Dr. Peter Attia: Exercise, Nutrition, Hormones for Vitality & Longevity

My guest this episode is Dr. Peter Attia, M.D., who trained at Stanford University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Attia is host of The Drive podcast and is a world expert on behavioral approaches, nutritional interventions, supplementation and pharmacological techniques to improve lifespan, healthspan and athletic performance. We discuss how best to evaluate your health status using routine blood work, body scans and regular tests of physical strength and endurance. Dr. Attia explains what he uses with his patients to “back-cast” their health goals as a way to design their exercise and nutritional programs. We also discuss hormone modulation and replacement therapy for both men and women. We explain how cholesterol and related factors contribute to cardiovascular disease risk and how to monitor and mitigate that risk. Dr. Attia details various supplementation, nutrition, exercise and prescription approaches useful to people in every decade of life to improve vitality, reduce their risk of disease and increase the number of years sustaining peak cognitive and physical health. 

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Assessing Health Status & Improving Vitality 

(00:03:07) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

(00:07:29) Lifespan: Bloodwork & Biomarkers Testing, The “4 Horseman of Disease” 

(00:11:51) Healthspan: Functional Testing, Cognitive & Emotional States 

(00:13:59) Blood Testing: Best Frequency 

(00:16:01) DEXA Scan: Lean Mass & Fat, Bone Mineral Density & Osteoporosis 

(00:22:33) Bone Mineral Density & Age-Related Decline, Strength Training, Corticosteroids 

(00:29:24) Osteopenia & Osteoporosis Diagnosis, Strength Training

(00:29:52) Sponsor: AG1

(00:32:16) Back-casting: Defining Your “Marginal Decade” 

(00:38:31) All-Cause Mortality: Smoking, Strength, VO2 max 

(00:44:43) Attia’s Rule of Supplementation, “Centenarian Decathlete” Physical Goals

(00:49:24) Importance of Exercise, Brain Health, MET hours 

(00:55:23) Nicotine & Cognitive Focus

(01:03:12) Menstruation, PMS & Menopause 

(01:10:10) Hormone Replacement Therapy, Menopause & Breast Cancer Risk

(01:22:06) Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone Therapies in Women

(01:26:35) Hormone Replacement Therapy in Men, SHBG & Testosterone, Insulin

(01:37:23) Clomid, Pituitary, Testosterone & Cholesterol, Anastrozole, HCG

(01:47:46) Fadogia Agrestis, Supplements, Rapamycin 

(01:52:06) Testosterone Replacement Therapy & Fertility 

(01:59:26) Total Testosterone vs. Free Testosterone

(02:02:51) Cholesterol & Dietary Cholesterol, Saturated Fat, LDL & HDL, Apolipoprotein B

(02:17:42) Apolipoprotein B, Diet, Statins & Other Cholesterol Prescriptions 

(02:25:15) Cardiovascular Disease, Age & Disease Risk 

(02:28:53) Peptides, Stem Cells, BPC157, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), Injury Rehabilitation 

(02:37:40) Metabolomics & Exercise 

(02:40:44) GLP-1 & Weight Loss 

(02:47:06) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter, Huberman Lab Clips

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

Sleep Toolkit: Tools for Optimizing Sleep & Sleep-Wake Timing

In this episode, I describe a comprehensive toolkit consisting of behavioral and supplement-based tools that you can customize to enhance the quality, duration and impact of your sleep. This has an enormous positive impact on your overall health and daytime functioning, brain, hormones and immune system. I teach you how to effectively harness light (and darkness), temperature, food, exercise, caffeine, supplements, and digital devices in order to fall asleep faster, stay deeply asleep longer and overall, and achieve better quality sleep. I also describe how these tools can be modified to recover quickly from a poor night’s sleep, jet lag or bouts of shift work. Given that sleep is the foundation of all mental health, physical health and performance, this episode should benefit everyone as it provides an essential toolkit of science-supported, low- to zero-cost strategies that can be tailored to optimize your sleep routine.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Eight Sleep: https://eightsleep.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Tools to Optimize Sleep

(00:03:18) Sponsors: LMNT, Eight Sleep

(00:08:24) Factors to Control Circadian Rhythm & Sleep

(00:15:10) Morning Tool: Morning Sunlight Viewing, Cortisol

(00:20:44) Morning Sunlight: Circadian Rhythm, Artificial Lights, Cloudy Days

(00:26:18) Evaluating Light in Environment, Compensating for Missed Morning Light

