman Timestamps 0:00 Social Connection 1:10 Social Bonds, Social Isolation & Stress Hormones 3:09 Sponsor: LMNT 4:42 Brain & Social Homeostasis; Social Hierarchies & Flexibility 9:14 Dopamine & Pro-Social Behaviors; Chronic Social Isolation & Introversion 11:04 Introverts vs Extroverts, Dopamine & Social Homeostasis; Context 13:08 Loneliness, Dorsal Raphe Nucleus & Social Hunger 14:18 Key Takeaway: Introvert vs Extrovert & Dopamine 15:23 Social Bonds & Physiological Synchrony, Tool: Shared Experiences 18:19 Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 19:48 Right- vs Left-Brained Attachment, Parent & Child, Unconscious Mind 24:30 Friends & Romantic Partners, Emotional & Cognitive Empathy 27:52 Sponsor: David 29:09 Oxytocin & Social Connection 31:39 Tool: Emotional & Cognitive Empathy 32:54 Introverts, Extroverts & Social Interaction 33:48 Break-Ups; Key Takeaways Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 20, 202536:33

How to Speak Clearly & With Confidence | Matt Abrahams

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My guest is Matt Abrahams, lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business and a world expert in communication and public speaking. He explains how to speak with clarity and confidence and how to be more authentic in your communication in all settings: public, work, relationships, etc. He shares how to eliminate filler words ("umm"-ing), how to overcome stage fright and how to structure messages in a way that makes audiences remember the information. He also shares how to recover gracefully if you "blank out" on stage and simple drills and frameworks that dramatically improve spontaneity, storytelling and overall communication effectiveness. People of all ages and communication styles will benefit from the practical, evidence-supported protocols Matt shares to help you communicate with greater confidence and impact. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Pre-order Andrew's book Protocols: https://go.hubermanlab.com/protocols Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Joovv: https://joovv.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/pages/store-locator Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) Matt Abrahams (3:21) Public Speaking Fear, Status; Speech Delivery (5:36) Speech, Connection, Credibility; Authenticity (9:05) Monitoring, Self-Judgement; Memorization, Tool: Object Relabeling Exercise (13:13) Sponsors: Eight Sleep & BetterHelp (15:40) Cadence & Speech Patterns; Lego Manuals, Storytelling & Emotion (19:18) Visual vs Audio Content, Length, Detail (23:19) Understanding Audience's Needs, Tool: Recon – Reflection – Research (24:25) Judgement in Communication, Heuristics (27:33) Questions, Responding to the Audience, Tool: Structuring Information (31:34) Feedback & Observation; Tools: Three-Pass Speech Review; Communication Reflection Journal (39:09) Movement, Stage Fright, Content Expertise (42:54) Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Joovv (45:34) Multi-Generation Communication Styles & Trust; Curiosity, Conversation Turns (50:32) Linear vs Non-Linear Speech, Tool: Tour Guide Expectations (53:21) Develop Communication Skills, Audience Size, Tools: Distancing; Practicing (1:01:43) Tool: Improv & Agility; Great Communication Examples; Divided Attention (1:09:36) One-on-One Communication vs Public Speaking (1:11:00) Sponsor: Mateína (1:12:00) Neurodiversity, Introverts, Communication Styles; Writing & Editing (1:16:30) Calculating Risk, Tool: Violating Expectations & Engaging Audience (1:21:20) Authenticity, Strengths, Growth & Improv (1:23:23) Damage Control, Tools: Avoid Blanking Out; Contingency Planning, Silence (1:30:32) Nerves, Tool: Breathwork; Spontaneous Communication; Beta-Blockers (1:34:29) Communication Hygiene, Caffeine, Tools: NSDR/Yoga Nidra; Vestibular System & Sleep (1:40:08) Conversation Before Speaking; Delivering Engaging Speeches (1:42:56) Sponsor: Function (1:44:43) Anticipation, Tool: Introduce Yourself; Connect to Environment, Phones (1:51:30) Customer Service & Kids Jobs; Tool: Role Model Communication; COVID Pandemic (1:56:04) Quiet But Not Shy, Extroverts; Social Media Presence (2:00:25) Martial Arts, Sport, Running, Presence & Connection (2:04:16) Apologizing; Communication Across Accents & Cultures (2:07:36) Interruptions, Tools: Paraphrasing; Speech Preparation (2:10:57) Public Speaking Fear, Tool: Envision Positive Outcome; Arguments & Mediation (2:13:19) Omit Filler Words, Tool: Landing Phrases; Time & Storytelling (2:16:52) Asking For a Raise; Poor Communicators & Curiosity; Memorization (2:19:49) Pre-Talk Anxiety Management; Acknowledgements (2:23:47) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 17, 20252:26:20E255
Essentials: Breathing for Mental & Physical Health & Performance | Dr. Jack Feldman