(00:29:01) Sponsor: AG1

(00:30:46) Morning Tools: Temperature & Deliberate Cold Exposure, Exercise

(00:34:58) Timing Caffeine, “Afternoon Crash,” Exercise

(00:40:08) Timing Eating, Alertness & Circadian Rhythm

(00:45:20) 3 Daily Critical Periods

(00:46:49) Afternoons: Naps, Deep Relaxation (NSDR, Self-Hypnosis), Exercise & Body Temperature, Caffeine

(00:51:59) Afternoon Tools: Viewing Sunlight in Late Afternoon, Evening Light

(00:56:45) Evening/Night Tools: Overhead Artificial Lights, Light Sensitivity

(01:04:40) Evening Tools: Hot Bath/Sauna, Temperature & Sleeping Environment

(01:09:40) Alcohol, THC & Reduced Sleep Quality; CBD, Anxiety & Falling Asleep

(01:11:45) Sleep Supplements: Magnesium Threonate, Apigenin & Theanine

(01:16:34) Melatonin Supplementation (Caution)

(01:17:44) Additional Sleep Supplements: GABA, Glycine, Myo-Inositol & Anxiety

(01:20:08) Falling Back Asleep: Reveri App, NSDR, Yoga Nidra

(01:22:55) Staying Asleep: Eye Masks, Ear Plugs, Elevating Feet

(01:24:58) Tool: Sleep Apnea & Nasal Breathing

(01:28:20) Sleep Schedule Consistency, Weekends, Compensatory Sleep & Caffeine

(01:31:14) Tools: Temperature Minimum & Jet Lag, Shift Work & Red Lights

(01:37:38) Behavioral Tools for 3 Daily Critical Periods

(01:39:26) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Huberman Lab Clips, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

Dr. Emily Balcetis: Tools for Setting & Achieving Goals

My guest this episode is Dr. Emily Balcetis, PhD, Professor of Psychology at New York University (NYU). Dr. Balcetis’ research focuses on how our perception of the world, particularly our visual perceptions, influences our level and persistence of motivation, how we conceptualize goals, actual goal achievement, and our emotional state as we pursue goals. Dr. Balcetis explains how to best visualize and overcome challenges in pursuit of larger, complex goals. We also discuss the science of how to define goals and intermediate milestones, overcome obstacles, and effectively track progress. This episode highlights science-based, immediately actionable tools that anyone can use to set and achieve physical and/or cognitive goals more effectively.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Dr. Emily Balcetis, Visualization of Goals & Motivation

(00:03:41) Sponsors: LMNT

(00:08:08) Vision & Motivation

(00:11:37) Tool: Narrowing Visual Focus & Improving Exercise

(00:21:39) Adjusting Visual Attention & Perceived Fatigue

(00:25:14) Tool: Visual Focus “Spotlight”

(00:27:57) Tool: Goal Gradient Hypothesis, Visual Spotlight to Increase Effort

(00:32:23) Sponsor: AG1

(00:35:00) Defining Goals vs. Accomplishing Goals, Dream Boards & Goal Lists 

(00:41:28) Tool: How to Setting Better Goals & Identify Obstacles

(00:46:38) Vision is Unique, Challenging the Visual System, Realistic Goals & Micro-Goals

(00:57:12) Do Fit People View the World Differently?, States of Body & Visual Experiences

(01:05:54) Caffeine, Stimulants, Visual Windows & Motivation

(01:10:13) Tools: Goal Setting & Cognitive (Non-Physical) Goals, Data Collection

(01:21:54) Year in Review & Memory

(01:26:32) Visual Tools & Mental Health, Depression & Visual Priming

(01:31:33) Focusing Attention & Increasing Visual Detail/Resolution

(01:36:12) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Neural Network Newsletter, Instagram, Twitter, Momentous Supplements

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

The Science & Treatment of Bipolar Disorder

In this episode, I explain the biology, symptoms, causes and types of bipolar disorder (sometimes called bipolar depression). I discuss neuroplasticity and how the brain normally regulates mood, energy, and perceptions; then, I contrast that with the biology of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by extremes of energy and mood, e.g., mania and depression. I outline the mechanisms through which bipolar disorder manifests in the brain, including deficits of interoception and reduced connections between the parietal and limbic systems. I also outline how treatment options (such as lithium) work in part through homeostatic plasticity.’ I discuss not only lithium but also the treatment of bipolar with ketamine, different talk therapies, electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and nutraceuticals, including Omega-3 and Inositol supplementation. This episode should interest anyone who has or knows someone with bipolar disorder and, more broadly, those interested in how the brain works to create a balance between thoughts, energy levels, focus, and mood.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Bipolar Disorder

(00:03:42) Tool: Appetite Suppression & GLP-1, Parallel Pathways, Yerba Mate

(00:9:19) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

(00:14:24) Prevalence & Severity of Bipolar Disorder

(00:16:30) Bipolar Disorder I, Diagnostic Criteria of Mania

(00:28:58) Bipolar Disorder II, Individual Variability

(00:33:07) Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II: Manic, Depressive & Symptom-Free States

(00:38:20) Consequences of Bipolar Disorder, Heritability

(00:46:53) Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder

(00:51:51) Mania & Depression, Negative Impacts

(00:53:06) History of Lithium Treatment

(01:02:44) Lithium Treatment & Side-Effects

(01:05:05) Effects of Lithium: BDNF, Anti-inflammatory & Neuroprotection

(01:10:10) Neural Circuits of Bipolar Disorder, Interoception, Hyper- vs. Hypoactivity

(01:17:11) Neural States & Mania, Parietal Lobe & Limbic System

(01:22:58) Homeostatic Plasticity, Synaptic Scaling, Lithium & Ketamine

(01:36:00) Talk Therapies: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal & Social Rhythm Therapy

(01:43:18) Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)

(01:48:01) Psylocibin, Cannabis

(01:51:50) Lifestyle Support, Supplements: Inositol & Omega-3 Fatty Acids

(02:03:31) Omega-3s, Membrane Fluidity & Neuroplasticity

(02:06:44) Mania, Creativity & Occupations

(02:15:33) Bipolar Disorder: Diagnosis, Neural Circuits & Treatment

(02:17:45) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

Dr. Charles Zuker: The Biology of Taste Perception & Sugar Craving

My guest this episode is Charles Zuker, Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry, Molecular Biophysics and Neuroscience at Columbia University and an Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Dr. Zuker is the world’s leading expert in the biology of taste, thirst and craving. His laboratory explores the mechanisms of taste perception, focusing on how our conscious and unconscious processing of specific foods and nutrients guide our actions and behaviors. We discuss the neural circuits of taste, the “gut-brain axis,” the basis of food cravings and the key difference between wanting (craving) and liking (perceiving) sugar. We also explore how taste perception relates to specific food satiety, thirst, to our emotions, and expectation. We also consider how sugar containing and highly-processed foods can hijack the natural balance of the taste and digestive systems. Dr. Zuker provides a true masterclass in the biology of taste and perception that ought to be of interest to anyone curious about how the brain works, our motivated behaviors and the neural, chemical perceptual aspects of the mind.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Dr. Charles Zuker & Taste Perception

(00:03:22) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

(00:08:35) Sensory Detection vs. Sensory Perception

(00:11:48) Individual Variations within Perception, Color

(00:16:20) Perceptions & Behaviors

(00:20:19) The 5 Taste Modalities

(00:26:18) Aversive Taste, Bitter Taste

(00:28:00) Survival-Based & Evolutionary Reasons for Taste Modalities, Taste vs. Flavor

(00:30:14) Additional Taste Modalities: Fat & Metallic Perception

(00:34:02) Tongue “Taste Map,” Taste Buds & Taste Receptors 

(00:39:34) Burning Your Tongue & Perception

(00:42:54) The “Meaning” of Taste Stimuli, Sweet vs. Bitter, Valence

(00:51:55) Positive vs. Negative Neuronal Activation & Behavior

(00:56:16) Acquired Tastes, Conditioned Taste Aversion 

(01:01:44) Olfaction (Smell) vs. Taste, Changing Tastes over One’s Lifetime

(01:09:14) Integration of Odor & Taste, Influence on Behavior & Emotion

(01:17:26) Sensitization to Taste, Internal State Modulation, Salt

(01:24:05) Taste & Saliva: The Absence of Taste

(01:28:10) Sugar & Reward Pleasure Centers; Gut-Brain Axis, Anticipatory Response