Essentials: Breathing for Mental & Physical Health & Performance | Dr. Jack Feldman

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In this Huberman Lab Essentials episode, my guest is Dr. Jack Feldman, PhD, a Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a leading expert in the science of breathing. We explain the mechanics of breathing and the neural circuits that generate and regulate our breathing rhythm. We also discuss how breathing patterns profoundly influence mental states, including their role in reducing anxiety and enhancing emotional resilience. Dr. Feldman also shares practical tools, such as box breathing for daily performance and magnesium L-threonate supplementation to support cognitive health and longevity. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Timestamps 00:00:00 Jack Feldman 00:00:23 Breathing Mechanics, Diaphragm; Pre-Bötzinger Complex & Breath Initiation 00:03:25 Nose vs Mouth Breathing 00:04:23 Sponsor: Mateina 00:05:24 Active Expiration & Brain; Retrotrapezoid Nucleus 00:08:32 Diaphragm & Evolution; Lung Surface Area & Alveoli, Oxygen Exchange 00:12:56 Diaphragmatic vs Non-Diaphragmatic Breathing 00:14:23 Physiological Sighs: Frequency & Function; Polio & Ventilators 00:18:21 Sponsor: AGZ by AG1 00:19:52 Drug Overdose, Death & Gasps 00:21:38 Meditation, Slow Breathing & Fear Conditioning Study 00:25:28 Mechanistic Science in Breathwork Validation; Breath Practice & Reduced Fear 00:27:21 Breathing & Emotional/Cognitive State, Olfaction, Vagus Nerve 00:29:44 Carbon Dioxide, Hyperventilation & Anxiety 00:31:21 Sponsor: Eight Sleep 00:32:47 Breathing, Emotion & Autonomic Processes Coordination; Depression & Breath Practices 00:36:43 Tool: Breathwork Practices, Box Breathing, Tummo, Wim Hof 00:38:46 Magnesium L-Threonate & Cognitive Enhancement; Compound Refinement 00:44:28 Clinical Trial, Magnesium L-Threonate & Cognitive Improvements; Dose, Sleep 00:48:28 Acknowledgements Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 13, 202549:45

How Your Thoughts Are Built & How You Can Shape Them | Dr. Jennifer Groh

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My guest is Dr. Jennifer Groh, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University. She explains how our brain encodes sights and sounds and integrates them so we can navigate and understand the world around us. She explains what thoughts really are and how what you focus on determines your thoughts, not just in that moment but your future thoughts too. We discuss this in the context of how to improve your level of focus and happiness and how to complete tasks and task-switch more effectively. We also discuss how you can rewire the neural circuits that underlie your default patterns of thinking and attention. Sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman Wealthfront*: https://wealthfront.com/huberman Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman Helix Sleep: https://helixsleep.com/huberman LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman Timestamps 0:00 Jennifer Groh 3:41 Sounds & Vision, Sensory Integration; Dynamic Maps 7:42 Context & Mapping; Screens, Projection & Perception, Ventriloquists 13:52 Sound Localization 16:53 Sponsors: Lingo & Wealthfront 19:50 Hearing Loss & Sound Localization, Ear Folds 21:56 Unfamiliarity of Hearing Your Own Voice; Tool: Bone Conduction Headphones 26:16 Tool: Headphone Volume & Protecting Hearing 28:57 3D Sound, Sound Distance, Thunder, Earthquakes 37:24 Sound Integration; Sound Frequency & Distance, Warning Signals 44:36 Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Our Place 47:39 Music, Rhythm, Community & Emotion 57:00 Music, Military; Courtship; Evolution of Music & Language 1:02:37 Ears, Visual & Auditory Integration, Sound Localization 1:09:48 Evolution of Visual & Auditory Systems, Music; Brain Controlling Vision 1:15:17 Sponsor: Helix Sleep 1:16:45 Physical Space & Sounds; Cathedrals, Sound Delay 1:22:37 Music, Emotion & Community; Science & Admitting Weakness 1:27:01 Thinking & Sensory Simulations; Forming Thoughts 1:33:18 Attention, Attractor States, Flow States, Tool: Changing Environment 1:37:38 Sounds & Environment for Focus, Attention, Tool: Mental Interval Training 1:44:37 Sponsor: LMNT 1:45:58 Endurance & Interval Mental Work; Mental Rest, Music 1:50:37 Musician, Rehearsal & Performance; Pressure 1:54:16 Chickens; Hypnotizing Chickens, Visual Attention & Focus 2:03:47 Relaxation, Phones & Schools, Boredom, Social Media 2:12:48 Acknowledgements 2:13:58 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter *This experience may not be representative of other Wealthfront clients, and there is no guarantee of future performance or success. Experiences will vary. The Cash Account, which is not a deposit account, is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.  Wealthfront Brokerage is not a bank. The base APY is 3.50% on cash deposits as of November 07, 2025, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. If eligible for the overall boosted rate of 4.15% offered in connection with this promo, your boosted rate is also subject to change if the base rate decreases during the 3 month promo period. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to program banks, where it earns the variable APY. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer. Investment advisory services are provided by Wealthfront Advisers LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Securities investments: not bank deposits, bank-guaranteed or FDIC-insured, and may lose value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