(01:36:23) Vagus Nerve

(01:43:09) Insatiable Sugar Appetite, Liking vs. Wanting, Gut-Brain Axis

(01:52:03) Tool: Sugar vs. Artificial Sweeteners, Curbing Appetite

(01:54:06) Cravings & Gut-Brain Axis 

(01:57:30) Nutrition, Gut-Brain Axis & Changes in Behavior

(02:01:53) Fast vs. Slow Signaling & Reinforcement, Highly Processed Foods 

(02:10:38) Favorite Foods: Enjoyment, Sensation & Context

(02:15:58) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

Optimize & Control Your Brain Chemistry to Improve Health & Performance

In this episode, I explain the biological roles of the four major neuromodulators—dopamine, epinephrine (aka adrenaline), serotonin, and acetylcholine—and describe how these neuromodulators impact a wide variety of mental states and behaviors, including focus, creativity, motivation, drive, learning, alertness, mood, relationships, and feelings of well-being. Then, with that foundational understanding in mind, I describe a potent toolkit of science-supported behavioral, nutrition, and supplementation tools that can be used to increase baseline levels of individual neuromodulators and that can be modified for specific goals. This episode summarizes low-or-no-cost, actionable, science-based tools that can benefit anyone in order to enhance their levels of brain chemicals and improve mental health, physical health, and 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/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Optimizing Neurochemicals to Improve Health

(00:05:30) Sleep & Maintaining Healthy Metabolism

(00:09:52) Tools: How to Wake Up Earlier, Night Owls

(00:18:58) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

(00:22:05) Nervous System Overview

(00:31:32) How Neuromodulators Work 

(00:34:24) Baseline Neuromodulator Levels, 3 Daily Phases

(00:42:15) Hormones Modulate Neuromodulators

(00:52:12) The 4 Major Types of Neuromodulators

(01:01:45) Tool Kit 1: Increase Baseline Dopamine & Focus

(01:08:52) Tyrosine-rich Foods & Dopamine

(01:10:59) Dopamine Supplementation: Mucuna Pruriens, L-tyrosine & Phenylethylamine

(01:16:00) Deliberate Cold Exposure & Dopamine

(01:21:12) Tool Kit 2: Additional Tips to Increase Dopamine

(01:26:10) Tool Kit 3: Increase Epinephrine (Adrenaline) & Alertness

(01:34:34) Tool Kit 4: Increase Acetylcholine & Attention/Learning; Choline-rich Foods

(01:37:29) Acetylcholine Supplements: Nicotine, Alpha GPC, Huperzine 

(01:44:47) Tool Kit 5: Behavior to Increase Focus & Acetylcholine

(01:46:56) Tool Kit 6: Behavior to Increase Serotonin & Feelings of Well-being 

(01:50:51) Tools: Tryptophan-Rich Foods & Serotonin

(01:53:31) Tools: Serotonin Supplements: Cissus Quadrangularis, 5-HTP, Myo-inositol

(02:02:14) Use the Neurochemical Toolkit to Meet Individual Goals

(02:06:44) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

Jeff Cavaliere: Optimize Your Exercise Program with Science-Based Tools

My guest this episode is Jeff Cavaliere, MSPT CSCS, a world-class physical therapist and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Jeff has coached athletes ranging from novice to professional and has taught science-based physical training protocols to tens of millions of everyday people via his enormously clear and actionable online programs. Jeff is a true expert on proper resistance and cardiovascular training, injury prevention and rehabilitation and has extensive knowledge on proper form, posture, nutrition and supplementation. We discuss how to best design and optimize a physical training program to achieve your specific goals. We also discuss how to build and leverage mental focus during workouts, when and how to stretch, pain management and enhancing workout recovery and sleep, and how to personalize your training and nutrition program over time. Jeff’s knowledge and science-based approach ought to benefit everyone in reaching their desired fitness, aesthetic and overall health goals.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Jeff Cavaliere, Physical Training

(00:04:33) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

(00:08:38) Tool: A Fitness Plan for General Health

(00:13:27) Tool: Optimizing Body Part Training Splits

(00:20:12) Two-a-Day Training

(00:22:33) Cardiovascular Conditioning, High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) & Skills

(00:28:24) Tool: Mind-Muscle Connection, The Cavaliere Cramp Contraction Test

(00:35:05) “Muscularity” & Resting Tone

(00:41:31) Tool: Muscle Recovery & Soreness, Grip Strength

(00:50:39) Sleep & Sleep Position

(00:57:24) Active (Dynamic) vs. Passive Stretching, Timing & Healing Muscle

(01:07:23) Tool: Jumping Rope

(01:12:56) Internal & External Rotation, Upright Row vs. High Pull

(01:24:27) Back Pain Relief & Medial Glutes, Body Pain & Origins

(01:37:39) Tool: Properly Holding Weights & Deepening Grip

(01:43:54) Tool: Physical Recovery, Heat & Cold Exposure

(01:47:19) Tool: Record Keeping for Training Performance & Rest Time

(01:51:47) Nutrition Principles & Consistency, Processed Foods & Sugar

(02:00:15) Tool: “Plate Eating”: Protein, Fibrous & Starchy Carbohydrates

(02:11:25) Training in Men vs. Women, Training for Kids & Adolescents

(02:18:05) Tool: Pre- and Post-Training Nutrition

(02:26:30) Intensity & Training Consistency

(02:29:53) AthleanX, Jesse Laico & Fitness Journeys

(02:38:27) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

The Science & Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

In this episode, I explain the biology and psychology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—a prevalent and debilitating condition. I also discuss the efficacy and mechanisms behind OCD treatments—both behavioral and pharmacologic as well as holistic and combination treatments and new emerging treatments, including directed brain stimulation. I explain the neural circuitry underlying repetitive “thought-action loops” and why in OCD, the compulsive actions merely make the obsessions even stronger. I review cognitive-behavioral therapies like exposure therapy and SSRIs, holistic approaches, and nutraceuticals, detailing the efficacy of each approach and what science says about how to combine and sequence treatments. I describe an often effective approach for treating OCD where clinicians use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to deliberately bring patients into states of high anxiety while encouraging them to suppress compulsive actions in order to help them learn to overcome repetitious thought/action cycles. This episode should interest anyone with OCD, anyone who knows someone with OCD or OCPD, and more generally, those interested in how the brain works to control thoughts and actions, whether those thoughts are intrusive or not.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

(00:04:06) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

(00:08:28) What is OCD and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder?

(00:11:18) OCD: Major Incidence & Severity

(00:15:10) Categories of OCD

(00:21:33) Anxiety: Linking Obsessions & Compulsions

(00:27:33) OCD & Familial Heredity

(00:29:10) Biological Mechanisms of OCD, Cortico-Striatal-Thalamic Loops

(00:39:36) Cortico-Striatal-Thalamic Loop & OCD

(00:46:39) Clinical OCD Diagnosis, Y-BOCS Index

(00:51:38) OCD & Fear, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Exposure Therapy

(01:01:56) Unique Characteristics of CBT/Exposure Therapy in OCD Treatment

(01:10:18) CBT/Exposure Therapy & Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

(01:22:30) Considerations with SSRIs & Prescription Drug Treatments

(01:25:17) Serotonin & Cognitive Flexibility, Psilocybin Studies

(01:31:50) Neuroleptics & Neuromodulators

(01:36:09) OCD & Cannabis, THC & CBD

(01:39:29) Ketamine Treatment

(01:41:43) Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

(01:46:22) Cannabis CBD & Focus

(01:47:50) Thoughts Are Not Actions

(01:51:27) Hormones, Cortisol, DHEA, Testosterone & GABA

(02:00:55) Holistic Treatments: Mindfulness Meditation & OCD

(02:03:28) Nutraceuticals & Supplements: Myo-Inositol, Glycine

(02:09:45) OCD vs. Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

(02:20:53) Superstitions, Compulsions & Obsessions

(02:31:00) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

Ido Portal: The Science & Practice of Movement

My guest is Ido Portal, the world’s foremost expert on human movement. Ido has spent a lifetime studying, combining and evolving elements from an enormous range of martial arts, dance genres, athletic endeavors, and science, to develop a unified theory and practice of movement called “The Ido Portal Method.” Here we discuss all things movement, including the role of the nervous system, reflexive versus deliberate movement patterns, and the link between emotions and awareness in movement. We also discuss learning and neuroplasticity, the mind-body connection and how movement itself can be leveraged toward expanding other types of skills- cognitive, creative and otherwise. As one of the most sought out teachers of movement alive today, the knowledge Ido shares in this conversation can benefit everyone—children, adults, athletes, dancers, clinicians and trainers and the everyday person.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Ido Portal, Movement & Movement Practice

(00:03:42) Sponsors: AG1, LMNT

(00:07:49) What is Movement?