November 10, 20252:16:34E254

How to Make Yourself Unbreakable | DJ Shipley

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My guest is DJ Shipley, a retired Tier 1 operator Navy SEAL and now a top public educator on how to build mental and physical health and reach top-level performance in any endeavor. DJ’s life is one marked by extraordinary strivings, wins, setbacks and comebacks that together have shaped his approach to overcoming challenges of all kinds and to daily life. DJ explains a regimen of clear, practical steps and a mental stance that can allow anyone—male, female, young or old—to build extreme resilience of mind and body and to be successful in family and work. We also discuss his experience with new, emerging treatments for addiction, PTSD and depression that many people, not just veterans, are benefiting from. The tools DJ describes to “stack small wins” and to be ultra-intentional about your mindset will be of immense benefit to anyone wishing to achieve the best version of themselves. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AGZ by AG1: https://drinkagz.com/huberman Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman ROKA: https://roka.com/huberman Timestamps (0:00) DJ Shipley (4:03) Mental & Physical Health, Tools: Morning Routine & Micro-wins (8:35) Balancing Work & Family, Tools: Compartmentalization, "Control the Controllable" (13:46) Sponsors: Rorra & BetterHelp (16:25) Phones, Social Media vs Focus, Negativity, Tool: Consistency & Sleep (23:05) Routine & Stressors, Exercise & Benefits, Tool: Morning Workout (29:24) Body Awareness, Hurt vs Injury (33:53) Physical Injury & Rehab; Exercise; Mobility, Tool: 5-Day Workout Program (44:26) Sponsors: AGZ by AG1 & Eight Sleep (47:29) Skateboarding, Career, Navy SEAL, BUD/S & Embracing Discomfort (56:13) BUD/S, Motivation & Mental Resilience (1:02:18) Navy SEALs, Iraq War & Casualties, Compartmentalization (1:08:41) Public Press; Extortion 17, Operation Red Wings; Death of Friends (1:16:25) High Performers, Social Media Negativity & Legacy (1:19:37) Sponsor: Function (1:21:24) Family Legacy, Military & Purpose, Navy SEAL Culture, Wife & Relationship (1:30:10) Second Deployment, Helplessness & Trauma, Inspiration & Reverence (1:38:30) Skydiving, Injury & Mental Resilience; Medical Retirement & Addiction (1:49:17) Art Therapy, Skateboarding, Electrocution & Recovery (2:00:57) Physical Recovery, Trainer Vernon Griffith (2:04:38) Miracles, Higher Power; Work & Life Tension (2:12:52) Sponsor: ROKA (2:14:39) Physical & Mental Posture, Suicide, Depression, Tool: Control the Controllable (2:21:22) Suicide, Mental Health & Darkest Hour, Ibogaine, 5-MeO-DMT (2:31:18) Ibogaine & Empathy, 5-MeO-DMT & Ego Death; Returning Home, Tool: Dials Not Switches (2:42:42) Psychedelics, Mental Health Plasticity; Veterans' Solutions, Addiction (2:50:39) Medical Ibogaine, Anger, Numbing Out & Hate; Dogs (3:03:42) GBRS Program, High Standards, Functional Fitness, Tool: Fitness Test (3:17:50) Self-Care, Longevity & Fitness, GBRS Program (3:24:45) Self-Respect, Tools: 20-Minute Walk & Relationships; Micro-wins (3:32:57) Acknowledgements, American Flag Hat, Patriotism (3:40:00) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October 6, 20253:42:35E249