(00:10:56) Movement & the Body-Mind Connection

(00:14:47) Entry Points to Movement

(00:18:08) Early Education in Movement: Awareness, Play & Examination

(00:21:19) Stillness, Movement & the Environment, Playfulness

(00:31:34) Unique Postures, Types of Movement, Contents vs. Containers

(00:40:50) Discomfort: Marker of Movement, Failures & Learning

(00:47:05) Movement Diversity, Squat Challenge, Injury, Movement Evolution

(00:56:36) Animal & Human Movements, Gain & Change

(01:02:04) Core Movement, Emotion & Memory, Spinal Waves, Evolution

(01:12:39) Song, Dance & Complex Language, Movement as Language, Consilience

(01:21:39) Movement Culture, Community, Collective Knowledge, Wild & Wise

(01:26:36) Potential for Movement, “Humming”

(01:32:18) Instructiveness vs Permissiveness, Degrees of Freedom

(01:35:50) Variety, Diversity & Virtuosity

(01:38:06) Vision & Movement, Focus & Awareness, Panoramic Awareness

(01:48:28) Hearing & Movement

(01:52:43) Walking Gaits

(01:56:55) Playful Variability & Evolution, Improvisation & Openness

(02:03:05) Reactivity & Personal Space, Touch & Proximity to Others, Play & Discomfort

(02:18:13) Visualization & Experience, Feedback

(02:20:14) Linear Movement & Movement Investigation, Examination

(02:31:45) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

Disclaimer

Improve Flexibility with Research-Supported Stretching Protocols

In this episode, I explain the science behind limb range of motion and flexibility and how to increase them by using science-supported protocols. Flexibility is crucial for physical movements and can help prevent injuries, decrease inflammation, modulate physical and mental pain, impact exercise recovery speed and even potentially slow the progression of certain diseases. I explain the biology of flexibility, including the specific neural mechanisms that sense stretch and load (i.e., tension) on the muscles and limbs, as well as how specific brain regions like the insula combine those signals to ultimately control limb range of movement. I also provide science-based stretching and “micro-stretching” protocols that reliably improve limb flexibility with the minimum necessary time investment. I review all the details of those stretching protocols: how often to do them, for how long, their timing relative to other exercises, sets, the time between sets, measuring progress and more. All people, physically active or not, should benefit from the information and tools described in this episode.

For the full show notes, visit hubermanlab.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1 (Athletic Greens): https://athleticgreens.com/huberman

InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/huberman

Supplements from Momentous

https://www.livemomentous.com/huberman

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Flexibility & Stretching

(00:02:57) Sponsors: AG1, InsideTracker

(00:07:22) Innate Flexibility

(00:09:23) Movement: Nervous System, Connective Tissue & Muscle; Range of Motion

(00:17:51) Golgi Tendon Organs (GTOs) & Load Sensing Mechanisms

(00:20:20) Decreased Flexibility & Aging

(00:22:38) Insula, Body Discomfort & Choice

(00:30:02) von Economo Neurons, Parasympathetic Activation & Relaxation

(00:42:00) Muscle Anatomy & Cellular ‘Lengthening,’ Range of Motion

(00:47:16) Tool: Protocol – Antagonistic Muscles, Pushing vs. Pulling Exercises

(00:51:57) Types of Stretching: Dynamic, Ballistic, Static & PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation)

(00:59:36) Tool: Increasing Range of Motion, Static Stretching Protocol, Duration

(01:05:56) Tool: Static Stretching Protocol & Frequency

(01:13:55) Tool: Effective Stretching Protocol

(01:17:12) Tool: Warming Up & Stretching

(01:19:17) Limb Range of Motion & General Health Benefits

(01:25:30) PNF Stretching, Golgi Tendon Organs & Autogenic Inhibition

(01:31:23) Tool: Anderson Protocol & End Range of Motion, Feeling the Stretch

(01:32:50) Tool: Effectiveness, Low Intensity Stretching, “Micro-Stretching”

(01:41:33) Tool: Should you Stretch Before or After Other Exercises?

(01:45:41) Stretching, Relaxation, Inflammation & Disease

(01:51:37) Insula & Discomfort, Pain Tolerance & Yoga

(02:00:36) Tools: Summary of Stretching Protocols

(02:03:00) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube Feedback, Spotify & Apple Reviews, Sponsors, Momentous Supplements, Instagram, Twitter, Neural Network Newsletter

Title Card Photo Credit: Mike Blabac

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